About Me

Like many photographers, I am often behind the camera, not in front of it. This is a self portrait I took in December of 2010.  I am in need of some new pictures....hmmm summer project I guess.    

I have been back in Victoria since the fall of 2007. I love everything about it: the ocean, the weather (even the rain), the laid back attitude. 

I found my love of photography when I got more involved in photographing my cousin’s dogs. The weimaraner is a regal and highly photogenic dog with great expressions and it was so much fun. I continued to build my portfolio at dog events such as agility, obedience, field, and tracking. This is one of my favourite pics of Messina from 2010.

However, it was my sister, who has been my biggest supporter, who nudged me into really pursuing this passion. Sometimes it is sadness that pushes us forward as well. I lost my dad in the summer of 2006. As I put together a video for the services, it was then that I realized just how many moments that we missed (moments carried forever in our hearts and heads) but not caught in print.   I can count the number of pics on 2 hands of my Dad and me :(

In the summer of 2007, I shot my sister’s wedding (yes also the maid of honor). With rave reviews, I started to think about expanding this from passion to reality. Again, it was another catalyst that really pushed me forward, my nephew John Russell. He and I share a birthday and I can’t believe he just turned 4 in June of this year.  My 2nd nephew, Matthew, just turned two in February and you will see a lot of them on my blog.  Photography is a big part of my life, and they are both part of my life, so they appear alot! 

I realized that capturing breathtaking moments makes me want to tear up sometime. The many expressions and emotions that people feel, caught on camera, is why I do this.

I specialize in on location natural light photography, as well as on location studio work with flash for newborns or toddlers.  Yes I can produce that posed family portrait, but more often, I take a photojournalism view and just watch the babies, toddlers, and children as they move through the day. I like our sessions to be fun and not stressful, we all lay on the grass or on the floor or on the beach.

I “get” that children need breaks and snacks and sometimes treats (I carry things in my brown suitcase for just those times). I schedule only 1 shoot each morning or afternoon, to allow for lots of time to setup and interact and moments that just happen. I would hate to miss a great shot, because I needed to be somewhere and needed to pack up.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. 

--Anonymous

What memory do you want to cherish?

Hope to see you in 2012!