Tot Shots Photography

Run for the Cure, Birthdays, School, Backlog,…| Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:53:20 +0000

Lots going on! This is a busy time of year once your children are in school and activities, isn’t it? For the first time since I started the business though I have taken a scheduled “work-staycation”. Okay, probably not the right word but I as mentioned in the last post…I am not a wordsmith. Anyway, I took the last two weeks off from shooting in an attempt to get caught up, get the business ready for a very busy fall, spend the last few days of summer with my children doing as many fun summer things as we could possibly cram in, celebrate my daughter’s 4th birthday (still blown away that my baby is 4), and getting my son ready for Gr.1 and daughter ready for her first year of preschool. Not to mention getting them registered and prepared for a variety of fall activities!

I have also finally been getting information out for the CIBC Run for the Cure. Last year I mustered up the strength to start a team in my mum’s honour and together the team of 20 raised almost $6,000. This placed Team Tot Shots in the top 3% of corporate teams across Canada…AWESOME! We are well on our way to doing some awesome work this year too. Our team has already raised over $2,000 – well on our way to the goal of $7,500. If you would like to join our team or donate please go to the CIBC Run for the Cure website. I will be hosting an event in the studio on Tuesday, September 7th for team members so be sure to sign up before then. There will be a photo booth set up so be sure to check back for some laughs;) Ha, I might even get in front of the camera!

Here is a picture of my 4 year old. This is one of the shots that I took of her and her crazy hair when we were in Invermere. I am hoping to have more of those pictures up at some point too;) I have a few more days.

Ghostwriter | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:59:21 +0000

I am pretty sure that I have mentioned in the past that I have never been a really strong writer…if not, well there it is! Having a blog has definitely forced me to improve my writing skills (at least somewhat…fortunately most people are still here for the pictures though). Anyway, the woman in these pictures is incredibly witty. Although my basis is somewhat limited to Facebook statuses, talks at the park and Tot Shots interactions…I am sure others who know her better would concur. I have even joked that the park about her writing my blog for me. Seriously some days I actually wish that I could hire her as my ghostwriter – although you would know right away;)

They are a lovely family to work with. I have gotten to work with the children a couple of times in the past but this was the first time that I have had the opportunity to work with the whole family. We had a fantastic morning! B&B, I hope that you enjoy your sneak peek and I will have the rest up soon.

Plus 2 makes 5 | Calgary Newborn Photographer

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:02:22 +0000

Twins!! This has definitely been a big year for twins. I can’t recall a year where I have had so many inquiries for newborn twin sessions. It is really pretty fun to have not one but two babies in the studio to cuddle;)

This client came to me from a friend of ours that lives in New York. They are a wonderful family to work with!! I love the feeling that you get from the pictures. Although their 2 year old was missing a bit of the attention that the first children are use to, she was so sweet with her sisters. I loved how gentle she was with them.

N and R it was so nice to meet you. Enjoy your sneak peek and I should have the rest ready soon.

Boys, boys, boys! | Calgary/Invermere Photographer

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:12:27 +0000

I love the energy of a shoot with boys! It may have something to do with the fact that I can’t sit still myself;) This was one of my other shoots from my weekend in Invermere. This family’s cabin offered a gorgeous setting for pictures. We did some trekking through the woods, played tag around the tree house (which escalated to bean your parents with pine cones – thus resulting in the shot with a shovel of sand and pine cones hurling through the air), zoomed some favourite vehicles and enjoyed the lake. Lots of fun!

When I showed up at this shoot the mother and I realized that we had played for the same soccer team last year. She had been referred through another client and we had not made the connection. Such a small world! K, it was great to see you again and to meet your family. Your boys are fantastic to work with!

Favourite shoot to date! | Calgary/Invermere Family Photographer

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:52:19 +0000

Yep, that it was. And trust me when I say I have had a ton of sessions that I have absolutely loved – I may have mentioned once or twice on my blog how much I love my job;) However, when this client sent me a note months ago to ask me if I would come out to Invermere to shoot a session at the their summer home and document some of the fun things that they do when they are out there, I jumped at the chance. I do have to mention that they sweetened the deal even more by offering their cabin to my family for the weekend as they were coming back to Calgary for the weekend. There was no way that I could say no – not only could I do an awesome “day in the life” session but I would get family time in the mountains. OKAY! For the record…I would have accepted without the sweetner;) There is definitely something about shooting a family when they are in their environment and doing things that they love to do.

We started at their place with bike rides (yes,this is staged as they typically wear helmets), a milkshake, dog piles; then it was off to Lake Lillian for a little paddle board; next stop, skipping rocks at the creek and then finally off to the beach for ice cream and playing in the water. AND most importantly…the celebration of 10 years of marriage. FUN! This is only a fraction of the pictures but I needed to get a quick post up as a sincere thank you for a great weekend! N and G, thank you very much for your hospitality!

Time flies!! | Calgary Baby Photographer

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:57:35 +0000

It still amazes me that this little guy is already 6 months. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with this family for, I think that it is, 7 sessions over the past three years. Wow, time flies. They are one of the most fun-loving families that I get to work with. Their 3 year old is also one of the most kind and polite children that I get to work with. It is now so fun to watch him interact with his brother. He is so gentle and sweet. N and K it was once again an absolute pleasure!

Pedalheads | Calgary Children’s Photographer

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:38:00 +0000

I recently did a shoot for Pedalheads bike camps. If you follow my blog you know how impressed I was with this company last year. My son attended one of their camps last year and had an absolute blast (not to mention learned a ton of balance and skill on his bike). We bike a lot as a family so it is so nice that he has the confidence and skill on his bike to join us for long rides. This year I received a note from Pedalheads about doing commercial work for them and it worked out that the shoots could be done the same week that I had both of my children enrolled in the camp. This was a really awesome perk for me to be there at the same time as my children. Once again I was extremely impressed with this organization. Their staff and instructors are fantastic with the children. The programs are well organized. It was so fun for me to witness/capture the determination, delight and pride on the children’s faces as they gained the confidence on their bikes. So here are a few of the pictures from the shoot (and a couple of extra from the last day of my own children on the slip n’slide).

Focus | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:24:53 +0000

This family and I got out a couple of weeks ago for a shoot. We did not get very far from their backyard before we were completely attacked by mosquitoes though. The mosquitoes have taken over Calgary in the last few weeks – I guess it is what you get with the rain. We still had a lot of fun though. This girl is very loved and we had a little giggle about her being the focus in the pictures. Once you have children it is the way it is! N, J and N, it was a pleasure working with you. I will have the rest of your gallery up soon.

Gorgeous “ink” baby | Calgary Newborn Photographer

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:43:11 +0000

I feel so bad that it has taken me forever to get a post up for this family – I was on a commercial shoot most of last week. They have graced my blog many times (and my studio walls) and will continue to through this year. They have recently welcomed their second daughter. I have had the absolute pleasure of documenting their first daughter’s two years and now we are halfway through a second series of pictures for their second daughter. Dad has gorgeous artwork done on his right arm with the names of two of his girls…the artwork for the third girl in his life is in the works. I am looking forward to seeing it all tie together.

Sorry for the delay H and S…I will have the rest out soon!

It was amazing how similar the two girls looked at the same age.

Here is her sister just over two years ago!

Sisters | Calgary Child Photographer

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:45:53 +0000

There is a special bond between sisters. I am so lucky to get to witness this bond through what I do. I do not have a sister but many of my girlfriends do and I have noticed how special this bond can be. I do have to say that there has been a number of times in the last few years that I wished that I had a sister (particularly with my mum passing). Thank goodness I have some really AWESOME girlfriends!

I have had the absolute pleasure of capturing these sisters and their awesome relationship for 5 years. I have to say that it is one of my most anticipated shoots every year (in addition to their family shoots) as they are such a nice, close family and I feel so honoured to get to capture the milestones every year. At the girl’s summer shoots, mom leaves the studio and let’s the girls and I surprise her with pictures. So B, here is your surprise this time. A little bit of everything from funny, to the unique things that make your girls special (shoulder shrugs, nose wrinkles, gorgeous eyes, poise and sweetness) and to milestones (like baby teeth and new adult teeth). Wow, they are growing up quickly! Thank you for allowing me to document this for you.