Believe everyone when they say, it goes by so quickly.I still believe Maisie Lu is a little baby. But, judging by the photos of me holding her now... her half the size of me. I know now. It has already gone so quickly. I know how cliche it is, to say these things, but I'm going to say it anyways... she's turning into a big girl, right before my eyes. Although, I still feel like she's only minutes old. She's nine months old. So sweet. So precious. So worth every moment, of every little thing. Here is a brief look at my baby girl, getting big.
Wishing you all a tremendous New Years Eve.
Looking forward to fresh starts, new ventures and a clean slate with 2011.
The end of 2010
If I were to sum up how I feel right now. It might be the above image.
On Saturday I finished my last photo shoot of 2010. I can scarcely believe I made it at times. I have mixed emotions about the whole year. It was quite the journey. Quite the adventure. Quite the ride. There was no way I could have predicted any of it. However in 2009 I was faced with booking weddings on the assumption that I would be ok. That I could shoot weddings 2 months after giving birth to our first baby. I had no way of knowing that I actually could juggle breast feeding, and pumping, and emails and working, and not sleeping and whacked hormones and being creative, and being in the moment, in your moments... that I could be inspired. I made it.
I would have never made it, even one step without Bryce. At times, we were barely making it. At times, we were flourishing, but in the end we made it. Together. Our own journey. Together.
I also wouldn't have made it without Shannon (aka Thelma). You really are a spectacular being. Your energy, your light, your joy. Beautiful. Thank you for lighting your hair on fire with me and being ready for anything. For doing the impossible along side me, and for always, being normal, awesome, alive, creative, inspired, careful, thoughtful and ridiculously selfless. You are a rare bird my friend. Incredibly rare. Thank you for an amazing 2010.
I also need to thank all of you, anyone reading now, YES YOU! for your support, encouragement... blog comments and emails. I am seriously grateful.
The reason for all of this, with these images is because I loved their session so much. I also, loved what Shannon said about her upcoming session while we were corresponding about it initially "This photo shoot is very special to me because it not only celebrates Cypress turning one but also the fact that we all got through the crazy, unpredictable, emotional, and truly amazing first year together... as a family." You may remember the stunning Shannon from our maternity session HERE. I know what you mean Shannon. I truly do.
I'm officially on Holidays. Christmas Holidays. Starting NOW. Yes, I'll blog and update a bit. But, most of all... I might not. I will be doing a Best of 2010, so stay tuned for that!
In 2011 I'll be back, full of all sorts of wild ideas, inspiration and images. A girls gotta charge her batteries and fuel her fire somehow.
Holiday Cards
They're here, and they're awesome.
******* DECEMBER 10 2010 UPDATE********* RUNAWAY SOUL HOLIDAY CARDS NOW AVAILABLE @ INNOVATIONS GIFTS (MARINER SQUARE). While they last!!!!
You may, or may not be aware, that my fabulous partner and I have created a greeting card company RUNAWAY SOUL. Shannon and I have joined creative forces and whip up series of awesomeness, again.
We love creating and we like to share!
We have fulfilled all of our pre-order sales, and now have a few packs left for sale! Let us know if you want some and we'll get them to you right away! If you weren't able to get personalized greeting cards this year, this is an amazing way to give to the FOOD BANK ($5 from every sale goes to FOOD BANK).
You'll love them so much, you won't want to give them away! If you can bring yourselves to give them away... awesome... if not? Put them in frames for the holidays, hang them from a ribbon for festive decoration, or snuggle up to them at night. They'll warm you up!
Contact runawaysoul@erinwallis.com or shannun@telus.net to get them NOW. Previous info on Runaway Soul HERE and HERE FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Local business owner and want some for your store??? Lets do it! Want an e-card to send to all of your friends??? No problem, email shannun@telus.net for more info!
Accessible Wilderness Society
Inspiration leads to dreams, dreams create ideas. Ideas when placed in the right minds, can lead to action. Positive action. Its true nothing is ever achieved without first dreaming about it, having a vision.
It took a while for me to really pay attention to what Dan and Judy were doing with Accessible Wilderness Society. I saw the logo, even heard Judy talk a bit about it. But, I don't think I really heard her. Not for a while. Be it due to my own mind roaring a mile a minute with crazy ideas, a newborn baby... whatever it was. I was not listening. (I'm a woark in progress) Bryce came in one day, and said "did you know what Judy and her husband are doing?!". My mind was blown. The next time I saw Judy, I wanted to hear more, everything. Then, naturally having caught her enthusiasm for a project they were clearly passionate about, I was instantly on board with ideas and visions of my own.
Dan is the founder and president of the Accessible Wilderness Society. Dan was injured in a motor vehicle incident in 1985. It was at that time, during his initial stay in rehabilitation that he decided that one day he wanted to help make the outdoors and wilderness more accessible to people with varying degrees of disability, primarily those with mobility challenges. In Judy's words "Dan had heard a Dad, paralysed from the neck down, telling his two little boys and wife to sell the truck, sell the boat. We won't be doing that anymore. They all were crying, and so was Dan, and it was then he got mad and said, "This is so wrong! There has to be a way for a Dad to take his boys fishing even if he happens to be in a chair!" Then the planning began."
With the help and fierce determination of his wife Judy, they are working tirelessly on getting their dreams to become reality. It truly is inspiring to know... that, not only are they close, they are REALLY CLOSE. They are in the process of obtaining the funds, the land and are in the beginning stages of getting their first resort built right here in Beautiful British Columbia. Their vision is that "All people regardless of their physical challenges should be able to enjoy one of Canada's greatest natural resources, "The Great Outdoors"". They are building a resort. Building a resort that is wheelchair accessible, and is built with people with disabilities in mind.
The A.W.S is building a resort where your opportunities are endless. Where, despite having any physical challenges, you are easily able to spend time with your family in the great outdoors, and take your kids fishing. The entire resort will be built to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters, elderly or really... every and any BODY. They are in the process of building their dream, and it is inspiring how far they've come.
What is the most inspiring about Dan and Judy, is that they are doing all of this for others. They are doing this entire project, so that others will be able to benefit from their hard work. They can't wait for the day that the resort is full of people enjoying the great Canadian wilderness, without barriers.
Dan had a vision in his mind of being in a kayak with his wheelchair behind him. Free. Leaving his chair behind. Something, he is not often able to do. A few weeks ago, at McIvor lake, Judy, Dan and I ventured up to McIvor lake create the images he had thought about for so long.
It is truly an inspiring mission and I am so honored to be a part of their journey, however small a part. These images are special to me, for so many reasons.
Thank you Dan and Judy for all of your hard work, your selfless work and your amazing hearts. If only there were more like you.
For more information on the Accessible Wilderness Society you can see their WEBSITE HERE.
or join them on FACEBOOK HERE.
From the outside, in.
I know that photographs are important. They serve as a visual record of what is now, and what will inevitably end up as what once was. There are times, when I get a new take on the importance of photography.
Tonight... I was watching a slideshow of our photographs, our story. Of course, I wound up in tears. It is beyond important. I officially now get it. Seeing that little girl, a newborn baby... a three month old... sitting up... yelling... laughing... waving. It's not just a cute photograph, not to me. It's what a love struck parent looks to after a long day, when their little baby is tucked away in bed for the night. It's what I do late at night, and I've caught Bryce doing the same. We look at photos of our little marvel. Life is busy, fast... at times you are getting through moments, sadly somewhat unconsciously. A photograph causes you to pause. Put the noise on hold. Stop. Look. Feel.
After photographing Sarah and Jode and their gorgeous twin boys, and hearing her reaction... something struck me. In our daily lives, it is hard to see yourself. Hard to see your own family, difficult to remove yourself from your own situation, be a fly on the wall and look in. Nearly impossible really.
I looked in to Sarah's life, through my camera, freezing those moments for Sarah to see for herself. Part of her email read, "Thanks for giving me daily photographic evidence on those hard days that I'm the luckiest mom and wife on earth."
Life truly is a beautiful thing, I'd be willing to bet that yours is too... if you just stand back, get a bigger view, be still and look from the outside in. We have so much to be grateful for.
Twins, and puddles and gumboots?!? Yes please!!!
I had so much fun with you guys. I always do. Your family is a treasure.
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A pretend sleep? Why not!
