Today: I am going to hit the gym, get the car an oil change and set up for Camera Confidence. My brain still has it`s morning fuzziness, but I feel my excitement bubbling underneath it.
After the gym on Wednesday my body is feeling like it needs the oil, so hopefully another workout will iron things out - high hopes people!  Meanwhile my car will be getting a tuneup, taking it in always makes me feel like such a grown-up and I get excited thinking they might vacuum it for me.

Then, setting up for Camera Confidence. I have furniture to move around in the studio, gift bags to stuff, treats to lay out, and of course, my notes to review and I get to do that all with my amazing mama, who is teaching with me this weekend. We are excited to throw out tons of information and inspiration.

So, as I am in a party mood, I figured it was just the right day to post photos of this playtime session with Finn, Shayne and Tristan.

I don`t think it would have been possible for me to have more fun shooting - Finn, Shayne and Tristan, I really wanted to take all three of you home with me so I can goof around with you all time time and see those beautiful smiles you carry with you!

You three radiate this incredible joy!

Thank you!

This is a special one. Quinn's folks Mark and Dawn first came into my life when I photographed their wedding four years ago. Shortly afterwards their first child Reese entered into the world, earlier than planned and with complications that nobody expected, it was a hard time, full of worry and exhaustion.
So when Quinn came into this world, healthy, strong and with much more ease, it was such a gift.
Mark and Dawn, hadn't had that beautiful experience of bringing a newborn home, and easing a new addition into their life, but now they have and they are filled with such gratitude for their two healthy daughters.  The look in Dawn's face as I photographed Quinn and her big sister Reese brought me to tears.

Mark, Dawn, just thinking about you and your girls gives me goosebumps. Thank you for the privilege of letting me create images for you.

With love, Karen

(check out my buddy Reese's sceptical look on the photo on the left, love it!)

I remember the first time my website went down. It was terrible, I lost sleep, I ate junk food, my business was going to fall apart, probably all the neighbouring ones would as well.

Well, it has happened again. And the icing on the cake, and there is always at least a little icing on my cake, is it's okay.
The website is down and it is okay. I am okay.

Growth, it's a good thing.

(oh, about the website, we are working on getting it back up.)


Update: We are all good - happy, happy dance)

A little sun + two birthdays between the three of us +  a funky location + lots of chit-chat (sorry Ian, if Justine and I wore you out with our banter,) + some climbing + precarious placement of equipment + a gorgeous stylish couple who couldn't stop laughing + a duo who click so easily together =





  

Oh, where to start with all the love. The love list is a necessary part of the blog, or else I go all evangelical to people about all the goodness around.


1. Sweet Kari creates Sweet Clips. Kari, whose wedding I photographed, is a creator, a do-er, she pretty much crafted-up a tsunami when it came to her wedding. When they moved to the little town of Sayward and she became a mom, she still needed to create and of course it was something adorable - lovely little hair clips. She loves to bake as well, but of course you can't sell baking in Etsy. Check out her very reasonably priced girls hair clips, they would be a super cute accessory for any photo session.

2. I need to be a woman on the town for the next week, because there is so much going on.
The crew at Vanier is putting on the musical Crazy for You - it  will be top-notch. I have seen many of these teens perform before and they are going to give er'. The crew behind the scenes includes Lindsey Sterk from Panutso Dance, so I know it will be fantastic.  Seriously, if you haven't checked out the local high-school performances you are going to be really impressed.
It is being performed at the Isfeld Theatre April 13 to 17 with 7 p.m. evening shows and a 2 p.m. matinée show on Saturday the 17th. Tickets are available at Vanier, Videos 'n More in Comox, Laughing Oyster Book Shop in Courtenay and Alley Cuts in Cumberland.

3. Sarah, over at Hillbilly Jillies reminded me about Sweet Bites, which I first discovered at the Cumberland Bakery. While the incredible apple fritters screamed my name, and stared me down, I was able to find resistance with a Sweet Bites, according to their web-site Sweet Bites are organic, raw, vegan, wheat free, soy free and free of processed sugar. I am not supposed to have any processed sugar and have a massive sweet tooth,  These aren't quite the same as an Avenue Sticky Date Pudding (arguably one of the best desserts in the Valley,) but they are really good and they don't make me have an allergic reaction, and I can keep one in my purse (take that date pudding!)

Here is a favorite from a little session I shot awhile back, more of it to come on the blog this week.