Our favourite photos of 2011

2011 was a year of firsts for Parkography.
Finally realizing what we could do together that was profitable and fun, Kyla and I put our creative minds together and did almost 16 photo shoots and 2 video gigs.
That was WAY more than I expected to do in our first year.
We've learned a lot from each other and continue to look for new ideas and ways to capture our favourite moments.
Here's to some great moments in 2011 and a wonderful year to come!

Take a moment and look back at our favourite pictures of 2011, from our lens to yours.
Happy New Year. ~The Parkographers

Kim and Kiana

Miss Kinsey Grace

Koen's 3rd birthday party

Willis often poses for us so that we can set up the lighting.  He's a gem.

Jody's wedding.  I love this candid shot that captures her joy!

Emma, being a doll.

Steve and Pavin

I especially love this one now, knowing that it was a little Amelia in there.

The lovely Gates family

Kyla and I enjoy snapping random shots of each other. I will clarify that, Deena loves to have random shots taken of herself, by me. I hate having my picture taken. haha. 

Sarah and Andrew's wedding

Sweet Amelia

Amelia and Candace

Cousin Lea's wedding.

Heidi's maternity shots.  She's 30 weeks in this picture, which interestingly is when Finley was born

Candace and Mike. LOVE the colour in this photo

The radiant Heidi

Little Miss Zoey

Amelia's sweet little head, how I love the smell of sweet baby...

The Collers

Lea and Brenen anxiously waiting to see each other on their wedding day

Dad and Willis having fun with props

Our first photoshoot together as the Parkographers photographing Autumn on her graduation day

Love the look on the girls faces after dropping Andrew

Beautiful autumn colours

Cuddles by the Christmas tree

Love the lighting around Candace

Random Kyla shot

Sisters 

Cute little Liam

The brother and Lucia

A gorgeous July Wedding and this is in the city of Saskatoon!

My favourite outdoor shot with Heidi, baby to be, Landon and Finley

Ah babies....

The Garcia Family

Can't wait to meet this baby!

Father and daughter

Aiden, so sweet

Fun with Autumn

A beautiful mother and daughter on a beautiful October day

The wonderful Gates Family

Stealing a kiss on their wedding day

Cowboy boots and dress shoes

Event Photography: A 3rd birthday extravaganza

I have a friend who is gifted in event planning. This could not have been made more clear at the epic birthday party she threw for her 3 year old this past weekend.
Crazy? Depends who's asking
Over the top? Maybe for someone who can't handle the mad skills she has
Amazing? ABSOLUTELY!
It was so awesome that she might as well have served cups of kick ass at the door.
I am so proud of her. I am also equally happy that she decided she needed photos done (or maybe I decided for her, but whatever, it worked for both of us).
I'm honoured to have documented such an event that hopefully gives her the confidence she needs to maybe pursue her dream of event planning. Because seriously, she would rock that gig. I've got her contact info if you're interested. In the meantime, soak in the awesome of these photos documenting Koen's day. What a lucky boy.

A little video fun.

Kyla has really been working hard with all the photo projects that we've had. I'm more of the behind the scenes gal. I do the editing and all the technical stuff. NEVER thought I'd have that role and love it so much. Aside from photoshop, my favourite thing to do is to edit videos. I find so much joy in creating special memories for events. Whether it's weddings, births or just a video to sum up a year, my mind is always thinking of ways I can represent such occasions. Here are some of my favourites: A former student's wedding:



A non traditional slideshow for a wedding reception of a most cherished friend:

 

A year in review, Simair style:

And the fun continues!

We are having such a great time doing our Christmas card photo shoots.  This week we took some shots of Kristen and her beautiful 3 year old daughter Emma.  Kristen is Kim's sister, we did a photo shoot of Kim and Kiana in October.  We had a new setting for Christmas photos where we did them at night with just the lights of the Christmas tree glowing around us.  Playing around with the shutter speed allowed us to get that nice glow from the tree.  Emma loved holding the big candy cane and once she had that in her hand she was game for pictures.
Here is one of our favourite cards we designed for Kristen and Emma. Clean, simple and full of love.

In the next few weeks we have several fun bookings; families, babies and baby bellies.  We are looking forward to that and making our plans for the New Year.

In other exciting creativity news, here's a little something anyone can try:

I am starting to decorate my house for Christmas and this year I decided to switch the pictures in my living room (framed photos) to more seasonal pictures for December.  I like the switch and it gives the house a more Christmassy feel.  I find this to be an inexpensive way to quickly redecorate for the holidays. 

These are some of my shots that I added around my house.  They were easy to take, using decorations and ornaments I had lying around the house and the beauty of nature as a background.

/We hope you enjoy the weeks building up to Christmas, surrounding yourself with the ones you love.

~ Kyla and Deena

Weekend of photos

Our Sunday was spent behind the camera, continually moving, repositioning and looking for that one great shot during numerous different shoots. 

Project 1:

The Fiors came over to do their Christmas card photo shoot.  We had taken newborn pictures of Amelia in August and it was great to take some more photos of her again. She keeps on getting cuter and cuter by the minute!  I think taking pictures of families is by far my favourite.  You get to become a part of that intimate connection of what makes a family and what holds them together.  Love.  Plain and simple. 

Project 2:

Deena had assigned her students to do a self-portrait so she thought it would be best to lead by example. We played around with the camera taking some portraits, though most of the time I was just concentrating on getting Deena to smile and not make strange faces....funny that she never uploaded those pictures for me to post......anyway.  

Project 3:

Monique also came over as she needed a head shot.  She was recently named a winner in the 2011 Fuel Awards for Canada's Future Entrepreneurial Leaders under 30 by Profit Magazine  and required a head shot for the magazine spread.  I put Willis in charge of making Monique smile, who couldn't when they have a cute four year old making faces at them?  He was such a great helper.  Monique was a very easy person to photograph as she is quite photogenic.  Only a few snapshots were needed to get that one great photo. 

I know that I have still a lot to learn about photography and am still a novice.  However, the more pictures I take and the more I practice, the more I will improve.  We are our own worst critic. At least I have my sister by my side, encouraging me as I go.  Stay tuned, more to come next week...

~ Kyla et Deena

*****

Okay, I just read over what Kyla wrote and decided that maybe I should attach a couple outtakes to show what REALLY happens behind the camera....

Tis the Season!

We had a great time doing a couple of photo shoots for Christmas cards this weekend.  Mom and Dad were up on Friday and they wanted a Christmas card with the grandkids.  We had a great time although Willis started to get a bit too hot in front of the fire.  We did a photo shoot with Aiden and one with Liam as well on Sunday.  It is was easy to get shots of these two handsome guys.  They are just so darn cute.  We wrapped up our weekend doing our own family Christmas card photos.  I am excited to see how they all turn out. 

If you are still interested in booking with us for our Christmas card package, let us know.  We have a few more bookings coming up and are doing them until the end of November.  Send us an email or give one of us a call.  Here is a peak of some of the shots we got this weekend. Enjoy!

A Parkography Christmas

"Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call

Their favourite time of year

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

Of love and dreams to share"

Well maybe not quite yet, but Christmas will be coming around the corner as are your thoughts  about sending out Christmas cards.  Why don't you have a little fun this year and try our unique Parkography Christmas Package?

Here are the details:

Parkography Christmas Package

Let us do your Christmas cards for you!   Email us at parkography@gmail.com to book your time. 

Your 70$ Package Includes:

•       1 hour photo booth shoot using a variety of Christmas props.

•       50 Christmas cards and envelopes *includes 50 5x6 flat photo cards and envelopes. 

•       Online media and photo DVD including all pictures from the shoot

•       Bring the whole family, including pets!

** Additional card numbers or folded card options are available.

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all the hear" - Buddy the Elf

-Kyla & Deena