For today and tomorrow…SMILE!

This time of year, life starts to get busier and it can sometimes be difficult to take time out just to sit back, relax and enjoy the season.  The kids are getting involved in their summer sports, my hubby is in the field planting, then stone picking and next shipping chickens.  So, I’m doing the majority of the running around, keeping the kids on time for their activities and ensuring that all of our regular family/household duties are being kept up with.  We’re pretty good at sharing the parenting duties, but spring and autumn are always so busy on the farm.  In a few weeks, he will be the one to slow down (a little) and then that’s when I get even busier.  Can’t wait!

With the onset of this beautiful weather, the calls are coming in for lifestyle sessions…and I really can’t wait to get shooting more, now that the weather is nicer and the days are getting longer.  The evening and weekend session times tend to fill up quickly, since that seems to be when everyone can get their families together easiest.  So, if you’re looking to use a gift certificate that you’ve had given to you or wanting to book a lifestyle session, and you know when you’re wanting to have your session done, please give me a shout so that we can find a time that works best for you.  My Saturdays for July & August are full with weddings now too…which is fabulous, but all the more reason to book your family/lifestyle session in advance before the Sundays fill up.

Amongst the chaos of life…the kids and I spent part of the evening outside cleaning up and getting ready for the long weekend.  I am working part of the weekend, but have also set a little time aside for campfires and picnics with my family.  While we were out enjoy the evening sunshine, my son begged me to take some photographs of our new lop-eared bunnies, so that he can take the images to school tomorrow to share with his teacher and friends.  And because a post is always better with some photos, I thought I’d share them with you too!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy long weekend!  Enjoy!

For today and tomorrow…smile, Darlene

Last night was my daughter’s annual dance recital with Dance Techniques.  As I was sitting at the Blyth Theatre, waiting for her first of three routines, I realized that this is the completion of her 5th year of dance!  Wow!  It seems like just yesterday that I struggled to get her onto the stage for the first time, as she clung to me…afraid to dance in front of all of those people.  Yet, with great confidence and talent, she danced her little heart out last night…not even seeming to notice that anyone was even paying attention.   Gosh…I love her!

She returns to the studio for three weeks of dance camp this summer and then the big question needs to be answered.  Competitive or not?!  She really loves to dance and wants to dance competitively so badly, so we will see what the autumn brings for her and our family’s already busy schedule.

In the meantime, some photos of my little ballerina.  I must have subconsciously known yesterday that this was a big milestone in her dancing, as we spent a couple hours in the afternoon doing a fun little photo session, before the recital.  My darling dancing daughter!

For today and tomorrow…smile, Darlene

Tess & Jonathon were engaged on February 3rd…of this year!  I could tell when Elizabeth (Tess’ mother) called me, that they were concerned that trying to find a photographer for the first weekend in May could be difficult, since the wedding was only a few months away.  As it turns out, I was available for the date they decided on and met with Tess to discuss her wedding photography.

I knew from the moment that I met her, that this wedding was going to be fabulous.  Tess herself is such a wonderful person.  I knew right away that we were going to work well together and loved the vision that she had for her special day.  A small wedding on the family farm, where she grew up.  An outdoor ceremony in the morning, followed by lunch and a reception in the airplane hanger.  Simple, yet elegant.

As soon as we arrived at the farm on Sunday morning, I knew I was in for something special.  Their property and home is gorgeous, giving us ample backgrounds for their photographs.  Then I saw Tess…WOW!  She was stunning in her beautiful gown.  I briefly met with Jonathon, before heading outside to prepare for their “First Look”.  Yes…Tess and Jonathon decided that they would see each other before the ceremony.  I love it when couples decide to do this.  It gives them the opportunity to express their truest emotions when they see each other for the first time on their wedding day, and relieves the nerves a little before walking down the aisle in front of all of their family and friends.

Their reception was full of emotion…laughter, tears and love…as the families welcomed their new family members and shared stories of the couple in their earlier years.  It was simply amazing and tugged at my own heart.  Beautiful!

While I haven’t had the opportunity to look through all of their images from this past Saturday, there were a few that caught my attention while I glanced through them.  And I just can’t wait to share…so, for now a little sneak peek of their day.

Congratulations Tess & Jonathon!  You make a fabulous couple and I wish you all the best in this new chapter of your lives together.

For today and tomorrow…smile, Darlene

I love engagement sessions!  With every wedding I photograph, I strongly encourage my clients to ensure that we get together before the big day, for either an engagement session or lifestyle session.  I can’t stress enough how important this step can be, in preparation for their wedding photography.  It gives us the opportunity to get to know each other better and see how we work together.  It also gives the couple the opportunity to see images of themselves before their big day, and provide feedback on what they like the best about their session and photographs.

A couples weeks ago, I met Jamie & Baylie, their adorable little girl Miss Sophia and their dog Zoey, for their engagement lifestyle session.  I also had the opportunity to stop in at the family farm, where the wedding will take place this summer and meet some of the rest of their family.  We then drove to a nearby property for their session, where we will also be doing photos on their wedding day.  It was fantastic!

Miss Sophia wasn’t too sure about being in front of the camera at first, while Zoey wanted to be in all of the photos…lol.  Sophia warmed up eventually and we captured some fabulous family photos, along with some images of the gorgeous couple to celebrate their engagement!  It was so fun and gave me the opportunity to scope out the location I will be working in, on the day of their wedding.  After this session, I can’t wait to see them all dressed up to say their “I do”‘s.

For today and tomorrow…smile,  Darlene

There couldn’t have been a better way to kick off the beginning of my wedding season, before my first spring wedding next weekend!  This past weekend, I spent Saturday and Sunday meeting couples at Hessenland‘s 11th Annual Wedding and Event Fair and it was such a fabulous way to get out to visit with the area’s local vendors, as well as to meet the lovely couples getting married in 2012-13.

I absolutely love meeting newly engaged couples, brides & grooms planning their special day and their families, as they assist in the arrangements.  Everyone is just full of excitement and  love…looking to make their day simply perfect!  It makes me feel renewed and allows me to step back into my past…10 years ago, remembering when I was enjoying that same milestone in my life.  And…smile!  I just can’t stop…it makes me smile to know how these couples are feeling and the fun they’re having with their plans.

It was a crazy busy weekend for us in home life…with our children having to be run here and there, my hubby in the fields planting crops and me with the event fair, consultations and other commitments.  But I must say…it was well worth the hustle and bustle to be part of this amazing event!  Hessenland’s Liz, Frank and Christa, along with their staff were simply fabulous and the venue…stunning!  I can’t imagine the preparation and hard work that goes into making an event like this such a success.  Kudos to you all!

If you weren’t able to make it out this weekend, you did miss out on some fun, yummy treats and fabulous vendors, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still check out who was there.  If you visit Hessenland’s event calendar, you’ll find a list of those vendors who participated and be able to check out their websites from there.  And please…do check them out, as they all have so much to offer.

Of course, I brought my camera along, but in all the busyness of the weekend I really didn’t get around to truly capturing the grandeur of the event.  Slight regrets on my own part here…as it was truly amazing.  However, in a few spare moments before the event opened to the guests on Sunday, I was able to capture just a few images of my own display and the immediate area around me.  And because I feel the need to include a photo or two, along with my post…you’ll see even with just the few images I shot…it was simply gorgeous!

For today and tomorrow…smile, Darlene

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