Photos by Kat - Pixel Pusher

Facebook for Photography by Kat

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0000

I usually read a whole bunch of photography and photography business related blogs in my "spare" time, and while doing that tonight I read a post that went like this: "oh hey btw I have a Facebook Fan Page for this photography dealio, thought I should share that." and I went...OH RIGHT!

So on THAT note: Photography by Kat, me, this blog, photokat.ca has a Fan Page on Facebook. Did you miss the link? Here did you miss that link? How about Now?

Join! I know you want to!

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled program...or Phillies/Yankees game.

GO PHILLIES! (Yes, I'm remaining optimistic until the VERY end).

The Johnson Family

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:09:00 +0000

So I spent sometime tonight creating a template for laying out a bunch of images as one. Not sure if I'm 100% satisfied with the template yet...but I wanted to at least share the Johnson Family (well at least the siblings) pictures.

Yowzers!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:48:00 +0000

It's been a LONG while since I've posted anything to my blog..not that I haven't had ANYTHING to post to the blog, in fact things have been so busy between my day job, photography gigs and then trying to have a personal life in all of this that when it comes to updating the blog...well it just has fallen a bit by the wayside.

Part of my problem is that it's SUCH a pain to add a bunch of new pictures to the blog that I feel lately like I can't be bothered. My #1 wish list item for the Blogger setup is that they would improve the picture settings. I'm also waiting for my website company to add in a blog service that would help with the SEO on my photokat.ca site. It would be nice to have my blog traffic automatically push through my site and vice versa.

In the meantime I've been meaning to create a template in Photoshop so I can quickly comp together several images with Photography by Kat branding ...would make sharing images easier as I can then just upload one picture to the blog ...and could also easily send these to clients to have as an email teaser. There's also good things to be had there with use for future promotional items.

On the business side of things, it's really taken off. I've seen a large number of bookings come in since the start of August, and it makes it overwhelmingly difficult to stay focused at the day job when really what I'd rather be doing is editing or shooting pictures. I have a steady stream of bookings until early December, and I'm considering tossing in a Christmas portrait session blitz for the month of November. ..the question is...am I really that insane? How crazy do I want to be?

Wedding bookings for 2010 are starting to come in, there have been both ups and downs here. It's such an emotional roller coaster thinking you're going to get a booking and then having them book elsewhere...I'm hoping as things get busier that this becomes less of a derailing thing...the having a potential client book elsewhere... and more like a water drop off a duck's back.

As I'm writing this I'm realizing how lucky I am, how far things have come in almost a year...this isn't a state of the blog address...that's slated for early December; and just how much I've grown in my business and photography skills. There have been MANY learning points (you might also call them mistakes, learning points feels a bit gentler) and that's good. Hard Work U might be in Missouri, but I'm definitely enrolled in the distance ed program.

My first ad is slated to come out soon, I think in a month? and I'm hoping that generates a lot more buzz and business there too.

And as I'm writing this I get a phone call from some business development avenues that I'm pursuing. This also means I'm at the start of doing market research and on my way to creating a business plan. When I say there is a lot coming down the pipelines...there's A LOT coming down the pipelines. It also means that priorities that I had a year ago at this exact time are VERY different to the priorities I have now. I feel like the Goldilocks of business growth: some days it feels like things are going too fast, other days it's just right and still others it's just not fast enough.

So with all this buzzing around my brain, here are some blog posts I want to make in the next little bit:
-Pictures from Two Trash the Dress sessions
-Pictures from two family and one baby portrait sessions
-Pictures from a Thanksgiving weekend wedding
-Info and pictures about canvas prints
-Info and pictures about albums and guestbooks
-Info and pictures about metal prints (not metallic prints)
-My new client zone
-Decoding photography terms for the non-photographer
-State of the blog address and wrap up of Year 1 of my goal
-Announcement about Year 2 of my goal

...there are probably a lot more posts that need to/will be made as my brain is just buzzing with stuff. There will again be some more business related posts, as that's a huge part of what this time of year brings for me and what I've been obsessing about lately.

I've also been having this huge urge to run out and drop serious coin on some new gear. I'm drooling over a: D700, 70-200 2.8 VRII, 24-70 2.8, 14-24 2.8, 85 1.8, an Epson P3000, and the new Einstein 640 from Paul C Buff. Yeah...they're all fairly big ticket items and all my money is being diverted into other things, like paying bills and what not. Yeah that was a complete aside, as I was thinking I was wrapping up this long post, but then got distracted by my daily thought of "It'd be nice to have {insert product name here} ...sigh".

Okay really, that's it for now. Head out of clouds. Back down to earth. Time to get real work done.

More soon...

Thank you Mr McNally

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:00 +0000

I've never met the guy but in some ways he's like my photographic Messiah... yeah a little sacreligious I guess.

Was having one of those "HOLY COW I CAN"T TAKE A PICTURE TO SAVE MY LIFE!" moments today and it was if Joe knew it.

Read through his blog post today and came across this gem (which for anyone who follows Joe's weird, wonderful and wild photographic ramblings knows...he's got a lot of em):

"There are times I am so completely bereft of inspiration and ideas I say to myself, “I wonder what a really good photographer would do right now?” I’m not kidding, or being self effacing. There are some jobs I just feel like I’m standing there, the last human in a horror movie, and the zombies are closing in.

So you have to be confident, to be sure. (Or project confidence even while inside your head the insecurity meter has gone to DefCon Five.) But a healthy dose of anxiety and self doubt (”I’m using a 200–maybe I should go wide?”) are also important tools in your bag. Causes you to double check yourself and remember how fragile photographic success is, and while your last frame was Fat City the next one might be a ticket to Pismo Beach. The fact that you rarely have THE answer is a good one to remember. No need to focus on it to the point of paralysis. Just remember it. You are only as good as your last job. The next one may just eat your lunch and your soul."

It helps to know that a successful photographer who's been shooting for 30+ years still gets the same feeling that I have today.

So.

Ready, Set, Confidence, Shoot!

More soon...

For Anna & Adeeb

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:41:00 +0000

May your lives be full of love and happiness.

Kat

Baby Rylie

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Testing Light Tests Friendships

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Okay they don't really test friendships...well actually maybe after all the pics I'm posting of him, they might test the friendship, but I got together with my friend Mike to basically fool around with lighting and grip gear and shoot a pile of lighting tests. I had a Profoto 7a pack for the weekend and two heads (lighting heads that is) to play with and pooled that with Mike's Elinchromm Ranger and a whack of Pocketwizards. Did I mention that Mike is a griphead? Dude has more stands, booms, arms, and clamps than anyone I know (he doesn't have a Justin Clamp yet, so I have him beat there!).

So we filled a good chunk of one of the patios at his place with our assorted kits, cameras, lights and gear and just fired away. (I forgot to grab a shot of all the stuff lying out everywhere. It looked like a studio had thrown up on the patio).

Really we're not going for award winning cover shot material in anything, and we're not TOO worried about composition or "getting it right," it's basically just a time to exercise our photoing muscles and see what we come up with, or how to solve a problem.

Then the fun part comes when I take the pictures home and I get to test out different editing looks. Exhibit A: Mike's nice guy edit. Exhibit B: Mike's "Not With My Daughter You Don't" edit

If you're of the photography group who follows/reads this bog, try a deconstruct of this picture below. I'd like to see what everyone comes up with. Sorry no prizes or any added incenvtives, just some fun reverse engineering a shot.

This one took me a bit to figure out setup wise. Wanted to pick up some of the texture and the conture of the bench behind Mike. I'm fairly happy with it.

Of course, after a long session like that, you need some reward...nothing like some dinner, beer, and of course my Starbucks.

Anna and Adeeb's Wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Anna and Adeeb's wedding day was pretty much the hottest, most humid summer day Toronto has had this year. At 12:30pm, when I arrived at the Old Mill Inn to take pictures of Anna and her girls getting ready, it was already too hot to move, which meant it was even hotter out when Adeeb, Anna and I went outside to do their portraits.

Anna looked gorgeous in her stunning red dress and it was so much fun hanging out with her and her girls while they got ready.

It was so good to see both a couple and a family that lived their faith, and loved each other. Thanks Anna and Adeeb for having me be part of your day! It brings me great joy to know both of you!

Partnership: Bella's Bon Bons

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:52:00 +0000

It is with a lot of excitement that I announce the partnership of Photography by Kat with Bella's Bon Bons.

A Brampton, ON based company offering trendy and ready-made bonbonnieres, scrumptious and intricately detailed edible goodies and gifts and accessories for every occasion.

Carolynn T. Gomez, the owner of Bella's Bon Bons, named the company after her daughter Ava Isabella and started it after she recognized a need to work from home, reduce the stress brought on by her job as the owner of DejaVu Events. Bella's Bon Bons allows her to combine her love for special events, her background and education in business management and her creative talents.

So how does this parternship benefit you?

Customer's of Photography by Kat qualify for a 10% discount on their orders with Carolynn and Bella's Bon Bons! Pretty yummy isn't it!?

Anna and Adeeb's Mehndi

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:43:00 +0000

On Friday night, I was honoured to photograph Anna & Adeeb's Mehndi ceremony in Mississauga, a ceremony that was full of time honoured traditions, wonderfully scented jasmine, delicious food, beautiful colours, deep-rooted faith, and loving family. The above picture is what I assumed happened at a Mehndi ceremony. A bunch of ladies having their hands and feet hennaed. Yup, definitely not, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Adeeb's face glowed when he caught sight of Anna. In that moment, he was the happiest man on earth. It was difficult to not get caught up in the excitement and joy of this night!

One thing that I wish I could share with you is how intoxicating the jasmine were that Anna wore. Everywhere she went, the scent filled the room, and Anna was blown away that her groom's family had brought her real jasmine to wear.

This family is deeply religious. You could see that they lived their faith. It was visible in how they treated me, how they interacted with each other, how they spoke and how they conducted their day. I must admit that I'm ignorant to a lot of things outside of my Christian faith, but I enjoyed seeing how prayertime was incorporated with the evening's events.

Moncton

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:56:00 +0000

I'm in Moncton, New Brunswick tonight and had an interesting moment visiting an indoor amusement park after I grabbed a bit to eat. The park was practically empty save for a few kids and adults enjoying the rainless indoor fun.

Vintage carousels, and swings were mostly empty and the garish fun of such a place was the perfect setting for me to wander with my camera....myyyyy camera.....???? ohhhhh Crap... left it in the hotel room when I decided I was going to leave my shoulder bag there for the evening since we were "Just going out for dinner"... sigh. PERFECT and I MEAN perfect photo opportunity GONE. I was annoyed with myself. Still am.

One thing I SHOULD know by now having spent many a day/evening hanging with my friend Mike and having him TELL me the same thing is: "NEVER GO OUT WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA!!!" yeahhhh...fine. You win.. Lesson learned... stupid me.

Now I DID however get some really great pictures of the world's longest covered bridge in Hartland, New Brunswick. Plus some really fantastic portraits of my sister, and my parents...and the obligatory "WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE NOW!" Christmas portrait. This year we've decided to shoot several of these on the trip and then we'll all pick the best one (can you tell my family is obsessed by design, details and good imagery?... we must all work in a magazine or something.)

Hoping to get some great scenary shots tomorrow as we cross from New Brunswick into Prince Edward Island on Confederation Bridge. We're definitely stopping to snap some pics there!

More soon...

I'm off again!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:07:00 +0000

It's been a summer of never being home...which I'm not complaining about, but I've been on and off the road since early June. Makes for exciting, adventurous times! But I'm having a little trouble getting my bags packed tonight.

Early tomorrow morning I'm heading off on a roadtrip to PEI for a day job related trade show. This time my camera is coming along (so I hope to have some cool pictures from the road to share with you all) and a massive stack of magazines and books that I've been meaning to read.

The very same day I'm back from PEI I've got a crazy schedule full of photo shoots starting with a Mehndi ceremony for Ana and Adeeb's Wedding!

By then I'm hoping to also have some albums, and cards ready to share with ya'll AND some announcements about some fall photography incentives...just in time for the Christmas season. Yes, I said it CHRISTMAS season! I know...kids aren't even back in school yet.

But, enjoy the summerish weather while we've still got it, and I promise a more photographers related post in the next little bit, haven't really done one of those in a while.

More soon...

Photography by Kat on Mississippi Photographers Showcase!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:54:00 +0000

A few days ago I was contacted by Tanya Grossie of Mississippi Photographers Showcase to see if I'd let her feature my work on their blog. Of course I said "YES!" any chance for free promotion and networking with others in the industry through the web I'm going to jump at. Besides good mojo always comes back around to you.

Take a look at Tanya's post here

Thanks so much Tanya for supporting Photography by Kat and for the link love!

More soon...

Packages, Prints, Services

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:48:00 +0000

I've been getting more and more questions in the last few months about my photography packages and services, so I thought this would be a good place to spell out some of the shoots I offer (you'll have to check out photokat.ca for some pricing or drop me a note about your specific project).

Baby & We Make Three
-Document your baby's first year with three photo sessions of your newborn.

Wigglie Toes
-Kids are precious treasures at any age. Whether they're 5 days, 5 years or 15 years old there's a moment worth capturing and a memory worth having.

Cherish the Dress
-A two hour high-end post-wedding fashion shoot.

She Loves Me
-A 1 hour engagement session. You won't believe the incredible value in this!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
-Book a Photography by Kat party for a birthday, bachelorette or a girls night out! Comes complete with chocolate fondu, bubbly and great times!

Ribbons & Lace Shoot
-A boudoir shoot that's as innocent or as racy as you want...

Trash the Dress
-For the adventurous bride who's not content just boxing up her wedding gown. Your wedding dress will never look the same!

Portraits
-Please inquire about your particular shoot. Discounted rates for artist/model portfolios.

Wedding Coverage
-Starts at $800 for 6 hours. Drop me a note to find out more about details and other available packages.

Sometimes it takes a while to find a company or several companies that you're really happing dealing with when it comes to getting prints and albums made up. The net is full of album companies and online storefronts offering discount deals on print jobs from places all over the world.

I've put hours of research into this, scouring the net for a company whose corporate values I like and who's work is impressive.

I wanted to find a full-service company who I could go to for if not everything at least most items. I wanted them to be Canadian based (that criteria made my search really hard), and of course their work had to be top-notch. I also wanted to develop a great relationship with the company, so their corporate personality really mattered to me.

I've managed to find all that in a Toronto based company, and after having a bunch of client prints ordered through them and two albums in the works through them right now, I've decided that all my print work will be done through them. OH... and you know a company is doing something right when they're featured on an episode of Canada's Next Top Model.

Any photographers out there, drop me a note/email...I'll point you their way.

I plan on sharing some pictures of my albums, prints and gallery wraps in the next few weeks and stay tuned for my custom designed line of cards!!

There's lots of awesome things coming down the pipeline right now and I'm trying so hard to contain it all!

More soon...

Back From the Woods

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Yes, this blog has had it's share of crickets in the last few weeks, but it has been intentional and at the same time unavoidable.

Last summer I used two weeks of my vacation time to work at a summer camp north of Toronto, Fraser Lake Camp, and helped run their Leader in Training (LIT) program. Basically it's a two week session at camp for 14 year olds, with 9 days of that time spent on a backcountry canoe trip in Algonquin Park. To me, Fraser and Algonquin Park are like little slices of heaven and so I jump at any chance I get to head to both locations.

This summer I signed up to be an LIT Program Director again and with my friend Ted we worked hard to pick new canoe routes and plan out a revised program that would teach teenagers how to become self-confident, self-reliant and indepenent.

The trip is by no means an easy walk in the park. Mornings on this year's trip started around 7:30am with breakfast, breaking camp, and getting ready for the day. Usually we were on the water around 9:30/10am and didn't get to our next campsite until about 5:30/6pm on most days. The in between part saw us paddling anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours to portages that varied in length of 75 metres to almost 4 kilometres with our packs on our backs and canoes over our heads.

To some this may sound like torture, for me, it's heaven. Toss in 7 teenagers and it's an epic adventure!

So I am back safely from my Algonquin adventures, trying to kill a bit of a head cold, but otherwise no worse for the wear. Last summer I brought a point and shoot along, but this year I decided I wanted a complete escape, and so I have no pictures of my own to share from the trip. I'll see if I can snag a few from the campers to post at a later date.

Of course while I'm away ignoring the Internet and technology and giving up basic things like plumbing and electricity, the world marches on, so I was really excited to see today that this blog has been listed by the blog All Day I Dream About Photography as one of the 29 fresh blogs and photoblogs to add to your RSS readers.

SEE!?
WICKED!!!

I haven't done it yet, but I'm planning on looking through the other sites listed to see what they're also up to. Link lists like this tend to bring about really cool new connections, and it's cool to see that that's already happened with another blog listed on the site, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag until that happens.

So what's up for Photography by Kat in the next month or so? Lots. There's a family trip to PEI...you better believe my camera gear is going along on this adventure. I have some baby portraits to shoot for a friend, two weddings to shoot in August, and the possibility of some other sessions that people have been inquiring about.

I'd love to work some more on my Airport Abandoning project and maybe see if I can submit this to the Contact photo festival for next June. Even if it doesn't make its way into Contact, there's a fantastic coffee shop in my home town that supports local artists and I'd love to see if I could get the pictures up there and maybe have a party of some sort.

I'm also wanting to improve my editing skills so I'm thinking about taking some time in the fall to put myself through a self-study program of Photoshop and Lightroom Techniques. I'd love to go to the Photoshop World Conference in Vegas and also PDN's PhotoExpo in NYC in October...but I don't know if either or both of those trips are in the financial cards this year.

While on the canoe trip last week I did a lot of musing about photography and what I want to do with it, and where I want to go with it. I don't think I'll ever have that entirely figured out, but it felt good to set my head right about some things, and to step away from the camera for a solid two weeks.

So as one of my campers said (albeit in German): "Clench your butt cheeks, close your eyes, and push through!" Lets see what the second half of 2009 has to bring for Photography by Kat.

More soon...

PJism - Staged or Real & Me

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:56:00 +0000

I've been following a conversation on Chase Jarvis' blog about two French students who staged a series of photos and entered them in a photojournalism competition. They won the prestigious event and instead of just accepting the award and the money, they revealed that they had setout to show that the conventions of what makes a great photojournalistic piece can be imitated and in fact rewarded.

There have been some very candid conversations on Chase's blog about these conventions. Sorta the old newsroom philosophy of "If it bleeds it leads."

An interesting observation was posted by someone named Marco Aurelio:

"....Photo-journalism is hobbled by the exoticizing of the Other, and its perpetual marriage to shock and awe obsessions with viewers where only the victimization of Others is important, and nothing else. it sells a lot more advertising space to cleave at society's morbid obsession with Others' pain. Where are the stories of life's endurance? if it doesnt have pain or blood on the shirt, it isnt photo-journalism?"

Amen brotha!

I must admit to also be captivated by the lure of photojournalism (PJism). The idea that you can travel the world, see world events first hand, while capturing and transmitting those events around the globe all for money, is very seductive, as I'm sure it is for many. A life of travel and adventure and $$ too? Yes, please! But much like a Margaret Atwood novel it's all about exploiting the pain and the gore. The sufferring and the catastrophe.

Two weeks ago, when I was out shooting with Jodi in Fort Frances, we got talking about my dreams as a photographer. I confessed that I'd love to shoot portraits and weddings from April to early November and then work as a photojournalist from November to April (coincidentally right when Canada gets blasted by piles of snow...go figure :D ) but that I didn't see myself as the traditional taking pictures in a war zone sort of pj.

Really, what I'd like to shoot and tell is exactly what Marco says in his post. The stories of endurance. The human story of everyday life. The awesome thing about it is that sort of story is everywhere. I don't have to go to Rwanda to find it. Now that I have the luxury of not being in that moment, I can see that I had a unique opportunity when I was in Fort Frances to tell the story of that border town.

Affected by the US economy and the global economy, with the main industry being the pulp and paper mill (the only one still open between Sudbury and Winnipeg I believe) there was ample opportunity to show a place that is struggling to survive and the people who are making a go at it: hotel managers, truck drivers, school teachers, nurses, hair stylists, restaurant owners, pastors, first nation's school directors... such a varied cross section of those who live and work there and whose livelihood is affected by the larger world around them.

Maybe it's something I'll return to do some day, but I'm kicking myself now for not taking the extra time to grab images of the town itself since for a week I was invited into the lives of not just one photogapher and her family, but also the lives of everyone else that I had the chance to take pictures of. Not that there really was the time for that sort of thing while I was there. Regardless, there is a story there and it's a situation that I'll be more open to looking for in the future.

I've always been a story teller and I think portrait work calls to me because of the ability to get to know other people's stories, especially when you meet them in their environment. There are many stories in my area that need to be told. Not just the mainstream ones. The maintenance of farmland, protected greenspace and the natural aquifers in my area is an important story. I've started a portion of that story (at least image wise) by shooting pictures of some of the government owned property near my house (land purchased for the creation of a second major Toronto airport). I need to pick up that story again... Food for thought. At least for me that is.

More soon...

Ten Days of Shoots

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Yeah I've Been A Little Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:23:00 +0000

I apologize. I know I haven't written, posted, shared anything here in a while and I think it's that usual "OMG THE NICE WEATHER IS HERE!" reaction that I and a lot of other people get ...especially in Canada...when the snow is gone and you can actually be outside for longer than 20 minutes without the words "Holy crap it's freezing out" or "I'm cold" popping into conversation.

Things have been busy photography wise too. Spent 10 days out in Fort Frances, Ontario (it's right on the Wisconsin, Manitoba, Ontario border area. Some interesting things happened in those ten days.

1. I grew more confident in my photo skills
2. Got over my dependence on flash to help create an amazing portrait
3. Learned that I have a decent eye for edits
4. Found that isolating a subject on a background in the natural environment is important
5. Wood tick checks are an essential part of a shoot
6. Any light, including natural sunlight, can make a killer picture
7. Found what I think is my style
8. Discovered that I really really need to invest in some expensive glass

I'm sure there are piles of other things that I learned but I think those are the main ones that jump out at me right now.

So my suggestions. If you're thinking of delving deeper into photography, want to see if it's something you want to do more seriously, need to develop your portfolio, or need an affordable way to get a better photo education, then find a working photographer you admire and ask if you can be their second shooter, hold their light stands or sling their gear around for a week, a weekend, a month...

Okay, so enough of my waxing poetic. I'll post some selected images from my time away in the next post.

Allison Loves Luke - Redux

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Movie director's often release the recut versions of their movies after the original. Sat my butt down on the couch for a few hours this afternoon with my coffee and recut some pics from last night's e-session. Here's some more of Allison and Luke:

Allison loves Luke

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Last night I met up with Allison and Luke at the Rogers Centre (aka SkyDome) for some engagement photos. Mother Nature decided she'd roll in some big heavy clouds, so the nicely illuminated skyline that I was hoping for was nada. But the show must go on!

I know Allison from high school days, sitting in the trumpet section of our school band, plus all the band trips to Ireland, Chicago and New York...there are many good memories with her and it's awesome to see her with such a wonderful guy. Luke, I wish I could say I've got a lot of dirt to share on Allison...I don't...but ask about her job as a plumber (sorry Allison).

Also, I must say thanks to my friend Mike for joining in on the shoot and bringing along his Hasselblad. Things would not have gone as smoothly if he wasn't there to act as my VAL (Voice Activated Lightstand) and even though most photographers wouldn't appreciate someone showing up with a big bad Hasselblad, I loved giving him the opportunity to shoot some medium format film frames of Allison and Luke. That's a truly special privilege for a wonderful couple!

Best of luck with your wedding plans Allison and Luke!!

Early Morning Shooting!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Was up really really early to do May's Free Shoot for my portfolio.

Generally I post some favourite pics right off the bat, but these ones needs some extra special love before they see the light of day. Sometimes the magic happens in front of the camera, and others the magic comes long after the image is taken.

In the meantime, here's one teaser image:

There were a lot of hilarious incidents on this shoot including: a marauding scout troop, iffy wardrobe malfunctions, frantic searching for a new shooting location and almost being locked out
of the car!!

Thanks Sarah and Dakota for your shoot idea, your laughter, and for braving the cold early morning temperatures!

More soon...

Wedding Photography Math

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:47:00 +0000

To all my couples whose weddings I'm shooting this summer; some photographer's math! I'm looking forward to all your weddings! We're going to have a fun time and a lot of laughs :D

More soon...

Rotem Loves Goshen

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:06:00 +0000

It was a gorgeous day in the city for shooting pictures of any kind, but it was an especially fantastic day to shoot Rotem and Goshen's engagement photos!

Thanks guys for a fun afternoon in the park, and for bringing the red balloon along. Can't wait to shoot your September wedding!! Enjoy!

Sweet Custom Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Mmmhhh yummy yummy cakes!! Had an awesome day shooting with Sarah of Sweet Custom Cakes. She also fed me some delicious cupcakes! See below... Wonderful raspberry and chocolate icing... oh man it was to die for!!

Thanks so much Sarah for a fantastic day!

Diana and Her Boy Maverick

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn L) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:38:00 +0000

A wonderful session with Diana, her wonderful dog Maverick and a beautifully sunny morning!