twenty10 - my year in review

it's the first year in many that i don't know who sold the most albums, what the biggest news story was and thankfully where lindsay lohan was or currently is undergoing rehab ... i not only gave up cable because i was watching way too much trashy TV like 'jersey shore', but i no longer work in media or as the media (a big boo to major layoffs) ... my life has definitely gone through some changes, not all good, but some great!



~ a personal project in memory of my mother turned into my first photography exhibit called 'poppies from heaven' and the series raised just over 9 hundred dollars for breast cancer research.

~ my weekend workshop in the art of food photography sent me into a culinary frenzy ... i have now snuck into a friend's restaurant while closed to take pics of their menu items to give back as framed christmas presents.

~ my new 50 mm macro lens made me realize i absolutely love shooting flowers, so don't be afraid if you see me crawling through your garden - i'm not there passed out from last nights party!

~ i realized i've been shooting pregnancy photos for over a decade so now proudly call myself a 'professional maternity photographer', something i never thought i'd say ... actually 'life's moments' in general are unexpectedly amazing from wedding photography to babies & bumps!

~ lastly, who'd have thought i'd be the business to send out the best darn christmas card ever ... my cats are always getting into mischief and this time i caught my olieboy in action!



i normally don't make resolutions because they're forgotten by the third or fourth day in, but i will say this "i plan on shooting more weddings, food & fashion, i will write and pitch more show ideas, i have personal photo projects on my mind that will eventually get shot and i MUST MUST MUST work on more video productions because i feel lost without it!"

*11 is 1 of my favorite numbers and the rabbit is one of my favorite childhood pets so i'm excited for what's to come!

lady luck

my cousin's wife Amy is one of the luckiest girls in the world, not only because she found such a great husband, but she has what every woman wants - to stay small and not get stretch marks while pregnant ... one of the many reasons i have yet to have a baby, sad but very true ... Amy's tiny belly and porcelain skin were a dream maternity shoot, although editing wasn't as easy ... i was surprised to see that such a normal sweet girl has quite a few tattoos - all from her former wild days i was told ... no big deal, with my magic wand i erased the dragons and what's left is a gorgeous glowing baby bump that would make any woman proud - or drool !

daddy's girl

my new favorite past time - shooting little girls with their fathers .... there's never a bad picture because it's so ridiculously cute ... jimmy's daughter olive with her little tutu was the happiest kid ever when her father was looking at her ... and ryan's daughter sophia was absolutely precious when he was able to calm her down with just a simple quiet smile ... every girl deserves this special bond and lucky for me i'm a daddy's girl with one of the best dads in the world!

twinkle toes

i must have some really good friends because over the last few months i have been able to use them OR their children as guinea pigs, to advance my photography skills of course. this past weekend i took another crack at shooting a baby (unfortunately my baby shoot a few months ago wasn't very easy), BUT molly was a 'super' model, that child is so pretty and happy there can't be any bad pictures. like any good model molly got a little fussy because of hunger so we stopped shooting when she started passing out and despite her tantrum, molly was GOLD and earned her nickname 'jolly molly'.

baby bumps - maternity photos

photographing Amy was quick and painless - most likely not how the birth will be. i have many girlfriends that tell horror stories of pregnancy & childbirth, but all have either got back on the horse and done it again or plan to do so. i myself have never had the urge OR as i get closer to 40 have never felt my clock ticking, but when i see someone like Amy so excited and happy, i can definitely understand their choices.

change of heart

i'm 36 and have never been married, never daydreamed of getting married, not even cared to be a bridesmaid for someone about to be married. in fact, i don't even like being a guest at a wedding. BUT all that has changed thanks to rob of pattersonimagery.com & lilipadcreative.ca. i now want to be the wedding photographer!