Earth Hour 2013

What did you do? We did the cool thing and played crib by candlelight.

2012 in Review

Decorations for the Baby Shower I Threw for a Friend – Inspired by InkObsessionDesigns

It’s already almost the end of January and 2013 has already started to pick up, so 2012 almost seems like a faint memory despite it being less than a month ago. Such is life, I guess.

Newborn Shoot for a Friend

2012 was definitely a year full of firsts, challenges and triumphs. I also apparently took way more photos than I thought – as can be seen with the accompanying collages (look at alt-text for descriptions!) I also finished my Photography Certificate of Achievement through SAIT – go figure that procrastinating me has yet to submit my form to get the actual certificate.

Annual Field Trip

In 2012, I got my first “Real” job, watched one of my siblings get married,  Shot a wedding as the Primary Photographer, climbed a 10,000ft Mountain and sent out a Christmas card and letter. You know, small things like that.

House my Family let for my Brother’s Wedding

My Brother and Sister-in-Law’s Wedding

First of all, I learned a LOT at work. Not just technical stuff, but things about myself like how I am more capable than I think I am and that I can survive through embarrassing situations where I wish the floor would swallow me up as have fun to boot!

Okay, I’ll fill you in – at the end of August, I went up to Fort St. John on a field trip and I was so out of it on the first day that I dropped my glass of water on the floor (and all over myself) while at the client’s office. Go me! Despite being super spastic, I ended up having fun, but it could also because I have a tendency to get incredibly hyper when I’m really, really tired. I’ll keep believing the former as it makes me feel better about myself.

Summer Fun at the Cabin

Mr. Bean and I also spent a fair amount of time at the cabin having fires. I ate waaaaaay too many s’mores, but I justify it by saying that I’m making up for almost 12+ years of not eating them. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Vancouver Island

I also learned that I need to be better at taking care of myself. There was a period in June and July (before I went on a glorious vacation) that all I did was work, ride my bike to and from work, eat and sleep. I had no desire (or time) to do anything with other people. Not exactly the best example of enjoying life to its fullest. Or at all.

Friend’s Engagement Photos

While shooting my first official wedding, I gained even more respect for wedding photographers – everything happens SO quickly and you can really only hope that you’re able to capture everything and that it looks good. I was so happy that Mr. Bean helped me!

Friend’s Wedding Photos

I did manage to do a bit of hiking in 2012 – first I went with my parents to Mt. Lipsett in Kananaskis, Piper Pass in Kananaskis with my family while my sister was visiting, the Plain of the Six Glaciers in Lake Louise with my mom (where we saw a huge chunk of ice fall off a glacier – very cool) and to Pocaterra Cirque with Mr. Bean during the height of the larch trees. I LOVE larch trees.

Hiking in 2012 – Mt. Lipsett, Piper’s Pass/Elbow Trail, Lake Louise – Plain of the Six Glaciers, Pocaterra Cirque

My mom and I also went on a backpacking trip into the Skoki area in behind Lake Louise ski hill in Banff National Park. There, we climbed Mt. Richardson – take that, fear of heights! – my first 10,000 ft peak. We had a few issues with weather (hiking in the pouring rain isn’t the most fun), with our camp stove, forgetting sunscreen only to realize that there was some in the care after we went back to the Lake Louise townsite to get more and thinking that sunscreen was lotion, but we still had fun. We also ate delicious dehydrated meals, similar to our previous meals. The area was so beautiful that I convinced Mr. Bean that it would be a good idea to head to Skoki Lodge for our 5th wedding anniversary this year (in the same cabin that Will & Kate stayed in when they visited in 2011!)

Annual Backpacking Trip with my Mom

The year ended well and poorly – we celebrated a wonderful Christmas with both sides of our family and I baked a lot. Unfortunately, shortly after Christmas, I got the flu which eventually morphed into viral Bronchitis. I guess it was okay – it’s only because I was sick that I made all these storyboards!

Night Photography

What are the best moments of 2012 for you?

Top 12 Photos of 2012

I haven’t been that great at sharing photos this year, but since there’s one day left in 2012 – better late than never to do so! Here are my favourite shots I took this past year.

These are in no particular order – Click the photo for a larger version.

Top: Sunset on Vancouver Island (July 2012)

Left Column:

• Top: Cool looking moon-rise  (January 2012)
• Bottom: Chateau Lake Louise (September 2012)

Right Column:

• Top: A friend’s baby newborn shoot (January 2012)
• Bottom: Larch Trees Reflections – Kananaskis Country (September 2012)

Next Row: Kicking Horse River and Mt. Stephen from Field, BC (February 2012)

Next Row:

• Left: Engagement Photos I did for a friend (June 2012)
• Right: Wedding Photos I did for the same friend (August 2012)

Next Row: View from Mount Richardson (behind Lake Louise Ski Area) looking toward Lake Louise (August 2012)

Left Column:

• Sunset on Vancouver Island (July 2012)
• Star Trails Time Lapse Photo (October 2012)

Right Column: Brother and Sister-in-Law’s Wedding (May 2012)

Hi Ho It’s Off to Work I Go!

This morning I start  my new job! I don’t know where the time went as it seems like yesterday I announced that I had a job! I’m equal parts nerves and excitement but I’m trying to go in with an open mind and a “I want to learn and do my best” attitude.

As for these photos of the moon, the other night as I was walking home from the train, I looked up at the moon and was blown away. I tried to take a photo with my phone and was sorely disappointed, so the moment I got home, I broke out my camera, zoom lens and tripod.

For others who use their phone cameras a lot, are you happy with the quality of photo they take or is my technique lacking? (Which is quite possible because I got my phone recently and I haven’t used it very often as I usually forget that I have it. haha.)

What’s new and exciting in your life?

Campfire Edits

I sometimes find it difficult to edit night shots, especially since the colours are so vibrant and do a good job of showing the level of darkness and mood. So, for the edits in this week’s Night themed Shoot and Edit, I just played around with various presets and adjustments in lightroom. You can see my SOOC shots here.

For those of you who are interested, Ashley linked to a very interesting article on how to make your own presets in Lightroom.

Make sure to go and check out the other edits on Ashley’s blog!