HAPPINESS IS...{WINNIPEG CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER}

...sharing your iPod with someone you love. 

As I said in a previous post, my baby girl broke her leg last week. She very quickly learned we'll bring her most anything she asks for, so she's gotten creative. She's not yet 2, but she's gone from asking for things like "milk" and "blankie" to asking for "iPod" and "earrings" Yesterday we were cleaning the carpets and had all the furniture moved out of our living room. My hubby planted her there with her dolly and her ipod, and when I saw the setup I had to grab my camera. It was one of those awesome kodak moments I'm not often afforded as a mommy photographer. 

I could just eat her up! 

HAVE CAMERA, WILL TRAVEL {PHOENIX CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hello all of you who are watching from Phoenix, Arizona. The time has come for me to make my way to your neck of the woods. I have my camera, and I'm on my way! Sessions are available from July 28 - August 21. E-mail me ASAP to secure your session spot!

COMING OUT...{WINNIPEG CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER}

For quite a while now, I've wondered if I should keep my blog simply business, or be a bit more personal in this little corner of cyberspace. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. I already have a personal blog, (And if you happen to find it, please never tell me because I like to believe I still have a bit of anonymity when I'm in the produce section of the grocery store lecturing my son about eating brussel sprouts before paying for them), and am not sure I can keep up both at the same time. But it just feels so stark here without a bit more personal touch. So here I am....coming out to say hi and just be real and be me.

I get a lot of questions about why I am so particular about my clientele and brand of photography. Why don't I do weddings? Why don't I do pets? Why don't I do events or family reunions? The answer is: because I don't want to. The truth is that crowds make me nervous, and I'm just not that into weddings. Family reunions make me want to puke. Sorry...it's the truth. I'm not passionate about pets, unless they're being held by an adoring child...

But I really love kids. I really love photographing kids. Maybe I secretly love playing Simon Says and the other games we play to get them to relax and smile from the heart. Whatever it is, it's what I love and something that I don't get tired of doing over and over and over again.

And the reality is that kids are my life. I'm with kids all the time. My kids are my life. I have four kids, and we homeschool. I'm quite literally surrounded by kids most hours out of the day, and I get them. I like their quirks, their games, their imaginations, and their energy. That's why, to me, it's absolutely undesirable to try to get kids to sit still and smile for the camera. It's sort of ....well....miserable for everyone. And for most kids, it's not natural. Pics of my kids sitting still in one spot with stiff necks and stiff smiles is not what I want hanging on my own walls, because that's not how they are. I want pics of them, their personalities, their souls...not just what they look like.

A lot of people get all worked up in knots when they think of taking their kids to a professional photographer. The thought of their little tykes running circles around a bewildered person holding an expensive camera out of arm's reach and biting their fingernails while being tied up at the ankles is enough to make them lose their lunch. They think, "How are we supposed to smile and act like a happy family when our kids are behaving like wild animals?" If that sounds like you, then listen closely: Your kids have nothing over on mine.

Nothing.

My kids - all four - are high-energy, imaginative, and ornery. I have nerves of steel, baby! I don't even notice anymore when my two year old climbs on top of the table, or my eight year old builds a bike ramp in the backyard...and my three year old tries to go over it with her training wheels. Wild animals like bullfrogs, dragonflies, baby birds, scorpions, and leeches are on my six-year-old's list of regular catch-and-release pets. My two year old broke her leg last week on the trampoline. Seriously, your kids can't scare me, and I honestly don't mind if they literally run in circles around me. Eventually they stop for a split second, and I'm ready to click away! Every child is beautiful, and every child is worth the effort.

This is my son, who was hiding in the prairie grasses "like a cougar" on Father's Day. It's my favourite pic of the weekend. It's totally him. He's in the zone, ready to pounce on his prey....that would be me.

SIZZLING SUMMER SAVINGS!!

Attention all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone who knows anyone with kids:

Summer is upon us! Rain is falling in place of snow, veggies are growing in the warm soil, and the kids are growing faster than the weeds in your flower beds!! These are the moments you want to capture and hold in your pocket forever. Carmen Rochelle Modern Children's Portraiture is ready to help you do just that, with a deal that can't be beat! To kick off the summer, Carmen is holding a drawing for TWO giftcards for a FREE session and 8x10!! And to top it off, every person who enters but does not win, will receive 15% off their session fee and print purchase when they call Carmen to book within 2011.* With prices that have already been adjusted to meet the budget of a growing family, that's a downright good deal!

Why the giveaway? Because it's fun to win things, and even more fun to give things away! Carmen loves kids and preserving memories for families to treasure for a lifetime.

To get in on the action and enter your name in the drawing, just e-mail Carmen and tell her   

• your name
•  the name of the person who referred you 
•  the ages of your children, 
• and  your city of residence*.

To make it even more exciting, there is no limit to how many times your name can be added to boost your chances. For every person who lists you as a referral, your name will be added yet again. So spread the word! Think of it: practically every family you know could use an updated professional photo. Click it through and pass it along!!

The winners' session will include a consultation via phone or e-mail prior to the photoshoot, photo retouching, an online gallery for viewing your completed images, and one 8x10.* There is no further obligation (although Carmen is sure you'll be tempted by the fabulicious product line you can find on her site).

Good luck!!

 *Winners will be announced on Saturday, July 16, 2011, right here on the blog! Winner(s) in the Phoenix area must be available for scheduling their free session between the dates of July 28 and August 20, 2011. To receive your 15% off session and print prices, all participants must contact Carmen within the 2011 calendar year. All gift cards are fully transferrable. As such, they work as cash and cannot be replaced if lost.