Tribute to Fall

I was feeling a bit down today because one of my favourite photographers whose blog I follow was offering a first class workshop in Paris France in November 2012 - and it was simply too expensive for me to attend.  The beauty of Paris would have to be for someone else, someone with thousands of dollars to spend on a two day workshop.  But, and I know that you should never start a sentence with but (bad grammar), but I came home after work tonight, walked around my property looking for the beauty in the fall colours and I found it!  Paris can wait, I have it all right here.  I just needed to open  my eyes.  The grass may be greener...but the leaves are redder and it doesn't get any better than that.

Farewell to Summer

Well another summer has come and gone.  The weather is turning much cooler, the sun sets earlier making the days shorter and the trees are turning colour as we move into fall.  I love summer - the long days, the warm temperatures, the light, oh that wonderful glowing sunlight, however I also love fall.  Born in late October I have always felt that fall was my season - I love the cool crisp nights and the rich colours as the trees turn from green to red and orange and gold.  In the summer my weakness is ice cream - particularly black cherry or maple walnut, but in the fall I like to sit with a cup of steaming hot green tea so yea! for fall - must healthier by far.  So farewell summer - here are a few of my favourite photos from the summer of 2012.

Artography

ONE MORE FROM THE BEACH - ARTISTICALLY ALTERED IN PHOTOSHOP TO GIVE THE IMAGE A VINTAGE LOOK.  THESE PHOTOS ARE SO MUCH FUN TO CREATE AND THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.

Summer of 2012 - Beach Package Special

Beach Days

Those hazy lazy days of summer are fleeting and soon all that is left is a memory.  Starlite Alley Studios can help you preserve those memories with a stunning wall art photo that will warm your heart even in the dead cold of winter.  For a limited time only we are offering beach portraits taken at – wait for it…the BEACH!   Each mini session includes a 30 minute photo session, a private on-line proofing gallery hosted for 30 days to ensure ample time to make your selections, an 11x14” framed print ready to hang and a DVD with five images to share on facebook.  This session is valued at $425.00 however the studio is offering a July/August special price of only $225.00.  This is an exceptional value and we expect that it will sell out very quickly as availability is limited.  So grab your kids, pack up the cooler and lets head to the beach.  The kids will love it and after your session you can stay the day and enjoy some quality family time.  To reserve you spot call Robina today at 519-788-6047 or email us at starlitealley@execulink.com. 

Starlite Alley Studios: Lexi Summer of 2012

Starlite Alley Studios: Lexi Summer of 2012

Lexi Summer of 2012

Happy summer everyone - hope you are all enjoying the great weather.  It's a great time for outdoor photo sessions so take advantage of our warm temperatures and the natural light of the sun to get some great family portraits to decorate your home and warm your heart.  In this picture I asked her to show me her eyes....and she took it very literally.

Haven't posted in a while so here is the updates from the last few weeks...things have been very busy both at home and at work - nothing new there.  I have been busy developing new concepts for future specials and hope to have something ready to present in the near future.  In the meantime I have been testing out my new backdrop from Denny's manufacturing, made it down to Henry's Digital Imaging show last month and finally received my new camera body from Vistek - I only waited two years and four months for this camera so to say how excited I was to receive it would be a gross understatement.  I've posted a few pics to highlight the past month.  Hope you like them.

Wescott provided photographers with an opportunity to try out their lighting equipment at the Henry's Digital Imagining Show in Toronto last month.  Photographers were encouraged to take their best shot and submit the edited images to compete for prizes.  This is one of my entires.

My beautiful granddaughter Trinity with her best friend Doris.  Too adorable....am loving this red backdrop from Denny's Manufacturing.

It's hard enough to get one 8 week old baby to pose for pictures but two at once....?  PLEASE!  Welcome to Elenor and Olivia - identical twin girls who flew in from Calgary and took time to stop by the studio for a quick photo shoot before heading back home.  Can't wait until their next visit so we can do it all over again.

Here's a couple more shots of these little cuties:

I've also been working on some art pics, focusing mainly on floral arrangements using natural light, shallow depth of field and texture.  I hope to put together a few limited edition prints to sell at local craft shows but haven't gotten that far yet.  Need some encouragement so if you see something you like on my website, please let me know.

Well that's all for now - back to work tomorrow morning so off to bed for me.  Nite, nite....

Soaking up some creative inspiration at the NoBS Photo Success Toronto Inferno - for some serious cool photo art you need to check out Brian DeMint's website http://www.eyeworksphotography.com/.  Can't wait to get home and try out some of the techniques we have learned at this workshop.

Easter Special 2012

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who took advantage of our Limited Edition Easter photo sessions this past weekend.  It was so much fun meeting everyone and watching the children interact with the baby bunnies and baby chicks.  It was a formula destined for success - as someone stated in a facebook post - baby everything is cute.  Well we had it all and the pictures are phenominal - can't wait to see the prints.

Starlite Alley picked a peck of baby chicks...

14 Baby chickens are currently residing in a bushel basket which is located in my claw foot bathtub in the downstairs washroom - they are under a heat lamp and happily pecking away at the chick starter food I lugged into the house - not sure but I think the bag is about 50 pounds.  I'm either crazy or just way too dedicated but omg they are so cute.  Can't wait to see the Easter pictures we are going to create with these adorable little babies.

Only a few more days until we start our Easter sessions - bunnies are in the house and the chicks are coming in on Wednesday.  This is going to be so much fun.

Stunning!

Trinity January 2012

This photo was taken back in January 2012 and then filed away and forgotten.  I stumbled across it tonight and can't believe that I could have forgotten this one, it is so pretty.  I remember thinking at the time I took this photo that I would only photograph red and black from now on because it was so dramatic.  Of course that would never happen because I am constantly finding new colour combinations and methods to explore my creativity and they all have their own charm. 

Easter Special

March break at the Royal Ontario Museum - the main exhibit was a celebration of the ancient Maya civilization.  We were greeted at the enterance by this warrior in full traditional dress.  Fun to see and photograph in a museum in Toronto, would be terrifying to run into in the jungles back in the day.

Ooh la la!  Check out best gal pals Stephannie and Kayla - they really know how to bring wow to the table.

Va Va Va Voom!

Pin-up photo shoot with the vulumpuios Stephanie - way to work it girl.

Searching for the light

The New Digs

So, no more working out of my living room/dining room combination - we have been forturnate enough to find some affordable rental space close to home - We now have our equipment set up permanently so we are ready to shoot at a moment's notice - and we have a lot of space so we can get creative - 2012 is going to be a steller year.  Want to book an appointment?  Call Robina at 519-788-6047.

Landlord - This would make a great photography studio.
Me - Really???????????

Me:  Thanks Dave you are amazing - All set and ready to go.
Landlord:  OMG Unbelievable

All credit for the rennovations go to Dave Smith who has worked evenings and weekends to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear - we now have this amazing space so let the good times roll.

January 2012

A Kodak Moment

Literally

Christmas Angel

Photo of the week for December 24th, 2011 - Baby Liam age 10 days.  What a sweetheart this little guy was, so co-operative and so adorable - can't wait do document all the stages of his first year. 

Opps!

First attempt at splash photography - Trintity said I made a mess - given that I missed the glass entirely when I did the pour, she may very well be right..lol.