Today is the day to celebrate love, kindness, caring, friendship and family. Tell the ones you love just how much you appreciate their presence in your life. Pay it forward.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
{M} xo
Every Day Life : : Kitchener Family Photographer
Swimming lessons. I have spent more hours at a pool than I can count. I took swimming lessons nearly every week from age 6 months to 16 years, when I received my National Lifeguard Service Certificate. So don't be fooled by my not-so-lithe physique, I am a cracker-jack swimmer (and apparently given to using phrases from 1955). And now, I am at the pool again. My girls have been in lessons since they were babes and while they absolutely LOVE to swim, I can understand that the routine is a little grating on the nerves at times. Each week, we schlep to the pool, bathing suits itching under clothes, then jam towels, shoes and coats into tiny lockers in the steamy change room and elbow our way through the bottle-neck at the deck entrance for them to jump, backstroke, and bob. And after I try to avoid dozing in the warm, white-noise filled viewing area, we race to the showers to claim a spot, towel dry, wrestle dry jammies over wet feet and arms (which is always tricky) and try to dry hair without getting blown away by the hurricane-force dryers.
But sometimes, if we get there a bit early, there are a few minutes to enjoy the relative quiet of the change room, in the space between one session ending and the next one beginning. It was in such a moment that I captured this image. To me, it speaks volumes, the silent story of our many hours spent at the pool, and countless more to come.
On a side note, I realize that most of my recent posts have featured personal photos. This year, I am making a huge effort to capture more images of my family at rest, play, work and love. I was inspired by fellow photographer, Dana Pugh of Short and Sweet Photography, whose blog post featuring her favourite photos of her family from last year moved me to tears. Her work is so beautiful and it truly celebrates the joy in the little moments. That is what I want my work to accomplish, for your family as well as my own. Thank you all for looking, I promise some new (not of my kids) work will be coming soon! :)
{M) xo
Hold you Tight : : Kitchener Family Photographer
Emery has always been a snuggler. From the day she was born, she has been happiest curled up in my arms or sitting in Daddy's lap. She is just that kind of kid. And I have to admit, I truly dread the day when she outgrows my arms and wants nothing to do with snuggling. I love having her cuddled up with me, her fine hair smelly sweetly of fresh air and her heavy weight warm and soft against me. Sigh. Pure bliss.
As a photographer, it is hard enough to find time to be in front of the camera, but particularly, to capture those everyday moments that you cherish for a lifetime. The morning kisses, the midday snuggles and the bedtime stories. Sometimes I wish I had my own personal photographer to follow me around to capture these memories, and show the world "I was there too!". But for now, I have to settle for some stolen time, on a warm fall afternoon, to sneak out into the backyard, put Brielle on a stool, set the camera settings and hope for the best. She took 64 frames and this one was the only one that was even remotely in focus or had our heads in it. But one is all I needed.
Love you Em-er!
{M} xo
One More Frame : : Cambridge Children's Photography
I had to share just one more from the library. I love how pensive she is in this moment. It makes me wonder what she is thinking...
Thanks for looking. Don't forget to leave some love in the comments section!
{M} xo
Birthday Portraits - Part Two : : Cambridge Children's Photographer
Okay, here is part two! The location we chose for this part of the session was the Hespeler Library in Cambridge. It is a gorgeous building with a glass exterior, lots of light, modern features and really friendly staff. Redesigned in 2007, it wraps around and preserves the historic Carnegie Library, and it is an architectural wonder. We got there a little later than planned, after taking advantage of the gorgeous winter-afternoon light outdoors, and we arrived with around 45 minutes to shoot (including an outfit change!). Brielle was a real trooper, and we moved quickly and quietly through the library, shooting right down to the wire! Brielle did stop for a few minutes to read some pages from Charlotte's Web, the first novel she and I read together. Even though the light was fading fast, I couldn't refuse her request to take a reading break.
Brielle has blossomed into a very confident and avid reader over the last few months, progressing quickly through the reading levels at school and becoming more interested in deeper stories. This makes my heart so happy. I am a MAJOR bibliophile, often reading three or four books at a time, getting lost in each story with equal intensity. I am so glad that Brielle will have the ability to lose herself in the world of literature, to always have a way to fill the spare moments.
Here are a few images from our time at the library, a new entry on our list of favourite places to hang out.
Love you Lulu!
{M) xo
Birthday Portraits - Part One : : Cambridge Children's Photographer
Every year, around my girls' birthdays, I take each one out for her very own portrait session. We pick the outfits together, choose the locations and set a date. Brielle decided on two different locations for her shoot, both of which show a part of her personality. The first part was set in the woods behind and around my parents' property, which backs onto Crown Land and the Grand River delta. The sun was shining all morning, but wouldn't you know it, it was playing peekaboo with the clouds when we finally got ready to shoot!
Brielle is such a lover of the outdoors, a camper, a hiker and an explorer. She loves being outside in the fresh air, discovering new things and learning about nature. She chose to have this part of the shoot in the forest because "I love nature, Mommy!". Adorable!
Stay tuned for part two!
{M} xo
The Calm Before the Storm : : Kitchener Baby Photographer
Nine months is a great age. It is the golden time, right before your little one starts to talk, sing, dance and generally make a lot more happy noise. Just preceding the stage when they are learning to walk and therefore fall constantly, often leading with the head...and thus causing much gasping and mom-diving to save tender skulls. This little lady is right at the start of this wonderful phase, crawling around, stealing her big sister's Lego for a taste test, pulling the keys off of Dad's laptop and keeping her Mommy on her toes all day long. I am fortunate to be friends with both of her parents ( they were each my husband's boss, but at two different companies - long story) and I dropped over on a lovely, but rather gray, morning to snap some shots of their little darling.
She was so fun to shoot, with a few big smiles and lots of curious pondering, but no tears or playing shy. She did, however, take a great liking to my camera strap and we had a couple of tug-of-war matches over it while I was snapping away. I don't want to brag, but I won! ;)
Thanks for sharing your morning with me, ladies!
{M} xo
Daddy and his Girl : : Kitchener Family Photographer
I have an image on my wall that melts my heart every time I look at it. My wonderful husband with Brielle in his lap, kissing her gently on the forehead. She, with her hair slightly messy, a look of peace on her face and her hands around her Daddy's hands. Sigh. What a true moment of unconditional love. This is what drives me to be a family photographer. To see the love, caring, tenderness, sweetness, laughter and joy that exists within every family. It is what makes a family a family. And that I was able to capture this moment for my own family to treasure is better than any gift I could ever receive. That is what I hope to give to each and every family that I photograph - the gift of memories to cherish.
Remember to hug your kids tight and tell them you love them with your words and actions. Kiss them while they are sleeping and watch them when they don't know you are looking. That is joy.
Okay, I'm getting a little sappy and cheesy now. :) Enjoy this image. I do every day.
{M} xoxo
if seven is a lucky number : : Kitchener Children's Photography
Brielle is seven today. Holy moly, it is even harder to write than I thought it would be! She has grown to be such a kind, smart, sassy, beautiful, stubborn, verbal little lady, and yet today I just want to hold in her in my arms and will her to stay a child forever. Ah, the joys and sorrows of motherhood, all rolled into one special day. I think this is going to be Brielle's year. She has started to learn to snowboard, and her smile while she is on the hill is RADIATING! She has started reading chapter novels and I love watching her hunker down in bed each night to tackle a chapter, calling out occasionally to spell a word for us to help her with. She is developing stronger relationships with her friends, and beginning to see the value of true friendships. Not to mention dealing with ups and downs of the school playground and its complex social stratosphere.
This year, she decided that rather than a group party, she wanted to invite her bestie, Taylor, over for her first ever BFF sleepover. Lord help me, this is moving way too fast for me! The girls were VERY excited for this big night, which consisted of lots of play time, some Just Dance 3 on the Xbox, hide-and-go-seek and eventually, some sleepy snuggles. Listening to little girls whispering in bed when they are supposed to be sleeping is pure joy.
In the morning, after an up-and-down night, Carl whipped up some pancakes for the girls and they watched a Bratz movie. And, of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab the girls for a few shots, even if they only cooperated for a few minutes. They are so darn cute together, cracking each other up with potty humour and whispering secrets. I just happened to have coordinating outfits in the closet for them to wear! :)
I think these two are going to be the stars of many misadventures together!
And add the third, look out world!!!!
On her seventh birthday!
I love you Brielle. You are my sunshine.
{M} xoxo
I Miss Summer : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
As I stood this morning, freezing my tush off watchng Brielle snowboard, my face numb and my glasses caked with ice droplets, I dreamed of summer. Green grass, a warm breeze, the girls whizzing down the sidewalk on their bikes and my feet free of socks and shoes. It sounds so lovely. Of course, then I was snapped back to reality by a snowflake in the ear and the dream bubble burst. But I can still put a little summer on the blog!!! Here is one of my friend's little darling, Rachel, enjoying last year's warm temperatures. A rare serious expression from a little monkey who usually smiles like crazy!
Here's to summer dreams!
{M} xo
I Heart Faces Photo Challenge : : By the Book
This my entry for this week's I Heart Faces photo challenge. It is my first time entering any of their challenges, but I really want to start pushing myself to expand creatively and this is a fun way to accomplish that goal. The theme for this week is "By the Book" and participants are asked to include a book as a prop in each image. I love this shot of little Miss Ava, who was featured here on the blog a couple of months ago. I think it shows so much personality and I smile every time I look at her "Are you done yet, Lady?" expression!
If you haven't already checked out I Heart Faces, make sure to click on over and see some of the other entries, and stay to take a look at all the wonderful articles and tutorials that they have for the photography community. It is FANTASTIC!
Mr. Smiley : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
My girls have been going to the same sitter for almost four years. As a result, they have each claimed one of her sons as a "boyfriend". I featured Brielle's little man, Ethan, back in the fall, but I just recently had the opportunity to sneak in a mini session with his younger brother, Noah. AKA Emery's boyfriend. Sigh. I didn't think it would start quite this early. I dread the teenage years. I headed out with Noah and his Mom on a bright winter's morning to capture some new images for the walls. It was a little crisp, but Noah was such a trooper! He is so silly and happy that we had no shortage of great smiles and expressions. In fact, he had a hard time making a straight face - he just kept cracking up! Sometimes being serious is harder than you would think, especially for a four year old.
Enjoy the images!
What a great start to 2012!
{M} xo
The Season : : Kitchener Photographer
This Christmas, for the first time, I decided not to work at all during the break so I could spend extra time with my family. Usually I end up doing at least a few massage treatments and a couple of last minute shoots but I always wish that I had just stayed home with my girls and hubby. This year I was all about watching movies with my girls, going to dinner with my hubby and just enjoying the peace and (relative) quiet of being at home with no plans. I took the pressure off even more by telling myself it was okay NOT to have perfect images from the season, but rather simple snapshots that were technically imperfect, but captured all the memories as they happened. I have found that as a professional photographer, everyone expects that all of your pictures will be amazing all the time and expect you to always have your camera at the ready. Ugh. Sometimes I want to just enjoy the moment without worrying about if I have enough light or if I have a good angle.
So, here are some snaps from my holiday season. The best one I have had in a really long time.
I was so proud of Brielle for writing the note to Santa all by herself this year. Emery drew the picture (don't ask me what it is, it was a very long and complicated explanation)...
And now to lay out some challenges for myself for 2012! Last year, I promised to complete a 52 weeks project (I got to week 36 or so and it kind of tapered off), to photograph 32 strangers (never happened) and maybe one other thing that I totally forget. This year, I am trying to set challenges that are a little less ambitious. And I expect you all to hold me to them, so don't be shy about reminding me on Facebook, by blog comment or in person!
- 24 Frames - Essentially, I want to practice and refine the skill of getting everything right IN CAMERA. Back in the film days, your couldn't just shoot to your heart's content and do the fixes in post, you had to nail it the first time, every time. I have gotten much better at this, but it is always important to keep working on it. So I will be posting, throughout the year, images that have come straight out of camera (SOOC) with just a bit of sharpening for web. Phew, wish me luck!
- Monthly Portraits - I want to do monthly portraits of my girls, just to see them grow and change throughout the year. I haven't told them yet, so it will be a surprise (or ambush, call it what you will.)
- Workshops - I want to attend at least two workshops this year, so I better start saving my pennies (or whole paycheques). I love learning new skills and meeting other photographers and workshops let me do both at the same time!
Okay, that seems like more than enough. Hopefully at this time next year I will be able to say that I completed all of my challenges (don't hold your breath, people). Thanks again for all the love and support this past year. Look out 2012, here I come!
{M} xo
Li'l Santa and His Big Sister : : Fergus Children's Photographer
I was thrilled when my godsister asked me to take some special holiday photos of her two little cuties back in November. I hadn't seen this part of my family for a long while and was looking forward to catching up! I couldn't wait to share these images, but had to wait until after Christmas so that we didn't spoil the surprise gifts for her family and friends. These blondies are so photogenic, it was hard to decide what to share. I picked a couple of faves for my site and I am sharing my other selections here. Enjoy!
First up is Miss Bella, a sweet, vibrant five year old who was excited to show off her baby brother (and play with my tag-along assistant, Emery).
What a proud big sister!
Next is the adorable Aidan. With those big blue eyes and cute smile, he is already a lady-killer!
Love you guys!
{M} xo
Christmas Tea Party at Langdon Hall : : Cambridge Ontario Photographer
This week the Dronyk Clinic, my dad's Chiropractic, Naturopathic and Acupuncture clinic (where I work as a massage therapist), had it's annual Christmas party. Usually we go out and have a very lengthy meal at a local restaurant, but this year it was suggested that we go to afternoon tea at the fabulous Langdon Hall, located in historic Blair. This gorgeous mansion was once the summer residence of a wealthy American family and now serves as a luxury hotel, restaurant and event venue. Being the proud owner of a very expensive but often useless history degree, I was beyond excited to check out this piece of local history. Being a small group, we were able to have our tea in the guest house's beautiful conservatory, a bright, window-filled room filled with wicker furniture and a warm, inviting fireplace. There we munched on freshly baked scones with Honey Butter made with honey produced on site, as well as an assortment of delicate pastries and savoury sandwiches. Now, I am not much of a fancy food gal myself, but I tried most of the little delectables and was surprised how many tasted delicious despite their hard-to-pronouce names (and I speak French and Latin, so if they were hard for me to pronouce, trust me, they were tricky to say!). They even had a special menu for my girls, consisting of mini grilled cheese, PB & J sandwiches and fresh fruit skewers.
I have to admit, I had anticipated a bit of the snobbery and nose-in-the-air attitude that I have come across at some other luxury establishments, but the staff and servers at Langdon Hall were exceptionally kind, warm, friendly and accomodating. Our fantastic server Alun even took my camera to get some candid shots of our whole party so I could take a bit of a break to enjoy myself. He treated my girls so well, taking them on a special tour of the house and kitchens, as well as giving them a key to a guest room so they could conduct their own little tours for Team Dronyk! They were absolutely adorable, Brielle explaining that no one could touch the big feather bed or jump on it, and Emery saying that you could be as loud as you want because the owners were all dead (she had asked me if the people in the paintings were the owners and I told her they had been a long time ago but had passed away)!
All in all, it was an absolutely fabulous way to spend the afternoon and a wonderful ending to another great year in practice. I have some images to share of our day. Try not to drool too much over the food shots.
I can't wait to go back to Langdon Hall in the future.
{M} xo
Charlie Boy : : Kitchener Pet Photographer
I just wanted to share a few shots of my handsome lound (a word of my own creation that means lab-hound cross), Charlie. Also known as Charlie Boy, Charles, Charlie Brown, Chuckles, Chuckie, and Charlie Chuckles. He is a well-loved member of our family, as well as a part-time member of my parents' and best friend's households. Here are the things Charlie loves to do:
- play ball
- eat
- sleep
- walk
- sleep (he really loves to sleep)
Charlie also snores (loudly), farts (also loudly), DROOLS, and occasionally eats food off the kitchen counter. In other words, he is the perfect dog.
We had an impromptu session in the woods one day, involving cheese slices, a stick and lots of burrs...but I did get one for the canvas I wanted! Success!
I love this next one. He has such a great smile...for a dog!
What a great dog. Love him.
{M} xo
Thank You : : Kitchener Photographer
I can't believe that this year is almost at it's end. For me, this has been a year of incredible growth and opportunity, as well as a year of change. And as I look toward the coming year, I can see that it is only going to get better. It was just over a year ago that I finally made the leap into the world of photography as a business. With my other jobs (yes, plural) and commitments as a wife and mother, I wasn't sure how I would manage to balance my hectic life if I added yet another "job" to the equation. But photography is not a job, it is a passion. And while it may have just as many hours of paper work, as much time away from my family and as many stressful moments as any other job, I love it more every time I pick up my camera. It is a lot of hard work, more than I even anticipated, but well worth it for the joy it brings to my heart.
I was sort of forced into getting a website and blog up-and-running, after finding out that a Google search for "Mandy Blake Photography" turned up a LOT of links to images of a plus-size porn star by the same name. I'll wait while you Google it. Go ahead. See? So obviously I had to work quickly to separate my name and my work from any association with the other Mandy Blake!
As I created this composite of all the children I have photographed this year, I was astounded to find that I had had the chance to work with over 40 families this year! Holy cow! I am so grateful to all of you - my clients, my friends, my family, my colleagues, my cheerleaders - for helping to make this year a succesful one. I am truly honored that you were willing to help me in this journey. Here are each of the beautiful faces I photographed this year (I hope I didn't miss anyone!) :
And can I just say, as I was going through the files from early in the year, I was shocked to see just how BAD my processing used to be! I was mortified by some of the crap I had produced. But then my husband, in his infinite wisdom said to me, "At least you don't suck anymore. You must be learning, right?". And that is one of the reasons I love him so much. Every step is one you need to make to stay on the right path.
I feel blessed and enornously relieved to have made it this far, but I know I have more growing, learning and exploring to do each and every day to make my photography better and stronger.
I can't wait to see what the new year will bring....2012, get ready, 'cause here I come!
{M} xo
Chasing and Playing : : Exeter Children's Photographer
You win some, you lose some. Such is the life of a children's photographer. Sometimes, everything clicks, the kids are really into getting their photo taken and you breeze right through (this happens VERY rarely, don't get excited.) Other times, it takes a little more work. More chasing, more begging, more bribing, more playing and more sweating. Toddlers, in particular, often fall into the latter scenario. Any of you who have tried to get a toddler to sit still will know what I mean. These two little lovelies were really fun to work with. Not so still, but fun nonetheless! ;) They shared their morning with me to capture some images for my final portfolio for college. The session involved two different dancing Elmos, a ball, the Goldilicious book, some Christmas ornaments and one singing birthday card, so you can imagine how much I was workin' for it! And all that patience I have lost with my own kids magically reappeared when I needed it. I knew I put it somewhere...
After pulling out all the stops, I managed to get a few images that I love, so it was well worth every Elmo chicken dance and Bibbedy-bobbedy-boo I had to endure.
Thanks Ava, Lyla and Lesley for being so kind and sharing your day with me!
{M} xoxo
A new cousin! : : London, Ontario Baby Photograher
Our family is so happy to welcome our new little cousin, Sydney Emily Dronyk into the crazy Dronyk clan! She was born on September 11, so I am a bit behind on posting this, but I hadn't had the chance to meet her until recently, and I couldn't very well post without images! :) She is such a happy, expressive baby with chubby cheeks and a big smile. She already loves to chatter and squeal, which is a good skill to develop in this family, since we are collectively and infamously VERY loud. It was such a pleasure to hold a baby again, since mine are no longer willing to sit with me for very long (unless they are sick). I only took a few shots, since my main goal was to squeeze in as many squeezes and kisses as possible, but I did get a couple that I liked!
Congratulations Liz and Corey on such a beautiful little princess. We look forward to watching her grow!
{M} xoxo
Eric + Family : : Kitchener Family Photography
This family is one that is particularly special for me to photograph, because they are a part of my own family. Corey and I met when she came to live with my family during her last year of high school, since she lived in a small town and her school didn't offer all of the courses she needed to follow her chosen career path. We became like sisters and have remained close through the years as we have both grown and made our own lives. She and her husband Chris (who attended the same high school as I did, small world), and daughter Ruthie recently welcome baby Eric to their family. I was excited to meet and snuggle my new little "nephew" and capture some images for this wonderful family.
I should point out that newborns are definitely NOT my specialty and I say a big "Holy smokes, you are crazy good" to those photographers that do newborn photography well. Imagine trying to pose a ragdoll with a keen startle reflex, who stretches luxuriously just as you are about to snap the shutter, undoing all of your tricky arm and leg folding , and you will have an idea of how difficult photographing a newborn can be. I DO want to improve my skills in this department, so all of you out there get busy making babies for me to practice with! ;)
I did enjoy working with this family in their home, taking images of them in their own "element", relaxed and just living life. In the long winter months ahead, with the bitter temperatures and early dark, this is a great way to work a session into your schedule without freezing your tush off (or mine, for that matter). I think there is definitely something special about capturing memories in the place where most of them are created.
Enjoy the images everyone!
xoxo {M}