Michelle {Lacombe Family Photography}

I have known Michelle for about 7 years now.  She has been my hair dresser since I moved to Lacombe.  Our relationship quickly evolved into a friendship.  Michelle is kind, sweet and has a smart ass sense of humor that I adore!  I have been lucky enough to know her through some of those big life steps.  I got to hear how excited she and her boyfriend were when they bought their first house.  Then when her and her fiancée bought their second house.  She told me all of her plans for their wedding  in Mexico, and showed me the dress she had chosen to wear on the big day.  No, I didn’t get to go shoot the wedding though.  I kept expecting a plane ticket, but nothing.  Ha ha!

But I do get to be apart of this, and this is far better.  I like snuggles with babies!

Congrats Michelle and Chad!

Michelle is so pretty, and has killer blue eyes.  But I think she has watched far too much Next Top Model!   (told ya I would put one on the blog)

Ahhh, sometimes the goofy and fun outtakes are my favorite lol

Slave Lake, Jo Dumont Fitness and witness the possibilities!

Last Sunday while I was sitting in a pub with a few friends was when I found out about the Slave Lake fire.  The next morning I got a txt from my friend Deanna reminding me that we had a date for trx at http://jodumontfitnesstraining.com/ and we could also start sorting through donations for the Slave Lake fire.  At that same time I was on Facebook, when I seen the event page for Slave Lake Needs Everything Drive.  When I got to the gym that morning a few donations had been dropped off, and the phone was busy.  I left after that class and went home for a while, then went back that evening.  It went from busy to holy crap!  The gym had turned into the main drop off point for all donations in central Alberta.

All donations needed to be sorted, boxed and stored.  This is not a big gym….luckly Shelley had been in contact with someone who could help with this.  So after bags were sorted through and boxed they were hauled to a place that could be used for storage till Saturday when everything was ready to be hauled to Athabasca on Saturday.  The donations kept rolling in all week and so did the volunteers.  It was such an amazing experience, I don’t really have the words to explain.  The people who I met through this are amazing wonderful hardworking, machines.  Everyone that gave their time deserve a pat on the back.  The small business owners that gave their support to this cause, well I can’t even begin to say how much you are appreciated!  My heart and prayers go out to all those in communities that have been affected by the fires.  To all the incredible people I met this week, way to go!  A total of 5 semi trucks drove to Athabasca last Saturday, way to go central Alberta!

Here are a few pictures from my phone that I grabbed along the week.

Here is Deannas’ trailer, and our first run to store donations

This is a 30 foot trailer packed to the brim with donations that we took for storage.  I can’t remember for sure, I think day 3.  I am also not totally positive how many trips this trailer made. 

We also did some box hunting for the first few days.  Parkland Mall than started saving their boxes for us, that meant less dumpster diving for my friend Brenda. 

This next trip was a run to take some supplies to some evacuees north of Edmonton.  I was very lucky to help with this trip.  I had mentioned on twitter that I was wondering how many times I would cry that day, total was 2!  After we had dropped off clothes, water, food and then after a very kind txt from a friend.  I am not even gonna try to add up the other times I got all teary that week.  Oh, also a u-haul went up to Grand Prarie to evacutees there, can’t believe I almost left that out.  2 people gave up their time to drive it up there, and then 2 other very special people went up and picked them up.  Gosh I hope Tom has gotten some sleep!

 Look Jo, good road trip food!!!   

 Look Jo, bad road trip food.      But in our defence, Deanna had to hit the breaks and it just kinda bounced into our mouths.  Ya, I wouldn’t buy that story either, lol    

Photographers are the worst clients…..EVER!

Yup, it’s true!  We suck when you put us in front of the camera, we are in our minds trying to imagine how it looks from where we should be, behind the camera. 

I regularly tell people they should have their portraits taken, I especially push women to do this as I truly feel most women don’t see themselves in a true light.  We are subjected to others ideas of beauty, and we are our own worst enemy.  We tear ourselves apart, looking in a mirror for all our flaws.  I am no different, I am human.

One of the hardest shoots I have convincing women to do, a boudoir shoot.  When a woman even implies she would like to do one, I instantly start telling them how beautiful they are and how wonderful this experience is.  And I truly do believe it, I can say every woman I have done  this shoot with is amazing.  No matter the shape.  Women are amazing if we allow ourselves to be!  I walk a woman through her shoot, always coaxing her.  Telling her how wonderful she is, and letting her know she is beautiful.  I truly always belive it, and hope at the end I have boosted someones self-worth.

I also hope my clients after their shoot will allow me to use their pictures on this blog or in advertising.  This doesn’t often happen.  Trust me, I get it!  This is when we are at our most vulnerable place.  Who wants to put themselves out there to be judged? 

And how can I ask you to do it, when I haven’t………….           

Guess what I am doing this Saturday!

This puts me in 2 situations I am not comfortable with:

1:  I am supposed to be behind the camera, and photographers make terrible clients!  My camera is my security blanket, it is where I am truly comfortable.  I am someone else when my camera is in my hand.  Almost like Nikon has given me an ability to be brave and an extrovert.  (I am normally very introverted when around people I don’t know.  But if among friends, and those I feel comfortable around; I can be me without being judged)

2: I hate having my picture taken!!!

I should also add, I am not just doing this for my clients.  I am doing this for me…

This has been a tough year, with lots of bumps and bruises along the way.  Some goals achieved, like weight loss.  I lost 30 pounds, and it sucked.  I really miss chips and candy and snacking.  I hate working out!

I am putting myself in the hands of my friend Deanna from http://www.deannahallphotography.com/

I have known Deanna for a while now, first as another photographer.  She hired me as a 2nd shooter for a wedding.  Now she is the most amazing friend I could ever ask for.  I am blessed to have her in my life.

So, I guess after my shoot I will let you all know how it went.  And I will warn you, I have also agreed to let her post any pictures on her blog and on Facebook.  This is where I start to panic….deep breaths!  LOL

More headshots

More headshots to share.  Thank you Catherine for allowing me to take your business pictures.

Tomorrow morning I am back out shooting more headshots, this time with Royal LePage here in Lacombe.  Then I get to come home and get back to work on some editing on a new young family from here in town.

Don’t forget to book you 20 minutes for the Spring Mini Session.  All the information is here on the blog or become a fan on facebook. 

Headshots – make a positive first impression

Maria Wagner is a new realtor in town with Royal Lepage.  She is young and full of energy, and ready to help you find your dream house.  If you want a realtor that will listen and truly cares, she is your girl.  Look her up or pop her an email. 

Thanks Maria for trusting me to provide fresh new headshots for your business.  mariawagner@royallepage.ca

First impressions are important, as we have become an image driven society.  Make a great first impression with a great picture on your website and business cards. 

Spring is when everything feels fresh and new, so now is a great time for a fresh new look for your buisness!  If you have no time to leave the office, no worries.  I bring my studio to you, so no one has to leave and waste valuable time.