You are a marvel

Kids “Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.” -Pablo Picasso

Ella crow Elijah poutHannah Ella Hannah is the eldest of three amazingly fascinating souls. Hannah is kind, caring, and has a purity to her that is like childlike innocence and gold all in one. You always know where things are at with Hannah, she's an open book. Her soul seeps out of her pours, in plain view for the world. In Hannah's eyes it's easy to see love. HannahHannahmore Hannah Ella Ireland is the middle child. Full of mischevious wit, boundless humor, and endless creativity. She is quirky, somewhat unpredictable and always true to herself. She is the surprising one. When you least expect it, she will throw her arms around you and say something that melts you into instantly. Like "Auntie Erin... you are sooooo special" She is also the one that will not just shed one or two small tears over something, but will BURST into a flurry of crocodile tears, suddenly, without warning. She doesn't give up her love to just anyone. But once you have it, you are filled up entirely. EllaElla irelandElla Elijah is highly spirited to say the very, very least. He has an inability to sit still. He is alive. He is full of life, energy and full of all sorts of quirks. His report card names him as one of the most popular little dudes in school. He calls it "famous". He is charismatic, moody, charming and irresistibly sweet. He has a bad temper, and a sharp mind. My time with him as a baby was spent perfecting the art of the baby dance, as he was terribly hard to calm down. He makes you want to know him forever. ElijahsharpElijah Its no secret that I've loved this family from the beginning of time. I've been through it all. Witnessed each of them as a brand new baby, been woken up by their little peepers staring at me, grinning... whispering.. "Auntie Erin, are you awake?". They've irritated me, inspired me, lifted me and quite honestly served as a very happy place for me. Time spent with them feels profound. Meaningful. Well spent. I am blessed with their love and friendship. Through good times and hardship, through tragedy, happiness, strength, and many changes... one thing remains the same. I am better with these people in my life. PeaceSo greatElijah A mothers love for her children is magnificent. heather hannahheather ellaHeather Elijahhilarious girlsgirlsHannahhappyfamily

Anything is Possible.

MAGICI am so completely excited, elated and overjoyed to bring you in on another little secret endeavor that the fabulous Shannon Andrews Design and myself have come up with.

We have started a very awesome little company called Runaway Soul. It is a collaboration of two wildly creative souls, who can not stop creating! Truly our motto is 'Anything is Possible'. This holiday season we have created 5 holiday greeting cards in a happy little package. They are $15 for five cards. Each card is blank on the inside, for you to leave your own message. My images with Shannon's design expertise and voila... magic happy holiday cards! They can be used as a little gift for someone special, just as they are. Or, for your personal greeting cards.

Want to know the best part? We are donating all proceeds above printing costs to the Ann Elmore Transition House here in Campbell River. By buying these cards you will be donating money directly to the local women’s shelter. It truly doesn't get more awesome than that. So, before you go out and buy a few Hallmark cards (nothing wrong with those either) but just remember that there are extra cool cards that can be purchased from Maxima Photo Lab in the Tyee Plaza as of tomorrow!! We only have 40 packs available as we had no idea how many we were able to sell. Let us know if you are interested and if there is a big number of people interested we will make MORE!! (also please bring cash as form of payment)

What is the Ann Elmore House? A shelter for women and their children in need of safety from all forms of abuse. The Ann Elmore Transition House is a residence where women and their children can go to be safe from abuse or violence. Each year over 250 women and their children seek shelter in the Ann Elmore Transition House. More than 300 additional women receive support and information.

I recently became involved with the House when I contacted them with an amazing project called Help-Portrait. Which started off as a few photographers with a vision to create portraits for people that would otherwise never be able to afford or have the opportunity. Currently there are over 4000 photographers worldwide participating. It is all about making someone feel beautiful, special, loved just by taking their photo. In larger cities, whole groups of photographers are getting together and doing it for the homeless or anyone else in need.

As I am only one photographer, I decided on a smaller scale, to contact our local women's shelter where they chose 5 mothers with children that they felt would greatly benefit from this project. On Sunday the amazing Susan gave up her day to co-ordinate and drive the women and their children to and from my studio. Also, the fabulous Amy Lowes donated her time to pamper the women and their little girls with beautiful hair doos. My super human side kick Shannon also donated her time, love and energy to help make the day flow smoothly. For obvious confidentially reasons, I will not be posting the photos. But I do want you to know, that it was a beautiful experience. The women were glowing, the children so heartbreakingly beautiful. The spirit of magic was everywhere. To be honest, there are a few photos that I am unable to look out without giant tears rolling down my cheeks. If you are a local photographer, and are interested in joining me next year in the same endeavor contact me! We'll be able to help so many more people. The experience will be one of the most beautiful things you've ever come in contact with.

For the past three years in my business, all I have wanted to do is give more, do more... be more. Finally this year multiple opportunities have presented themselves and I couldn't be more thrilled. If you are one of the awesome ones that gives whatever you can, volunteers all the time, donates etc... your compassionate heart is beautiful. It is glowing and it is radiating throughout the universe. If you haven't heard it lately, you are spectacular. If you aren't usually the first to jump on the donating train... don't worry.. it's never too late. Anything is possible. You can do anything you want. Honestly. You have the power to change your mind, change your ideas, and change your priorities. You do. Give it a try. Spread the love. You'll be happier.

So, the moral of the story is... Holiday Gift Card Packages with all of the proceeds going directly to the Ann Elmore Transition House $15 @ Maxima Photo Lab in the Tyee Plaza. Leave me a message if you are interested in purchasing so I will know how many to leave there.. or how many more to make. 2 cardsHEARTSBIRDSLogo

Cans for Comments.

Cans for Comments**Photographic Disclaimer... this photo was taken as an impromptu iphone image.. and yes, I am a huge nerd. For life, and not even remotely ashamed of it!

On December 1st I decided to join in on an amazing adventure.

For every comment my fabulous blog visitors would leave, I would donate one canned item to our local food bank. I just have to say, that 203 comments graced the pages of my blog in ten days. That is incredible.

Your comments filled my heart with all kinds of warm and fuzzy love and just spread all sorts of love around. The other night, we went to the food bank here in Campbell River and asked what they specifically were in need of. "Groceries" the sweet volunteer fella told us.. "This has been a particularly bad year, we need everything". So, off we went. Filling our buggies up and walking away with over 203 items.. (I got swept up in the spirit of it all)

So, not only were 203 cans donated by Erin Wallis Photography, but Simone and her mom Susan and Tara from Undersea Gardens in Victoria also are matching my donations. SO SO SO AWESOME. Folks, because of your comments and the generosity of Simone, Susan and Tara... a total of 609 cans will be donated, all because of this little blog! Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment, look what we've done!

So, now... have you donated to the food bank???

At Thrifty's you can simply purchase for either $10 or $20 a bag of pre packed goods, and they will deliver it for you. At Superstore, you add some extra cans to your grocery order and drop it in the box on your way out. So simple. So necessary. So helpful. In Campbell River there is also a Wish Tree @ Zellers and another at the Discovery Inn. With heartbreaking things on each item on the tree saying "newborn baby warm clothes" , "one year old boy warm clothes", "5 year old girl" etc... you pick a name off the tree and then buy them the appropriate gift... give it to the customer service folks at voila.. you have just made magic happen for someone in your very own community. You will not regret getting involved. In fact, you will likely want to find ways to do more. Do it. Today.

So awesome! Thank you Chris plus Lynn for coming up with such a meaningful and wonderful way to spend some time on the blog, and help out the food bank. YES!

*** AWESOME NEWSFLASH... make that 812 cans in total.. as awesome Tom has also matched my cans!!! Yahoo, this is super super awesome!!!******

Maternal Instincts

Eddie and StaceyStacey and I have been traveling through our pregnancy journeys side by side. Its a nice feeling to have someone going through virtually the same things you are at the same time. Pre-natal yoga, massages, A&W teen burgers and the occasional donut or blizzard... oops, I mean long dog walks and healthy outdoor activities. But seriously, its awesome to know that you are not the only one in the world going through something. That tends to be the case in most situations. Its always nice to know that you are not alone.

When I start having mild panic attacks about how in the world we are going to be as parents, how its going to be delivering a baby, nursing, staying somewhat calm, balancing wild Vizsla pup, relationship, running my business, shooting weddings etc... I continually fall back on... I'm certainly NOT the first person to ever be a mother. Every time I think about how many women give birth to babies.. daily, repeatedly even. I am instantly ok. I am not alone.

I think one of the most beautiful things I've come across recently was a comment Stacey's mom made while viewing her maternity images. Jill wrote..

"I sometimes feel like this is surreal - that my baby is now having a baby - you look so beautiful in these pictures - you will be such a wonderful mother, and Eddie such a great father. We can't wait to meet our first grandchild - I only hope that I will be as great a grandmother as my mom was for you."

So on that note... I give you a few of my favorite images from Eddie and Stacey's maternity session. I look forward to more firsts with you guys as we embark side by side on this wild adventure. What a ride its been so far. hands on baby beautiful bellymomma Doesn't she look amazing? so prettylooking And my personal favorite. inner smile

When one journey ends...

Fosters toesAnother entirely new one begins.

Today marks the end and last day of my 2009 cans for comments campaign. Thank you so much for your thoughtful, heartfelt and touching comments. For taking time out of your busy lives to stop by my blog and share in my journeys with me. You don't have to come here. You don't have to read these words. But you are. I am grateful. Always.

I loved so many of Kelsey and Steve's maternity images below are a few from their session a month ago... Kelseysolo prettyshow your joy

I can barely believe, still... after photographing so many maternity/newborn sessions... the absolute miracle that you can be carrying a baby inside of you one day, and the next... they are in the world. It just absolutely blows my mind. I must have burst into tears at least five times during our newborn session with little baby Foster. The innocence, the perfection is something so precious it simply takes my breath away.

Thank you for choosing me to share this time in your lives with. What a beautiful family.

So.. for the rest of the day... comment away. Tomorrow I will tally up all the comments and announce the end result! So awesome. Remember to comment, to donate, to share to give to be better than you were yesterday. Why not. pure lovehappyyawnsafefamilyperfect