mason & family | whitehorse children's photographer

On the first weekend of December, I had planned a giant party at my studio... to launch my new location. Days before the big event, Noah was helping me get invitations ready for mailing and upon noticing the date he says, "Mom, I wasn't going to say anything but you know that Aaron Pritchett is performing a benefit concert at Porter Creek the same night as your Grand Opening..." Now, Noah know's that I've kinda been a fan for a looooong time so not only was I disappointed that folks would OBVIOUSLY be at the concert rather than my party but that also meant that I would miss the concert too! Talk about bigtime bummer.

So I phoned the school to see if I could deliver a few gift certificates for portrait sessions to be auctioned off at the benefit concert and when I spoke to the principal, he asked me if I could attend the concert with my camera equipment to photograph the goings on. Ouch. This just keeps getting worse and worse! I told him about my dilemma and he kindly invited me to join a few friends at his house after the concert for a party with Aaron. I thought that was a great consolation prize and set about preparing for my party with a little less disappointment.

Once I got to the party, I met Aaron and spoke with him and his fabulous girlfriend, Jessie about doing photos with their son, Mason while they were in town. Now, bear in mind that mystudio looked like it had been hit with a cupcake bomb so the studio was out of the question for shooting. Turned out their schedule the next day was booked pretty solid with a dogsledding tour but I made a suggestion - that I bring my gear with me to document their experience... and yeah, the accepted. Cause they're cool like that.

The following images barely scratch the surface of hilarity that made that dogsled tour so memorable... I won't even tell you how many frames I shot that day. Ever ridden on the back of a snow machine down 2 hours of bumpy trail (almost bailed once!) with a large camera up to your face? How I avoided a black eye, I'll never know.

Aaron, Jessie, Mason, Christine & Roger, thanks so much for including me in a super fun and incredibly memorable day.

it seemed like a good idea at the time | whitehorse chidlren's photographer

This upcoming weekend is the Alkan Grand Ball which is the highlight of the winter in Whitehorse. It is the night where all the beautiful trees that have been donated by local businesses are auctioned off to raise money for our local hospital foundation. Currently, the foundation is fundraising for an MRI machine.

Last year I had a pretty little tree in the auction all decorated with antique mercury glass ornaments in red and turquoise with some modern ornaments in red, turquoise and brown. It was an immensely popular tree and I had so much fun watching and listening to everyone bidding feverishly on my tree and all the other lovely trees.

This year, I have a very special tree planned and this is the tree skirt that made from directions that I found on Pinterest. Now, you may or may not know that when my oldest son was very little, I had a clothing design business and had a lot of fun making wedding gowns, prom dresses and unique garments for my lovely clients. I closed that business when I was pregnant with my youngest child and haven't touched my sewing machines much since then. When I saw this tree skirt, I knew that I'd never find anything even remotely as pretty in the store.

My trusty pin cushion that is about 15 - 20 years old. My mom had one just like it so when I started sewing at 15 (when my dad got me my first sewing machine) I knew I had to have one just like hers.\Found this one in a teeny little shop in Victoria's Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown.


I used to use a second hand Elna machine that is the one I got on my 15th birthday. I finally retired that machine (not because it stopped working, but I just wanted to use a newer machine) and replaced it with a very inexpensive Singer from WalMart. It mostly gathers dust but whenever I call it to action, it's ready to rock.

This is a look at the complete skirt. If I weren't so pressed for time I might have made this skirt a little fuller (another 45-90 degrees of circumference) but it's going under my pretty tree tomorrow. There will be photos of the finished tree next week. Hope to see some of you at the Grand Ball. If you're there, please find me and say hello!

birthday boy | whitehorse children's photographer

This is my oldest son, Noah. He was born on Oct 28th, thirteen years ago and of all his birthdays (with the exception of his first) this one is particularly nostalgic and reflective. I remember the day I met this boy. I remember how terrified I was to be in charge of this small person and for influencing him in a way that he would grow up to be a kind, compassionate, smart, independent person with a strong sense of right & wrong. And you know what, that's exactly what he's grown up to be. He is whip smart (94-96% in all his classes), charming, funny, and extremely kind. He has such a good heart and I am immeasurably proud to be his mama.

reading list | whitehorse children's photographer

Alright. So the last time I mentioned my reading list, I had started this book. One Day by David Nicholls is a satisfying read with just enough momentum to keep my easily-distracted brain totally on-task. When I headed out for my workshop in Atlanta, I tucked this book and another into my carry-on, cautiously optimistic that I'd actually make it onto the second book.

I devoured the remainder of this title and was astonished (seriously! I never use that word but that's what happened) at the ending. I really don't like it when a novel either leaves you hanging at the end or the ending is just plain dumb. Not here. This ending was brutal, raw and intense. I never saw it coming. So good!

I give this story 4 out of 5 stars. I don't think I'd read it again now that the element of surprise is gone but I savored every page-turn and am super happy that I read it.


This is the other title I brought with me to Atlanta. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda I read almost the whole thing on the flight from Utah to Atlanta. There were a few chapters left and on my first night in the hotel, I drew a deep, hot bubble bath and read this one until the tears were streaming down my face. The emotion was so immediate and the storyline addictive. I learned a few things about the culture in India and feel like I truly gained something from having read this novel. This one was a 5-star read, without a doubt. Loved it to pieces.

someone stole my truck! | whitehorse children's photographer

By now, some of you may have heard about the drama that befell my family while I was in Atlanta Georgia for a workshop in September. For those of you who have not yet heard or have only heard about part of the story, here's my side of things.

I arrive in Atlanta (with delayed baggage and not the best demeanor at 12:30am) I go to bed, and head off to day one of the workshop. Upon returning to my hotel room after a long, amazing and inspiring day of learning and networking, I call home to say goodnight to my boys. The conversation is pretty normal and nothing seems out of the ordinary. Then my mother in law takes the phone. "Have you spoken to Ray yet today?" she asks... That is what you call a LOADED QUESTION. I tell her that I haven't spoken to him, to which she replies, "I better let him tell you..." she trails off. Not being known for my patience, I urge her to tell me whatever it his Ray needs to tell me. Turns out my truck had been stolen the night before from our farm which, if you don't know, is well outside the city limits of Whitehorse. Vehicle theft from out there is uncommon.

I freak out a little but don't hear from him until the morning, thanks to the time difference. We finally speak the next day and the rest of the story rapidly unfolds... Not only was my truck stolen, but it was also used to carry the thieves towards Haines Junction where the criminals apparently robbed Madleys General Store, maced the security guard and beat him up, stole the safe and drove my truck until the motor blew up.... but not before allegedly shooting at the police car that was chasing them - from INSIDE the vehicle. MY VEHICLE!

Ray's brother was heading out to work with his crew, spotted "a truck that looked like it could be the Blazer" and after a quick license plate check, yep... my truck.

It has been two weeks and I haven't even laid eyes on my poor truck. It's finished. A total junker. They drove it like they stole it but since it was involved in a police shooting, I guess it's evidence now.

Oh, and did I mention my background support was in the truck? Yeah, its true. Major inconvenience and scary as hell. These people were at my home, armed and not afraid of shooting people. So glad Ray didn't wake up. So glad my dogs didn't notice. So glad my family is unharmed.

I have a new car now. A pretty blue Ford Focus. Fully loaded, every feature the good folks at Ford make, I think. Definitely takes the sting out of having my truck stolen, but only a little.






Not sure what happens next with the truck but as soon as I know more, I'll share.

I'll be passing the collection plate around later :(

welcome to altanta part 3 | whitehorse children's photographer

Oh man... Atlanta is definitely one of my favorite cities! I had an entire afternoon to use however I wanted and so after the workshop wrapped up, I headed off to lunch with my new pal, Amanda (another workshop buddy!) to a cool joint with a big skull at the entrance. It's called The Vortex. Ever been there?


This burger changed my life. Buffalo wing sauce, super garlicky pickle, a giant gob of blue cheese... dang! The perfect burger. and yeah, check out those yam fries!! Just two girls eatin' a little lunch :)







Giraffe family! Get a load of that sweet baby giraffe!!

A rhinoceros! Never thought I'd see one of these!

Wild boar, not exactly the prettiest animal at the zoo, but still cool to see.

And a meerkat. Very awesome little creatures!


Seth would lose his mind to see this guy. This is a Bearded Dragon. Seth is obsessed with dragons and I'm sure he's going to ask me to have one of these as a pet the second he sees this image! LOL!


Probably the most beautiful animal in the entire zoo was this pair of elephants. Their expressions, the eye contact... they can see right into you. Amazing creatures.


And of course, a person cannot visit Zoo Atlanta and not see the panda bears. This sweetheart was fast asleep, totally oblivious to the visitors in his area.

The next installment of the Atlanta trip is a little more dramatic, upsetting and totally worth reading! You won't want to miss it! Stay tuned!

welcome to atlanta part 2 | whitehorse children's photographer

Okay, so day two of the Atlanta trip was MUCH better because I finally had my suitcase (read: toothbrush) and I felt like a brand new woman! I had an unbelievable time at the workshop listening to amazing speakers, getting motivated and making friends... who were good enough to indulge my utimate love of food.

Oh, and did i mention that I started my day again with room service again?? Best invention in the entire world. And I figured since I was in the south, I better experience some southern food... so i tried grits, biscuits & gravy, eggs, ham (seriously, who can eat that much food!?). What I want to know is why on earth do people NOT make grits in Canada?? What the heck is the matter with you people?!?! Don't you like delicious food?!?!


Anyway, so at lunch, my new friends Amanda & Leah took me over to the food court in the CNN building next door where I finally got to try Chick-fil-a. Oh sweet Jesus. Spicy chicken sandwich, I just about died! All of a sudden, I'm feelin' kinda like Canadian food is bland & boring. And like I should open a Chick-fil-a franchise in Whitehorse!


And then there was dinner... Again, in the food court in the CNN building, Leah & I hit Don Juan's (a Mexican joint. duh!) and I had to have both a margarita and chili rellenos. So the margarita was like being punched in the mouth with a tequila fist (that's a good thing) and I was drowning in a sea of cheese & tomato sauce with my chili rellenos. I about died again. Twice in one day over food. I am in love with Atlanta!


This is the amazing, inspired, talented, motivated, hilarious (orange juice drinking challeged! ha!) Leah. We met on the first day, walking through the massive Georgia World Congress Center and were pretty much joined at the hip all weekend. She just quit her job to be a full time photographer. This is what a rockstar looks like, in case you ever wondered.


and if you ever want to die of cheese overload with a bean & rice chaser, this is totally the way to go. Just sayin'.

welcome to atlanta | whitehorse children's photographer

What an amazing trip! This weekend, I'm attending a workshop in Atlanta Georgia compliments of an online friend, Joel Miesels from Adorama (an unbelievable retailer in the US for all kinds of camera gear). He had passes to give away and generously gave one to me! yay! I booked my flight & hotel and early (and I mean EARLY) saturday morning, I left Whitehorse.

It all started innocently enough...

Like any other trip outside, I checked in at the Whitehorse International Airport, cleared security (without getting felt up this time, I might add!) and boarded my plane. Sounds normal so far, no? Well, we didn't get to board the flight exactly on time. The emergency slide wasn't functioning normally so we couldn't go anywhere till it was. That only took an hour. Good thing there was a decent chunk of time till my next flight in Vancouver. But at long last (50 mins late) we were airborne.

There goes Riverdale! Good bye, Riverdale!! See that little blue bridge right in front of the engine? I shoot a ton of sessions along that section of the Millennium Trail. One of my most favorite and versatile spots in downtown whitehorse...especially for little kids. Foot & bicycle traffic only.

There's a stretch of the Yukon River where me and the fam spent a huge chunk of our "free time" this summer. The hubster got a new-to-him boat (which is nameless and upon his insistence that we give it a female name, I've lovingly dubbed her "the other woman") and whenever things were quiet, that's where we were... that's the upside of a rotten season on the farm, lots of recreation time!

This photo is for the benefit of my new Southern US friends... those of you who don't get snow, this is just a light "sugar dusting" ... there's MUCH more where this nasty stuff came from!

So, long story short, my 2nd & 3rd flights were about 20 minutes apart in Salt Lk. City, Utah. I managed to board the plane in time for takeoff but my bags weren't quite so fortunate. Dang. So with no contact lens solution, toothbrush or toothpaste, clean socks (among other things) I was given this assortment of survival gear from the good folks at Delta Airlines. Was better than a smack in the ass but not by much.

But now, after one seriously full half-day of classes, not a lot of food (save for one of life's finer luxuries - room service) and the long-awaited return of my bag, I can enjoy my surroundings in a much calmer (and cleaner) state.