Tot Shots Photography » Children

Best for last | Calgary Children Photographer

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:04:33 +0000

This post will finish up my “blogging spree” and I have saved very good friends for last! These are the children of very good friends of ours. My husband and their father attended Royal Roads (military college) together and based on the stories…this will bond you forever. Stories that we have to hear EVERY time that we are together!

A few more fall posts |Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:04:35 +0000

I was just looking through a “blog” subfolder, in my December folder and realized that there were a ton of images that I had prepped to blog about and then just did not get them done…at that time of year it is typically just because I can’t muster up something somewhat witty to say;) So rather than just delete the folder, I am going to share them. I am going to split the posts up as I feel that each of them need a description.

So the first is of a client who I believe that I described in a previous post as a woman that has been a big advocate for my business. If you recall, she had a friend that originally referred her to me but I never knew who this woman was. Well this is that original client. I met her almost 5 years ago and she went on to refer me to many of her friends. Thanks J!

I shot this picture but had Jess tweek it so that it would be cool enough for a 16 year old.

Introducing a couple of additions…|Calgary Children’s Photographer

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:12:58 +0000

I have added a couple of pieces of equipment to the Tot Shots family. I am so excited!! It has been awhile since I upgraded my camera and there are a ton of amazing camera bodies out there that I have been drooling over. Well the time finally came!!! So here is an introduction to the D700 and a new fixed 105mm! My little one helped me test it out today so that I could be ready for this weekend. One of the reasons that wanted this model in particular was its ability at higher ISOs. I had to shoot a few natural light images at an ISO of 800. It is amazing…and I know that it can to better based on the reviews. I am so looking forward to getting outside with it this weekend!

The detail that the new lens can pick up is amazing. I can’t even wait to capture some newborn details over the next little while!

Have a great weekend!

It is more difficult to get shots of my son with him in school full days but here is one from a few evenings ago.

Happy 1st Birthday & Merry Christmas| Calgary Children’s Photographer

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:38:06 +0000

I had to post one more session before Christmas as these are this little one’s 1st birthday pictures. I won’t have the gallery out before Christmas (despite my intentions) but I had to post some pictures for the special occasion. As a fellow Christmas baby, I understand the importance of having our birthdays recognized during a busy time of year. I have always been asked if I like having my birthday around Christmas and I have always responded that I love it. My mum (and now all of the rest of the people in my life) have always made it special. So Happy Birthday December babies and Merry Christmas everyone…it is just fine to combine it!

Oh and the pettiskirt…I could not resist. I saw them when I went in to pick up my children’s “Christmas” outfits (I use this term loosely as I am fairly casual) at Child at Heart. I was going to use the skirt under my daughter’s dress, however, she would not put it on – she is as girly as me. So, it has ended up as a prop. I know, I have said that I am against props but there is something about a gorgeous pettiskirt. I have ended up with a black one as well as this raspberry one so there will definitely be a few more shots in the future. Actually I know exactly who I will be shooting next with these!

Gorgeous Family | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:27:55 +0000

I had an absolute blast shooting this next family. Not only was the family gorgeous but the children were fun. They definitely made my job easy! The hardest part was getting the little guy NOT to smile (or at least the same smile;)…you know the one) and even that was not that difficult. During the session I asked the little girl who her favourite princess was…and that was what brought on the scowl. I had to laugh because I am not a princess kind of girl either. I had to include the final family pictures too despite the fact that we were just goofing around…they made me laugh. M and S it was nice to meet you and I will have more up soon.

Triplet update | Calgary Children’s Photographer

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:24:03 +0000

Now I did this session a few weeks ago and did not get a sneak peek up because I am just not able to get a post of everyone’s session right now. I am trying to get through as many as I can but am making galleries priority so everyone can get their Christmas cards as soon as possible. Anyway, I am having to go back and post these as I have had a lot of questions from other clients about these triplets. I get the opportunity to shoot these children each year and a few of my other clients (and blog followers) asked about the triplet’s pictures. How funny is that! So here are the famous triplets for this year. I was amazed looking at how grown up these guys look this year! I can’t even believe how quickly time flies. I also got to take pictures of the triplet’s eastern Canada cousins this year. I will try to share those at some point too. Doesn’t the standing picture look like it could be an ad for Burberry;) Oh, and we always do a funny face shot and it is consistent that the daughter in the middle smiles. I love how their individual personalities shine through. This daughter mentioned to my husband one year at a mutual friend’s function that she is serious and does not make a face. LOVE individuality!

Gorgeous girls | Calgary Children’s Photographer

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:47:57 +0000

These girls are daughters of a friend of mine and I get the opportunity to photograph them each year. Not only are they gorgeous little girls but their grandma is an amazing seamstress and made these beautiful dresses. I look forward to working with these girls each year! S and D it was great to see you again and so glad that you got in! I will have the rest up soon.

A vintage feel | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:06:33 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous post, Jess and I were trying some different techniques on images from a session. This was that session. I don’t use a lot of effects on my images as I feel my style is real.simple.clean.fun. This is also the reason that I don’t use a lot of props. I think that everyone is uniquely gorgeous and I don’t want to distract with anything. However, as I was going through the images from this session, I thought the little girl had a very vintage doll look to her and thought that we needed to try something on the images. Jess was here while I was editing so I asked her opinion…well, it turned into a little try this, oh, what about this,… Well, it was a ton of fun and a great learning experience. Photoshop is such an amazing piece of software and there are so many fun things that you can do (in so many different ways).

This is a client that I have shot a few times but have never had the pleasure of shooting the whole family together. It was so nice. The children are adorable together and the family about to welcome a new member early next year. S, it was great to see you again and meet D. I will have your gallery up soon.

I like to move it… | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:50:24 +0000

…move it. Was the theme to this session and the song that was playing. It was definitely a busy session with a 5 year old and 2 year old twins. It was awesome though. The images that resulted from this session were fantastic.

Not only did I capture some fun, candid shots but also got some more posed pictures of the children. As you will see I have done some processing on these for a variation. I can’t take credit for this style. My assistant, Jess, has some amazing, creative ideas and was showing me some of her techniques on other images. So I thought that I would apply it to a few of these to see what they looked like. I quite liked the result so thought that I would share it. It has been a lot of fun to work with someone and playing around with different looks. Digital photography is such a neat art!

We finally meet | Calgary Family Photographer

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:47:23 +0000

So it seems that this new client was actually a large contributor to the beginning of my business almost 5 years ago. I ask each of my client’s who has referred them (as I have a Referral Bonus in place) and one client came to me four years ago without me knowing the person who referred them. That client then went on to refer me to many of her friends who then in turn referred me again. Anyway, when my family was out at a u-pick farm in the summer we waited in line behind a lady. The line up was quite long so we got an opportunity to talk quite extensively and we came to realize that we had met years ago in a UPS store as I was picking up my first set of business cards and she had taken a card at that time. Life had gotten away (as it does) and she had never come for pictures however, she had passed my name on to her friends. Well that client had gone on to spread the word. And that original client is scheduled to come later today (using a referral bonus). I do want to thank all of my “referrers”.

So beyond how this client found me I have to talk about how amazing they were to shoot. Her older son is one of the most intelligent, well-behaved and creative little guys that I have met! I learned about rockets, received pictures from him to decorate my fridge in the studio and thoroughly enjoyed working with him. So to top this story off, dad works from home as a graphic designer and stay-at-home dad and he truly is the baby whisperer! It was so neat to watch a dad that was so comfortable with his children. K and J, it was an ABSOLUTE pleasure to finally meet you!

So the little guy asked if he could take a picture at the end. The picture on the right is his shot of his dad and brother. He is a natural!