I Spy With My Little Eye

Happy Monday everyone!

Since we are well into wedding season, I have something I've wanted to share for quite a while.
A while back I created printable to add to the tables at your reception to encourage everyone to take lots of pictures.
At our wedding we had disposable cameras in a pretty wedding theme, which I was so excited to find. At that point in time everyone didn't have digital cameras, camera phones and Instagram and I sure would have appreciated Pinterest at that time too! While they were a fun idea and there were a few good pictures, a lot of them forgot to turn on the flash so the majority of them didn't turn out. However, I did get to see the awesome shots from the film cameras from that day so all was not lost.
I had seen this idea a few years ago and thought it was great. And why not give them something fun to do throughout the night...especially while they wait for their table to be called up for dinner.
So please enjoy my Wedding I Spy for your own festivities or be inspired to create your own. And it definitely doesn't have to be only for a wedding, I made one for a family reunion last year. You could also make one for camping, vacations or holidays. The possibilities are endless.
Just make sure you print your pictures, it's great that we live in a time when we can capture so many things but a lot of times they'll just get lost on computers. So please print your images, buy photo albums, frame them and enjoy those captured memories for years to come.
Have a great week everyone!

I have been so lucky with all the engagement shoots I have had this year, so much fun!
Today, I was lucky enough to take engagement shots for my cousin, Jessica and her fiancé Brent. Next August I get to be the photographer for their wedding and I can't wait!
Brent was a great sport to pose for all our different ideas and even came up with a few of his own.
Can't wait to capture this couple's special day!

The Hunt Is Over

So, this past weekend I had the opportunity to do a really fun engagement session. We even did a shot that we've both seen floating around Pinterest where either the man (woman) is pulling the woman (or man) and the one being pulled held a sign that read: "The Hunt Is Over!" It was a lot of fun. Pinterest is such a great tool for us photographers and also for our clients. It gives us a chance to use and share some really great ideas for poses that are outside of the box.

I always love seeing what ideas my clients dream up as it really gives you an idea of personalities and interests. When meeting clients for the first time, it always helps to get to know them before the session so that you.

My Story

I really can't say where it all began. I do know that photography has always been something I've always enjoyed. For as long as I can remember, I've loved to look at pictures. Pictures of me, pictures of my family, friends, strangers. It has always fascinated me.
Up until about 5 years ago, it was really only a hobby. Then I started thinking about how much fun it would be to turn it into a career. To have a studio, lighting, lenses, cameras and of course, clients.

So I suppose it all really started happening for me when I bought myself a DSLR, a Sony Alpha 200 and took pictures of everything. My best subject was my daughter. I can still remember her in her yellow princess dress and purple rain boots just giggling away. I snapped a few pictures in front of our old, weathered shed and it turned out to be one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken.

To help me learn a few basics, I took a course at SAIT and started asking people to let me take their pictures, started a group on Facebook and eventually people started asking me to take their pictures. In 2009, I became pregnant with our first son. Things got a little busier for us but I still took the time to take lots of photo sessions with the kids and took every opportunity that came along. I began a day home so I could stay at home with the kids and still be able to concentrate on my photography. When my son was 9 months old, I found out that I was pregnant with our third child and things got even busier for my photography and especially around the house!

I have steadily become busier and busier with photography and I am so happy with it. I can see just how much my photography skills have grown over the years by looking back at the pictures I started taking and seeing the images I take now. It's not always smooth sailing, equipment costs a lot of money, sometimes people will make you feel like you're not good enough, sometimes your own doubt will make you feel like you're not good enough. These bumps in the road only help us grow and become stronger.

Throughout my career, I hope that my images will capture lasting memories and maybe even inspire other photographers or even other artists to pursue their dreams. There will always be bumps in the road, there will always be someone to tell you it's not going to work or that you're not good enough. Don't listen. Listen to that voice inside you, no matter how small it is, saying, "You've got this!"

This Is Me

Thanks so much for stopping by! I have joined the Alex Beadon Feel Good Blogging Challenge in hopes that I can begin blogging on a regular basis and hopefully provide something worth
reading!

Challenge 1: A Simple Introduction

I have a mad passion for photography. It makes me happy. I love creating images, capturing special moments in time and creating art that will hang on walls for years and years to come.
It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be.
Well that's not 100% true.
I knew since I was young that I wanted to be married and have kids. I married my high school sweetheart and had three kids before I was 30. I've always love taking pictures, I remember having several different cameras throughout junior high and high school. I was always snapping pictures of my friends. Once I got married and had a baby I would set up little photo sessions with my daughter. One day it just clicked (pun intended) and I knew that's what I wanted to do. I bought a digital SLR, took pictures whenever I could, took a class at SAIT, soaked up every tutorial and eventually people started asking me to take their pictures instead of the other way around! I have a weakness for donuts, I love my morning cup of coffee...before it goes cold, I always like to have something to keep me busy and I love to take trips to Banff and pretty much anywhere in BC.

I needed a way to showcase my work other than just Facebook to help get my name out there. I created this blog not only for me but for my clients, to get sneak peeks of their sessions or potential clients who might show interest in my work. I hope that with the blogging challenge, it will also help other aspiring photographers, artists, writers, mothers, daughters or anyone in anyway. It also reminded me that once upon a time, I would write because it made me happy too, for me it's the best of both worlds!

Lately, I've been working on building my business as I am planning on stepping into
photography full time. I am currently a child care provider/stay at home Mom on top of my
pursuit of a career in photography. As I had become busier in photography, it became more and
more of a challenge to balance child care, photography and most importantly time to be with my family. So I decided it was time to give it a try! I am proud of how far I've come, though I still have a long way to go. I never stop learning and growing from photography and it's always fresh and new.

So, I may be a little rusty with my writing skills but I hope that what you take from all of this is that
I really, really love what I do. There are plenty of challenges I have faced and plenty more that lie ahead. Honestly, this scares me a little a lot. However, my drive and my passion are far greater than my fear and I hope that a year from now I can write up a blog post on how happy I am for facing my fears and pursuing my dreams!

Thanks so much for taking the time to learn a little more about me! I am excited to learn and grow from this challenge. I have been inspired by Alex once again and I have also found myself inspired by checking out the blogs of some of the other talented people who have chosen to take part in it as well! I think it's wonderful to learn and grow from each other!
Alison
Photography By Alison - Website
Photography By Alison - Facebook

Are You There, Spring?

Are you there, spring? It's me Alison!

Today was snowy for most of the day and it's so very discouraging! Finally the snow has let up
and it's melting. Which is great! However, there is more snow in the forecast. I just want to spend
lots of time outside, capturing all the beauty of Spring. I'm hoping for this warm weather they're calling for next week. But, I won't hold my breath!

Well, despite the chilly weather and the lack of blog posts lately. I did manage to take pictures of my boys.
They were hamming it up but I totally gave them a handful of jelly beans as bribery.

Bribery or not, I ended up with some cute pictures! I'll call that a win!

Though I love to capture those precious moments, indoor and out, I'm really itching for some fun outdoor sessions! So Spring, if you're listening, I really miss you.

Sincerely,
Alison

Photography By Alison - Website  
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My Favorite Husband

This weekend I had the honor of having a mini session with my wonderful husband of 10 years! He was a good sport and even though we stuck around the house to take the photos, we got some stunning head shots. And, you know, he's a pretty handsome guy!
Recently, he's made some huge changes in his lifestyle and I couldn't be or proud! I am so thankful to call him my husband and the father to our three wonderful children!
He was quite proud of all the compliments he's received from his session and he's already talking about his next session. I think I have a happy customer! :)

Shining Star

This is my daughter. She makes me smile every day, always doing things to make me laugh or catch my attention. She recently started to actually want me to take pictures of her. After all, when your Mom takes pictures of every little thing, one kind of gets tired of the cameras.
Yikes. I kind of feel like the paparazzi.
Luckily, they all still love me and let me snap away and I hope one day they will appreciate all the moments I have captured. <3 p="">

A Little About Me!

I think I've filled this blog with a lot of information about my work, my prices and packages and information about what I do. What I realized is that I haven't told you anything about the girl behind the camera!

I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 10 years, he is a wonderful father and supportive and loving husband. Together we have three beautiful children who make us laugh and smile every day! Quite often they inspire me and help me in trying new props, backdrops and ideas I have for future sessions.

Because at the moment my photography is a part time job for me, I also run a day home. I enjoy helping kids learn and grow with imaginative and creative play. Sometimes I think I have more fun with the projects and crafts that we do.

I am a shy person, even though in the past 5 years I have become quite a bit more outgoing than I have ever been. I think I am pretty funny, I love to make people laugh. Since I was about 14 Marilyn Monroe has been one of my idols and pretty much anything to do with old Hollywood and the glamor of that era. I don't get to sit down and watch too much TV, I'm kind of a busy body but my favorite show is Saturday Night Live. I am hoping late this year when I travel to New York with my best friend I will get to cross watching SNL live off my bucket list. I also love hosting parties and get togethers!

Most of all, I love photography, but I think that's a given. Since I was a kid I had a camera and took so many pictures but it wasn't until about 5 or 6 years ago where I really started to think about it as a career! In 2008 I bought my first SLR and it's been a learning experience since then. I've taken Basic Film and Digital and Intermediate Photography courses at SAIT and I plan to keep growing and learning as photographer. 

This year, I turn 21.....just kidding....I am actually celebrating the first anniversary of my 29th birthday ;) (sshhh, let's just keep that between us!) I believe that 2013 is going to be a great year and I look forward to creating beautiful memories for all of my fabulous clients! Thank you all for the support, it means a great deal to me.

Alison

Summer Love

Well a little over a week ago I did a wedding for a couple very special people.
The wedding was sweet  and beautiful and took place in Radium, BC.
The weather was hot and sunny for their outdoor wedding and I had a blast
taking pictures of this wonderful couple and their families!
I was truly honored to be a part of it all!

An Engaging Photo Session

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting an engagement session in Leduc for a special couple.
It was a bit of a drive for me but well worth it! We shot at Telford Lake, a beautiful location on a beautiful but very hot day!

Prints For Purchase

I have decided to sell prints. I will be adding more as the week goes on but I thought I would start off with a few, I do have lots to choose from. I will be listing prices, sizes and pictures over the next week or so. If your wall is in need of some love or you are looking for a gift for a friend, prints (sold either just the print or framed) are perfect gifts.
Let me know what you think and if this is something you would be interested in. I am hoping to bring this together for trade shows and possibly farmers markets down the road if I find there is enough interest.
Thanks for stopping by!!

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My Third Mini Session

Well the wind was a little chilly but we made due. Thankfully it wasn't hard at all to capture some great shots of this family!

Another Adorable Mini Session

This next session was another great one! The little man had nothing but smiles and was an excellent poser! His big sister was great and loved playing with her brother and she's just as beautiful as her mother!

Spring Mini Sessions Part 1

Well the mini sessions were a great success and I had loads of fun taking pictures for all these great families! So here's the very first shoot of the day, a sneak peek a very sweet and very energetic little lady! Enjoy!!

Sunday Morning Sessions

I can't think of a better way to spend a quiet Sunday morning than photographing my children. They don't always enjoy a good photo shoot like their mother, but they sure are photogenic!
This morning, I got to test out some new back drops I bought about a week ago, play around with my kids and got some great photos out of the deal! Now to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather while we still have it! Next week is my Casting Call, which I am holding outside so cross your fingers we have as great weather as there is this morning! I'm so excited and can't wait to share those pictures as well! Stay tuned!