About Me

Hello and welcome to my photo blog. I am Karen McKinnon, a Vancouver Island based photographer - a gal fortunate to be living my passion. The blog is where you can see recent sessions, keep in touch with what is new around here (and I promise you it is never dull) and get a better sense of who I am, what I love and how I show it. 

Thanks for visiting. Please leave a comment and let me know you were here - it really does make me smile! 

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Tuesday morning, settling into the email mountain and the phone rings. Before I even look at call display I know it is Helen excited because we have dry sky's - which are not to be taken for granted. We move our session which was schedule for a different day to asap and it all falls in to place.
Our impromptu move set us up with the right mood for the style of images Helen wanted to capture.
I have had the sincere honor of photographing Helen many times, what I love it about is that each time it challenges me to create something different and better than the last time, and the collection of photos that we have created over the years are like an evolving story. Helen is that she is also full of ideas - so it feels like a true collaboration, as someone who creatively flies pretty solo,  this always gets me excited.

Helen is on the up and up, people would say she is going places - songs purchased by movies and mtv, constant new musical creations and much more.
Yet, that saying, "going places" is pretty lame if you ask me. It implies that where you are isn't enough.
If the beauty of what she creates is any measure, Helen is exactly in the right place.

You can check her out here : Helen Austin Website
And if you haven't heard her musical comedy songs prepare to bust a gut: Go here
Check out the Childbirth Song - it's the fave of mine and Christine's.

Do you know where these photos were taken?
If so leave a comment letting us know where it was taken and which of these photos of Helen is your favorite and we will do a draw next week for a gift certificate to the location, because we like giving presents.
When you are leaving a comment it will ask for your email, if you want us to contact you when you win please be sure to fill this in. (The email address does not show up to anyone other than us - it remains private.)

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Comments
Teneille Higgins:

I'm guessing The Freakin' Coffeeshop b/c of all the retro awesomeness. I really like the first shot b/c of the saturated colours :)

(02.12.10 @ 10:33 AM)
Barb Dinning:

You've really captured Helen's inner beauty. She's one of a kind.

(02.12.10 @ 10:48 AM)
Dana Watson:

I would guess the Rusty Rooster, I love the first one! Gorgeous shots K!!!

(02.12.10 @ 10:55 AM)
Kathy Roberts:

Without a doubt it's freakin. I've sat next to that TV a few times!
Beautiful pictures Karen.

Kathy

(02.12.10 @ 10:57 AM)
Robin:

Ah, definitely Freakin. Helen is such a beauty, as is her music.
Gorgeous work Karen.

(02.12.10 @ 11:15 AM)
Diana:

These are beautiful shots. I love the colour one with Helen's eyes sooo full of life and mischief- as always.
I say this was at the Freakin' Coffee Shop. Where else are there so many interesting retro pieces.
Beautiful work as always on your blog, Karen.

(02.12.10 @ 11:23 AM)
Sue Finneron:

It is the Freakin Coffee Shop! and I love all the photo's, but the last one is my favorite!

(02.12.10 @ 11:39 AM)
Monica Hamilton:

I totally think it's the Freakin Cafe (love it there!) and my fave photo is the second one. It makes me warm inside, reminds me of the long-lost sun!

(02.12.10 @ 11:51 AM)
Tanya Petri:

Love them, wow...you are both such talented ladies...Location?? Freakin Coffee Shop, thanks to Helen for posting the link shortly after her shoot. Never been but now I definately will. Especially like the black and white :0)

(02.12.10 @ 11:54 AM)
Keltie :

Definitely the freaking coffee shop in Tintown!!!

(02.12.10 @ 12:03 PM)
JoAnne Timms:

Freaking Coffee Shop of course. I kinda love the 2nd picture - it's the colors. And the 4th.

(02.12.10 @ 04:25 PM)
Eileen :

It is totally the Freakin' Coffee Shop! My favourite shot is the last one-it's so natural and Helen looks so happy:-)

(02.12.10 @ 04:38 PM)
Chelsea:

Even though I've never been inside (they've always been closed when I stopped by) it looks like Freakin' Coffeeshop to me. My fave photo is the first one, because of the helmet with the STP racing sticker on the helmet. We had the same sticker on one of the windows of the crappy Corolla that my hubby and I drove from Vancouver to halfway down the Baja and back.

(02.12.10 @ 05:46 PM)
twyla:

Let's try this again. I love the last photo in B&W. The location has to be the Freakin' Coffee shop in Tin Town.

(02.12.10 @ 09:31 PM)
Marnie:

No freakin' clue.

(02.12.10 @ 09:50 PM)
Trishy:

The place Freakin' Coffee.... the photo ~ just one choice??? They like Helen ~ are beautiful, I'd say the second one... a humble confidence with dancing eyes & a warmth that makes me smile too!!

(02.12.10 @ 10:39 PM)
corrie:

I love the last photo! Classic! It makes me want to sit and have a coffee with the beautiful Helen!! Freakin coffee shop must be it as everyone else has mentioned.

(02.12.10 @ 10:57 PM)
Danielle H.:

These pics were without a doubt, taken at Freakin' Coffee! Who doesn't love that little cafe/shop?! As for my favourite pic - the last one wins. I think that Helen has a beautiful smile and this showcases it. Incredible pics as always Karen!

(02.13.10 @ 12:36 AM)
Karen Mckinnon :

what Chelsea? You have never been to freakin' - you will have to remedy that, it is a great place to chill with kids in tow as well

(02.13.10 @ 09:32 AM)
jeannie spencer:

Hello Karen,
It is the Freekin Coffee shop ambieance. I personally like the one in the middle the yellow one it shows her spirit in her eyes. I like the back drop of the window idea but she looks cold...

You are a very talented woman Karen Keep on Shinning up our world.
Oh yeah Richards pick for the bella c.d is #249 should I call you about this?

(02.13.10 @ 09:46 AM)
Jeannie Spencer:

Hello Karen,
It is the Freekin Coffee shop. I personally like the one in the middle the yellow one it shows her spirit in her eyes. I like the back drop of the window idea but she looks cold... I also like the last one it is playful and expresses a relaxed aura about her Like" if you were with me at this coffee shop we would be all laughing together." Jeannie

You are a very talented woman Karen Keep on Shinning up our world.
Oh yeah Richards pick for the bella c.d is #249 should I call you about this?

(02.13.10 @ 09:53 AM)
Karen M:

I'm with you Jeannie, is looking rather sombe, but you know those "musician types" - they need to be kind of dark and somber sometimes

(02.14.10 @ 11:58 AM)
Bevin:

Freakin' awesome singer and photos (and coffee shop). I love the third photo - it has a subtle attitude to it.

(02.16.10 @ 09:44 PM)
Karen M:

nice Bevin, I think I am going to steal that "subtle attitude" - you kind of have a subtle attitude!

(02.17.10 @ 08:26 AM)
Karen McKinnon :

Tanya Petri, you are the name the household seven year old very scientifically chose as the winner of the gift certificate - we have emailed you!
We really should give me gifts out around here.

(02.17.10 @ 05:33 PM)
Wendy:

Absolutely this is the Freakin Coffeeshop in Tin Town (my hood)! I love all the pics but especially the last one (I love that couch) and it's such a natural shot. I also like the pic of Helen with that hint of impishness - she's so playful!

(02.17.10 @ 10:57 PM)