'Tis the Season...for family, friends, shopping and of course Photographs!

This is the time of year I gets calls and texts from friends and family asking where on earth I am (usually not very nicely either!).  Winter/Christmas season is a difficult one for me, it's like a juggling act, and I cannot juggle... or skate... thankfully I never wanted to join the circus or become a figure skater (Sorry Gran!) or be a juggling figure skater!  There is so much to do, decorate ones house, shop for numerous family members, make our yearly cheesy Christmas card and of course take photos for clients who want gifts for their own families.  Even though it is the busiest; Christmas is my favourite "holiday".  It's the only time of year I am allowed to over indulge in food and drink and give loved ones a token of my appreciation for them. My son, who is now 4 is in finally in full understanding of Santa and just exactly what this bearded fat man truly means.  I think it took him so long to truly appreciate this because his Papa happens to look a little like Santa (Ok a Santa who could also be a biker... so a really hip Santa who has upgraded his mode of transportation) so now there are expectations to be filled... a remote control car for one. I can no longer shop with my son for his presents as he remembers what I bought... this backfired on his birthday when he happened to stumble upon a birthday present early and ask if he had to wait until his actual birthday for it.  Shame on me, I didn't give him enough credit. But because of his quick observations it has put me in a bit of a pickle.... a very hairy pickle.  So although I ventured out into the Black Friday crowd and made some progress (and for being awake for 36 hours straight I would be livid if I hadn't!)  I am still not done. I may need to sharpen my elbows and prepare myself to join the last minute shoppers out there, I apologize to you all as in the past I have berated you and looked my nose down on you.  I am now humbled and need you to be gentle on me this year!

As I have mentioned above our family usually does a very silly and cheesy Christmas card... and it is the 20 of December and I have only just printed them...and I fear they are lacking this year.  See, our family have now come to look forward to our yearly Greeting and I am now left plotting and planning for ages trying to be better than the year before.  With two children in toe it just isn't possible...each weekend we attempted it Quinn was sick, or had pink eye, or an attitude ( I was under the impression JK was a good thing and now I am living with a 4 foot teenager).  But despite my whining I love this time of year.... really. Below check out our past Christmas Greetings, and tomorrow I will post our 2013 Card.  Enjoy!

2006-

2007

2008

2009

This was when our son Quinn was born and barely 2 months old... please excuse our humour

2010

2011

2012

Now this one may need some explanation... We decided to go for an 80s cheese look... some people did not seem to understand this.  I was told I looked pretty and normal while Jeff looked a little strange.... Ummmm.... I truly hope my day to day look is not a flashback to 1980.... but thanks, I guess.  For those of you curious, we actually did shave Jeff's head and he was sporting his "movember" nasty 'stache.... enough said.

This years to be posted tomorrow....stay tuned....

Love

Left of Centre Photography Services!

The Finest Fine Art

Ok,  so I was not successful in creating a cleaver tongue twister in my title, but please read on despite my lack of originality! My partner and I have a collection of works (mainly architecture and nature scenes) that we actually have displayed around our home studio.  As we often photograph people we often get asked if we took all these art shots.  It should not be surprising that people think of you as only being good a one thing.  For instance at times our wedding couples don't think of reusing us for photographs once they start having children, not because they didn't like our work, but simply because it doesn't cross their minds.  A photographer can at times get pigeonholed into a category.  When my partner and I started off in photography I actually specialized in product/commercial photography and he specialized in families, weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs. As time went on our roles evolved and merged.  We now both specialize in weddings and families, and I now favour photographing maternity, babies and children.  I still enjoy the occasional product shoot, but I have grown and so have my interests and talents, as have my partners. Our fine art imagery is another area that we like to explore and the beauty between my partner and I is that we both have a completely different eye.  People who know us very well can often decipher who photographed which image.  Photography is one of the most versatile forms of art.  It's all in how you see things, which is strictly unique to the artist and the best thing of all is when someone else can appreciate what you saw!

Below is some of our works.  I will be blogging occasionally adding more.  Everything you see is available for sale.  Simply contact us or check out our online store at Etsy (our pen name is RAWart Photography).

Love LOCPS xoxox

Oh Fall how I will miss you!

Now that we are coming to the end of my most favourite season I can't help but feel a little sad.  I love fall, there is something about the smell, colours and light that really affects ones senses.  There is nothing better than walking in the countryside, giving a deep clean breath and getting a full whiff of, well, dead and dying vegetation.  I know that may not paint a pretty picture, but I just love it.  Looking for that perfect leaf, feeling the sun warm the top of your head while the coolness nips at your nose, for me this is pure bliss.  Unfortunately, it doesn't last.  Fall is the shortest season of the year and it opens the door to my least favourite time of year; winter.  I shiver with the thought of it.  I apologize to winter enthusiasts and ski lovers but winter is not for me. See, I hate to be cold, not only that, but I am very fair and I find that people with fair skin don't look beautiful in the winter.  We turn all pink and purple and look like a mess.  I am getting ahead of myself though, we haven't even experienced the first snowfall yet and here I am getting gloomy.  Here are some fall photos I want to share to celebrate and hold on to the last moments of this stunning time of year.  Please enjoy these family photos, and hopefully you can feel the sun warming your head and a little nip at your nose. Our Love

LOCPS xoxoxox