Holiday Time!

New York City is a perfect place to visit during the holiday season. The tree at Rockefeller Center was stunning! Everything was magical and also, reminded us of the movie "Home Alone".

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While in New York, one of my favourite Canadian bands, Hey Rosetta! just happened to be playing! I may have just seen them play five days earlier in Toronto but hey, they're one of my favourites so I thought why not take advantage of seeing them in a smaller venue. It was a fabulous show!

Click on the panoramas to see larger versions. I love a good panorama!

Remembrance Day

Today is a pretty significant day in Canada. Remembrance Day. Every year on this day I head down to the cenotaph for the ceremonies. I think that it is important to do that to show your support. I also think that not enough people do it. Every year, as there are less veterans, there seems to be less of a crowd.

This year I had the hardest time finding a veteran with that poppy box. I found one yesterday at the Royal Winter Fair while there with my three year old niece. She looked at the man and put the money in his box, he passed the poppies. I could tell that she did not understand what was happening so I explained it to her as we walked away. I'm still not sure that she understood after my explanation. Telling stories of her great-grandfathers, men who she never had a chance to meet, do not have a lot of significance to a three year old. But I am confident that when she is older, those stories will have more meaning. Things like this are important so let's not let them disappear. I hope to see you at the cenotaph today at 11am.

Happy Halloween

This year Li'l K wanted to be a ghost - both a scary and friendly one. Before heading out to trick-or-treat she practised her faces for me!

A Big Part of my Heart...

...lies with this little one - the best niece in the world, Li'l K. Finding the balance in life between work and family/friends can often be challenging but I know the importance of making the time for them (especially when they are so young!). Li'l K and I try to have a sleepover every six weeks or so. After I pick her up from school, we usually have a Skype date with Auntie Em in Mexico and then a dance party in the evening. On this particular day last week, we had an awesome day together that included live music at the First Canadian Place, dinosaurs at the ROM and a mini photo shoot at the studio.

I {puffy heart} 6400 ISO

I spent a few days in August in Montréal to hang with friends and to catch some amazing music at Osheaga. A trip to Montreal is not complete without a visit to Basilique Notre-Dame (especially when showing off the city to an American friend!).

My Li'l Paradise

A few days at the "farm" to relax, reflect, rediscover, rejuvenate + re-energize. I need to spend more time here.

Life is Precious

Everyday we are reminded of how precious life is. Flip on the news and you will see devastation everywhere. Everyday that the sun rises, we should be grateful for the day. The importance of recognizing and enjoying the present is immense. Photographs capturing these moments are invaluable. Moments are lost, life changes and all that is left are the images. These images become heirlooms to be shared for years to come.

In June I photographed the beautiful wedding of Nienke + Derek. They chose to spend their big day with only their very closest family members, including Nienke's grandparents who flew in from South Africa for the event. I am sad to say that Nienke's grandmother passed away this week. I am grateful that I was there to capture the special, quiet moments that happened on that day between Nienke and her grandmother. Photographers, please never underestimate the importance of what we do and when you go out there with your camera, do your absolute very best to capture it all.

I Love Film

Happy Birthday Li'l K!

It's my favourite little girl's birthday today! It is hard to believe that my niece Li'l K was born three years ago today! Seriously, where does the time go?! On Sunday we had a picnic party for her at Bellwoods Park in Toronto. She was very excited and definitely let everyone know that it was HER birthday. Happy Birthday Li'l K!

My sister gave her a classic wooden wagon which was definitely a hit amongst the kids!

Happy Canada Day!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am the biggest advocate for Canada. I love all things Canadian. Yes, I obsess over CBC Radio - not just RadioOne but RadioTwo and RadioThree as well. Stuart Mclean is an icon in my heart. I tell everyone I know to go see the Joshua Jackon film One Week. If you tell me you love music, I'll tell you dozens of Canadian bands that you "just have to listen to" (currently: The Stills, City & Colour, Handsome Furs..). I avoid buying food from other countries when I know that we can grow it here. My photo lab is a two block walk from my studio. When I travel I bring gifts of maple syrup and maple cookies to my hosts. I love the Toronto Football Club. And how can I forget our Canadian wines and beers (loving East Dell Black Cab and Mill Street Tankhouse Ale).

Last week I photographed a very Canadian wedding. It took place at a cottage on a lake in Muskoka. Nienke + Derek were married with their guests seated on the dock and a great Canadian flag blowing in the wind. It was truly magical.

Everyday I feel blessed to have been lucky enough to grow up in such a great country. Happy Canada Day everyone!

Mexican Holgas 2009

A client recently asked me if I ever photograph any personal work. This is often something that I struggle with as a working photographer. My educational background is fine arts yet I often find it hard to take the time to actually create images for myself. Whenever I travel, however, I always find the time! My Mexican Holgas project is something that I have worked on for the past three years, since one of my sisters moved to that country. These Holga images are from my most recent trip to Mexico which was in April. They are from around both the Mexico City and Chetumal areas.

This gem was taken in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Mexico City called Coyoacan.

Teotihuacan.

The Angel on Reforma in Mexico City.

Mahahual in Quintana Roo.

Coba.

A natural beach near Tulum. There was basically no one here but us.

Oh How I Wish

Oh how I wish that I was back at Mahahual.
The sun.
The Caribbean sea.
The sand.
The fish for three.
Dreamy.

Happy Monday!

English Holgas

Last Holga stop: England. Halesworth; the whole of Suffolk. Thatched cottages, beds of lavender, castles, the North Sea.