Pets are family too

If you're a pet owner I don't have to tell you how much a part of one's family they are. Loyal and dedicated; never far from their loved ones.

From puppies and kittens to our more senior furry friends - be sure to include them in your family photographs in some way. Here is a sample featuring Ciska. Simply click on the image to be able to read the definition.

Scarlett at 6 months

Remember sweet Scarlett at 3 months? Well here she is now at 6 months - still sweet and sporting 2 little bottom teeth!

Have you ever seen eyes this glorious? Photographers often look to capture the elusive natural catchlight in their subject's eyes. Catchlights enhance the eyes with a certain extra shot of 'life'. If you click on the first picture of Scarlett to enlarge it you'll see not only the window (reflection of natural light source) in her eyes, but me as well - taking the picture. And here I thought I was behind the camera!

Sisters: Julia and Riley

How cute are these two little girls!?

I tried to get soft-spoken Julia to open up a little and feel comfortable in front of the camera by posing some questions. Asking "Do you have a boyfriend?" often brings about shy smiles and giggles. Julia however, solemnly responded with "I'm far too young to have a boyfriend". Good work Mom and Dad.

Riley on the other hand was working the camera like a pro. No trepidation with this little one. In a moment caught unawares, her piercing blue eyes tell the story of her sweet innocence.

After breaking out the lollipops, Julia and Riley planted a couple of sticky kisses on their Daddy's cheeks. The kisses may have been their idea or it may have been mine. I'm not saying. Certainly not right here on this blog. Never.

Please take a seat

I found the greatest little stools while shopping in Toronto yesterday.

I can see the red one on a nice hardwood floor with a toddler plunked down on it. The distressed garden stool will work nicely outdoors with a little one perched atop. Maybe in a field of Queen Anne's Lace or an expanse of wheat.

So many possiblilities....

Francois: toughest session to date

This subject proved to be my toughest yet.

He was uncooperative and only had one pose in mind.

He kept this cheesy grin on his face the whole time.

I couldn't get a nice catch light in his eyes or encourage him to relax.

He was stiff during the entire shoot - stone faced too.

No response whatsoever when I tried to engage him from behind the camera.

I guess it had to happen sooner or later...

See...this is what happens when there is too much time between sessions. Please save me from myself and book a session in the upcoming months. It will stop me from photographing gargoyles and other strange inanimate objects around the house!