Not Only did the Studio move, but so did the Blog!

It's time to move your bookmarks folks! We have moved the studio and now we are moving the blog. You can find it here . The new blog will have way more options for linking and way bigger photos.

It's Officially Official!

We are moving the studio! I have had my fingers crossed about this for a long time and I didn't want to blog about it earlier as I thought maybe telling everyone would jinx it somehow. Yesterday was a long day as I was tying up the loose ends in the office and processing as many orders as I could. I have to move the computers tonight and "with my luck" who knows how long those computers will be down!

So Marty's Business and mine will still be together and I will be housed in the back of his space. Officially I will be down there Mon-Friday 9 until 5 starting tomorrow. So all future sessions, meetings and pick ups will take place down at the studio on the bottom of Scholten hill.

I am really super excited to start this new venture with all of my past, current and future clients. Madchen Studios will have more room and the space is being practically built before my eyes with the comfort of you guys in mind. I hope to post some photos soon.

Until then I will close with one of the sessions shot in the old "home base". *sniff the end of a great first official era of the studio's progression IT seems only fitting that the shot is of this little sweetheart who is a membership customer. I had three sessions with him this year and it has been absolutely astounding to watch him grow!

sweethearts

I did a session with these four little cuties a few days ago and have been wanting to post their sweet little faces ever since they stepped foot inside the studio. I first met them at a wedding I shot in July, and I was so very lucky to have such adorable children in the wedding party. the only one I hadn't met yet was the baby as she was still nestled in her mommy's tummy that weekend. I just found out that she made her appearance only a week after the wedding. These kids got along awesome in the studio and they all seemed to enjoy themselves (with exception of the little one who did super awesome as well) I really enjoyed seeing them again and can't wait to do another session with them in the future!

New life

On the evening of the "laptop incident" I did a really fun session with Adam and Holly. They are expecting a brand new bundle of Joy right before Christmas. They are honestly super excited about their new arrival and it seemed like the more time I spent with them the more I was getting excited for them. Their easy going nature and tenderness that they displayed was contagious. These two are going to make a great Mommy and Daddy to this little one!

TLC

I don't even know where to begin this post. It's so sad to me I imagine myself telling the story in another dimension wrapped in a wooley blanket in front of some fireplace hunched over cuddling myself with the fibres and some very nice scotch. Instead though I am writing this in my husbands warm long underwear and a cup of java in my cool office. It seems as though one of "my best friends" is very sick. Last night after a super long day of shooting and processing I went downstairs to watch television with my hubby and blog about these 'oh so cute kids" that I had photographed in the last couple of days. I grabbed my laptop and plunked my very heavy midsection on the couch. I noticed right away when I tried to open it's beautiful silver lid. The bracket holding my mac was bent and where it closed, it was giving me this wonky half smile. "marty, something happened to the mac". He just looked at me and said " I know" . So now this panic sets in, I open it up and it looks okay, but it won't find the network. So as I do a restart so I can hook up to the computer upstairs he tells me this horrible story about how he took my "work friend" up to the washroom to check his facebook after work. He tells me that the dog came in to say hello. He the tells me that the dog used his nose and flipped my "friend" out of his hands and sending it crashing into the bathtub beside him. For those of you that know me even a little bit, you know that I love my family, my hubby, but I also so love my electronics. I was debating this little fact as I looked at him and the dog so comfortable on the couch, waiting for the mac to restart. Needless to say it didn't restart, just a blue screen. I got that "unreasonable and inconsolable" tone in my voice as I told he would probably never see me again because now that the laptop was gone I would be changed to my desk until Christmas because there was now no option of taking work anywhere else as my silver little buddy was dead. That they and facebook killed my machine that made late night blogging possible. Late last night as I was falling asleep I thought about my macbook and all of the little trips we took together. I thought about us in the dominican airport, on the patio sipping drinks, and camping out at Elkwater. I took it everywhere I went and it makes me so sad. All of it seems so long ago and so much like a dream. However this morning when I woke up I still got the blue screen and nothing else. A few hours of sleep did give me some clarity though...MY friend will be fixed...it just needs to go to the doctor for a few days. Now on to search for the perfect professional to work on my baby.

Anyways just because it does indeed make me feel better to look at these photos of the these cuties I will leave you with a few photos that I shot over the last two days. There were delightful to photograph and were so different even though they are fairly close in age.

The Sanders Family

I had the awesome opportunity the other night to meet the rest of this little gals family. I must say that they are this little perfect threesome. I must admit I felt badly for the daddy as he had to squeeze into my basement studio as he was very well over 6 ft tall. I think the cosiness of it turned out rather nicely. I think the little one did extremely well since about half way through the session her teething symptoms really started to flare up. It a terrible way to get nice rosy cheeks, but they photograph so well. Here's your early peek mom and dad!

Two Weeks

I have been very blessed in these last two weeks of business, and I want to thank everyone with their patience. Some of you didn't get your galleries up within the first 48 hours and I am very sorry about that. Also to all that are emailing and leaving messages, tomorrow will be the day that I sit behind my desk and get back to each and everyone one of you-Scouts honor. I did want to do a fairly large post because I have had so many favorite shots in the last ten days and I really want to share. So tonight I thought I would blog and put up some of the awesome moments I witnessed of these families and their interaction.


Also I just wanted to clear something up. My husband pointed out something horrifying to me today. I have been complaining for days about my sore mouth. the sides of my mouth keep cracking. It reminds me a lot of when I was a kid and freezies (being my favorite cold snack) would leave me mouth cut on the sides perpetually for the entire summer. In fact my whopper junior with cheese craving came to an end when I took my first bite and my split open. BTW I whimpered for a bit then finished my hamburger not caring whether I still wanted it or not. Anyways I was complaining to him again about it tonight and he says that they are cold sores. I looked at him and exhaustedly fell into his lap exclaiming "oh great everyone's been looking at my mouth this week wondering if I have cold sores!" He nicely kissed me on the forehead and said..."no honey they have been looking you all week and KNOW you have cold sores." Somehow his comment didn't make me feel any better. Mind you it's better than the "you just must have talked, shouted, opened your mouth or yawned too much response. Personally I think it's just winter settling into my skin and letting me know that I shouldn't have eaten that junior whopper. Does anyone else have this problem where their mouth just cracks? but I want to just say, so what if they are cold sores...that's obviously just going to be a part of my life and that's why I have photoshop! ;)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween blog readers! I trust that all of my little gys that I have shot this year are looking as scary and fabulous as ever! Feel free to drop them by for some candy. Oliver just had to be the Batman this year. I think he's pretty believable even though he's only 4 ft tall. (or at least he thinks so and has us all convinced, Moira was something a little different this year. So I thought we would play a game. Can you guess who she is? The first person to comment and guess correctly will receive a free 8X10 on any photo of their choice form a previous, current or future session. Good luck and happy haunting!

My Christmas Promo family

This family was the winner of my Christmas Promo Contest. I was so excited to meet them and I think everything turned out pretty awesome. All of their products have been sent away for production so hopefully we will have a really good sneak peak of the actual items next week. I must say their daughter looked "oh gosh so cute" in the black tutu! They will get a ton of prints, cards, a story book and a canvas after the tenth of December. If you want to take a stop by and look at these goodies please call or email the studio. All of the products ordered can be found in the christmas packages.

Here is the sample of their 5x5 flat card.


and here is the sample of one of the folded cards

I am starting to get jealous (lol) Dara and Curtis

I must say after my photographing my last two engagement session I am starting to get jealous. I am considering getting my husband some sort of lessons on how to be romantic. nah, he doesn't need it, he's romantic in his own 11 year marriage way. coffee brought home from work is a romantic gesture I am sure. Okay time to get back to Dara and Curtis. This is one girl who is super comfortable and home in her man's arms. I don't think I have ever seen a girl who is super care free and free spirited melt and get this romantic sereneness in her face when her man holds her, but Dara does. It makes me want to ooh and ahh a little. (of course in my own 11 year marriage romantic way).

There is one more thing I want to note. These photos were taken on saturday a few hours before the Medicine Hat sky went dark in the middle of the day with impending snow. It would seem to me that the Kraskos are very good with the weather and manage to avoid climatic catastrophe very well. (I think they may have a bit of X-men's Storm in them) I shot her brother's wedding in the summer and there were all sorts of thunderstorm, hail and tornado warnings all around them the day of the wedding at the farm. But low and behold all we got was great lighting under the clouds and great stormy skies. It's funny that his sister managed the same fate for her engagement shoot. As I drove away from the session I was looking at the snow coming and thought, wow those Krasko's are a lucky bunch. (in love and in weather!)

The Liefso Family

I absolutely adore being around this little guy. I must admit when I started photographing him he would wear me out pretty good. But that's busy little boys for you. He always seems to have the greatest expressions. I did a session for him and his mom and dad recently. I think he's really getting used to getting his photo taken as I really did have to chase him around with my camera like some crazy paparazzi. I love the colours and the happiness in these photos. When I look at them I always give a toothy grin and get the song "Shiny Happy People" in my head. Not the real version, but the one that was on the muppet show.

Andy and Kristin

I shot these two love birds a few weeks ago. I wanted to blog them earlier, but never got a chance as it seems I have more "ooh I want to thats" then I have time for. We had a beautiful day, and a really nice time down in the park. Who knew that area used to be so flooded? Kristin and Andy are hilarious and it was great getting to know them throughout the session. Looking back on the photos I really liked the connection between them. It's hard to explain, but even though they are separate individuals, Andy takes really good card of Kristin and I think it shows. Also I noticed when kristin gets really close to Andy she gets a big smile on her face. Congratulations on your engagement you two!

Time to catch up for the weekend

The last ten days of shooting has been fabulous! I have met some great people and have seen some awesome family dynamics. I always get a little warm fuzzy in my heart when I see my families interact. I want to thank all of you for your patience if you were waiting to see yourself up on the blog. I truly loved everyone of the last sesions that we all did together, but unfortunately I got to spend way more time under my desk, and less time blogging than I wanted to. Anyways, I put together a little collage showcasing some of my favorite images from the past few sessions. Enjoy!

ten shoots behind and ten lessons learned.

I have no idea how this happened, but my poor blog is neglected and now officially ten shoots behind. this week has been a busy one, but it has been a ton of fun to be constantly out these meeting new kids and families. I must say I enjoyed every minute I was away from my "old friend" aka my office. Here's the deal, suddenly my office has decided that I have committed some terrible crime(for which I can say I have not) and is now totally making me pay the price from it. So my dear blog I have lots of things to tell you in the lessons learned from my office. Do you remember the saying all I needed to know I learned in kindergarten. well, the saying doesn't seem to be true in my office,(it is in the rest of the world) the office is a cruel and jealous mistress and it has made me all the wiser this week.

Lessons

1. Networking- I used to adore this saying. It meant buddy time or mingling with other people with simular goals and interests. Networking in my office means no sleeping for almost 4 days. It mean that when you have a two macs set up with a windows computer and your printer suddenly decides to go offline, that you should just give up and
a. start drinking and
b. start the crazy serial killer laugh and stare as you will do this often as you search google for the answer.

2. I am a mac. nope, not a mac daddy, but as in, hello I am a mac, and hello of there goes my pc. The pc portion of my mac has now been taken out and windows is now on it's own only for Marty's work and none of my own. I think I am one of those happier divorcee's now that the pc is out of my office life

3. That "woot woot" I love my friend JP. He is honest and truthfull and tells me when I am crabby, but he is THE man when it comes to
a. calming me down and
b. sending me in the right direction when I need answers to my networking and printer issues.

4. Sleep- This you may not actually need. I have had so little, that I am actually finding ways to get my wayward printer back together with my network while I lay in bed. I seem to be doing quite fine minus all the crying spells. so maybe naps are still a requirement of life, but actual sleep I am rethinking

5. Printers- These are not your friend. No matter how they help you and print gorgeously when you are trying something or really don't care if it prints. It will at some point get this big chip on it's shoulder and completely refuse to give you an inch if you desperately need it. In fact I think my printer pointed out the fact that there is a pen and paper on my desk that I should think about using once in awhile.

6. Memory Cards- This was a rather large betrayal. I have babied these little guys since I got them. they all have their place in my life just like my kids. In fact they are even numbered according to adoption in the MAdchen Studio family and what they are used for. Well I got home from my sessions on Sunday. I felt that I had gotten a lot accomplished so I even had a lay down with the hubby. Little did I know that while I was snuggling with my husband that my jealous office was working on a scheme that was so malicious that I almost think I should have this room blessed so I can work in her a little easier. I go to plug in the card and voila (corrupted data). WHAT?!? I had heard of this and know others who have been affected by it, but had never experienced it before. I had three sessions on that card! No worries though folks, as I bought a nice little program and spent 4 or 5 hours recovering files (which I got all back!!) I am sure my jealous printer was over in the corner smiling and thinking "oh honey you think you are stressed out now, wait until you see the doozy I have planned for you!" The main lession learned in that lesson though is always to shoot on little cards and use two cameras. That way if you ever get a bad card then you still have all of the photos from the other card.

7. Mexican Chili Potato chips are a way bigger comfort food in the middle of the night then a triple triple.

8. If you can't beat your printer, but a new one. Oh yes, there will be jealousy later I am sure!

9. My photo sessions are a great way for me to get away. I think I may rethink the name of them and just call them my "calgon"

10. That office quarrels can be resolved when all parties have had their say. All in all there was only one electronic casualty (the memory card) and we are working together very nicely now. just like kindergartners.

3, 6, and 9 months

I was very fortunate in the last few days to photograph these little cuties! The first little gal I met was 3 months and super happy to be photographed and in the studio. Honestly these is nothing more precious than that little 3 month old grin. She was ecstatic to be naked and the accidents were minimal! Here's a little sneak peak from her "cheeky" session



The next little guy to come and visit me was Declan. I had the opportunity 6 months ago to photograph him while he was still brand spanking new to the world. He was a delight! I absolutely love to see how much they have grown in the past little while. It's also super cool to see how much he looks like his parents as all of his expressions and features are growing past that little itty bitty baby stage. Here is his little sneak peak, this no we had no accidents to report, (mom and dad, I don't think Declan is going to win the 2008 Madchen studio body fluid award this year!)





This last little gal, i must say is a very serious 9 month old. she did some serious playing and lots of leaf removing as we begged her to look up and smile. Isn't she a sweet heart? We had a lot of fun with her, moving her to different locations to see if we could get her full attention. I guess you could say we are just not as exciting as grand old mother earth!

a little help from my friends

spell check is most definitely my friend. This is especially true in the minutes before my morning coffee starts any effect in my body. Currently, as I take a bite of my tim hortons boston cream donut, I see 6 red underlined errors. now normally I don't think my spelling is that atrocious, but I think it's the level of motor skills need to type away when half asleep, or half awake, depending on where I am in my morning coffee. I honestly think there should be two level


it seems that everything is a go for the studio closure on Saturday except for one thing. I am having trouble getting a hold of my 1:00 appointment. If you know of someone who has an appointment with me this weekend who's name is Krista or anyone who has a 1:00 session, will you please let them know that I am trying to get in touch with them and that I can be reached at 403-979-2676.

On a side note, (which is weird as this is a photography blog) Here are just 3 from my last two sessions. This little baby I shot on Thanksgiving afternoon. They say hair is one's crowning glory, if that saying is true, this one is going to rule the roost as she was given the most precious amount of hair that I have seen on a newborn.




This family I managed to squeeze in over the holidays. they were delightful as they wrestled the two littlest ones into their arms for a quick family session.

A great loss

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. This year, it has been changed forever. One of my closest friends lost her father on Saturday night. Thanksgiving will never ever be the same for her or her family. He was an amazing man and the loss of him is not only great for his family and loved ones but for our community as well. The situation is so sad and so hard to understand as he was one of the most kind and welcoming men I have ever met. I feel honored to have served his family's photography needs in all the important events of the last year and a half.

I will be unable to shoot on Saturday, as I will be attending the funeral. I will be closing the studio for the day. All phone calls and emails will be returned on Sunday evening. For those of you who have sessions booked with me, I will be in contact Tuesday to reschedule. Sunday's sessions will continue as normal. I would like to thank everyone ahead of time for their understanding regarding this matter.

Madchen Studios Holiday 2008

I know I have been promising this for quite awhile, but the Holiday packaging was revealed this week and I and very proud to post the holiday specials for 2008.

I will be running 4 packages these all include the session and digital negatives and many, many more goodies. If you are a membership customer and already have a session, you will be given a gift certificate for a portrait session (gorgeously packaged I may add) for a stocking stuffer. Here is the link for the Christmas Packages.


As well I am posting card samples. These are not just templates as I custom design everything for all of my clients. These also can be found HERE You will have to scroll down a bit to see them.

This holiday page is a work in progress, but I really wanted to get it out tonight. The bugs will be ironed out as the days go by.

Those of you who have been waiting to see the canvas samples they are also found on the same page...but you can click here if you like, again, you will have to scroll down to see everything.


I want to thank everyone for the patience regarding the wait for these. You guys are awesome and I really couldn't ask for better clients! Happy Holidays everyone!

Been Waiting Along time

I am so excited to post these family photos. I have been wanting to photograph this little one since I saw him at a funeral (doesn't sound great does do it? ;) ) and i saw his gorgeous eyes. Over the past year I would see little glimpses of him. Then a few months ago when his mommy and I hooked up as friends on facebook I would look at her fabulous photos of him and just gush at how cute he was with his big eyes and little outfits. when april asked me to do their family photos I was immediately excited. However, there's some added pressure. Her hubby is well knowledgeable (okay that doesn't even look like a word, but spellcheck says that it is) in camera and Mac technical aspects, so I with my somewhat insecure mind was like ahh, this has got be perfect. They as a family take such great photos of their own that I really wanted to give them something special. Anyways I am super excited to give you a sneak peak, as when I woke up this morning I fell in love all over again with their little boy.

Fall Season is in Full Swing!

This weekend started the fall season off in full swing.

First things first. Moira had her science fair this weekend. I stopped by in the middle of sessions to see her project and wish her luck in the judging. I had just left when I got the phone call that her and her friend received the 2nd place ribbon. I am such a proud mommy as I barely went to the science fair let alone entered it. In fact, I saw the science fairs at the mall when I was a teenager, but I always just wondered if they got time off from the fair to just hang out at the mall.

Anyways on to all things photography. I had quite a few shoots this week and I don't want to be a blog hog. Is blog hog a term? It's been super tough to narrow the photos down to post, but I have to post some as I promised a sneak preview while my families wait for the sneak peak before their galleries are up.


This is Mr. E. Isn't he fabulous? I swear American Eagle should send him his modeling contract now before he becomes in demand. Seriously even I am sold I know that the blue suit can't possibly fit me.




When this family asked me to meet them in River Park in Redcliff I had no idea that the location would be as beautiful as it was. The fading light was perfect to highlight this amazing family and the personalities. I fell head over heels with their little one who has these gorgeous piercing eyes.


I got to know this Family in the Summer when I tooks Sam's Graduation Portraits. It's nice to know that they got together twice this year as some of them live all the way over in Australia. Sorry about the mix up guys, but you portraits turned out fabulous and hopefully it was worth the wait. I appreciated you understanding on Saturday morning!



This is Mr. C., cousin to Mr. E. Isn't he a sweetheart? It's been awhile since I photographed a nine month old in the great outdoors. Man they are on the move. But what's a little exercise for the photographer who spends her weekdays in front of the computer.




Please meet Michele and Ryan. They were an awesome, easy going and relaxed couple. Michele and I had been playing phone tag until noon the day of her session, but we got all the details worked out and think we were able to get a glimpse of their life together. They brought their dogs to the session, which always makes the photographs fun and light hearted. I wish them all the luck as they tie the knot next year up North!


Two Teacher in a family makes for some fun dynamics as an observer. Seriously though, this family I am getting to know fairly well as 2008 comes to a close. they are alot of fun and I enjoyed every minute of being around them. I even got to meet zack who seems to be as energetic and "crazy" as my dog. However Zack is way better at posing for family portraits.

All in all it was a fabulous weekend. The weather was gorgeous and even the rain held off as best as it could. Autumn in Medicine Hat is gorgeous, and I was happy to experience it this weekend with some fabulous people!