ALT Designs has launched a fresh, new flash website! Finally, a look I love, with gorgeous galleries that don’t compete with the images.

Check it out!!!

www.altdesigns.ca

Another wonderful mini workshop and photo session with the pregnant women at Blue Skies Yoga. I just love seeing that warm smile and calm in a pregnant woman as she lays her hands on her stomach and connects with her child, it’s such a tender and precious moment.

August is going to be a busy month so my guess is not much time for blogging (sorry to disappoint), however just wait for September, there will be loads of fun images to browse through not to mention a fab new website launch.

Fall is my favourite time of year, I did get married in October after all. I love the colours, the crunch of leaves under your feet and the warmth of those Indian summer nights in September that lead into the cool days when you can smell that winter is around the corner. Time to bundle up and enjoy a cozy fire with your loved ones. Before that first snow fall comes, because trust me it’s not that far away, be sure to book a fall photo session for a delightfully rich palate of beautiful images to cherish for years.

Skye Hardwick’s Workshop Workbook is an amazing tool for those photogs starting out in the business. From business forms to photoshop tricks, she covers everything you need to know to get ahead in the biz.

A key element in professional photography is knowing how to process your digital images. In the transition from film to digital it seems many have forgotten that the post production is just as important as your technique and skills behind the lens. Skye’s workbook introduced me to the world of actions and textures and WOW, what a difference it has made. Not only do I get to dedicate more time to my family because steps are simplified, but my creativity gets to run wild with all the lovely textures and colour “popping”! Check out the Flora Bella Collection for some beautiful actions and textures.

This Father and Daughter team were awesome! The train was the perfect setting, especially since they both happen to love trains. “A” was a natural, she was at ease and and fell into positions as I directed her – what a treat. Her dad “B” was very cool, obviously very caring of his little girl as you hear him point out with that warm fatherly tone “your shoelaces are untied”. “B” was definitely a deserving single parent for The Emabee Wish Project and I’m honoured to be able to give them some beautiful photos to reflect on for years to come.

Remember to nominate a single parent for The Emabee Wish Project, just head over to the website and click NOMINATE. Tell me a story about why you feel your friend/ family member could use a little sunshine to brighten their day.

A photo shoot rich in textures, patterns and personalities. “S” is a charming baby girl with beautiful big brown eyes that capture your heart. This one is a confident soul and ready to go. Although not always easy to capture a photo, “S” is a spunky babe. I just love her expressions!

I had so much fun working with all the props we pulled together. My old barn ladder worked perfectly with “S’s” special quilt.  One of my faves from this session is Mom’s boots framing “S”, when I saw those gorgeous brown (almost) knee highs, I knew I had to use them somehow.

A fun fact: “S” was born on my first wedding anniversary.

Unbelievable, time flies when you’re having fun! Em has been in this world for 42 weeks, and I can’t remember or imagine life before her – nor do I want to. She amazes me every day. Her dad and I watch her grow, learn and explore… all we can do is stare in awe and occasionally look up at each other to give a knowing smile. A smile that says “isn’t she the cutest, aren’t you proud of her, I’m so happy”. In the last month or so Em has had so many firsts – kissing, waving, clapping, semi-crawling, cruising with a walker. It’s incredible how much they learn so quickly.

So of course I had to do another photo shoot because it’s been almost two months since the baby in blue shoot.  We will have a very well documented first year.

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate my friend’s daughters birthday.  She is two now. I hope to have beautiful weather so I can get some great outdoor photos!

A portrait turned positively marvelous. I’m in love with my daughters new growth chart, so much so that I decided to add this custom designed canvas to my print catalogue.

I’ve searched high and low for a growth chart for Em’s room, there are tons of cute ones on the market but it starts to feel monotonous after a while. One blends into another and sooner or later I can’t remember which one I liked to begin with. So to resolve the matter I took things into my own hands and designed one perfect for Emalee’s room, better yet with a beautiful photo of her and room to add more as she grows up.

Now you can have one too, email me to inquire at info@altdesigns.ca.

When Em was three months old we joined a baby and me yoga class at Blue Skies Yoga and Eco Store. It was really great! Meeting other new moms, wonderful instructors and the studio is fabulous. That being said it was the first place I thought of to hang some examples of my work. The owners, Janine and Cheong, were happy to oblige. They have two Photo Art canvases up in the studio for people to enjoy.  If you’re a new mom, I would definitely recommend trying one of their classes and while you’re there take a peek at the canvases.

Photo Art is really unique and fun. It’s a one of a kind piece of artwork created from a portrait. It’s the perfect idea for a nursery to give you that personal touch, a kids room to add some colour or the rec room!

I’m so excited to announce the launch of The Emabee Wish Project, a non profit division of ALT Designs devoted to giving a special thanks to all the hardworking single parents out there! This is something very dear to my heart. I am fortunate to have four wonderful parents and have formed amazing relationships with each of them, but my mom should be rewarded for all she did (and continues to do)! She raised me and my brother from the ages of 3 and 1 on her own, later with the help of our great step-dad Ger!

As a new mom I know all about the responsibilities of being a parent and with lots of help from my husband Mike, I think we get the job done well! It’s definitely teamwork though. So this Project is for those parents who have to manage on their own, those who have to be both Mom and Dad all at once, because they deserve every break they can get. It is our mission to bring a little sweetness into their lives by taking beautiful photos of the baby bees they care for.

The Emabee Wish Project offers our Sweet Honey package bi-monthly to a single parent, free of charge. The Sweet Honey package includes a free photo session, 10 4×6 prints, 2 5×7 prints and one 13×19 print.

It’s up to YOU to nominate a single mom OR dad you feel is suited for the Emabee Wish Project, please email nominate@emabeewishproject.com with a story as to why you feel this parent deserves some Sweet Honey!  I will carefully review each email received within the two month time period and choose the best nominee,  then contact you to arrange to meet the extraordinary parent.  The first selection will be made at the end of April.

*Conditions apply: Parent must be the primary caregiver, children 12 and under, residents of the Waterloo Region.

Check out our website and please tweet this, link it on facebook, anything you can to get the word out there, an admirable parent awaits!

WWW.EMABEEWISHPROJECT.COM

I love revisiting clients. These two are brother and sister, if that wasn’t obvious. I took photos of them when they were 5 and 6, now at 9 and 10 they have grown up so much. Still a little goofy with each other, it’a apparent that beyond the occasional sibling rivalry they are very close. It’s a lot of fun to see how they interact with each other and to watch how their repertoire changes when they are alone with just me and the camera. I hope to have the chance to take pictures of them again in a few more years and see the next phase.