Back to Reality

Well, last week - on what I understand was a bitterly cold and nasty week of winter - our family went to Florida to visit my in-laws. Even though it wasn't the scorching hot I love - it was warm and not -30 like here, so it suited me just right!!

I purposefully left my gear at home and brought only a borrowed point and shoot (thanks Carolynn!) and our video camera. This way we could focus more on people and less on pics. At points it was painful not to have my beloved cameras, but I think building the memories with the fam was worth it!

Here's a look at our week away...




Finally there! The girls soaking in the rays!





we went to SeaWorld for 2 days - the girls LOVED it!!












We fed sting rays....





And dolphins...



They loved the rides!




Then Madi decided she wanted to be a dolphin trainer - here's dad being the dolphin as he and the girls enjoy a morning swim!







and that's the end!

Colin & Jes

On Friday I had the honour of shooting Jes and Colin's wedding! I had never shot a winter wedding so I was very excited to see how it would be different compared to shooting in the summer with Krista. Also, Krista was on vacation in Florida so it was my turn to take the lead! With the help of lovely Carolynn, we were able to capture the beautiful wedding. Jes was nervous - but it did not show! She looked absolutely stunning. These photos were taken only minutes before she walked down the aisle!






Before the ceremony started - Jes was asking her son how excited he was to walk down the aisle and he couldnt have been more proud! Jes and her "little peanut" as she called him, walked down the aisle as Colin waited with a loving smile.





Both Colin and Jes exchanged vows that they had written for one another - it was absolutely beautiful!
Here is Jes listening to Colin express his love for her.



Caleb was hilarious - every time he heard the camera click he wanted to pose for the picture. Carolynn was making faces at him and he just loved it!



Here are some more precious moments during the ceremony - they really do capture the love that is this new family!







The newly weds!





They pretended I was not even there - which I LOVE and did different kissing poses a few times throughout the night. I really dont think they minded too much :) I could tell they didn't want to stop!






Jes is not only a newly wed - but a new aunt as well!



Thank you for letting us share in your special day Jes and Colin!

Aiden & Carolyn's Wedding

Today was a perfect day for a winter wedding with the thaw finally lifting and a light snow in the air! Carolyn was a stunning bride and Aiden just beamed when he saw her! It was a fun first wedding of '08 and a great day! Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!






I find I am naturally drawn to the elderly and the kids at weddings -0 they are who we want to remember the most and change the fastest. Here is a photo of Carolyn with her grandmother...



and with her nephew... (who didn't recognize her as she is usually very casually dressed)


The handsome groom waiting for Carolynn



When Carolyn arrived, her dad brought her in the waiting car a card and gift from Aiden.


Carolyn was too choked up to open it - until we went inside. I peek out the window and saw this intimate window of her opening her gift and card in private.


And in case you're wondering - here is the gorgeous necklace from Aiden!


And a couple of funny ones before the ceremony...

Carolynn as a triplet...


And a true Canadian bride - long johns (with knee highs over top!) and a coat and snow to step over!


Now on to the ceremony...



Mom and dad watch on....


A sweet moment after signing the registry (did I mention Aiden is 6'8"?)


Some candid shots of family and friends...












And some of the happy couple (hard to believe this beauty is in the city - right in Toronto!)

New Website!!

My new website is up!! Check it out - same address (www.kristajefferson.com) but with a new look! Would love to hear what you think!

Albums

All of our new wedding packages come with a custom designed coffee table book. They are gorgeous! Yesterday I received an order for a client - they had ordered a few for themselves and family so I thought I'd snap a picture so you could see what they look like! They had both the leather cover and slipcover options. These are STUNNING!!















And here is a peek at the inside.... LINK

Can't wait to see more of these beauties!!

Bookaholic

I am an absolute book-aholic. I love to read. Last year after reading "Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons" -a book about a book club! - I started a book club for just a couple girlfriends. We've read some great books this last year (The Birth House, Time Travelers Wife...) and I'm excited to see what we'll discover this year. When I went to Costco the other day to pick up this month's book ("A Year of Living Biblically" - looks funny!) I didn't find it - but did find two others I snagged for our trip next week. I've already read one though - "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen". I am such a Jane Austen fan. Pride & Prejudice being my all time fave. This new book is a novel - I had to keep reminding myself that it was a novel and not a biography. It was a great read - blending the feel and storyline of all the great Austen novels into one fictional story of Jane Austen herself. I'm sure I'll have others to recommend as time goes on! If you have any book suggestions - would love to hear them!

Beth's Texas Photo Shoot

Well, I'm home from an exciting trip to SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS!! I can officially say I am an "international photographer" hee hee maybe not but I like to dream....

My friend Tiffany who I've known my whole life, was one of the first models I had ever photographed back when I first started out in photography. Not only did she love posing for the camera - but we had so much fun taking the photos - and this definitely helped me to realize that fashion was my strong suit.

Tiffany moved out to Boston as her fiance plays professional hockey there. Later this year, he was traded to the San Antonio Rampage and they both moved out to TEXAS! Warm weather, cowboys, no snow.... i was jealous!

One day Tiffany and I were talking and she was telling me how she needed a new comp card [Tiffany is a professional dancer, A comp card is a card with photos and personal information to send to agencies, dance studios etc.] She told me to come to Texas and with a laugh, I said "yea right."

So, 10 minutes later, my flight was booked!

During my stay there (4 days) we did a few photoshoots.

The first we tired to make a very "Vogue" inspired shoot - so we gathered up everything in Tiffany's closet and my luggage and went nuts. We found an old golf course with a long grass field that said, "NO TRESPASSING" but being the rebel i am, thought it would still be a good idea to get in there! Many shots were taken in the grass where I tried new techniques such as a slow shutter speed while getting her to spin. We found a broken dock in the middle of the field and even posed on that!

I really wanted to do a Texas inspired shoot - but we went looking for cowboy boots and hat and believe it or not (I couldn't) we did not find any! Not even in thrift stores.. so we worked with what we had and ended up borrowing from friends. During this shoot I thought we should find road signs and make it look like a cow girl - lost - needing a ride type of story. As soon as we found a sign (in the middle of the highway) - we could not help but laugh at all the cars that were honking at her. It was hard to focus because it was hilarious - but we managed to get some great shots.

We ended our trip with a short visit to the River Walk (a very cool outside mall with a river that runs down the middle separating the two sides) and a winning Rampage hockey game where Nate (Tiffany's fiance) scored a goal!

It was a great trip and I would go back in a heart beat!

ENJOY the photos! :) Beth





















She even took some photos of me - got me all dressed up, cut and dyed my hair (my monthly hair style was up) and sent me out to pose! It was great being on the other side of the camera even though I don't know how people do it - it is sooo difficult! I think because I am used to being on the other side - I analyze every movement and pose instead of relaxing.

Q&A with Mark

I thought it would be fun to get to know some of the “staff” here at KJP. First up, is none other than the love of my life – Mark! I am so thrilled to have not only a supportive husband but one who is willing to be part of this Big Dream. He has dreamed with me about the business, encouraged, offered great suggestions and is helping out with bookkeeping and administrative tasks. Thanks Mark!

So here is a bit of a Q&A for you to get to know my better half – with some of my comments along the way. Feel free to ask him any of your own Q’s in the comments section!


How long have you been interested in photography? 
Ever since I received my first little point and shoot in elementary school

Where do you get inspiration for your photography? 
I love to look through books of black and white photography. For some reason, I am very drawn to the stark contrasts presented in black and white photography.

If you were a teacher of photography, what is the FIRST thing that you 
would want your student to know? 
Remove the lens cap.

What's your favorite meal? 
There are several "perfect" foods: a fruit, yogurt, trailmix & granola parfait; pizza; pita's, and; submarines. I love all of them. (In the last year Mark has become a health food addict – while me, the supportive wife, is a huge fan of McDonalds or other gross, greasy foods. Mmmmmmm….)

How did you and Krista meet? 
Krista and I met at a bus-stop in Toronto while we were both at Bible College. She was going to jail (Krista the "good-girl" is really just a charade) and I was going to work. (Ha! Ha! Yes, I was on my way to jail… but it’s not what you think! I was teaching math and English at the jail. I was a volunteer teacher in the jail for two years – lots of fun and some interesting stories)_

What words best describe you? 
Easy-going, quiet, devoted, hard-working. (I completely agree!)

What inspires you? 
Other people's stories. (Mark comes across as quiet - but he is an exceptional listener. Such a gift.)

Do you have any other artistic interests? 
I enjoy the culinary arts...mostly because I really like eating.

What is your favourite song today? 
Alicia Keys - No One (whenever I hear it on the radio, it goes through my head for the rest of the day)(that's just my favourite today, though...there are several on my radar right now: Timbaland - Apologize; State of Shock - Money Honey; Kanye West - Stronger).

Share a favorite photo that you have taken. 
While I was at college, I took a series of food art photos...they are probably my all time favourites, just because they were fun. (I forgot about these! I’ll have to dig these up – hilarious!)

Finish the sentences....

A girl can't live without.... 
Warm socks (slippers), comfy pants and a cozy blanket. (Can you tell we always have the thermostat debate in our house? I’m always cold! He also has 5 sisters and now two daughters so he's use to us girls)

Something I did in 2007.... 
I became certified in Infection Control. (Mark is a Public Health nurse in Communicable Diseases. If you need to know about washing your hands or the pandemic – he’s your man!)

Gifts I received for Christmas.... 
 a lovely new housecoat (to go with my slippers, which I've had for a year now...both of which give ample evidence that I am now officially an old fart).

I can't and I won't..... 
willfully eat anything containing plump, juicy raisins (dry, shrunken raisins are okay; plump, juicy raisins remind me of flies with their wings and legs cut off).
.
One of my New Year's resolutions... 
I refused to make any this year.

Wedding Musings

So, I took most of December off and am just getting fully back in to the swing of things! Tonight I had two wedding consults with future couples - love these. Before I book anyone's wedding, I like to meet them. Make sure we "click" and to hear their story. I'm looking forward to a fun season in '08 . We have some great venues, gorgeous couples and fun weddings on the horizon. I can't wait. As I talk about weddings to couples when we meet I get so anxious to just go snap their wedding TODAY! I absolutely love what I do!

Andrew & Jennifer

Had a fun - but cold! - morning with Andrew & Jennifer this morning at Webster's Falls. It was crazy how powerful the falls are in the winter with all the melted snow. NOTHING like what I'm use to in the Summer and Fall! Like Niagara Falls! Jennifer & Andrew were a lot of fun to get to know - thanks for a fun time!!

Darlene's Smiling Eyes

Yesterday was my first "Smiling Eyes" Photo shoot! Smiling Eyes is an organization I volunteer with - giving families touched by cancer a complimentary photo shoot to help ease the pain of the journey a bit. I find after spending time with people who have dealt with cancer, I wan to hug my kids a bit tighter and a bit longer and talk to my hubby more. These are the moments I want to capture for people dealing with cancer.

Darlene was a joy to photograph. Not only is she gorgeous - but so much fun! How fitting for "Smiling Eyes" that she brought along a collection of crazy glasses she collects. Her children Trevor and Jennifer were a lot of fun also and willing to do anything! The loving looks between mom and child was beautiful to watch.

Thanks for a fun afternoon!

And if you or someone you know is going through the journey of cancer - please let someone at Smiling Eyes know so you too can have a photo session! There are some great photographers signed up in different areas of Ontario!



Darlene and her adoring kids!





Jen got a piggy back from Trevor - so Darlene felt like she needed one too!!











Now I think this picture screams Smiling Eyes! Hilarious!



Darlene brought enough glasses for them all! Rachel shown here was the support person! She did the makeup and held coats - and helped make people laugh! Thanks Rachel!!



Darlene, I hope as you walk this journey that you can look back on these photos with your kids and remember all the love and support that surrounds you!

Dirty Dancing

Tonight we had a staff meeting here at KJP and are dreaming for bigger and better things. Ways to serve you better and best meet your needs.

But part of a new year is also looking back at the year that's passed. 2007 was a great year - I can't believe how many fun weddings, adorable babies and great families I was able to be a part of - thank you.

Today I got an e-mail with a link to one of my favourite memories from my 2007's weddings... Joel & Rachel's first dance!

Technical Difficulties

Let me start by saying HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I am so excited about a New Year and anxious to get out there and get snapping!! It was great taking December off and re-connecting with friends and family. I hope you all had a great holiday season also.

Today I just found out that my contact page on my website is not working. yikes! If you have sent an e-mail via the website and wondered why I'm ignoring you - I'm not! I did not know about this error until just now and apologize! If you are wanting to contact us please do so through our e-mail at info@kristajefferson.com or by phone 905.923.7623 until we get the contact page fixed.

In other news... my new website is almost ready to launch. Stay tuned...