Picture Life - Joyfully

Habitat for Humanity Family Portraits Presented

2011-12-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

We first met the five Habitat for Humanity families at Fish Creek Park when we got together to take their portraits on a beautiful August day. Last week Aynsley and I had the pleasure of presenting our finished wall portraits to all five families. We were warmly welcomed into their new homes and happily helped them hang their portraits. We received this eloquent and heart-warming email from Abu:

"Thank you very much for thewonderful family photo portrait that we received as a Christmas gift from you.A family portrait is a relatively small part of home interior, but when Iwalked into our home and saw our family's portrait for the first time hangingon the wall in the living room, the house felt so much warmer, as if it gaineda personality. Before we had received this portrait, our house looked like anyother house, but now it is definitely our house.

The portrait is outstanding. It's like a painting out of an art gallery. Thebackground is idyllic and our young family's colours, poses and expressionsblend in just perfectly, showing as if we're all an integral part of thenature's green riot of new life. Everyone on the photograph looks their naturalselves, and everyone's personality shines through freely. It's a beauty, it's apiece of art.

We really appreciate your time, work and the final photo product of highestquality you generously donated to us as a Habitat for Humanity family. From thefirst moment we met you guys on the photo shoot morning, we were surrounded byyour genuine friendliness and understanding. I know that managing our fourtoddlers (and their sometimes even more grumpy parents) is quite a challengingtask, but you guys were most flexible and helping. How you searched and quicklyfound the most suitable location for the photo shoot is impressive. Your gentleand professional approach during the photo shoot provided a great experience.

The result of your work is an amazing piece of memory for us to own during ourlifetimes, and probably even longer."
Abu Z

With the generous contributions of ABL Imaging Group and FrameSource the portraits were truly works of art. Click here to see the portraits.

We wish all the families many happy years in their new homes.

Insight Photography Calgary
403.500.1966
www.InsightPhotography.ca

"Where the Heart is." Family Portraits for Habitat for Humanity Families.

2011-09-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

The old adage “home is where the heart is,” is so true, and a home is just a house without family. When a family moves into a new home, it is really a bench mark. To have a lasting reminder of this time in a family's life is a special gift.

That is why, for the second year, Insight Photography offered Habitat for Humanity families an opportunity to have their portraitstaken to celebrate moving into their new homes. The program, called "Where the Heart is", was introduced last year andsix families participated, receiving beautiful wall portraits for their homes.

Insight Photography offersthe program at no cost to the families, with photographers, labs and framersdonating their services.

This year, on August 6, five very special families joined Aynsley and I at the Bow Valley Ranche in Fish Creek Park. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed traipsing around the park finding unique backdrops for each family.

At this point, all of the families have chosen their favourite portraits, and we are in the process of working with sponsors to get the wall portraits printed and framed. The finished wall portraits will be on display at the UN World Habitat Day luncheon at the Delta Bow Valley on October 3, 2011. The portraits will be presented to the families sometime after that. I'll keep you in the loop as the details are finalized.

Warmest regards,

Leanne

Insight Photography

Here is Shawna and her beautiful children,

Kiara, Denzel and Janessa

Preschool Cutie Pies (Calgary Family Portraits)

2011-03-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

As a portrait photographer, one would assume that I enjoy people - and I do. And some of my favourite people happen to be preschoolers. I get some real chuckles from these youngsters. They usually start off a little shy and reticent, but once you start asking them questions, it's like a light switch turns on. And the race is on to capture the sparkle in their eyes as they talk about, for example, what costume they would wear for Hallowe'en.

Out of the hundreds of preschoolers I photographed in the fall, I had a hard time choosing just 10 for my Preschool Cutie Pies, a new gallery on my website here. There are oh so many more that I would love to show off. Oh well, next fall is coming soon.

I hope you enjoy their cheeky little faces as much as I do.

Leanne
http://www.insightphotography.ca/
Leanne@InsightPhotography.ca

Just got back from Las Vegas!

2011-03-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

Bloodshot eyes are not pretty! Really, with this weather, I never thought I'd be happy to be back in Calgary, especially from a warmer climate. But I was so happy to be home from Las Vegas. It's been so long since I've been subjected to second hand smoke! OMG . . .

But that being said, my photography compatriot Aynsley and I were in Las Vegas to attend WPPI - the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International conference. The largest such conference in the world with 16,000 attendees. It was a jam-packed four days full of dynamic and creative speakers and the mother of all trade shows.

We got what we went for. We immersed ourselves in photography culture, ideas, new techniques, equipment, gadgets, albums, framing, and more. We got to touch and feel all of the products that we previously only saw online and ordered with our fingers crossed! And we were privileged to see all of the photography finalists for the international awards. That alone was worth the price of admission.

So, we're back, replenished after the busy fall and Christmas rush, full of ideas and excited for the months ahead.

Adieu, until next time.

Leanne

Leanne@InsightPhotography.ca
http://www.insightphotography.ca/

Courtesy of Aynsley Stelfox

Yes, green grass & trees!

What a difference a Puppy makes!

2011-02-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

For years our daughter, Tori, begged for a puppy. Each time she broached the subject, I would be easily swayed and we would get all excited. Then came the hard part - persuading my husband, Bob. Always, we came to the conclusion that a puppy would cramp our style.

Tori had to make do with puppy sitting. Over the years, our good friends Kerry & Howard, would deliver Dolly into our loving arms every time they travelled. And Brenda & Gord would bring Bella over for visits while they went travelling. It was so hard for us to part with these lovely puppies at the end of every stay. We thought about puppy-knapping, but they knew where we lived!

Our son moved out of the house this past November and though we barely saw him when he lived with us, there was still a void. The fall / Christmas season was exceptionally busy and I found myself working even more than I usually do. And I realized that with both of children grown, my life is really my own. With nothing to take me away from work (which I am passionate about), I tend to become single minded.

When the inevitable puppy talk started again, I took a different look at it. A puppy to love, to walk, to play, to feed, to cuddle. Not such a bad thing to have something precious to take care of. When Tori and I broached the topic with Bob again, his mind hadn't been changed in any way. But this time, it was two to one. After a family meeting where we all committed to participating in our puppy's life, we started looking for puppies.

Needless to say, it wasn't hard to find a delightful puppy. Our choice was an eight-week old Bijon Shitzu cross. He was the timid one of the pack, fuzzy and cute as a button. We couldn't resist. On December 17 we brought our puppy home.

Oz under the Christmas tree.

Bob, Tori and I have all had so many laughs and warm, fuzzy moments since Oz joined our family almost two months ago. It is hard to remember when he wasn't part of the family, and hard to remember why we didn't want a puppy before. It was definitely the right decision for us. And I do find myself taking frequent breaks to throw a ball or go out for a walk. Just what I needed! Just what we all needed! How lucky are we?

Leanne@InsightPhotography.ca

http://www.insightphotography.ca/

Habitat for Humanity - Family Portrait Project

2011-01-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

In 2010, one of my business goals as a professional photographer was to focus (pun intended) more on family portraits. It hasn't been my experience (yet) that when you make such a decision, POW, instantly families are knocking on your door. And because I also believe that when you want something, you move toward it by taking action, I thought about ways that I could take family portraits while my marketing did its work.

I have always had a soft spot for "affordable housing" issues and Habitat for Humanity is an organization that has made an impact in the world. Having a home to call your own for your family is a dream that is almost universal.

So, I called Habitat for Humanity and offered to take portraits of all of the families seleced to receive a home in 2010. The people at Habitat for Humanity were thrilled to offer this opportunity to their families, and the families were just as thrilled to accept the offer to have a portrait taken at such an important time in their lives.

I took my first of seven Habitat family portraits in June and the last one in September. In addition to meeting such wonderful and gracious families, there were several aspects of this project that made it extra special. First of all, a fellow photographer volunteered her time to assist on every session. She also photographed one of the families while I assisted her. Thank you so much Aynsley. Working with you made every session so much more fun.

I am also grateful to Susan and the team at ABL Imaging for donating all the printing of the portraits. Thank you so much. You always do beautiful work.

A family portrait is so much better when it is a complete work of art, and of course, framing is what pulls it all together. Thanks to Rick and his team at FrameSource for very generously donating all of the beautiful mats and frames to make these wall portraits spectacular.

In addition to accomplishing my objective of photographing families, the Habitat for Humanity Family Portrait Project was a fun and rewarding experience. So much so that we're doing it all again in 2011. I'm using the royal "we" as I'll be looking for volunteers and donors again and I have no doubt that generous people will come forward.

A few of the beautiful families are shown below.

Leanne Bannon
Insight Photography
http://www.insightphotography.ca/
Leanne@InsightPhotography.ca

Gord's Game for Alzheimer's

2010-09-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 2, was the inaugural Gord's Game for Alzheimer's at the Mt. Kidd Golf Course in Kananaskis. It was one of the most beautiful days of the year and all the golfers, volunteers and dinner guests enjoyed the blue skies and the spectacular mountain scenery.

Brenda Strandlund is my best friend, and the Gord of Gord's Game is her husband. Gord was diagnosed with Alzheimers at the age of 57 and after the inital shock and adjustment, they have been determined to make a difference by raising awareness of this disease. You may have read about them in the Calgary Herald, saw them on CTV News, or heard them on 660 Radio News. They have really made a commitment to bringing this disease out of the shadows.

And now, with the Gord's Game tournament, they have contributed more than just awareness. With the help and support of many sponsors, golfers, and donations, Gord's Game raised more than $21,000 at last count. All funds raised will go to research.

Christy Strandlund, Brenda and Gord's daughter, chaired the tournament and it was no surprise to anyone that the tournament went off without a hitch. The lives of most of the tournament committee members and sponsors alike have been touched in some way by this terrible disease, and judging by the enthusiasm at the tournment, it is quite possible that this tournament will be held again next year.

Below is a photo of Gord and Brenda presenting a cheque to Tracy Neumann, Director of Development, and Jorge Aviles, President, Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Way to go Strands!

Until next time,

Leanne Bannon
http://www.insightphotography.ca/
403.500.1966

Cattle Drive In Progress

2010-08-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, on our way to Fernie for Thanksgiving, my husband Bob and I were fortunate to come across a cattle drive on Highway 40 just south of Longview. It was a picture perfect day with snow capping the mountains, the sky a deep blue with scattered puffs of white clouds. The only camera I had with me was a point and shoot but I got fabulous images. However, I hadn't thought to check the resolution setting.

Lesson learned - always, always, always leave your resolution settings on the highest quality. You never know when you'll get an opportunity to capture a priceless image.

Last weekend, Bob and I were driving down that same highway on our way to Christina Lake, when I said how cool it would be to see another cattle drive. When lo and behold we passed a sign saying "Cattle Drive In Progress". Woohoo. I had my trusty Pentax K7 at the ready and waited in anticipation to come across the action.

A man and woman (or cowboy and cowgirl) were herding cattle down the side of the highway, on the way to better grazing. They were suitably attired for great pictures and very accommodating as we followed them for a number of kilometers.

If anyone knows this couple, please let me know and I will happily send them one of the images.

Leanne Bannon
Insight Photography
http://www.insightphotography.ca/
Leanne@InsightPhotography.ca

A Different Kind of Family Portrait

2010-06-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

Today I had the delight of photographing a family - a mom, a dad, and four babies. Not your ordinary family. In fact it was a family of Robins. Yes, birds. Our friends, Greg and Nancy, have two wreaths hanging on their front doors. Robins deemed one of the wreaths a great substitute for a tree and built their nest on the top of the wreath, right on the front door. How cool is that?

One would think that a bird's nest on a front door wouldn't survive long, but our friends have accommodated the Robin family and have carefully allowed them to maintain their home. Greg and Nancy have watched the process as the blue eggs were laid, then hatched, and now as the four little ones keep mom and dad busy with the feeding ritual.

I am totally fascinated with how really delightful this is, and I have taken a few pictures to share it with you.

Leanne - http://www.insightphotography.ca/

Is Pre-Natal Photography for You?

2010-05-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Let's start at conception, shall we? No, not the actual act, but the fruit of the labour (so to speak). I remember clearly in the 1970's when my avant-garde cousin in Montreal presented her parents with a semi-nude pre-natal portrait. The family was all a twitter. Shocked really.

Since Demi Moore was beautifully photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Vanity Fair in 1991, it has become, while maybe not conventional, certainly within the norm, to be photographed in the third trimester of pregnancy. Expectant moms have a particular vulnerability, softness and sensitivity that comes through the lens into the captured images. It is a beautiful experience for the mom-to-be and the photographer.

The “innies and outies” of wardrobe choices for a pre-natal photo session are simple. Do you want to feel comfortable, or push the envelope a little? Will you wear blue jeans and your hubby’s white dress shirt? Or just the dress shirt? Perhaps a tight black stretchy dress? A soft white robe? Or maybe nothing at all? Even all of the above.

When you think of it, no matter how many times you might be pregnant, your relationship with that child is unique and intimate. And just as important is the bond that can be created when the father or siblings are included in the photographic experience. The memories are priceless.

To all the moms-to-be out there, enjoy the pre-natal experience. It is an exciting time that goes by so quickly. And take a moment to decide if a portrait is an important part of your pregnancy.

The Delights of Photographing Toddlers

2010-04-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Most of us know a thing or two about toddlers. Their reputations precede them with descriptors such as energetic, busy, single minded, curious, stubborn, funny, joyful, and so on.

I had the distinct delight to photograph a very active toddler in the fall. Van (cute name, eh?) was truly in his element on a sunny day in Fish Creek Park. His parents had managed to keep him still for a nano second or two, so I had captured a few good images. But it soon became abundantly clear that Van had much too much to explore to ever stay still again - at least on that lovely afternoon. The best laid plans . . .

Sometimes, it's amazing what happens when we just adapt to what's going on right in front of us, instead of getting frustrated or giving up. At that point in the afternoon, I started to follow Van around - across the paths, up on the rocks, around the trees, and then - aha - what did he see? Bugs. Down he went, on his tummy, digging his pudgy little fingers between the rocks. And lo and behold, he got one! And I got one too.

I captured the true Van. A little guy who loves bugs. Some very fun images. What do you think?

Leanne

WELCOME TO MY VERY FIRST BLOG

2010-03-25T19:34:00.001-07:00

Hi fellow bloggers & blog readers,

This is my very first blog - ever! I've been admiring my husband, Bob, for the past year as he diligently blogs to his readers. He never fails to come up with something interesting - and usually funny - to say. I'm hoping that in the many years we've lived together, some of that talent will have rubbed off on me. Time will tell.

Bob will surely confirm that I've never lacked for something to say. I will try to ensure that whatever I blog is either useful information, insightful commentary, or at least entertaining.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to getting your feedback and being lead to your blogs.