I did want to take the time to post, because I have also been busy working on new disc packaging for my clients. I really strive to provide a great Calgary wedding photography product and experience, unique to each person or couple I am photographing. So it was important to me that my packaging reflect that. I/m a big believer in clients having their high res photos on CD or DVD (as far as I am concerned, they are my clients’ images!). So! Here’s how all of my 2010 clients can expect the presentation of their final product:

The discs come in a Redfern Photography tote bag, making them easy to carry. Each disc comes in an enameled tin, which includes a mini folding card with a license agreement (so you can print your images at any lab). They are bound with a black hemp twine, which you can just slide off one end to open the tin. Both wedding photography and portrait photography clients will receive their discs this way.

I’m super happy with the way these came out, and truly feel that they fit well with my brand and my photography!

I have never seen kids of this age who are such naturals in front of the camera. These little boys were so good, and so patient and willing to sit and have their picture taken! It made it very easy for me.

Baby Mateo is adorable, and just a dozen days old — and was also very patient with all of the goings-on. I’m sure that once he gets a little older, he will join his brothers in being a fantastic and willing subject, since he’s already well on his way.

Thank you all for a great session!

On the other hand, I also speak with some couples who have specific purposes in mind for the photos from their engagement session (also called an e-session), such as:

• Engagement announcement in the newspaper
• To use on a wedsite
• As a part of a mailed engagement announcement or save-the-date
• To use on wedding invitations
• For custom reception items, like wine or water bottles
• As part of a photo slideshow to be shown during the reception
• For use on thank you cards, or on personalized stamps through Canada Post

Even though many couples don’t need or want photos for any of the above, I still always recommend having an engagement photo session prior to the wedding. Think of it this way — your wedding photographer is going to be very close at hand, and a significant part of one of the most important days of your lives.

If you’re getting your hair done for your wedding, most stylists get you to come in for a hair or makeup trial run, to eliminate any problems the day of your wedding. Most brides and grooms will go in for multiple dress and tux fittings. Wedding photography is important, an it also deserves some preparation — think of engagement sessions like that. They’re a practice run for both the photographer and the couple.

There is enough stress and new things happening on a wedding day. Having been through an engagement session allows you to welcome your photographer back as a trusted vendor on the big day, and to get used to each other.

I also believe it results in more natural, relaxed wedding photos, having had the experience of the engagement session. Wouldn’t you rather get any awkwardness you might be feeling about being in front of a camera out of the way with the engagement photos? Especially if you don’t have anything important planned for them! In that case, there’s really no risk, just an hour of your time to run around outside with the one you love.

The e-session really allows me to know what you are like to photograph, and takes away that element of uncertainty for me, too.

Remember, there is no rule about when to get engagement photos. You don’t have to do them immediately after you get engaged, anytime during the engagement is appropriate! Heck, you could do them a week before the wedding, if you wanted to. There’s no rule. When my husband and I had our engagement photos done, we had been engaged for five months. But we thought the Calgary fall colours would be the nicest time to have portraits done. And I’m so happy we did them.

I urge all of my clients to go for the engagement photos. Since they are included, they don’t earn me any extra money, and I’m not trying to push an unneeded sale. But I do feel strongly that they are an important part of my wedding photography package, and as your photographer, it’s something I advocate to ensure a bride and groom get the most value out of the investment they are making.

Been to my site before and have been thinking about booking me as your Calgary wedding photographer? Don’t panic! I will be honouring the old prices for a month from today, to give potential clients time to make their bookings. I still have some 2010 availability, please contact me to see if your date is still available!

I’m really looking forward to the rest of 2010 and all of the adventures to come. Thank you to all of my wonderful clients who have made all of this possible.

This post seems is way too bare without an image, this is a photo from a fun portrait session from the end of 2009, of Mandi.

Fun project! The website and everything is still being set up, the logo and business cards were the starting point.

In photo news, thank you to everyone who has recently booked photography with me for the 2010 Calgary wedding season. It looks like it’ll be a busy summer! I have had a few inquiries for 2011 as well, but I only book up to one year in advance. If you’re interested in booking me as your wedding photographer, I still have availability, but please contact me soon as weekends are going fast.

I was bundled up in my wool coat and had my scarf wrapped around most of my head, and I could barely stand it. But that bride, that incredibly determined and brave bride, with her bare arms, stood in the -30C plus windchill weather and smiled for her wedding photos. I think that is amazing.

Congratulations to you both!

The thing about Calgary wedding photography is that the elements are always a force to be reckoned with. Snow, storms, cold, all things that create challenges both for photographer and participants. It’s hardly the most temperate place. Beaches and palm trees are lovely, but I’d imagine that taking photos of an unchanging landscape would get kind of boring. At least we don’t suffer for variety!

A week ago Friday, Calgary had a blizzard. Up in the NW where I live, it was like being on the arctic tundra in the middle of a storm, as the snow swirled and blew across the highway. I joked to my husband while we drove that I expected a polar bear to stroll onto the road at any second. It was unreal. Huge snowdrifts accumulated in our yard (and in our parking spot). I had to reschedule a portrait shoot, because it was just too intense to think about going anywhere, never mind actually going outside to take photos. Buses were stuck, roads were closed. If only all natural disasters eventually melted away to disappear.

On the bright side, being stuck inside lately has given me an opportunity to finish decorating for Christmas!

A white Christmas tree with blue ornaments, and stocking hangers from Germany, which we got at Edelweiss Imports.

The candle is a NOEL candle from Crabtree & Evelyn… oh boy do these smell great. Sort of a mixture of balsam pine with hints of orange and cranberry. They magically smell like Christmas and I absolutely love them. I look forward to when they appear on shelves, every year.

Unfortunately I had to buy a set of these twice because our van was broken into while we were out shopping one evening in November. It was kind of disheartening to have that happen right at the start of the holiday season, but we tried to get over it quickly, and remind ourselves that $100 worth of groceries and gifts wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. Plus whoever stole those things from us probably needed them pretty badly.

I love the holidays! I am so looking forward to baking and visiting with family. The months of December to April are usually slower for photography, so I am hoping to find the time to post to my blog more.

I really enjoyed shooting these two, they are SO CUTE, particularly together. Aw.

Adorable! We were really lucky because so many stores had really lovely Christmas themed stuff out, for instant backgrounds.

I was particularly pleased with this next one (on the left), because we had been trying to work the Calgary Tower into a photo or two, and you can see it reflected in Banker’s Hall:

Anyway, thank you guys for a great session, and for being such easygoing and fun subjects!

Someone, at some point, had built a cool little lean-to fort thing by the creek, I’m not sure when… but couldn’t resist using it in some photos.

You can tell in this one that baby got his mom’s beautiful blue eyes:

Thank you guys so much for a great session and for being so brave in the weather. Your little one was so well-behaved for his age and the cold weather!

I’ll be away this weekend, I’m jaunting off to Vancouver for a few days on Thursday evening, but will get back to photo processing and replying to inquiries when I get back.

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Last month, Tavis organized a session for his whole family; for his Mom & Dad, their three kids and their spouses — including two adorable babies! I wasn’t sure if the finicky Calgary weather would cooperate for this late-in-the-season fall shoot, but it did. We had a great day and they were an absolute delight to work with. Lots of fun!

I call this one “yin-yang”. These were two very calm, happy and well-behaved babies for the entire shoot. It was so cute, the little girl was very happy to be laying on her back on the blanket, but the baby boy (who was all smiles previously) immediately started crying when he was put down. Poor little guy, he was only on the blanket for a few moments and it made him so unhappy!

Super fun group, and really good jumpers (lookit that air!). Thanks to all of you and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek.