life has been hectic this past month. i can hardly believe that we are nearing up on the end of january already. seriously?? but even though things have been kind of quite here on the old blog, believe me, there’s LOTS going on behind the scenes. i’m building the first of two new blogs, that will be linked to this one. it will be completely dedicated to boudoir and the other new site will be dedicated to RAD GRADS. this blog will still have most of the usual content on it that you’re used to: weddings, engagements sessions, boudoir and RAD GRAD mentions and, of course, some personal stuff about what’s going on in my life.  i’m also busy getting the details in place for the valentines boudoir event on february 6th. email me soon for your appointment. they are booking up! i was also in vancouver yesterday for a photography workshop with the awesome [b]ecker, southern california wedding photographer extraordinaire! he’s such a great guy and i took in so much useful information! now to start implementing some of it into my business.

tonight, after i was finished answering 2 days worth of emails,  i took the time to download the gazillion photos that i have on my iphone. i just love the little camera it has built-in it. i never have to worry about missing a “moment” when i have it with me. and it comes in especially handy when the kids are getting restless when we’re at a restaurant waiting for our meals to arrive or for taking the ever popular self portrait.

here’s a small collage of some of my favorites.

i haven’t posted a self portrait in quite some time, so i thought i’d do one now. totally lame, i know but hey – it late and it’s all i got!!

this was taken last weekend while we were camping near the chemainus river. and look – more sun flare!!! love it!

i’ve been taking lots of pictures but haven’t had much time to edit or blog any. we’ve been site seeing, shopping, making and drinking wonderful tropical concoctions, swimming and spending lots of time at the beach. it seems as though our vacation has gone by much too fast. we’ve only got two days left until we head back home, back to reality. and i am NOT looking forward to it!

but all good things must come to an end. 

throughout the last two weeks, i have taken a few self portraits. lol! some are really bad too! i have edited a few on my laptop, so i hope they look ok. (and yes, my legs are really that white! lol!)

aloha!

and yes, that’s derek beside me! and yes, he’s grabbing my butt!

happy friday!

p.s. still two days left to enter blog contest below to win a copy of dane sander’s new book fast track photographer! see post below for details.

i must admit, i was a tad bit nervous as i was driving into victoria to meet dana last friday. it kind of felt like i was about to go on a blind date! what was she going to be like? would i recognize her from her 64 x 64 pixel avatar that i had come to know so well? would her personality online resonate in the real world? and, i’m sure dana was wondering the same things about me too!

well, dana is just as sweet, and articulate, and personable, and gregarious and fun-loving in person as she is online! and i wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! it felt like i was reuniting with an old friend! it’s a weird feeling to feel like you know someone so well when you have never actually met them before. i can’t wait until we meet again, dana!

i also got to meet her beautiful daughter along with her parents. so, we went out on a little photoshoot for the morning. what fun! here’s a sneak peek!

we had lunch at this awesome bakery/cafe! dessert was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.

dana is canadian but currently resides in the usa. but this made her feel right at home, eh?

i LOVE this picture of dana with her daughter!

you HAVE to be canadian to fully appreciate this next image. this was her first experience with timbits!

dana’s mom & dad!

it was SO GREAT meeting you all! thanks for such a fun and wonderful day!

on sunday, we traveled up island for tyler’s lacrosse game. after the game, my good friend sarah hosted the team party at her mom’s farm. what an AWESOME place! i can’t wait to go back. it was absolutely beautiful. lots of trees, old barns, field and oh so many wonderful photo opportunities! it’s pretty bad, isn’t it, when you go to someone’s place and all you can think about is how you could use the space in pictures! lol!

anyway, back to my self portrait. as soon as i seen this mirror, i just KNEW i had to take my picture in it! derek joined me too!

just look at that wonderful old barn behind us! {sigh!} thanks sarah for hosting the team party! it was lots of fun! and don’t forget to call me when you go visit your mom again! {wink wink!}

p.s. thanks jenny for the lovely action!