My daughter writes this on her hand daily to remind herself and her friends that bullying is not ok!

I think I had a grin from ear to ear all weekend long. I met some great new friends in the media room that made me feel completely welcomed and help calm my nerves. I got to spend some time with my friend Candace, from Name Your Tunes CD- if you have a young child check out her site because the cd’s rock and your kids will love them.

On Friday I went to the train station to photograph those arriving on the Juno express and to say I was a little surprised was an understatement. Don’t get me wrong the people arriving on the train were great it was the media and how they behaved that shocked me. I got stepped on, pushed and my favourite- when another photographer pushed her way in front of me and I mentioned there wasn’t enough room for both of us turned and said “That really sucks for you I bet you wished you were taller”. That’s when I packed up my gear and just enjoyed the rest of the event (i had already had some good shots from this and another angle). I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it through the rest of the weekend but I was fortunate that it was the only negative point of the weekend.

Some images of me enjoying the festivities.

And please i know you’re not here to see pictures of me……….. so here are some of the images that you are looking for

Watch for another post later in the week where I’ll have all the winners posted! Don’t judge me it was a very tiring weekend and I’m really quite old you know.

Oh and for the record I did touch Jim Cuddy’s bum but I was aiming for his back and someone bumped me! I don’t care what anyone says it’s the truth.

If you want to see more pictures head over to my Facebook page.

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Beautiful You sessions are for all women – no matter your size or age!

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A couple weeks ago I posted about Beautiful You sessions that I was starting to do. Well I’ve now done a few and I can’t get over how much I am absolutely loving doing these photo sessions. The one thing that I am also learning as that I am far from the only women that has let feeling beautiful about myself take a bit of a backseat to all the other roles that I play.

Other the last couple of weeks the one thing I’ve started doing is taking a little time to do something for myself everyday. It doesn’t have to be fancy, hell there’s not a lot of fancy in my life, just something even if it’s only five minutes. I spent 10 minutes sitting on the deck in the sunshine enjoying my coffee one day and to me it was everything, see not fancy.

Win A Beautiful You Session at the Ottawa Marriott, Kent St,

April 28th or 29th.

*More Information Regarding the Ottawa Marriott Beautiful You Sessions*

Win a makeover and a $100 print credit

The makeover and photo session will take approximately two hours.

Your session will be fun, personal, professional and above all memorable. You will be pampered and gushed over.

By the time we’re finished you will remember the woman that was there not long ago and hopefully it’ll be a while before you let her go again.

How To Enter The Contest

The really great part is it’s super easy. Tell me in the comments below what your most beautiful feature is. Inside or it out doesn’t matter! That’s it. once you leave your comment you are entereded. Of course if you tweet, or follow me on twitter, the contest or like my facebook page or choose to share the contest that’s great and I’ll love you forever but it’s completely not necessary to enter.

Book a session and automatically be entered to win

Save $50 by booking before April 16th

Preferred Day

April 28th $200.00 CAD April 29th $200.00 CAD

Time

AM PM

The best part is there is no obligation to buy anything.

A huge congratulations to Patti who won the free Beautiful You Session at the Ottawa Marriott.

I seen a retweet from a photographer calling out another person in the photography industry and of course I followed the hashtag. Well there was a lot of nasty things being said. First off I’m not a fan of piling on people, second I’m defiantly not a fan of trying to publicly bashing people. There are some things that are worth standing up for and I will do that through good conversation and debate not insulting the other person and trying to push them down.

So here’s a little of the back story- David Jay, A person that I respect immensely, wrote a beginners guide to photography and well a lot of people aren’t happy about it.  There are a few things in The System   that have some photographers losing their cool.

I seen a ton of tweets about what’s inside The System so here is my take on some of the tweets -

tweet- “you don’t need much gear because it’s confusing”

my take- I shot my first wedding with a 50mm 1.4, owned, and a 70-200mm 2.8, borrowed. My client loved the images and still refers clients to me. You don’t need a ton of gear but know who to use what you do have.

tweet- “you don’t need to take great photos,they’re good enough” and “give them an incredible experience”

my take- how many times have you nailed the perfect shot and had the client pick the other one? Well it’s happened to me numerous times and the reason behind it- that smile is so him or that’s the way she throws her head back and laughs when she’s having the time of her life”.  These photos depict that moment in time and that’s what people want to remember. The get pissed that you took 20 minutes to set the lights up and only took one photo.

tweet- “make your clients your friends”

my take – yes you have to have a decent product to begin with but if people like you they will like your product and you don’t necessarily have to be the best in your area. I am a huge advocate for having fun and smiling when I work because my clients and friends friend my attitude and body language and that’s what they give back to me. Nobody wants to work with a sulky, grumpy photographer I don’t care how good you are.

The whole print vs digital!

I’m a bigger believer of not letting your kids grow up to be jpegs and anybody that knows me will attest to how much I say this. That being said I also know I am not a product photographer I’m a service based photographer. I sell digital files and I’m completely fine with that. I will also pass along to my clients when the local company I use is having a great sale on prints. The one thing that I also do is let me clients know that if they want large images or canvases I’m more than happy to help them out and my prints do not cost and arm and leg. I’m also a user of PASS Premier- my clients and I love it.

now for the whole Spray and Pray thing

my take- at my first wedding I was frigin nervous. I shot everything so I didn’t miss anything. I had a second shooter with me but still I was the main photographer for the first time and it was my job to capture the day. Did I shoot in manual mode yes…. for 50% of the day. the other 50% I went between AV and P because I wanted to be guaranteed that I was going to get something (remember I was nervous & that’s when mistakes happen). it ended up that my success rate of my manual shot images was pretty high but I was still glad to have the other images for back up.

For me I guess I look at this as a beginners guide (like it says in the heading- The System | A 10 Step Guide To Starting Your Photography Business) it’s a way to get started and learn as you go. Yes wedding photography isn’t the place to learn but it you love wedding photography and that’s all you want to photograph than there aren’t a ton of options. Yes you can second shoot and learn but speaking from experience not a lot of photographers are willing to share their knowledge with someone they know are trying to get into the business.

Just like anything else there are parts that you aren’t going to agree with well guess what you don’t have to use that part. Take from this guide what works for you. Even if it’s only one step you are one step closer to achieving your goals in my opinion. I am glad I’m part of a photo community that believes in helping and sharing with one another. Instead of trying to knock each other down maybe try lending someone a hand and pull them up once in a while.

For the record I use all the Showitfast products because they work well for me and I love them. I also love that a guy, David Jay, that was in the industry needed and wanted something and when what he wanted was available  he created it.

David Jay I am happy to call you my friend, I’m proud of what you have done for other photographers, but mostly you inspire me.

You know it’s funny I’m always getting told to take it easy and rest. Well for me those things just make matters worse. When I have a camera in my hand it honestly takes me to a different place. I’m not saying that I’m not happy with my friends and family because eI am- I love them….a lot. but photography it’s different. When I’m out photographing someone or something my body seems to forget that I’m sick and for me that is pure heaven.

If you’re a client reading this please have no fear i always have a back up but to this date I have never once needed to use it. I commit to a job and I’m there and not just because there might be cake but it’s because 1) I’d never let you down and 2) I love what I do!

I left my Job as A Logistics Co-ordinator at Canadian Blood Services a few years back because of my crohns. Working in an office made me very sick. I’ve always said I can work a 40 hour week I just can’t do it in an office environment, some days I need more sleep than others. By working at home I can sleep in the mornings or afternoon and work in the evenings or the middle of the night if I want to. Also for the record having my own business I work more hours now than I ever did before but you know I don’t care- I’m happy and I love what I do.

Because everything is better with a picture here is what my day looked liked yesterday.

Also if you are looking for ways to support Crohn’s and Colitis here are some great organizations/companies that I choose to support because of their commitment to helping

• M&M Meat Shops
• Tag Vodka
• CCFC

Also my family will be walking in the Gutsy walk this year and would love your supporty. Gutsy Walk

I love hearing what others have overcome to do what they love to do and I’d love to hear your story too.

I have always spending time with my girlfriends and being around woman but tha thing that I find more and more is that woman while being busy with all the different roles in their lives forget that they are woman and they are beautiful!

We all gain weight and lose weight and little wrinkles creep in here and there but what makes a woman beautiful in my eyes is what she has on the inside. That’s what makes us all different and special.

Ok so now for some details……..

Beautiful You sessions are for all woman. No matter you’re size! Your session is a double makeover so that’s for 2 women. You come and get beautiful hair and makeup done, we give you a great experience and take beautiful photos of you. Is there a sister, best friend, partner, anyone you would like to bring to the shoot with you? You are both more than welcome to bring your families and make a day of it. This way we can also do some family portraits. You can go out after and paint the town red and you end up with beautiful photographs of the people you love. The best part is there is no obligation to buy anything. The idea is I take beautiful portraits of you and you want to buy them. When you come in I’ll show you you through my price list and all the beautiful products we can create. Sessions are held at my home studio  or your home  (please add an additional $75 for photos at your home). I will also have 1 event a year that will be hosted at a beautiful hotel with gorgeous light and stunning details. The cost of the session will be $295 which also included a $100 print credit.

I’m very excited about this new venture and I’m really hoping that your beautiful self will be making an appointment with me soon.

Cheers,

CL

Don’t get me wrong I have always liked public speaking. When I was in school I use to love when that time of the year rolled around. But this is different. I’m not in high school and there will be more the 35 kids watching and listening at State of Now #140conf NYC. 

I have never kept my Crohn’s disease a secret and many know that I walked away from a well paying job because it was making me sick. I was on LTD (long term disability) from my employer and as soon as I started going back on a decreased work week I started getting sick again. That’s when I said i quit and I open CL Buchanan Photography- This is what I’ll be talking about at #140. How I had to do what was right for me and how social media helped me along the way. I credit social media for helping to to finally discover my talent and for encouraging me to go for it.

I’m thankful that I know some people that will be in NYC for the conference. What they don’t know is why I’m so thankful……If I faint it’s their job to drag me off the stage!

As an added note please know that while I’m in NYC I will be doing profile pictures for all you amazing social media woman. Please know that fun will not be an option during these sessions- it’s mandatory!

Here’s some information on those sessions.

Ok so last night I was one of the crowd and watched the Grammys. I’m not a big celebrity follower, I like music because I like it and not who is singing it. If a person was to look at the music on my iPod that might have some questions why I have Charley Pride , Kid Rock and Adele in the same playlist- it’s simple I like them all.

The one thing that absolutely disgusted me last night was that people stood up and cheered for a woman beater. There aren’t a lot of things that I have really strong feelings about but violence is defiantly one of them. Chris Brown three years ago beat Rihanna on conscious, pushed her out of the car, and drove away. He denied it at first, then admitted it and was later sentenced – to probation! If that was my husband his ass would have been in jail. The fact that money talks is one thing but it doesn’t mean that we have to be ok with his actions and cheer him on.

As someone on twitter so kindly pointed out to me last night-

• but he’s has a hard upbringing. Guess what that’s not an excuse for anything.
• He’s was punished and was remorseful- puleeeze
• Rihanna has forgiven him- If  you truly believe that you have bigger things to worry about than how I think Chris Brown is an asshole

Hor the record she has since deleted all her tweets where she was condemning those being “mean” to Chris Brown

I came across this video today so thought that I would share it here because honestly it’s kinda how I feel about this topic.

Now onto the good stuff- Adele! How much to you love this girl? She has overcome and achieved so much this year. I love everything about her. I love that she is genuine, and beautiful, and couldn’t care less about being thin. She is a realy woman. She is also and incredible singing.

If you haven’t bought Adele’s album 21 go do it now- here’s the iTunes link, your welcome.

Because this is one of the biggies on my wish list. I thought I’d create a little gift suggestion for the people you love. Here’s a little something for you Pinterest fans- now you can pin this to your- things I want board, again you are welcome.

Are you excited yet?

Ok here are the conditions and there aren’t many;

• Your wedding needs to be before December 31, 2012
• You are only eligible when you book the Classic and Exclusive Collection
• No other offer or discounts can be applied.
• All weddings booked from January 1, 2012 until November 1st, 2012 will qualify for the prize
• You receive one entry for every month that you have me booked (book in February get 10 entries, book in July get 6 entries, and book in October  get 2 entries)

So for those of you that aren’t getting married I know what you’re thinking- well what’s in this for us? Well let me tell you – share this with your friends and family and when they book me for their wedding you’ll get a free mini session ( A $325 value). Or you can use the value to upgrade to one of my other family session collections.

There are some links below that allow you to share this post directly to facebook so go ahead and click on one. Just make sure your friends and family tell me that you sent me.

Cheers, CL

Well you’re here reading this I’d love for you like me on Facebook- I even made it super simple with the little like button right below this post.

Well Ottawa is usually now for it’s cold temperatures but this past weekend was anything but cold. Friday was a pretty yucky day I’ll admit but not because of the cold. Freezing rain just sucks and brings back so many memories from the ice storm of 1998. So needless to say Friday was a day that I spent at home with the kids, it’s exam time and was a not writing day to begin with all the busses where also canceled. I headed out early Saturday morning to do groceries and it was so pretty everywhere I looked. The roads where fine to drive on but there was so much ice hanging off all the tress and fences. I may have rushed through errands just so I could get home and take a few pictures. I also forgot a bunch of stuff but that’s not the point of this post .

Anyway, I’m sure by now that you get the point that I’m one of those people that actually really enjoys winter. Here’s a few of the pictures that I grabbed from Saturday.