Penny Promotion!

We have a jar at home- nothing special-I think it was once used for preserves, was washed and found a home on the top of our fridge in the kitchen. This nondescript  jar probably deserves the title of the most useful item in our home. It's sole purpose is to collect, and create a home for  all the loose change that ends up around the house- you know- on the table at the front door, on the bedroom dresser, in the washing machine....(Although I like to think of the washer change my "tip" for doing laundry!) It just sits there waiting patiently for us to "feed" it each day- not really caring how much goes in. It's importance really comes to the foreground when in a financial panic (Def'n of financial: Bus fare for the kids, parking downtown, that great handbag I saw at the mall.... )I dump its contents of coins and begin the count. It never ceases to amaze me how a few COINS can turn into DOLLARS! 

I've been reflecting on the past few months and all the wonderful friends and friends of friends I've met in photo shoots through out the summer. Starting a new business is not an easy feat and it really takes a great network of people to make it work. I feel like I've found treasure in these relationships! So I got to thinking... I've collected a lot of cherished memories from these shoots and like pennies found a home in the jar above the fridge, these have found a home in my heart. In return I'd like to share some of the "dollars", so I created a

 "PENNY PROMOTION".

Each family name that has had a portrait session with me since July, will be printed on a paper slip, and placed in a jar for a draw. (New clients will also be entered into the draw)  The winner will receive  a free one hour Birthday party/ Special event photo shoot- (your date, your place) with a disk of the images! ( a $125.00 value) as well as 4 entrance fees to the Children's Museum or a $40.00 gift certificate to the movies!

Now here's the BONUS- For each referral you've given to another individual that I've had a photo shoot with, you'll be entered a second time into the draw! More chances to win! 

The contest/promotion will remain open till December 15th  to include the families whose photo shoots are booked for the next few months. If you know of anyone else who would like to book a portrait or family session let them know to book soon! I do have a Family special on my website, check it out!

http://www.ebonieklassenphotography.com/

P.S.

If you find a Penny-give it away, and you'll have Good Luck all Day!

Catch of the Day!

What's not to love about my job as a photographer!!! This week has truly been all about Jon and Jinny. Jon and Jinnys big day is tomorrow- I guess that makes it my big day too!  Their wedding is my first official wedding, all day, gig as a photographer. I think it is wonderful that they have included me (and Amanda O, my second shooter) in their special day! This past week I spent Wed. evening at a wedding rehearsal and Friday night and the rehearsal dinner.  I thought I'd share a few hardships I've had to endure along the way... like the amazing Raspberry trifle, the lemon cake, the homemade spring rolls, the spareribs... oh my!

 

Jon and Jinny are both outdoor enthusiast, and fishing is a big part of that fun. Jon really caught himself a good one- hum-mm,  or is it the other way around?  Here are a few pics from the rehearsal dinner-I'll be sure to post some wedding pics soon!

Kim and Penny

Kim photographing Penny

We had some welcomed guests to the School/Studio a couple of weeks back-Kim and baby Penny. Kim was a student last year and Penny well she was with us pretty much the entire year-just not seen-well just seen as a bump in moms tummy! We planned to meet this past week for a photo session in the studio. You could tell Penny had been listening to all the lectures- She knew the entire time we were taking pictures of her and was quite comfortable in front of the camera! Kim's one lucky mom-such a beautiful baby and what an awesome subject matter to photograph now and in the coming years!!! Here's a few moments in the natural light of the studio- Thanks girls for the visit, it was a lot of fun! 

Long Weekend Relaxation

Late day light on the trees in our back bush

Long weekend and 3 wonderful days of awesome temperatures and sunshine-something sadly lacking these past summer months! Almost a tease to those heading back into the fall routine and school schedules this week. Our family had a very laid back weekend , nothing urgent on our schedules! I must say after about day 3 of laid back-ness , I was looking for something to do. That's why when my oldest son suggested on Monday night to go for a hike in our back bush I jumped! In retrospect probably not the wisest thing to have done... I donned on the jeans, and covered myself in Deep Wood Off ,but nothing could have prepared me for the mosquito onslaught! I should have known after weeks of rain and 3 warm days- this was bound to happen! Not even the bug spray would keep them away! My son and I lasted about 20 minutes in the bush, checking out the changing leaves, ducks, beaver damns and yes, a deserted tree fort. I'm always scouting out locations for shoots and there is definitely some potential there, however maybe sometime after first frost (natural mosquito control) may be a better time to revisit them!

 It was special, spending time with my son (kind of reminded me of much earlier years) and getting time with them as they grow older is scarce-  I guess the 30 or so mosquito bites were a small price to pay for the memory! 

A "Rocky" weekend

Midweek we had a visitor come to stay with the family for the weekend. Not your usually type of visitor but a very hairy, maybe 2 lb bundle of energy, named Rocky. Our family has never been dog owners, but I grew up always having some type/breed of dog in our home. My parents were into breeding Golden retriever's, so little furry bundles I'm quite fond of. This one, however is not a pup but full grown dog. You would hardly know it at his size. You can't take him for a walk without people stopping and asking you about him.
We agreed to dog sit for the weekend, having a dog for a few days is always a good way to appease the kid's need for an animal in the house and a great compromise with my husband and I and our need for no vet bills, 5:30 a.m. pee breaks, and scheduling around a pet. It must be very stressful for pet owners to entrust their pets to someone for a period of time to get away on holidays. I always question my children when they say come from camp etc. to see what they did while away from home. Dogs don't have that ability to tell their owner's what they've been up to while away from home. So I thought this week I'd do a little photographic commentary on Rocky's days with us.
In the above picture, Rocky is on one of his daily walks around the neighbourhood - we don't get very far,very fast- yep! Every fire hydrant and pole along the way!

Above: Rocky coming back from a walk down the drive way on his way to help with my son's flyer's. Below:Rocky loves the front couch, all curled up in a blanket.

Rocky's feeding station, that food is pretty large! He likes a little peanut butter on it but I did notice he was quite proficient at licking it off and spitting out the food-Hummmm.
Rocky, checking things out in the front window in the morning light.
Below: Rocky on a walk in the woods.
Sunday we took Rocky on a "field trip" to the lake. The excitement- meeting a black bear on the road! Trust me I took my dog sitting responsibility to a whole new level! I was walking with Rocky and my niece and her dog when we happened to look to our left, and saw a black bear staring at us. I looked at my niece and calmly said pick-up the dogs, and walk fast! As soon as we were out of his line of sight we be- lined it back to the cabin! Rocky also got to spend the day in the company of a number of females-a little larger then himself - I think he was partial to Sportie a wire haired Dauchts hound. Below are his new friends, left to right, CoCo from B.C, Sportie and Liebie. We said goodbye to Rocky this morning- amazing how one's heart gets lost to a pet! But on a positive note we know we'll see him again!

Rain, rain go away....

One can only endure rain for so long!!!  What happened to "Sunny Manitoba"????  After the 5th day of the wet stuff, I couldn't take it any longer. After much thought to the fact the family had become couch potatoes in light of the weather, I decided enough is enough. Taking matter's into my hands I announced we were going to spend an adventuresome time at the zoo. After all when was the last time I or any of my other family member's got in tune with their inner most child and played in the rain? So off we went. A couple of questions did enter my mind as we arrived at the zoo- would there be other's just like us? Are we paying to see animals hiding in their dens/ caves and boxes??? We were quite surprised to find we weren't the only souls to protest the lousy weather, and for the most part, we had some great views of the animals who were glad (or curious) to see how many crazy humans were actually visiting them! 

 
We found this big guy roaring away. I think he was hungry, he was salivating at the mouth... could the rain have turned us into soaked, tasty, looking  morsels???

This big guy had a very wet coat but came right to the front of the pen to pose for some pictures. And below the leopard appeared to take advantage of the rain to clean himself. Shooting through bars is always the challenge!

We found these next two characters a little further back in the zoo. We came upon a mother turkey who's chicks  were running for cover underneath mom to get out of the rain. Her body seemed to grow rounder as each chick found a spot beneath. In the second shot, you can just make out their tiny legs. The Zebra above was hiding under his  feeding cover and had to come and check out what all the commotion was about as we giggled over the chicks.

We were never so happy to see the smelly Tropical house! Not only was it rainy but cool as well- a little warmth would be welcomed. We got lucky on that front, however I think the roof may need a little attention-we are talking some serious leaks!!! 
Some beautiful greenery - and this guy I think says it all- WHAT YOU CAME OUT IN THIS WEATHER??!!!

In the tunnel portion of the tropical house I thought I'd get a little creative looking for the available light and seeing how it falls on objects in the tunnel. I found some cool light in an aquarium and some side light on the aztec looking wall.  My 50 mm lens, 1600 ISO  allowed me to capture the available light.

  

We followed up our soggy trip with you guessed it!-Ice cream!! Maybe tomorrow will be a little drier??? Please???

Speed Boats really should have seat belts for photographers!

From the title your probably thinking the worst (Those of you who know me, and my run of luck with my camera as of late). Sunday, the sun decided to make an appearance from the rain filled days we've been experiencing here in Manitoba. I headed out with my family to the cabin to do a little waterskiing. I love it when my nieces and brother come out too. The more the merrier. Of course, the goal is to attempt to photograph them in action from the back of the boat. I'm always very careful to ensure the camera is covered in some way so the spraying water won't get at it. The only thing I didn't give much thought to this time was myself and my position in the boat. Let's just say I can totally see why individuals go flying out of boats. You would think after spending what seemed like an eternity in high school, attempting to achieve Life guard status, (completing level after level of Life Saving skills, water safety, etc.) I would know better than to 1. Not wear a Life vest in a boat  2. Pay attention and sit properly in the boat seats.

It happened way to fast- I was photographing my brother in action. I was positioned on my knees turned backwards on the seat, elbows on the back of the seat stabilizing the camera. My brother fell, the line went slack, my husband cut the engine quick, and yes, Ebonie became air born backwards, thankfully not landing in the water, but on the not to soft arrangement of water skies in between the driver's seat. I remember as I felt myself "lift off", thinking A. This is sooooo not good B. Keep the camera up!

I landed with a pretty good thud. I have bruises on my hip and elbow as proof. Looking up from my position on my back I remember seeing my nieces worried faces. Good News -I saved the camera from another potential mishap! I'm a little sore, but a lot wiser! Next time I'm in the boat photographing- I'll be the one in the bright orange life vest and the one bracing myself for the unseen!