I know, it looks weird to see St. Albert in the title of my post…My photography career started in Ottawa and it has blossomed into something I’m really kinda proud of…So, thank you Ottawa. Big puffy heart thank you.

Ok, I’m getting verklempt, onto the post of this darlin’ 2 year old who has the “Moves Like Jagger”. Remember how cute he was when he turned one? Well, look at him now!

So sad I won’t see three 🙁 But if I time my visits right, I’ll be able to…hmm…. (insert maniacal laugh)  🙂

Shona xo

Once this little guy got cozy he was the sweetest little sleeper ever! Now that I think of it, I don’t think I heard him cry once. Wow! That never happens at newborn sessions! Way to go, Champ 😉

Lots more to come!
Shona xo

It’s no secret. I love hockey and I love kids so when a wonderful client of mine asked me to support “Relive the Moment” it was a bit of a no brainer!

“The 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series was a defining moment in Canada’s history. Paul Henderson’s goal brought Canada together in one the nation’s greatest hockey broadcast moments ever. This once-in-a-lifetime event will bring together more than 500 people from the worlds of sports, politics and business to relive the moments with Paul Henderson and Ron Ellis.” (www.ottawa72.com)

Video Credit: Heritage Hockey

I have heard the stories of this moment all my life and it’s kind of neat to see it on video…however seeing them play hockey without helmets still kinda freaks me out! I can’t believe goalies used to play without face masks…crazy cakes…but I digress!

“This event brings together two great hockey legends for the benefit disadvantaged children and youth in both Canada and Russia through Christie Lake Kids and iOrphan Canada. Take part in both silent and live auctions throughout the evening for the rare and special opportunities to bid on and acquire unique pieces of hockey memorabilia and other valuable items.” (www.ottawa72.com)

I believe there are still tickets for sale, so if you, too, would like to support this event, please go to www.ottawa72.com or HERE to purchase tickets directly! AND, don’t forget to bid on my item! A full family session + digital files + proofs + and 11×14! A smokin’ great deal while supporting two very worthy causes!

Shona xo

2013 is proving to be an exciting and busy year! My spring is rapidly booking up thanks to you, my wonderful clients, and your loyal support. THANK YOU! However, it is also going to be a BIG year of change. Change for both my family and my business. One that I am excited about, but exhausted thinking about at the same time….

What’s the scoop you ask? Well, we’re moving…A move that will take us over 2,000 km away. Yep. We’re on the road back to Alberta. Wowsers, huh? It’s taken me a few days to lift my jaw off the floor too… However, while I’m dreading all that has to be done and saying goodbye to friends, family and a city that I call home, I am excited for the chance to try new things, make new friends and photograph new places.

So what does this mean for you? Rest assured, all sessions that have been booked are safe and sound and will be completed prior to our move this summer. As for the rest of you? Now’s your chance to book a session before I’m hitchin’ up the wagon to go west. I will have limited availability between now and the end of June, so if you are at all interested, please let me know as soon as possible.

Since I can’t do a post without pictures, here’s *just a few* of my favourite images from 2012…so many more I could have included and my apologies if you were left out!

AND, if you have any inside scoop on Edmonton – things to do, restaurants, family stuff etc., leave a comment! I’ll take any help I can get adjusting 🙂 Or, if you know anyone in Edmonton and the surrounding area(s) that might be interested in my photography, I would be forever grateful for your referral!

Thank you!!
Shona

Hope. It is essential regardless of the situation because without it we would give up, which is never good. Since it is the first day of the New Year and I think hope and new beginnings are always important at this time, I thought I would make my very first post a macro image of teeny tiny paper white flowers. They grow so quickly and bloom so effortlessly…even I can’t kill the suckers. This, my friends, gives me hope!

You’ll notice it’s watermarked 2013.01.01 :: Reconnect. Yup, I’m diving into a 365. However, I’m deliberately not putting pressure on myself because my goal is purely selfish. I want to improve my photography, try new things, document my life and learn from my mistakes…reconnect with my love of photography, if you will. In doing so, I may or may not post the images on my blog. I know I will post some, but the pressure of having to actually post every.single.day. turned me off of the project and I lost hope…and folded like a deck of cards in the first week. So, I’m doing this on my own terms, with no particular focus. The only rule being to see with my heart and capture what it sees with the best of my abilities.

Here’s to 2013, new beginnings and, you guessed it, hope!

Shona xo

Well, I’m a few days late on this…confession time…I have this really bad tendency to put things away for “safe keeping”…only to never find them again…Ugh. The amount of time I spend looking for things is atrocious! However, all is good now! 😉

Remember THIS post? Well the lovely ladies at Rosefields Market sent me a Latchy Catchy to give away to you! All you have to do is “like” their Facebook Page and “like” Shona Reid Photography’s Facebook page, come back and comment here and you’re golden! I love these little babies as they help even with older kids’ doors slamming from cross drafts etc. Yay!

I’ll draw on Tuesday, so get liking!
Shona xox

Sitka May 2000 – November 2011

Sigh…it’s been one week. One week since I felt his soft ears, had warm feet while editing and was tucked in by my 80lb “lap dog”.  It happened so fast  and we weren’t ready for it…and there are so many things I miss that I can’t even begin to write them down.  Instead, I will share a story my very dear friend shared with me about the purpose of dogs…Her pup passed in September and our dogs were BFFs way back when in Northern Alberta.

A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6 year old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,

“Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

It is so true and it is what I hold close. He saw me at my worst, he saw me at my best and he loved me all the same…I hope he’s sticking his head out of a ripped screen window on someone’s truck canopy in heaven and enjoying the breeze of a wonderful ride…We will miss you, dear pooch…so so much.

Love,
Your Humans xoxoxoxox…

(ps Please forgive the scanned photo…but it’s one of my favourites…)

A beautiful tribute to the sacrifices Canadians have made.  Whether you support wars or not, we must remember that we are able to freely express those opinions because of our troops and the sacrifices they have made over and over again.  ‘Nuff said.

Shona xox

Remember Big Mac?  Well, thankfully for his parents, he didn’t come out shaped like a burger, but a rather beautiful little boy!  I so enjoyed my session with him and even got some rather wonderful squishy newborn cuddles 🙂  *THIS* is why I enjoy newborn sessions….It’s all the cuddling!

Take care!

Shona xo

Wow…Friday was a whirlwind day and one that took me by storm…I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that I received a Recognition of Merit from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) for my maternity image “Pure”!!!  The acclaimed panel of judges went through the thousands of photographs from all over the world and scored based on technical merit, creativity and composition, and impact.  To be recognized by these incredibly talented  judges in an international photography competition is an amazing honour.  2011 has been such a fantastic year and this is just the icing on a rather incredible cake!  Thank you NAPCP for the recognition and judges for the vast amount of time it must have taken to sort through and score everything.  It is essential for professional growth to receive feedback (both positive and constructive) and all the comments were so beneficial!  Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

Cheers!!

Shona xox