I jumped at the opportunity to capture the some images for Kandis in exchange for professional tailoring and alterations… who wouldn’t – I mean how many of us moms have that mending pile we never seem to get around to ‘mending’ – seriously, I had some items that were outgrown even by the second child. She also made the girls costumes for the Chilliwack Lion’s Festival of Music and Dance – they were fantastic (the out fits and the girls)

It was really fun – hanging out in the sewing studio … and capturing some images here in my studio of Kandis modeling some of her own custom designs. Here work is amazing – I know what I am asking for for my birthday!

You can find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sewinpressed

604.792.0701

sewinpressed@telus.net

She is offering first timers a 20% discount on their first workload..valid through 2012!

Run ladies – don’t walk – get your mending in… Kandis’ schedule is filling up quickly and affordable professional seamstress service are hard to come by… you’ll be so impressed. Oh … did I mention – she loves upcycling too. Repurpose – your old favorite sweater – leg warmers are in again! Or make your favorite shirt from last season a cute dress for your little girl… bring it to Kandis – she’ll amaze you with her creativity.

This year our daughter Avianna had the privilege of performing in “A Year With Frog and Toad” presented by the Mainstage Musical Theatre Program of the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts. Which took place January 2012 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Here is a link to the press release from our local paper.

Avianna was a squirrel and won this years new “Rookie of the Year Award” – which was really quite an honor.  It was a phenomenal experience not just for her – but for our whole family – to be involved, to volunteer and work along side of some truly talented individuals. Not just the amazing staff: Director Andrew Smith; Choreographer Shelley Wojcik; Musical Director Chris King; Stage Manager Steffi Munshaw; Set Design Kate Whyte; Costume Design Heather Westergard; Lighting Design Jamea Lister. But all the family and friends that came out and poured thousands of hours into making it a huge success. I have to admit – it was a big learning curve the whole way through. The students began rehearsals in September – I became the volunteer publicity coordinator for the show and started that job in October. Coby and I both, as well as the kids got involved in the stage craft side of things in December and stayed pretty close by the whole way through the process of staging, show time and set strike and clean up until near the end of January. It was an amazing first year! Thank you to everyone involved – for a fabulous first CSOPA experience for our family of a mainstage production!

I made up some collages for our kids for their journals for school of some the the images I took. I took many more – some of which can be seen on the “Mainstage” media section on the CSOPA website Here along side images taken by Andrew Smith.

Again… Thank you to everyone involved – for a fabulous first CSOPA experience for our family of a Mainstage Production with CSOPA! And to everyone else – I cannot tell you how much of a positive impact getting involved with this local Community Organization has been on our family – check out who CSOPA is: http://csopa.ca/about-csopa and what they do – how you can get involved!

(One more blog catch up post from 2011)

We got together to grab a couple images for family Christmas cards … you may remember I have had the privilege of photographing this family

a few times before. I have always been appreciated and valued as an artist by Miranda and Ian, and it has been an honor to be trusted to capture these fleeting moments in their life.

The Engagement Shoot:

http://photographybyalannaclempson.blogspot.ca/2009/04/baby-its-pure-love-baby-its-pure-love.html

The Wedding:

http://photographybyalannaclempson.blogspot.ca/2009/06/miranda-and-ian-sneak-peek.html

http://photographybyalannaclempson.blogspot.ca/2009/08/ian-and-miranda.html

Baby Love:

http://photographybyalannaclempson.blogspot.ca/2010/06/baby-love.html

Celia:

http://photographybyalannaclempson.com/celia/

Mommy, Daddy, Celia and …

Jordyn brought her little brother Tanner for his first photograph. We had a good time. They are such sweethearts.

As some of you may remember I had the privilege of photographing a beautiful little boy named Luke, and his family back in October 2009 and again when we stopped into visit him at the hospital not long after. Luke was in the midst of a battle for his life  – one that he is winning today. And excerpt from his blog for family and friends…

“Luke was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ph+ ALL) on October 2nd, 2008.  He was 16 months old.  Luke is now 4 1/2.  He completed his 3 yr protocol in September of this year.  Luke’s cancer level as of Nov, 2011, was still detectable.  Luke continues on a drug targeted at the PH+ which we hope and pray will keep the cancer at bay or better yet make it disappear.”

I am so grateful for the  privilege of meeting him and his family – so blessed to be able to watch him grow up and see how much he changed since we first met. I am exited for him that he now knows full fun days without the pain and burdens of cancer treatments and hospitals. That he is able to enjoy God’s creation – to get outside and play with his friend and family. The following pictures are from a special day in the fall when we went to the Apple Barn together on a filed trip and I was able to capture a few images of Luke dong just that.

If you are the praying kind – I ask you to continue to pray for this beautiful boy and his family – that they will have many more days, weeks, months and years TOGETHER like this one.

I have more than a little blog catching up to do… I ‘ll start here.

I loved every moment of our shoot this warm summer day last August – we had such a fantastic time – it was beautiful light and an opportunity to capture something I had never had a chance to before – haying.

… and best wishes for a very happy, healthy and fruitful new year.
From our family to yours. xoxo

The Top Ten – you know, we all have them – the people in our lives – who by their actions, their love and support or solely by their example – they help make you who you are – the best of you. And not because you see them day in, day out, like your immediate family – maybe you don’t even see them all that much – but when you do – everything is as it has always been – there are no barriers – you see them and they see you. For me, Rob and Kim are those people – they are in my top ten. I have known them for “many moons” as they say and they have seen my through all the stages of my life – and loved me through all of them, unconditionally. These images are extra special – they are for me.

and in her debut photo shoot: Cinnamon Diamond Clempson (Cinny Binny – our bunny)

Every detail for this session was creatively made/thought of by Laura to help showcase the Alice in Wonderland/Vintage 50’s themed dress she made for her project in the fashion design program at UFV.  With creativity abounding – time together with Laura is always well spent, interesting and enjoyable. The headband featured in the shoot is Laura’s design as well – if you are interested in purchasing a unique hand crafted mold-able headband for your own – you can contact Laura at: otherannadesigns@gmail.com    Our girls love theirs!

All images were captured on location at the always stunning Minter Gardens

One of the things I love to do is spend time in the garden. We have been working on our gardens for years and specifically with our fruit trees and berries we are finally starting to see the “fruits of our labor”. Here are some of the beautiful fruit we have grown at home this season. I will post again soon on our recent project of converting our front yard into another veggie garden.