The Post-Christmas Relaxin'

Just as fast as it came, Christmas is now officially over. Except for the clean up, tons of left over foods (thanks mom!), and the extra 10 lbs gained over the last week....but who can say no to home-made delicious meals? Psh. Here's mom and I (with Orion the dog's toy) on Christmas Eve:

I spent my week of preparing, celebrating and forgetting Christmas in the surrounding area of Maple Ridge. The weather couldn't have been better (except if it snowed), and we managed to find some beautiful place to walk around at least once a day.

Maple Ridge, my parent's back yard.

 

Pitt Lake, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows (and same goes for the next three photos)

 

New Westminster Quay, New Westmister

 

Somewhere along the road in Surrey :)

Let the countdown to the new year of 2010 begin!!!!!! What are your new year's resolutions? Do you have the same ones as last year, or have you ever succeeded at fulfilling your resolution? Mine is as basic as they get, and probably as common as they get - to become more fit and healthy, and possibly lose a few extra pounds from these holiday festivities. But on a more professional front, I'd like to update my blog at least once a week and focus on my photography that much more. Please, share your resolutions and let me know how you plan on motivating yourself to succeed :D 

Merry Christmas!!!!

Well I'm officially done the Ma-Luxe Photo Shoot editing - check out below for the finished product! With that being said, I want to wish every one of you a wonderfully Merry Christmas! Lots of smiles, food, love and anything else you may wish for - as well as all the best for the New Year of 2010! It's going to be a big one!!! Can you believe that another decade has gone by? My goodness....

And, after the week build-up, HERE THEY ARE!

Can't have a photo shoot without the necessities: Coffee, Chocolates, and Make-Up

 

 

 

35 out of 65

I'm getting there! I've got 35 out of 65 photos edited - and I can't wait to share them all with you guys. These photos have been extremely exciting to work with - so many different cropping ideas that transform each photo drastically. Too many opportunities.

Thanks to Marion, who happened to be my inspiration lately since she's the soul responsible for the latest photo shoot, I have been on a mission with this blog to try and network and get everyone reading some interesting things!! So, starting in the new year  (yay 2010!!!) I hope to spot light some of my favourite local artists and share them with you. I've already got a few lined up and you won't believe your eyes the talented secrets our little Island holds - you've just got to know where to look.

In the meantime...feast your eyes on a part of my Black & White gallery:

 

Victoria (Fort St.)

Zakopane, Poland (Morskie Oko)

Darude Concert, Deep Club (aka. Social Club)

Maple Ridge

 

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Auschwitz, Poland

Prague, Czech

Montreal, Mont Royal, Quebec

              

Paris, France (1:30 A.M.)

Amazing feedback so far!

Thanks to everyone who has been checking out my blog and actually reading my rambles ;) What a great friend you are. I am just so excited to share this with everyone, it feels so right ! =)

 Alex's Celica - 2005

Since I am still working on the most recent photo shoot and I don't want to give away any more teasers - it's just not going to cut it... I thought I'd put together a tiny grouping of some of my older collections - some fall shots and something of variety - to spice up this blog! Before I got into all this fashion, wedding and head shot photography, I did a lot of still life and nature stuff. So sit back, relax and enjoy the view <3

Victoria Sunrise, Fall of 2007

Paris Metro - 2004

Maple Ridge, Rose Macro - 2004

70 Mile House, B.C.

My 1st "Real" Photograph - Maple Ridge Park - 2002

Mount Doug Park - Autumn of 2007

Victoria Crystal Gardens  2004

xoxo

Dottie

Customized

I've customized the blog a little bit more now - so that anyone can leave me comments (and please do!!), rather than have to be a registered member of blogger.com..What do you guys think of the new lay-out? I've expanded the writing field so that pictures can be viewed as pairs rather than one by one - I think I like it a lot better now.

More pictures of the Ma-Luxe Salon photo shoot coming soon! : ) Can't wait to show them off...

MaLuxe and Co. Photo Shoot Teasers

Another photo shoot, another successful day!


Today I had the pleasure of shooting Brittany and Trey at Ma-Luxe Salon. It was a girlie day filled with veggies, champagne, and chocolates. (I'm leaving out the chips on purpose haha). Here are the two models as a teaser - more to come soon!!

T-Minus 14 days

Fast approaching is Christmas - I can't believe it. But even faster are the two/three photo shoots I am doing next week and beyond. I can't believe that even with this hectic time of the year, I am able to find inspiration and work <3.

1) Photo shoot no. one is for a dear friend of mine Caley. A portrait as a family Christmas gift.
We'll do something casual, very West Coast - outside near the Ocean, on a rocky surface... I think it's the perfect time of the year to capture Caley's character and sweetness.

2) Photo shoot no. two is a project I am working on with stylist Marion Andrew (aka. Ma-Luxe Salon), and another local make-up artist, Emmy Beaton. Our inspiration: nude faces, pink lips, big hair, pastels, furry accessories and Christmas. Roll that into one, with a few secret ingredients, and viola!

3) Photo shoot no 3 is in the works - we're still debating what will go on, but it will be a couple's shoot; so either we'll do something simple and typical, or we'll go au natural. We will see. This will happen first week of January.


How are everyone's plans going for Christmas and the New Year? Is anyone actually ready? My goodness - I don't know if I ever will be... But bring it on!

xoxo

Merry Christmas! (t-minus 17 days)

It's my favourite time of the year...winter wonderland, Christmas carols, lights and smoky air. Every day when I get out of work and its already dark out, it dampens my mood as I wish I had more time to enjoy the evening before I head to bed... but then I go outside and smell the air, taste the crisp coldness and remember that I love this so much.
Our Christmas tree is up (minus decorations, for now), our Christmas cookies are baked and ready to go - and the shopping is... well... somewhat started. I guess that's the hardest part about this crazy time - is getting out there into the huge nasty crowds and elbowing your way through to get to the good stuff. Blegh.

Regardless.
I hope every one has an amazing holiday - Christmas or whatever else, and do the snow dance with me so that we can have the white fluffy stuff soon!

Cards with Dot Com Photography (and more?)

It has been my plans for many years now to sell photo-related products to the public. I thought I had it made - I live in a town that is extremely focused on the arts, I love what I do and create, and I've gotten amazing responses about everything I make - but is that enough?

For the past few months I have been working on a business plan to make this happen. I have set deadlines, databases, and made inventories. The hardest part is creating a product that people will actually be excited about, and feel the need to have it, want it, and buy it. By January 2010 things will be rolling fairly smoothly (although I am sure I will encounter more than one bump in the road).

I look forward to launching these products but most of all, I am excited about creating them! Look out 2010 - you better be ready this!

Gwen and Andy Wedding 2009

           

I love these guys. Gwen and Andy are a happy couple; sure, you hear that a lot about people who are about to get married or just did - but Gwendo (as we usually call them) are down to earth, chill, awesome people every day. It was an amazing honour to be the photographer at their wedding. Nothing could break their amazing spirits - even the rain. We endured the ceremony in a tiny sprinkling of rain - but when it came to the family photos, it came down a little harder. Gwen smiled even more brilliantly than before. What more do you need for inspiration, seriously...!