I Couldn't Wait!

What I told Corry Ellen and Troy is true - there is portrait work - and then there is art. I enjoy taking portraits, capturing the story of a happy family, spending time getting to know people, and working hard to capture the images they are looking for. I LOVE THE ART.

If you're good you get many really good shots where eyes are open, smiles are plentiful, the color is right, and the poses are flattering. If you're lucky you get one killer shot!! And this shot of firey little Meghan is the one that I knew immediately was THE one. It helps to have some dress up items - my favorite boa from Lori I haven't used for awhile and just one of many new hats knit with love by my mom. Thanks mom!

I couldn't even wait until the wonderful outdoor and studio family shots were unloaded before posting. Stay tuned for those. You were the perfect model Meghan.

Fall Photos!

Weather!!! It's terrible to be so dependant on something so out of your own control. Listening like someone obsessed to the nightly forecasts doesn't help because they are wrong as many times as right. The season for wonderful autumn portraits is very small and days of rain can throw a wrench in what is already a tight schedule. This fall has not been particularly kind!

For example, the day scheduled for the Richards' Family session threatened bad weather. Pacing from window to window seeing where the black clouds were coming from ... looking for a sign of clearing ... produced some serious doubts about going ahead as planned. But Deborah and I decided to go for it! And I'm happy we did. It turned out to be a lovely evening for picture taking.

It Can Be Fun!

I wonder how many times I have told parents who are trying desperately to get their children to behave, smile, stop fidgeting, look at the camera that pictures are all about the adults! There is NO payback for children. They don't care. They really don't. A beautiful portrait on the wall means nothing to them... and I mean nothing. It's us who wants the perfect picture and we dress them up, fuss over their hair, stop them from playing, tell them to stop (everything) and then we wonder why they (and we) are stressed! I actually find it funny. It's human nature and it happens repeatedly on the other side of my camera. Same situation - different family :o)

But, make it fun. Have a session be enjoyable, let them clown a little in exchange for one pose with a smile and see what happens.

Building a Portfolio?

Arianna came to my studio looking for head shots to build a portfolio for her acting interests. How refreshing to have a model so excited to have her picture taken! What fun we had. While I have taken many close-ups before, this is my first attempt at building a specific type of portfolio. And, truthfully, I'm not exactly sure what types of shots should be in one. But I hope these shots (and these) are a step in the right direction. I am sure it takes time to collect the best shots, and variety is key. I am also very sure I will find out what portraits best represents a future actor! Maybe Arianna and I will need to try something new next time :o)

One Of My Favorites

I'm not sure why but for some reason this graduation photo of Brandon and his girlfriend Elisa is one of my favorite shots. Maybe it's the sparkle, or the color, or the pose? Perhaps it's more my belief that these two young people are fabulous role models and will have a very successful future. I wonder if it shows to anyone other than me?

Do You See What I See?

Little Nate didn't have his best day! He didn't like the feel of the grass... common for little ones who are used to floors and blankets. He LOVED the gravel. Evidenced by the fistfuls he continually tried to put in his mouth :o) He was so preoccupied by the afore mentionned grass, gravel and, well everything really, he forgot he was normally a very smiley baby!!

I think mom and dad, Shauna and Gary, were worried. They did try hard to bring on the smiles!In reality, hoping for smiley pictures of a child who won't be one until January is a long shot. It may have seemed like there wasn't a good shot in the bunch! But, did Nate's parents see what I saw? Probably not...

A Mother Understands

I love this image!!! It requires no explanation other than that the hand in question is Spencer's mom's... not mine... sometimes at the beginning of a session it IS my hand removing the gum. And sometimes it is not a child who must give up their wad!

Check out a few of the other wonderful photos taken on this wonderful, warm Autumn Saturday in Oromocto during a multiple family booking. Let me know if you have 4 - 5 families wanting to book an afternoon (either soon for fall pics or later for winter fun!) and we can discuss a discount for sitting fees.

How to Photograph a 4 Year Old??

It's easy!! Simply ask him what he wants. In Cameron's case he wanted to make sure there were pictures of him actually driving his birthday gift from Nana and Grampy. To get his request he was more than willing to pose a little.



The following pictures are a little more artsy in nature... my favorite is the one from behind ... although they may not be what a mom would carry in her wallet but they are what he wanted! Those posted on facebook, however, are the wonderful result of what happens when a preschooler feels he has a say in the session. It also helps to have a subject who is picture perfect!!

Misconceptions

After several emails and phone conversations the mom of this 2010 UMRHS grad finally admits that her daughter Kelsey HATES having her photo taken. It is implied that our booked studio and outdoor session is a concession made for her mother. The compromise apparently is including pictures with her cats, a dog, a pony and a horse!

Off I go to deal with my tiny fear of very large horses thinking Kelsey must be shy and introverted with animals for friends. What I found instead was a beautiful, poised, fabulous young lady. Her intelligence was obvious, her spirit undeniable. Kelsey is an animal activist, as clearly stated on her tee - Club Soda Not Seals - and wants to be a veterinarian. There is no doubt she will succeed. How very fitting to have her photos taken with her animal friends, for that is who she is.

Family Portraits

This was a life changing summer for me. Without getting into details (those of you who know me best will understand), I have come to realize that life is truly too short and unexpected curve balls can be thrown your way at any time. While I have always taken some time for me and spent lots of time with my family I am wondering now if it is enough... rather ... is it stress free, quality time. So I am taking more time to enjoy the gifts I have been given. And as soon as my husband's black eye as a result of a recent write-the-truck-off accident heals we will be getting a family portrait done. One that reflects who we are now to safe keep the memory of this moment.

You may want to consider doing the same!

Although I haven't posted much this past couple of months, I have been busy. In an attempt to catch up I will start by posting the most recent shoot first and working backwards. Why? Because this particular family session best reflects my new found belief that "live life to the fullest" is more than words A photograph is not what makes a family. But capturing the spirit of who your family is and having it forever is simply nice to have. See others on the Gallery Arseneau facebook page.

Finally a Smile :o)

Heidi, you will not believe the smiles. There is actually more than one to choose from!

Grace is always very well behaved and takes great photos but she is shy and the smiles are usually hard to come by. This session was the exception. Is she growing accoustomed to me (she did know how man times she has been to the studio)? Should I chalk it up to her getting older and conquering her timidness? Maybe it's skill on my part?

I'm thinking it was having Nanny stay close by! Glad you came Elizabeth. We could really use the smiles!

How to Celebrate 50 Years?

John and Betty MacGillvray recently celebrated their golden anniversary. Fifty years of marriage! What is a fitting way to celebrate a half century of sharing a life together? Is it a party, where community and friends come together to mark what is truly a remarkable achievement? Perhaps. A day spent reminiscing the "old days"? Probably. A wish for what the future holds? Definately.

But the celebrating of a marriage is not limited to one day. It is celebrated each and every day... with the countless hours of volunteer work in the community they love... with 3 children and their spouses who care enough to make this one day something special... with 6 grandchildren.

..

... and another on the way!



The "MacGillvray" families chose to take advantage of being together by having portraits taken in the park to capture the memories of their special time together. Book your family session!!

I Am Good At My Job :o)

There are days when everything has been perfectly planned, a wonderful location has been carefully scouted and a multitude of posing ideas just come to mind and there are days when it seems like everything you know to do are just the same old, same old and creativity escapes you. Today was the latter and I was worried about whether or not I would be capable of pulling out some ideas that would be fitting for Brandon's high school graduation portraits.

No need to worry. With a model as handsome as this young man it is almost impossible not to be inspired. And it certainly helps to keep an open mind and make the best of the situation you have been given. I was thrilled to find this old truck in the neighboring field and even more thrilled with the following photos! Some days I actually think I am really good at my job...

Book your 2010 Graduation environmental photos before summer ends!

Make Me Dance!

It took a minute but I finally figured out she thought she looked like she was dancing when she watched her pictures flip by on the camera. Why was she watching them "dance by"? Bribery of course! Two year old Megan was willing to pose time and time again simply to see how she looked in the screen. She looked beautiful! And she was so smart I'm thinking it shows in these lovely photos of her!

It was also nice to get to know Corry Ellen a little, after hearing nice things about her for years :o)

How Beautiful Can a Child Be?

With photographs as proof, she can be this beautiful...

You would have had to have been there to know how incredibly smart and delightful Ava is. And you only need 2 minutes in a room with her mom, aunt, cousins and grandmother to know how truly loved this little bundle of joy is. These shots were taken in between rounds of "Ring Around the Rosie" and catch with her older cousins. Truly what an adorable child!!

"Feels So Good to be With You"

How young they look but how grown up they feel! As parents do we ever think this day will come when our babies enter kindergarten? And then, it's here before you know it! I have a son entering grade 7 next year and it seems he is still little... a long way from graduating high school. And then a parent says to me, "Five years will pass so quickly." FIVE YEARS!!! Is that all I have left! I can feel the tears coming.

I cannot imagine how many parents at last night's celebration fought back those same tears, wondered where the time went, and where the future would lead. Hopefully they took the time to enjoy the evening and the memories of school years gone by.

356 Days - Day 39

Fishin' in the Dark ... the theme of the 2009 Stanley High Prom. Sometimes the smallest of details is the biggest photo opportunity. This photograph was taken with no flash in a very dark gym with no tripod. You try it!

Day 38

A practice run ... for the grads and for me! Stay tuned. Tomorrow's picture might be spectacular!!

Day 37

Graduating ceremonies for Stanley High School are in full swing. It is traditional for grads and their families to participate in and attend a Baccalaureate Service at a local church. The graduating class and staff representatives walk from the school to the church while the community looks on. It is indeed a very touching celebration. This photo is only one of the many that were taken on Monday evening.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It was a magical night at Upper Mirimichi Regional High School. The girls were beautiful, the guys were handsome and the decorations out of this world! Prom is the most exciting time of the long school year and it is enjoyed by grads as well as family and friends. For the second year in a row I have been fortunate to share in the magic by being the official photographer for the prom and all grad week events.

Best wishes for a future filled with prom night happiness to the UMRHS graduates of 2009.

Day 36

A weekend of camping in our new trailer was enough to make me even more impatient for school to end next week. I love to see my boys have fun and be active and I can hardly wait for us to start enjoying our summer vacation!