Friday 31 December 2010

Happy New Year!!

This copied from in(courage)
I was hoping to print these off and share them with our New Yers Eve guests but alas my printer is out of ink....again!! They should just give the printers away for how often you spend $$ on ink. But I digress.

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2010.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2010 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2010 (again, without asking).
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2010 for you.

I am still contemplating most of these reflection but as I look back over 2010 I feel it was a year of success - my photography business continues to grow and the pilot project I am in charge of with SHR has been tremendously successful. I have a new grand baby who is healthy and happy. 
On the challenging things, I am tired and likely taking on way too much in my life the result being a few health challenges this year and I truely dislike it when my lack of health gets i the way of my crazy busy life. :) However, that being said, I am thankful to BE healthy, to be able to continue to be productive and to be able to love the people around me.
There were several trips with the love of my life this year and for that I am very thankful.
Biggest personal change - health concerns can draw you closer to God and cause you to rely on Him a whole lot more - and I am. Thank you Father!
Single biggest time waster. LOL I NEVER waste time!!  okay biggest time waster is the 20 minute commute to and from work. And I can't change that.I am learning to be a more patient driver.
A phrase that describes 2010 for me? Productive - a lot was done, a lot accomplished.

So what phrase or statement or even word best describes 2010 for you.

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Moo.com

I have to tell you about Moo.com
I discovered the them over a year ago an have ordered products four times now. Every time I am blown away with the quality and service. You have to feel their cards  - super nice!
Moo makes my business cards, my little thank you tags, tags for wedding gifts. Just anything you want to put a photo on, Moo can do it.

My last bride bought the Moo mini cards with an engagement photo on one side and a thank you note on the other. Then she attached them to a little gift for each person. It was elegant, personal and very very classy.

I am always amazed with the ideas.
Imagine putting your photos on stickers - what a great idea for kids.
I have put a link on the right.
Go ahead have a visit.
You will be amazed.

And then let me know what you think. 

On another note but still related to photography, I am starting up the old 365 again. I have been putting a few shots up there for the past month but starting January 1, 2011 (is it 2011???) I will be posting according to my own very stringent rules - a photo a day!! Taken on THAT day. So bookmark it or put it in your Google Reader and see what I come up with every day. :)

Monday 27 December 2010

Handels Messiah

I tell ya I just can't get enough of the Hallelujah chorus from Handels Messiah!!



An even better version is here.

Sunday 26 December 2010

Christmas at our house and other musing...


It was a crazy, crazy week and I am not sure if I slept. It is a good thing I am happy spending endless hours on my MAC.
It began with a wedding shoot last Sunday 


That long, fun and busy busy day was followed by  a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for 12 people Monday evening. Mark was home for "Christmas" but just a tad early since he had to return to Thompson to work Christmas eve and day. Such is the life of a fireman! So we celebrated with family and friends on Monday.

Tuesday was a marathon of wedding photo editing, and a little more entertaining and fun.
It was Allison's birthday - so more food, cake, goodies and celebration.


Wed and Thur were two very busy days of work - the kind I put my health care cap on for - not the computer photo editing kind.

Friday was recovery day and another marathon of photo editing. ..I can easily stay up into the wee hours playing in Lightroom because I love it!

Saturday was Christmas with family that are here. Eva did not seem to comprehend the significance of all the food and gifts and revelry however she did appreciate the Christmas tree lights.

 It is not hard to fill the on line kids gap shopping basket for this cutie!!!


I got a little unexpected something from my sweetheart....... and we agreed no surprises but the best part of that yearly agreement is we both know that I will keep to the agreement and he will not. (BIG grin) he spoils me and I love it!

 Eva thinks she can read and grandpa can't turn the pages fast enough. She LOVES books just like her Mommy.
Christmas day dinner was a tad slower paced then Monday..phew...and Eva slept through it. What a well behaved child!

 Eva's first Christmas family portrait.... she is learning to smile for the camera.
...or does she just think grandma  looks like a big black lens....
Tryptophan(sp?) kicking in.......?

Today has been a little fellowship with the saints, a little entertaining good friends for lunch and a whole lot of fixin the MAC.

Not that it is broke, but I hit 200GB in my photography "work" file and the MAC said enough already. It started acting like it had tryptophan too!!

It's all those slide shows I made you people. :)  okay and a full format sensor and a 21 mp camera and a few weddings..... So I have put the work file on an external hard drive and decided three years is the max I will save my clients photo shoots. Just no room especially shooting 1000 wedding photos in RAW. But do you know how long it takes to transfer 200GB?

And so ends another wonderful Christmas - busy as ever but I wouldn't have it any other way..... although I am looking forward to a boring January.... and another wedding shoot :)

Friday 24 December 2010

Jessica and D'Arcy

What a beautiful couple. In every way. The love was permeating the air.
What a joy to be able to capture their special moments on their winter wedding day.













Monday 20 December 2010

A Christmas Story

starring the Cortens clan....


Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Saturday 18 December 2010

Tuesday 14 December 2010

need a Title

Need your help.
Took this photo last year in South Carolina. On this particular beach, a storm and changing tidal patters I think had removed a lot of sand and soil and caused severe erosion.

Sp what would you title this photo?
I am stuck.


"Naked" I am liking that one so far. But keep the ideas coming. This is great. 
Did anyone notice the kite stuck in the tree behind the "naked" tree?

Sunday 12 December 2010

Monday 6 December 2010

EVA Photo Time


Got all the photo gear out Sunday afternoon and did a photo shoot with Eva!!



who has apparently found her hands..... too cute.


Now tell me this girl is not the spittin image of her daddy!!
Go ahead.
She's got that look down pat.
You know that..... "have you read any DA Carson lately....." kind of look.

Saturday 4 December 2010

Friday 3 December 2010

When you photograph a man in color, you photograph his clothes. When you photograph a man in B&W, you photograph his soul. - Ted Grant 

Stay tuned.

When I have a chance (oh man am I busy!!) I have to tell you about meeting Ted Grant!!!

For and hour and 20 minutes!!

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Merry Christmas

from the Cortens gang!



Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I am the one behind the camera.....