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!

I had the pleasure of photographing these two cuties this week and they stole my heart…{Big A} loves and I mean loves birds!  She walked around saying, “Birdie, birdie, birdie!” so I brought a few invaluable wee decorative birds to grab her attention and boy did it work…until we had to take them away…sorry sweetie!  I finally clued in that I should just tell her they flew away and then she was okay with it!

Throwing leaves was also a major highlight and made for a wonderful, spontaneous image 😉

And then there’s {Little A}…At 7 months she is so full of life and giggles!  She was also exceptionally good for my ego as she thought I was the.funniest.person.ever!  However, I’m not sure if I should be offended that she laughed hysterically when I ran or not…oh well, we got this image, so that’s all that matters!

And one more because she’s so stinkin’ cute, I can’t post only one image!!

Thank you so much for a wonderful, although chilly, morning {D & P}!  I hope you enjoyed your sneak peak!!

Shona xo

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

Yup, she sure was everything nice…and so were her Mom and Dad.  I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful family this weekend and it was a wonderful session!  Both Mom and Dad were so relaxed, willing to help and loving to each other and their wee 5 week old baby girl.  Yup, 5 weeks!

I normally schedule newborns while they are under two weeks of age – believe it or not day 7 seems to be magical!  The main reason being is that once a baby is over two weeks, they tend to not want to bend and fold and will often wake more easily when posing.  However, this beautiful girl did a great job during her modeling debut – lots of cute wide eyed shots and we did manage to get a few sleeping ones near the end (I guess she was bored of all my antics and decided to tune me out 🙂 )

So without further ado, I introduce Baby {C} to the world!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this week!

Shona xo

I lover her.  It’s as simple as that.  Her funny faces, big doe eyes and sweet demeanor had me wrapped right around {Baby I’s} finger from the moment I met her!!  At almost 8 months she’s at that wonderful age where she will sit relatively still before venturing into a leopard crawl…I had to work fast, but not nearly as fast as when photographing 2 year olds!!  lol!

I hope you enjoy your sneak peak!

I love photographing newborns when they have a little squishy-ness to them 🙂  They’re so cute and cuddly and, well, squishy!

Enjoy your week 🙂

Shona xox

This, my friends, is why I love custom photography.  I never in a bazillion years would have thought up the beautiful wall display this Mom created for her beautiful baby girl.  I.loved.her.room.!  It was also so thoughtful of her to coordinate it with my props!  lol!  😉

She is such a beautiful newborn and there will be more images to come, but these just had to be shared right away!  Thank you for inviting me into your home A & P and for putting up with all of my antics!  Your daughter is gorgeous!!

hee hee hee…I love how newborns sleep “paws up”!

Just a few more beautiful images from a beautiful newborn session!

Shona xox

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a very beautiful 8 day old baby girl yesterday.  She warmed my heart in every way and made me marvel, as I always do, at the shear tininess that is a newborn baby!  Baby P really was a dream as she was a fantastic sleeper and if she stirred she would let me soothe her right back until she was putty in my hands!  It’s not surprising though, as she has two of the nicest parents who were so laid back and at ease with my working with their lil’ bundle of goodness.  Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph such an incredible time in your lives!  I hope you enjoy your sneak peak!

Shona xoxo