Enjoy the Holidays!!

Well, it's 5:01pm on Friday and I'm headed out the door!
We have finished another year and we just wanted to say THANK YOU for making this year so great! We have some wonderful memories that we will always carry in our hearts. Thank you for allowing us to share those priceless moments of your lives!
We will treasure them!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Jackie, Andrew, Barb and Penny!

A little holiday cheer

This family has been in a lot over the years, and they happen to be good friends of mine. You probably recognize the two older girls. They grace our children's gallery with their beautiful faces. Well, now they hav new addition to the family.
She is following in the footsteps of her sisters...beautiful and a ham. :)

The Canfield Jenkins Elves are working hard to get everything to you by Christmas!
We are praying for no winter storms between now and next Friday so that all our orders get here on time. Friday the 21st will be our last day before the Holidays and then we will be back January 2nd.
Click here to see the elves dance!!

I hope everyone has a great next couple weeks...don't let the shopping madness get to you. Show a little love and give an unexpected smile...that goes a long way :)

In memory

Kelsey lost her battle with cancer Tuesday, December 4th.
All week last week I was trying to come up with the right words to say and couldn't come up with anything.
And everytime I tried to blog, I would open and close it because there were too many emotions to put one thought together.
My husband and I went to her funeral on Saturday and it was beautiful. There were many many people there that Kelsey and her family have impacted. There wasn't a dry eye in the church. But, as we sang and listened to the words of the pastor, a peace came over me and others as well.
Kelsey will live in all the lives that she touched. We smile at the fact that she is with the Lord. She is laughing, singing, dancing and horse back riding again. She is surrounded by love and no longer in pain.
I know that I will always remember the graceful, elegant little girl that stood on point waiting for me to take her picture. She is strong, sweet, loving and beautiful. I am thankful that I knew her and have learned so much about life from her and her family.
To her family, you're strength and dedication are inspiring. We will all continue to pray for you and our hearts are with you always.

Simplify

I have been finding lately that I am so drawm to images that are super simple. I have been to the Gap many many times over the past couple months, just to look at the images on the walls. SIMPLE... very much so.
One of the things I like to do every year is go back and see how my work has changed.
It's very interesting to me, the journey that an artists takes. If you look at musicians..you can see how their style changes through each album. Each song is a brief part of their life that has left a mark. And sometimes it can be dark and cold, and sometimes it can be brilliant and happy.
I guess what I've noticed these last few months is, the stuff doesn't matter that much. I still like photographing with "things" in the image, but at the same time, there is something about just the person in the photograph. It's about them, not the stuff.
What I will remember about this year is how my view on life has changed. My question to myself has changed to "Is this really important?" If it isn't, I try not to waste too much time on it. If it is, well, I will put all my heart into it.

Christmas gift of the day: Give hugs and kisses! Spend time with family. Date nights with your spouse. Special nights with your kids.



Speaking of time with family...it's time I head home!
:}

Rock Star

I think this is the game of Christmas! Everyone I know is asking for this game including my husband. And I thought having real guitars and amps was good enough :)
Pick this up now while you still can!

Games

If you're a game person, here are some games you have to have! Loaded Questions is a great game when you have a group of people over. Get ready to have tons of laughs!
Apples to Apples is a great family game too! And of course a family favorite..Catch Phrase! This game is so portable because it doesn't have any cards or pieces. Just make sure you have some batteries! Pass this game around the circle of friends and laugh all night long :) This is a intense game, but very fun!

You can order these games from Amazon
or grab one when you are at Target...or at the mall at the game kiosk.

Stay warm!

Peace of Mind

This $10 gift is great for those of you who are stressed out! Isn't that everyone?
This is from Origins
Just dab a small amount on your temples and neck and relax! Relaxation in a bottle...what will they come up with next!

A stocking stuffer

Lush
is a place my friend and I stumbled upon during the light parade in Chicago last year. These are all natural soaps and hair products that are in solid form. We were watching the parade thru their windows and felt a little guilty, so we bought some of their products. And you know what...? They are great. The solid shampoo I bought has lasted forever! And you can get a really cool little tin for it to go in. It's great to take with you when you're traveling, or to the gym!

You can order online, or there are a few stores around Michigan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I am full and tired! We spent part of the day eating and resting and the other part of the day eating and resting, and then in the evening we watched tv, ate some more and rested again!
That's what I like to call a perfect Thanksgiving day! :)

Today is also a day of relaxing. But knowing that the rest of the year is rush rush rush in the photography business, I am taking the day to catch up on things at home. Laundry, dishes, cleaning and maybe even giving the dog a bath. Sounds fun huh?

For those of you who are out shopping and running around today I wish you well. I hope the deals are worth the lines and crowds. I try to avoid the big shopping day at all costs!
But I have been searching around for cool gifts online. For the nest couple weeks, I will try to post at least one great gift idea a day to help you out this Holiday season!
So here's the first!

This is a great gift for those of us that are always on the computer. I know I have sticky notes and list everywhere. And most of the time I can't find anything!
So this is a mouse pad and paper list all in one! What a great idea, and it's under $10!!! Can't beat that! Order it here.

Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
-Marianne Williamson

1/2 a dozen

Every year I look forward to Christmas time. One reason is because we get to see some of our favorite clients walk thru the door wanting Christmas pictures! This family is no exception to this. Andrew and I look forward to seeing them every year! There are 6 girls and they are all so cooperative and sweet! And they have gotten this photography thing DOWN!
This year they went casual, and we had a great time! Smiles all around!
Merry Christmas girls..or should I say Thanksgiving first:)

5 Already!

Today is my niece's birthday! Emma turns 5, can you believe it? It has been a quick five years, and she is such an amazing girl. We had Emma over last weekend for a fun night and a sleep over. We went bowling, out to eat and watched Ratatoulli until we fell asleep. We woke up, ate pancakes and went to church. It was a great time!
I could handle that... :)

Happy Birthday Emma...love ya kiddo!

Go Vote!

No this is not a political blog...we are having a Senior Scavenger Hunt picture contest on the other blog! Go to www.canfieldjenkins2.blogspot.com and vote for your favorite set of images!
:)

Belly Laugh!

I love it when babies laugh! Check out this video!
:)

A heavy heart

For those of you that are praying for Kelsey, I want to thank you! Please continue with your prayers for her and her family. I just wanted to post up the link to her blog so that you could keep up on what's going on with her.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Kelsey_Bauman/

Kelsey has impacted so many people. I can't even tell you how much I have learned from her. Strength, courage, love, bravery, just to name a few.
To her parents...I admire you both. God has blessed your family, regardless of the situation. May he give you peace and love everyday.

TGIF!

Today is Friday and I couldn't be happier! It has been a very long week! We have had so many different types of sessions this week..families, Christmas, babies, outdoor, indoor, Seniors etc. It has been crazy but FUN! I am looking forward to a girls night in tonight where I am getting a massage! I can't wait for that! I don't think I have had a massage since college! It has been a while!



This little one-year-old stole my heart this week! We had such a great time with her! She had the best personality, so many expressions! She also has the best parents around who love her dearly! Thank you both for bringing her in! And thank you BOTH for coming to the session! I'm sure that was a session you will not soon forget:)

Have a great weekend!

Let the Holidays begin!

I got to photograph these girls last year for Christmas and we had so much fun throwing snow! This year we went a little more stylish. I went out and bought scarves, hats, ear muffs...the whole winter works! I couldn't ask for better models!
Thanks girls!!

Pray

If you are reading this, I ask you to pray. Pray for healing for this young girl. Pray for her family, pray for her pain to go away, pray for total healing. Pray everyday, pray for the life that she still needs to live. Pray that her cancer will go away. Pray for Kelsey.
Thank you

Christmas is on it's way!

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but the Holidays usually get crazy around here. Why not get things done early this year! Book your Christmas session now!

Christmas is an amazing time of year, and with all the stores stocking up early, there are plenty of props to go and buy! I think last year I was at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's everyday. What I like to do is customize each session so that your cards aren't like anyone elses. Last year we had a bed with cookies and milk, stars hanging from the ceiling, snow falling from the sky, pajama parties and formal dress portraits! It's great to have all that variety! It keeps me from pulling my hair out doing the same thing over and over!
So, when you call about Christmas portraits, let us know what you will be wearing and what you have in mind. I will try to go out and find the perfect setting.
:)

A good book

My friend and fellow photographer Juliet Jarmosco has been educating me on better health. I went to a seminar on Growing Healthy Kids this weekend and it was very informative. I know no one likes to hear about how bad things are for us (especially my family) but I have been getting a wake up call lately so I thought I would share a book with you.

It's called Eat Healthy and Feel Great. It's a childrens book targeted at teaching them why they should eat healthy foods. I don't know about you, but it's hard enough to get kids to eat, let alone get them to eat well.
Just thought you might like this. You can order it at www.amazon.com or see the copy here at the studio!

Trash the Dress?

You're probably asking "What the heck is trash the dress?" Well it's exactly that. You photograph a bride in her dress (preferably after the wedding) in places that you wouldn't normally. The beauty of it is, you don't have to be careful about getting the dress dirty. Which is great! I have been wanting to do this for a while now, but haven't had the chance. Until Now!
Andrew and I were up to Boyne City the beginning of this week at our PPM Fall Seminar. We went to 3 seminars and hung out with all our photography friends. It was a great time!
Sunday evening I went out to dinner with some friends, and we decided we wanted to do trash the dress. With 30 minutes of light left, we drove out to the beach, grabbed an old wedding dress I've had for awhile, and dressed our friend Lindsay.
She was a great sport. She was tired from the night before, no make-up and hair just loose. She put her hair up, pinched her cheeks pink, and we put a little color on her lips and she was ready to go!

My friends Deb Trombley and Juliet Jarmosco photographed too. It was like the paparazzi! Lindsay look here, over here! :)

Luckily, the water was VERY shallow, so it wasn't too cold. But try having a wedding dress on, with 4 layers of fabric and getting in the water. It was very heavy and a little clingy. She was a little cold by the end!
Lindsay, thank you so much for being our model! You are beautiful!

Here are a few of the images we did!







No, this wasn't MY wedding dress. I had bought this way before then just to use.
It's always good to have a wedding dress on hand. You never know when you might need it!:)

So, did we actually trash the dress? I thought so. There was so much sand in it!
But I rinsed it out, and hung it to dry and amazingly enough, it came out pretty good. Just a little dirty. I guess we'll have to try again :)

Another baby boy in the family!

No, it's not me:) My younger brother Jonathan and his wife Kristin are expecting!
They found out yesterday that they are having a boy! We are all very excited! The first Duke baby in the family.
Congratulations guys!


Look at that profile! How Cute!



Proud Parents: Jonathan and Kristin

Birthdays!

We have had a lot of birthdays around here lately! Barb (who works in the office) just turned ? this week and thanks to Ashleigh, we had an amazing ice cream cake!
My hubby Tim, turned 32 in August and his brother turned 31 in September and his wife Mandy turned 30 in September too! Just one week from each other!
Here's a video of Emma...

She cracks herself up!

Emma and her brother have birthdays coming up as well...I tell ya, I'm caked out :)

The Last Date :)

I was at a restaurant this weekend with my husband Tim, and the booth behind us was on a First Date. Do you remember first dates? Sometimes they can be great, and sometimes NOT. This one I would classify in the NOT category from the way the conversation was going. I thought I would share a little of the conversation we overheard.

GUY: So, what do you like to read?
GIRL: I like autobiography books and poetry. How about you?
Guy: Well, I don't get to read much..but I have ALL of the STAR WARS books ever written!
GIRL: Oh.
GUY: Are you close with your family?
GIRL: I'm an only child. But yes, we're close. You?
GUY: My family is crazy! I have like 40 cousins!
GIRL: Good Lord! 40 cousins!
GUY: Yeah, and now some of them are having Kids and it's nuts!
GIRL: Kids are great!
GUY: Kids are evil!
GIRL: WHAT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
GUY: No, who would want kids!
GIRL:
GUY: So, should I just meet you at the movies?
GIRL: yeah. Where's the restroom?
GUY: over there.

Girl goes to the restroom
Guy leaves and goes to the movies
Girl comes out and looks for guy...realizes that he left
Girl roles her eyes and leaves!

I don't miss first dates like that...do you?

A Little R & R

What are you going to do this weekend?

Every Friday, as we pack out to head home for the weekend, we all share what our plans are. Anyone going up north? Going out with friends or family? Is Andrew showing his house to anyone? Anyone going to mow the lawn and start raking the leaves? How about go on a date with that special someone?
Every once in awhile someone says "nothing". And every time someone says "Nothing" in that disappointed voice... I think...nothing sounds great!

Nothing planned means that your options are wide open! Maybe I'll go shopping! Maybe I'll finish cleaning out the basement and painting the office! Maybe I'll take the dog out for a swim! Or maybe I'll sleep late and then go out for breakfast with the hubby:) So next time you have nothing planned for a weekend...say a big THANK YOU and enjoy doing everything!

Have a great weekend everyone!

DELIGHT!

Seize the moment! Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.
-Erma Bombeck

9.8.07

MATTHEW + MARYKAY

Last weekend was Matthew and Marykay's wedding! I have to say, and Andrew is in total agreement, that you two are the most sincere, gentle, grateful and humble people that we have ever met. I feel so blessed to have been a part of your wedding day. Both of you have amazing families and friends.
I was at the reception, and the coordinator came up to me and said " Isn't this couple the nicest bride and groom you have ever met? They are so calm and collected. "

Matthew and Marykay... you have an amazing support system in place within your family. And, I know that you already know that, but because of these people, your marriage will be stronger than most. I have no doubts that you both have found your soul mate. And everyone benefits from know you. Y'all are truly an amazing team and I wish you all the best!

Here are a few images from your wedding. I hope y'all are having an amazing honeymoon in that secret place :)

Labor Day

ASHLEY + JASON
To start off this Labor Day weekend, Andrew and I got to photograph a wedding! This was such a fun wedding! Everyone was really great to work with.
It was a gorgeous day! Sunny, 80 degrees and a little breeze to keep us cool.
Here are some images from the day!
Thank you to both families for having us be a part of this special day!

Storm Stories

I got a call Friday evening just after I had arrived up north. It was a client of ours that called to tell me that my neighborhood had been hit by a tornado! So she offered to drive by my house to see if there was any damage. Luckily, my house was fine...not a lost branch. 4 houses down though and all thru the neighborhood, there were trees down everywhere. Cars smashed, garages flattened and trees uprooted. It looked like a war zone. I took Jake for a walk to look at all the mess, and it looked like everyone had a VERY long weekend with clean up. Most people were in good spirits and helping other people as much as they could.

It looks like we were lucky!

Babies and Puppies!

Jennie the puppy and her owner Georgia stopped over today to visit! Mom came too!
They were SO cute, we had to take a picture. They are just adorable :)

Don't Miss Out!

Matilda Jane Clothing Company is on their way back to St. Johns this month and we wanted to invite you! This time, it will be located downtown St. Johns at Sirrine & Associates! They have a lofty New York style business with lots of room to roam!
The party starts at 6pm and goes till around 8pm. If you are interested in attending, please email at www.canfieldjenkins.com
The Trunk Show will be on Tuesday, August 21st!
Hope to see you there!

I loved this little boy! SO CUTE I can hardly stand it!