Events

I am a First Time Grandmother!

On February 24th, 11:32 a.m. I became a first time Nanny to my beautiful granddaughter.  Friends had been telling us for years the joys of grandparenting and although I was very happy for them, I never felt any urgency to join their club.  But at some point, maybe a few years ago, the idea didn’t seem so foreign – I even wondered what I should call myself.  Granny sounded really old – I pictured an old lady with a gray bun, little glasses perched on the nose and wearing a shawl.  Bubbie was what my kids called my mother-in-law but I didn’t feel bubbie-like, and at the same time I didn’t think Mike would suit being called Zaidy.  But it was a simple choice, especially after my mother passed away that I would be called Nanny.  She was Nanny to the “kids”, and when I was a kid I had a Nanny so the legacy continues.  Mike decided to be called Grampy (which can conveniently be turned into Grumpy should Evie decide to have fun at his expense once she becomes mischievous!). 

I hadn’t really planned to attend the birth – I thought it should be a private time for my daughter and son-in-law except that she was brought to the hospital by ambulance with severe abdominal pain seemingly not contractions.  My son-in-law and I stayed with her at the hospital for quite awhile and after we left, my daughter went into labour.  When I returned the next morning the Labour Room was now the Delivery Room (times have changed since I delivered babies).  I asked J. if he would prefer that I left but he wanted me to stay.  Somehow I found myself at the end of the bed, trying to stay out of the way. 

 

 

 

 

It was a small room and now getting a bit crowded with a nurse, two doctors, an intern, a soon to be Dad and  a soon to be grandmother. 

Of course I had my small camera with me – I had always wanted to document a birth and I was privileged to see my granddaughter at the very instant of being born and it was such an emotional time that I cried…even now tears come to my eyes when I think about it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was a healthy baby girl and efficiency took over as the nurse washed her, wrapped her and presented her clean and sparkling to her mum.

Presenting my granddaughter!

Proud grandparents!

 

And so begins a new chapter of my life!!

 

High School Semi-Formal

One of life’s exciting events is the semi-formal.  When I was in high school a million years ago we didn’t have the dress rehearsal version of the big formal.  We also had to have a date – we didn’t have the luxury of being able to go with a bunch of friends.  The photos below tell me that getting ready for the big night is just as much fun as the dance itself.

 

Engagement Photo Shoot

L and J are getting married in the fall but they wanted their engagement photographs done in the winter.  They live near the lake so we thought that South Humber Park would be a good location.  It was a cloudy/sunny day and at three o’clock in the afternoon the light was very flattering.  I do very little setting up for a portrait – I like to let things happen.  In their case, laughter happened.

In Photoshop I have the flexibility of having a photograph be either black and white, or colour.

An engagement photo shoot can be thought of as a dress rehearsal for the wedding photography.  This is an opportunity for the photographer and couple to get to know each other, and have some fun.  I do not consider myself very creative when it comes to posed shots but that doesn’t matter because my goal is to have a photograph that looks very natural.  I find that if people can just be themselves, they will be very happy with the final results.  My photo sessions rarely last longer than an hour especially if they’re done outside..which is usually the case.  I can always tell when the energy and enthusiasm level is beginning to drop and I will end it…on a high note.