I’m so excited to announce that I will be having Mini Sessions this year at Petrie Island!  Details below and it’s on a first come first serve basis, so don’t wait to book as spots are limited!

Shona xox

Yup, the joke’s on me today.  You see, anyone who knows me, knows that getting my picture taken isn’t my idea of a good time.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about being a goober and hamming it up for the camera, but a good picture?  Bah.  I didn’t think it was possible!  Case in point:

It didn’t start off too badly…I was a lil’ pudger who would smile at anyone and anything. We’ll call this Exhibit A:

Then I started to add my own props…generally to hide my own face…Exhibit B:

Oh, and then it got worse…MUCH worse….short *permed* hair and braces…I’m not going there…you can only imagine how much I loved the camera with my metal mouth!

But alas, it’s the early nineties and I didn’t get the memo that big hair should have been left in the eighties.  Exhibit C:

After a wedding, I was asked if I’d like to “model as a bride” for a photographer…being 5’4″ that was a funny prospect!  But it ended up being not the greatest experience….Don’t get me wrong it was fun getting my hair and make-up done (um, but ya, I look like a hooker in classic era attire…), but the actual picture taking was awful.  I felt like a failure.  In particular I remember her having this vision in her head of how I should be standing and I just couldn’t get my hips to project in the right way.  I didn’t get it and the results were rather obvious….meh meh, double meh.

Flash forward a few decades to the PT4P Workshop…I got to wear “big girl shoes” and had so much fun getting head shots done by Michele (Pinkle Toes Photography which is the first set) and Amanda (Amanda McNeely Photography which is the second set).  I had confidence in them which relaxed me and the end results are Exhibit D:

And Exhibit E:

I rest my case!

I just wanted to prove that even *I* can take a good shot if I’m confident in my photographer (which helps me relax and be more confident in myself)!  So what’s your excuse?!?

Shona xox

P.S. Random Fact…I can’t spell!  I wrote exhibit without the ‘h’ every.single.time.

I don’t even know where to begin.  My short, but intense time in Austin, TX was nothing short of fab-u-lous…once I finally got there!  Suffice it to say:

1.  I will never travel the day before I need to be somewhere again if I can help it; and

2.  I’m not fond of airports that have armrests on every couch…makes it hard to sleep when you’re crashing for the night…

But that was then and once I arrived, it was quickly forgotten because I hit the ground running.  The workshop with Michele Anderson of Pinkle Toes Photography was amazing for so many reasons.  For me, I think it was the overall experience.  We had an amazing, diverse (yet oddly similar) SMALL group of women with like minded goals and amazing abilities that clicked instantly…I can honestly say I hope to keep in touch with all of them!  In addition, Michele ran a tight ship, but I never felt rushed or “done”.  In fact I didn’t want it to end!!  Topics were diverse, experience was a mix of hands on and discussions and the level of collaboration was inspiring.  I came home refreshed (okay, bagged, but a good kind of bagged), excited (hopped up on caffeine) and ready to rock and roll (but I promise I won’t sing!!).

Here’s a few behind the scenes shots from day one where we got to watch Michele work her newborn voodoo (seriously, we had to wake this baby up…I says pardon???):

The last one on the right is titled:  “Stick ’em Up…Photographers Style!”

And then we also got to take a few.  He was such a sweet baby, Mom looked amazing and Dad was a trooper as he was having major seasonal allergies!  You’d never guess it from these shots though, would you?!

Until next time,

Shona xox

I’m sorry for the ghost town of a blog lately…my trip to Austin was AMAZING and I hit the ground running with client meetings, design work and birthday parties (somehow my daughter has turned 7…but that’s a whole other post!).

Just a quick note that if you have any problems with contacting me over the next 24 hrs., please be patient.  I am currently switching my domain to www.shonareid.com so there will be a whole lot less to type.  If you don’t hear from me within 24 hours, please call me at 613.277.3148 which is my new office number.

Thanks for your understanding,

Shona xo

Why am I so excited you ask?  Well, I’ll give you a hint…

What?  That didn’t help?  Hmm….Okay a few more hints:

– UT is located in this State.

– I may come home with a 10 gallon & poop kickers.

– Home of Brad Womack, but you’d only know that if you watch the Bachelor and I am soooo not admitting to that!

Oh all right, I’ll fold!  I am so excited to announce that I am heading to Austin, TX tomorrow bright and early to learn and absorb all that I can from the amazing Michele Anderson of Pinkle Toes Photography (now do you get my image above non-photogs?)!!

I can’t wait to share when I get home, but for now you will just have to imagine me riding into the sunset on a horse and kicking my heels up because I’m ditching the toque and parka for pretty girl clothes and heels!!

See you next week!

Shona xox

No one said running your own business would be easy and, well, they were right.  The learning curve is exciting, but at times a little bit painful.  However, the past year has opened so many doors for me and I feel that my photography has not only grown, but so have I as a person.  As Seth Godin said, “Initiative is taken.  Not given.”  That is why I am so happy and proud to announce that I have been accepted into the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) as well as The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).

Have a fantastic day!

Shona

First let me say, Merry Christmas!  Ours got off to an interesting start with my in-laws being stranded in Britain due to the storms/airport closures, my sister-in-law being super sick and then on Christmas Eve my poor daughter threw up at church.  BUT, these issues pale in comparison to what other families are going through at this time of year….

I received some beautiful and very heartfelt nominations for my Open Your Heart campaign and I had an EXTREMELY difficult time choosing.  However, there was one submission that struck such a chord for me as the nominee’s future is very uncertain at the moment.

The winner of the Open Your Heart giveaway is…

Jude! This wee girl (and her family) has had to endure more this year than any 9 year old should ever have to face.  She is a strong and mighty spirit who had another surgery this past week, but I was so very thankful to learn she was able to sleep in her own bed last night and wake up with her family on Christmas morning.  2011 will continue to be challenging for her and her family, but with our collective positive thoughts I hope that they will find the strength to face whatever challenges lie ahead.  I can’t wait to meet and photograph you Jude!!

Jenna & Mariette ~ Your letter was beautiful, thoughtful and heart wrenching.  Thank you for Opening Your Heart to me and trusting that I will help however I can.

Thank you again to all that put forth a nomination.  I did not make this decision lightly and I will continue to keep you and your family/friends in my heart.

Much love & healing thoughts,

Shona xox

Have I got a fabulous post for you!  For the first time I am teaming up with two AMAZING photographers (and ladies) for a very special Christmas project.  Kelly MacDonald Photo in Woodstock, Ontario started this idea and Melissa Weicker (Whitecourt, Alberta) and I have decided to join her.  It’s such a fabulous project and I just want to say a big THANK YOU to these wonderful women for opening their hearts and encouraging me to open mine…Please check them out and if you know someone in their area, encourage them to submit entries!!

Without further ado, here it is!

…Like an orange!  Trying to get every last lovely bit out of it before the snow flies…which shouldn’t be too far away as my fine friends in Alberta are getting a nice taste of it today!  Aw well, the upside is that it puts you in the mood for Christmas!

Here’s a few images from a lovely siblings session that I had, but shhhh, it’s a gift for Mom!  If you know them, don’t spill the beans 🙂

Don’t forget that Christmas is coming and if you’re wishing to purchase images, books, cards or canvases (even if it’s from a previous session this year) time is running out!

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Shona 🙂

Yup, it’s that time of year.  The leaves are beautiful and we’re starting to think about *shudder* Christmas!  Let me make this easier on you…How about giving the gift of lasting memories to your family and friends?  Here’s the details:

As a thank you to previous clients, I am opening up sessions to you first, but act fast as sessions will fill quickly and be on a first come first serve basis.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shona xo