The Grandkids

Growing up my grandparents decided it would be a great idea to build a pool for their grandchildren to enjoy - and enjoy it we did! Every summer was spent eating revels or fudgesicles and drinking orange juice by the pool playing lifeguard and having diving contests. Now.... my dad is a pastor and pastor's salaries don't really allow for things like that so they improvise which means we get to go to the lake! Which we do with great enthusiasm and excitement. Who doesn't like playing in the water and sand with their cousins? I love it! And you will see that the next generation loves the water just like their mothers did and still do!!!

Rachie Girl attempting to climb onto the inflatable plane with not much luck!

Josh taking a quick oreo break before jumping back into the lake!

Josh and Ry successfully riding the airplane! For about 2 seconds!

Ry practicing his frisbee throwing, and catching which involved diving into the water.

Hot mamasita Nikki hanging out with some of her kidlets.

Carsen getting his surf on.

Rachel's version of snorkelling involved no swimming at all!

I was soooo impressed with Ry! Swimming and snorkelling and he was actually breathing correctly!

My beautiful niece MJ.

Fun in the sand.

Tys enjoying his homemade swimming pool/hot tub.

Sean and Adrienne - Engagement

They met at church, where she was tired of trying to catch the eye of one guy and set her sights on Sean. And once Adrienne sets her mind to something..... watch out!!!!! She now says that it was one of the best decisions she ever made! And it was obvious that Sean appreciated the change in where she put her efforts. They enjoyed themselves during the photo shoot and it was clear to me that this is a young couple in love ready to start an amazing life together. I love love love the fun that they have together and am certain that their wedding day is going to be filled with lots of laughter and love.

Adrienne was part of the youth ministry we were involved in Calgary but I never really got to know her as we were leaving just as she was starting out with our youth, so I was pleasantly surprised when she contacted me and asked if I would shoot her wedding. Of course I said yes! Anything for my youth!!!!

I'm looking forward to their wedding in a few weeks! I'm praying for a beautiful warm sunny fall day and am super excited because they decided to have some shots taken together before the wedding - it will be great!

This is my favorite from the evening I think - loving the lighting and the whole thing. Dusk.... the best time to shoot! Love the flattering light!!!

Painted Faces

She stood up, bent down and grabbed the handle to her wagon and moved away from the waterpark heading towards the playground. The wagon was parked and she moved around from group to group stopping to talk to the adults. As she approached our little group I couldn't help but compare her to Maria Von Trapp from the Sound of Music. Apron-like dress with tights and sensible shoes - except that she had a butterfly painted on her face! "I'm doing some face painting over there on the blanket if you're interested. By donation.... I'm trying to add to my college fund for this fall."

By donation? So a quarter would do for a little face paint on the boys?..... Why not? So we picked up our picnic gear and headed over to the blanket. 8 children lined up for some paint - 6 of those belonging to my sister and I.

Well.... let me tell you..... this face painting was not worth a quarter..... we ended up giving her $5.00 a face! She was amazing! And the boys loved their faces!!!! My poor nieces and nephews did get the short end of the stick as she seemed to stop the whole face thing by child number 4 in line. But my boys did get their faces painted how they wanted. Take a look! I was totally impressed by her skill and her paint! It was costly paint, and it showed in the fact that there were no tears when it came time to clean up.

So it's been a rather long time since I've really given thought to posting! Sorry! Our trip took a lot out of me and I'm now trying to recover from the time away! Kinda messed up I guess.... you're supposed to go away to relax and I'm now trying to relax from the getting away!

Anyways, enough about that!

I've got loads and loads of holidays to post/blog about in the next couple of weeks along with an engagement and some weddings coming up soon! BUT.... I am never too busy for more photos! So if you would like to capture life as it is right now, please leave me a note here and I'll get back to you ASAP!!!

I loved the look on Ry's face when he saw how "Batman" he truly was!





I'm thinking that his eyes are gonna pop out of his head!

50 Years - Mel and Mary

We drove 17 hours the other day from Calgary to Steinbach Manitoba to prepare for the celebration of my inlaws 50th anniversary. 50 years! What a HUGE milestone in this era of high divorce rates and common law relationships. I am soooooo proud to be part of this family that is going to have a big party to celebrate the longevity and faithfulness that is Mel and Mary Koop. I hope that someday my boys will be able to throw a party to honor Garth and I after 50 years together..... only 34 more years to go! I look forward to getting those next 34 years with my guy and know that because we've got them to follow we're in a great place.

They have been a huge influence in my life and in many many lives around the country. I'm sure that many people that know them would also attest to the fact that their marriage has been inspirational and a great example.

We found a few moments last night to catch some shots for the anniversary party. I had a great time and they were very pleased with what we got.

Because I'm out here partying my blogging will be rather sparse, but I'll try to keep up.

Aren't my inlaws a great looking couple?

Engagement ~ Ken and Haley

They were friends for years spending time together in groups but never really considering the other as dateable material. It was many years before either was love struck. As I sat and visited with them over a rootbeer at the local A&W, I was struck by how relaxed and certain they both were about spending the rest of their lives together.

We spent some time together in a friend's yard and had a great time taking photos. Once they got over that initial uncomfortable deal of being infront of the camera I got to see the real Ken and Haley and I liked it!

One would often start laughing about something and it would take a very short time for the other to join in. That and they did create a bit of a problem for me in the kissing department. Not that they wouldn't kiss, but that I couldn't get them to stop!! I ended up just getting what I needed and then would walk away to give them some more time alone.

Which is actually the purpose of these connection times. I really want the engagement photo sessions to be a time for the couple to relax in front the camera, relax with me around and most importantly to just have some time together where they aren't bogged down by life, work or wedding. And I think that these photos will clearlys show that they enjoyed their alone time even though there was a camera present!! I really don't think that I could pick out a favorite from these --- waaaaaay too hard! Which is your favorite?


On another note if you are wanting to book photos for the fall, please let me know soon so I can fit you into my schedule. I can usually get what I need in an hour or hour and a half. I'd love to catch your family, your dog, your kids, you and your significant other or just you infront of the camera!!

The Holloways - Family Photos

My little sister Nikki has been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember. You will never find a truer, more compassionate, and loving friend than her. Her life has had some bumps and she has risen up a stronger woman whose unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior is very challenging and inspirational to me. So it was a great honor and pleasure to take some photos of her family the other night while they were up here visiting us.

We had a great time exploring a friend's acreage and I could have shot forever! Their yard had so many places to shoot that I will need to get back there and soon!! You will soon see that Cam and Nik have a beautiful family and I struggled paring down what I would give them. There is an abundance of dimples in this family (mostly Nik though!!) and their smiles were so engaging! So Cam and Nik thank you for giving me this honor, I had a great time and I hope you did too! I love you all!


It has been a busy few days for me shooting a wedding, a family and a couple in about 4 days. And even though my eyes are rather bleary as I type this I have had a great time! I could do this more often as time seems to fly by when I'm taking photos. So on that note, if you are looking for an update to your family photos, please let me know soon so I can make it work.

Okay isn't she just beautiful? I love love love this shot!

I actually had them singing "The hills are alive with the sounds of music"

It was sooo funny to hear them!