I just love these people. Truly. I loved hanging out with them, they are awesome at joking around and being at ease. And now they have two new little people who are going to grow up as relaxed and sweet as they are. Oh, and they’re going to have cool taste like their parents too.

PS - Thank you all so much for your kind words and thoughtfulness. I’m back to work on Wedesday, and galleries will be rolling out the rest of the week.

We have a very sad family right now. My dad passed away at the age of 83. He’s going to be very missed, my girls adored him. He was teaching Emma to speak Spanish (as he was born in Mexico) and Charlotte loved making him read story after story to her. He had been battling cancer for the last year, but his death was still a surprise to all who loved him - he was a spry 83 who still worked 3 days a week playing the piano at a cafe, and drove himself to his own chemo appointments.

He lived a pretty full life, starting out as a musician and ending up to be a well-respected make-up artist working on such films as the Journey of Natty Gann and television series like North of 60.
He even had his own IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0535687/

I realize there are some anxious clients waiting to see galleries and I assure you that everyone will get their images in time for the holidays. I just need some time with my family in the next week to try to deal with our loss and to make final preparations for him. I truly appreciate your understanding and will be back at work as soon as possible.

Thanks and much love,
Brandy

This is totally a cool house. I liked it so much that I wrangled a second visit!
I loved little Max, whether he was awake or asleep, and lucky us, we got some of both.
It was such a treat to meet his family, and see their beautiful house. Did I mention their cool house?

Forgot to mention: I’ll be photographing the momcafe’s inaugural event in Calgary tomorrow at the Earl’s in Westhills. If you’ve registered, I’ll see you tomorrow! Come say hi!

Haha! I am very lucky to have great friends who sometimes think I am pretty great too.
This session was a gift certificate bought from a friend, who in turn gifted it to *her* friend.
It’s like Pay It Forward, except I get paid for it. LOL!

Anyway, this session started out kind of slow, the little guy did NOT want to sleep. When this happens, the parents will often get a little stressed. They feel like it’s their responsibility to make sure the baby falls asleep on command. It seldom works that way though. However, if I stick around long enough, that baby will fall asleep. Because I am craftier than the baby, and I know I can wait it out. I also drink a Coke Zero before every session to keep me alert and one step ahead of baby. I know that they will never beat me, for I have infinite patience and never get bored. All in the name for better baby portraits.

My master plan worked once again:

Remember when the leaves were a golden yellow? When the air was crisp, but the sun was warm?
Yeah, me neither. Apparently I have photographic evidence though, as this session must have taken place during those 3 days before it dropped below zero and all the leaves blew away, lol.

It was the perfect Sunday morning, just walking around their neighborhood: playing, laughing and talking. Thank you so much for the great time, and enjoy your peek!

I am super swamped right now, and not able to give the blog the love it deserves. So until I can make the real post about this sweet little man, here’s just one for those who are waiting patiently. (Row, you can consider it your birthday present from me, lol)

I had a wonderful time a few weeks ago driving out to Elbow Valley, just west of Calgary.
Such a beautiful place, I really didn’t want to leave. So much so that I told my husband we had to move there, lol!

This was a wonderful family with a beautiful home and kind hearts. Little Grace was such a trooper, she even managed to fall asleep for us at the end of the session. Oh, and this marks the first time in my history that I have ever shot in the shower. I’ll leave that one up to your imaginations. Hee.

Remember the twin maternity session with the apples? These are the little sweeties that came out of that adorable belly. I have tons more from this session to share, but I couldn’t resist to pop on and just post one real quick. I have friends that are twins, and one is much smaller than her brother and says that he stole all her nutrients in the womb. Can you tell which sister here was the nutrient-stealer? LOL I’ll do a much longer post about this totally cool family next week.

I’m behind in my blogging, and had to add this little dreamboat. He was so good and sleepy, the session was a breeze!

Whew! I busted my behind to get these up before I leave for Vegas. (My flight is at 6am, which means I’m leaving my house at 4am - that’s just not right)

I have lots and lots to say about the mini sessions down at Eau Claire Market, but I will try to make it short and sweet.

- We have some ROCKIN’ parents here in Calgary. The kids that came down on Sunday were dressed in some of the coolest kids’ clothing I have ever seen. Everyone looked so stylish and hip, it was such a treat to photograph everyone!

- Next year, the date will be a bit earlier in the year so the first people who come down don’t freeze their butts off. Maybe 2 for next year, one in the spring, and one in the fall? I had a few people email me bummed that they missed out on this year’s.

- Thank you so much to my clients! 90% of the sessions were past clients of mine, and it was great to see how those little faces (and some mama bellies!) have changed! It was also really great to meet the new folks as well - I hope you had a great time.

- And a big, big, HUGE thank you to Reese - the meeter, greeter, time-keeper extraordinaire! She froze her butt off for me AND paid for my Chai. Now that’s a friend.

- Oh, and to Dean from Red Deer, yes - people in Calgary really do buy coffees and “just walk around”. LOL!

And without further ado, the sneaky peeks!