McKinnon PhotoBlog

August 15, 2011 // portraits

My friend and client Rhonda popped into the studio a few weeks ago for some updated images. I have had the opportunity to photograph her children, her family and it was lovely to just have her in front of my lens.

Rhonda, is known to many for her business Well Balanced Body - she is a personal trainer, yoga teacher and runs very popular bosu and bootcamp classes in her Comox Studio. Her fall class registration is on now, and you can check it out HERE.

Her classes are really fantastic!

Rhonda, as well as being talented and incredibly nice, you are gorgeous!!

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christine:

I love the images you chose, gives the perfect representation of the warm, smiley person she is :)

(08.15.11 @ 04:22 PM)

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Katie and Nathan say "I do" on Saltspring

August 11, 2011 // wedding

It truly was the first sunny saturday Vancouver Island had seen this summer, fitting, as "sunny" is exactly how I would describe Katie's dispostion while she, surrounded by her best friends, prepared for her the day. Katie and the girls got ready at the stunning Saltspring Island Winery and Bed and Breakfast where they were treated with personal care that made them ohh - and ahhh.

After some champaign and lots of laughs they headed to meet Nathan and the boys at Nathan's father's property. Here they were married by Katie's father in a location overlooking the place they had their first date.

After the ceremony guests were shuttled back the character filled Beaver Hall, which was brimming with details that Katie and her sister-in-law worked hard, and very successfully to create. The room was elegant, natural and beautiful and set the stage for an evening of the same description.

As well as being full of personal touches, including a family made bouquet catapult, hand painted wine glasses, mom-made cookies - Katie and Nathan treated everyone involved so thoughtfully. When I emailed Katie after the wedding to receive the name of her vendors, this is part of what I received back:

"Honestly all the credit for the wedding needs to go to my new sister-in-law who did SO much (Anna), my sister who is the bestest MC (and sister) ever, Nathan's Dad & step-mum (Johan & Heather) who donated their land for the ceremony, Nathan's Mum & step-Dad who donated TONS of decorations and hours of labour, and my folks who not only performed the ceremony, but also gave us the backing and the love and support to make it all happen....wow...I feel like I'm writting an acceptance speech:) If only I'd been this eloquent on the day of!"

A huge thank you to Katie and Nathan, and their wonderful wedding party - what a fabulous day it was. The creativity, adventure, love and kindness in your wedding day was a reflection of who you are and the life you are destined to live.

Cake: friend Maliza Taylor

Flowers: Marjorie Lane at Ruckle Park Farm

Dress: Blush Bridal Boutique in Victoria

Thank you to my assistant Darcie Brown from Revival Arts Photography for sharing this wedding day with me.

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Katie Gerritsen:

Karen and Darcie: You two have talent beyond belief! We feel so fortunate to have had you capture our amazing day. Words can't thank you enough!

(08.12.11 @ 01:15 PM)

Alyson:

WOW! Amazing. Katie and Nath look outstanding - everyone looks outstanding. =)

(08.12.11 @ 03:56 PM)

Lyne Mercier:

Beautiful!!!!! You are so radiant both of you!! Makes me feel very happy!
Thank-you for sharing!
Félicitation! Much love, Lyne

(08.23.11 @ 05:00 PM)

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Out of here - ticking off the bucket list

August 6, 2011 // my life / news

I am living the dream, it is exactly what I always wanted. To enjoy the beauty of my life, the people in it and to document it with my camera. I am a goal setter, so getting here wasn't by accident, I have had one year, five year and ten year plans - yes I am an A type personality, yes, I write my goals down, it seems to land me in places I had always dreamed of and for that I am so thankful, I carry gratitude with me always and I am regularly dumbfound that I should be so fortunate.

Sometimes when you are loving what you are living, you can get so caught up in the day to day that you can forget to step back and look at it from different perspectives. I am the type of person who likes to step back and check in with myself - even when all is well.

When a family member became ill last year it sent me for a bit of a twirl. I also lost a good friend last year. I always live life like it is fleeting, but every once and a while the notion that we are only here for a short time really smacks you over the head.

One of my dreams for the last three years has been to spend a month on Hornby Island, where my mom and step-dad live. As my daughter got older and I became a step-mom this seemed increasingly farther out of my reach. I always imagined doing it in the winter when photographing isn't quite as busy, however as our kids lives have grown busier this just didn't seem possible. Then John, my wonderful other half, looked at it from a different perspective and suggested I go in the summer. Eeek - during my super busy season? Yes. I thought there is no way I could go in August, there were so many obstacles - the cost of Hornby in the summer, work, work work. I was full of reasons why it wouldn't work, for about five minutes that is. Then off I was to google finding a little Hornby Cabin down the road from my moms.

So today we head to our Hornby shack for a month. It will just be me and my daughter, John is working, my other daughters are away visiting family.

We are going to stay up late, sleep in, wake up in the morning with no plan, we will ride our bikes, help my mom in her garden, do art, hit the beach. In order to achieve the life I want and pursue all my interests and friendships my life is so highly scheduled - this month will not be.

I will just BE.

I am not abandoning my post here entirely. I will be travelling off Hornby each weekends to photograph a wedding and limited portraits. I would like to give a huge thank you to Christine, (my office wife/diva/manager/friend/left-over-sharer/stabilizer,) as she will be in the office three to four days a week and will be taking care of all your needs and relaying them to me.

I hope you have some quiet moments and perhaps I will see you on the beaches of Little Tribune. You might see me on the blog or on facebeook or you might not, that's part of the plan to have no plan, we'll see what happens, I might find that I miss writing and sharing or I might just be unplugged.

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April B:

Sounds heavenly Karen! Enjoy!

(08.07.11 @ 10:35 AM)

Keltie:

Have a wonderful month, I can't wait to hear of your adventures when you return!!!

(08.07.11 @ 04:21 PM)

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Mini-Session Registration is ON! A few spaces left

August 5, 2011 // celebrating ten years

Appreciating You: Mini Sessions
Sunday, September 18 th

When: September 18

Where: At the McKinnon Photography studio or outdoors at a nearby park if weather allows

Why: As this is my tenth year in the Comox Valley, each month I have been offering something a little special. I am so appreciative of those of you who I have photographed before, I appreciate your business and the way you spread the word about what I do, so this one is just for you

Who: You, (your children, your family, you and your sweetie). Open to all past clients - this means you have been photographed by Karen before. If you want your family of five or more to be photographed please book a full session

How: contact the office at 250-890-9222 to book. Sessions are $50. Afterwards you will also receive 15% off on all presentation items ordered by November 15th

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Jen, Ron and Crew

August 5, 2011 // portraits

Life changes. Quickly. I re-connected with Jen ten years ago, when I walked into a room and our radars went up, remembering each other from our elementary years. I was new here, so was she, and having someone that was from our past, gave us an instant connection and comfort.

I remember perfectly getting together for coffee, she had just met Ron, and was optimistic about where it would lead. Now they have a full life together, with three beautiful children, careers they enjoy (Jen is basically a famous massage therapist at Harbourview in Comox,) a fabulous home and a dynamic group of friends.

Jen and Ron are a stunning couple and were easy to photograph - seriously you two! I adored capturing the different personalities of each of their little people - all so very different and so very, very cute! I just wish we got to spend more time together - xoxoxo

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Rhonda Parker:

What a beautiful family picture! Gorgeous!!!!

(08.07.11 @ 07:51 PM)

Jennifer Bobroff:

Thanks so much for the great session Karen, and your utmost patience and fun nature with the children! I can't wait to see the rest.

(08.08.11 @ 03:16 PM)

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