My Canada-The Maritimes Aug.2016-Peggy’s Cove
My husband Henry, and I decided to do a 2016 “Staycation” of sorts- Stay in Canada and appreciate the sights the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and P.E.I. have to offer. We decided on a 2 week car trip spending a week in each province the last few of weeks of August. We flew to Halifax where we spent a night and then headed out around Nova Scotia. I thought I would share some of the highlights of our visit around the province beginning with our visit to well known Peggy’s Cove. We had a very EARLY start driving to the Cove. It was a misty, foggy, morning and I was just a little excited when we pulled into the cove around 7:45 a.m. It was pure magic- quiet- calm and blanketed in light fog and misting just ever so softly-exactly how I would imagine the ambience of a Cove on the Atlantic to be. I was actually surprised at how small it was with only a smattering of buildings! I also noticed the line of cars arriving shortly after us, so I jumped out the car, leaving Henry to park in the large parking lot at the entrance of the Cove and quickly set up to photograph the Cove and it’s buildings before other visitors arrived. As I was getting set up for the shot above and gleefully, silently, thanking my lucky starts for such a picture perfect weather related setting, another visitor with a camera popped up beside me and in all seriousness said, ” To bad it’s all misty and foggy, eh?” My eyebrows went up and I said ” You sir could not be any more wrong- this is absolute perfection!”
I worked my way up the road a bit toward the lighthouse and the docks and then noticed a small fishing boat with some people getting into a boat. I asked the owner where he was heading and he said “going to see Puffins and Seals!” I ran to a small road stand close by the docks and within a “Walter Mitty moment” , bought the last 2 seats on the tour. I had just enough time to run up the hill to the cafe washroom and back and then Henry and I got on the boat for the 2.5 hour trip on the Atlantic. Let me just say the Tour was 100% worth it but we should have had put a bit more thought into the decision and prepared.
Mistake #1 -I have “sea legs”-Henry not so much. He was quite sick by hour 2, and moved to sit downwind at the back of the boat. We should have brought the Gravol medication for him. Mistake #2 -the sides of the boat were open and it was misty and foggy travelling on the Ocean that early morning-10 min. into the trip-our head and clothes were drenched with sea salt spray. Haha -you couldn’t even run your fingers through the hair afterward, we should have worn a rain jacket of some sort and something to offer a bit of warmth and protection instead of our summer attire.
That said, I still stand by the decision as being well worth it. WOW the view back on the Cove from the boat was amazing and I loved being able to photograph the lighthouse in the mist from the boat! We made it to Pearl Island, a bird sanctuary, where we saw some Puffins and other birds. We then drove a few more minutes when the driver turned off the boat. We idled a few min., the mist cleared a bit and then we saw them!! A line of curious seals with their heads just above the water looking at us. It was one of those once in a life time experiences-and yes- even seasick Henry was struck by the wonder of it all. Here are just a few images from the Cove . Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to follow the blog if you are considering a trip there in the future-I will be posting a lot more of our adventures in the Maritimes!
N&L Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba Wedding
Absolutely breath-taking, are words to describe Nick and Lucette’s Wedding Day! This country wedding was situated in the beautiful rolling hills of the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes area of Manitoba. I had photographed Nick’s sister’s wedding a couple of years earlier in that same area and was so taken by its beauty that I was thrilled when I was asked to do a second wedding there! The Wedding Day started out with rain but we worked around it by photographing in sheltered areas such as hay shelters and for the Bride’s side the beautiful Trappist Monastery in Holland, MB. . The sun peeked out a bit in the afternoon for the Ceremony in town and the outdoor formals at a deserted farmstead and an Uncle’s grain field. The clouds and rain returned just as we were finishing up to head back to the reception. I was actually super happy about that because the clouds really added to the dramatic effect of the last few images captured of the couple, over-looking the valley. Thanks go out to the wonderful families and the fun wedding party and last but not least- the amazingly organized, creative, delightful couple, Nick and Lucette! Thanks also go out to my photography Team for the Day- Colin Vandenberg -amazing job with the Grooms side and the rest of the day, Cullen Klassen for his assistance with the Bride’s side in the morning and the formals and of course, Hubby Henry, for is chauffeuring abilities on the country roads.
I started pulling files to post on the blog and found myself laughing out loud at the amount I had pulled. So I culled it back a bit (Okay a lot) and here are a few to give you an idea of what a BEAUTIFUL day it really was! Enjoy!
Loved seeing the use of the couple’s Engagement pictures on the wine bottles!
Below: Behind the Scenes with the Photography Team : Colin Vandenberg multitasking and Cullen and I at the Farmstead photographing the Wedding Party.
RBC Cruisin’ Down the Crescent 2014 Details
This years RBC Cruisin’ Event is tomorrow morning and I’m super excited to be part of it once again. It’s an event featuring wonderful people, fun activities, and a great opportunity to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause! If you’re not busy tomorrow morning, Sunday June 14th, consider coming down to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation on Wellington Cres. at 8:00 a.m. to register. You can walk, jog, ride a bike or skateboard! The Crescent is always beautiful to walk and there are performers and yummy treats like frozen Yogurt along the route! Here are some images/highlights captured by me and associate Cory Aronec from last years event to give you an idea of what to expect this year. Love to see you there!
Comedy Night
I love photographing events! This one in particular was a highlight for me this year. The Manitoba Children’s Museum hosted an amazing fundraising adult comedy Night in September. Here is a great link to an article on the Museum’s Adult Series and the reason the funds are being raised. (Click Here). I have to say, it just may have been one of the hardest events for me to photograph! I was so busy laughing it was hard to hold the camera steady to take a picture! LOL! I actually had to force myself not to listen so I could take a shot! Performing that evening were 3 amazing acts- Comedian Matt Falk, Chris Funk The Wonderist and Comedian Big Daddy Tazz (Below: left to right). Enjoy just a few images captured from the evenings performances.
The Recycled Orchestra
Yes- Look close-these instruments above are made of garbage!!
From the slums of Paraguay comes an unlikely orchestra playing instruments made from garbage found on the landfill.
The Recycled Orchestra is a group of teenagers from Cateura — a village of makeshift shacks built on the city’s landfill in Paraguay. More than 25,000 people live by the landfill, picking garbage to find sellable or recyclable goods. But in the middle of the rubble lies hope.
Turning metal drums, oil cans, spoons, copper pipes, wire and bottle caps into cellos, violins, flutes and guitars, the Recycled Orchestra is proof that despite their circumstances, the community has something beautiful to offer.
Global Family Foundation, a Canadian Christian charity working in Paraguay, recently hosted a cross-Canada tour with the Recycled Orchestra to raise funds that will help build a Community Education Centre in Cateura. On May 4th, the Orchestra played to a packed house of more than 1,800 people in conjunction with the MBCI Concert Band at the North Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg.
Please enjoy a few of the images captured at the event!
Pink Loft Party
Wow-I’m back! My apologies for taking a bit of a break from blogging. I promise I have a number of blogs ready to post with various sessions I’ve been busy with over the last couple of months.
I wanted to start with this. A fellow associate of mine handed out my contact info to this amazing friend/client he has. Every year her family comes together to host a party with their friends to raise funds for cancer research. She contacted me to ask if I would show up and capture some images for her of friends etc. at the party. I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at her loft on event night, to be honest, but I was immediately drawn to her warm smile and then floored by her dedication and passion that went into making the party happen (Including removing most of her furniture for the party to fit people in! And then moving it all back the next day!). It was amazing to see how many friends and family turned out in support of the cause, wearing all forms of pink and enjoying the tunes of a live band!! Please enjoy just a few images captured that evening-starting with the heart warming/inspiring host family, the Hall’s, below!
Juno Weekend! It is the Junior Juno’s!
Above: Juno Award winner Helen Austin for Children’s Album of the Year, for her album “Colour It”.
Winnipeg was “a buzz” with the Junos in town this weekend! The Manitoba Children’s Museum’s Junior Junos Event on Sat. morning was the place to be to catch fun and lively musical performances of the Nominees for Children’s Album of the Year.
It was a sold out event and the Concert had children and parents dancing to the music of the Nominees as well as a performance from past Juno Award Winner Fred Penner. Sean Hogan (of “Seanster and the Monsters”) was the Emcee for the event and Mr. Potato Head made a guest appearance as well.
Juno Nominees left to right: Marie Claude, Helen Austin, Fred Penner (Guest Juno winner), Sean Hogan (Emcee) , Charlie Hope Little, Garry Rasberry (Missing: Splash’N Boots.)
Some Fans arrived with signs waiting for their Favourite performers.
Above: Gary Rasberry Performs with some of the other Nominees.
Emcee Sean Hogan helps out Charlie Hope Little with puppets on a song.
Above: Marie Claude performs a song about baking.
Splash’N Boots perform a high energy set to young fans in the crowd.
Juno Award Winner Fred Penner above performs a few song favourites-“The Cat Came Back” was a definite crowd pleaser!
Halloween Howl
Manitoba Children’s Museum hosted a great Halloween event this last weekend! A sold out crowd enjoyed numerous activities including a reptile display, owl display, treats, snacks, music by “seanster and the monsters” , a magician and a lot more! I loved the science laboratory that hosted multiple learning stations for the guests including everything from “puking pumpkins” to chromatography experiments. The Halloween themed decorations and fun details like the “eyeball” plastic balls in the water area added to the thrill of the event!! Super fun time had by all!! If you missed it this year make sure you plan for next year-get your tickets early! P.S,-Don’t want to wait that long to participate in one of their events? Also look into their upcoming event “Top Hats and Tiara’s” event on Dec. 31st! 
2013 RBC Cruisin’ the Crescent for CRF
Wow! -the impressive results of a group of people coming together to participate, volunteer, sponsor and support the 17th Annual RBC Cruisin’ Down the Crescent on June 9th! This years event raised $170,000 for the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation!!! Over 700 participants and 165 Volunteers came together to raise funds for the worthy cause! This was my third year photographing the morning event and every year I’m so amazed by the dedication of the people involved and the amazing talent, and participants that make up a fun enjoyable morning! A highlight for me this year was meeting 2013 Youth Ambassador Andrew Fenwick (above) who spoke eloquently about his personal testimony and why the event was so important. (below)
This year’s associate photographer Cory Aronec and I enjoyed the fast paced photography morning capturing everything from registration line-ups to participants enjoying the kids zones, displays, draws, food, celebraties, and of course the actual 10km route . Here is a little of what the morning involved:
Friendly Volunteers registering participants (below)
Participants on volunteers dined on the delicious donuts and coffee from Salisbury House
Donations and bike presentations were made:
The morning was hosted by Emcees Kerri and Bubba from Clear 102 FM and the Zumba instructors from Goodlife Fitness (below)–got the crowd pumped for the walk down Wellington Crescent.
Andrew cut the ribbon and released the masses to take on the 10km route!
Some of the images we captured along the route:
My two fav. shots from Cory! (Above and below)
Below: Talented performers entertained!
Mascots sightings all morning long!
A great lunch was served up with a smile!
Children had fun at the Kiddie Zone- with face painting, Ballons, crafts and activities!
and Special Olympian Guests Stars signed autographs and participated on the route!
Special thanks to our driver (below)-who got us up and down the route in record time!!!
Hope to see you out to the event next year! If you would like to contribute to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation or get more information just click on the link!
Much More Munsch
The Much More Munsch Exhibit is now open at the Manitoba Children’s Museum! From May 1st to Sept 2nd, 2013 guests of the Museum can enjoy this interactive exhibit based on the Author Robert Munsch and his literary works. I always feel so lucky when I’m asked to photograph an exhibit at the Children’s Museum before it is open to the public. I had a wonderful hour and a half to myself just to explore it and appreciate all the fun interactive details. It brought back so many memories of the books I read to my sons in their younger years-some of which I could not find myself re-selling at Garage sales or giving away at book fairs. (They are still tucked away in a box for the one day when maybe I should find myself enjoying and reading them to my grandchildren!)
Member of the Order of Canada since 1999 , Children’s author, Robert Munsch, has had 56 books published to date. His first published book being Mud Puddle in 1979. His first book written, however, was Mortimer , but it took 12 years to be published. As you explore the exhibit you find out more details of Robert’s life, what inspires him to write and what draws the public to this exuberant creative author.
For more details of the Exhibit click on the link-Manitoba Children’s Museum. Make sure to check out the exhibit if you’re in Winnipeg this summer!
A&D Engagement Sneak Peek
A wonderful week of Engagement sessions- I went out with A & D this past Saturday morning to Kildonan Park. Days like this, I’m certain I have the best wedding clients! I loved spending time with the couple- finding out that we even have reading and the love for the same genre in common! They were naturals infront of the camera or maybe it was that there love for each other was just so apparent. 🙂 On to editing up their proofs!
RBC Cruisin’ Down the Crescent 2013 Details!
Plans are underway to photograph this years 17th annual RBC Cruisin’ Down the Crescent Event! I love photographing this event! It’s a morning full of smiling & energetic people, fun activities, bright colours -all coming together to raise funds for an awesome cause- The Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation! Participants bring their families, bikes, skateboards, pets, etc. and enjoy a morning full of fun activities and of course a walk, run or ride down scenic Wellington Cres. . This years event is on June 9th with registration starting at 8 a.m. at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children grounds at 633 Wellington Crescent. For more information about the event visit their website at Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.
Associate Jonah O’Neil and I covered the event last year and here are some of the fun morning festivities! You can expect this year to include…
Lots of smiles!:)
Great music!
Face Painting!
Guests from Winnipeg
Radio/T.V. Personalities
Heartfelt Speeches
Generous people & companies!
A “Warm up” to the walk
Ribbon cutting
A Special Host!
Lots of Amazing Participants
More music as you walk..
A super scenic walk!
All ages participating!
Mascots!
An Activity Centre!
Car Clubs!
Performers!
and more Smiles…
and an amazing team of Organizers!
Food, Draws, T-shirts, Displays… and just so much more!!!
Please come out and support this year’s Event!!
10th Annual A Night of Miracles Gala Dinner
I love my job. Days like Saturday, Oct 27th are so full of variation in terms of photography! In the morning I was running around the studio photographing a family with young children and by evening I was jumping into my sequins and “blacks” heading off to photograph this years 10th Annual “A Night of Miracles” Gala Dinner for the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. This was the second year that I, with the help of photographer Cory Aronec, photographed the event. I knew from last years event to expect exceptional Decor, an amazing lineup of prizes and a fun filled evening program with everything from speeches to an auction. This year, as last, fulfilled all those expectations and more! The room was beautifully decorated with pinks and corals…based on the fact that pink is Waverley Leduc’s (2012 Child Representative) favorite colour! This year’s event featured a cookie draw, gift box sale, auctions and new this year-a Candy Bar! The Master of Ceremony duties were shared by Kerri Salki (102 Clear FM) and Peter Chura (Global Winnipeg).
After hearing the Leduc Family share how the Foundation has affected their lives during their moving dinner speech that evening, I would just encourage everyone to consider attending the event next year or supporting the Foundation in some of their other fundraising endeavors. The next event is their “Ride for Rehab” in February. For more information on this event or how you may further participate in upcoming fundraising events check out their Website! Just click on their name-Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.
Watch for further updates on the event on their Website and in the Winnipeg Free Press.
Images Below:
Room Decor, Cookie Draw, Candy Bar, The wonderful Group of volunteers and staff who did an amazing job making this event happen, Emcees Kerri and Peter, The Leduc family speech (Nice shot Cory!), fun had during the auction, and Waverley has the first dance with her Grandpa to the smooth sounds of the Danny Kramer Band.
Red River College Campus Wedding #3
Red River College Campus Wedding #3. The third wedding set-up in a series of 5, I photographed for them this past summer. I have to say I LOVE the building character of the Princess Campus. Its architecture “old meets new” and the colours are eye catching! I just had to have a little fun editing the first image above in an edgy technique to capture some of the unique historical textures and bright modern colours found in its front entrance alone!
This wedding was unique from the others I had photographed in that I was able to capture the wedding ceremony set-up as well. The Campus offer their facilities to weddings ceremonies as well as conferences in such a set-up. It never ceases to amaze me how each wedding reception set-up is unique-with this particular wedding, guests arrived at the Elgin entrance to be greeted by Champagne on ice and glasses surrounded by rose petals! Very nice touch! If you are interested in finding out more about the rentals click on the link, Red River Campus Rentals.
Way of Broadway 2011
The Manitoba Children’s Museum’s “Way off Broadway” dance event was a lot of fun to photograph again this year at the Pantages Theater! The late November, Way off Broadway event, is a fundraiser for the Children’s Museum. Teams of co-workers, social groups and dance groups come together to raise funds for the Museum through pledges. These groups receive some professional dance guidance and get together for the event to perform and be judged by local Celebrities. The groups are evaluated in a number of categories such as Best Costume and Audience Choice. This years contributions raised over $16,000 for the Children’s Museum! I’m always amazed how this city come together to make events like this happen. Jeremy John and Drew Kobub of City T.V. did and amazing job of hosting the event and Bubba B (Hot 103 FM), Tracy Koga(Shaw T.V.) and Heather Steele (Global Television) performed the hard task of judging the talented groups. If you’d like to find out more about the event and how you or a group of your co-workers or friends can participate or if you’d like to check out all the images from the event, just click on this link Way off Broadway . Have to say this years highlights for me were the Lady Gaga group-great costumes, and I loved the flash mob dance concept from the Sobey’s group! Special thanks to Paolo Porquez for his lighting help in the morning and to Tara Craigon who helped photograph the performance in the afternoon.
Above left to right: Drew Kozub (City T.V.), Jeremy John (City T.V.), Heather Steele (Global Television), Bubba B. (Hot 103FM), Tracy Koga(Shaw.TV) a quick pic at the end of the event.
Great Friend to Kids Awards
I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the Great Friend to Kids Awards hosted by the Manitoba Children’s Museum this past Wednesday Sept. 28th. This year’s event proved to be just as incredibly inspiring as last years. And how could it not- as the event honors individuals and organizations who are active in contributing to enriching the lives of Children, such a worthy recognition! This years recipients included included Wanda Koop (Artist and Founder of Art City), Abdikheir Ahmed for his work with Immigrant and Refugee Community Organizations of Manitoba, West Broadway Youth Outreach, and Carly Welham. I must also mention a highlight for me is always the performers of the event! If you would like more information about the event just click on the name Great Friends to Kids Awards. To view additional images captured that morning feel free to click on the Manitoba Children’s Museum photo gallery link.
Grandpas Can, N.K.M.B. in the Park 2011
So enjoyed my evening yesterday, photographing the annual N.K.M.B. in the Park at Birds Hill Park. This is my third year capturing some of the action with my camera and what a perfect evening-the sun shining and the weather amazing! The Church has been getting together in the park over the last couple of years in support of Cyclist, Arvid Loewen, and his endeavors to raise funds for the orphans of the Mully Children’s Family Organization in Kenya. You may have heard in the news recently, much about Arvid and his bike ride across Canada from Vancouver to City Hall in Halifax in an attempt to beat the Guinness World Speed Record. His Campaign, Grandpas Can, raised a lot of money for the organization and his mission to be the fastest cyclist to cross this country accomplished. (Just waiting for verification from Guinness) The Church enjoyed cycling time in the park, Children’s games and a great BBQ afterwards. I was blown away by the amount of money the Church raised in support of Arvid’s goals. If you like to find out more about Arvid and Grandpas Can campaign, along with the Mully Children’s Organization in Kenya, and how you can participate, go to the Grandpas Can website by clicking on the name! Thank-you Arvid for being such an inspiration!
Thanks Tanya for the permission to show this “cutie”! 🙂
Arvid Loewen enjoying the evening.
Some REALLY fast Cyclists!
Ev. Dr. Charles M Mulli , Founder of Mully Children’s Family
MB Children’s Museum’s Ground Breaking Event
From Left: Katherine Hache, Bonnie Buhler, Lucia and John Buhler.
WOW! So many physical changes happening at the Manitoba Children’s Museum! Not to mention financial ones as well, considering the generous $800,00.00 financial donation made by Bonnie and and John Buhler yesterday and the Museum’s Ground Breaking Event! The Museum closed its doors in fall to complete a total renovation of its offices and children’s galleries. I was “on Duty ” yesterday with my cameras for the Children’s Museum to capture images of the media event for the Museum to use as handout to media as well as to complete an ad in todays Winnipeg Free Press.
As a Parent in a city that experiences winter weather for so many month’s of the year… it’s nice to know that there is a warm , welcoming, place that one can bring children to be entertained and to learn! The Museum has been active in raising funds for their Capital Campaign over this past year and this large donation will certainly help towards their goal of $10 Million. Yes, big donations help but you know it’s also the smaller ones that can add up to large amounts as well! Visit the Children’s Museum’s website to find out more details of yesterday’s event as well as how you can participate in their fundraising endeavors! Please enjoy the slideshow of some of my fav. images from the event, more will be posted on the Museum’s Media page in the photo gallery in the up coming weeks. Just click on the Name for more details! MB Children’s Museum.
Special thanks to assistant Katherina!
Ebonie K Photography 