Just wanted to give you, my lovely clients, a heads up about booking your photography sessions this year.  I know it is early but what an amazing winter this has been!  I have been busy gathering new ideas, taking workshops, finding new equipment and supplies, thrilled to be working with On-the-Spot Photo Booth Services (check us out on Facebook!) and booking weddings and events for this summer.  For those of you who are interested, there is still time to book sessions for the spring, before June 17th, there are very few openings left between then and October 1st! 
I look forward to working with you as always! 
Cheers!

What can I say??

I would have never guessed that 2011 was going to be such a good year for my photography; so many wonderful people, amazing opportunities and the things I have learned!!  Most recently I went out to Tangle Ridge Ranch and got a quick lesson about grass finished lamb (I look forward to trying some!) while on assignment for Country Guide magazine.  I have worked some very fun events this year such as the FMHS Grad, the 50th anniversary of Calvary Baptist Church and the Thunder in the Valley drag races.  

This year also saw more corporate work and what a compliment that is; local companies who know me and companies that have found me on the web, all have been a pleasure to work with and have provided me with some of my best learning this year (some of the best travel too!).  

A few weddings, a few creative sessions, and getting out taking photos of the beautiful area we live in… And most of all, the many wonderful families that have come to my studio or invited me into their homes, how much fun has that been?? Wow, great people!!  Thank you to you all!

With the education that I have been taking and the practice sessions that some have helped me with I hope to continue to create images that will always be better than before and yet still capture the moment.  I want to thank the photographers who I have been honored to work with this last year, those who get the idea that working together makes us all better at our chosen craft.  Now to deliver the last of my pre-Christmas orders and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy (and safe) New Year, here’s to 2012!!

“I'm reminded that a love of photography alone usually isn't enough—it's usually better if it's connected to some larger, deeper love, whether it be nature, family, people, political convictions, architecture, a place, or any one of the thousand and one other possibilities that drive people to want to look at, preserve, and record things that are important to them.”
- Copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston

    Wow, I love the variety of work that has been coming my way!!  This has been an incredible year for me, one where I have reached for things that were difficult for me, where I have had to learn to have thicker skin and one where I have loved my work… most of the time.  This has been a year of portraits of couples, families, babies, and expectant mothers… One filled with corporate, event, and commercial work.  Fast cars, beautiful houses, hot tubs I yearn for, and travel!  A year of firsts for me and thank you all for your trust and patience, there is no way I could do what I do without your support.  

So now, I am moving into the winter season and enjoying the timeless look of black and white photography, it is more disciplined for landscape and composition, more kind to our faces in portraits and will stand on its own for years when done well. 


This is a challenge that I am taking on full force this winter in my little studio here.  Next year will be a move into more new things, I hope you join me!!

What an awesome day we all had out at Thunder in the Valley!  Special thanks goes out to Robert Krueger and Tegan Thompson, could NOT have done it without you two!!  Galleries are under "Events" and ordered by day.  It was great to cover such an amazing event, thanks to the Rotary Club for all you do for our community!

        Over the last while I have tipped the scales and have taken more photos for “work” than for “pleasure” and I have felt the difference. I have felt the pressure to take a photo to fill someone else’s vision rather than my own, not all the time but on occasion, and I realize that I have to take it back.  I will pick up my camera for my own love of a moment more often. This photo symbolizes that promise to myself… it is full of a few of my favorite pieces of jewelry, piled together on my dresser but each one is a reminder of someone important in my life, past or present, family and friend, places I have been, events I have  experienced.  There is opal from Australia, amethyst from Thunder Bay, a simple ring that was my great aunts wedding band, a family ring of unknown origin from my Mum, a bracelet from Mexico, costume jewelry bought with friends, and gifts from people who love me…

These are reminders to love the life I am blessed with.

Here is a shot from my last wedding of the season, it was packed with meaning and realistic promises between two very sincere people. Have I ever enjoyed my last few weddings! 

Now, for something COMPLETELY different…  I am moving into my season of corporate and event photography, time for helping individuals put their best professional image forward and the fun events that fill my autumn.  If you are looking a Fall family photo sessions please book now as I have a few days open in September and then into October, what an amazing season! 

This winter I am concentrating on my black and white studio work, I have a few sessions in October and November.  Here’s to the future!!

Right in the middle of some fantastic weddings!  Fun couples, beautiful locations and we have enjoyed "enough" good weather.  Just want to share some of my favorite images so far...

So happy to say that I have taken yet another step on my journey... New online ordering system!  I hope that this makes things so much easier for you as my clients and will give me some extra time with my family!  This is shapping up to be a great summer and yes, THE GRAD PROOFS ARE UP!!  Congrats again graduates!!

Facebook status reads “Lovin’ livin’ life”… when you look at a place as beautiful as this and have a couple as amazing as this… it bears repeating. 

What is even better?  This is my own cousin who I am honoured to say I’m related to and I wish them years of blessings, happiness and continued growth. 

Thanks to Kami and Wayne for an amazing, fun, beautiful, blessed by awesome weather day (and thank you for loving my boy too!).