“Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what.”

The first item that deserves a post here is the amazing podcast “This American Life”. I am a very big fan of public radio documentaries, and listen to many of them while I’m editing at my computer or driving or washing the dishes. This is hands-down one of my absolute favourites. While yes, I am a Canadian. And like a good little Canadian I spend lots of time listening to the CBC too, this podcast is just sheer brilliance (and, it also airs Sunday nights at 11pm on CBC Radio One). I could listen to Ira Glass all. day. long. The stories that he and the other contributers tell of everyday people doing ordinary (and not-so-ordinary) things are a mishmash of funny, mundane, serious, quirky, cleverness that I look forward to every week. And you should too. Best enjoyed with a large mug of coffee in your hand, and a warm purring kitten on your lap…

www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast

“First we had each other…then we had you…now, we have everything.”

Cost:  $500

What it includes:  A full 1-2 hour portrait session, 30 fully edited images in an online gallery, as 5×7 prints and on a disc with a printing release (for the DIY types), and 40% off additional print purchases (for the non-DIY) types. Additional specialty products (albums, cards, canvases) are 25% off. Lots of great ideas for Christmas gifts (and yes, my apologies for just having mentioned Christmas in August…)

Who is it for:  Everyone! Newborns, families, couples – both new and returning clients.

When does it end:  All sessions must be booked before September 30, 2011, and your session must take place before November 15, 2011 (newborns excepted).

How to book it:  A $100 reservation fee is due at the time of booking (payable by cheque or credit card), with the $400 balance due on or before the date of your session.

*Please note I am an on-location photographer only, so all sessions take place at my clients’ homes or another location of your choice (park, urban setting, etc). Travel is included within the GTA.

And, since posts without pictures are just no fun, here’s a sampling of what I’ve been up to lately…

Then for the arrival of their adorable little baby boy…

And, a few months later, at their wedding!

More of the beautiful wedding images to come…

I am very much still around, however, we are in the process of selling our house. And, for anyone who has done that, you know the state I’m in right now – stressed! We already bought our new place, just south of where we are now, but the renovations and marketing of our current home have eaten up all my spare time (and my blogging time apparently!) I have so much recent client work to share, including some super cute newborns. And I’m off this weekend to photograph a wedding in Sudbury of all places (and for anyone who is wondering, no, I usually don’t travel that far, this is a special favour!)

So, the blogging will return very shortly I hope (along with my sanity). In the meantime, if anyone out there is looking for a beautifully updated 3-bedroom semi in a really nice area of Mississauga (with the unique feature of a fully functioning darkroom in the basement), drop me a line!