Reel Him In!

Just finished up a "reely" fun photo session with wedding couple David and Cathy. David approached me a couple of of weeks ago and was looking for an alternative type of photo session taking into consideration Winnipeg weather . Concerned for everything from rain to super hot weather, David, a landscape photographer, wanted to be certain to capture a few worry free photo memories of the couples special Day. We scheduled a whirlwind one hour studio session with them and their Bridal Party. I had told David to bring props along if he so chose, boy, was I surprised to find he remembered. He hauled out a fishing rod and a number of fishing lures for me to pick from. I'm always amazed how well you can get to know a couple in a one hour pre -photo session meeting, but I really had no idea he was an avid fishing and hunting enthusiast! Boy, I must say, I was I glad he chose to bring the fishing rod and not his hunting rifle!

Thanks Kathy and David for a great time at the photo session- I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to put that fishing rod to proper use on the Honeymoon!!

Coffee Feelings

I've been reprimanded... See I've been posting albums to Facebook and forgetting that some of my blog friends and followers do not have access to those albums that I post there... One friend reminded me of that fact the other day. I had mentioned in passing about my coffee antics the other week and she had very confused look on her face.... "I haven't seen any coffee pictures, Ebonie, I'm not on Facebook...."

Opps!!!! Lets just fix that situation right here and now. Let the story begin. Something completely different than family, children or wedding images. Let's talk coffee.

It was one weekday morning-early-the sun was just coming up when I shuffled into the kitchen to get some breakfast and put on the coffee to begin the day. I don't know what year I actually began to appreciate coffee in a whole new light but at some point I realized coffee just tasted better with fresh ground beans- so, I purchased a coffee grinder. This particular morning however, habit, routine (What ever you want to call it) just didn't happen for me. I poured the Starbucks coffee beans into the grinder and turned it on.

You may have noticed I didn't say "put the lid on the grinder". Yep, a very essential step when grinding coffee beans especially if you hope to keep a few to put into the coffee machine...

It happened way to fast, and 2 seconds later (There was a sleep induced time delay before my brain processed what was actually happening) I had beans all over the house, in my hair, in my clothes... EVERYWHERE!!!

When I finally "came to" and realize what had happened, I began to laugh. (I remember mom use to say "no point in crying over spilled milk" wonder what she would say about coffee beans!) And then the gravity of the situation hit me... I had hours of clean up to do with no COFFEE!!!! (Okay, I admit it I'm addicted).

I sat down in the middle of the kitchen floor amongst the scattered coffee beans to ponder the situation (You have to remember it's early and I haven't had my coffee yet!!!) I let my brain wonder, pondering the benefits of coffee, that I was yet to taste that morning. That is when I remembered the coffee assignment I once had to do as a board assignment in photography school and how much different I would do one now, especially in this situation. How would I do it? How was I feeling at the moment, could I translate those feelings through my photography? (My brain obviously does strange thinking without coffee...) I went and got my camera and the following is a documentation of the event that lasted about 10 min....

I think I'm feeling the effects of no coffee... I'm focusing on the coffee cup but things are going a little blurry...I could really use a cup of coffee...

The cup it's really calling to me... "Where is the coffee??? "

Something small is really growing to a larger concern, I REALLY need that cup of coffee!

Everything just seems brighter with a cup of coffee in the morning....

After the 10 min., when I could no longer stand it, I left the mess, my camera in the mess,

jumped in the car and drove to Starbucks , wisely letting someone else make the coffee that morning! Can you believe I was still finding coffee beans in various rooms of the house weeks later!

Galbraith House

Last week, associate Scott and myself, had the unique opportunity to work together with Lynne Gauld and her Interior Designer , Anna Murray, to create some website/brochure images that capture the essence of Lynne's Victorian Bed and Breakfast, Galbraith House. Galbraith House, named after it's original owner Hugh S.Y. Galbraith, was built in the Cresentwood district of Winnipeg in 1914. This majestic home/business boasts an original Tyndallstone foundation and original windows including the functioning ropes and pulley systems.

Lynne, a retired school teacher, along with husband Lindsay bought the home in 1999 with the purpose of creating a Bed and Breakfast. It opened it's door in 2005 and has hosted number of individuals from around the world including China, Australia, and the U.K. to mention a few.

The best features of the home is it's atmospheric presence. You can't help but feel it's peaceful, warm, inviting, conversation inspiring presence. It was the photographic goal to not only get a practical, guideline's required outdoor photo of the house for the brochures, but also to capture these qualities of the house and it's character.

The home's interior under goes a decorative transformation with each season. Numerous boxes are brought up from storage with the beginning of each season and Interior Designer Anna and Lynne begin the transformation. Anna was also very helpful during the session placing items in such a way to appease our photographic requirements but to also help us realize what items convey the character of the home. "People like to see how the house looked in the past" says Lynne and it brings people back again and again for a visit.

Enjoy a few of the images and if you require the services of a great Bed and Breakfast call Lynne at 488-4513! P.S. She makes the best tea and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread! (It was a great perk of my job there!)

"The House breathes in a different kind of way, it just can't help but slow you down to take notice of things" -Anna Murray-

"The House is a living Presence, we are just it's characters" -Lynne Gauld-