Each comment left =a can for the foodbank.
What a treat this session was. Oh to be turning 13! Tianna came to the studio after school last Friday for her session, a session all about her. She has siblings and we squeezed in a few shots of them, but this was all about Tianna at this glorious and pivotal time in her life. So cool!
Even better was her friends all met her at the studio and joined us for some group shots before they want off to celebrate her birthday some more.
Huge high-five to Tianna's parents (one of whom is Remax Realtor Karen Usipuik who I have been hearing great things about for years,) for giving her something that will preserve the memory of her birthday forever.
She has the most stunning eyes, she is absolutely beautiful.

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Jess and Josh brought their style, warmth, love for each other and their four legged buddies into the studio last week and together we created what might be one of my favorite sessions this year.
They were set up with their session through a fundraiser we are doing with the St. Josephs Hospital Foundation. I have been donating photography for this organization for some time and
Christine and I wanted to step-up how we could contribute. I feel like it is a non-profit association that many people in our demographic aren't aware of. So between now and Christmas hospital employees can purchase a gift certificate for themselves or a friend and 100% (yes 100%) of the cost goes towards the foundation.
Most people are picking these up for sessions for next year, but we managed to squeeze Jess and Josh in before our holiday cut-off and I am so glad we did -because these photos make me happy!
Jess, Josh, I had a HUGE CRISIS picking what to blog - but a very basic game of eeny meeny miney moe, helped me out.
REMEMBER ANY COMMENTS LEFT = CANS FOR THE FOODBANK.
It's giving time around here people!



I seriously WANT those dogs...even though I don't really want a dog!!
(12.04.09 @ 01:21 PM)Gosh, I love that red wall! These photos are fabulous, and I love the black and white one of the four-legged members of the family. Karen, I also love your 'cans for comments' promotion. I will try not to overdo it!
(12.04.09 @ 01:47 PM)LOVE love love the black and white. We can't believe it worked out so perfectly with both of them looking forward at the same time!
(12.05.09 @ 12:23 PM)jess, josh - you know you two are as "cute" as the pups dont' you?
(12.06.09 @ 08:41 AM)Love love love the red wall and who doesn't love dogs? (well... many don't) but I do :) Beautiful :)
(12.07.09 @ 08:56 AM)Those are some awsome pictures wish you live in Anaheim California we need
a good photographer in this town.
I love them all, but super heart the last one!
(12.08.09 @ 07:49 PM)Throughout North America $565,000 worth of portraiture and portrait product that was given.
It was amazing to be part of something with my professional peers that really connected with who I am as a person, and who McKinnon Photography is as a business. We often give because we can.
This year I am delighted to be part of Cans for Comment. This great project was started by Vancouver based, international wedding photographers Chris + Lynn - such a fantastic idea.
All you have to do is a leave a comment on any of my blog posts, past ones, this one, and new ones between now and the 13th and for each comment a can will be donated to the Comox Valley food bank.
Simple
How do you leave a comment?
Click the + comment button below the post - it couldn't be simpler to get in the holiday spirit.
You can comment with one word, a poem, a holiday thought, a random thought, whatever you like - anything goes!
Over the next seven days I will be loading this blog up with updates, so you have lots of reason to come back.
You can also pop by the lovely Erin Wallace's from Campbell River's blog and leave a comment as well - and even more will go to the foodbank.

Great Idea Karen, here's to the comments coming in!!
(12.03.09 @ 08:52 AM)Great idea. The corn is kind of Christmas-y, the mushroom soup is warm and cozy - but why is the tuna in French? :)
(12.03.09 @ 09:46 AM)Hi Karen, great idea, cans for comments. You and your photo community are on to something great! Thanks for using the medium of photography, communication via comments, to make a difference in the lives of others, especially at this time of year, when so many more people need our help. Good Stuff!
(12.03.09 @ 10:10 AM)Another brilliant plan. I know it will be a success...like everything else you do. Love ya! XO
(12.03.09 @ 11:35 AM)Another brilliant idea. It will be a great success...like everything else you do! MUAH!
(12.03.09 @ 11:39 AM)Nice work! Hope people keep the comments roll in and you keep the beautiful Pics rolling out! See you at Mudsharks!
(12.03.09 @ 01:03 PM)Awesome!
(12.03.09 @ 02:19 PM)You go girl :) Let the commenting go wild! Love this! So simple, easy, and so incredibly helpful.. not to mention rewarding to see so many wonderful comments. All around, awesome!
(12.03.09 @ 05:15 PM)Hi Karen that is a good idea, hope all is well you and the girls and John give
them my love and a blessed Holiday for you all.
great idea! glad to be a help!
(12.03.09 @ 06:57 PM)Awesome idea! Can I steal it?
(12.03.09 @ 07:41 PM)Hope you get loads of comments!!! Great thing!
(12.03.09 @ 09:09 PM)hey there :: so awesome you are doing this. We have a cansforcomments site going and would love it if you were on the list :)
head over to http://www.cansforcomments.com and have a look around
(12.03.09 @ 11:53 PM)great idea Karen! always love purusing your blog anyways, now have even more incentive!
(12.04.09 @ 07:13 AM)I am so thrilled with this idea! All you loyal blog readers out there, keep your comments coming! You're going to make a difference to someone's life this season.
(12.04.09 @ 09:11 AM)One more item for the cause coming right up.
(12.04.09 @ 08:27 PM)Fabulous. Here's to giving!
(12.06.09 @ 09:54 AM)haha- you can even make cans look amazing! You are something else! xo, Jacqui
(12.06.09 @ 02:26 PM)Cheers to You! Fantastic idea!
(12.07.09 @ 07:36 AM)Hope your receive lot's of comments!
Great idea, thanks for giving to the community!
Karen you are always so good at making things like this happen!! You are such a generous person !!
(12.07.09 @ 02:51 PM)thank you for donating cans..yay you!!! :)
happy holidays!!
tracey
xo
Throughout the wedding it was clear why people are drawn to them, you walk away from them feeling like you had a genuine encounter and like they were giving you a piece of themselves. Watching their friends and family flock to them and throw their arms around them with huge hugs was heartwarming and energizing.
During their wedding day the rain came down hard. Now I am not afraid of a little moisture, but this was "run to your car with your coat over your head hard". But did this damper the feeling of warmth between them? Not one bit, if anything I think it helped their love radiate.
They hosted a wedding that was 100% Sarah and Tom and that also provided a unique and entertaining time for their guests. It was an honor to be part of it.
They are a stunning couple with the most gorgeous eyes.



And yes, they were married by Elvis

Thank you Sarah and Tom, you are both stellar and it was a gift to be part of such a memorable wedding!
Beautiful work Karen! The fourth photo is romantic and sophisticated. I'm sure it helps when the couple is so stylish and attractive.
(12.02.09 @ 09:34 PM)These are amazing pictures! I love the ghost and the location.
(12.03.09 @ 09:48 AM)Thanks Sarah and Tom for letting me share in your super fun day!!
(12.03.09 @ 08:42 PM)I just wanted to pop into blog world and say hello. I see this as a place I might not enter as much during the next three weeks as we are scurrying around shooting sessions for the holidays, helping our clients choose their prints and printing, printing and printing.
But... there is still one more wedding to blog from the year, which I hope to have up really soon.
So check back.....





Awesome picture, BEAUTIFUL girl, inside & out!
(12.04.09 @ 12:56 PM)Great photo... Wish we could have made it back from Victoria in time!
(12.04.09 @ 04:46 PM)Thats my girl! Karen, thanks for doing such an amazing job and making Tianna's birthday special. I'm so happy to have finally met you:)
(12.04.09 @ 09:21 PM)