Blog

I know, I know... We've been behind in blogging. It's been about a month since our last blog, and in that time we've been super busy! between shooting, and living life Jo and I have also been begining to prepare for our 1 month journy to Ghana, Africa! We'll be leaving on July 16th, so we have vaccines to get, Visa's to aquire, and packing to begin. In the past month we also ran deals with teambuy.ca and dealfind.com, which has really filled up our summer.

So what have we been doing in the photography world? well in the past month, we'e seen BIG dogs, little babies, pregnant mommies, and awesome families, as well as taking some time at the Kids Cancer Care Foundations recent Radiothon and High Hopes Challenge, and a Young Women of Influence event! One of the things I LOVE about being a photographer is the veriety of things we get to do, and this past 2 months have not disapointed. Here are some highlights:

I love spring! the buds are finally starting to form, I can see my lawn, I don't have to warm up the car, and we can shoot outside of the studio much more often! But this is Calgary, and that doesn't always work out, so lately we've still been in the studio, not that I'm complaining, because we still have so much fun in the studio. Lately, We've been having lots of fun with kids and balloons, and props in the studio. I love when kids start to warm up to shooting in the studio and want to play with all the props we have around, because that's when we really start to have fun!

Here are a few photos of kids having fun with balloons and props.

As Most of you reading this will have noticed by now Phoenix Photography has started a Mothers Day Fundraiser in support of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. The basic Details are:

• Phoenix Photography Will be donating a base amount of $150 to the KCCFA
• For Every new Like to our Facebook Page we will add $1
• We will add an extra $50 when we reach500

• For each new family photo session booked we will donate $50
• Each new booking will also get a pair of tickets to Globalfest

Our goal is to reach 500 Likes and 60 bookings before Mothers Day which is, I know, a very ambitious goal.

Some may wonder why the Kids Cancer Care Foundation? Well it's fairly simple. We did a family photo session for the Family of a little girl who has cancer. She filled me with such joy and hope it almost hurt. We did this particular photo session because of some contacts we had made in the KCCFA, and it was a natural progression that we would want to help this VERY worthy organization.

It's funny that all sorts of cancer organizations shed alot of light on Womens Cancers, Prostate Cancers, Breast Cancers, and the like, but there is very little spotlight on Kids with Cancers. So here's the deal; I don't usually sell with the blog, but I'm going to now! If you're reading this and have never booked a session with Phoenix, Please consider doing so. The proceeds to go to a very worthy organization. If you have a friend or family who you think need photos, Please send them our way. I really desire to give the KCCFA a substantial donation on Mothers Day, that will be a significant help to all the work they do (and you can check out their website at www.kidscancercare.ab.ca to see all that they do)

I guess no photography blog is worth its salt without some photos. So here are some photos of a shoot we did recently with Alanna. She's young, but such a professional when it comes to modeling, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how far she goes!

I love Alberta! I love our weather (most of the time), I love the people, I love our mountains and prairies, and I love the fact that we get Family Day! So this past Family Day Phoenix had a Family Day Photo Fling! and while we just don't have the space to show all the families we did I thought I'd highlight 2 of them! The Giffins were early in the afternoon, and I've got to say I do love it when a family come ready to have fun, it makes it so easy to get great shots! The other Family I'll hightlight is the Garside Family. I've shot them before but not for awhile so it was nice to catchup with them and their little 1 year old boy, and what a boy he is! We found a balloon in the studio and he was off to the races, and I had such a fun time (as well as my hands full) just keeping up with him!

enjoy!

- Mike

I use the word 'honored' a lot, but after this last week I think I will be reserving that word for occasions like our session with the Lewis family.

The Lewis family was the first session we did for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. The Lewis' Daughter Karlee was diagnosed with leukemia years ago and has been undergoing treatment ever since.

I have to admit, I don't know anyone with cancer, and I wasn't sure exactly what to expect for the shoot, but ignorance (which is defined as lack of knowledge) is always dispelled in the face of knowledge, and in the couple of hours that I got to be in the presence of the Lewis family I learned a ton!

I saw strength, faith, and incredible family bonds, and nowhere more so than in Karlee who, at 4 years old, displays an inner strength that one can actually sense.

But I gush too much. Please read her blog at karlees-leukemia-journey.bloodspot.com and also consider donating or volunteering with the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta (kidscancercare.ab.ca) who's mandate is to help families of kids in care. Here are some photos from the session.

- Mike