Boo at the Zoo 2009

I had the opportunity to go to Winnipeg's Boo in the Zoo  Friday evening with my Goddaughter for the first time. It was a relatively warm evening- I guess 2C is balmy considering Manitoba weather in October. I was really impressed by the work that went into the evening. The photo billboards,  the props and entertainment -including a host of kiddy rides, pony rides and fun houses, all made for an interesting evening. I also could not believe all the staff  who dressed up from everything from Fairy-tale characters to scary monsters and really looked like they were enjoying the evening-even though they probably were very cold! Photography wise it was a super challenge for flash technique! Here are just a few "favs" from the evening.

Fall is Family Time!

Someone asked me the other day, what I had been busy with. I promptly replied-Families!

Fall is such a beautiful time for photographs- and a lot of families have been taking advantage of my Fall Family Special and getting pictures to create their holiday greeting cards! I had the pleasure to get to know Max, Madeleine and Anika a little better, this Sunday afternoon. We went to buy pumpkins out on Henderson Hwy. and then came back for a photo shoot on the abandoned railway tracks behind my house. I'm always amazed how great the picture light is when it is overcast. Thanks kids-It was a lot of fun!

Thanksgiving- I'm thankful for snow???

Thanksgiving-with SNOW!!! I know in my previous blog I was in denial, but I'm maybe coming around and seeing the beauty of the white stuff ( Someone give me a shake!) We drove through about 3 mini snow storms on the way to the Lake to consume Mom's Turkey dinner. Three mini snow storms is a lot considering it's only a 45 min. drive! As we sat down to dinner we began to hear the snow coming down. That's not good- Hearing snow is not right, that means there is ice in those pellets! We went to look at what was coming down and to my surprise it resembled an ice cream snack we had when we visited Walt Disney World-  minus the flavor! Kind of like styrofoam broken up into it's round little bits. I grabbed the camera and the kids and we went for a walk to capture some of the beauty.

 Above: Snow captured by Mom's ornamental cabbage.

Above: Alex can't really believe is eyes.

Snow nestled in the fall leaves.

 Below: The boys look out on the Lake.

This could be a holiday card picture... I'm so not ready to go there!!!!

I'm in Denial! What happened to Fall???!!!

                                       Hummm... Interesting  

It snowed last night. It's October 10th!!!! It's not supposed to snow on October 10th!!! I'm in denial- I missed fall!!! I'm missing Fall! How did it happen that I had to go from capris and sandals to boots and winter coats and gloves-ARGGGG!!! Instead of posting wonderful snowy images today I'm in protest and am sharing some images captured only a couple of weekends ago at Oak Hammock Marsh. I'm keeping my thoughts warm! 

Oak Hammock Marsh is a great place to go in September. It is a wildlife interpretive centre where one learns all about ducks, birds, marsh, etc. It was a beautiful day and the Marsh was quiet with people but alive with other living things like-DRAGONFLIES! My husband and I had to dodge  a lot of them (They were huge) and they seemed to be flying around in pairs-joined together. I guess if spring is for the "birds and the bees" fall must be for the dragonflies!  I finally saw a pair land close to the path and thought I'd snap a few shots. Their colours were amazing! 

A funny thing happened on our walk through the Prairie dog town.  I just finished saying to my husband "where is all the Prairie dogs?" It was too eery-very silent. It was a beautiful warm day-should they not be basking in the sunshine?  I had just finished my sentence when two heads popped out of holes in the distance.

 What happened next surprised my husband and I. The two looked at each other and then took off at top speed running right for us!!!! It took a full moment to process what was happening-a luxury we did not have, judging by the speed at which they were approaching! The absurdity at their actions was baffling to us. Usually "rodents" run the other way - these where running right for us. All the lessons my mother told me about animals carrying rabies came crashing to the front of my mind.  Deductive reasoning told me this was probably not the case -  there were two, not only one, and from what I could see there was no white foaming substance flying from their small jowls in their "flight" towards us. It's amazing what your brain processes in a matter of a fraction of a second!

They arrived at our feet before we even had a chance to turn and flee. (And how absurd would that have looked- My husband and I  running away with two Prairie dogs in pursuit!!!) The one made it up onto my husbands toe before he quickly yanked it back. They looked up at us . We looked down at them.  We then burst out laughing. They were just desperate for a few tasty treats! They posed wonderfully for me and then realizing we had nothing to offer, scampered off to hide in their holes probably waiting for the next unsuspecting  guest and begin the terrorizing process all over again!

I'm feeling a bit  better about the weather now. Seasons come and go. I hope winter goes as fast as Fall did!!!

Jon and Jinnny's Wedding!

Kiss in the Park

WOW! Could not have spent a day photographing a a nicer wedding couple! About 2,4000 pictures later, they still were smiling! The combination of beautiful warm weather, great subject matter and an awesome second shooter-Amanda O- made the day, all 14 1/2 hours of it, go by far too quickly! (Although my hands were protesting and my shutter finger was a little sore!)

I realized capturing someone's wedding day really is a lot about photojournalism. Some photographers specialize in this style of photography. It is a recording of the days events, but what makes it a powerful tool is understanding the relationships and dynamics of family and friends and capturing images that reflect those interactions. That's when the magic happens in a photograph!

My favorite image below was captured at the hair salon as Jinny was just finishing having her Vail put on. The Flower girl and her share a strong bond and almost the entire time the little girl spent time on Jinny's lap, playing, admiring and just being in awe of Jinny as she got her hair done. I love the look on her face as Jinny played with the veil!

Above:
Checking out the Vail
Below:
Jinny drives me back to her house
The photographer follows the action! It's great to have a second shooter! As I was spending time with Jinny at the Salon and driving back to her mother's house, Amanda was spending time photographing the men getting ready.

Above Photo Credit: Amanda O Figuring out the pocket handkerchiefs.

Jinny in closet mirror

Above: Photo Credit Amanda O Rings on the wedding dress

Above: Jinny getting ready as her parents look on.

This wedding, in particular, was very interesting in some of it's cultural aspects. I loved entering someone's home and learning a little about their traditions, culture and their family dynamics. Again, photojournalism can capture some of the significant traditional/cultural aspects of a special day in ones life. Below, the image captures the symbol of happiness and the fan important on the wedding day.

Above: photo credit Amanda O

Above: bowing to Jinny's parents
Other traditions included the groom asking the brides parents for permission to take Jinny from the home. Both showing respect to the parents as they bowed. The image below is the couple leaving the house, the bride has an umbrella placed over her head as she is considered

"bigger than the sky" on her special day .

Above, Dad is standing ready to throw a bucket of water behind the limo as his daughter leaves, signifying her leaving the home.

Above: Photo credit Amanda O Leo Mole "Happiness"Jump

We took family and wedding portraits at Leo Mole Gardens.

Above: Jinny and her sister Below: Jinny and Parents


Jon's dad is checking to make sure Jinny is not wearing runners underneath the dress!

Above: Photo credit Amanda O Gone fishing

While I focused on formal family shots, Amanda had some fun with the guys and their fishing rods! Honestly-I'm sure we threw back everything we caught in the pond!!!

The window light was incredible at the Niverville Heritage Center where the wedding and reception was held. On the second floor I found an incredible chair and a great available portrait light scenario!

Above: photo credit Amanda O. Table settings

Above: Flower Girl

Above:Photo credit Amanda O Sunshine Kiss

If you wish to see more of Jon and Jinny's day check it out on my website 
www. ebonieklassenphotography.com , click on Other Works/Weddings!