I am a mom to one, a step mom to four and the daughter of the most inspiring woman I have ever met. I am a sister to an amazing mom who inspires my parenting. How do I sum up those feelings in an early morning blog post?
My daughter treats me like every day is mother's day, honestly, we are pretty sure she is Hallmark staff material. She loves her mama big-time, and is equally passionate about sharing her feelings, in words, writing and art. So mother's day for her is just a reason to amp up the expression of her love. My work desk has more love notes on it than it does work. I am not complaining.
It's a beautiful thing.
My kid and I celebrated yesterday, we started with a visit with my mom, then she took me to the Courtenay Museum, Fish and Chips at Porches and then a bike ride. I could repeat the day each weekend, minus the fish and chips which were coma inducing.
She asks me, does everyone love their mama as much as I do? I know I do. I am starting to tear up just thinking about what my mom has taught me - so I am going to shut er' down.
I am off to photograph Mother's Day mini-sessions and getting emotional at each one might slow down the photographic process today.Today in my shooting I am going to concentrate on capturing the moment, the moment when the mom's and daughter's eyes sparkle as they think about each other.
It is going to be a beautiful day.
Here is something for Jan and Jonathan, who welcomed the sweet and beautiful Raven Elizabeth (I have a name crush on her,) at the end of April.
You might know Jan as she is the owner of Dark Side Chocolates in Cumberland, I felt like I was with a celebrity when I was photographing her. If you have had her Salter Carmel Chocolates you will know why. They truly are the absolute, without a doubt best chocolates I have ever had - and I fancy myself a bit of a chocolate snob.
The look on Jan's face as we took the bottom photo was absolutely priceless.
So a quick blog post before I head out and shoot in this stellar photography weather.
A bit more from the Groove 2010 Pantuso Show. They opened up the balcony so there are still some tickets for this evening, which is the last performance.
You don't want to miss this -
Awesome pics Karen - I love the tech picture (last one) very cool feel to it!!
The ladies are gonna love theirs!! Great "Pinball" shots!!
And of course a great shot of the Dads doing their thing...but where's Tina??
didn't want to let the cat out of the bag Jeff, but here are lots of good ones of Tina
(05.07.10 @ 12:40 PM)Where can I see the rest of the pantuso dance photos 2010 ?
(05.07.10 @ 08:06 PM)yeah were can I find other Pantuso pics????
(05.07.10 @ 08:12 PM)Sit tight folks, I do the photos in a "volunteer" capacity and like last year everyone will have them complimentary. However, you need to be a bit patient.
(05.07.10 @ 09:14 PM)first off thank you sooo much for taking the photos of pantuso groove 2010, i realize that you are a volunteer and the photos will take a while to be put up, but once they are , where can i view them ?
(05.15.10 @ 01:57 PM)an email will go out to all Pantuso families, via Lindsay. Let me know if you have other questions. They will be up by next monday at the latest - we have just been extra busy around here these last few weeks.
(05.17.10 @ 12:40 PM)an email will go out to all Pantuso families, via Lindsay. Let me know if you have other questions. They will be up by next monday at the latest - we have just been extra busy around here these last few weeks.
(05.17.10 @ 12:42 PM)I have been very busy shooting and planning, shooting and planning. The kids have been fighting off sickness and John is busy working through his last month of school.
And now it is Dance Week.
And despite the craziness that these few weeks are bringing us, we LOVE it. Really, I am not being sarcastic.
Four of our children take part in Pantuso Dance, and this is recital week. Groove 2010.
It is about my kids experiencing being in something bigger than just them, appreciating the talent of their peers and feeling proud of their personal hard work.
For me, it is about so much more than seeing my family, it is about community. In a small town like this, chances are most of the parents know a bushel of the kids performing and in many cases have watched them grow up. There are tons of children who have been clients participating in the show, and I get such a kick out of seeing all of them bring their own groove and personality to the show.
Pantuso teaches children and adults, so there are levels of experience and comfort with dance and performing. This year, the adult musical theatre class really wowed me - way to go! I am sure some of you are really stepping out of your comfort zone, but you wouldn't know it from your performance and stage presence.
There truly is so much talent happening, on the organizational end of things and within the performers. .
I took a ton of photos which I have yet to go through, but here are few:
There might be a few tickets left for tonight and tomorow's show - totally worth it. If you are thinking of a dance school for your little people, or yourself, I can't say enough good things about the leadership and community of Pantuso Dance.
Great shots Karen - Can't wait to see the rest...You've captured some very cool moments!!
(05.05.10 @ 04:57 PM)Great photos! I really like the top one.
(05.05.10 @ 05:02 PM)I'm in love with the picture of Gig there :)
And being a geek with words more words for epic: monumental, tremendous
Pantuso Dance + Karen McKinnon = fabulous photos:)
(05.05.10 @ 06:06 PM)beautiful! beautiful! beautiful!
(05.05.10 @ 09:01 PM)I love the picture of all the scarves!!!
(05.06.10 @ 12:05 PM)I am not a grumpy person - honestly. Ask my peeps, truly, I rarely get grumpy (maybe don't ask John, okay?)
Yesterday I woke up mean. For no reason. I slept 8 hours, I had everything I needed.I checked in with myself and gave myself permission to do anything I wanted - one of the joys of working for myself.
Did I want to - photograph, exercise, read, watch a movie, clean the office, coffee with a friend?
no, no, no, no, no, no
nothing was going to work.
So, I did what I was suppose to do.
Office work - but I did it at a leisurely pace.
My middle finger slowly came down.
I realized that I have been go, go, go for the last few weeks. Sometimes, because I enjoy everything I do, and I have time for everything I want to do, I don't realize how busy things get.
So, yesterday I gave myself permission to skip the gym, pick up an easy to make dinner, and to ask John for help.
I am going to do it again today and by tomorow I should be back where I like to be.
What do you do to reset yourself? (Selah just has to push her belly button, I need a little more than that though.)
On a funner note, I have succumbed, I am now an I phone user, and it is everything everyone said it would be. If only my whole life could work as smoothly as my phone does.
John gives me 10 months until I break it or loose it - can you hope for a little more for me?
My first I-phone photograph
Here's to a fabulous friday and weekend to follow, that brings you exactly what you need.
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!
I just love all your clients! When Liv started pre-school a few years ago there was this girl who was a year older, and Livea ADORED her. It was Shayne. Then Shayne went to Kindergarden. We were sad.... until Finn came along! Now we ADORED Finn. Then Liv brought her new baby brother to school and Finn ADORED Ryan ... you get the point. We love these kids. What characters! Shayne looks stunning. NIce work Karen!
(04.17.10 @ 09:43 PM)Love love love these pics of three of my fave lil' characters! You've captured their charm, quirkiness, and great sense of fun, Karen--which they have inherited from two fantastic parents!
(04.17.10 @ 11:10 PM)How exciting to see wonderful pictures of Finn the charmer on a Sunday. My daughter says she and Finn are going to get married when they grow up!
(04.18.10 @ 09:05 AM)This was so much fun! The kids had a blast. Thank you for including them in your creative genius. That bear head picture is just too funny. He just wasn't going to let you go until you got that one! :)
(04.18.10 @ 11:44 AM)Heather, that would be an awesome match! I can totally see it. He is a pretty charismatic fella - you can't blame Jamie.
(04.21.10 @ 08:21 AM)Heather, that would be an awesome match! I can totally see it. He is a pretty charismatic fella - you can't blame Jamie.
(04.21.10 @ 08:28 AM)
Happy Mother's Day, Karen! xo
(05.09.10 @ 08:26 AM)Raven is such a beautiful name and Jan and Jonathan are going to 'rock the parent globe'. I just made that quote up myself. Congrats you guys and great shots Karen.
(05.09.10 @ 09:28 PM)'rock the parent globe' love that - let me know if any compensation is needed for me to use that..
(05.13.10 @ 05:24 PM)but you are right, they definitely are going to rock it