This week, I have been photographing all types of talented people. For years, I have been in awe of Helen and her paintings, and eventually will have a piece hanging on my wall, I have promised myself. Check out her gallery and prepare to fall in love. But stay away from "Aspen Woods," because it would look so lovely on my green living room wall.
Not only is Helen a talent, she is also a stunner, and Jack seems to have inherited her charismatic smile and beauty.
Thank you Helen and Jack and I hope the session was a great start to your birthday weekend away. xoxox


I had so much fun on this session, sometimes I love how ridiculous my job is. I think I spent most of my time meowing like a cat.

Rhonda sent me this note after the session, and it made my day:
♥Best family photo session EVER!!!♥ McKinnon Photography is amazing! Seriously, we didn't stop laughing the whole time. So much fun and I am way too excited to see the pic's.:
So, of course, a little flattery goes a long way, and I had to blog the images asap. Thanks Parker family!
I want to send a sincere, well deserving plug Rhonda Parker's way as well. Rhonda is a personal trainer, yoga teacher and boot camp leader extraordinare. You know the Bella Session series I recently posted? Through most the session the gals kept saying "Body by Rhonda" As well, Christine just started her yoga classes, and is in heaven. So, check her out at Well Balanced Body . Keep an eye out for her fall schedule and for some exciting business news soon.
Beautiful pictures! What a sweet family Rhonda. Can't wait for our next pictures with Karen, the absolute best :)
(07.17.10 @ 10:46 AM)Rhonda, Rob, Hayden, Thea. Good job on all the good looks. I think you made it easy for Karen.
(07.21.10 @ 10:55 PM)Chris is one of those people I know for here and there - that's how it often is around town. When I first met her I liked her style - modern, a bit retro and full of life. Now that I know her better, I have also fallen for her humour, honesty and uniqueness.
We started off our session with a java at one of my favourite coffee shops, The Wandering Moose , and then puttering around town, shooting, chatting, shooting, chatting..
Chris, you are beautiful and bring such a fresh aesthetic to your work!
You can check out Chris on her blog here - and if you scroll down to the yellow sweater post, you will know what to get me for my birthday.

See the little rolls on Alex's wrist, really look at them. Can you help not smiling?
Parents Tonia and Peter were made for this. Not only do they make really cute babies, but they seem so at ease for new parents. They were super relaxed during their whole session, and it seems many parts of parenting comes easy to them - Alex, definitely completes them.
He has the most beautiful features and this one is a fave, because in it I can see both his mom and dad!
Welcome Alex!

Congratulations, Tonia & Peter! Look forward to meeting little Alex! He's gorgeous!
(07.16.10 @ 05:54 AM)We met on the first day of Grade 5. I moved to a new school, I dressed carefully, my plum corduroy capris (okay, I think they were actually knickers,) and my mauve polo sweater, which I proudly received as a gift from grandmother.
It was the wrong outfit. My preppy try-hard did not jive with the dark denim, try-hard tough look for the school. I still, perfectly remember how scared and mortified I felt. How badly I wanted a friend.
It could have gone really poorly. Thankfully though some people looked passed the major first day at a new school outfit mishap and decided that I could be an acceptable friend. Thank you, Togan
Since then, through the same high school, different groups of friends, different high schools, different countries actually, and very different lives, she is still my "best friend from Grade 5."
We get together, not often enough, and we can pick up right where we left off. I am as comfortable in her house as I was after years of going to her childhood home to make tortillas with butter every day after school (mom, that is what I ate almost every day after school for two years.)
Last week, I hoped a plane to Ashland and spent three child free days with Togan. It was so relaxing and fulfilling that it felt like a week.
Ashland is an idyllic city where every delicious, affordable restaurant seems to have exposed brick walls and retro chandeliers. It is where I have now had the best coffee ever, it is where my friend Togan bought cupcakes and ate the bottom so my wheat free self could savour the sweetest butter-cream icing that has ever crossed my lips. It was my first trip to Ashland and I would go again next week if I could.
I can't end this post without telling you it took me an unexpected19 flippin' hours get to Ashland, by plane people - not driving.
Luck with travel itineraries is something I don't have. Luck with friends though, I certainly do.
Here is the first post of some Togan photos, she looks to-me the same as she did when we met, without though, the rugby pants we misguidedly wore almost everyday.
Togan, you sound like such a fabulous person, and Karen just adores you. I will have to ask Karen if I can see some pictures of this grade 5 outfit, I'm sure mine would trump hers, hands-down! Thanks for inviting her for this much-needed girls' weekend, she can't stop talking about it. (in a good way, of course)
(07.14.10 @ 10:20 AM)I'm the lucky one to have such an amazing and talented "old" friend! For the record, I always liked those plum knickers though, in retrospect, I agree that the rugby pants were a mistake. xo
(07.14.10 @ 09:35 PM)




Thanks so much Karen!
(07.19.10 @ 04:27 PM)we love the pics, and had fun.
spent an awesome birthday on the beach with some of my favorite people!
helen