Look at all these cute faces! Modern Mama 2013 Face of the Year Contestants

The Modern Mama (St. Albert) Face of the Year shin dig took place February 27, 2013 at Ron Hodgson Chev Buick GMC.   The event sold out, and 60 precious little faces smiled, slept, blew bubbles, and goofed off for me, Raj from Patient Man Productions and Larissa from LMack Photography Studio. Beautiful little girls with pig tails and bows in their hair, mischievous busy boys, some deadpan serious babies, some real ham toddlers, made for a really fun night of photography! There were displays by local family friendly businesses and sponsors, a beautiful cake and bright shiny cars to use for backdrops.

I've uploaded many selections for each of the little people that I photographed. I'm a sucker for little ones, and must admit that I was not 'brutal' in culling my shots! I find delight in the whole spectrum of facial expressions little people make and I hope you will too. I did force myself to pick one image each to share here:

I'm offering 10% off  prints and digital files until April 30, 2013. The discount code to use to redeem the 10% discount is entered during the check out process, on the payment details page. It is ModernMaMa10, and it is case sensitive.

I offer some really beautiful ready to hang products, metal (aluminum) prints, thin wraps with a satin finish, as well as metallic print paper. These are products not readily available here in Edmonton. My print lab is Bay Photo in California, and there are shipping charges on prints ordered from my site. Bay Photo is a very high quality professional print lab, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all print products ordered through my site.

I also offer digital files in three sizes: a web sized version for $2, perfect for sharing on social media or your family blog, a 1MP size that will print very well up to 5x7 inches (possibly larger) for $10 and a 4MP size that can print big, for $50. There are no limitations to the number of copies that you can make with your personal use license for these photos. Digital files provide you with great flexibility in terms of the way you make use of them, and there is no shipping cost or wait time for digital file purchases!

The photos from this event are ready for you. I do hope that you enjoy them. I offer family photo sessions at a setting of your choosing, in my garden or in your home (I have portable studio lighting), starting at $300 with a $75 credit toward prints or downloads. For more information, please contact me! You can always leave me comments here too.

Family Photos: Introducing a brand new baby!

I've had the privilege of taking family photos for my former coworker's family for the last four years. When the call came to pick a date this year, I was met with the pleasant surprise that they were expecting their second baby. We picked a date approximately a week after the due date so that we could also get some new born photos.

Newborn photography is a difficult task. Babies are wonderfully unpredictable. We turned the heat up in the house, had a little space heater running, and let me tell you all of us adults were sweating! But, despite our best efforts to keep this little man asleep he was having none of it! There were fleeting moments when his eyes were closed but they did not last long. He also made it perfectly clear that he was not fond of laying on his tummy!

We took our time, but I also made sure to be ready for any and all opportunities to capture this little man asleep, to isolate those perfect little fingers and toes, to show the fleeting tenderness of babe cuddled into his mom or dad. Those are the things fond memories are made of.

This little guy has a very proud (and very cute) older brother:

After trying a couple of spots in their home, with window light and also with a backdrop and studio lights, we moved into mom and dads room. Despite the fact that it was very overcast outside, the light streaming in through the windows was beautiful, reflecting just enough off of the snow without being glaring.

I'm making custom holiday cards for them as well. There is still time to have me come take your family photos for your holiday card or letter this year! Photos really should be done no later than Dec. 6 if you'd like custom cards made.  Be sure to give me a shout ASAP to make arrangements! 

Winter Wonderland (not WalMart) Photos

Rebecca and her three children participated in my fundraising photo shoot Sunday, and made a generous donation to one of my chosen charities, YESS (Youth Emergency Shelter Society). Her kids were awesome and super cooperative despite the somewhat chilly temps!

We made sure that we got a 'traditional' shot first

before we got a bit more creative. Light up those smiles:

They'd let me know that what they were hoping for was 'not WalMart photos', and I was quite happy to oblige! Thankfully they weren't afraid of a little snow! 

I'm thinking that will make a pretty nice Holiday Card.