As I mentioned before I love ‘shooting’ large family gatherings.  I call them ‘extended family sessions’.  You know, when the kids have moved out of the house and have children of their own?

These sessions are my passion!  I have done many large groups..over Christmas break (YES, in the WINTER) I met with two large families!

I love seeing how the families interact with one another, how old and young come together for pictures, and I find that when families look back on these times they are so happy they put the effort and investment into the pictures.

Its not everyday that all 10, 20 or 30 (or whatever your size is) family members are home at the same time!

Are you considering an ‘extended’ family session but wonder what would be included in the session fee?

Typically I do 2-3 different poses of the entire family, each family on their own, mom & dad together, mom & dad and grandkids, grandkids alone, mom & dad and their ‘original’ children.

These sessions need to be booked in advance to ensure dates for all family members!!!  Keep this in mind as I am already booking sessions on my calendar and will be limiting the number of sessions I take on each month in 2012!

Have a look at a recent family I met with!  I LOVE all the shots from our time together!
ENJOY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope that you all had a great time celebrating, ringing in the NEW YEAR!

Thus far, 2012 has been a bit of a dissapointment to me.  I have been quite sick with Strep throat and there is talk of removing my tonsills as a result.  {not exciting}  But that leads me to goal #1:

1. GET HEALTHY!

2012 must get better than this!!

I have a few other personal goals in mind this year.

2. Read through the Bible.  My sister found me this awesome App that reads to you selected sections each day!  This would be awesome to complete!

3. This is a 3 week ‘plan’ to healthy eating.  This will be a tough 3 weeks, but I think it’s do able!   I can still have all my normal meals and sugar in my tea so I’m happy! {ice cream & hot chocolate will be missed!)

Onto Goals for A Shot of Life!

Families is where it is at for me!  {spending time with mine & photographing other peoples!}

That is my passion!  Extended families (married couples, kids, grandkids) or close household units!  I love photographing them and I love being on location!

This will be my focus going forward and I’m VERY excited about that!
I have a ‘better’ way to plan session as well and will be limiting the number of dates I book!

SO~here is the thing, I will be booking less sessions BUT spending more time on the sessions that I do book!  If you have a specific date you would like me, PLEASE let me know as soon as you can!  January is already booked up and May is almost full!  Isn’t that crazy? {and exciting, and fun!}

Also, I have created a new contract for my clients this year!  Its so exciting to see the changes already taking shape!!

If you want to book a session CALL 519 691 7066 or email dawn@ashotoflife.ca!  I’m looking forward to hearing from you!!

Here are some awesome memories of 2011, I can’t wait for the fun events of 2012 to play out!

Blessings!

{butterfly conservatory with cousins}

{fun on the farm}

{Eric got glasses}

{Belle}

{Camping & Fishing-FUN TIMES!!!}

{my handsome boys got ties!}

{Jer-bear started school!}

{more farm fun! }

To all my clients, family and friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

I pray that 2012 will be filled with wonderful blessings for each of you!

I will be back to blog around New Years to fill you in with my goals for 2012!  Today I am happy to report that I only have one goal left for 2011..and I plan to carry it forward for 2012!

Blessings to you ALL!

My website has been a bit of a ‘challenge’ lately!  I’m not exactly sure what changed since I’ve been using it for almost 2 years!  But I have an excellent technician on it!
We are working on a bit of a revision so things might be changing off and on for the next month or so {still!}

But in the mean time… here are some pictures for you to enjoy!!!….

This beauty just turned 2 before these pictures!  She is totally adorable and was a pleasure to photograph!  She will be welcoming a new baby into her household soon, so that is very exciting for their entire family! {{congrat’s!}}

I photo’d these clients last year!  I can’t believe how much older they all (CLARIFY: the kids) look!! 

We did a mini session…just family pictures this time…It was a quick meeting at a great location!!!

I’ll say it again, I JUST love watching families interact!!  It’s one of the favorite ‘pieces’ of my job!!  (if you call this a job!)!
This session was no exception!
A great family, strong bonds and lots of smiles when they are together! {at least sometimes! }

Here are more ‘smiles’!

Enjoy!!!

What a great fall day for pictures!  A peak of sunshine, beautiful trees, nice location….and to top it off a couple cute kids!

Although the morning was a bit cool, it was beautiful weather for pictures!! These siblings couldn’t have had a better relationship and everything just went smoothly!!! It was a great start to the weekend!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this family picture!!!

Enjoy!

It was a pleasure visiting with friends.  Holding a newborn. Using lots of brand new photography equipment!  This session was a HUGE success in many ways!

I can’t wait to work through all your proofs!!  SOON, very soon!!

I am not ready to share any of the ‘real’ pictures from our session..but these ones cracked me up!   I hope you enjoy them too!

A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to my Sister in Law for making this happen!! These have my ‘watermark’, but she snapped all the pictures!! Thank you THANK YOU!!!

PS~I totally understand now what YOU go through before our meeting, and I sympathize!  Wow, that’s a crazy hour of ‘getting ready’!