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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Feeling like I need to sit here this morning and do some computer work, instead of heading out to the scheduled fit camp - but a quick pop over to Joel's blog turned me around. Joel Lamaroux has an incredible story, some of you might remember him from his day of host at Jet FM - but of course he has another story, one worth reading.
When I was taking photos a while back for Joel, I was almost moved to tears by his shear sense of direction and compassion.

Like I have said before, there are some really amazing people and stories lurking in our town.

Now, off to get my sweat on.
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One:
There's a lot of people I want to be when I grow-up and the writer of the Simple Mom is one of them - check her out, she has good things to say about living green, living love and family life - and does it all in a down to earth non-preachy way.

Two:
I was floored by how many people read the recent McKinnon Photography newsletter, and how the enquiries for the photo courses and Bella Sessions flooded in. Exciting! Thank you! 
I just booked Bella Sessions for a woman in her late 50's, a mother of six, a woman whose husband is serving for the military overseas and someone surprising her fiancee on her wedding night -  each person brings with them their own story - so inspiring.

Three:
Bethany and Luke : Bright eyed. Adorable. Warm. Interesting. Outgoing. Engaging
I photographed Bethany as a babe and it was wonderful to have her back in the studio with her little brother. This was a very special session as I adore seeing the same children again.
I was drawn to these two classic photos. Simply beautiful.

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Marg McKenzie:

I know this family and these are great pictures of their two beautiful children. Thanks for posting so we can see them. Marg

(01.21.10 @ 11:52 AM)
rsalayka@shaw.ca:

Beautiful photography of Beth and Luke. Great work! ((Thanks to Lisa for sending the link; I'm always bugging her for pics!))

(01.21.10 @ 01:33 PM)
Wanda:

Great pictures, you can sure the kiids are siblings. I love the smiles. W

(01.21.10 @ 01:53 PM)
Walter D Kachmar:

Fiddle Princess Bethany and Quad Boy Luke rock the Island. What very honest, fresh and inspiring pictures - a true treasure. The photographer is also a keeper. Gram and Gramps

(01.21.10 @ 01:57 PM)
Kim Ethier:

Gorgeous kids. Love Luke's smile, and one could drown in Beth's big brown eyes........

(01.21.10 @ 10:25 PM)
Kerynne:

Beautiful kids!!

(01.22.10 @ 07:56 AM)
Dianne Attfield:

What great pictures. Bethany looks like a movie star. Bravo!

(01.22.10 @ 11:27 AM)
Julia :

How adorable and precious!

(01.22.10 @ 01:19 PM)
Mary Ann:

Lisa and Dwayne your children are naturally beautiful thanks for photo sharing.

(01.23.10 @ 02:10 PM)
Auntie Lori:

WOW - great pics of some amazing kids!!!!!

(01.25.10 @ 09:16 PM)
Dawn:

Awesome photos - these kids are always so photgenic!

(01.27.10 @ 02:58 PM)
Laurie Zollner:

Beth is as lovely as ever and still looks like her mom. Luke is adorable. They both look like they were having lots of fun.

(01.29.10 @ 01:49 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Three completely unrelated things I like . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.mckinnonblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/84
No, we aren`t hiring but one of our wonderful clients and friends are and I thought we would jump in and spread the news.
Podlings on Cliffe Ave is looking for a part-time employee (2-3 days a week, vacation relief and to cover sick days. The person should have retail experience, be reliable and have experience using cloth diapers.
They are accepting resumes at their store at  until 104, 2270 Cliff Ave.

This is one of my favourite local stores, and owners Kristina and Sherry are very passionate about what they do, I have no doubt that it would be a great working environment.

The best matches always seem to happen by word of mouth, so help spread the word.

And because posts are always better with photos, here is lovely Selah hoping in front of the camera while I was testing a lighting set up.

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Lisa:

What a pretty picture of her.... I love her hairband. So fancy.

(01.19.10 @ 01:11 PM)
Karen McKinnon:

Well, it's always fun to google your own name to see what comes up. And so, when I typed in 'yours truly' your photograhpy page arrived. Just wanted to say the photos show some fine work. I live in Saskatchewan with my husband, who is from North Vancouver, originally. He has recently purchased a 36' boat and so we will spend time out on the ocean this summer. Thought I would say hello, and say that it was nice to find your great photos.
Cheers,

from Karen McKinnon
- the prairie version

(01.26.10 @ 07:18 PM)
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Last night I had six amazing women in the studio for a Bella Party. The first.

They showed up buzzing, we handed them a glass of wine, directed them towards some appetizers and then one by one they had their turn with our professional makeup artist. Meanwhile, they pulled out clothes, tried on each others outfits, and laughed and shared as only women do.

Then, each woman received a professional photo sessions - the images are flirty, sexy, strong, pretty, and just beautiful.

When they headed out the door at 10 p.m., gift bag in hand, their cheeks just might have been hurting from smiling and laughing, their stride had a little extra confidence in it.

I felt very accomplished and blessed - I'm living the good life, with good people, that's for sure.

Thank you ladies, for bringing your genuine self, for sharing that lovely evening with me.

HUGE thank you to:
Brambles Market for the amazing food
Roots for contribuing to the gift bag (what a generous gift!)
A huge high five to makeup artist Chrystal from Roots - you are a true artist.
and a big high five to my lovely seven year old Selah for setting up the studio - way to make your mama proud.

If you want more information on Bella Parties give us call.
You can find all the information about individual Bella Session here


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Lily and Simon cruised into my studio with their huge smiles, warm personalities and equaly captivating parents.

Maybe it was the smiley sticker I had on my tummy the whole time, (which I didn't notice till after the shoot, because that is just how cool I am,) that made this session extra fun. Or maybe it is just the way Lily and Simon's family roll.

But, just try telling me that they are not a huge ray of sunshine (which I just found out is, appropriately, Lily's nickname).

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happily updating because everyone wanted to see a family shot -

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Jackie Long:

PHENOMENAL photos of Lily & Simon....So so great. I absolutely love them.. WOW!! Looks like they enjoyed themselves alot. Correct, the parents are amazing!!

(01.14.10 @ 07:34 PM)
Michelle Lacroix:

So that's what my nice and nephew look like..................... awesome pictures, I love the candide shot of Lily and the beautiful blue eyes of Simon

(01.15.10 @ 01:40 PM)
Laurel Steed:

OHHH MY! Brings tear to my eyes. what unbelievable photographs of the most precious children.
Love them.

(01.15.10 @ 06:38 PM)
Ray Negenman:

These photos are quite incredible. They truly capture Lily and Simon’s personalities. Well done!

(01.15.10 @ 09:03 PM)
Stephanie Aubry:

WOW! Those are some really nice shoots of Simon and Lily! Where are the pics of mom and dad?! :)

(01.17.10 @ 07:41 AM)
Seela and Chayton:

Oh for goodness sakes!!! So naturally beautiful and cute.....

(01.17.10 @ 12:30 PM)
liz girard:

wow, they look so fantastic, bright and sunny - you are right! way to go family!

(01.17.10 @ 02:01 PM)
Alison Ritchie:

Fantastic! They capture the essence of these wonderful little people, and their incredible bond with each other...Would love to see the whole fam shot too!!

(01.17.10 @ 03:02 PM)
Fiona Miller:

Love the photos of Simon and Lily! Those will be cherished!

(01.17.10 @ 03:14 PM)
Michelle Chatterson:

Total sunshine! Love the photos and agree with Alison, would love to see the family shot! beautiful...

(01.17.10 @ 03:20 PM)
xander oldaker:

great photos, could they make me look that good?

(01.17.10 @ 03:23 PM)
the smiley's:

Superb pics...they are the most adorable kids.

(01.17.10 @ 06:53 PM)
Dominique McGrady:

If only they really felt that much love for eachother! (Just kidding!) How beautiful! And I agree I want to see the mom and dad shots!

(01.17.10 @ 09:10 PM)
Karen M:

they are a really amazing family, seriously! Sounds like I better blog a family shot.

(01.18.10 @ 08:18 AM)
marianna stephens:

Karen, you've captured the true innocence of these two little ones, and now I'm waiting to see that family shot!

(01.18.10 @ 09:54 AM)
Lorraine Lacroix:

They are FANTASTIC!! Grandparents love to see this! I love the ideas of the layouts!

(01.21.10 @ 07:26 AM)
Don Pollard:

Great Pictures of the Whole family, can't believe how much the kids are growing

(01.21.10 @ 08:04 AM)
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