Some Fun In The Park

Andrew Hayden Park is a very popular place for families to enjoy the great summer weather.  It's got lots to offer including playing in the play ground or having a picnic or just enjoying a good book.  I had a photo shoot there on Saturday, June 18th with two cute little boys and they had me climbing in the play structure and chasing after them around the park.  It was great fun.  Thanks Devin and Taylor.

2 Families = Double the Fun

Had some fun at Andrew Hayden Park with these two families.  Laura and Katrina are best friends and wanted to get some photos done since Katrina is moving with her family out of country.   I had so much fun with 2 mom's, 2 dad's, 3 little boys and 1 little girl. 

Stephanie + Rick = First Engagement Shoot

I've had a lot of first in this little journey of photography and on Saturday, June 18th I had my first engagement shoot with a super, wonderful couple Stephanie and Rick. We did the photo's down at Andrew Hayden Park and the weather was perfect.  Stephanie and I have been friends for a number of years, and I'm so totally thrilled for both her and Rick and I was honoured when she asked that I do their engagement photos.

Let's flash back to May 28th at around 9:00 PM where I just finished shadowing a wedding in Brockville with Allison Love of Captured Photography and when I got to my car and noticed I had a text message from Stephanie which went like this:

"Hey B!  Scott told me u r at a wedding shoot today...How ironic...Rick proposed tonight!  I'm engaged!!!!!  Will call u tomorrow"  Needless to say there was NO WAY I could wait until tomorrow to get all the details and called right away and I'm sure Allison's neighbours must have thought I was being attacked with me shrieking into the phone giving them both my heart felt congratulations.

So, here are a few of my favourite photos of the day. 

Stephanie and Rick....thanks for letting me be part of this special time in your lives and I can't wait until the big day.

Spring Into Ottawa

Well, it looks like another winter is over and Ottawa is starting to wake up from it's long winter nap.  We have such a great city and I really love walking through the streets and parks and enjoying all the city has to offer.

Saturday was such a beautiful day, after leaving the Vimy Ridge Service at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa I walked through the city and noticed that the city and the people know that Spring has sprung. 

Welcome Spring!!!

Majors Hill Park.  Love taking photo's of benches.

This Angel was donated to the NCC by the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation. It used to be on the mortuary chapel of Notre Dame Cemetery in Vanier. Sculptor is unknown but it's beautiful.

The Byward Market is great.  Lots of fresh fruits, veggies, beautiful flowers and baked goodies.  Lemon's anybody?

We have such beautiful buildings in Ottawa.  Love the design of this building.  Perfect!

One of the best statue's in Ottawa.  Oscar Peterson is located just outside the National Art Centre.

Remembering Vimy Ridge

Today I spent time at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to watch the Memorial Services to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  It was a moving ceremony with a small number of people attending.   On Friday Night, a number of young students held a candlelight service and they  participated on Saturday by laying a wreath in memory of the this epic battle.

Many people, including most Canadians don’t know the story of Vimy Ridge.  The Battle of Vimy Ridge has considerable significance for Canada as it was the first instance in which all four Canadian divisions, made up of troops drawn from all parts of the country, fought as a cohesive formation.  Many historians believe the Battle of Vimy Ridge symbolized Canada’s coming of age as a nation.

The battle, which took place from 9 April to 12 April 1917 and by nightfall on the 12th, the Canadian Corps was in firm control of the ridge. The corps suffered 10,602 casualties: 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded.

Veterans from all divisions of the military came out to participate in the service.

This Veteran was very moving to watch.  I was watching him during the playing of the Canadian National Anthem and I had tears coming to my eyes.  Thinking of events he's probably seen made me appreciate what all members of the
military past and present do and have done for us.   THANK YOU!

 General Walter Natynczyk was part of the service.

Numerous wreaths were left but the first one that was laid was from the Canada.  France was next.

Nothing more needs to be said.

Hockey Night in Orleans

I had an opportunity to photograph some hockey in Orleans this week.  These young players were in play-off action mode.  The Orleans team won the game 3 to 2 which gives them 2 wins out of 3 in the first round of the play-offs.  Good luck in the rest of your season guys!

Sugarbush = Springtime

Spring is right around the corner which means it's time for a trip to the Sugarbush for some Maple Syrup and Pancakes.  I participated in a Photo Workshop hosted by Alain Simard at Foulton's Pancake House and Sugarbush.   http://www.fultons.ca and got some wonderful pictures of our outdoor adventure.

The weather was a little cold so the sap was only running on certain trees that were in the sun.  The old tree behind the cooking shed was one of the few trees with the sap running.

Our Workshop included a sleigh ride into the Sugarbush.  Beautiful!

The horses hard at work.

We had breakfast before our Workshop. (Pancakes, Sausages and Maple Syrup ofcourse)  Very yummy.  To complete our day, we got to sample some Maple Taffy.

This is the Old Elephant Tree that is found on the yellow trail.  Thanks to Alain for lending me his coat so I could lie on the ground and get this shot.