Happiness Shot Out of Their Faces Like Lazer Beams: Squamish Family Photography

    Exuding the kind of bliss that would turn Scrooge into a caroling, ho ho ho-ing, ray of sunshine.  I can honestly say I've never seen anything like it and I've met a LOT of really wonderful, happy and loving families.  I've been mulling over this post for weeks and the title just kept running though my head....Happiness shot out of their faces like lazer beams, for real.  Big brother took a tiny bit of convincing, but a few seconds of booger talk & were fast friends! 

No Pressure: Squamish Maternity/Family Portraits

     This may come as a surprise to you.  Photography is not as glamorous and lucrative as most people are lead to believe.  Nowadays pretty much anyone and their iPhone is considered a photographer, and a whole session of digial files sells for the same or less than photographers would sell the negatives for in the 1980's. So despite being very busy and doing something I love I still have a 'real job'. A full time position that ensures I can put food on the table and pay the bills even when things get slow.

So no pressure at all when the lady that makes sure that cheque makes it to me every two weeks, and her husband who happens to be my boss' boss come all the way from New Westminster for some family/maternity photos.

Their daughter was actually one of the very first newborn sessions I ever did & she's as spunky as the first day I met her.    I am very much looking forward to meeting their new little one close to Christmas and maybe by then big sister will understand what I was talking about when I pointed out 'Mt' Crumpet and told her that's where the Grinch lives.

Half a World Away: North Vancouver Family Portraits

  Despite the miles and ocean between them it was as if his auntie's lived next door with the connection they shared.  A testament to technology today & social media.

  I have been lucky to have many clients travel from all over the lower mainland this year to see me.  Langley, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, and all parts of Vancouver.  These ladies take the prize for being the furthest I can add to my portfolio having come all the way from the UK...not really to see me of course, but to meet their new niece and visit with this little heart breaker of a nephew!

Squamish's Best

  A huge thank-you to all who voted for me in the Reader's Choice awards for Squamish.  Not gonna lie, it's pretty cool, although I have to admit I did email an editor and ask that next year they have a few more categories.  There are a lot of phenomenal photographers in Squamish & it would be wonderful to see categories for families, newborns, weddings, commercial, sports, landscape....etc, etc.  "Best Photographer" is a little broad, but hey for now I'll take it.

  So here's my little contest to say thanks for all of you who not only voted, but have actually come to see me and sent your friends & gone on to say all sorts of nice things about my work & have helped me build this little dream into a reality.

  TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST HAVE HAD A SESSION WITH  GRINNING WEASEL IN THE PAST 3 YEARS.

  To enter:  Send your friends and family to my facebook page & have them enter your name under the status that is highlighted and pinned to the top of my page.  Having them comment on your page will not work as I cannot see these due to privacy settings, so therefore I cannot count them! 

   Each person may only make ONE nomination! If you make more than one they will all be discounted.

   1st PLACE PRIZE:   A $500 gift certificate for Grinning Weasel Photography.  Must be used for a session & to order prints or digital files from that session.  NO CASH VALUE.  NO REFUNDS ON ANY UNUSED PORTION.  NON-TRANSFERABLE. Certificate will be valid until December 31 2014.  Once the session is booked you must give minimum 7 days notice to re-schedule.  Maximum ONE re-scheduling date.  Does not include travel fees outside of the Squamish area.

   2nd PLACE PRIZE:  50 custom made, professionally printed Christmas Cards.  Value of over $120!  Can be used for other greeting cards, birth announcements.  Cannot be used towards other print options or digital files. NO CASH VALUE.  NON-TRANSFERABLE.  MUST be Grinning Weasel Photography images. Certificate will be valid until December 31 2014.
 
    THIS CONTEST IS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHIEF NEWSPAPER OR FACEBOOK.  IT IS SOLELY THAT OF GRINNING WEASEL PHOTOGRAPHY.
   
Contest ends November 15th 2013 5pm-Winner announced November 19th

  Thanks!  And good luck!!!

  -Cheryl Voigt

The Outdoor Recreation (Procreation) Capital of Canada: Squamish Maternity Photography

           The conversation flowed easily with our mutual love of the outdoors, hours felt like minutes out there in the crisp autumn air.  There was no doubt in our consult that we needed a location that summed up Squamish and it's natural beauty.  We chatted about everything that makes this 'The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada' with none of the ego that seems to overpower so much of these activities. These two are about as sweet and down to earth as you'll ever meet & I can guarantee their lucky little bean has an amazing adventurous life ahead of them.

   Grinning Weasel is Cheryl Voigt, a Squamish based photographer specializing in maternity, newborn and family portraits. 

All That and Make it a Double: Squamish family Photography

              He ran around the corner and she didn't even flinch.  There were masses of people, hot drinks, heavy equipment and an abundance of children.  She calmly waited as he re-appeared.  How did she do it?  All three of them not only fully dressed, but wearing matching shoes.  I was in awe the first time we met and she was able to not only keep the eyes in the back of her head on both boys at once, but actually maintain a conversation while doing it. 

       Prior to having a child I used to think how grand it would be to have twins. To only have to be pregnant once.  Go through labor once.  Now if I could go back in time I would say to myself, "HA!"  I'd have never have kept it together like she does. 


Grinning Weasel is Cheryl Voigt, a Squamish based photographer specializing in maternity, newborn and family portraits.

Credit:  Red Carpet Ready by Christina for hair and make-up 

Giving Thanks

     

             Thanksgiving.  One of a handful of special dates each year that we have a reason to put aside all the other distractions in life & get together to have a meal with family and appreciate all that we have.  It's nice to think about all the families who have chosen me to capture a glimpse of their lives and their love for each other.  From pregnancy to birth and onwards, continuing to watch these families grow.  

                       Thanks for inviting me into your home.  For letting me smile along with you and for supporting me as I grow as an artist.   

And while it's no reflection on this particular family, they are both lovely AND gorgeous & just happened to be next up on my blog. What I'm really thankful for is frustration.  For things not going as planned.  For failure.  For those who have doubted and chosen to not be supportive.  For my own two miscarriages this year. For illness and death.  For not having a 'typical' child. For being raised by two deaf parents.  For being short.  For all the things that have made me quirky and strange and have given me a perspective on life which will never allow me to take for granted even the smallest of things.