HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY from my favourite little lovies!
Guelph Family, Newborn & Lifestyle Portrait Photographer
Be Mine, Valentine. – Guelph Child & Baby Photographer
February 15th, 2012Valentine’s Day Craft – Guelph Children’s Photographer
February 14th, 2012You will need:
red and pink paint (I had acrylic)
2 toilet paper tubes
cardstock paper
a toddler who loves anything that involves paint…
Step #1: Crease the toilet paper tubes to create a heart shape. Voila, you have your heart stamper!
Step #2: Dip newly-made heart stampers into paint. We chose to use Red & Pink to keep inline with traditional Valentine’s Day colours.
Step #3: Hand them over to your toddler and the art will basically create itself 
* I cheated a little bit and did the occasional stamp in order to fill in the gaps. But the smears are all Mattea, I swear!
Let the paper dry and later fold in half to create your own handmade Valentine’s Day cards. A true work of art by your very own toddler!
Emitt is ONE! – Guelph Baby & Cake Smash Photography
February 9th, 2012Last year when I saw Emitt, he looked like THIS. The difference between newborns and their one year old selves is crazy!
Emitt’s mom is my dream client: she has an idea and we work together to make it happen. She is so talented and ridiculously amazing at multitasking. I called her the night before his session, and she was telling me about her desire to get the texture in the icing perfect, and also nonchalantly mentioned her plans to make his custom diaper cover later that night….from scratch…by finding a sewing pattern online.
We had planned to do much of his session outdoors, but mother nature had different ideas. It was pouring rain so the studio came in handy. He was a happy guy, and the session was easy. Thanks to his mom and Oma for playing “catch the running baby”. I know you were both sweating but I appreciate the help! I think we got some awesome photos that really illustrate just who Emitt is at one year: happy, usually smiling and very fashion forward.
She’s 2.
January 2nd, 2012Miss Mattea turns 2 years old tonight at 9:47pm.
Jake and I are handling it rather well, but he turned to me today and said “I’m a little emotional”. Me too.
Parents say it all the time but it really is true that it feels like just yesterday I was holding her in the hospital, getting her first smile on camera, spooning her pureed vegetables, watching her take her first steps and hearing her say ‘mommy’ for the first time. Two years to me makes her so much older than a baby. She’s headed into big girl territory.
What’s Mattea like?
She’s fiercely independent, and stubborn. If she doesn’t get what she wants or isn’t able to do something on her own, watch out world!
She’s tough. I’ve seen that girl cry twice in her life from needles: once when she was 2 months old, and last month when she got an IV in the hospital.
She’s very maternal and affectionate, and has been from an unusually young age. I think this is one of my favourite of her qualities. She loves her dogs, cat and now her brother like none other and isn’t afraid to show them. If Jake and I share a hug or kiss in the kitchen she comes running with a big smile and asks to be included.
She’s a great big sister. From the moment she wakes up in the morning, she’s asking about “Baby Dashie”. She often demands to see him, or have him placed in her lap so she can hold him and kiss his head. I hope she’ll always love him as much as she does now.
She’s incredibly animated and expressive. There’s been a couple times where I’ve left her with Jake in a store to go off on my own, and can immediately recognize that oh so familiar voice, tantrum or laugh….all the way across the store.
She’s starting to pick up words much more quickly. Newest words added to her list: Dashie, Sue, Laura, Mary, Shoes, Pee, Beast (as in the Disney movie), Go, Nose, Meow, Juice, Ho Ho Ho (as in Santa) and Night Night. There are probably more but those are the current favs. A new developmental milestone is putting words together into her very first sentences. “Bye bye Dashie baby” or “No Go” are the most popular.
She’s still a fantastic sleeper – 8pm to 8am. Now that Dash is here we don’t get to enjoy uninterrupted sleep anymore but we really appreciate not having to get up with her at least.
At last measurement, she’s 33 inches tall and 23 pounds. That basically puts her in like the bottom 5% or less of other toddlers her age. She still fits in her brown Old Navy fall jacket that’s sized 6-12 months. She’s so petite! What’s most funny for us is that she’s such a big personality in a tiny body.
Since no birthday blog post is anything without photos, here are the official 2 year photos. I wasn’t too sure the lighting was going to work, but it ended up being beautiful. These are my favourite photos ever, and really capture her personality perfectly. You might recognize a familiar face: Teddy. He’s our secret weapon, and her absolute favourite guy. He keeps the photo tantrums at bay
Every time I look at the image below I hear this (cue Beyonce music): Na, na, na, diva is a female version of a hustla
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Na, na, na, diva is a female version of a hustla
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
And since no photo experience with Mattea is complete without a meltdown, here’s one of the last frames I shot. CLASSIC.
IHF Photo Challenge: Autumn Splendor
November 14th, 2011We did some fall photos a couple weeks ago with Mattea. It was honestly kind of a disaster. Things started off well and I got a couple great shots but it was cold, and she wasn’t happy. Tantrums ensued and we called it quits.
The photo below happened before the meltdown, obviously 
This was when she was loving the fallen leaves at the arboretum.
Check out the I Heart Faces website for this week’s entries.
Bodh Salon & Photography Featured Artist – Richard Vande Sompel
November 12th, 2011
When Jake opened the salon there was one wall in particular that he left open. We bought a big clock for the space, but it definitely had room to display something… photos or art. A couple months ago Jake thought of starting a Featured Artist program. Basically, we find art that we really like and see if the artist would be interested in displaying it in the salon. While we don’t aggressively try to sell the art like a gallery would, it has the ability to be viewed by the many clients who come through our doors. Lots of exposure is always a good thing.
Currently we are showcasing the art of local artist Richard Vande Sompel. Richard, who has been drawing and painting his entire life, is completely self taught. Previously an art teacher, he is now retired and working on his “Legends and Icons” collection.
Bodh Salon is currently housing 6 pieces from the collection. They are all acrylic on canvas.
If you are interested in viewing the pieces we have or would like to purchase one, please contact Jake at bodhsalon@gmail.com
We are also open to submissions from other local artists who are interested in this opportunity. Simply contact Jake at bodhsalon@gmail.com with some information about yourself and images of your work.
Siblings.
November 10th, 2011
When Dash was 12 days old, we attempted a sibling shot of him and Mattea. I had realistic expectations of what my toddler would tolerate and also what would be safest for Dash so we had them on the ground and I shot from above. White rug? Check. Wrapped up baby? Check. Happy Toddler? Check! I took about 150 frames, and ended up with 4 shots that I love.
And the winner which will be enlarged to a huge print or canvas in our house:
Love my babies!
Dash (10 days new} – Guelph Newborn Photography
November 10th, 2011
Dash {6 days new} – Guelph Newborn Photography
October 31st, 2011
Dashiell’s Newborn Photos {4 & 5 days new} – Guelph Newborn Photography
October 27th, 2011
It’s hard to believe our little guy is 3 weeks old today. Not going to lie, two kids under the age of two is tough. The worst part? Sleep Deprivation. period. It’s a constant juggling act, and we’re always trying to make sure we continue to give Mattea the attention she needs. Thank goodness she transitioned really well to being a big sister. “Baby Dashie” (as she calls him) is the first person she comes looking for every morning. I’ve never seen her bestow anyone with so many kisses, ever. I have a feeling they’re gonna be best buddies.
In between recovering from the birth, feeding, diaper changes, burping, cuddling and housework, we did Dash’s newborn photos. These are from when he was 4 and 5 days old. He was honestly a breeze to shoot and easy to pose. Probably our easiest newborn yet.
4 days old:
5 days old:
