[events: Silvia's Birthday Bash.]

This post is a wee bit different.  See - Silvia is my sis-in-law ... so this post isn't a client post.  This is a "gift post".

One of the greatest things I've found, as a photographer, is being able to give the gift of photography.  I love love love being able to do this.  Althoooough, I have found that sometimes family members conveniently leave their cameras behind if they know I'm going to be there *wink*.  But giving the gift of photos at an event means that those who are busy helping and creating, don't have to worry about missing out on anything.  I think it's the perfect gift - but I might be biased *wink*.

This party was a "milestone" one ... and Silvia didn't have a clue.  Oh, she'll say that she "knew it," but she didn't.  The look on her face couldn't be rehearsed.  She was sur-prised.

It was a full-on-Italian-family affair.  My mother-in-law prepared so many incredible Italian dishes ... no wonder my scale told me lies the next morning *grin* ...

One of the great things about Italian gatherings, is that is IS such a family event.  You don't just invite friends, you invite all of your aunts, uncles, cousins and your cousins kids.  The energy is crazy ... and lovely.

My mom-in-law was anxiously waiting ... can you see her fingers?  She does that when she's nervous ... 

We waited and waited ... Silvia and her hubby live in an upstairs suite from my in-laws.  Everyone was waiting and my mom-in-law was yelling up the stairs in Italian ... then the family would laugh.  How Silvia never heard us, I'll never know ... although - I'm pretty sure she was getting a clue at this point ... 

There was a game, with prizes.  My mom-in-law had created a series of questions ... and in true family style, everyone cheated *grin* ...

Dessert went on and on and on ... so many, so yummy.  And the cake - with it's flame-thrower-candle (well -clooooose) was de-vine.  You had better not be lactose-intollerant at an Italian feast - or you'll miss out on all the cream ...

Silvia, HAPPY HAPPY Birthday, sis!!  You are one of a kind, you are full of wonderful-ness and here's to the next "milestone" in another decade :-).

For all enquiries, please contact me through my RedHanded Photography website and click "get.in.touch."  Thanks!!

[business: Favorite Finds.]

I've been getting a lot of phone calls lately asking for still-life photography.  And it's not that I haven't been interested in still-life, but I just haven't really focused on it.  I love the emotion of people, the interaction, the experiences.

So when I received a call from Antonella Jukes, owner of Favorite Finds in Maple Ridge, I was excited for the new challenge.  She is in the process of creating a new website for her home decor store - which, I might add, is far more than just that.  Bath products, cooking specialties, baby gifts, jewelry ... as well as candles, greenery, dishware.  It's a haven for any one who likes the very best.

Here are a few of my favourite images that I took ... 

The store is stunning ... Antonella's eye for vignettes and groupings is truly lovely.  The products she chooses to sell are unique and useful - all at the same time.  This is a place where you could find that special item for that special person.

Thank you, Antonella, for asking me to be a part of this special project.  I look forward to working with you again!

** please note that I am currently working on creating web/still life packages.  they should be up soon on my RHP site. **

For all enquiries, please visit my RedHanded Photography site and click "get in touch".  Thanks so much!!

[kiddies: Natalia - 3months]

Not long ago, I met up with Jeff and Nicole ... and their incredibly cute family of 3 boys and a new little girl.  The photoshoot was ... chaos *grin*.  But chaos in the most wonderful of ways.  Their home was buzzing with life and energy, and I really loved capturing the essence of who they were.

Well, almost immediately after that shoot, Nicole contacted me about the possibility of putting a 3-6-9-12 package together for her.  So her and I chatted about what that would look like and came up with a package that would capture her little girl during her first year ... 

I had told Nicole that they would just be "mini"shoots ... about 30-40 images.

And she's getting almost 100 images.  Go figure.  I'm a shutter-bug, what can I say.

This little angel has the BIGGEST eyes ... and I fell in love with her little "oh-my-gosh" look on her tiny, little face *grin* ... 

The entire shoot was done in about 30minutes.  We mozied through their townhome, and Nicole gladly changed Natalia's little outfits.  We even got a few "skin" pics ... oh that baby skin.  Makes me giddy *grin*.

It's a really sweet thing to know that I'll be seeing this little munchkin in just a couple of months again - to see how much she's changed and how her little personality has grown ... 

Thanks so much, Jeff and Nicole, for choosing me to be the one who capture's you precious little girl's special moments.  It really, really is such a privilege!!

For all enquiries ... please visit my RedHanded Photography site and click "keep in touch".   If you have any questions - let me know ... and you can "like" my RedHanded Photography Facebook page to keep up to date, or be a follower of this blog ... or follow my RHP tweets @redhandedphotog ... 

Phewf.  Modern day stuff is busy ...