I am back to work next Tuesday, but that doesn't mean I haven't been running around with my camera. My shooting finger was feeling restless, add some nice light and I was off and going.
Joining my was our lovely friend Cassie.
Shortly after we moved into this house we saw a moving truck bringing a new family into the 'hood. We had hight hopes - kids, fun, warm, always well stocked on eggs for us to borrow when I am mid baking and didn't check first. And bingo! We got just what we wanted.
Cassie, is the dream neighbour. Each of our kids adore her, our dog thinks she is the bees-knees and both John and I think she is one of the nicest kids in town.
Score.
Oh, she is wonderful in front of the camera to boot!
Tomorrow is the annual Y.A.N.A. auction, a night I look forward to for so many reasons, in no particular order:
- the obvious, it is an amazing charity, that has made a difference in so many of my client's lives
- the evening leaves you with a big warm fuzzy, lots of love, lots of pride for our kick a** awesome town
- I am wowed by the crew that puts this event together, Lucy, Loretta, Anita, and the rest of the crew, you sure know how to throw a classy yet welcoming event
- I am going to have one big glass of wine
- I am going to wear a dress, which is pretty rare, because somehow, when I work a dress just doesn't usually fit the bill
- for the last three years I have presented a day in the life slideshow of a family who has used Y.A.N.A.'s services, doing this presentation always scares the crap out of me, and I thrive on things that challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone (other than bungee jumping, that is just plain ridiculous, and something I will never do.)
- this year, like last, I am donating a day plus more. You can own me for a day. It could be used to photograph family or children's sessions for a group of your friends, I could create a day in the life book for you, it could be used for a Bella Party, or for your own custom photo instruction day - there are lots of options. The only requirement is that you have to let us take great care of you!
I always get a bit nauseous when my item comes up in the live bid, that's where the big glass of wine comes in - I made John promise to bid on me if no-one else does.
Last year for the family who won our donation we spent thanksgiving day with them, and photographed candids as well as more than a dozen family portraits. It was crazy fun and this is what they told the folks at Y.A.N.A. about the experience:
At last year's YANA auction we bid and won an day with Karen McKinnon. We were thinking at the time that it would be a great way to get some family portraits but it turned out to be a fantastic experience as well. We shared the bid between 3 families, and when we came together for the photo shoot we had 22 people, three generations, and decades worth of friendship--it was a party and Karen and Jen (her assistant) jumped right in! It was amazing and very impressive to watch Karen arrange and organize such a large group of people, shooting hundreds of pictures each with its own unique and creative flare. Karen and Jen really made the day so much fun, we all left thinking "we have to do this every year!" We all waited anxiously to get a sneak peak of our photos on her blog a few weeks later and were thrilled with the results when we got to see the photos of our day. The experience and the end results really were priceless. Thank you to Karen for such a great experience and for your generous donation to YANA!
*fine print: the own me for day donation cannot be used for wedding services
No one bid on you? Laughing my head off! Seriously! You will, as always, rock it out. I look forward to seeing you. This year's feather boa is hot pink!
(02.18.10 @ 05:02 PM)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.)
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)You've really captured Helen's inner beauty. She's one of a kind.
(02.12.10 @ 10:48 AM)I would guess the Rusty Rooster, I love the first one! Gorgeous shots K!!!
(02.12.10 @ 10:55 AM)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)Ah, definitely Freakin. Helen is such a beauty, as is her music.
Gorgeous work Karen.
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.
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)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)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)Definitely the freaking coffee shop in Tintown!!!
(02.12.10 @ 12:03 PM)Freaking Coffee Shop of course. I kinda love the 2nd picture - it's the colors. And the 4th.
(02.12.10 @ 04:25 PM)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)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)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)No freakin' clue.
(02.12.10 @ 09:50 PM)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)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.
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)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)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?
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?
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)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)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)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.
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)I have a gift box to send out by the end of the week and on the floor of my room are a few things that are going in the box. By laying them where I could easily trip on them I am constantly reminded of the few things I have to finish up for the box. By Pretty, no. Effective, yes.
I eat up blogs on how to make things pretty, I once even had a subscription to Real Simple Magazine (I'm a sucker for nice clean design work,) until every time the magazine arrived I was hypnotized into thinking I had to go to the Container Store in order to have my life organized. (Dear Container Store, no offence meant, I am probably just bitter that you don't have a sore anywhere remotely close to where I live.)
My client and friend Emma Payton has started a blog with some cut-to-the-chase practical advice about being organized. Don't let how pretty her blog is throw you off, it will be full of easy to implement snippets of advice.
Emma runs a consulting business and we have hired her many times to come into the office and help us smooth out our efficiency and implement some plans. She brings extensive knowledge and a real-life attitude to what she does. Basically, she is the read deal.
Check her out and keep an eye on her blog as she builds on it.
Saturday brought a little farmer's market time followed by beautiful Bella Sessions - stunning women!
Sunday was a go-go-go day, as Christine and I were at the Comox Valley Wedding Show. The show was fantastic, we met so many warm enthusiastic people, and it is interesting talking to brides about what gets them pumped about photography.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, we appreciate you saying hello and taking time to find out what we are all about. Hopefully you are as excited about photography as we are.
A big kudos to those of you that came by even though we had talked before and you knew I was already booked for your day - it feels really good that you still took the time to stop by our booth and say hello - made me smile. You are awesome.
I wrapped up the day with a good old Atlas dinner with the amazing company of a few other professional photographers. Good times.
I brought my camera to the wedding show, but totally failed to use it. Lame move on my part.
But because a post is better with a photo I bring you the blue eyed beauty Nova.
And I had to share this one - so funny!
beautiful photos, such a different mood in each of them
(03.10.10 @ 10:52 AM)