Here are some images from the Mini Mini Valentines Sessions!

I’m back in the office this week, the past few have felt slightly surreal. Anyone who owns their own business knows how time off can be a very precious but difficult thing. I’m sitting in my office, looking out the window, answering holiday emails, and working on putting together a seamless flow for my business this year.

Looking back at 2011.

The past year in business blew past all of my expectations. By the time I dropped my daughter off at the bus for the beginning of kindergarten, I was truly running a full time operation, which I’m so incredibly thankful for. The balance between home and office can be a challenging one, especially with today’s technological world. Home office, mobile office applications can be both a blessing and a curse. In 2012, I’m looking forward to continue to create a more formal office setting with the help of my new digs at Vitality, and move away from the home office.

If you haven’t had a chance to pop in to Vitality yet to visit the new office, please do! I feel so incredibly fortunate to have found the perfect space for me. (Except for the fact that I am now hooked on the 100% Pure Make-up line). My office allows me the opportunity to have a space to conduct the day to day operations of my business, as well as entertain client meetings.

In I was able to attend an amazing professional conference in Texas (which appears to be my home away from home). It allowed me to become trained and connected with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, as well as be blown away and inspired by some amazing fellow business people and artists. It inspired me to start working on my art and work on preparing myself to be involved in competitions. I also completed the first portion of my professional CPP designation while I was there. 2012 will be the year of working to complete that designation and be able to put some letters behind my name. I also attended another conference in the spring with fellow BC Photographers, which allowed me to get hooked up with the crew from Helping Hearts.

I had a full summer of travelling for weddings, BC Ferries becoming a third home. Even though the summer arrived late, it was fantastic and full and happened much too quickly. The beginning of the summer brought in my new hobby with the Pow! Town Roller Derby league. I’m refereeing with the league, and it’s been a wonderful way to get out and meet more people and forge some great new relationships.

So on to 2012 – what will it bring?

The beginning of this year is all about book work and renewal. I’m working on restructuring my sessions, and securing dates for the yearly mini sessions. Karen of McKinnon Photography and I are putting on a Boudoir Marathon in the Comox Valley just in time for Valentine’s Day. This is being declared the year of Fun! Fun it will be – Here is my list of resolutions this year…

Sabrina and I met when my daughter was just a baby, and when her and Jerrold had just started dating. I owe my love of gardening to her, as she taught me how to plant an care for my first vegetable garden, something to pass on to Avari, and I’m very thankful for that. Her kindergarten students are very lucky to have her as a teacher, and I’m sure that Jerrold is going to be a fabulous teacher as well as he finishes up his program!

Congratulations!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

As we look toward November and things start to slow down, we’re fortunate to still find a few days now and then that can bring back the crispness of summer. Celebrating Janelle’s birthday with a family turkey dinner, we were lucky to find some time to venture out to a trail to photograph and celebrate the beauty of fall and the happiness of family!