Birthing

My dear friend Pam Aloisio has officially launched her doula business. Check out her great site here.

For those of you who know me well, you'll know I am passionate about positive, empowering birthing experiences. Both of my boys were born at home with my midwife, Barbara, my doula friend Kimberly and their dad Mike by my side.

I know homebirthing is not for everyone, but I absolutely believe that every woman should have a doula. She will provide you with information about the birthing experience, educate you on your options, hold your hand, rub your back, call you to check up on you many, many times before and after the birth of your baby, provide support to you and the father, advocate on your behalf with medical staff and most importantly become a huge part of your life.

Pam will be an amazing doula. She's loving, compassionate, passionate, adores and respects little people, is super smart, and one cool chick!

Congratulations friend!

Love this

Brilliant Earth has conflict free and ethically sourced diamonds. Pretty, and easy on your conscience!

A Real Mama's body

I don't know about you, but I feel great about myself. Except when I look in the mirror. At that point, my internal image of myself comes face to face with the image of what a woman "should" look like. I don't read a lot of women's magazines, but I see pictures of the Hollywood woman every time I go grocery shopping, and that cultural image is wired into my brain. I try hard not to look at the magazines because I don't like feeling bad about myself.

A friend of mine posted this great article on what magazines do to celebrity bodies on Facebook. I had to share.

Here's a picture of a (semi) celebrity mama who was willing to be normal and real.

This is How its done.

Remember - you made a baby. In that amazing body of yours. Celebrate that.

To Haiti With Love

My fabulous friend, Rene wanted to do a "little something" for Haiti. Her little something turned into a massive art auction, with beautiful (and practical) art donated by artists all across North America.

Go - check it out. There's everything from children's clothing to photography to mentoring to a week in Teluride, Colorado.

http://tohaitiwithlove.squarespace.com/

To Haiti With Love

Glowing

Some women absolutely glow when they are pregnant - and Cindy is one of them.

Gorgeous x 10.

As Cindy laid down for this shot, Jean Marie and I let out a collective gasp. We could see their baby's bottom right through her stomach. So cool!

Look at that beautiful belly.

I love this picture, how Jean Marie is wrapped around his wife and baby.

Waiting - a few more weeks!

Wonderful to meet you both, and I look forward to meeting your new baby!

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours.

xxR

Thanks to Lana and Amy for taking the pictures of us.

Aimee!!!!!!!!!

I've known James since he was 2. I was 5. We spent a couple of weeks together every summer, and watched each other grow up. So many of my childhood and teen memories involve James in one way or another. We've got the incriminating pictures to prove it (my favourite is when we decided to go boating/surfing on the water covering the ice in the slough one spring. One of our parents caught a photo of us coming out of the slough, running, with our soaked pants heading south, laughing our heads off. My mom made us get undressed outside and they hosed us down before we were allowed inside. It was probably only about 10C. I remember having so much fun, and freezing at the same time.)


We've always stayed close, and I had the pleasure of standing up for James at his wedding to Erin. Those are much nicer pictures.


But, this post is not about us, its about Aimee. Aimee is James and Erin's long-awaited love child.

Erin has a wicked sense of humour, and Aimee has obviously inherited it. Score!

She is dearly loved. James wasn't too sure about the whole baby thing (kids, yes, but the baby stage . . . a little worrisome), but it appears Erin was right, and he is a great dad, and has it down pat.

I love how Erin looks at James. Warms my heart for my little brother/friend.

Erin knew she would kick but as a Mama. Absolutely.

I LOVE this picture - it says so much about James and Erin. When they renovated, James wanted a work out room - working out has always been important to him. Check. Erin is good at decorating. Check. She has impeccable taste. Check. You can see Erin's hand in the reflection. Love the stencils on the walls. Live pretty much says it all.

Here's another, right above the treadmill. Erin's done marathons. She rocks. And her baby looks pretty cute up there.

And, finally some close-ups. Eyes to die for.

Teeth hurt a bit though.

And, I had to close with this picture. James dancing with Aimee. Give us another 30 years, and I will be doing this shot again at Aimee's wedding. We'll all be bawling our heads off.

Love you guys so much!

xxR

Something to warm you up

This was a whole family session - Troy is the first grandbaby, so we got some family pictures first, and then moved to the main show. Troy is absolutely adorable. He didn't want to smile too much (I think he might be reaching that "making strange phase") but all the people he loved most in the world were there to help him.

Here is our champion, Troy. Look at him devour that Stanley Cup.

Troy's mom brought a hat along for his pictures. I normally don't do this much post-processing, but this hat just screamed for a little antique look to the picture.

And again, in my antique chair. Check out his feet.

Basket shot. I'd been wanting to do this for a while, and Troy was totally co-operative. Thanks buddy!

Connie also brought along Troy's favourite toy - his drum. He was fascinated and happy.

I love drool shots.

Family time. These are my favourites. I love watching people interact with their family. So much emotion comes out. You can tell Troy is a well loved little boy!

Thank you so much Connie, Andy and Troy for coming out on a cold winter's day! It was wonderful to meet you.

Solly and Lawrence

Solly and Lawrence had a beautiful, intimate, winter wedding in the Wedgewood Room, at the Hotel MacDonald.

Solly is my kind of girl - she, with the help of her mother and mother in law started planning the wedding only a couple of months ago. You would never know it from how perfectly everything turned out.

A few beautiful details - flowers by Zocalo.


The gorgeous fondant wedding cake, topped with yellow orchids. Check out their names in the icing.

Solly's cousin and best friend help her get ready.

Isn't she gorgeous?! Not only that, but she is fun, smart, full of life and a great mother.

I love these two shots of Solly and her dad.

The Wedgewood Room is great to photograph in.

Usually, the registry signing is one of those "must take" shots, that aren't particularly interesting. This one is a great tableau of the couple, their sweet son Liam, and their attendants.

My favourite shot of the day. I captured this one while doing the formal shots of Solly, her cousin and their beloved Baba. I far prefer the "outtakes" to the formal shots :).

...Although, these formals turned out really well. Solly had all the little details down - her something old in this picture are her great aunt's stole (perfect for a winter wedding) and Lawrence's grandmother's bracelet that both her new mother in law and grandmother in law wore on their wedding days.

The boys, looking smashing.

Love this one.

Liam is 21 months old, and was so good during the ceremony. He was a little discombobulated by all the excitement of the day, but got lots of good lovin' from his mom and dad.

Lawrence's boutonniere.
And, the dashing groom.
First dance. There were a lot of looks between them like this all day. Their adoration for each is awesome.

First dance with Liam. Love this shot.

Solly and Lawrence, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your beautiful wedding.