Amanda - Courtenay Portrait Photography
One of the joys of going on vacation is getting to hang out with family members who I don't see very often. Amanda is my oldest niece on my side of the family (actually she is my double niece because my sister and I married brothers but that's a whole other blog post!).
Amanda recently graduated with a diploma in visual and creative arts and this fall is heading to Georgian College to study jewelry design. Needless to say, she is a very creative girl!
Photography is a passion that Amanda and I both share so we inevitably "talk shop" lots when we visit. On a hunt for a new camera (and on a student's budget), it has reminded me how expensive photography can be. I recently saw a meme going around Facebook that said: "teach your children photography... they won't have enough money to buy drugs"! How true!
Amanda also loves music as well as art so it was appropriate to do part of her photo shoot with her guitar. I am usually not a 'lens flare' fan but I think it worked in this image:
Time to do an album, Amanda!
I love photographing teen and young adult girls because they are totally engaged in the process and have lots of ideas to try. If you have a daughter celebrating a milestone this year, I would love to have the opportunity to preserve some precious memories for you. Contact me to find out more.
Lily - Comox Valley Photography
My brother-in-law and his family recently welcomed a new addition into their home: a sweet little Havanese cross puppy named Lily. Lily is less than a month old, and has already stolen the heart of everyone who meets her! Not only is she cute as a button, she is as easy-going as they come; a perfect companion to my 8-year-old niece who carries her around like a stuffy!
We chose a perfect summer evening for Lily's photo shoot. I love that evening glow.
One of my favourite shots is a dog running towards me. It's great when they actually look at me while they're running! I love Lily's long eyelashes.
Here's a behind the scenes look! It usually takes help to get the dogs running in the right direction. This is my daughter Jessica getting her exercise for the day.
This next shot might be my favourite, because it's simple, but shows how cuddly this puppy really is. Makes me want to scoop her up onto my lap!
Got a new puppy in the family? It's time for a puppy portrait session! Just like newborns, puppies change so fast. Don't wait, contact me today!
Princess - Comox Pet Photography
Princess is an 11 year old Jack Russell cross with a heart of gold. Always eager for attention, Princess often would come over and put her head on my lap waiting for a scratch. Living out in the country, Princess has had some dangerous encounters with coyotes. But, she has pulled through and continues to thrive and remain a loyal companion to her owners Jeff and Kathy.
Gotta love a dog that smiles for the camera!
Country Girl - Teen Photography
My niece Natalie is a real Canadian country girl. She loves animals and fishing, and is a fierce hockey player!
On any given summer day when she's not working at her family's ice cream shop, you will probably find her jumping off 20 foot cliffs at the cottage, or fishing at one of her town's best fishing holes.
So it was appropriate for this photo shoot that she showcase the outdoorsy girl that she is, but also her feminine, "girlie" side. We used a beautiful old barn as a backdrop and had lots of fun goofing around.
Teenagers grow and change so fast. I know because I have two! Don't wait til they're grown up and gone. Contact me to find out how you can book a photo shoot for your teen today!
Baby Taylor Turns 1! - Courtenay Children's Photographer
What do you get when you mix an adorable baby, a pink tutu, a little birthday cake, and lots of decorations? A fun cake smash session of course!
Little Taylor's mom Jamie was one of the first people I met when I first moved to Courtenay. My daughter is boarding her horse at Jamie's barn. So I have been able to watch Taylor grow over the past year and it is impossible not to fall in love with her. She is a photographer's dream subject with lots of smiles and no inhibitions!
First we took some "formal" shots with this cute little pink and black polka-dot dress. Doesn't that smile make you go "awwww"?
Then, it was time for the cake. Taylor had no trouble digging in to the creamy soft icing. I wonder what she is thinking in this picture!
Then, she really started getting into it! I love the icing on her big toe!
Yum!
Mum gets into the fun!
Happy Birthday, Taylor!
If there is a little one in your life that is nearing their first birthday, why not celebrate the milestone with a cake smash session? Contact me here if you would like more information.
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The Snider Family - Courtenay Photography
Last week we had the good fortune of hosting my husband's brother Steve, his wife Deb and sweet little daughter Tori at our new home in Courtenay. They were visiting all the way from Kitchener, Ontario and this was their first trip to the Comox Valley. So, we planned for a fun photo shoot at my favourite location, Kye Bay.
We had perfect weather for the week they were here (not one raindrop fell on us the whole time!). Dave and I toured them around and got to show them the spectacular scenery here in the Comox Valley as well as some other areas of the Island, including: Paradise Meadows, Elk Falls, Long Beach, and Cathedral Grove.
Although they left on Thursday, we are happy that we'll be seeing these guys again next month in Ontario for our nephew's wedding.
Is it time for your family portrait? Click here to contact Sharon to book your session (the session fee is waived for the month of June!).
Pitty Pups and More - Courtenay Dog Photography
This week I got to meet 6 adorable pups awaiting adoption at the Comox Valley SPCA! I only got to photograph 3 however, because the other 3 had just gotten back from getting 'the fix'. They were so adorable I had trouble deciding which shots to show. I'm sure they won't have any trouble finding homes.
This little gal was my best poser!
Why so glum, chum?
Her brindle colouring is beautiful. And look at those eyes!
Many thanks to Jed my wrangler for the afternoon. This is not a task you can do by yourself. He got rewarded with puppy kisses!
And it's not all about puppies. There are also adult dogs needing forever homes. I love smiling dogs!
This guy had tons of personality and 1 floppy ear which made him even cuter.
Look at those eyes!
These are just a few of the dogs up for adoption. There are still many bunnies and cats available too! Please call 250-339-7722 if you would like more information on any of these animals.
And if you are in the market for some professional portraits of your pets please give me a shout! My phone number is 250-650-7389. I'd love to chat.
1 Day, 1 Dog, 2 Different Looks
Saturday was such a beautiful day! We took a day trip down to Coombs in the morning, and worked and played in the yard in the afternoon. My main model Maggie was on hand when I spotted one of our "flower beds" in good light. I actually think these blue flowers are weeds, but they sure looked pretty, and the sun on the leaves in the background added a nice touch. Time for a portrait!
In the evening I wanted to take advantage of the clear skies and do a sunset photo shoot at the Comox Goose Spit. This is a public area where lots of families have bonfires in the summer and it is a really nice spot to hang out. Maggie was again a willing participant because she always gets lots of rewards for her modeling. The sun was quickly disappearing but I managed to get this shot and I think it turned out pretty well!
I am available for more sunset shoots with animals and humans this summer. Please contact me if you are interested!
My Toughest Subjects - Courtenay Equine Photography
To me, horses and flowers are two very difficult subjects to photograph. "Why?" you say. "They are both very beautiful. Isn't it hard to take a bad photo of a beautiful thing?". That's the point. It is easy to get an ok shot of either of those things because anyone can do it. It's not hard to take a snapshot of a horse running and for it to look good because the horse looks good.
But as I progress in this vocation, my standards are changing as I accept that almost everyone has a camera with them at any given time, and that the only way to stand out is to create images that the average person can't get.
As I scour the internet seeking inspiration, the photos that stand out to me are usually the ones that include something unexpected; something you wouldn't see with your naked eye. As I took these photographs of my daughter's horse the other night, I really wanted the lighting to be what set them apart from the hundreds of shots I have taken of him in the past. It was quite tricky to get the lighting right in his little stall, but with Jessica positioning him and me doling out the treats I think we got a few that are worth sharing.
My Best SPCA Shoot Yet - Comox Photographer
This past Saturday I got to try out my new "Thunder Grey" backdrop, and where else would I go but back to the Comox Valley SPCA?! They had plenty of dogs and cats to photograph, including an adorable lab puppy who was only 8 weeks old. I think that photo is one of my all-time favourites.
As I write this blog, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are flying around outside. For 2 weeks every April this elite flying team trains at 19 Wing Comox, our community's forces base. They are amazing but so elusive. I have a shot in my head that I keep wanting to get: flying in formation in front of the glacier with the city of Courtenay in the foreground. But they never seem to fly that way! Guess I'll have to keep waiting.
So if you are considering adding a new addition to your home, please check out these wonderful animals! To find out more about the Comox Valley SPCA, check out their website: http://www.spca.bc.ca/branches/comox-valley/
Fun Photos With Virginia's Pets - Courtenay Photographer
My daughter works at Woofy's Pet Foods with a gal named Virginia, who we recently found out only lives about 4 doors down from us! Understandably, Virginia is a big pet lover, so this week she brought all her pets over (one at a time) for a photo shoot! It was lots of fun and here are some of the best shots of the evening:
Oliver
Walter
Henry, aka Kitten
Emily
7 Puppies, 1 Cat and a Lovely Lady and her Dog - Courtenay Photographer
Who can resist a puppy, let alone 7? This week at the Comox Valley SPCA there were 7 cuddly 6-week-old puppies! They are definitely of the Heinz 57 variety: husky, rottie, lab, shepherd and probably more! These little guys and girls were timid around the camera, so I tried to keep their "mini sessions" short and sweet. It really doesn't take long to get good photos of such cute little animals.
If you are more of a cat person there are several cats available for adoption as well. Here is a beautiful orange kitty who is looking for a home:
And, I didn't want to leave Kath out! Kath is one of the staffers at the shelter who has made me feel right at home. Kath had brought her dog Mac to work with her that day so I was able to snap a few pictures of them together. However, Mac was more interested in the rabbits nearby than getting his picture taken!
Please feel free to share this post with anyone you know looking to adopt a new member of the family! And remember I can help preserve memories through professional portraits. Contact me for details.
Until next time,
Sharon
Milo's Cake Smash - Courtenay Photography
Milo is 1! This sweet little boy and his momma Sarah came by for a first birthday cake smash this weekend. Sarah is a baker and made a fabulous cake to accompany the blue and green balloons we had on hand for the occasion.
Photographing a baby is unpredictable at best, but once Milo got his fingers into the cake he had a great time tasting the yummy icing.
Do you know of a baby turning 1? Book a cake smash session today!
TaG Agility Trials - Courtenay Dog Photography
Yesterday afternoon was my chance to do some action photography. This agility trial was hosted by TaG (Team Agility Group) at Springhill Farms in Courtenay. TaG is owned and operated by Glenn Tiede and offers classes, clinics and trials throughout year.
As you would expect, dog agility includes several challenges that test a dog and handler's skill and teamwork. Being that this was my first experience I admit that I didn't have much of a clue how it all operated. But what I did see were lots of dogs and people running around and having loads of fun!
If you would like to know more about TaG, check out their website at: http://tagagility.jigsy.com/.
Here are a few of my favourite shots from the day:
Purrrfect Pets at the Comox Valley SPCA - Courtenay Photography
This week I some nice kitties to photograph at the SPCA. Unfortunately the dogs were under quarantine so I wasn't able to take their pictures. But these cats were lots of fun and had some great expressions. I think the green blanket really brings out the colour in their eyes!
The last picture is of Susan, one of the invaluable volunteers that supports our local shelter. Thanks for all you do, Susan!
For more information on how you can take one of these cute cats home, please visit the Comox Valley SPCA website at: http://www.spca.bc.ca/branches/comox-valley/.
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5 Tips for Better Pet Photos - Courtenay Pet Photography
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be featured in Shaw TV's "Andrena's Pics" with Andrena Koch Schulte. I talked about 5 tips for getting better photos of your pet. So I thought it would be a good idea to recap the tips here on my blog. These tips are relevant whether you are using a dslr camera, point and shoot, or phone camera.
Go from this:
Maggie needs a haircut, but that's beside the point! The ugly surroundings and the angle of view are not very flattering. We can do better!
To this:
Ahh, much nicer! I am at eye level with Maggie, and the background is out of focus. It looks like she's staring into my soul! (But I think she's just thinking about the treats in my pocket!).
Tip #1: Get Down Low
Most of the time we are looking down at our pets, so for a more interesting perspective, get down on their level. You get to see the world from their vantage point and it makes for a much more dynamic shot. Or, if you don't want to get your jeans dirty, have them jump up on a bench so you don't have to bend down as far.
Tip #2: Get Some Help
Unless you have a really docile pet, it will save you a lot of time and stress if you have someone to assist you. Your helper can position the pet, hold the leash if you are in a public place, get them to look in the right direction by holding up a treat or making funny noises. It helps if they hold the treat right next to the lens of your camera.
Be sure to take some action shots, too. Your assistant can help you out by throwing a ball over your head so the dog will run towards you.
In this shot of Aiku, I had my daughter throw a treat toward me then quickly move out of the way so she wouldn't be in the background.
Tip #3: Make it Fun
Your pet has a very short attention span, so if you want to get the best out of them, make sure it's engaging and fun. Rewards are a fantastic way to get your pet to cooperate. Just give them a little at a time so they don't get too full. My dog Maggie will do almost anything for a treat. But for other dogs, it could be a chance to play with a ball or chewing on a squeaky toy.
Tip #4: Minimize Distractions
Everyone has probably seen a picture of someone with a tree or light pole behind their head as if it's growing there. Not very flattering! So before you start clicking away, have a look at the background and adjust your position accordingly. Try to keep branches, trees, people, etc out of your shot so you can focus on the star of your photo: your pet. It also helps if you move them away from the background to create separation. This will throw the background out of focus and you will get a more pleasing shot.
Having the background blurry focuses the attention on Jazz.
Tip #5: Have Patience
This is probably the most important tip! Remember, your pet doesn't understand why you are pointing weird objects at them and telling them to do certain things. If you get stressed out you will not get the best out of them and it won't be an enjoyable experience for anybody. So just relax, have fun and take lots of pictures, knowing that it might take 5, 10 or 20 shots before you have the one you are happy with. Enjoy the time you have with your pet and do your best!
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I hope these 5 tips will help you the next time you want to get some shots of your furry friend. Here's the episode if you would like to view my segment on Shaw TV. Cheers!
Poppy, SPCA Contest Winner! - Courtenay Pet Photography
Before Christmas I held a contest in partnership with the Comox Valley SPCA. Anyone adopting a pet would have the opportunity to put their name in a draw for a complimentary photo session and $100 in products. Poppy's owner Jasmin was one of my big winners!
Poppy is just about the cutest kitten ever. She is 6 months old and a bundle of energy! I am almost surprised that I got any shots in focus because she was moving so fast! She especially loved attacking the feather toy I brought. We had lots of fun playing together and eventually she started to tire out and I got a few shots of her relaxing.
Having trouble getting photos of your kitten? I would love to help! Click on the Contact page to shoot me a message. I would love to hear from you.
More Adoptable Pets - Courtenay Comox SPCA
Yesterday I was back at our local shelter taking shots of the adorable pets who are waiting to find their forever homes. Even though I didn't make it over the holidays, I can't stay away from the Comox Valley SPCA for long. It is so much fun to play with the animals and take their pictures. I hope you will find one (or more!) that you would like to take home!
Adoptable Pets - Comox SPCA Pet Photography
This week I was back to the Comox Valley SPCA photographing all the beautiful dogs and cats that are up for adoption. I always make sure to stop and cuddle at least one of them! There are usually a few cats that miss their human companions so much that they crawl right up onto my lap and start purring.
Want to win a free portrait session? I am running a promotion in partnership with the shelter. Adopt a pet between now and the end of December, 2014 and be entered to win a portrait session for your new pet! $250 value! Check out my pricing page to see what it includes.
The Williams Family - Courtenay Comox Horse Photography
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Bob and Caroline Williams, who recently relocated to the Comox Valley from Alberta. My daughter is working at the stable where they board their 5 beautiful horses. I spent the afternoon with them photographing the horses, and their dog Aiku, who was so much fun. I couldn't believe the expressions he gave me when he was racing towards me for a treat.
