NEW WEBSITE + BLOG

Lots has changed around here, but for the much, much better!  Let me introduce to you my NEW WEBISTE!!

...And my NEW BLOG!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Last night I was browsing away, working on my blog, when I made a move so horrifying it was a kin to a root canal.  I accidentally DELETED EVERY SINGLE PHOTO off my blog with the simple click of a button.

After the initial shock off what had happened - and realizing there is no reverse button- I stayed up until 5 am trying to fix as much as I could.  It's a lengthy process, but I'm hoping to have it all fixed by the end of the month.  So if you're coming to my blog and seeing nothing but giant white and grey X's instead of photos, that is why.  

Let's just hope this mistake doesn't set the tone for the rest of the week ;)

LIFETHREADS ALBUMS

One thing I've been meaning to tackle off my list this year is creating a sample album.  Earlier this month at CPC, I was talking with a fellow photographer friend from Saskatoon - hollla Maki! - about albums and she pointed me in the direction of LifeThreads Albums.  I immediately went to their website and ordered a sample, and I must tell you, I'm in love.  From the feel of the smooth, heavy pages to the sharp colour rich photos, these albums are the perfect start to your first family heirloom - your wedding album.  So here is a sampling of what I am now proud to offer clients - a gorgeous, tangible way to show off your wedding and engagement photos.

Would you just look at those deliciously thick pages -swoon-

Happy Friday!

2016 : ACCOMPLISHED GOALS AND WHAT I CAN WORK ON

Well would you look at that, a full week into the New Year and I haven't made any resolutions for 2016.  Not a single one.  And I don't plan on it.  Instead, I thought it would be more fun to take a trip back in time to my 2015 goals and see what I managed to accomplish this past year.  

Photos brought to you by my one and only, the best person ever...Ladies and Gentlemen, Adina from Wren and Rook Photography <3 

My business goals for 2015 were:
*Read at least five business books
*365 Photo Challenge
*Second shoot 5 weddings
*Shoot first wedding on my own as first photographer
*Attend a photography workshop
*Launch new website and blog

I read 2 out of 5 business books (blog post to come soon.  They were both gooders ;).  The 365 photo challenge didn't happen.  A week in I realized it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be and I found it would stress me out more than anything.  I figured I would be better off spending that time investing in my business, so that's what I did.  My goal was to second shoot 5 weddings in 2015, I did 14 (thanks to ma homegurl Adina).  I only wanted to shoot one wedding on my own, I shot two!  You can see them here and here.  I planned to attend one photography workshop which I did in March and shortly after in April, I attended the Canada Photo Convention in Vancouver.  I had extremely high hopes to launch my new website and blog, but truth be told...it's a lot harder than I though it would be!  It's coming though, I promise!! :)

Personal goals for 2015 were:
*Read more (my reading this past year was slacking to say the least)
*Develop a daily routine that works
*Learn to accept failure and be ok with it
*Stop comparing myself to others
*Take up yoga again
*Buy less, choose well

My reading situation was still slacking this past year.  I had planned on reading around 35 and I only read 10, but hey, it's better than nothing!  Daily routine - check.  I'm still learning to accept failure, but it does get easier as each day goes on, something I plan to continue to work on for 2016.  Stop comparing myself to others: I'm surprised I can actually check this one off the list.  Sure there are still times I find myself wishing I could be like the Jones', but not like before.  Yoga didn't happen, I took up hiking instead :)  And that last one, I'm surprised I did that as well.  It also kinda helped that they took Target out of Canada ;)

Overall I am so thrilled with how 2015 went.  Other than working harder and doing better this year than I did last year, the only thing I really want to work on is to shoot more personal work.  My first year of business, I was out practising a lot.  Like all the time.  And this past year, I lost that and would really love to get into it again.

Hey 2016, bring it.

REVIEW : 2015

Holy butts...2015, what a year!  It's so crazy to look back and think how much has happened and changed this past year and it only gets me that much more pumped for 2016!  If it's anything like last year, I know only exciting things are coming my way.  As a way to pay tribute to such a great year, I thought why not share all my favourite images I've shot throughout the year.  I owe so much to my clients for allowing me to do what I love, and for that alone, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. <3

I couldn't help but add in a photo of Adina #loveyou

Two sneak peeks...I haven't blogged these weddings yet, but it's oh so hard not to share!

 So here's to 2016...let's kick it!

101 IN 1001 UPDATE : PART I

Do you remember that list I started a while back...101 in 1001?  As I've been checking things off the list mentally, I haven't been keeping up with one of the items I said I would: blog as I go.  There are eight, dare I say it again, EIGHT things that I have checked off throughout the year so I've decided to make this a two parter blog post instead of one big one.  So here are the first four checkmarks I've made:

First on off the list, #3, second shoot a wedding.  Wanting to jump full steam ahead into wedding photography was high on my priority list, but not without some practice first.  I reached out to local wedding photographers here on Vanvouver Island and came across Adina from Wren and Rook Photography and she was oh so kind as to letting me join her on most of her weddings this year.  I seriously cannot thank her enough!  To date we have shot 12 weddings together, with the next one being in November and I certainally hope it's not the last!  You can find the blog post to the second time we shot together here.

After gaining some experience shooting weddings, it was finally time to book one of my own and that brings us to #4.  I met Ciana and Travis through a friend of my sisters and I couldn't have been more happy.  They have since then became not only great clients, but even better friends.  I shot their wedding way back in May and you can see their wedding here.  And a short month later, to my surprise, I booked my second wedding.  You can see Samantha + Alex's wedding here :)

Another thing that was pretty exciting for me, I finally purchased the Replichrome lightroom presets by Totally Rad Actions, number 17.  I wrote a more in depth post about them which you can find here, but in short, they are the bee's knees.  They've made my workflow more efficient and my photos more consistent.  

And the last one for today, #20: make friends with a stranger.  Or shall I say stangerS.  Back in April, I had the absolute joy of attending the Canada Photo Convention in Vancouver.  It was probably the funnest three days of my life.  I purposefully went alone to meet new friends and boy did I ever.  Being surrounded by so many driven and like-minded people for three days straight is nothing short of amazing.  You can read a bit about my adventures here and below is a photo one of my good friends (no longer a stranger) took of me while at CPC.  Hi Sherrie!!  You can see more of her work here :)

 That's it for today my people!  Be sure to stop by next week for part ii!  Happy Friday!

CANADA PHOTO CONVENTION: WORKSHOP WITH JASSER + JAMIE DELAINE

First things first, I couldn't find any parking.  I drove around aimlessly for about ten minutes until I threw my hands up in mercy, screw it!  I ended up parking about a block down the road and paid for parking.  I don't have time for disss!

Second things secondly, after I asked reception where the workshop was being held, I made my way up to the third floor.  But wait, what room was it in again?  Oh Gawd!  I walked around the third floor (which is a tiny cirlcle of closed doors) for about ten minutes, trying to figure out which room was the one for me.  It was kind of like my very own Monty Hall Problem, without the goats and no chance of winning a car.  That was until I noticed little monitors beside each door that said what each room was being used for that day.  Duh, Julie.  Make note, and remember for next time.

Thrice things third (wut?), I walked into the room and was the first one there *facepalm*  Way to look like an even bigger nerd, Julie.  I introduced myself to the only two other people in the room, Jasser and Jamie - the presenters - as I tried to act cool and pretend that I knew exactly what I was doing.  Fake it 'till you make it, riiight?!  

Then it was time to learn.  And boy did we ever.  The workshop began with Jamie Delaine as she discussed the business of blogging.  Which makes sense because she is practically a blogging genius.  I've always enjoyed and look forward to reading her posts every week.  Topics included finding a balance between personal and buisiness, thinking up new blog topics and why to have a blog in a world of social media.  I'm still going through my notes and integrating her tips into my blog.  And for those of you who don't know, Jamie is one of the founders of The School Sessions, along with her husband Randy.  Truly a wonderful lady, inside and out.

And then there was Jasser.  I want to start off by saying Jasser is hilarious and his dedication to helping others be the best the can possibly be is incredibly supportive and humbling to say the least.  He is also the founder of the Canada Photo Convention and is often referred to as the Oprah of the photography world.  Nobody went home with any cars though.  I guess the information and invaluable lessons and tools we learned was his version of a new Mercedes.  Marketing.  Referals.  Cash flow.  He was an open book about everything from his fallen photography empire (which takes balls) to giving everyone an inside look at how he runs his business on the daily.  He is truly one inspiring human being.  There was so much good advice given my head was spinning with new ideas by the time I left.  I can't wait to implement all that I learned into my business this year.

The best part of the whole workshop: meeting new people who love photography just as much as you do.  And they were hands down the most genuine, friendly, loving people I have ever met.  When the workshop came to an end, a few of us met for lunch/dinner at E.B.O in the Delta Burnaby Hotel where the workshop was held.  And can I just say their wild mushroom soup is to die for.  They even made it into a little presentation as the server poured the creamy soup base atop a bed of wild mushrooms and other goodies (only God knows what it was, I only know how delish it was).  I seriously cannot wait to get to know each of you better at CPC next month!

As I drove past the hotel on my way out to catch the ferry, I spotted the parking garage for the hotel.  It was literally in front of my face the whole time.  I shrugged it off knowing to remember it for next time as slipped on my shades, cranked Taylor Swift on the stereo, pulled onto the free way and made my way back home to the island.  Oh, life is sweet.

Happy Long Weekend Y'all!

SETTING GOALS AND THE START OF 2015

It's the second day into the New Year and we're experiencing our first snowfall this winter.  Not impresssed.  I'm not sure about you all, but it seems cold weather is the bane of my existance.  Bring me somewhere warm and you have a happy Jubes*.

* They call me Jubes, like the candy.  It's been my nickname since I was eight.  Cute, riiight?

With the begining of the New Year, I found myself reflecting on this past year-the good and the bad.  What worked and what didn't.  What can I change this year to make 2015 exceptionally superior to the last.  It's the dreaded New Years Resolution, and yes, we all do it.  I was a little hesitant to post this here on my blog, but I need  to be held accountable in some way, shape or form, so I thought I'd share mine with you in hopes that you do the same and strive to make 2015 the best it can possibly be.  You are never to old to set another goal or dream a new dream.  Here it goes.

So I decided to separate my goals into two separate catergories: business and personal.  These are the main things I wanted to focus on this year, and it just makes it easier for my brain to think when I separate them into categories.  Alright, let's get down to it!

Business:
*Read at least five business books
*365 Photo Challenge
*Second shoot 5 weddings
*Shoot first wedding on my own as first photographer
*Attend a photography workshop
*Launch new website and blog

There are a couple other things, but they're boring sauce, so I will leave you with those six for now.  On to the second half...

Personal:
*Read more (my reading this past year was slacking to say the least)
*Develop a daily routine that works
*Learn to accept failure and be ok with it
*Stop comparing myself to others
*Take up yoga again
*Buy less, choose well

So there you have it.  My goals for 2015, and I am challenging YOU to do the same.  What is it you want to do this year?  Who do you want to be?  Where do you want to go?  Love what you see in the mirror.  Make time for creativity.  Never say no to adventure.  Eat more green food.  Send snail mail.  Send handwritten thank-yous.  Give out too many comliments.  Travel.  Be kind to strangers.  Take a cooking class.  Learn from others.  Know what you want - clarity is power - and know that vague goals promote vague results.  Strive for progress, not perfection;  you're worth it.

Happy 2015, and a cheers to a happier YOU.