Category Archives: Life Stories Series
Life Stories Series: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! | Kitchener-Waterloo Child Photographer
If there’s one thing I adore, it’s baby toes and feet. I always take numerous pictures of feet/toes during a newborn session because there is something so very special about those soft soles that are perfect and precious and not yet hardened by life’s rough roads.
When I saw these three pictures I took the other day, they made me think about my favourite Dr Seuss book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go. I wonder where these precious dancing feet, playing feet, thoughtful feet will take my two munchies. I know that as they grow, their soles (and souls) will become a bit harder, more well-traveled. Hopefully not too hard, or beat up by life. I hope that they live. I hope they’re not afraid to try new things, explore all their opportunities. Travel new roads. I hope that they respect themselves and other people regardless of their differences. I hope they walk with integrity, knowing that they’ve been true to who they are. And most of all I hope that they never stop dancing.
What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?
Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!
The next story in the circle belongs to Amy Lenhart, Windsor Ontario Photographer . I can’t wait to see what story she has to tell this month!
Life Stories Series: The Story of Elizabeth Annabella Joy | Kitchener-Waterloo Newborn Photographer
This month’s story is not entirely my own. I have a dear friend that I met just over three years ago. In the past three years we’ve shared many, many things. She recently gave birth to her precious daughter and I had the opportunity to do newborn photos. I posted the photos to FaceBook but I only realized when I received this amazing email from her that she wrote for my website, that I hadn’t posted the pictures from her session on the blog. Here is her story (the very email that made me cry the ugly cry!). I secretly think she does this to me on purpose 
Almost one year ago from the time I write this, I stood in my washroom with my mouth hung open. My hand was glued to my cheek in shock. I was holding the evidence that told me of the surprise that would join our family in about 8 and a half months! A few short months later, as the excitement of a new baby was taking hold we would face another shock. My 30 year old husband was diagnosed with Cancer.
Devastation is an understatement. This wasn’t my life. This was my nightmare. I wanted my dreamy life back that had my healthy little family thinking happily of the future as five. Not this. Not to my family! But Jon handled it in a manner true to his character. He was firm in his confidence, unwavering in his faith and brave in his fight.
When our precious daughter, Elizabeth was born we were blessed that Jon was able to be there. He had only a day to spend with her before he had to leave for a few days for his treatment. During this time,
Verity, not only a talented photographer but my very good friend, urged me to take photographs. This time was so surreal. I was struggling to simply get through the day, taking an abundance of photographs was not something I was thinking about. She asked if I would allow her to come and capture these early memories.The paradox of our situation is such that on one hand we had something so wonderful and on the other so terribly hard.
Verity in her gift for immortalizing the moment was able to capture my family as it was, at this time, despite everything else; beautiful, happy, in love. Strong.
These photographs. So generously gifted to us are images that I treasure. They allow me, when I am feeling overwhelmed with everything life has handed me right now, to remember how blessed I am. How wonderful they are, and what life is truly about.
In the future I will no doubt look back on this year that was, for the most part, a blur and stop, right there in that moment, on that day. When everything was perfect. In tiny eyelashes and toenails. Big brothers falling in love. New parents, more in awe of the miracle of life than ever before.
I cherish those images that can bring me right back to that place.
Thank you Verity. For your gentle nudging. Your loving approach in capturing your newest, tiny subjects and for sharing your gift.
With love and Gratitude,
J
Elizabeth Annabella Joy, we are so, so pleased you are here to bring happiness and joy amid the chaotic time your family is facing.
Can you believe we’ve done this for an entire year?? Nope, neither can I!
What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?
Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!
The next story in the circle belongs to the fantastically talented Nicole Ridella of Ordinary Days Photography. Be sure to see what story she has to tell this month!
The Story of Happy Snapping – Life Stories Series
This month’s Life Story is a fun one. We’ve been doing a few fun things during the summer and while I’ve been hauling my camera around to capture it all, my 4 year old has decided that she is keeper of my point and shoot. The other day I downloaded her photos and had a good chuckle at some of the things she took photos of. I’ve decided to share those as this month’s story.
So I leave you with the world through the eyes of a 4 year old that is Full. Of. Awesome.
What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?
Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!
The next story in the circle belongs to the awesome Kate Craft. Be sure to see what story she has to tell this month!
Life stories series: The Story of.. The Parlotones Concert | Kitchener-Waterloo Music Photographer
What do you do when one of your all-time favourite bands will be in town? You get a photo pass to the show, of course! The Parlotones put on a really amazing show, featuring songs from their new album (be sure to check out ‘Honey Spiders’ and ‘Save your best bits’) as well as a host of songs from their previous albums including ‘I’ll be there’, ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ and ‘Life Design’. I have to confess, I learnt that night that dancing *while* taking pictures is practically impossible if you’d like anything in focus They had such an amazing energy on stage, and Kahn had the entire audience captivated with his performance.
One of the things that stood out to me is that they’re just four good friends, doing what they love and enjoying every minute of it. Teasing and joking in between songs and giving their all to the performance. If you ever get the opportunity to see them in your city, take it! You won’t be disappointed (until the end when you realize the show is over and you have to go home again. But by that time you’ll own a Parlotones t-shirt and at least one cd which will make it a bit easier for you).
What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?
Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!
The next story in the circle belongs to the wonderful Amy Lenhart. Be sure to see what story she has to tell this month!
Life stories series: The Story of Hope and Love | Kitchener-Waterloo
This month’s Story is an incredibly difficult one for me. If you’ve been following me on Facebook you might’ve seen an update I did a few weeks ago, saying that I volunteered at my local Walk for ALS (ALS Ontario link here). For those of you who don’t know what ALS is, please read the wiki page here. It is a disease characterized by, well.. not such good things. Hopelessness, for one, since there is no treatment or cure. And in the majority of the cases doctors have no idea what causes it. My dear stepdad was diagnosed with ALS last year. It’s been an incredibly difficult time because we live on different continents and I’m unable to help out in any way. Which led me to volunteer my services to the walk.
I have to confess that I’d been feeling really down about everything leading up to the walk. But then the walk happened. And I got to photograph all these amazing teams, some of which drove up to an hour and a half just to do the 5km walk, in the pouring rain, for their loved ones (or in memory of a loved one). The day was grey and rainy but that didn’t dampen the spirit there one bit. Everybody was enthusiastic about the walk and the money they were raising to help those living with ALS in our community. And so many people volunteered their time and talents to ensure a successful walk. It was an amazing experience and I’m so glad that I got to be a part of it.
The walk kicked off with a minute of celebration, (instead of a minute of silence) in honour of the lives lived by those who are no longer with us because of ALS. And then the start line ribbon was cut by George and Tara from Chyme FM’s morning show, and off the walkers went.
The two largest teams (aren’t they AWESOME?!)
If I could choose one picture to sum up the day it would be this one. Simple, yes. The walk and the people there were like the bright purple balloon against the cloudy sky – spreading happiness and hope and love in the face of a gloomy and hopeless disease.
What is it that these life stories are about, you might ask?
Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!
Next up in the circle is the very talented Anelle Richardson. Be sure to check out her Story for the month!