I recently bought myself to an iPhone -if you know me at all, you'd know that I'm a pretty frugal person, so this was truly a treat to myself!  My point here on my photography blog?  Don't discount a tool as simple as a camera phone!   I've been playing with mine, and getting some really fun, cool and surprising results!  There are plenty of photography related apps to help you make your simple photos better, hipper & way more fun!  So get playing!  

Okay, okay, it's no surprise to me -I wrote the interview answers after all & took the self portrait, bit it's still pretty cool, okay?

Click here if you'd like to read the article!

After years in the Fine Arts, and running my Choo Choo Photography portrait business, I'm happy to now offer my Fine Art Giclee Prints through my newest Etsy store:  www.etsy.com/shop/choochoophotography.

Welcome to my world - well, little bits of it, here & there, this and that.   Definitely a different side to my creativity than my portrait work --I like to think I'm well rounded.

Above, from my Retro series; This is a display set, capturing the mood of bygone days; we all remember those times, the carefree summer days.

Above, "The Time Before, I Wasn't Here" from my Persistent Memories series; not all memories are clear, not all memories are our own.

Above "Medley" & below, "Sheltered" from my Layered Memories series; a mix of old and new, reflections on past and present.



Now until April 30th; mention this blog post and receive free shipping on your order.

Thanks for looking.

This is Miss "E", of the super cute cheeks & chubby thighs.   This is not how I first met Miss E though.

This is how I first met her, sleeping peacefully -and a sound sleeper she is, sleeping through a location transfer & an undressing! 

Soon she was awake though -Yay!!

Ready for some time with Dad... and Mom...

I just had to make a little series of these shots -she did pretty well holding herself up for all of her four months, but obviously prefers laying on her back! 

Loved this client as soon as I walked through the front door -partly for the warm smile greeting me, partly because I could tell right away she had style.  In the midst of renovations in a century home in downtown Barrie, what they have complete was a mix of retro & cosy contemporary, which equals; fantastic shooting opportunity for me.
I spotted this cool retro chair right away as the first spot to tuck baby "H" -Mom agreed excitedly, this is her favourite chair.  Obviously "H" loves it too; what a perfect little nest.  "T" was content to take her place on the shaggy rug -after a few curious & loving licks of baby first of course.

Upstairs we find large, low windows and a welcoming guest bed with you guessed it; retro patterened bedspread and fantastic, bold contemporary artwork.  "H" wasn't quite as content up here, preferring nursing to sleeping at this point. 

Ahhhh, what Mom doesn't remember that newborn peeling skin -making new baby skin even newer.

Finally, overcome by sleep... 

Okay, okay, we'll let you rest!

Thanks "S", I spent a very enjoyable morning with you and hope I get to see the end results of your reno when it's complete!

Let me tell you something Tigger, this is *my* photoshoot, not yours, so scat, cat!   I'm the cute one here.

Mom wanted this shot, she's got quite the thing for my little feet.  Dad doesn't get it, but really, how could anyone resist?  They're extremely interesting, especially now since I can grab them.  I bet they taste really good too.

That's okay, I've obviously got the both of them wrapped around my little finger!

See, told you it was all about me -and why not?  I am a total cutie-pie, you know.

Here are my son's annual Christmas photos to help wish you the

Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of New Years!  

I can't help but adore and share his always cheerful little face and silly antics. 

Here's his annual stocking pics as well -how could I choose just one to post, when he decided to fit both feet in it & hop around like a madman?  Did I mention I adore his silly antics??

This is the "V" family.  A few months ago, feeling a bit lonely around the house after the death of my kitty of 13 years, a year previously, I began searching for some new companionship.   I thought it would be nice to adopt two kitties together, so they had one another to play with and knowing that it was more difficult to find a home willing to take two together.  My search brought me to a recently posted Kijiji ad, showing two very sweet looking kitty companions.  I inquired, "J" responded with more photos, and even some very funny videos.  It was obvious these two were much loved, and were being given up, only for the sake of the health of her little ones. 

Through the months, we've become Facebook friends, I post photos of Sam and Bill, and send her stories about their adventures.  As a thank you for giving me her precious furballs, I had to thank her & her family in the most appropriate way for a photographer such as myself -by taking their photos.  The whole family came by for a family reunion, then we headed to the Maclaren Art Centre for the shoot -a great location by the way!

Thank you "V" family, Sam and Bill are indeed lovely and amusing little members of our family!   

Here it is, my first ever opportunity to shoot newborn twins; of course, I went into the shoot with high expectations, a mental list of all the poses I wanted to gently coddle and nestle the two sleeping bundles into.  Of course, as all little folk do, "J" & "C" had other plans; one being wanting to be awake.  That's okay, awake is good!  Of course, hunger soon takes over -can you tell above who's the hungry one?

So, we do the logical thing, and tag team the boys; while one was being fed, we took advantage of the other's wakefulness.

But of course, full tummies mean sleepy babies -but not always at the same time!

Baby "C" below liked his little feet free, free, free!

While Baby "J" was perfectly happy to be all snuggled in.

Can you guess which little Monkey's foot this is?

And finally, after over two hours and some gentle scolding -"J", stop kicking your brother! -ta, da!!  The "Money Shot"!  Finally two peaceful boys!   I did a quiet little victory cheer after I got this frame! 

Thank you "G" family; you were wonderful, relaxed, and helpful.  The patience you both displayed during our time together will doubtlessly serve you well long into the future!

This is "C", he looks a bit serious above, but don't let that fool you; he's full of expression!

And teeth!  Can you believe this little guy has 9 teeth & he's only 9 months old??

Nine months is such a great age -pulling up, crawling, sitting well & exploring their little worlds.

Thank you "H" family -it was nice to meet some "almost neighbours!"   Your gallery will be up soon!