I've been asked quite a bit recently why I don't photograph weddings, and at first I didn't know how to respond, but now with no hesitation I know why. I don't want to shoot them. I used to feel really awkward saying that, almost like I wasn't an actual photographer because I chose portraiture over weddings. I love weddings and enjoy talking about them and love love...but I love women and personal self love more!

There is something so gratifying about starting a relationship with a woman who has been beaten down by expectations put on them by the world, themselves, their church, their family, or even their work place. When a woman who originally didn't feel beautiful according to magazines proportions finally sees what the rest of the world sees and says "Wow, I AM beautiful!", it always takes my breath away. I was given a gift and a passion for this, and I get excited about every single day that I'm given the chance to build a relationship with a woman and have them feel more self confident, more beautiful, and giving themselves more self love.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not perfect. I don't wake up every single morning with gallons of self confidence and I hardly ever feel beautiful. But one thing I do have, is self love. No matter how I'm feeling, if I'm feeling like my legs are attracting more cellulite by the day, that my eyes have somehow accumulated a nice set of designer bags underneath them, or that I didn't make it to the gym the day before like I told myself I would, I give myself some self love. I tell myself today is a new day, and this is who I am. Heck, I'm not going to look like this, nor will my life be like this 10 years from now, so I better embrace it today!

So my challenge to you is, do you know how wonderful you are?! How beautiful and amazing you are to the family and friends that you have? Are you ready to accept who you are and let that shine even more then before?

Last week I had an opportunity to be the one in front of the camera, with modeling lights and everything! It was quite scary! But Jason from Jaylena Photography, captured this amazing image of me. This is how I want to remember myself.

Sometimes I astound myself, like laugh I can't believe I just did that, astounding.

1. I learned how to open a bottle of wine, the traditional way! I had a session earlier this week and I brought a bottle of wine for us to enjoy, so while she was getting ready I thought I would open the bottle to keep myself busy. Adam and I have this fancy wine opener at home that you just hug around the neck of the bottle, screw in and pull out. It's like magic! However, my client didn't own one of these, she owned a beautiful traditional one. So I sat there trying to figure out the best way to get the cork out. I think it took me about 10 minutes of screwing it in, unscrewing it, flipping a metal piece down, and trying it all over again before I got it out. I kept on laughing at myself, cause really! I should know how to do this! Eventually I figured it out, and can now open a bottle of wine, the traditional way!

2. I learned that I talk to animals thinking they are going to understand what the heck I'm saying. Dog sitting has left me talking to Adam's family dog, like it's a human. "Hey Sandy, what are you doing?!" she's lying there just looking at me. "What do you feel like doing? Going for a walk cause you're cold?! I'm cold too, we should go for a walk, lets go!" She's still lying there staring at me like I'm crazy. My best friend Sarah hates it when people do this, so I always picture her laughing at me and calling me a crazy person! So I laugh and just tell Sandy "Walk?! okay, walk". Oh yea, Sandy is also deaf.

3. I also learned that I cannot walk nor can I not go up or down a flight of stairs with out tripping. This week Adam and I have been ending the day by taking Sandy for walks around the neighbourhood to talk. But every single time we go, I trip over my own feet. Sometimes falling right into either Adam and Sandy. We both laugh, but it can be quite embarrassing. If I'm going up or down stairs and Adam is with me, he'll hold onto any part of me that he can to make sure he can catch me if I fall. It makes me feel like I'm five, but also a little bit safer, cause I can't tell you how many times I've scratched my face by falling down stairs.

What have you learned about yourself this week?

Celebration Project is something I am so excited to tell you about. It is a collaboration between myself and  Mandy Jill of Mandy Jill Photography and Chelsea Banwell of Chelsea Banwell Makeup Artistry.

Our goal is to give a fabulous experience to young graduating women who might otherwise not be able to afford to have professional photography and makeup for their grad photos.

If you, or you know someone who would like to nominate a girl or would like to receive more information, please email info[at]celebration-project.com!

Looking forward to reading all the nominations!

I quietly tip-toed my way over to the edge before it gave way to the horizon before me. Carefully slinking down until my legs stretched out behind me and my stomach touched the rough ground below me, I peered wide eyed over the edge of the cliff. My knuckles were white as I clutched the sharp rocks, holding on for dear life as my heart beat fast and hard against my chest.

Down below, I saw them raging and flowing gently together in a beautiful juxtaposition, beckoning me to join the flow of their energy. My heart beat so hard I could hardly think, drowning out any thought I had, but I was okay with that. It was a time where I didn't want to listen my head, because I knew if I did, I would tip-toe back the same way I came with hardly a trace I was ever there, and I knew I needed to listen to my heart!

They swirled together and separated in a beautiful dance of lovers and enemies and I knew right then and there I wanted to be in the centre of it. Not wanting to miss a second of their glorious performance my heart skipped a beat and my body became covered with goose bumps as I leapt to my feet and threw myself over the edge and flew into the air waiting for their dance to embrace me!

 

My dreams and desires instantly found me and gathered me softly as we danced together in a fluid rhythm that only my heart could know and I became exhilarated at all the possibilities before me.

 

It has been my desire to travel, to take photos around the world, and take portraits of people while I'm there as well, and this year it's happening! This week I leapt towards my dreams and desires and am planning on travelling to a few different cities this year to do boudoir shoots. Adam and I are also travelling to Australia in the fall and I can't wait to take pictures this beautiful country. This week has been full of spontaneous decisions, but my heart feels at home and I can't wait to see what will happen!

 

I am a travelling portrait photographer, no longer peering over the edge!

 

First stop, Montreal!

Today is an awesome day! The sun is shinning, awesome music is playing from my speakers, and I have boudoir sessions coming up that I'm so excited about! We've been putting the final touches on the session, talking about accessories, lingerie, about how to keep it a secret, and about all the nerves and excitement it brings - it's making me all giddy and bubbly!

Boudoir photography is something that I feel so honoured to photograph, it takes a lot of courage to be willing to do something as intimate as this, and I'm honoured and I take a lot of pride in each woman that chooses me to photograph something so important! Each one usually comes in shy and scared to come out of the bathroom in their first outfit, but after a couple of minutes of me rolling around acting silly while talking my head off, and of course some bubbly, they don't even realize that the robe has come off and have found themselves totally comfortable in their own skin, owning and rocking their own sexiness!

I'm so excited for my upcoming sessions and wanted to show some teaser pictures! I love photos that allure...



If you've been thinking of doing a boudoir session, or trying to figure out what to get the girl who has everything, send me an email I'd love to chat with you!