For a long time I’ve had clients ask if I would do the newborn session in their home. I couldn't deny how much easier it was for my new mamas, who have just given birth to not have to leave their homes with their brand new babies. Which is honestly, a huge deal when I really thought about it.
Read MoreSo I am a shy person.
Working as a photographer and running this business has caused me to confront that many, many times. Back west I was lucky to have a network of word of mouth clients, I never had to market myself. Which is good, because being shy and having to market yourself is not the easiest combination...
And then, one weekend, I was out grocery shopping and I happened across this gorgeous pregnant woman and her two adorable little kids.
So I did something I have never done.
I gave her my business card.
SO GLAD I DID!
Read MoreYesterday I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting this trio. We met in Mount Royal Park in Montreal... guys! the leaves!! Oh it was so beautiful!! But even more beautiful were the people I got to hang out with: Sylvia, John and their gorgeous daughter Lara :)
In this job I meet so many people, I LOVE that about this job. Everyone is different but with this family I just clicked with them and what resulted was a session full of fun, creativity and beautiful natural happiness.
Lara is so sweet, guys. She didn't ham for the camera, but she didn't need to, she was adorable no matter what! She loves leaves, tossing them, trying to eat them, giving them to people (I got a couple twigs and leaves as presents, it was very sweet).
Sylvia and John are completely laid back and great people to hang out with, we spent a good ten minutes at the end of the session chatting, just 'cause :) I seriously cannot wait for my next session with these folks I had so much fun!
Just check out the awesomeness that happened yesterday, you can see the light and love that Lara is in their lives, and just how happy a family they are. It just reaffirms for me how awesome my job is that I get to see the beauty of the world, capture it and share it with you guys
<3
This past Saturday was a day of firsts :) I had my first newborn session, and then afterwards my first family session. And what a beautiful family it was. First off little Matéa was just bliss. You can see she has a beautiful soul, very loving and accepting of people. If she wasn't smiling and waving at an old man walking by, she was smiling and waving at puppies wandering by. People were drawn to her. It was beautiful to see. But not nearly as lovely as the pure love you can plainly see on her Mommies' faces. Steph has a playful goofy relationship with Matéa, but you can also see that she has a very protective love for her. Erica is Matéa's cuddle bud, her comfort, and the bond between these two is plain for all to see. The best thing I saw in my hour with Matéa and her moms was that they let her be her, there was no pressure or concern about how she would behave in front of the camera, and I believe in turn Matéa felt comfortable enough to just be herself :)
And what a beautiful self she is :)
A couple of years ago I donated a family session to a silent auction to raise money and awareness to cure breast cancer. It was for the Breast Brunch Ever . And this beautiful family won their session with their highest bid (I didn't ask). It feels great to have helped the cause of finding a cure for Breast Cancer, while at the same time being able to capture this adorable family in stunning evening sunlight.
It was probably one of my easiest sessions ever. And one of the sessions I am most proud of, technically as well as morally. Photography is an obsession of mine, I love that I can make a career of it, that I can actually sit here and say that I am working when I am actually having a blast. I still feel guilty when I realize I have spent an entire day playing on photoshop, but then I remember it is what I am paid to do.
I didn't have much criteria in what I wanted in my life career as a young'un: To be my own boss, to help people and to be creative. I obviously have met two of the three criteria, but I believe that even in my paid sessions I do help people, because I am helping them to surround themselves and their homes with beautiful memories. But the way I love to most help people is to donate my time for causes that matter. This is why as soon as I master French I will be contacting the Ronald McDonald House in Montreal to donate my time as I have in the past, as well I am always open to hearing ways I can help with your causes. If you would like a session donated, contact me at reinaproceephoto@gmail.com
This is what came of a generous family, a great cause and a donation from me. (Great way to kick of Breast Cancer Awareness month, no?)
This was a wonderful last session before I moved to Montreal!
So anyone who knows me knows that I have the worst memory in the WORLD, long term, short term...it just plain does not work. Well actually it is pretty selective, which helps me in disagreements with my husband LOL, but all in all my memory is pretty horrible.
High School, you know of all three levels of school (Elementary, Junior and High) High school was my best run. Elementary I moved to Calgary half-way through, and once I got there all I could talk about was how awesome Montreal was. It was just me wanting to share with my new friends my experiences, but it came across as obnoxious and snobby, so I didn't have many friends in Elementary. Junior High was just a whole lot of awkwardness lol I ended up being closer friends with the higher or lower grades, but never truly my peers. But then High School came along.. and I wasn't popular at all but I wasn't the bottom of the totem pole anymore, this is why I think I remember high school best :) ....and even then I don't remember very much... sigh...
BUT what I DO remember was these two. Pam and Eric. Pam-and-Eric. Back in high school they were sweethearts :) they were an adorable couple and for the rest of us who didn't know them too well, personally, we knew them almost as one entity. Pam-and-Eric. Seriously even now, I say it in my head like: Pameneric. It was so awesome a couple of years ago when Pam contacted me and asked me to capture her family. I said of course! I was SO happy and still am that these two are still together and in love! And look at the two beautiful sons they created. And its not like I sit there and grade people on their parenting when I do photo sessions, I am too busy focusing on camera settings lol, but something that has stood out to me throughout the years of photographing this family, is how much of a team these two are in raising their sons. They allow them to flourish, to express themselves, to be themselves, and because of this I am struck every time I meet Ryan and Owen how much personality and confidence they have. These are two very intelligent and fun boys, and I always look forward a session with them. This session here was no different. They were themselves, they had a blast, which means I had a blast too! :) See for yourself!
I met Jackson last week and he was such a little dreamer! He was ready for his photos almost immediately! Congrats to Mom and Dad, I would say he is a keeper!!
I had a blast with this little guy, he couldn't have his first year cake smash so we did one for his second birthday, SUCH a difference! He LOVED it and had so much fun! He started with his finger, decided to get civilized with his fork and then realized he could do some real damage with his digger truck! Then we met up on a sunnier day for the family photos, and although he and I got ATTACKED by mosquitoes he was a trooper and did an excellent job looking cute with mama and dad! Happy Second Birthday Grayson!!!
I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this beautiful little girl when she was just under 12 hours old for her Fresh 48 session, and then again when she was 6 days old. She is growing so fast! I can't wait till in a couple of weeks she is in front of my camera for her family's Calgary flood mini session! Here is a little of what I captured in her portrait session!
Had a marvellous time with this little one! Such a little sweetheart and SO many smiles! Congrats Eddie and Deborah!
I met these two last week :) We were supposed to go out to the park but there was a thunder storm in the middle of their session. I am actually glad, we had a blast, stayed warm and had a great time getting to know each other! I can't wait to meet the little one in that belly next month!!
This past weekend has not been a good one for many people in many areas of Alberta.
I can go into all of the statistics, but I am sure if you have a Facebook, twitter, Instagram account of even just a TV, you have heard it all.
And it is so sad, scary, and it definitely makes you feel helpless.
But we can help! And this is how I feel like I can help.
Only cash or email transfers will be accepted for these sessions.
Age limit is the child must be over 6 months, but this is negotiable.
You can either buy a session for yourself or donate money to a session for a flood victim.
$50 payment needs to be made at time of booking.
Email or comment below to book a time slot or nominate a family for a session.
Time slots are first come first serve so book quickly!!
Saturday July 13, 2013
10AM - BOOKED
10:45AM - BOOKED
11:30AM - BOOKED
12:15AM - BOOKED
1PM - BOOKED
1:45PM - BOOKED
2:30PM - BOOKED
3:00PM - BOOKED
3:30PM - BOOKED
4PM - BOOKED
4:45PM - BOOKED
5:15PM - BOOKED
5:45PM - BOOKED
6:15PM - BOOKED
7PM - BOOKED
7:30PM - DONATED TO FLOOD VICTIM - BOOKED
8:00PM - DONATED TO FLOOD VICTIM - BOOKED
8:30PM - DONATED TO FLOOD VICTIM - BOOKED
Donations of locations (a farm or acreage with trees, fields of flowers where I can set up in the shade) or anyone who wants to come help assist me during these sessions for part of the day are also welcome! Please email me with pictures of locations or your interest in assisting me at reinaproceephoto@gmail.com
I can't wait to send $650 to the Red Cross!
Also if demand is super high I may have to do this a second day, but only if time allows and demand is high
We can't do anything about mother nature, but we can definitely help out each other!
What is a Fresh 48 session?
It is a session where I come to the hospital or your home within the first 24-48 hours of your new child's life. It is a great time to capture first meetings between siblings, pictures with grandparents, baby's first bath, as well as beautiful casual lifestyle photography capturing the buzz of excitement and awe with this huge change in your life.
I was invited by this gorgeous family yesterday to come and capture their little girls first few hours at home, we captured her first manicure, her first check up and a whole lotta snugglin with her family. I cannot wait till Saturday when I get to see her again for her newborn session!
If you would like to book a Fresh 48 session email me at reinaproceephoto@gmail.com
I had so much fun with this family during all sessions! Little Emma wasn't really interested in modelling her first session, but her family was so kind to bring her back for a take 2, and that is when the magic happened! Such a little beauty!! Congrats Miranda, Dave and big sister Zoey!
It was so awesome meeting this new little family, and such an honor that they drove all the way from Edmonton to get their photos done with me!! Little Luke here is 3 weeks and 3 days old today and although he fought us with the sleeping, he definitely was forthcoming with the cute! Here are my favorite images from this morning.
I had such a great time with this family! Due to the weather we had to split the session up in two, but I am so glad I did! I got to see this cute face TWICE! This here is little Rhys and he just turned one, and whats better to do but smash a cake in celebration!
Here is a sneak peek of this beautiful mama-to-be! She is due on Monday and I cannot wait to meet her pretty little girl! This was the session where my camera broke, thank goodness they were so nice to come back for a reshoot! It was a nicer day and a better location. Awesomeness all around!
I had such a wonderful time meeting and getting to know this gorgeous family! Here are a couple of favorites from their shoot!
Pretty excited to meet the little one that this beautiful couple is about to have. Like literally! Her due date is on Friday!! 
I debated about continuing my personal note blog from last week, there was more I wanted to say on it, but I kept it business. Because I have seen those comments other photographers get when people say, you should just keep it business, we don't want to hear you talk about your weight loss or your personal life, etc.
Then I realized that this is my world that I create to welcome you in. My manifesto (which is still in the works but I will let you all know it as soon as I word it fully and properly) has a lot to do with how I want for you to think about a session with me as a different world. A world where it doesn't matter if your kids are not cooperating and smiling for the camera, because you can trust me to capture moments of them being themselves, where you don't need to worry about your newborn crying (again, lol, always again) because I am there to soothe her and snuggle her, and you can take that moment, that time out you are normally unable to take. I want sessions with me to be a world that isn't real in the sense of all the worry and stress, but a world celebrating your real love, your beautiful creation, your mark on this world, your children.
And because I create this world, I am the boss LOL and I say personal is not off the table. At least when it comes to me, and only when it is in a way that I can grow, but also maybe you can grow from it too.
So here it is.
So today was a day of waaaaay too much procrastination. And honestly I can't tell you a day when I am not procrastinating lol, I do love to distract myself with pretty shiny things, and Chuck (husband/rationality expert/second shooter) noticed that about me, I think, on our second date. But sometimes procrastination is good!! HAHA because sometimes I am lucky and I stumble on to something like this:
This is Sue Bryce, and honestly, I don't know very much about her, she is a creative live teacher, a very talented photographer, but most importantly (at least to ME, today) she is an amazing speaker.
This video is an hour long.
I have watched it twice.
She has literally changed my life.
When I spoke in my last blog I mentioned how 2013 was a year that represented CHANGE for me. I spoke of how that drove me to take my business seriously. But it also was a time for me to look at myself, my life, and protect my dream career that has given me so much. Because I am really good at screwing up a good thing for myself, and I needed to figure out why and fast, so I can realize this dream career I have been given.
Lately FEAR has really been getting to me. I mean, moving to another province, leaving all of my business I am generating here, actually having to WORK at finding clients, where as here I have been lucky to have majority of my clients be word of mouth referred.
WHAT AM I DOING???
Then there is the whole weight thing... oi vey. I am in serious need of a healthy make over. And it's not for lack of trying people, I sit there and try and think about how to tackle this, I know I want a healthy happy lifestyle so bad, I miss dance, I miss yoga.
But what is holding me back?
That question has been tormenting me for months, how can I want something so bad, but not have the motivation, to get up and get it. And its not motivation that I am lacking, I feel paralyzed. Unable to move. What is holding me back?
I have found out what has been holding me back. If you are in the same boat or ever have been. If you have insecurities, unhappiness with your place in life, career, or love. If you are scared of failure, or of rejection or anything that might be standing in your way of realizing your amazing life and true potential:
Trust me.
Watch this video.
I hope it changes your perspective on life, like it has for me.
Much love,
Reina
Affordable, Fine Art Photography of your pregnancy, newborn and baby. Let me help you capture your child's entrance into the world, for the first year of their life, while they grow and change so incredibly fast.
