McKinnon PhotoBlog

June 19, 2011 // my life / news / portraits

I think being a father is complicated and often confusing. Over the last 50 years men and women's roles in the family has become more similar, gone are the clearcut roles, and with that came both parents needing be be jack of all trades - as homemakers and parents. I know among my women friends, over coffee, over wine, we talk about the joys, frustrations and challenges of trying to make it all work - of being great partners to our hubbies, of having time for ourselves, of raising our children, paying the bills, all while feeling balanced and happy!!! It's A LOT. I know I couldn't do it with out those heart to hearts with my girlfriends and sisters.

But men, dads ... let's face it they don't (typically) call up a friend, venting, "I am overwhelmed," - "I feel disconnected from my wife," - "I need more me time," - "I fear I am losing myself" - typically, men to men heart to heart sessions don't happen like it does in the gal community. Heck, I can have a genuine power share in the aisle's of the grocery store with someone that can get me through the day.

Yet, dads are often facing the same challenges us moms are.

I think of the dad in our house. How he works to please us all, puts up with our highs and lows (he does live with five female's after all) and keeps loving us through them. I feel proud. I hope he does as well.

We love you and our love for you unites us.

John is away working this week, and we celebrating Father's Day last week. As part of the day we presented him with a 36 inch print of the above image. It made us so happy to create it and the look on his face when he received it is one I will always remember. I love the opportunity father's day gives us to unite in reminding you how important you are to us.

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Danna:

Karen, this is the BEST fathers day gift ever! love love love it!

(06.19.11 @ 08:24 PM)

Danielle:

Karen, what a beautiful gift! This is such a great idea, something John will cherish always - his beautiful girls holding beautiful words, showing him lots of love!!

(06.19.11 @ 08:36 PM)

Tanya:

SOOOOOO Sweet!!! What a great idea.... full of love... :)

(06.19.11 @ 09:32 PM)

Amanda O'Brennan:

Karen! That is the greatest Idea! I just love it. So sweet, all his lovely ladies.... :)

(06.20.11 @ 09:54 AM)

sarah :

Karen, Jenny and I loved seeing you today! I think what you and the girls created for Fathers Day is something John will remember forever! Love it, so you! Your talent is amazing as are you!! xoxo have a great rest of your week and hopefully we see you in July!

(06.20.11 @ 11:19 AM)

christine:

You always know how to put emotions into words, Karen, I definitely felt the love there. Happy Fathers' Day John! You are amazing, and your girls adore you!

(06.20.11 @ 01:28 PM)

Jessica:

This is the sweetest thing ever!! :)

(06.20.11 @ 02:23 PM)

Melissa:

This is the CUTEST idea ever! I love it! Way to be creative!

(06.20.11 @ 02:25 PM)

Melissa:

This is the CUTEST idea ever! I love it! Way to be creative!

(06.20.11 @ 02:25 PM)

Tammy:

Beautiful!!!

(06.20.11 @ 09:44 PM)

Tina Moreira:

Karen, you are amazing! This is so cool!

(06.24.11 @ 10:26 AM)

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Hanna and Ania - serious cuteness

June 17, 2011 // news / portraits

As I climbed out of the car they stood in the special dresses peeking coyly out the door, I can sense their excitement and adored their sweetness and shy demeanour.

It wasn't long though until we had them giggling as they sat with the mom, aunt and grandmother for a girls photo. You all know I love these multi-generational sessions - so meaningful.

Then it was all about Hanna an Ania - editing these ones was stressful - so many to choose from with these beauties.

Thanks you for the lovely session!

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Sara:

Thank you Karen for making the session so easy and fun. The girls really did have a great time and you have an amazing way with kids. Thanks again!

(06.17.11 @ 11:42 PM)

Gail:

The pictures are wonderful and it was fun working with you, Karen. Thanks!

(06.18.11 @ 10:08 AM)

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Christel and Avery - mother daughter love

June 17, 2011 // news / portraits

Avery is Christel second, and I was moved that she commissioned a photograph of just her and her daughter, like it was the most natural thing, as is a mothers love for their daughter.

She asked that the photo be black and white, a classic portrait - easy, with such a classic beauty and a peaceful mom as Christel.

Thank you Christel, from me, and from Avery, your adorable daughter.

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Christel:

Wow Karen, these are gorgeous and go above and beyond what I had imagined. Our session with you was such a refreshing & delightful experience. It was great to meet you and we found that your laid back and warm personality put both of us at ease. Thanks for helping to make this a very special time.

(06.17.11 @ 04:40 PM)

Karen McKinnon :

Thanks Christel for the really sweet comment - I truly believe that people should not just love their photos but look back on the session with warmth!

(06.18.11 @ 08:11 AM)

Linda Clark:

Love these pictures of Christel and Avery. KNew her Mom and Grandma very well They would have been so proud of her. Just beautiful

(06.19.11 @ 04:40 PM)

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Tammy + James - Tender Session

June 15, 2011 // portraits / wedding

They left their two little boys at home and came out to celebrate how it all started... with the two of them.

When Tammy and James met 12 years ago while working in the same restaurant, she initially wrote him off, but once he wrangled a date with her, she was quickly won over. It's easy to see why. You can be yourself, your whole self, with James. Although I have got to know Tammy through past sessions, James was new to me, but I felt right at home.

We had booked their Tender Session for a friday evening, one of my favourite times to shoot a couple. With Tammy and James I felt like a fortunate third wheel on their date. James got us laughing and Tammy quickly joined it. We played, we sang to 80's tunes, their was wine and there was beauty.

The beauty of a couple who bring out the joy in each other, who finish each other's sentence, who encourage and push each other in the right direction and who meanwhile are raising two very fortunate boys.

Tammy and James, thank you for the "date" night. You two are gorgeous!

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Tia Jestico:

Wonderful pics and a great write up; really brough emoition to everything. However, I'm curious to know how Walker's Scrap came into the mix. Never a place I'd thought of, but added a ton of charm and depth to this couple.

(06.15.11 @ 09:43 PM)

Karen McKinnon :

Thanks Tia. Impressed that you knew it was walker scrap metal. It was just a place that i thought would have texture and personality, which is what I was looking for for this session. The Walker clan was one of my first clients here and I continue to photograph them and call them friends...It was a really fun place to photograph.

(06.15.11 @ 10:10 PM)

Tammy:

Oh my God, Karen these pics are gorgeous! Thank you for such a wonderful, fun evening of shooting & laughter! Can't wait to see the rest of them!! (and to clarify, we've been together almost 12 yrs & married almost 9 yrs ;) *grin!)

(06.15.11 @ 10:13 PM)

Karen McKinnon :

thanks Tammy! It was hard to choose fave's - yes I knew it has been 9 years of marriage, b/c next year is ten at Crown Isle!

(06.15.11 @ 10:32 PM)

Lezlie Chasse:

Absolutely Fantastic! Amazing shots, so much love and laughter :)

(06.16.11 @ 06:13 AM)

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The Riggins Clan - Multi-Generational Portrait

June 14, 2011 // portraits

My friend Melanie organized a TENder session for her parents Doris and Garth and had herself and her husband and children join them for some of the images.

"To be photographed or to commission a photograph of a loved one, is an act of LOVE"

Thank you Melanie for having this photo created for your parents, for yourself and for your children. I loved having that time with your parents and getting a sense of their lovely natural connection. Thanks Doris and (the at first slightly resistant) Garth - thanks for letting me win you over.

I take comfort in knowing what this photo will mean years from now.

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bevin:

Fabulous! Love this crew.

(06.14.11 @ 04:31 PM)

Phebe May:

beautiful!!!

(06.27.11 @ 08:42 PM)

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