snickerdoodle photography

Last season was a busy one at Snickerdoodle, even though I intentionally took a reduced number of bookings. Being a mother, alongside moving and having family visiting made for a jam-packed summer of fun. But when Blossum contacted me in August to shoot their Fall wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge I decided to add one more to the season.  I love the location. It’s probably one of the prettiest spots in the country and Blossum & David are a wonderful, playful couple. People flew in from all over the world for their intimate wedding. It was cheerful and simple. I had just a few hours with them so I was lucky to have Peter help me one more time, enabling us to capture two angles. Below is a little sample of that gorgeous September day. 

Blossum & David are humanitarian aid workers, so they travel a lot. Blossum’s teddy bear is always with her, to help add a sense of home, her wedding day was no exception.

 David decided to try out the role of gondolier

Jessica & Lee chose the gazebo in Central Park for their ceremony, surrounded by the mountains and next to the bright blue water of the Bow River. A horse & carriage picked up Jessica from their hotel just a few blocks away along with her bridesmaids. I confess, I worried about this ahead of time as I wasn’t sure how well I’d do jogging alongside a horse, dodging traffic and pedestrians but in the end I managed a few shots before sprinting to the gazebo and had plenty of time before the carriage leisurely pulled into the park. Meanwhile the guys headed to the ceremony on foot. 

We had a gorgeous summer day and visited a few of my favorite locations before heading back for the reception. The bride and groom set the tone for the evening, the whole wedding party in fact, danced their way in rather stylishly. But as you’ll see, the kids stole the show once the music started after dinner. One of my favorite things about weddings is seeing the kids rip up the dance floor. 

 Below left is not a cake but the box for cards, made by Jessica’s dad. I’m glad they told me, as it looked somewhat edible to me.

I love the sequence of photos with the little boy cutting in on a dance and then showing all his moves. 

Stacy & Bill were married on the pool terrace at the Rimrock hotel on a sunny August day. Months before, we had done some engagement photos with their happy dogs at a park in Canmore and just the day before the wedding Stacy had had a bit of a scare when the kennel that they’d booked for their hairy kids couldn’t take them. For a few moments Stacy must have imagined their vows accompanied by a panting chocolate lab and a lanky shepherd. I would have loved it but I am sure it would have been a tad complicated. 

It was difficult to pick a selection from Stacy & Bill’s wedding. Not only was it a gorgeous summer in the mountains and the whole wedding party was equally splendid but I had not one but two photographers with me. This summer I’ve been lucky to have exceptionally talented second shooters. For this wedding Stephanie Jager was my second shooter (a wonderful photographer based in Calgary) and I also had Peter Kriznansky along (Peter has been interning for several months before he returns to Nova Scotia where he has his own photo business). Therefore, I was spoiled for choice on this wedding as were  Stacy & Bill who had a heck of a time narrowing it down for their wedding album too. 

This was Stacy’s idea, to photograph her dress in a tree and I thought it was brillient. Peter took this one.

A welcome cool-off session at Two Jack Lake

(Above) I have a thing for photographs with a bit of sun flare - this one is Stephanie’s shot

I love the shadow on the wall of people applauding their kiss during their first dance

This past weekend I was booked for a family portrait session but they were forced to cancel at the last minute due to illness. I’ve been admiring the leaves at a nearby park and thought it was high time we took a few photos there before a gusty day ruined our chances.The only problem with my own family sessions is that I am conspicuously absent. But like a lot of photographers, I am okay with that. So this is the rest of the clan, my husband with our one year old son and - no less important - our Basset Hound Raisin. 

Dylan has only been walking for just over a month so he is very proud of himself to be upright at the park.

Dad started to bury him in a pile of leaves and only got this far before a hug was required. 

If you happen to spend any time with babies, you’ll know that it is futile to expect to keep your glasses smudge free. Or keep your glasses at all for that matter. 

Raisin got in on the Fall fun too. 

I love it when we have Fall in the mountains. Sometimes we skip the season altogether and go from a lazy August day straight into a snowstorm. But this year we have been treated to mild days and plenty of color which was doubly appreciated by Amanda & Kyle who I’ve had schedued for an Autumn engagement session since the early spring. At the time I advised them that a weekend in mid September would be the best bet but to be honest, you just never know. 

These two were so much fun. Amanda has been keeping an eye on my blog so she knew just what I was looking for when I began directing them. Of course, she also didn’t believe me when I told them to relax, I wasn’t shooting, just working out my lighting. Already onto my tricks she is….

I’m looking forward to their wedding next year in Canmore. 

Chelsea & Eoin decided to do some First Look photos. They arrived separately - Eoin first - at The Boardwalk on Policeman’s Creek in Canmore. He waited with his back turned until Chelsea tapped him on the shoulder. From the look on his face, he was very happy to see her. We did a few photos there before the couple leisurely walked to the church just a few blocks away to say their vows. It was lovely and relaxed, much like Eoin and Chelsea. People often express anxiety over having their photos taken but not these two. Even doing their engagement photos on a breezy winter day in December, they were relaxed and clearly delighted to be together which makes my job a snap. 

Congratulations Mr & Mrs. Rouine!

A small sampling is below. 

Joyce & Arden were married at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff the weekend before last. I have no idea how they managed to plan such an elegant and fun wedding with their work schedules in the medical profession but they pulled it off. Once again the weather threatened to be rainy but we lucked out and got some great light for portraits along with some bursts of sun too. We visited Cascade Gardens and Bankhead in Banff for some photos before their reception. A few samples below. 

It was the first wedding this year without a chance of rain in the forecast. I was excited. I love small weddings and I especially like ceremonies at Tunnel Mountain Meadow in Banff. The meadow was even better this past weekend, filled as it was with honeysuckles (though my second shooter pointed out this could mean bee stings, we were lucky). I love the image of Michelle and her dad walking across the carpet of flowers, it looks like heaven. 

Craig & Michelle have an impressive engagement story. This is a very condensed version. Both being big fans of the Amazing Race, Craig staged a treasure hunt of his own which had Michelle racing all over their home town and eventually boarding a flight to Quebec City where she found him waiting for her on one knee. In fact the full story is so amazing that it won them their tropical honeymoon vacation. 

Afterwards we went to a few of my favourite locations around Banff. But Murphy’s Law of weddings is that if one thing works in your favour (no rain) then another will not (mosquitoes). Michelle manages to look serene in all of her photos despite the presence of several flying, biting, buzzing creatures trapped in the layers of her dress. None of these images have been retouched and you can even see one of the flies in the image with her flowers. Mountain brides are resilient though (grooms too) and the show went on. 

Purple was an excellent choice for Michelle’s flowers with the meadows now full of flowers in similar shades.

It was supposed to be a sunset engagement session at Spray Lakes. We headed up the dusty gravel road towards Kananaskis around 7 in the evening and hoped that the clouds might part. Instead the temperature dropped and the wind got stronger. But Sarah & Michael had made a long drive for the engagement photos with me and they stuck it out. I’m glad they did. Sarah, in her pretty summer dress, even went without her jacket for the bulk of the time (my teeth were chattering and I was dressed in a couple of layers). This is just a small sample from a nice collection of images we created together. I look forward to seeing them both again for their wedding in 2012. If they let me drag them around in the dust and wind for engagement photos, just imagine what they’ll let me do on their wedding day!

April & Isaac || June 25 || Banff Hoodoos

April & Isaac picked yellow for their accent color and it could not have been a better choice. Some friends leant them some huge yellow umbrellas, just in case it rained, as it often does in June around here. Yellow is such a cheerful color that even if it is a grey day you have a shot of happy in your images. And if it’s a scorcher the umbrellas provide some much needed shade. When I was searching for locations to do their photos after the ceremony I came across an impressive crop of dandelions and I hoped that they’d be keen to do some shots there. I was in luck. We photographers like it when we’re allowed to drag you to strange locations (in this case on a busy corner) and it’s even better when we’re given plenty of time too. I got both of my wishes and the result is that we have a huge collection of images. I had to force myself not to post them all here as I want the newlyweds to still have a few surprises when they see their proofing gallery.

Banff’s Hoodoo viewpoint served as the spot for their intimate ceremony with family and close friends. Despite a posting that there were two cougars in the area we were spared the adrenalin of a close encounter with wildlife. After the ceremony we headed down to Vermillion Lakes. Both April & Isaac love the outdoors and they wanted to try a few shots with them fly fishing. I love the image of the two of them fishing side by side. We finished our day in the town of Banff. Isaac proposed to April on a bench next to the Bow River in Banff so it was important for them to have a photo of them there once again. And just across from the river are a few cabins on the grounds of the Whyte Museum, the light was filtering softly through the trees making it a great spot to do some photos with April’s vintage signs and some details of her lovely dress. 

It was a gorgeous wedding. Both bride and groom looked fantastic and I felt absolutely spoiled as a photographer. 

Thanks to:

Wedding Commissioner, Rick Kunelias

Stacey & Brian || June 18th || Moraine Lake

Despite naming my company after a cookie, I still do just fine in the wet weather. It’s a good thing too because Stacey & Brian were one resilient couple. They flew here from Chicago and were determined to get married outdoors in the picturesque setting on top of the rock pile overlooking Moraine Lake. It was below 10 degrees celsius and the rain kept coming down throughout the ceremony. A sense of humor goes a long way on days like this and I was charmed by Stacey’s habit of wrinkling her nose whenever she laughed. We had a good collection of umbrellas keeping their guests dry and Callandra from Cherry Tree Occasions was very resourceful in ensuring they all had a dry place to sit too (thanks Callandra for going the extra mile to make everything go smoothly). It was only fitting that they had a bag piper in such misty, alpine weather to set the mood (I have a real soft spot for bagpipes being from the maritimes). After the ceremony we took a short break at Moraine Lake Lodge to dry out and warm up before taking some more photos near the lakeside. Then we headed to Banff for an intimate reception at the Maple Leaf Grill. 

It was a memorable wedding and I’m sure they’ll be telling the story for the rest of their lives. I always say it’s good luck to have stormy weather on your wedding day - that’s what happened to me and we’re still going strong after 12 years. 

Thanks to:
Callandra Caulfield of Cherry Tree Occasions
The Post Hotel
Moraine Lake Lodge
The Maple Leaf Grill
Highland Chauffeur
Reverend Clay Kuhn 

After nearly 7 months of snow on the ground here in the mountains it was a treat just to see the color green again. I start to feel starved for color in the months of March and April. So I was especially happy to be able to do some family photos outside with the Simsons in early June, at one of my favorite local spots, Quarry Lake. They are an active family and came prepared for their portraits with bikes and bathing suits. The chilly lake water did not stop everyone from getting in for a splash. 

The May long weekend is typically the kick-off to the summer. People pile into vehicles packed with all the gear to enjoy the great outdoors and more often than not, it rains. So I was watching the stormy forecast for this past Sunday wondering what a photographer could do to tip the scales in her favor. So I went out and bought a stack of umbrellas. And instead of thunder and lightening we had a mostly sunny day for Michelle & Dan’s outdoor ceremony at Silvertip Golf Course in Canmore. 

It was my first wedding since having a baby so I am still working out how to accomplish the post processing of the (many) photos generated at a wedding with a baby crawling around my ankles. Therefore, a small selection is below. 

Ah, spring in the mountains. Snow boots and a t-shirt. You never know what the day has in store for you. Jessica & Lee are snowboarders so they were ready for anything. They’d been out snowboarding the day before so the car was still stocked with their gear. We did some sunny photos down on the lake then drove up towards Mount Norquay and used their boards in a few shots too. A sample of our little shoot is below. 

Let’s hope that some of this snow has melted by the time May rolls around for Michelle & Dan’s wedding in Canmore. It’s been a very snowy winter this year. We decided to meet at their ceremony location, I had a few spots in mind ahead of time but the hip deep snow was a bit of a deterrent. I think we all had wet jeans by the end of our time together but we were lucky to have some very mild winter weather this weekend so all was well. 

I always encourage people to include their pets in our sessions. They are part of the family after all and they add a splash of spontaneity to any photo. I love West HIghland Terriers, they have great personality - “Fenway” is a mix of Cairn and Westie - so I was very happy to see her arrive for our shoot. Plus, we tend to do a fair amount of walking for outdoor sessions, it’s a shame to go for a decent walk without a dog. 

Just a few samples below. 

These days the subject of my work is usually people; couples, families, babies, weddings or all of these at the same time. But years ago I used to do a lot of interior photos. I worked for a local company doing design work, maintaining their websites and photographing their properties. It requires a specific skill-set and if you are trying to sell real estate, you’d be smart to hire a professional to best show your property, otherwise shoppers can be misled by poor photos and move onto the next listing. It’s important to give a sense of space and light. The person behind the camera should be able to compose an image as well as light a room in a natural way (no harsh flash-lit photos) allowing the viewer to see outside as well. 

This past week I was hired to do some photos in Deadman’s Flats, a hamlet just east of the town of Canmore at Copperstone Resort. This condo has some very nice finishes in it and the resort has some great amenities for someone looking to own a ski getaway right in the mountains. Plus you are just a short drive from Canmore & Banff where we have incredible restaurants & cafes, plenty of entertainment (check out Communitea Cafe or the Banff Centre) and the great outdoors with all it has to offer in both winter and summer. And it’s priced to sell, click here to visit the listing with Thomas Calvert of Remax. 

Before I started my maternity leave last summer, I photographed one more wedding. It was Michelle and Jacson and I am so glad I squeezed them in despite the difficulty of my very round belly at that time. They were the couple that showed up in full wedding attire with a canoe strapped to the roof of their car. We headed over to Vermillion Lakes and shot many images in the golden light, of a day that had been otherwise overcast and drizzling. It was so peaceful. I have very fond memories of their wedding so I’d been waiting for news from them around Christmas time as I knew Michelle had since announced they were expecting their first child. 

So I was overjoyed to hear of the arrival of Cavan (meaning handsome at birth) on Christmas Day, no less. As you can imagine, now that I have my own baby I am eager to share in the experience with new parents. My own photos of Dylan shortly after birth (taken by a good friend and photographer) made me cry (happily) when I first saw them. So I asked Michelle and Jacson if they would like to create a set of images with their little boy.  

Courteney is pretty excited to start her new job with the Holistic Institute of Health & Fertility. She called me to get some head shots for their new website; check it out, they offer traditional chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, yoga therapy, nutrition and counselling services. Courteney’s specialty is Acupuncture. 

We did some informal shots in her living room while both her cat and her very cute little boy kept an eye on us nearby. I have a fun job. 

It’s never a good plan to show up at a job with brand new untested equipment. This past week I received my new set of wireless flash triggers so it was time to give them a try. You may notice that natural light is my domain, I am not keen on using flash but there are circumstances where you have little choice, so I have added to my gear bag for the upcoming season.

My husband is often recruited for these test shoots. Most of the time he just stands where I ask him to for a few minutes and the photos are not used for anything, they might even be deleted. But this time I thought it might be a good idea for him to get something useful out of it. He runs a successful business and I think most business owners are smart to have professional head shots done periodically; whether it’s for a website, company brochure or even a news story. So that is what we did. My husband posed for me in a shirt and tie, looking very calm despite the circumstances. Our son (not yet 5 months) was crying nearby and I was flustered with so much equipment crowding our small living room, forcing me to tiptoe around the obstacle course for each minor change of the light. But I’m happy to report that all systems worked as advertised and we even have a new portrait of my husband, looking dapper in a shirt and tie. 

Looking for a professional portrait? Snickerdoodle Portraits are always catered to your needs so they vary in price but as a minimum you always get one hour of photography at the location of your choice (indoors or outdoors) and a disk of professionally finished print & web ready images on disk. 

With any luck Chelsea and Eoin’s September wedding won’t feature snow. You just never know in the mountains… We three are hoping for the lazy warmth of the early Fall and some shots featuring some greenery, flowers even.

And I am very much looking forward to their wedding day. Despite having only used my camera to snap pictures of my adorable son for the past few months, it was an easy first shoot after my maternity leave with this couple who clearly enjoy time together.  As you may guess, it takes a while to get used to being stalked by a photographer and that is why I am always encouraging couples to take advantage of the engagement session before their wedding. Little direction was required on my part, they were all smiles. Within minutes I realized that all I needed to say was, “right, just keep doing what you’re doing over there…” A small sampling is below. 

On August 22nd, our baby was born; a healthy little boy named Dylan. Already he is being chased around by my camera. I include a few photos of him with his dad below, taken when he was just over a week old. 

So Snickerdoodle is officially on maternity leave for 2010. I am still responding to emails and phone calls, though a little slower than before, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in a booking for 2011. 

As July draws to a close, I am finishing up work at the Snickerdoodle desk. Our first child is due in just a few weeks, shortly after my 40th birthday! Being a first time mother, I anticipate the next 3 months will be challenging and fulfilling. I am not looking forward to the lack of sleep. Therefore, if you are trying to reach me, I may be slow to respond but I am taking bookings for 2011 - my maternity leave is from August 1st through to the start of January 2011. 

Below are some photos from another local photographer and friend, Julie Williams, who also does weddings & portraits here in the mountains. I am thrilled with the series of photos she took of me & my husband with our current child (Raisin the Basset Hound). Check out more of her work on her website and blog by clicking on her name above. 

And if you are curious about BabyDoodle, please check here and the Snickerdoodle Facebook page, I’ll post photos every time I get a chance. 

It was a beautiful summer day on Saturday, but windy. I arrived early for Vera & Ben’s wedding vows at Two Jack Lake to secure the nicest spot next to the lake. They had planned an informal ceremony with some family in attendance. As a backup - due to getting a lot of unpredictable weather lately -  Vera had a booking at the Banff Springs hotel so that we could use the setting for their photos. We were glad to have it as an option due to the gusting wind. The last thing a bride wants after careful preparation is to have her hair completely unraveled at the beginning of her day. So after Vera & Ben exchanged vows we headed for the Springs and it was such a pleasure to photograph this elegant and gracious couple. 

Just a small sample for our time at the Banff Springs. More to appear on the Snickerdoodle website when I finally update it in July. 

I must have visited the Environment Canada website every three hours the week before Michelle & Jacson’s wedding. It was to be outdoors in a lovely location and we had loads of ideas in mind for shots in their canoe after the ceremony. But the preceding days were rainy and the forecast kept changing from sunny to overcast to rain and then finally it was to be thunder and lightening. 

But, as often happens with weddings, everything turned out just fine. We had some light rain during the ceremony but the clouds parted right on cue and we were able to spend a sunny afternoon on Vermillion Lakes with bride and groom paddling around in their trusty canoe, “Old Yellah.” Michelle decided on bare feet for the day and they looked lovely peeking out under her dress with an intricate henna design from toe to ankle. I have never had a bride & groom arrive for their photos with a canoe strapped to the roof of their car and then - in full wedding attire - efficiently remove it and launch it in a few minutes. I was rather impressed. It was a very Canadian thing to do. 

Below is a small sample of the photos from our charmed afternoon together.  

Spring arrived in earnest for Saturday’s wedding at the Canmore Ranch, after weeks of wintery weather. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw the forecast. Jessica & Mike had an intimate wedding in a beautiful setting. The Canmore Ranch is right in the middle of town yet secluded amongst trees and bordering a stream, it is only accessed by a private driveway. It was my first time there. I love weddings in venues like this where there is so much privacy, people seem more at ease. The owners are very friendly and accommodating. After the ceremony we went downtown for some more photos with just Jessica and Mike. We had the added luxury of using Jessica’s Aunt’s purple, convertible, Barracuda. And as you can see, the bride was the driver.

I am posting some of my favorites here though I have not yet gone through all of the photos. 

 Jessica looks at her father as he walks her down the aisle, one of my favorite moments of the day.

I love it when the commissioner has a laugh during the ceremony. This is Patricia Compton.  

 Jessica & her proud mum.

 They have a very playful relationship and it was easy to catch them laughing with each other throughout the day. 

 Mike proposed to Jessica with a candy ring so we just had to pay a visit to the Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe.  

 Jessica has amazing skin. 

On Mother’s Day my husband was kind enough to help me with these photos. And yes, he did a lovely job documenting my belly at six and a half months of pregnancy! He even bought me a colorful shirt as a Mother’s Day present, which you see in the photo. So far I’ve been feeling very healthy (& happy) and both of us are excited about this new step in our lives. After over 11 years of marriage, we are becoming a family. (Even though, I must admit we have always felt like a family with the dogs standing in as very needy, drooling, shedding, wiggling children.) We are busy reading up on the basics and preparing our home for a little person. It is a huge change from our lives until now and we don’t have any illusions about the shock the transition will be for us. 

Though I’ll be winding down my summer bookings in the coming weeks, I will still be doing portrait sessions, as long as I am healthy and mobile. Please drop me a line if you are interested in having your photos done, up until mid July. And if you are booking your 2011 wedding, you can request pricing, I have already begun my bookings for next summer!

While home visiting family this spring, I took the opportunity to do some photos with my sister and her happy little family.

Nova Scotia often has the ideal portrait light - overcast, foggy even. Though people often hope for a bright day for their photos, it’s the grey days that are most flattering. The light is diffused which decreases facial shadows and people are not squinting from the sunshine. 

As you can see, we had one of those great portrait days; we climbed trees, hung out by the water and walked in the woods.

These images were done near Mahone Bay, one of the best places on the planet, where we used to live.

Looking for some ideas for what to get as a gift for the women in your wedding party? Or maybe you are planning to visit the mountains and you’d like to purchase something that is genuinely made in this area by a local artist? Whenever I visit a new area I find it difficult to pick up locally made products, often you flip it over and there it is, the Made in China sticker. If you are like me you should definitely check out Nik Naks.  

Trisha lives here in Canmore and she has been making her contemporary fused glass creations since 2007. You can purchase one of her cheerful pieces of jewelry or you can choose one of her sets of coasters from her online store. Each piece is unique due to the process involved in the glass fusion.

Check back with the Nik Naks website again too as I know she has new creations to be added and is also expanding to her line of products.

If you are planning a wedding in Banff but you do not live here, this might be perfect for you if you are planning a trip to town to book your location and vendors.

A local wedding planner is setting up a tour of the local venues, both indoor and out, to take place each Saturday afternoon from 1-4. You will be chauffeured around town and provided with an itinerary, information from the hotels and vendors. 

This is an ideal way for you to find out about all of the scenic spots in town and ask a lot of questions with one short visit. You can find out all the details on the tour and secure your spot by going to their website. You will note that Get Married in Banff not only offers wedding planning & wedding day coordination services but they also rent things like chair covers and chairs. Whether you are keen to do all of your own planning or would like a hand with some of the details, it is worthwhile to peruse their site. 

I have some very exciting news to share, we are expecting our first child this summer! Just imagine a babydoodle … 

As a result, I am not taking any more summer and autumn 2010 wedding bookings. Instead:  

- I will be offering my Sugar Package (for elopements) during the summer season, weekends too - up until the month of August (when I am due). I will not be able to fly, so (sadly) no helicopter weddings and I will only accept these as last minute bookings (2 weeks in advance) to ensure that I am healthy and strong on your day. 

- I will also be doing portrait sessions during weekends. The summer is a wonderful time to have natural outdoor portraits done in the mountains. They make great gifts for family as well as an ideal way to celebrate a milestone in your life. Check my Specials page (above) for seasonal specials. 

Why is this special? Most professional photographers are unable to offer these services on weekends in the warmer months as they already have weddings booked from May through October .

I was so worried about the weather for Erica & Jeff’s wedding in February - you never know when we are going to get one of our cold snaps here - but when I heard from Erica a few weeks beforehand she said she was thinking positive thoughts, it was going to be warm. And sure enough we had a mild, sunny day so we were able to visit many of my favorite spots in Banff. Below is a small taste of the photos from their day.

Both bride and groom looked stunning. I know Erica’s family could hardly hold back tears upon seeing her. And I am so happy to have been part of their wedding. It was a joyful day and both sides of the family were wonderful, gracious people. As usual I found myself tearing up during the speeches at the reception. I don’t think I was alone. I love weddings :-)

Tammy is a close friend and colleague - a very talented photographer. She is due with her first child in just a few weeks. I was honored to be the one to do her pregnancy photos and it was a lot of fun to spend a few hours with her and her husband creating some fun shots to remember her belly. Their dog even got involved, kissing her belly in one shot.  Below are just a few from our afternoon together. 

Jeanelle and Francois are getting married in Canmore in March. We did their engagement photos on Saturday while it was still snowing. They have chosen to do a candlelight evening ceremony with their closest friends and family. I think it will be lovely. I am especially excited to see Jeanelle’s bouquet as she has ordered a button bouquet from Etsy. Winter weddings require a bit of creativity when planning as you have to take into account the cold and snow which can be tricky for fresh flowers, high heels and strapless gowns. But I think Jeanelle has it covered. 

Here is a small sample of the photos from Saturday.

What should I wear for my engagement portrait session?

Your photos should reflect your style, so try to wear something that you know you look good in. Don’t wear something you wouldn’t normally wear as it may make you feel self conscious. But here are some things to consider:

- If you plan to wear high heels, bring a pair of flats for getting around as the best spots for photos sometimes require a bit of walking or even scrambling. Snickerdoodle sessions can be quite active. 

- Accessories in bright colors can add a great deal to your photos. If you can’t decide, bring along a bag of them such as hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry, umbrellas ….  Props can be fun too, if you want to ride your bike, go skating or fly a kite. 

- Avoid bold patterns and logos.

- Avoid solid black or solid white.

- A miniskirt may be a problem as you’ll be sitting, standing and moving around a lot.

- Avoid baggy clothing as it will add bulk. 

- You can bring along a second set of clothes for a different look - one could be casual and the other dressy.

- Keep in mind that you won’t want your photos to look dated too quickly so try to pick something classic. 

- Try to coordinate your colors with your partner, though you don’t have to match!

- Dress for the weather! I don’t want you to be pale blue. You can always take off your coat for a few shots but plan to be outside for up to two hours and the mountains are notoriously unpredictable. 

- Apply makeup slightly heavier than usual it is often not as obvious through the camera. Even better, schedule a hair appointment the same day and ask if they can apply your makeup too. The pros have the advantage of expert training and the ability to see you in three dimensions. 

Wouldn’t it be fun to have your own wedding website? Not only will it make it simple for you to post all of the information for your wedding day but you can cut down on the paper going back and forth. You can post photos, have a map to your wedding location and even have your guests RSVP. There are a number of companies offering this service but Ewedding has a user-friendly, free service that has several attractive themes from which to choose. 

I recently set up a new package for couples planning to elope. This is very basic coverage for people who like to keep it simple and it only applies to elopements (I have another package for wee weddings):

THE SUGAR PACKAGE | $1200 :

- Two hours of professional photography; coverage of your vows as well as portraits of the two of you at the location(s) of your choice
- Personal online proofing gallery where you can choose your favorites
- All images are color corrected and have general retouching but you can choose 6 of your favorites to get the full retouching treatment. All sorts of magic can be done; removal of blemishes, skin smoothing, slimming, color boosting, application of photo filters for a dreamy effect and so on. Don’t be shy with your requests.
- $200 credit to spend on printing. Your photos will be available for online ordering. So you can apply your credit any way you like. Choose from a wide variety of print sizes to beautiful custom made albums or even a canvas print.
- Disk with all your photos to keep, free of watermarks and ready to print.
- BONUS - if you need a witness I can sign my name on the line too. 

PLEASE NOTE: This package can only be booked a maximum of 3 weeks in advance and is available year round. 
 

I’ve been a bit late to the punch with Facebook for Snickerdoodle even though I have been on Facebook since their first days online. Now I look at my fan page and see that I am very lonely indeed :(

Become a fan and I promise to keep you amused with postings, fresh images and miscellaneous epiphanies. 

Snickerdoodle Photography

Promote Your Page Too

If you are looking at the Snickerdoodle site over the next week, please let me apologize in advance for any disruptions. I am changing the website to include a fresh color scheme along with the new logo. And this has made me re-think other parts of the website too. 

I designed and maintain the Snickerdoodle site, I come from a design background so I enjoy the ability to change the website to suit my needs on an ongoing basis. That being said, I would welcome any feedback, positive or negative from the user perspective. Please do let me know if you have any problems or suggestions in the comments section below. 

Introducing the new snickerdoodle logo (above & below), a much more fashionable, willowy, graceful (ahem, younger) version of myself wielding a camera. Though the wild hair is very fitting - it seems to acquire a personality when I am working at weddings - breaking free of its lashings and curling about my ears.

I am very excited to be able to add that punch of color throughout the snickerdoodle web site. Soon I will be launching a fresh new Snickerdoodle website. Stay tuned for that. 

My graphic designer also sourced out a company that uses 100% post-consumer recycled paper and veggie-based inks to print new cards and letterhead for me which works well with my hope to be as environmentally affectionate as possible. Right now most SnickerContracts are signed digitally, along with correspondence being via email & telephone, your proof galleries are displayed online before choosing photos for albums and prints so that paper is used only when necessary.

While I was looking at the printer’s website I noticed that they also offer a wonderfully whimsical product and I had no choice but to put in an order. In a few weeks I will have my own temporary tattoos available. They will feature my camera-toting redhead. 

If you like my logo and are in the market for one yourself you should check out JR Creative here in Canmore: http://www.jrcreative.ca