To Crown or Not to Crown

Every May 2-4 weekend for the past three years, Kit Kat Photography has hosted a Princess Casting Call contest on Facebook.

What started out a fun little contest has lost its sparkle and shine.

The basis for the contest asked fans to submit a photo of their daughter or granddaughter. I put all the photos received into an album on Facebook. The submitted photo was shared by the mom and I encouraged mom to tag her partner, grandma and doting aunties, etc.

I love how Facebook allows people to share their family photos. I love how you can stay connected when families are spread across the country and beyond.  And I loved how so many moms, grandmas and family friends would click the LIKE button on a child’s photo in support of crowning a little princess.

After receiving Facebook messages from moms questioning my voting format for the contest, I looked at how I presented things on social media.

In the past, I had posted the rules page and totally forgot about the link this year.
What I have since learned is that there should have been specific rules in place or that I should have offered the contest in a whole different format.  I was asked by one mom to make an announcement about changing the voting system.  Well, by this time the contest was due to end in the next 24 hours so what was done was done.

Meanwhile, I kept thinking about those Facebook messages received. It took me hours of thinking about what could be done THIS YEAR in regard to crowning a Princess and rewarding the mom.  I’m not the kind of person to make a plan and not follow through.

My generous soul wanted to gift one little girl the opportunity to come into the studio and shine like a Princess.  I just LOVE watching eyes light up, the twirl of a princess dress and capturing the magic of make believe.  To gift the mom keepsakes of that very moment is priceless.  I’m just like that – sharing my talent by gifting images.  Simple, right?

Well in the end, I made the hardest decision to  removed all Princess photo entries and taken today to prepare my blog post. Sadly there will be no little girl being crowned this year.  I apologize to you all wholeheartedly.

BUT………..there are still GIFTS TO GIVE.
Yes!!!  I’ve thought long and hard about this.  Gifting is my nature so NOT giving is denying me of the pleasure as well!
Please don’t beat me up for these choices, it’s the best I’ve come up in the past 24 hours.

Gift vouchers have been sent to the 1st and 2nd top vote counts.
Congratulations are in order for Samantha Penney & Tiffany Smith.
I’ve also pulled one name out of a hat so that I can still gift one little girl a photo session.
Congratulations to Jill Pestell.

I’m still excited to give back to my supporting fans.  I love you all to bits!

Enter to win a $50 gift card

Tags

Kitchener/Waterloo photographer, Listowel photographer

I’m so excited for the spring and summer babies to arrive, the wee ones celebrating their milestone first birthdays and the opportunity to capture your family on a beach at sunset, in the greenspace of your favourite park and on the many farms located north and west of  Kitchener & Waterloo.

Would you like to win one of the three $50 gift cards I’m giving away in the Fan Appreciation Giveaway?   ENTER HERE

There’s a cap on the entries, so be sure to get yours in right away.  I’m accepting 50 more names to put into the hat for the draw giving everyone an approximate chance at winning as 1 in 33.  It could be you or someone you know that will be a winner.

 

 

 

 

A mother’s moment

Tags

KW photographer

Happy Mother’s Day.  I love how this day falls in May, when the flowers such as the tulips and hyacinths are in bloom.  The grass is green again and the sounds of children playing outdoors is music to your ears.

Over the years I have captured many many mothers with their child(ren).  I will never, ever tire of watching the interaction, nor the glow.  I adore the classic portrait pose but I am also very fond of momentous images, those which are gone in the time it takes to click my shutter. It could be that look, or that smile he only gives you when he’s looking into your eyes I want to capture for you.

There is one gift you can give yourself, and most importantly, your children and that is displaying a photo of you and them so as they grow they can look back and know how long you have loved them……since they were THAT small.

Some of this year’s mother-moments.

One of my favourite location shoots

Tags

beach, Family, summer

The beach has to be one of my favourite locations to book a session.  I may be biased and somewhat subjective with the outcome of this family’s results, but any wide open space is perfect for rambunctious boys.

Andrew, age 4, commented to his mom after the session, “Kathleen is so fast at the camera”. To which, mom replied, “Well she’s got to be fast to capture you two!”
<grin>

As the change in seasons is upon us, these images are sure to remind you of your own days spent at some beach this past summer.

Rural family sessions

Tags

Family, farm, summer

I absolutely adore being invited to photograph a family on their rural property. There’s just something about the wide open spaces and the energy of one’s home that gives a special feeling to a farm family session.

Don’t laugh at the height of the corn in these images – it’s the same story at all the farms I’ve visited over the summer.  These photos will definitely bring back the memory of the harvest of 2015.

I’m still here………

Tags

Kit Kat Photography, summer

Oh my word – as in oh my WORDPRESS!
I’ve been so caught up with tending to so many amazing photo shoots since spring arrived and I’ve been outdoors a lot.  I’ve traveled to so many farms and enjoyed warm welcomes at cottages this summer that WordPress took a backseat to life.

In addition to my passion for photography, those that know me, have learned that I love gardening too.  I have a small floral garden, small herb section and a plot at the community garden just 5 minutes from home!

It’s been a slow season with the garden harvest but my first attempt at cabbage provided my first beauty!

Super good news to share!

Tags

Kit Kat Photography, what's new

It is with great pride that I share the news that I have been welcomed into the National Association of Professional Child Photographers

This worldwide organization is a great fit for me and I’m super jazzed to continue and showcase my creative work.
I have been photographing children since before digital cameras were available. I have great fondness for other genres of photography, but it has been working with the little people and their parents that has given me the greatest reward. I think my laugh lines have grown ten-fold in the last five years alone.
I give great thanks to the parents that have chosen me to be the one to capture their child’s portrait and personality. Although my medium of art is digital, the process of bringing everything together starts with a vision. Working alongside parents as well as having experience and talent results in amazing portraits time after time. Parents vouch for my hard and patience as well as my sprinkle of rainbow dust on top for good measure.

My mother always told me that there is no such thing as luck. It grounds me in realizing that a lot of perseverance, commitment and above all, passion has brought me to this point in my career. I look forward to sharing more of my work with you all.

Happy St Patrick’s Day

Tags

Listowel, Paddyfest, St. Patrick's Day

Tis the day o’ the Irish
and for all of those that claim to have a wee bit in ’em.

What makes the Irish so delightful? Well it’s the land of the green and who doesn’t love green fields? Or wee lads and lassies with a head full of red hair?
I can tell you, the chance to participate in Paddyfest with photo sessions is right up my alley. Kids look cute all the time, but bring out the accessories and it’s a party!

So Happy Paddyfest and Happy St Patrick’s Day everyone!

Stay tuned for some favourites from the Paddyfest parade this Saturday.

Don’t play chicken with your health. [Why I don’t use baby chicks in my Easter photo sessions.]

Tags

bunny, Easter

I recently received a call from a mom who asked if I offered Easter sessions with baby chicks.  I said, no, that I use my own pet bunny, Miss Sophie, for my Easter sessions.  She was really gung ho on having a photo with chicks.  Hey, as much as I can say, Awwwww, those chicks are sooooo adorable, I must stick to my beliefs.

I believe that animals should not be a disposable item.  I have often wondered where ALL those chicks go after photo shoots.  How many got squished by a really strong one year old?  Their legs are sooooo tiny – I can’t imagine myself handling one. I’d be so afraid to drop one and yanno, a foot is a long way down when you’re a three inch chick.

To me, the child, the outfit, the colours ALL capture the essence of what spring has to offer. And yes I do offer a live animal – but it’s not like I borrowed one from a farm or someone else.  I don’t know THAT bunny and I really want to know the animal I am placing in the lap or basket with your child.

It is common for baby chicks, ducks and other poultry to carry Salmonella. Ew, Ick, right?  Did I make you gag?  Just a little bit?  Salmonella germs cause a diarrheal illness.

I strongly suggest reading the information on this website page:
What is the risk of getting salmonella from baby chicks?

I value my clients’ children and myself from that sort of risk.
You KNOW how fast a baby can get their fingers in their mouth, right?
You can’t wipe off the fingers fast enough. How important is THAT shot anyway?

Sophie has been posing with babies and children for three years. She is a seasoned pro and LOVES the children.  She is a dwarf Lionhead bunny – perfectly sized for small hands and laps.  I trust her 100%.
If I felt there was any risk to a child, I would not offer her.
She is cleaned before sessions and does not sit in litter in between sessions.  She is one spoiled little bunny, believe me!  I even hand pick the clover in the backyard to dry for her to dine on during the winter months.  She’s THAT spoiled [big smile}. And she is such a diva that she does not pee or poo on the floor in the studio. Now that amazes me, but then, Sophie IS an amazing bunny.

The bunny is live. The chick is NOT.

I do not offer back to back 20 min sessions so that Sophie has a break. If she was in the movies, I’m sure the Humane Society would be very proud of me.  After all, why would I risk my business with a cranky bunny?  I want your child to enjoy their visit. I also don’t rush your child in and out in a 15 minute window.  Clients that have worked with me in the past are pleased with the attention I give to their child. Those adorable shots come after your child feels comfortable in the studio setting.

You don’t know the number of children that come during other events that ask to see her.  They’ve heard a friend talk about her, as if she is their friend (and she is) and they want to meet the now “famous” Kit Kat Sophie.  Even the adults adore her – she is just that kind of girl.

You can trust that your child comes first ALWAYS during a session and that safety is my number one priority.

If you’d like to book your Easter session, you can check availability by emailing me or if you want it to be a surprise for Daddy and want to book during the week, I have openings in the week before and during March Break.

Email me direct at kitkatphoto@gmail.com

Kudos to breaking past The Fear.

I am so proud of my mom clients; the ones that really want to gift their better half with some images that they know are outside their comfort zone.

These are the moms that might have added a curve or two over time. These are the moms that love their partner THAT much that they are willing to break past The Fear.
Oh…. The Fear. It can wreak havoc on a woman’s sensibility. The little voice, the self doubts, the wishing, the disappointment that comes from what the media has addressed as an issue. Oh ya….our enemy; the media.

January is the worst month to watch television advertisements. If I was in charge, I would offer a subscription to cable that blacked out all forms of body modification commercials. (okay rant over)

I’m so grateful for the moms that realize there is an issue, but can go past that, and ignore the fear and cast it aside for just a while. And during that while – I am there for you, guiding you, coaching you and using my experience as a photographer to capture you in your most beautiful ways. I have been photographing women of all shapes and sizes for years. You can trust that our session is just between us two gals. You can trust my word when I say, discretion is assured and that your privacy during the session is respected and honoured. I will do everything in my power to make you as comfortable as possible. Trust me on this.

Even before you see your gallery, I know that your partner is going to love these shots. I knew you had it in you to come alive. I knew we could work as a team and the outcome would be fabulous!

I am so very proud of you all for taking that leap of faith and moving past The Fear. What warms my heart is when I hear these same moms admit they DO LOOK GOOD! Of course you do! Would I lie to you?

Kudos to you all 🙂