This foray into parenting does mean, however, that I’ll be taking a one-year maternity leave (June 2011 – June 2012).  I will not be booking any sessions during this time.  And, after much thought & consideration, I will not be returning to photography after my maternity leave, either.  One of the reasons for this has to do with our family situation.  My husband will be finishing his degree next summer and we’ll be moving to the East Coast next September (Lord willing) so that he can attend seminary.

I have loved working with all my photography clients & would like to thank each one of you for trusting me with your wedding, engagement, family, newborn & maternity sessions.  Each one was so much fun!  I’ve learned so much over the past year and a half thanks to you.   In addition to my wonderful clients, there are many, MANY other people to thank:

* Jeremy, my wonderful husband, for putting up with me either being away from home or parked in front of the computer 24/7.  You have been my number one fan from day one and I could not have gotten through the past one and a half years without you.  THANK YOU MY LOVE!
* Rachel Ludwig, talented photographer, for meeting with me and my sister before our first wedding and answering a thousand nervous questions.  You gave us so many great tips and the confidence we needed.  THANK YOU!
* Duane & Skye, my brother and sister-in-law, for asking me to photograph their wedding.  Theirs was the first wedding I shot – and still my favourite to this day!  THANK YOU GUYS!
* My family, for constantly being my guinea pigs in front of the camera and for the wonderful support.   THANKS SO MUCH!
* To friends near and far, for supplying me with so much love & support over the years.  THANKS TO EACH ONE OF YOU!

There are many talented local photographers – I’ll direct you to one of my favourites for your future photography needs.

I’ll wrap up this post with a few photos from our own mini maternity session (with thanks to Jeremy for the photos of myself):

Cheers!

XO

Arenda

John David + Tessa got married in the Arnold Community Church, right across the road from where John David grew up.

We stayed around the Arnold area for photos.  It was a clear, frigid day… kudos to JD + Tessa for bearing with the howling, arctic wind that afternoon!!!  I think it was worth it in the end!

Congratulations you two – so very happy for the both of you!!!

A couple more photos of Brenda, as well as some of Russ (alas, the chin-lifting photos did not make it onto the blog!)…

And, last but not least, a few photos of Terry and Kelsey (of KV Bijou fame – if you haven’t seen Kelsey’s jewelry yet, you should totally check it out!).  

On a side noted, some people have been asking if I’m still booking photo sessions this spring – I’m actually all booked up (i.e., focusing on my job as a nurse and, of course, growing this little baby inside me!) unless you’re reeeeeeeeeeally close friends or family (coming up soon… Rifka and Mike’s newborn son, Noah!).

More to come soon!

Many thanks to my talented brother-in-law Anthony for snapping some pics of me + my hubby this holiday season!

Here is Cecilia getting ready on her wedding day ~ just a few houses away from where Al was getting ready!  Click on the image sets to see them blown up a bit:

Al + Cecilia had a beautiful church ceremony:

Then we drove out to the Fort to Fort trail for some photos:

Enjoy your photos Al + Cecilia.  The rest will be coming in the mail shortly!

Hello big, beautiful window!  What a perfect backdrop you are to Theresa’s amazing dress!

Theresa, you are gorgeous!

Fun bridal party!  Look at all those great smiles!

Gary and Theresa look great in black and white:

And a few more colour photos to round things out…

Crazy girls:

One of my faves:

Locations: Heron Reserve, Sardis, BC; Private Residence, Sardis, BC.