such a [pleasure]

I meet the nicest people through my work as a photographer and this family was no exception. I drove away from this session with a smile on my face because it was such a pleasure to work with them.

Mom was only a few weeks from her due date and still looked spectacular (I'm so jealous) and their son was the sweetest little guy ever! I'm really looking forward to doing some more photos with them after their new little baby is born. And if big brother is any indication, the new baby is sure to be completely adorable too.

Thanks for the great day (and the cup of tea) Joanne & Jeffrey. I'm really looking forward to meeting your new precious baby at our next session.

[best] of 2008

This has been a very exciting year for me. I took a huge leap of faith and turned my favourite obsession hobby into a business. I'm so honoured that each and every one of my new clients was willing to work with me as I learn and grow as a photographer and as a businesswoman - especially those of you from my early sessions when I still didn't quite know what I was doing.

Actually, I still don't always feel like I know what I'm doing, but I'm excited to keep learning and getting better!

As I begin this new year, I am determined to be a success through hard work and a genuine love for what I do. Every photography session I do is a huge rush of adrenaline for me. I get excited about capturing both the big smiles and the tender moments. I especially love the click of camera when I know I've just caught a winner. I feel the energy of the emotion or the love that I've captured and I don't even need to look at the screen to know it will be a special image.

So thank you to all of my clients from this past year. It was a pleasure working with you and I hope I get the opportunity to capture more wonderful memories with you in the future.

Now what would be a post without photos?

Here are my favourite photos from this year. I've notice I gravitate towards the images that capture a particular emotion or feeling for me.

When photographing children and babies I especially love the shots that convey a feeling of pure beauty and simple innocence. It's usually found in sparkling eyes and smooth, soft skin on chubby little cheeks...

I also love to catch genuine smiles. People often feel very insecure or reserved when a camera is pointed at them, so it's always a great moment when my clients are able to let their inner light shine through with a sparkle in their eye and a real, true smile...

Even better for me than a great smile is a hearty laugh! They're an elusive animal, but if the tone is set and my camera is ready I can sometimes catch one...

And wherever there is laughter, there is usually togetherness. Moments of closeness between people is something I strive to capture with my photography. I'm passionate about portraying relationships between families and friends and find myself smiling when I manage to capture moments of togetherness like these...

I also strive to capture the essence of relationships with candid images conveying pure tenderness. Quiet moments, gentle kisses or loving looks between a mother and child simply melt my heart...

And finally... where there is beauty and innocence and genuine smiles and hearty laughter and togetherness and tenderness... there is always LOVE...

... lots and lots of LOVE...

I LOVE to photograph LOVE!

And if you've made it this far, thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to the coming year and wish all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009.

With much love,

xo Carolyn

ps - for those of you not familiar with online blogs... did you know you can leave a comment for me after each post? Feel free to do so by clicking on CLICK HERE TO SHARE SOME LOVE just below. You can always leave a comment anonymously if you don't want to sign up for a blogger account, although I'd love to know how you are... so don't forget to sign your name if you leave a comment without signing up. Be sure to tell me what you think of the new and improved larger photos on my blog and, of course, I'm sure my clients would love to hear how gorgeous you think they all are! So don't be shy... leave a comment today.

it's a [boy]

I've done several newborn shoots now, but this was my first session with a boy. And what a little man he was! Cute cute cute. I just loved working with this family. They were so incredibly natural and comfortable in front of the camera that it made my job easy. And surprisingly enough, it was one of the few days in December when there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We had the heat cranked up and sun streaming in the window, so you can only imagine how happy the baby was. Mom, Dad and I were all sweating bullets, but he was happy as a clam.

And let's not forget about the little man's big sister who was amazing on this shoot. She was sweet and easy-going and completely loving to her new little brother. What a treat to see.

Thanks Naomi and Terry for a wonderful session. I really enjoyed working with you!

Don't you just love mom here...

... gorgeous!

The ring on the toe was Dad's idea. I love the sense of scale it gives on such tiny little feet! Awwwww.