At Home with Baby Ben| Comox Valley Photographer

I'm sitting in my studio at the moment; the sun is shining through the windows and Anais Mitchell is providing some mellow background music.  It's a nice space.  I love the clean, white walls and the Asparagus green accents, and I like being surrounded by my gear.  I like being here.

Do you remember a movie about 'walls'?...if these walls could talk?  As I recall, it was a depressing film, but I'm thinking about the walls of my studio in a much more positive light.  If my studio walls could talk, they would speak of all of the people who have shared their LOVE in this room.  Love for their partners, love for their families, their new babies...or themselves.  Some of my favourite sessions have been with women on their own; classy boudoir shoots and maternity sessions.  I have not had a single client bring any negativity into this space.  It has been wonderful.

I'm glad I have the option of shooting in my studio.  I enjoy manipulating light, controlling the environment, and I love the dramatic effects I can create with my studio lights, but studio sessions are not for everyone.   Particularly in the arena of baby photography, the trend is to shoot newborn sessions at home.

I had scheduled a studio session for my sweet little nephew Ben, my brother Kevin and his fiancee Kristi, but at the last minute I suggested a 'home-shoot.'  My brother isn't really a 'studio' kind of guy, so I guessed that I would get more authentic photos of him with his family if they were all relaxing in their own home.

I think I made the right call.  These are very honest, pure, un-staged photos that tell the love story of this new little family.

I can usually predict that I'm going to get shots of parents looking at their new babies with love pouring out through their eyes, but I was just blown away by the expressions of love I witnessed from Ben as he looked at his mom and dad.  He was so expressive, and he was only eight weeks old at the time of our session! You can see how smitten he is with his parents.

I hope you enjoy looking through these; and if you know anyone who is expecting a baby or has a new addition to their family, please lead them in my direction!   (That would really make my day!)

The Givers. | Comox Valley Photographer

I was honoured when Lynn Brandon, president of the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club, contacted me about photographing their 25th Anniversary Celebration.  The event took place on March 1st at the Best Western Waverley Hotel, and it was a pleasure to shoot.  It was inspiring to meet the fine people who contribute so generously to the betterment of both our local and global communities.

The Best Western created a stellar environment for the party, and the Jenn Forsland band provided beautiful music throughout the evening.

There were some lovely moments; especially when individuals were recognized by their fellow members.   It's good to be reminded of the importance of service to others.

"Life is about giving, not getting."

Hubert Selby, Jr., Requiem for a Dream (Preface 2000)

I hope you enjoy these photos.  They're portraits of Givers.

Happy Anniversary Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club!