Drum role please.....

The logo is going to be integrated slowly. Originally I was going to launch it everywhere, the blog, my website, business cards, studio signage all at once. Then I realized how challenging and all consuming that would be, and I am SO OVER being stressed out, that was sooo Karen circa 2008.  

A huge thank you to the crew over at Better Mousetrap Marketing who designed the logo for me. They really did an amazing job of capturing what I envisioned, which was something playful, fresh, unique and professional. The process was seamless and quite fun. 

Matt and Monique, you have give your kids a beautiful home to grow in, and obviously it is filled with love, joy and creativity - what a pleasure it was to document your beginning under this new roof. 

The Clarks opted for what I call a "lifestyle" session, one that isn't about looking "just so" but has a more casual feel. I love the chance to document a family relating, and we did just that, the family together, the girls together, the gals individually and even some of just mom and dad. 

It really was the type of session that the kids will look back at years from now and be able to get a sense of how much in love with them their parents are. Thank you Clarks for sharing with me. 

Here are a few of my fave of all four of you. 

There is buckets of love  -

She came in and charmed me with her fine pretty features and beautiful skin, then she happily played along throughout the session. I think she is the first babe in a long time to not even have an "accident" in the studio. 

Her baby sweetness definitely gave me goosebumps and made me all mushy ....

This morning. Kids running outside of the school. 

- I will continue to take risks and embrace failure as a sign that I tried. Further to that, I will be bolder in making big decisions. 

- I will learn something new (oohhh.. I am excited about this one, as the wheels,okay two sets of wheels, are already in motion.)  

- I will find a new way to make a difference. 

I don't know if it counts as cheating if the third point as already been started. As part of my Ten Years of Celebration I called for nominations for a charity that would benefit from professional photography. For five years I have been very active in helping Y.A.N.A. share the stories behind their efforts and I feel that I have room to do the same for another charity. 

I thank everyone who nominated a charity. One however jumped out. Not only was it nominated three times, however, it is something that strikes a chord for me and my family. 

I am excited to announce that I have chosen Dawn to Dawn, Action on Homeless Society. 

For many years I lived on the outskirts of the Downtown Vancouver Eastside. Many of my friends chose to work in the assistat living facilities in the area. They were working with a wide spectrum of needs, dealing with drug addiction, to abuse, to helping those fighting the final stages of AIDS live with dignity. They were helping those that could  transition to a better life, and providing support to those that wouldn't. No matter the direction, I was moved by what a difference their kindness could make. From what I know of the those involved in Dawn to Dawn, their heart is right there - not making assumptions, not discriminating, just helping. 

I have always lived by the philosophy, never say never, and always do unto others as you wish them to do unto you. I see someone on the street and I know they have a story, people they love and those whose lives they have left their footprints on. They could be me. I could be them. 

My family was strongly behind the choice of Dawn to Dawn. My daughters have recently become more aware of the homeless and some of their school peers whose parents struggle to provide a lunch for them every day. Two of our daughters has even recently begun campaigning to spend a few days on the street and see what it feels like. Another daughter has been strongly asserting a desire to help at the Food Bank. I look forward to further breaking down the barriers between them, and those whose lives have taken a different path.

I don't know what my work with Dawn to Dawn will result in or  what direction it will take. However I am so honored to find out. 

Of the three nominations for this charity I thought I would share this one. 

 

Respect, dignity, warmth, shelter, health... these aren't the items that you would find on a typical Christmas wish list.  These words shouldn't express wishes at all... these words describe basic human need.  There are people in our own community who find these basic human needs out of reach.  Homelessness lives right here in our community.  Dawn to Dawn was created to address the needs of the homeless population in the Comox Valley.  Dawn to Dawn offers two services; a residential program that provides accommodation in market housing and a mobile medical clinic that that offers care to those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the Comox Valley.  A total of 33 volunteers: 13 nurses, 5 doctors, 3 dentists, 2 pharmacists and 1 optometrist donate their professional skills side by side with a group of dedicated volunteer outreach drivers.

After discussion with Helen Boyd from Dawn to Dawn I respectfully submit Dawn to Dawn as a nominee for the Christmas Charity promotion through McKinnon Photography.  I think that there is immense value in giving a face to homelessness in our community.  I would like to see Karen work together with this compassionate group of volunteers to help bring an element of realism to the issue of homelessness in the Comox Valley.  Homelessness isn't a glamorous issue...but it is a very real issue.  It is a very worthy issue... because there is worth in every life.  It is an issue that touches the lives of a very vulnerable population.  I believe that all people have a story, a history, a past and I believe that it is important to embrace the opportunity to offer a hand up towards a future to those who need it most.  I believe that Dawn to Dawn has identified a need and they are a charity in action.  Dawn to Dawn is 'doing' in our community.  If selected, Dawn to Dawn would like to work with Karen to respectfully share the story of homelessness in the Comox Valley while preserving the anonymity of the population they serve.

"These people are our sisters and our brothers. The right thing to do is to help them reclaim their lives and their autonomy. There is so much left to be done in regards to the issue of homelessness in our community. Photography is a strong medium that bares witness in a very privileged manner to our universal need to be seen and heard." (Helen Boyd - Coordinator CARE-A-VAN Program Dawn to Dawn: Action on Homelessness Society)

Submitted by: A.B.

But first, let's kiss 2011 goodbye. 2011 took all that I had to offer, and put it to good use. You tested my strength, pushed my creativity, challenged my assumptions and reminded me about the importance of intuition.  

It feels hard to see this year go, it meant so much to me. 2011 planted some beautiful strong seeds, and I promise not to waste them and will  grow them into 2012.  

This year gave me so much to see, feel and experience that I don't feel quite ready to say goodbye. 

A bit about my year:

- John, Rowan, Gabby, Maggie, Selah and I had our first family holiday. We spent a week in Mexico on a  Make A Wish Foundation trip celebrating Maggie beating Leukaemia. It was an exciting trip for us, as a large family we don't travel together often. To do so, and be there for such a fabulous reason was a abundant blessing. 

- I lost a friend this year, as did many others in the passing of Jenn Zahavich. It was heartbreaking. What happened around her illness as the community embraced her and her family, was a thing of deep beauty. Just writing that compels me to pause . I can still feel it, and I can feel Jenn. Jenn's passing changed many. For me, it reduced my very fear of death and it also bonded me even more strongly to some amazing friend. 

- This summer I took every weekday off in August. It doesn't sound like such a big deal does it? However, to walk away from all my office work, to turn down sessions - this was hard! I spent the month on Hornby, with family and without daily internet. It was bliss! It is already booked again for next year. 

- In October John and I had our first holiday just the two of us. Granted it was a working holiday, as we went to Hawaii to photography Mikhaila and Greg's beautiful wedding. Still, it was our first time away together off the island. It showed me a taste of our future, when the kids are older and we can sneak off. 

- In August John started his dream job. It has been a long road of school and it makes my heart soar to see him head every day to a job he loves. 

- In November, we made a bold move and pulled our youngest daughter from school to begin homeschooling. It's what our intuition told us to do. I was scared. Really scared. I was concerned that the combination of work, homeschooling and everything else that life brings, would result in me being a failed homeschooler while turning into a nasty super stressed person. The opposite happened, it brought about this lovely sense of peace. As for messing up homeschooling, well, ask me in a few years.

- All of the above was tied together with a daily life of driving kids to dance, preparing dinner, coffee with friends, photographing and more. To me it is these elements that make the year. The little bits that we sometimes take for granted. I see them, and I feel them and am thankful to have such a lovely thread to pull it all together. 

- This was my tenth year in photography in the Comox Valley. I remember days when I had just moved here, tearfully expressing my insecurity as to if I could make a life of photography in the Comox Valley work. Here I am, ten years later. So fulfilled professionally and overwhelmed with all this career has brought into my, and my families life. It has given me much more that I expected. Most notably a connection to many fun and loveable people. 

- Our holiday season this year, where we celebrate Hanukah and Christmas was calm and restful. Definitely a sign of the kids getting older - which breaks my heart in many ways, but also thrills me to see them come further into their own. Bittersweet. 

Bittersweet, I think that is the word to sum up our 2011. 

Despite loving pulling out my professional camera gear, we tend to tote around the point and shoot and all use it - I treasure our "snapshots" here are few from this year:

In Mexico, with my good friend Jen Dodd at a conference, Rowan graduates from Grade 7, Hornby with Nana and Papa, Time at the famous Hornby Island Bakery, First Day of School, John and I have our first ever touristy toasting photo.

Wishing you a few days of joyful reflection on what the last 12 months has given you. xoxo

Although he thought the session was all for him, us women know that these sessions are also for us. 

Rita explained her experience of having a Boudoir session as "Liberating!!!  Karen made me feel so comfortable.  Like catching up with friend I haven't seen in a while.  I think every woman should experience a Karen McKinnnon Bourdoir session."

I decided to bring along my daughter Selah to the shoot and create these images wearing my volunteer hat. I really wanted Abby to know that she had the power to move people, and that she should feel really proud of herself. That by giving, she could inspire others to give as well.

So we did a few photos before, then she headed up to see Sam at Roots the Salon and came back to the studio giggling with her new look. 

Thank you Abby for being such a loving, joyful and generous person! 

I have my typical Victoria routine, but this time I threw on a little tourist cap and we followed my mom's lead, the lady has it figured out. So here are few of our collective tips

1. Hotel. If you aren't already a Hotwire Fan, jump on board. With Hotwire you can search the location, dates and amenitiens you want and then book. The catch is that you don't know what hotel you are staying in until after you book. What I love about Hotwire is it saves me hours of obsessing and googling hotel options. This time, however, we stayed at the Best Western Carlton. It is right on Johnson off Douglas. Usually I love to stay in the inner harbour, but this location was fabulous. The hotel has free parking and once we parked we didn't get in our car for the whole time we were there. The Carlton isn't fancy but the service was so nice, the internet was free and free parking including the day you need to check out made up for the lack of fluffy robes. 

2. Zambri's. If you haven't been to this mouthwatering restaurant just go. It is a top rated establishment that will have you wanting to come back the next night for what I describe as their smooth, light comforting Italian style. This restaurant definitely sits in my top time. 

3. The Royal BC Museum. Why I have never been? It is charming, and full of intrigue for both grown-ups and children. This museum is a real treasure. We explored the natural history section and were reminded of all BC has to offer and played make-belive in the old town section. It really is a must and I would leave two to three hours.  

4. Chinese Food. We hit up china town for some real chinese food, something the Comox Valley just doesn't offer. I had Mu-Sho-Pork for the first time in ten years, and it brought me back to when my sisters used to tell me I wasn't old enough to have it so that they could have more. 

5. The Bug Museum. Most of know about the bug museum, yet I was still wowed by our experience. If you can go during  a week day you will most likely receive your own private guide. We spent a good hour there. The kid loved it and I did a respectable job of hiding my disgust of the large spiders and creepy black centipedes. 

6. The Empress. A walk through the Empress as we headed back to the hotel from the museum proved a fine place for adventure and a short history lesson. It's a free activity best pre-cursed by the reading of one of my favourite children's books Eloise. 

As I wrap up  Celebrating Ten years of photographing in what I am sure is one of the kindest communities in Canada (just try telling me otherwise,)  I can tell you that if the next ten bring me the interactions, the lessons and the laughter this one has I will double over with joy. With it will undoubtedly be the continued challenges, road-blocks, questions and self-doubt the last ten years has see me face and for that I will continue to be a better and wiser person.  I will continue to make decisions based on meaning and fun, and promise to always carry heart with my camera.

This town, this community, I love you. 

A significant part of what gives my work meaning is collaborating and supporting charity work.  It humbles me, it teaches me, it fills me up and hopefully passes some of that on. For the last ten years I have had the chance to work with numerous organizations as well as quietly give to individuals who needed a little something special.

Your support of my business has allowed me to make meaningful contribution to our community and live a life full of passion, while roll modelling for my children that both are possible.. The special events I have held monthly this year and the 12 Days of Christmas is just a small way for me to say thank you. 

Introducing Day 12, where my heart lies:

It seemed slightly insane to leave the office for a few days right before the holidays, but sometimes the things that seem a little crazy are exactly what you need. This time of year is very busy for me at work and home and now after a few days away, and some time with my mama (you are never too old to need this,) I am full of zest to head home and jump back into life and work with buckets of energy. We have had a wonderful few days here and I am thinking I will do a post about it, I come to Victoria often, but rarely with a tourist hat, as I did this time. 

Here is the 11th day. I feel excited to announce all the information for tomorow, day 12, The charity give away, but also a little sad to see the 12 days finish off, it has been super fun!