Randi Gallant Photography Blog

New Blog NEWS!

2010-09-04T22:02:00.003-03:00

I've been working hard on a brand new blog these past few days! It looks very similar to this one, but much easier to navigate and interact via comments and is linked facebook directly - very cool! Stay tuned for a few wedding blogs, portrait updates and many great posts in the next few weeks!

WWW.RANDIGALLANTBLOG.COM

Michelle + Tim ~ Wedding

2010-08-31T23:48:00.002-03:00

All the way around the world to find love.
That's how Michelle and Tim found each other. Sometimes, love is not right in front of us and we spend longer looking than others. In their case, it was certainly worth the wait.
During her speech at the reception, Michelle reminded everyone just as she had before that No, Tim did not buy her from the internet!. That statement speaks volumes about Michelle. Her personality, her charm, her quick wit. She is hilarious, honest, and never holds back. I love that about her. Yet she is so sweet and caring and everything you would want in a friend. Tim is kind, gentle and has his own wit about him too. He also supports Michelle's love of COACH handbags which certainly puts him on my "Fabulous Husband List"! I truly believe that Tim and Michelle were made for each other by every means of the term.

Their families travelled from China and all over to be with them on their big day here in New Brunswick. It was so nice to experience a ceremony that tied in both of their cultures, and even with a little language barrier, everyone mingled so well and the mood was so full of love and fun the whole day.

We began the day at Nakai Spa in Saint John. I just LOVE their decor. So modern and chic. The girls were relaxed and excited and a great mood was set for the entire day.

Michelle hugs her hair stylist for a job well done.

Michelle and her girls did a practice run of the ceremony right in the hotel room. So cute. During the girl's prep time back at the hotel, Marc ended up running to Walmart to get some emergency BOUNCE sheets to fix some serious bridesmaid dress static cling! :)
{Thanks Marc! I don't know what I'd do without you :)}

Michelle... Gorgeous.

The ceremony and reception were both held at Riverside Country Club, in Rothesay. I love the staff there, so friendly and great to deal with.

Some bridal party fun. What a gorgeous group!

Michelle had two outfits for the day. A traditional white bridal gown and a stunning Asian dress. Both were so beautiful.

Next, we were Off to the Renforth Warf to shoot some portraits with just Michelle and Tim.

Michelle was so proud to show me what she had come up with for her "Something Blue", she almost couldn't wait until we got back to the hotel to show me earlier that morning. It certainly was adorable and very creative!

Back to Riverside for the reception. The details were in traditional Chinese colors, Red & Yellow. I loved the Wisdom tree. Such a wonderful idea and to have handwritten scriptures from each of their guests. Some funny, some serious, but all written with a personal touch. After dinner was served Michelle and Tim invited the entire kitchen staff out for an applause. What a grand gesture which I am sure was very appreciated and speaks volumes about the type of people Michelle and Tim are.

Michelle changed back into her white gown for the first dance. A beautiful day ended with a beautiful moment.

Marc and I met some wonderful people from around the world and shared in a gorgeous day of two people that deserve nothing less than the best in each other.

Michelle + Tim ~ Wedding

2010-08-13T02:19:00.002-03:00

Congratulations to Michelle + Tim who were married this past weekend. Just a few teasers for now :)

Randi + Josh ~ Wedding

2010-08-12T01:01:00.007-03:00

It was a perfect day. Perfect weather, perfect skies, lots of love in the air and Marc and I were destined for a beautiful backyard wedding in Norton.

Randi's wedding attire came from Lochhart's Bridal in Sussex.

To start the day we arrived at Solutions Hair Design in Sussex (the salon Randi works at) for some getting ready shots with the girls.

After the salon, we drove to Randi and Josh's family home in Norton where the wedding was being held. As I said during their engagement blog post... The location is Amazing! Rolling hills, perfect pastures, private treed pathways, old weathered barns, a vine covered swing set, the pool ... and the list goes on. Just beautiful! I love the fact that it is so personal to them as well. They recently renovated their new home on the same property as Randi's mother's house. What a lucky bunch to live in such picturesque views together.

Beautiful.

The whole Wedding setup was done with not one detail spared. Wendi at Spurs in Saint John came to the table just a few short weeks before the big day while Randi and her mother Theresa happened to be in her store looking for some last minute details. Regardless of a time crunch, between her and Randi's mother Theresa, they made it happen. Wendi even weaved cherry blossoms into the vine covered swing set and covered the swings with pink fabric and matching ribbon.
Up until the last minute, Brad was putting the finishing touches on the custom walkway over the pool leading to the gazebo, also built especially for the wedding. Every detail had a personal touch. Everything was pink and sparkled. Crystals dangling in the wind over the ceremony gazebo. Pink and white floral feather arrangements and martini glasses lined the tables inside the reception tent. The center of the head table had a gorgeous silver candelabra. Lanterns were hung from the trees around the yard.

Love.

The "Ready Jane" PINK portable washrooms were quite the thing! Seriously. They had blue flush water, hand washing stations, and even a mini-makeup mirror on the door! I never thought I would refer to such a thing as being cute… but they certainly were!

It is certainly worth every moment planning to see it all come together on a day like this. Randi and Josh, I hope it was all you wanted and more :)

A mother, a friend, a beautiful woman.

2010-08-05T02:01:00.000-03:00

As I sat down this evening ready to work on some client galleries, I noticed Jess's heartbreaking news that her mother Brenda had passed away suddenly yesterday. I was at a loss for words and so sad for Jessica, Tim and their wonderful family that I had the privilege of spending their wedding day with last year.

I remember the day clearly. It down poured when I arrived at the Naish house for bridal prep session but everyone was in good spirits in anticipation of the day ahead. Jess's mother hand made her wedding dress as a gift to her. It was so beautiful and you could tell that love was delicately sewn with every loop of her thread. She was proud but modest about her creation for her daughter. I remember Jess telling me before the wedding that she would really love some images of her and her mother, as she usually hid from the camera. I am glad they have these and I am sure they will be cherished forever.
"we don't have many photos of her as she always hid from the camera, and the photos you took of her at our wedding last year really capture her happiness and beauty."

Jessica, My heart goes out to you and your family. I feel so lucky to have met your mother and to have been part of your wedding day.

It is moments like this that remind me of how fragile life is and to appreciate those important to me every day. As much as it is easy to get wrapped up in the romance, the fashion and beautiful images taken on my clients' wedding day, I know that each photograph I take will be an eternal memory of that person someday. To remember their beauty, their life, the moments shared. What an honor. Hug the people you love and appreciate them for as long as they live.

Off to BO-TTAWA we go!

2010-07-15T20:27:00.000-03:00

Just a quick note: If you contact me between July 15-26th it may take a while to respond as I will have limited access to email and voicemail. However, I will respond to all requests as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience!
Bo-ttawa. Yes, that's right! It may not be an actual location on the map, but it is a destination that we will travel to! In case you haven't figured out my invented phrase, it's {Boston, then to Ottawa} for a mini-vacation. We are taking my awesome little sister Samantha too. I can't wait to show her the city that we both love.
a photo our friend Natasha took last year in Boston
We seem to visit Boston about once a year lately. I can't really explain why, except thanks to Marc's every lasting obsession with the Boston Red Sox and he has somehow roped me in! As I tell some of my clients, I'm sure he actually thinks he IS part of the team sometimes, literally. Actually, if I allowed him to have the Red Sox print bed sheets and matching curtains, I'm sure he would! We spent our Honeymoon in Boston and we have a dog named Fenway. I think that about sums it up. Because of our many visits and thanks to the internet, we've developed great friendships as well. I've actually grown to love the city. It is somewhat like a very large Saint John except so much bigger and more beautiful. (Older East Coast heritage with small town feel) I've live there if it were not for the crazy traffic.

After Boston, we head up to Ottawa. I will be doing an Engagement photo shoot with Julie + Troy who will be getting married in 2011. We will also be visiting my Aunt and Uncle who recently purchased their gorgeous retirement home in Merrickville, ON. It's beautiful and has tons of character from what I've seen so far! I've been told this is a photographer's paradise, so I'm quite excited to see what it has to offer!

Courtney + Mike ~ Engagement

2010-07-15T07:39:00.003-03:00

Courtney was referred to me from one of my awesome long time clients, Sandy. I am so lucky to have such amazing clients that have sent friends and family to me over the past few years. As I've told most, all of my business has been WOM (Word of mouth advertizing only) and I am very thankful for that.

Courtney and Mike drove down from Fredericton for their engagement shoot.
I find that lately, uptown seems to be a popular spot for my Fredericton clients. I guess, maybe because it's so different from their hometown. Regardless, it's one of my fav choices! Not to mention, my studio is uptown as well as a few of my fav places to shoot in. While planning her session, Courtney asked me if it was ok to bring her dog Koda. Really? Did she really HAVE to ask? OF COURSE! To my future clients...Bring the puppies along.. please! :)

I always encourage my clients to bring a few outfits. After all, variety is the spice of life! And... more outfits = more awesome photos! Courtney arrived in an adorable black polka dot dress that complimented her long flowing brown hair ~ Gorgeous. I just knew our shoot would be PERFECT. Our shoot was fun and we laughed a lot. Thanks to Marc for coming along and dog-sitting for a bit during the non-Koda shots :)
Since it's 7:30am and I haven't slept all night (Seriously, I have been working since midnight here to get work done for vacation! lol) let's get on with some photos.

So cute.

Koda. So so so sweet. Such a nice dog, so kind, and friendly. Courtney said that she thought she loved Koda's images more than the ones of her and Mike! :) I wouldn't go that far, but he is super adorable for sure, and definitely very much loved!

Possibly one of my favs.

Sweet little family :)

I love Courtney's gorgeous eyes in this one. She will certainly make a beautiful bride! Mike, you will make a handsome groom too :)

Love.

It was calling for rain all day, but thankfully it held out just enough. Umbrella shots are always so romantic.

Beautiful.

Stay tuned for their fabulous Wedding later this summer which is taking place outdoors in a beautiful Apple Orchard by Fredericton.

Brittany + Scott ~ Engagement

2010-07-15T05:13:00.004-03:00

I made the trip down to St. Andrews for Brittany and Scott's e-session. Brittany wanted her images to have the bold colors and charm that the St. Andrews village has to offer. She coordinated her Ralph Lauren outfits perfectly with the locations too! Their wedding will be taking place at the Fairmont Algonquin Resort as well. It was my first time actually visiting the area, and I must say, WOW. I can not wait for their big day in August. It will be a beautiful garden ceremony and nothing less than amazing with many surprises in store. Oh and did I mention Brittany is having her dress custom made by Vera? Yes, the real Vera Wang. I can not wait to see what they have dreamed up for her dress!

Brittany is one of those girls that is classy, beautiful and so easy to be around. Scott is the same and was very willing to try anything Brittany and I asked him to. Scott is a little more of a traditional guy - a true Gentleman, however I had fun putting them in some sexy poses and mixing in bursts of laughter :)

We had a great time wandering around the streets of St. Andrews. The bold colors and character of the place is amazing!
A few shots on the boardwalk then off to the colourful streetscapes.
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Such a cute couple.
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I spotted a beautiful little private yard with gorgeous light streaming in, so we wandered over.
{warning. Fire ants are bad in St. Andrews! I found this out first hand, and trust me, if you haven't gotten bit by one of those nasty creatures before, you don't want to! - Ouch! Wear proper footwear, not flip-flops. end warning.}
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After we made the most of the evening sun, we headed back up to the Algonquin for some last minute takes before heading home. Did I mentioned this place is beautiful? IT IS.
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Amanda + Graham ~ Wedding

2010-07-02T22:52:00.004-03:00

They met many years ago, fell in love and brought 4 beautiful children into the world. Now, it was time for {Their Day}.

I met Amanda and Graham through Graham's mother, Heather Hastings of JE Hastings Company. She contacted me a while back as she was arranging their photography as a gift to her son and future daughter-in-law. What a NICE gift! Amanda is generally very busy looking after their 4 adorable little ones, so it was so nice that Heather was able to help coordinate some of their day.

After Heidi + Scott's wedding the evening before, Marc and I were up at around 5am Saturday morning and drove to Moncton for Amanda + Graham's Big Day. I met Amanda and her maid of honour Jordan at the Bi Ma Metti Salon for 8am. I must admit, we were all quite tired, but once the day got rolling, it was great!

After the salon, we headed back to the Venue for some preparation shots of the girls.

Beautiful.

When I was done the girl's preparation photos, I headed up the ceremony site to get some of the guys waiting in the back area of the chapel.

The wedding ceremony and reception both took place at the ~~beautiful~~ GORGEOUS Memramcook Institute in Memramcook, NB. This place is stunning. From the amazing detail in the Chapel to the rolling hills outside, brick buildings around the resort and draping leafy vines.

After the ceremony we went outside for the family photos and fun with the bridal party. Don't they have the CUTEST twins? (Ella + Jack)

During the portraits I caught sight of their daughter Cloe running free with bubbles. So cute.

And after all the family and bridal party photos were done, Marc and I worked with Amanda and Graham.
{Love}

Don't they make a stunning couple?

These images are so "fairytale-esque".
{Yes, that is a word that I just made up} :)

Back to the venue we went. Mind you, it was only about a 50 feet jaunt, but I thought I would make the point anyways :)
The light inside the chapel is indescribably stunning. The perfect venue for a photographer. Soft light poured in from all sides, the high arch ceiling of the chapel created wide open air to diffuse the light. Amazing. The elegant and modern decor was done by UNICO. I was very impressed by their work. Delicious chocolate wedding favors done by Graham's family at JE Hastings. What great little ideas! Check out their website, there is so much to choose from!

A beautiful day, beautiful people and a beautiful sunset.

Weddings, Weddings Weddings!

2010-07-02T21:15:00.005-03:00

I am not only photographing lots of weddings lately, I am booking them for 2011/2012 too!
Many PRIME Wedding dates for 2011 being swooped up lately! Brides are booking 1yr+ in advance. If you are getting married in 2011/2012 and considering me as your photographer, book a complimentary consultation meeting soon. :)

My Wedding Collection pricing will be changing in September for next year, so if you want the current rates and prime dates, you should contact me now!

506.640.0789 or rgallantphoto@gmail.com

Cuteness.

2010-06-30T21:05:00.004-03:00

I often get many comments on the dog's photos, so I thought I would share one I took this afternoon. For the record, we have 3 Bostons of our own(one is a mix). We also have foster dog on occasion which can make people think we have more than we actually do as it's hard to tell them apart. When not running around the house like crazy creatures making strange noises that would make neighbors wonder what was going on at our place, they can be found just like this. Wrapped up together in a squishy-snuggle-ball.

{Zoe on the left & Piper on the right}

Lost in the moment.

2010-06-29T19:51:00.006-03:00

Wedding + Portrait Season workload has hit and it's in full swing!
Many very late nights editing, early morning meetings, evening shoots and worked-through weekends. Some may call it some sort of work induced torture. Actually, in fact ~ a very good friend of mine did just this week! But not to me. Each image I work on reminds me of my clients and how wonderful they are and the little moments during the time that I captured their photograph. The expression on their face or the enthusiasm in their email notes when they see the images from their session or big day is priceless to me. It’s not only a memory for them; it is one for me as well. Sometimes Marc glances at me while I am working on images and asks me why I am smiling or making a strange expression. I guess sometimes I get lost back into that moment.
That makes it all worth it.

I have got some awesome blogs in the works over the next week.
In the meantime, here is a teaser from Jackie + Evan's "Ever After" session on Sunday. What is an "Ever After Session" you ask? It is my version of a commonly known {Trash the Dress} shoot. I just find the original term so vulgar. So I decide to put my own name on it, something that represents {Romance, Passion and Celebrating your dress in the most perfect way possible after your wedding day with images you will have for a lifetime}.

E-Sessions, E-Sessions, E-Sessions!

2010-06-25T20:55:00.001-03:00

I've been working on so many E-sessions lately and have many more in the works!
Here are a few teasers for now... Have a great weekend!

Brittany + Scott

Courtney + Mike (and Koda too!)

Sarah + Chris

13 & Beautiful.

2010-06-25T20:50:00.005-03:00

My sister Samantha was all dressed up Thursday night for her dance. She has grown up so fast. It seems every time I see her, she's blossomed more and more into the little woman she is destined to be someday. She is extremely hilarious, fun, and so very full of wit. I took a few photos before she headed out to meet her "date" ;)

Heidi + Scott ~ Wedding

2010-06-24T21:46:00.002-03:00

I started the day as I always do, at Tim Hortons. Oh! I mean, getting ready with the girls! :) It was another GORGEOUS Day! Hopefully the rest of this summer's weddings will be equally as perfect weather wise. The afternoon began at Merle Norman in Rothesay. I had not been in to the store yet, but wow! It is beautiful! They have tons of fantastic shoes and handbags. Oh my! It's a good thing I had a job to do because I would have been buying up ever pair of shoes there.

Instead of gifts, Heidi and Scott wrote each other a love letter. What a romantic way to share your thoughts together on your wedding day.

After the girls were ready, we went Limo riding around town. Another car actually cut off the limo and the driver went up onto a curb on the side of the road. It was quite startling however we quickly realized that no one spilled their drinks! What a crowd!

After the limo ride was done, Marc and I headed over to Scott's fathers for some "grooms party shots".

A beautiful evening wedding at the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club in Millidgeville followed by h'orderves.

SO FUN!

The most amazing and entertaining father-daughter dance, EVER. Heidi and her father Garnet put on an unforgettable performance!

It was a day filled with fun, laughter and so many personal touches I felt like I have known Heidi and Scott's family forever. So warm, so unique and so much love.
Heidi and Scott I hope you enjoy your honeymoon in Antigua!!!

The Boutonniere.

2010-06-23T17:22:00.003-03:00

I was going through some images getting a wedding blog post ready and came across this one. I just had to share. Not only am I your photographer for the day. I am a full service Boutonniere Installer! See image below for what happens when groomsmen are left to their own devices. Yes, this happens more times than not! :)

{no groomsmen were harmed in the making of this photo}

Boas Galore!

2010-06-22T22:23:00.001-03:00

For my friend Eileen's 30th Birthday Party I set up a surprise photo booth outside for some fun and silly images of her guests.
While I was sitting on the couch talking with one of her relatives, I glanced outside and saw streaks of color passing by the doorway. The girls had totally found all of my wardrobe goodies and draped themselves in rainbow colors, crazy hats and boas galore! I quickly gathered my camera and went outside. As you can see, the girls had a blast being silly.

At the end of the party, Eileen's poor lawn was decorated in boa feather remnants - EVERYWHERE. Oh what fun! Apparently, Eileen's house is now their most favourite place to go, ever!

Michelle + Jeremy ~ Wedding

2010-06-22T21:35:00.000-03:00

I remember back when Michelle contacted me a few years ago to have some photos taken of her and Jeremy in the fall. They were such a sweet couple, Jeremy was a kind, funny guy and Michelle was one of the sweetest girls I had ever met with such gorgeous blue eyes. They seemed to compliment each other so well, I just knew I would be doing their wedding one day. And, here we are!

The day started out warm and the sun blazed down through clear blue skies. A perfect day for a Wedding. I met up with the girls just around the corner from my place to get some pre wedding photos.

The guys were getting ready at Jeremy's parents house which was also just down the road. His mother, Sheila, is also a good friend of mine and is always ready to crack a joke. I still remember the "2 bumps" joke she told me about her trip to Toronto a few years back. Let's just say, it was very funny! Michelle, you have an awesome new Mother-in-law on your hands!
Jeremy's new little brother ODIE below, kept insisting Marc throw his toy across the room for him. What a cute and very spoiled little guy!

Their Wedding and reception both took place at the Thistle St. Andrews Club in Saint John.

After the ceremony we headed over to the old Museum on Douglas Avenue for some portraits. While taking the standard family shots, I looked behind me and saw what would have won the "most cameras at a wedding crowd", ever! It was like the paparazzi of Saint John... if we had one of course! I swear, if I had a prize to give out, I would have. I shouted something of that sort and it was followed by a heard of laughter... and more shutter snapping. :)

After the main portraits were done, we sent the "paparazzi" back to the venue and Marc and I worked with Michelle and Jeremy. One thing I LOVE about my clients is they are always willing to try whatever I have in mind and let me do "My Thing". No matter how strange it may seem to the general population, that their photographer may want to hide behind a foliage of tree branches to get an image, they were game!

Love.

And they finished off the night with a perfect dance.

Adorable.

2010-06-16T20:53:00.005-03:00

Sunday I had a session with the Power family. I'm still working on some images for an official blog post but here is one for now of Ava :)

A busy weekend, 2 fabulous couples are Married!!!

2010-06-13T15:21:00.005-03:00

This past weekend Marc and I were lucky enough to be with TWO fabulous couples and capture their beautiful day(s). Here are just a few samples until I get the official blog posts up later this week :)

Heidi & Scott were wed at the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club in Saint John, NB

Amanda & Graham were wed at the Memramcook Institute in Memramcook, NB

Something Blue...

2010-06-09T20:34:00.005-03:00

While I'm sure every bride would love to be able to afford a pair of Manolo's like in Carrie Bradshaw’s extensive collection, it may just not be in the budget. However, there are other options out there to add a splash of color to your Wedding Day wardrobe and tie in the "Something Blue" tradition. I think every bride should consider blue wedding shoes! Buy them Blue or dye them Blue, either way they are simply gorgeous!

Above: Photo Credit Manolo Blahnik: manoloblahnik.com

I found many beautiful wedding accessories on www.perfectdetails.com along with these two beauties:

Above: Photo Credit Martinez Valero: Vida Pale Blue & Zoie Blue www.perfectdetails.com

Lyndsay + Andre ~ Engagement

2010-06-05T16:23:00.013-03:00

Once upon a time,
a girl from Ontario and a boy from New Brunswick were on vacation in Cuba. They met at a gorgeous resort, fell in love and are engaged to be married!

Yes, you heard me right, this just does not happen in real life - does it?! Well, it did for this awesome couple. How did it happen?
One night just over 4 years ago, Andre found himself too awake to call it a night, he decided to say goodnight to his friends who were exhausted from the day and ventured out at the resort on his own. He met some new friends from Nova Scotia and eventually the night led him to Lyndsay. They hit it off so well, when they came home from vacation they both knew it was something worth pursuing. It just felt right. They both knew they saw "The One" in each other.
The rest, is history. Today marks the 4th anniversary of their official "we are a couple date" and their wedding will be in August at a fairytale worthy location; The Memramcook Institute.

As I drove back to our camp in Shediac from our shoot in Bouctouche I felt so lucky to do what I do and have such fantastic clients. The night started out at their friends Kristen and Denis' gorgeous home on the river.(I will be doing their wedding in 2011). After a quick bite to eat, Lyndsay, Andre and I headed over to Irving Park.
The cobblestone walls and floral grounds go on forever. The light was Incredible. I certainly wish I could shoot here every day!

During our shoot, Lyndsay was so excited. I remember her reminding Andre a few times during the evening: "These are our ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS Andre!".

I just love this quaint little church at Irving Park.

Ok guys, climb through the prickly sea grass and jump in the air, ok? :)

Off to the beach and the amazing Bouctouche Dunes boarwalk.

Not only are they such an awesome and very beautiful couple, they are a blast to hang out with, and I have no doubt their big day will be nothing less than amazing!
Lyndsay I hope my blog post is as great as you had hoped for and more. xo Randi

Lyndsay was so excited about her very own official blog post. She said, "Do we get one of those blog posts with nice stories you write for your other couples?" She was like a kid waiting for Christmas - super adorable. So I asked her if she wanted to write a little bit about HER side of her experience to add to her blog.
Here it is ;)...

_____________________________________________________________________________
Well, the time is creeping up on us. Soon enough it will be the big day! I thought I’d do a little write up on our engagement session with Randi. It certainly feels surreal when you finally meet up with your photographer to do that engagement session. I mean, what do you wear? Where do you go to take them? How should you pose? I’m not going to lie, I was nervous! Randi was great! She kept telling me that everything would be fantastic, and not to worry. She was right!

Randi not only is a wonderful, creative and dedicated photographer, she is a friend as well. There was never a time where we felt uncomfortable – funny thing is, is that I myself, felt like I’ve known her for years!?! She was never too busy to answer any of my questions/e-mails, regardless of how petty they may have been.

André and I were both very much at ease and we never felt too ‘posey’. I had told Randi that we were not interested in the ‘Sears Portrait’ style of photography - she just chuckled and said “that’s not my style!” … and, it isn’t. The session was fun, it really was! What I loved was that Randi snapped away and captured images of the two of us when we weren’t even expecting it – our laughter, our smiles and even our frowns as we made our way through prickly grass (hehehe!). She made everything feel so natural. André even joked and referred to us as “supermodels” to others passing by - “It’s tough being a supermodel!”, were his words to a nice couple passing by, as we were up to our shins in rigid Atlantic water … but hey, no one will know how cold that water really was!

The photos where Randi did ‘pose’ us came out natural as well. Me being the nervous one (André just rolled with the punches) kept saying “Should I be smiling? Should I be serious? Should I be grinning?” Randi’s advice …. Do what you feel is right! And you know what, doing just that made for great photos. It really did capture us a couple. We are so happy with our photos, they are beautiful! Looking at these pictures makes us smile, we know the fun we had and it truly shows. Our engagement photos will be lasting memories that we can look back on years down the road and for that we are extremely grateful!

Thank you Randi, for making this a wonderful experience!
Lyndsay
_____________________________________________________________________________

2010 Wedding Season has officially begun!

2010-05-31T21:02:00.007-03:00

Wedding season is here, finally!

This past Saturday I was there to capture the love, laughter and tears of Michelle + Jeremy's Wedding day. We had gorgeous weather and a beautiful day. Here are a few sneak peeks for now!

Busy Busy!... as usual :)

2010-05-23T21:57:00.007-03:00

Busy Busy!... as usual :)
I know, I say that many times, but it really is true!

If you have not joined me on Facebook - please do so! I update my page quite often and it's a great way for me to interact with my clients.

Join Randi on FACEBOOK

Where has the time gone? It seems it was just before Christmas and I was working on my new website. Yes, I really was. Then, client work, life and everything in between got in the way. I DO promise, the updated Portfolio site IS on the way! Just working out a few tweaks here and there :)

Just this past week I had the chance to capture some beautiful faces. Here is a peek at what I've been up to. We (Marc, I and the fur-kids) are Currently still in Shediac as I have one more Engagement and a Family session tomorrow before we head home.
Stay tuned... Wedding season starts NEXT WEEKEND! Yay!

My client Lyndsay reminded me last night that YES, people actually DO read my blog. while I do check my website stats and can see hundreds of hits every week. I just wish more people would comment, you know? *hint, hint*.
When I have time, I usually like to prepare a perfectly well composed blog with a full story and images to match. I guess that is the perfectionist in me. From now on I will try to post odd ends here and there, just because I know some of you really do visit and well, I have to keep the audience entertained, right? ;)
Here are a few images from just last week!

A sweet newborn session with little Renee

A gorgeous sunset engagement shoot with Lyndsay + Andre in Bouctouche, NB
Wait until you hear how these two met, it seriously does not happen in real life but I guarantee many of you single ladies will be booking a trip to CUBA soon!

And adorable little Walker turned 1 last week

Arah ~ Newborn

2010-05-20T16:01:00.000-03:00

My friend Eileen became an Aunt to an adorable little girl, Arah. I know that this little girly will be spoiled rotten and beyond!
Here are some images from her session.

Congratulations to the Sullivan family for the addition of their already amazingly large family! :) xo

Michelle + Tim ~ Engagement

2010-05-17T23:12:00.003-03:00

I'll start this post with a few words from a recent note from Michelle...
"Tim and I just love you, to us you are more than a photographer, you are a consultant, a wedding planner, mostly, you are a friend. We just trust you completely and know we are in good hands. Cannot wait for the wedding."

I LOVE getting emails like this. It just melts my heart :) I do really care about my clients and I am glad Michelle feels that way too.

There are no other words to describe Michelle & Tim other than; SUPER CUTE, SO MUCH FUN and SO IN LOVE! They way he looks at her, the way she looks at him. It's that kind of tender, playful love that when you see it, you know they are just meant to be together.

I remember last year when Michelle first contacted me. She had a million questions - which in my mind is a good thing. It meant she was interested in knowing all the answers about her investment and getting to know me better. When we met, we hit it off right away. I remember thinking they were a very warm, friendly couple and I knew we would have a blast together. She was in awe of my albums and I was so excited to work with both of them.
During the months after our initial consultation, we exchanged hundreds of emails about everything from designer purse shopping in Boston, her extravagant travels all over the world for work (lucky gal!), to her wedding cake and decor. Before we knew it, their engagement session date was here!

Originally, Michelle wanted to do their shoot in a park like setting, but after seeing Chris + Tammy's session last month she opted for Uptown Saint John. We wandered the streets and I used the architecture, landscape and lighting to inspire my shots.

We met at my office on Canterbury Street and picked out their initial wardrobe. My hubby Marc was nice enough to come along and assist. He took some great shots too and we got to spend some time together with a fantastic couple. What more could a gal want? ;) We also ran into Tim's parents, which was great because usually I don't meet parents until the BIG day! They seemed very sweet and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of their family.

So cute.

We were lucky to have a gorgeous sky!

They had quick change at the office and some more images.

The door to my office building... and love this creamy yellow wall!

Adorable ;)

Saint John GROOM-A-THON #2 - Shelter dogs get TLC

2010-05-12T21:57:00.002-03:00

Last Friday I volunteered along with 6 fabulous Saint John Groomers for our 2nd GROOMATHON event this year.
The shelter staff brought the dogs to Tina Standing’s grooming shop in North Saint John, where the fabulous groomers (Tina Standing, Amy Hunter, Kim Leblanc Nunes, Carla Bagley, Amanda Yoston, Stephanie Eilersen, & Kelly Wilson of "Nothing But Rewards Dog Training") show the shelter dogs what a little TLC can feel like and return them to the shelter sparkling clean and ready for a new home. I took some photos of the dogs after their “grooming sessions” to complete their makeover and hopefully get the word out to get some adoptions this week!

If you are thinking of adding a new family member to your home, please consider Rescue! Please forward on to anyone who you think may be in search of a new fur-child! ADOPT at www.saintjohnanimalrescue.com

"Pal"

"Puppy"

"Titan"

"Pal"

"Jersey"

"Monty"

"Maggie"

"Chloe"

"Cricket"

"Daisy, Molly + Murphy"

"Spike"

Thanks to all the groomers who came out to volunteer and the awesome ARL staff for transporting the dogs back and forth. It was a fun day! Looking forward to our next event! xo

Heidi + Scott ~ Engagement

2010-04-30T16:52:00.005-03:00

Together at last!
While Scott was attending school in another city, Heidi and Scott made the long distance thing work. Now they are back together and so much in love. As the saying goes, "Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder"...

I always say it is important to throw a little bit about what makes each couple unique into their engagement session. Heidi and Scott both love books, so why not get some shots inside Indigo? Sure enough, after a little networking, we gained permission to shoot part of their engagement session INSIDE Indigo! It really is such a fabulous store with so many neat colors and decor.

Photography is about much more than just pressing that shutter button. Making your clients feel at ease and provoking those true moments that make great images is as essential as knowing how to take a photo. While I had spoken to Scott over the phone while he was in Halifax, when I arrived at Indigo, it was essentially the first time we had met. Since it was Sunday and we had to finish up before the store closed, we quickly went from "Hi, nice to meet you" to instructing poses and making images in a matter of minutes. Both Heidi and Scott did so well considering the store was crowded and not an ideal situation for romantic moments. ;)

{special thanks to our friend Bryn for coming along and waving cute puppets in the air behind me to provoke smiles & laughter!}

After a quick session at Indigo, we headed over to a "secret" outdoor location for the second part of their session.

Love.

Looking forward to their June Wedding, which is not so far away now!

Randi + Josh ~ Engagement

2010-04-13T20:33:00.006-03:00

Let me just say that I am REALLY excited to have a bride named RANDI.
How awesome is that? Not even considering that she is a super cool person with GORGEOUS blue eyes that could probably sparkle in the dark.
The first time we talked on the phone, we really hit it off. Then, we met in person. I am convinced that perhaps we were separated at birth somehow? We literally have so much in common. Even her mother agrees and has been telling people the same ever since we first met ;)

A little while ago I made the trip up to Norton for Randi and Josh's E-session.
Our first booked date was "weathered out" but this day was perfect! The weather was gorgeous and we still had a little bit of snow that Randi was hoping for. I was excited to see their home because the wedding is being held there in July. Turns out I may be begging them to let me travel there with my other clients.
This location is Amazing! Rolling hills, perfect pastures, private treed pathways, old weathered barns, a vine covered swing set, the pool ... and the list goes on. Just beautiful!
I also got a sneak peek at some of her decor and THE DRESS! Let's just say, it will be a gorgeous event, no doubt!

Now, on to some E-session photos!

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Welcome Baby Arah!

2010-04-13T02:58:00.003-03:00

I have had so many babies in the studio lately!

Congrats to my best friend Eileen in becoming an AUNT and to her sister Roxanne for becoming a Mommy! ;) Beautiful baby Arah is almost two weeks old and as cute as can be!

I am going to make a baby collage later this week of all the little ones I've met over the first part of this year... stay tuned!

Tammy & Chris ~ Portrait

2010-03-29T14:33:00.002-03:00

Anyone who has followed my work over the past few years probably knows who Chris is by now. He has been in a few fashion shoots and some fun personal shoots as well.
This time, he is in "love".
I remember talking with Chris a while back. Our conversation went something like this: "Chris, are you in a relationship now?" and the answer was "No, not this cat..." lol Well it seems things have changed and Chris has found his match ;) She seems to compliment him so well and he is so head-over-heels it is simply adorable. Tammy made the trip back from Toronto for the shoot and some time with Chris.
I wanted to do a different type of shoot ~ Uptown, romantic, & sexy. I find so many couples are lost when it comes to choosing a location for their engagement session. There are so many options. Especially in the winter when green scenery is drab, mix in a little urban architecture and you have yourself so many hot location possibilities!
It was brutally cold out, however Tammy wore heels and a little dress which totally made the shoot in my opinion.
Thanks to Justin Allen of Darryl Allen Hair Studio for Tammy's fab hair and Sarah Jane Flemming for makeup!

This may very well be my most favourite dark alley way - ever!

Off to the boardwalk, and then into Church Street Steakhouse for some shots I had in mind.

On the way out we ran into Justin again so why not pose for a few fun shots?

Happy Friday!

2010-03-26T21:00:00.003-03:00

This time of year is generally slow for photographers considering the drab weather outside and since wedding season has not yet begun. It certainly does not seem to be the case for me this year. Between Portrait sessions, Engagement sessions, Newborns, Boudoir and meeting future Bridal Clients it has been Non-Stop! I am in the process of blogging some sessions from the past few months, but here are a few images before the weekend begins.

A sexy shot from Tammy & Chris's session in February!

This weekend I am doing a Boudoir Marathon which is all booked up again!

If you would like a sexy gift for your special someone or an ego boost for yourself ~ consider booking a Sweet Sugar Boudoir Session http://www.sweetsugarstudio.com

A little "Thank you" to my 2010 Brides

2010-03-18T21:15:00.003-03:00

This year I wanted to share a few of my favorite things with my Wedding clients as a small "Thank you" for having me photograph their day.
Sudsmuffin made me some custom branded products which turned out just amazing! I LOVE them and they are keeping my office smelling yummy until I deliver them later this year ;)

What's in the bag?
A simply adorable Chocolate Cupcake soap - because it's cuter than words
Satsuma Lotion - because it's delicious and refreshing
Sweet Almond Massage Oil (for the honeymoon!... ;)

If you haven't yet - Check out the sudsmuffin shop in Saint John! www.Sudsmuffin.com

Spring & Summer Sessions Booking up fast!

2010-02-16T22:59:00.005-04:00

I wanted to thank all of my past, present and future clients for choosing me to photograph their love, moments and lives.
I have had an amazing opportunity through many repeat clients to watch their lives change and families grow over the past few years. I pride my ever growing business in being able to provide an unmatched client experience and a wide range of a quality prints and image products. I personally dedicate my time and attention to everything in my business myself. I am there from your first email or phone call to the hand delivery of your finished prints and products. Thank you all for making the past few years great and so far, this one has started out fantastic!

2010 NOTICE: Due to the large number of Weddings I have booked this year, portrait sessions will be limited so I am able to give proper attention and time to each Client and their images.
If you would like to reserve your Spring or Summer session date please contact me soon for my new 2010 Portrait Booking Guide and to reserve your date!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2010-02-15T23:50:00.001-04:00

Just stoping in to let you all know I have many new blog posts in the works.... Here are just a few images from the past week! More soon ;)

Michelle & Jeremy ~ Engagement

2010-02-09T12:49:00.004-04:00

One of many engagement sessions in prelude to Weddings to come next year!

I met Michelle & Jeremy in the fall of 2008 when we did some fall photos just for fun. I am also great friends with Jeremy's mother, Sheila, so I have heard all the secret stories about Jeremy of course *evil laugh* ;)! I am very excited for their big day which is just around the corner. I love getting to know my clients, but being able to work with people you already know is just another reason I love my job.
Here are a few images from our session in the fall.
During our session we walked... we laughed... they got wet in the ocean *which was totally worth it by the way*... and laughed some more.

I am SO looking forward to their May wedding and being a part of this awesome couple's big day!

Sudsmuffin Giveaway!

2010-01-27T15:12:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to let you all know...
My favourite store sudsmuffin is giving away free stuff! Enter to win and check out the goodies at the link below:
SUDSMUFFIN ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

I actually have a little gift in store for every one of my brides this year too... but you'll have to check back in a few weeks for that announcement ;)
Good luck!!!

Boudoir Photography Marathons 2010 Kick off!

2010-01-01T17:10:00.005-04:00

Our 2010 January Dates are released and booking up fast!

Chateau Hotel - MONCTON, New Brunswick - January 9th
Saint John Studio - SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick - January 23rd

The "Gift" of boudoir is simply endless!
Gift for your Groom
Christmas gifts ... Make your man's Christmas extra sexy
Valentine's Day - Bring romance back!
Do a session with your man - sure to make sparks fly in any relationship!
A session just for you! Why not? Who does not want to feel like a model for a day!

Visit the SWEET SUGAR STUDIO site by clicking on the ad below!

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-01T17:08:00.001-04:00

Tara, Mark & Tatianna ~ Portrait

2009-12-30T00:17:00.000-04:00

Tara and her family came to me as a referral, as most of my clients do!
We met up at the Nature Park and used the almost winter-ready yellow fields and breezy beach area. They say you get a "Glow" when expecting a baby. I never knew the meaning of the word until I saw Tara's gorgeous face! Who knows, maybe she is super lucky and that's just how fabulous she looks all of the time. Either way, she certainly is beautiful!
Tatianna is a shy, sweet, and adorable young lady. We had some fun walking through the fields to get her to relax a little in front of the camera. We did get some genuine smiles and her gorgeous eyes loved my camera!

There were so many, I could not choose, so I guess I'll just share them all!

Update: Congratulations to this sweet little family for the addition of their new baby boy James!

Stacie, Matt, Alex & Rhea ~ Portrait

2009-12-29T21:44:00.001-04:00

Stacie is another client of mine who lives right around the corner! Her children Alex and Rhea are like two little peas in a pod. Both beautiful and energetic for sure!
Our session was held at their home where we set up a mini-studio and had a little fun outdoors as well. Matt stopped in on his lunch break to get in on some of the photo action. A very sweet family for sure.
Here are some shots from our session together ;)

Anything for cooperation! :) Alex took a mini-break for a yummy cupcake his mommy made during our session which of course made for a cute little photo op.

Alexis's First Birthday!

2009-12-29T20:51:00.001-04:00

Where did 2009 go? It certainly flew by for me and I missed quite a few blog posts in the midst of an extremely busy Fall and Winter Season. In an attempt to get somewhat caught up I will be mass-blogging this week some of my older work from the fall as well as some new announcements and new shoots!

I stopped in to visit my very good friend Rosa in Moncton in the Fall at her parents place. Perfectly manicured land, with matching barns and office areas for their business surround their beautiful home. It was nice to meet the rest of her family, which I had no doubt would be as friendly and warm as she is. Her little baby Alexis was celebrating her very first Birthday! I have done quite a few photo shoots with Rosa, she's just that kind of beautiful and it always amazes me how she can look so effortlessly gorgeous without even trying.
I was not prepared for the cuteness of her daughter Lexi though! Oh my goodness! Those baby blues, her little teeth, and curly hair... There are no words. I could not choose a few so here are a bunch from our session ;)

Teeny Tiny Hats

2009-12-28T19:34:00.001-04:00

I have got lots and lots of baby hats. Cute ones, adorable ones, striped ones, long ones, short ones and flowered ones! I have a few newborn sessions lined up in the next little while so watch for those cute images to come!
Thank you SO MUCH to the wonderful and talented lady who made these for me! I literally gave her pictures of the ones I wanted and some yarn and Poof! These were made!

Mr Stubbins lives Happily Ever After

2009-12-23T20:04:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago when I went into the Saint John Animal Rescue League to drop things off to the office, I met Mr Stubbins. He was sitting on the chair beside Cathy like he owned the place! He was beautiful. His creamy soft fur, deep bronze colored eyes and white puff-ball cheeks were irresistible. He had been brought into the league in October with a broken tail which was amputated right away at the vet's clinic. Sadly, he was hit by a car and god only knows what else he went through before they found him.
I picked him up right away and knew right then that I had met him for a reason.
Coincidentally my sister had been asking for a cat for months. She also kept referring to the one that passes through her yard often with no tail and said she wanted a cat to call "Stubby” that also had no tail.
I quickly told my parents all about him and I guess his pictures and story won my father over! They agreed to welcome him into their home and life. I was so excited for him to be part of the fam! ;)
A few days later, he was united with my sister Samantha and they cuddled all night. This cat has such a personality, he walks with a bit of a limp and no tail but also has no care in the world.
Some things are just meant to be in life, and I believe this is one of them.
Thanks to everyone at the Saint John Animal Rescue League for taking such great care of him!

If you are looking to adopt a kitty or pup, please consider adoption ;) There are TONS at the shelter looking for homes now. Visit their Website to adopt or donate www.SaintJohnAnimalRescue.com

Michelle, Tim, Amelia, Franklin & Daisy +1 ~ Portrait

2009-12-18T18:37:00.002-04:00

I met Michelle and Tim years ago when she purchased designer collars from me for her beautiful dog Daisy. Over the years I have watched her family grow, from her first little girl Amelia, to her second, Franklin and now they have a third little bundle on the way! They certainly keep making beautiful and extremely cute babies!
Our sessions are usually relaxed and fun. I love her family and cannot wait to meet their new addition next year!

Aww...

Chris & Laura's Dark N' Dirty Birthday Bash - Studio 54, Saint John

2009-12-17T21:41:00.000-04:00

Chris booked me a few months ago to capture his Epic Birthday Bash in November which was appropriately called the "Dark N' Dirty Birthday Bash (Black Party)". He rented out STUDIO 54 nightclub and had two fab DJ's make the night happen. The Birthday Boy also shared the night with fellow Birthday Gal Laura. The theme of the party was of course "Dark N Dirty", so everyone was asked to dress in fine black attire and the birthday duo were in red.

We set up a photo booth area and had some fun with the VIP's.

DJ MIZZ MAXINE and DJ EVICTION kept the night going with their mad DJ Skills.

Colors and light were amazing, so many different shots.

To view the rest of the event click here for a SLIDESHOW!

Chris & Laura, thanks for having us capture your event! It was something a little different and certainly fab! ;) Happy Birthday to you both!

2010 Wedding Notice ~ Southern New Brunswick & Desitination Wedding Photography

2009-12-15T22:10:00.003-04:00

While all great things do eventually come to an end, new and exciting things are always just around the corner.
It is only December, however I have already been meeting with brides and planning weddings for 2010 and 2011 over the past few months! If you are considering having me as your photographer you should contact me now. I already have 14 confirmed weddings for 2010 and 4 for 2011!

I am excited to announce that I have released my new 2010 Booking Kit. Here is the cover below :) I believe choosing a wedding photographer is a very important process and not every wedding photographer is a fit for every couple. Let's meet up and see if we are right for each other and get started on planning your day!

(Photo credit to my sister Samantha for the shot of myself above, a candid from our family photo shoot!)

Visit to Sudsmuffin Shop!

2009-11-27T20:06:00.005-04:00

A few weekends ago, I went to visit Johanne at her adorable shop in Saint John ~ Sudsmuffin! It is located on Union Street.
I gave her a little One-on-One photo lesson and we talked about all kinds of fun things. It was great to meet her hubby Ivan and her mini-muffin too. What a beautiful little shop they have. So unique, full of lovely scents and each display has a personal touch. She also hooked me up with a bottle of her SATSUMA lotion which I just love, and I picked up some peppermint lip gloss.
If you are looking for delicious bath and body products, made locally and cruelty free, this is your place! They also offer many options for parties, favours for brides and much more. Go on in and check it out ~ Trust me, you will become and addict like me ;)

I also wanted to add that when I was leaving the store, Ivan said to me "I thought you were taller" LOL Pretty nice of him to point out the fact that I'm 5'2" eh?.. Men! Thanks Ivan ;) lol
I also wanted to mention you can shop online too! visit their site at: http://www.sudsmuffin.com
Here are a few goodies I photographed before leaving...
Love their new branding and signage! Adorable!

Yummmmmm......

November 11th

2009-11-27T15:37:00.000-04:00

I have finally got Weddings wrapped up for the year but still working through the oodles of portrait sessions this fall has brought me. I think it's important to show a little bit of my life on this blog so here is a little something ;)

Like every year, on November 11th we went to see Grandpa participate in the parade and Remembrance day ceremonies in East Saint John. Afterwards we always go back to his place for a chat and sometimes lunch too. When we arrived Marc, Sam and I did the usual race up the stairwell in his apartment building and got to his door first. Unlocked the door, scared the cats away ~ I swear they think I am bringing the dogs with me everytime and hide... quite frankly, I don't blame them! Bostons are a pain! lol A few minutes later Grandpa came strolling along the hallway and in through the door. I asked him to wait before he took his spiffy clothes and medals off as I wanted to grab a few shots of him. After mentioning my plan to head down to the garden area outside, I got "the look"... and quickly came up with a new plan! Let's head out to the balcony, it will do!
He served in WW2 and the Korean War and ranked pretty much every level you could in the Army. He is an amazingly brave person with a very kind and generous soul. He's also got a heck of a sense of humor too!
Without further ado... My Grandpa

Sandy & her girls ~ Portrait

2009-11-26T13:09:00.003-04:00

Sandy, her sister Pam, Mom and daughter Emily took part in my Images for a Cure Fundraiser shoot. It was so nice to meet more of Sandy's family. (I have never met Mr. Sandy, but I am sure he exists thanks for facebook...:) I just wish she would bring him along for some photos.. maybe next time!) They are of course, just as awesome as she is! Emily, well, need I say more? I've watched her grow up in my photos over the past few years. She is such a beauty and so full of character for sure. We started out at the studio for a few shots, then headed out and strolled the streets of Saint John for a bit. Lots of brick textures and fun architectural lines made for some awesome shots of the beautiful ladies!

I love this little private parking garage uptown... oops.. did that say Private? At least we were only walking by... because I am a law abiding citizen of course! :)

Hope you all love them! And thank you again for taking part in a very important cause ;)

The Crossman Family ~ Portrait

2009-11-26T12:04:00.002-04:00

Last Christmas I photographed the Crossman family and over this past year we have quickly become friends. I guess I can say this for most of my clients and I am really greatful for that!
Lindsay is a sweet as they get and Terry is adorable too (I will admit that I love to read his sometimes vulgar - but honest and funny facebook quotes from week to week LOL). Griffin, well, he will be a heartbreaker for sure someday and he certainly LOVES having his photos taken! I have enjoyed watching little Griffin grow up over the past year. He is certainly blooming into quite the handsome little man, that's for sure! I was thrilled when Lindsay wanted to participate in the Images for a Cure fundraiser shoot! It is a cause that is near and dear to her heart right now and I'm glad I was able to give her a reason to help.

Amy Hunter ~ Dog Groomer Extraordinaire ~ Portrait

2009-11-13T22:58:00.005-04:00

I met up with Amy and her 4 Poochies (Gracie, Viper, Capone & Tajia) a few weeks ago at the Nature Park. I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her with her dogs. I do love people, but my passion for photography started with photographing my own pets, believe it or not!
What beautiful puppies Amy has! We had quite the time, trying to get 3 almost 100lb Rotties to cooperate for a photo session. LOL All they wanted to do was play with each other of course. Gracie, her cocker spaniel was a doll the whole time though. It was fun though, thanks to Marc and Amy's mom for helping with the dogs.
Amy is a Professional Dog Groomer on Rothesay Avenue and owns Style & Grace Pet Salon (Right by Leons). If you are looking for a very talented pet groomer and super friendly service, visit Amy's site at: http://www.styleandgracepetsalon.com or call 506.651.6604 - I know she is booked up almost until Christmas now!

Amy I hope you love your images and thank you for having me take them - I hope your clients love your Christmas cards too. I am sure they will love getting a unique piece of you and your furry family! ;)

Carrie, Katia & Taryn ~ Portrait

2009-11-13T21:14:00.001-04:00

3 PINK GIRLS for a Breast Cancer fundraiser ~ how so very fitting! Carrie and her girls participated in the Images for a Cure shoot I did back in October. (Yes, that is how behind I am on blog posting ~ early OCTOBER! It has been a very busy fall season along with wrapping Wedding season up for sure, so stay tuned for many more blog posts to come!)
When Carrie told me there would be 3 curly haired girls in Pink weeks before, I was not prepared for the cuteness that was before me when they arrived that day! Carrie is a sweetheart and her girls are so full of personality. We started out at the Studio uptown and then wandered around the city streets for a bit. Katia is a 5 yr old superstar and Taryn is as adorable as they can get! Here are a few images from our shoot!

Sandra & Co. ~ Portrait

2009-11-13T21:08:00.003-04:00

Sandra and I have been friends for years. I don't really recall how we met, but it was around the time I had my previous business making designer dog collars a few years back. Sandra and her family wanted to have some photos done as a gift for her parents so her sister Hilary and husband Mike came down from Fredericton for the shoot to join the rest.
What a great idea to get together for. Time with family is so rare these days with the busy lives we lead. I am glad they chose me to capture such special moments in their lives.

The fall leaves were beautiful and made a perfect backdrop ~ almost like a rainbow behind them. Sandra actually ordered the first image in 16x20 which I had done in metallic finish, talk about BEAUTIFUL! It turned out so nice I want all of my fall images in metallic finish now!

Sandra's pup Miss Hope being the doll she is. I swear, if I didn't have Bostons (and Pugs didn't shed so much) I would have a house full of them! So adorable!

I love these...

Some special moments, captured ;)

Hilary and Mike had some fun with the camera. After all, a piggy back ride is always fun!

After our shoot together Sandra and her hubby Murray invited Marc and I to dinner at Vitos. We had a great evening full of good Italian food, daiquiris and laughs! Of course the best plans in life are rarely planned ;)

Images for a Cure - Saint John Fundraiser

2009-11-12T22:21:00.001-04:00

In October I took part in the fundraiser Images For A Cure to support The Breast Cancer Foundation.
I booked 4 sessions and raised $300 towards the cause. All photographers in the US/Canada combined raised a total of $12,600.00! The goal was $5,000 but we more than passed that figure! It just goes to show what can be accomplished as a national effort. I was proud to be part of such a great cause and hope to participate again in the future.
Here is a mini-preview of some of the images from the day!

Thank you to my sister Samantha for assisting and all my clients who came out and had their images done that day. We had a lot of fun and all for a great cause! ;)

Nathan James ~ Portrait

2009-10-24T21:40:00.002-03:00

Baby Nathan James arrived on September 24th weighing 9lbs 15oz. His mom and dad won their session as a gift from the Modern Mommy Maternity contest we did during the summer. When I arrived at their home little Nathan was simply adorable. I just love newborns. So new, sweet and the faces they make just make you smile. You could take 10 shots in a row and have a different expression in each, not one cuter than the other!
We tried out a new stork pouch my friend Eileen had a coworker make for me. I asked for something natural with a bit of texture and it turned out just perfectly. I hope to have many more made in a variety of colors. Thanks to Nathan's dad Ted for assisting with this shot!

A few more adorable images...

And this was just before he pooped on the basket, and the couch! lol That's ok, they make washing machines for a reason!

Kimberly and Ted, congrats on your new baby boy and I hope you enjoy your images.

Ronda & Andrew ~ Wedding

2009-10-24T20:55:00.003-03:00

It has been a little while since I have made a post here, however, I will certainly be making up for it in the next few weeks! I have over a dozen portrait sessions and a few special announcements to make so please check back in the next little while ;)

On October 10th I wrapped up my 2009 Wedding Season with a beautiful evening wedding in Saint John. Ronda & Andrew are a beautiful couple who had a short evening ceremony followed by pie and social time.

The whole wedding took place at the Calvary Temple in Saint John. It is such an interesting church full of detail and character, not to mention the amazing pipe organ as a centerpiece. What a perfect backdrop for a wedding!

I was happy to have my husband Marc along to assist for the evening. He also got some really great shots; check out the gentleman below playing the piano. Hmm, I think I may have a photographer in training and possible second shooter next year.

I made a quick trip up to where the girls were hiding out before the ceremony to get a few shots then back down to capture some pre-ceremony happenings.

I don't think the smile on Andrew's face left at all that night. Well, except for a few kissing sessions with Ronda of course! You can tell they are very much in love and being in Andrew's presence has a calming effect over Ronda.

A beautiful moment.

We went outside for some quick portraits before the last of the daylight left us. It was windy and cold but everyone was great about it.

This is one of my favourites from the evening.

A shot of the cake and a few more details before we left.

After the beautiful evening the newlyweds headed off to Greece for two weeks. What a fantastic way to start off their new marriage.
Ronda & Andrew I wish you both the best and many years of happiness together!

Three Years.

2009-10-06T22:33:00.003-03:00

Tomorrow is our third Wedding Anniversary! It is hard to believe that just three short years ago we were walking down the isle. Everything was perfect that day. The weather that day was amazing and we had all of our friends and family around us. Apparently there was a mishap with the church music CD I had prepared, but my sisters made sure I had no clue and fixed the problem that morning so everything went off without a hitch! ;) I would never have known if they had not told me later on.
So what are we doing on our special day? Marc and I both took the day off from work. We will shut off the phones and laptops for an entire 24 hours! It will be just us. We will sleep in, have a nice breakfast together without rushing to respond to emails or phone calls, walk the dogs, watch movies, go to dinner and spend time *together*. It will be a much needed day off and most of all, nice undisrupted time.

And because every post should have a picture ~ here is a photo I took on our Honeymoon in Boston, MA during a cruise in the Boston Harbour.

Yvonne & Brian ~ Wedding

2009-10-04T20:15:00.001-03:00

Busy does not even describe my workload right now... more like a teeny bit overwhelmed! lol I love it though, business is GOOD and I have so many wonderful clients! Since Yvonne and Brian have waited so patiently an entire week for their official wedding preview, I am going to bombard you with images! I just could not choose as there are so many great ones I love that represent their day that I felt I should share.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I was excited for the wedding to begin. Yvonne and Brian are not only a very sweet couple, they chose such beautiful locations for their special day. My assistant Jessica and I started out at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Words simply can not describe the beauty of this amazing Church. Stained glass, incredible architecture and fine detail everywhere you look. Since we were there an hour before the ceremony started, I took so many images of the church itself but here are a few of my favourites.

While waiting for the girls to arrive, I caught a glimpse of little Megan, the flower girl, twirling through the doorway. The Groomsmen awaited guests to seat at the front door.

After all of the guests had been seated, the bridal party waited upfront as the beautiful Yvonne and her father walked down the isle. I love the look on Brian's face as he sees his bride for the first time.

Oliver and Megan were the most adorable flower girl/ring bearer combo I've ever seen! Those curls! Oh my goodness!

After I captured stunning shots from every angle of their beautiful ceremony, everyone headed out to the entrance so family and guests could congratulate the new couple. I stole Yvonne's beautiful Bouquet for a few minutes to get this shot.

After all of the guests had gone, I convinced Yvonne and Brian to come back into the church for a few quiet moments before heading to the park for portraits. Why you ask? Because I had this shot in mind. :)

Off to Rockwood Park we went. As always, I took care of the family and group shots first. It was quite cold out so we tried what everyone could bare before heading off. I must say everyone did quite well considering the frigid weather! Yvonne's sisters asked me if they could have a picture done while beating their lovely sister with their bouquets! Of course I said sure if Yvonne allows it! LOL The guys were quite the gentlemen and they held the bouquets for the ladies. I love the contrast between the green and vivid colors in their girls' bouquets.

Little Oliver!!! Just too cute :)

The green accent in Yvonne's beautiful gown complimented her stunning red hair perfectly.

These two were so sweet, you could just feel the love between them and I had no trouble getting them to participate in lots of smooching action!

The reception and dance were held at the Saint John Marina. I had never been there before but it turned out to be a great spot with a great view of the sunset as it descended into the horizon.

The cake was very cute with purple grapes and fall foliage that looked like it had just fallen naturally onto the three tiers. Dinner was had, games were played, wine was sipped and laughs were all around us.

A few moments shared during the first dance...

I must say, I do love these images! The enthusiasm of the guests, the colors, the mood. Hmm... Can you guess what they were all dancing to?

Yvonne and Brian, thank you for having me capture your big day. I know that with love like yours you will have many happy years ahead of you. ...And hopefully little ones of your own as cute as Oliver and Megan ;)

Bling Bling!

2009-09-30T13:04:00.003-03:00

You may remember a few weeks ago I posted some images from Sarah, Willow and Copper's Session and raved about Sarah's vintage chandeliers. Well, she was listening and said that if my husband could swap out her new dining room light, I could have this one! YAH! So Marc worked some muscle power on her 100lb(well, it seemed like a 100lbs anyways!lol) new light and got it done. (thank you Marc!!) And thank you Sarah for this wonderful gift ;) You rock!

Portraits for a Cause ~ Oct 11 2009 ~ The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

2009-09-22T22:54:00.006-03:00

I am going to make this a top post until the event to make sure everyone sees it! So don't forget to scroll down to see other news and shoot images ;)

Women.
a Daughter
a Sister
a Mother
a Grandmother
a Friend
Everyone knows someone that has gone through or has been touched by cancer in some way.

I am so blessed to be able to give back to celebrate women and help raise some funds for this very important cause by doing something I am so passionate about. I believe photography has the power to move people and at the end of the day, it is how we are each remembered ~ photography is the reflection of life ;)

The Details:
Date: October 11th, 2009
1/2 hr portrait session in Uptown Saint John
1 5x7 print of your choice
$75 Session fee (Paid directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.)
*(includes 3 people max, additional $15 per person)
15% off additional A la carte prints

Get some of the special ladies in your life together for a fun photo session to celebrate women and this amazing cause!
I will be accepting up to FIVE 1/2 hr photo sessions for the day ~ book yours now! ;)

~Randi
506.640.0789
rgallantphoto@gmail.com

Boudoir Photography Marathon ~ Moncton, New Brunswick!

2009-09-22T22:41:00.002-03:00

My fabulous assistant Jessica and I spent Saturday in Moncton, NB at the Chateau Moncton Hotel. Doing what you ask? Boudoir sessions! We had some amazing women come by and we got some fantastic and very sexy images.

One of my clients brought these super sexy shoes! Of course I asked if I could photograph them specifically to share with all of you! So sweet...

I wish I could share all of the images here but our client's privacy is very important to us, so we can not show you any full images, but here are a few cropped versions from Saturday!

Special thanks to Jessica for her help all day! I couldn't have done it without you!
Want to book a Boudoir Marathon Session of your own? We do have a few more Marathon dates coming up soon!

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick October 17
MONCTON, New Brunswick November 21

Visit our SweetSugarStudio site for more info or click for 2009 TOUR DATES HERE

2009 Holiday Cards are here!

2009-09-18T17:47:00.003-03:00

As much as we would all like to deny it, the Holiday Season is right around the corner! To provide my clients with a beautiful and unique product this year I have some gorgeous new card designs in store which I am very excited about! Colors and text can be changed to suit your needs ;)

Sizes from 5x7 folded cards, 5x7 flat cards, and 4x8 long flat announcement style. Folded 5x7 cardstock can be ordered in glossy, matt, linen or watercolor ~ talk about options! :)

If you are reading this blog, and have recently had a photo session or have one scheduled before Nov 30th, let me know and I'll give you 10% off your card purchase!

Little trip to Boston, MA

2009-09-17T20:29:00.000-03:00

Last weekend we made a trip to visit some friends in Boston and see a Red Sox game. I won't get into my husband's obsession with the Red Sox as it would take a few pages I'm sure, but let's just say he was *kid in a candy store happy*! On the way through Maine we saw a moose which was pretty far away but right in the vicinity of the "Moose Crossing" sign! I thought it was cute and worth taking my camera out for a minute.

I knew our trip back to Boston would be awesome, but Sarah and Eric made it one of the best yet! From the moment we arrived up at their beautiful new house they were beyond kind and hospitable! We were floored when we found the guest room all decked out in Boston Red Sox memorabilia and they even had chocolate baseball glove & ball favours on our pillows! On the dresser was new toys for the dogs (A red shoe and purse for the girls and a wrench for Fenway, so cute!)
Friday night's dinner was beyond delicious! A sirloin roast from Trader Joe's (which we later went to and stocked up on a few to take home), BBQ chicken, yummy potatoes and corn on the cob. I didn't think the meal could get any better, when Sarah brought out the triple chocolate cake - Oh my!
They also had an adorable gift bag for my Birthday present which was earlier last week... inside was my very own Red Sox hat and a donation she had made to Boston Terrier Rescue. I just love these guys! So thoughtful!

Saturday morning we headed out to a nearby park for a walk with the pups. Found some beautiful spots and did a few impromptu photo shoots.
The photo to the right is my husband Marc. One of the many reasons he is so great, just look at him with my camera gear on his back, and taking care of our girls while I'm busy shooting, so cute!

Then there is their dog Spike. Oh my goodness! He is just the cutest thing ever.

Here is a quick one with our girls and Spike being walked by their Dad's!

Saturday night we went to the Red Sox Game @ Fenway. Unfortunately it rained - A lot. We waited almost 2 hours for the game to start, then they played 5 innings, and the remainder got rained out. Oh well, at least the Sox won 9-1! I didn't take many photos of the game itself, simply because we already have hundreds (or maybe thousands! from previous games, but I did capture this one of Sarah and Eric. We were walking around waiting for the game to start (or not start) and I saw the light coming in from the field. Something different.

Sunday we decided to go to Cambridge and roam around Harvard Grounds. It's one of the places I have not been yet and I'm glad we went. Cambridge is full of beautiful architecture and endless photo op locations. I would love to do wedding photography there!

Sweet little family ;)

Sarah and Eric, thank you for the wonderful visit. I cannot express our gratitude enough for making our visit so great and we cannot wait to go back!

Gone to Boston ~ Be right back!

2009-09-11T11:08:00.003-03:00

It has been a very busy summer and I am in need of a much deserved weekend getaway! Marc and I along with two of our little girly pups have gone to Boston, MA for a quick weekend visit with our friends.

Thanks to Natasha of Sohobutterfly Photography for this image she took last Spring while we were there together ;)

It's My Birthday! ;)

2009-09-08T22:46:00.009-03:00

If you asked my family and friends what kind of cupcake I could have, if I would have any cupcake in the world... they would certainly say:
A Tim Horton's Iced Cappuchino Cupcake!Wait, Tim Horton's doesn't make Iced Capp Cupcakes? Oh well, I thought it was cute and hope you did too! :)This year I decided I have all I need and more, so I wanted to help out my little Boston Terrier friends instead. Here is my little ad I sent out last week!

My wonderful husband did send me flowers at work though ~ He's so sweet and I really don't know what I'd do without him! ;)

Thank you to all of my family and friends that helped and donated to this cause ~ I managed to raise $125 for BTCCR :)

Jaime & Laine ~ Portrait

2009-09-07T16:16:00.001-03:00

Gorgeous girls and new beginnings.
Jaime wanted images symbolic of their special relationship as mother and daughter. I feel honoured that she chose me to do so and I hope she loves these images as much as I do. I thought that a natural environment would be ideal so we headed to one of my new favourite spots.
Laine was a great little sport and was smiling for most of our hour together!
We found a beautiful little pathway with luscious shrubs and trees. I just love the light reflecting off of everything in these shots.

How adorable is this?

Jaime has the most stunning eyes and gorgeous curly hair. Laine is such a doll with her almond eyes and fine wavy locks. No doubt Laine will grow up to be just as beautiful as her mom!

This image makes me smile for so many reasons. So fun.

Jaime and Laine I hope you enjoyed your preview! I will have your gallery ready in a few days before I head to Boston :)

Willow & Copper ~ Portrait

2009-09-05T00:24:00.003-03:00

I didn't have far to go for Wednesday's shoot. Sarah, Willow and their dog Copper live just around the corner from me!
When I arrived Sarah greeted me with her kind smile and gorgeous blue eyes. Willow was fast asleep in her burgundy baby sling and draped around her mom. Unfortunately her hubby Joe was out of town this week, so he could not take part in the photos this time. She wanted the shoot to be all about Willow but I insisted she step in for just a few shots! Sarah had discovered my work through Nicole & Tim’s Wedding photos and had known Nicole from teaching with her a while back at the same school.

We chatted about many things, one of which was her "vintage chandeliers" that came with the house but didn't really match her modern decor. Hopefully I have convinced her to hand them over to me when she decides on new ones! They would look so sweet in my studio!

We started out by putting little Willow in the sage green papasan chair. Babies always make so many cute faces ~ I just love this one!

Sarah said she has her daddy's long toes ~ so cute!

Simply beautiful...

I love the colors in this one.

We headed out to the backyard for a bit. I didn't plan on outside images, since Willow was just a few weeks old so it was mid-day and the sun was out full force. Sarah helped me block the sun with a foam tile her hubby had in the garage and we got some cute shots. We used the adorable basket I purchased last week - my husband actually chose this one, I love the texture ~ great job Marc ;)

We tried to get a few images with Willow and Copper together, but since Copper moves pretty quickly we figured it would be best not to try anything risky. It is a shame though, I could totally picture Willow curled up in Copper's luxuriously soft fur! Maybe when she's a little older, but now she's just too delicate!

Copper is such a sweet dog ~ so gentle and her sweet brown eyes just make you melt. I've already warned Sarah that if I feel the need for a 4th dog of my own I may dognap her!

Sarah I hope you enjoyed your preview, and Nicole thank you for the wonderful referral ;)

Elesha, Chris & Molly ~ Maternity

2009-09-03T21:34:00.004-03:00

Sunday I met up with Elesha, Chris and their boxer Molly at the Nature park for a baby belly shoot.
Elesha came to me through a good friend of mine named Judy of BostonBaker/LazyBTDesigns. She was so excited for her friend Elesha she purchased a gift certificate for a baby belly session with me! How awesome is that?!
Judy and I met a few years ago through the love of our dogs, Bostons of course! She regularly delivers a big bag of homemade dog cookies for my pups which they love! The Peanut butter cookies smell just like real people cookies and my pups go wild over them. I think I even caught my husband Marc eating one once! lol Oh dear... She also makes ADORABLE dog beds too ~ you can check out her Etsy store here!

Elesha was a bit hesitant about bringing Molly along, but I insisted it would be fine since I could bring Marc along to handle her while I was working alone with them. After all, how could you not include your fur-baby in your session?! Of course, Molly was a doll and just wanted to have fun on the beach! (Thank you Marc for helping!)

Elesha and Molly are certainly gorgeous gals! Elesha definitely has the mommy-to-be GLOW and is due in just 20 more days! Chris is too cute and was very cooperative. Of course, men always act like they are not as keen about a photo session as much as women are but a little birdie told me this week that he is just as excited to see the images as Elesha is. It's ok Chris, photos are cool for boys too ;) If anything, they make your woman happy, and a happy woman, means a happy household! Enough of me rambling on at 2:00 in the morning, let's get on to some fabulous images shall we?

I love capturing the *in betweens* ~ the real moments of emotion and laughter.

Molly insisted on carrying the stick she found along. Poor girly ended up with a mouthful of sand in the end but it didn't seem to phase her!

A moss covered fence and romance? What could be better...

So cute. I know one thing, their baby will certainly be beautiful and have gorgeous eyes too!

I love this location. In fact I am heading back there tomorrow.. er.. later this morning for another shoot!
I had Elesha lean against the doorway. Then I asked her to extend her hand to Chris. He stood there for a minute wondering what to do then finally reached back. It was the cutest thing and of course we had a few laughs from it ;)

Thank you to Judy for putting me in touch with your wonderful friends. Elesha, Chris and Molly I wish you a safe arrival for your new baby to be in a few weeks!

Serenity & Family ~ Portrait

2009-09-03T20:25:00.000-03:00

Serenity contacted me a while back about having photos done of her family. Her siblings were coming home from England and Ottawa and it would be the first time they would all be together in 4 years. The images were also a birthday present for their mother which I thought was a wonderful reason to have a photo session!

Of course, sometimes photo shoots are reliant on the weather and this day was no exception! 8:00am rolled around, and we found ourselves in the rain! Since there was no time to reschedule since a few of them would be heading home after the weekend we went ahead with the shoot anyways! Sure, we got a little wet but it was all in good fun. They were all good sports and we managed to capture some really great shots in the half hour they braved the rain!
Here are some of their images.

And lastly, the all time "Maritime Shot"... Tim's and togetherness!

Carousel Bridal on Canvas

2009-09-03T12:27:00.000-03:00

If you are a bride looking for a wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, or a teen looking to for a fab prom dress or any other formal attire, head on in to Carousel Bridal! Their selection is extensive and beautiful and the staff is friendly and fabulous. When you visit don't forget to check out some of my work below hanging in the shop. Both are on gallery size Canvas and I am so pleased they chose my images for their store!

Thank you Sherry and staff for loaning the beautiful dresses for our fashion shoot.

Checking in

2009-09-01T22:51:00.001-03:00

Wow ~ What a busy few weeks this has been! I am up to my ears in shoots and processing lately. Life is good!
I am booked until the end of 2009 for Weddings and have a handful of Weddings already confirmed for 2010! If you would like me to photograph your 2010 Wedding please inquire now as I will only be accepting a limited amount for next year.

If you are looking to book a photo session I am currently well into November for times still available. Weddings and portrait sessions have been booked solid all summer and here I find myself in September already. Where did the summer go? I will have a few client session blog posts up in the next week which I guarantee will be FUN, CUTE and SUPER ADORABLE ;) ~ promise!

While I am on a roll making announcements, I just wanted to share a few new products we are offering to clients.
A few birth announcements I designed for Angie's Ava and Joshua a few weeks ago. Adorable!

Storyboards! These three are basic layouts, however, backgrounds, layouts and quotations can be customized to your home decor!

Joshua & Ava ~ Portrait

2009-08-21T21:01:00.002-03:00

Siblings. 5 days old & 5 years old...

Angie contacted me a while back about having photos done of her two little sweethearts. Well, in Ava's case it was a "sweetheart to be" as she was still in Angie's belly! A few months later baby Ava Carol arrived at 9:12am on August 11th 2009, weighing 7lbs 13oz.

As soon as I arrived at their home, Josh ran out to the Jeep and asked if he could help me with anything. At first sight I was in love with his eyes - they are the most beautiful shades of green and brown and sparkled in the sunlight. I told him my name and he explained so matter of factly that his mom had already told him who I was. I knew this little boy was extremely smart, very polite and certainly has a great set of parents that has done good so far! Josh helped me carry some gear into their home and I met the girls.

Angie’s sister made an adorable tutu for Ava. Angie referred to her as a Martha Stewart and I can see why. She also made the AVA sign above Ava’s changing table below. Simple beautiful!

I headed outside with Josh while Ava took a little feeding break. Josh was all smiles and had some really cool hand movements – James Bond style of course with a few winks thrown in! This little guy is going to be quite the heartbreaker someday!

I loved Ava’s polka dot dress – two of my favourite color combos – pink & chocolate :)

A few images of the two of them together. Josh loves his little sister so much. I have no doubt he is going to be the protective big brother and chase away all of her boyfriends someday!

Angie thank you for having me over to capture your little ones. They are both as sweet as can be :)

Betty.

2009-08-17T22:09:00.002-03:00

Betty is the sweet lady that greets me at the post office desk. She has a kind face and is always so pleasantly ready with conversational questions for me. It had been a while though. I used to be in almost every other day mailing parcels for my other Business.
When I arrived at the desk tonight she said she hadn't seen me in a while and asked if I was not well? I explained I had been a "different kind of busy" with my photography business. I had closed the dog collar side of Zoe's Collection and left it to be just camera straps only to save myself some time and had hired Carmel, my mother in law, to help with ZC. (By the way, Thank you Carmel, you are doing a fabulous job!)
I told her I had a business card with me, and handed it to her. She took it in her hand and looked at both sides. Then she says, "Can I tell you something? I can tell what you do is something different, something more modern." Why yes, I answered back! That is exactly what I do!

Something different, Something Modern.
It's ironic, because that is what my work is to me and what I try to create for my clients. I hope everyone else feels that too.
Thank you Betty, and I hope if you make it over to my little blog, you know how much your friendliness has been appreciated over the years!

Beverly & Ben ~ Wedding

2009-08-15T12:32:00.003-03:00

I met Bev in fall of 2008 when she contacted me regarding wedding photography. She had been given my name from a good friend of mine, Sandra. I still remember the first day we met at Tim Horton's for her consult and a coffee (in my case, the usual Iced Cappuccino which I'm extremely addicted to!). We talked about her big day, and then the conversation led to other things, such as crocheting, dogs, and much more. It wasn't before long that we became friends and meeting up for a chat was a usual thing.

I started the day with the girls at the Amsterdam Inn in Quispamsis. This hotel just went up not to long ago and I am impressed with the lovely but Modern rooms they have to offer.

The bouquets were calla lilies - such a timeless and beautiful choice.

I was stoked when Bev told me she had HOT RED shoes to be married in! How fun!
It wasn't only girls in the room. Bev's son Patrick got to hang out with us as well. Sandi and I had fun putting the finishing touches on Bev’s daughter Amanda’s hair.

Pastor Greg Gray of the Hampton Baptist Church gave a lovely service with a personal touch full of real life advice for the Ben and Bev.

Bev was determined to have the "Fairytale Wedding". With her great love for animals - they also had to be included somehow in her big day. What better way to combine the two than a White Dove Release and a Horse drawn carriage ride? Thanks to Phillip Yang at Wings & Wishes White Doves for these beautiful Doves!

I couldn't resist posting this one. The horse Buddy's face here pretty much sums up his thoughts on holding still for a photo! :)

This is one of my favourites!

Of course I take into account not every set of groomsmen want to jump up and down in their suits. I decided to try my luck on this crowd. Bev's Brother Barry on the end wasn't keen on the idea but gladly stuck his hand up in the air to somewhat mimic the jumping motion? At least I think that was what he was doing. For the record, he did jump the second time ;) Thank you Barry! And Ben, I would give you the prize for most excited look on your face! Priceless!

We let the boys head to the reception - less Ben of course. I asked the girls to hike their dresses up - since Bev was wearing super hot red shoes I though it would be fun. It was!

Since the sun was out mid-afternoon full force, I decided to have some fun with it. I like to try different angles and play with settings. I really love how these turned out!

MORE red shoes! Can you tell I'm in love? How many times do I get to shoot red shoes at a wedding? Uh, never?

So romantic ...

When Bev laughs, her nose crinkles up, just like this. I love these shots.

More shoe fun and then we headed over to the reception for a quick visit.

I took a few photos of the cake before I left. How beautiful is this? Thanks to Sharon Hoyt for her talent on creating this masterpiece! One of my fav's for sure!

They had a few special visitors to their wedding, one being a milestone age of 90 years old! I had the two little ladies give Ben some love for a photo!

To my friends Bev and Ben, I hope your wedding day was all you dreamed of and more. I wish you all the best in the future and many more fairytale endings ;)

Perfect Presentation

2009-08-13T21:47:00.002-03:00

Goodbye boring envelopes, hello pretty presentation boxes!
I am a visual person so I love packaging. I think that the package my photos are presented to my clients in is almost as important as the images themselves. I chose a leatherette textured box adorned with a wide chocolate satin ribbon and finished with my logo in the bottom right hand corner. And…. The ribbon is easy to slip off so you can easily slide it back on when you are done looking at your photos to keep them pretty until you are ready to frame them.

Nicole & Tim ~ Wedding

2009-08-10T23:08:00.002-03:00

Friday I had the pleasure of being a part of Nicole and Tim's day as they were joined in marriage.
Nicole is a school teacher and Tim is a huge baseball fan. They make a sweet couple and its cute how you can instantly tell Tim is the comedian in the relationship! I heard many stories about his side of the family during the night and I'm sure his upbringing was nothing less than fun and a barrel of laughs!
I just LOVE Weddings. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to capture one of the most important days in a couple's life.
I started out the afternoon by meeting up with the girls at Nicole's mother’s house which conveniently was just around the corner from mine. When I arrived, everyone was having fun putting on their final touches.
I love being creative with what is around me, and using interesting elements as much as I can. Nicole's mother had lots of beautiful furniture for me to use for some detail shots. I just love this piece; it makes Nicole's jewellery and shoes just pop!

The lines and colors in this chair are stunning against the white bouquet. The bouquets had Calla lilies and a touch of lavender, so beautiful and elegant.

Nicole has that "girl next door" beauty ... I knew she would look amazing in any dress she chose. This one is fabulous and suits a summer wedding with a touch of modern elegance.

What stunning bridesmaids these ladies are! The girls relaxed with a glass of wine while getting ready and then we headed outside for a little fun before heading to the church. They had bought umbrellas in case of rain but it was quite exciting when we realized they matched the dresses perfectly! Even without the rain, what a fun prop ~ Thank you ladies!

When I have my subjects in a certain position I like to change the angle a bit and see what I can get. I love this one of the girls backs to me. Then the beautiful bride and her parents. Nicole's mom is adorable and her father was smiling throughout the whole day, it was so cute.

As Nicole walked down the isle, the light from the doorway behind her created a stunning glow. The ceremony was full of laughs, smiles and beautiful words.

A few detailed shots during the ceremony and then of course, the first kiss - so passionate!

After the ceremony was over, we headed over to the New Brunswick Museum for portraits. This location has everything for a perfect location, stunning unique architecture, and a beautiful park right next to it. Some fun with their parents.

We started out at the top of the stairs but quickly learned that the pigeons resting above had a mind of their own and poor Ashlee had the unfortunate luck of catching some droppings on her dress! Oh my - It's a good thing everyone has a sense of humour!

Some fun with the purple umbrellas!

Nicole & her new groom took a rest on the bench - heels unfortunately are not an ideal walking shoe! I love
these images though.

The sun was setting beautifully on the side of the museum and made for some fantastic light.

Off to the Fort Howe Hotel for the reception and dance. Tried out some cute chairs in the lobby before heading up for their reveal as Mr & Mrs.

The decor and details were simple and elegant. The cake was topped with white roses and lavender. Candles and
silver confetti topped the tables creating a romantic ambiance.

The bouquet and garter toss had so much enthusiasm! As you can see we had many singles eager to catch the prize! :)

Nicole and Tim, thank you for having me capture your special moments and I hope you enjoyed your day. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and no doubt, lots of laughter ;)

Sisters ~ The Horse Quest

2009-08-03T15:18:00.007-03:00

Sometimes things get so busy that we forget to take time for the little things in life and spend time with those we love. My sister Samantha and I share a great love for horses. I used to ride back when I was younger and compete in English Shows for jumping and dressage. It all seems so long ago now and I can not remember the last time I went riding. So this past weekend we decided to do the next best thing and go on a photographic tour of some local stables just for fun.

Our first stop was around the corner from Hammond River. This little donkey was adorable and very curious about what we were doing on his field.

Then we went across the railroad tracks where the newer stables are. Beautiful horses and pastures for sure! I’ve always envied this location and imagined my own house here someday.

Next we headed to Meenans Cove area to visit the horses on the side of the road. The sun was just going down and it was beautiful. I just love the flare in some of these images.

In the same field was my friend Sandra’s horse Dusty. I had told Sandra I would stop by sometime and take a few shots of him, so that was what we did! He’s a stunning horse. Samantha shouted when she saw him – “OMG he’s like the black beauty horse!” with excitement. I could tell we would be here for a while which was certainly fine with me. He was a little dirty, but that just means he was having fun :)

A Harley drove by and set him off. He pranced around the field and gave us quite the show!

Some beautiful shots Samantha took.

He is a brave little guy and seems to like to push his limits with the fencing below! I did tell his mom later that day what he was up to – I sure hope he gets a talking to. And a puff-ball photo too, because I have an obsession with capturing them!

Next stop, Rockwood Park Stables.

Sam captured some detail of the tack after a few of the horses came in from a trail ride.

I think we were disturbing this guy – certainly looks like he was up to something!

Headed over to Red Head and captured a few horses there. I love the long grass and fields there. This was one of my fav’s as the sun was going down.

Lastly we headed over to Saunders Wood mill. Our father is good friends with the owner Dave and Sam has helped around the barn here on occasion. This bunch couldn’t look happier while standing in a pile of mud! :)

A few creative shots, through the bricks and from the road looking up at the moon. A beautiful way to end the evening.

Sam learned a few things about photography and captured some really great shots! {she has also now caught the photography bug! You're welcome Mom! lol} Most importantly we both had a blast and I hope to do it again soon!

Colleen & Sean ~ Wedding

2009-07-31T12:01:00.003-03:00

After Colleen’s first email we quickly discovered that we had gone to KV High School together just 10 years ago! It is indeed a small world and my, how fast time flies! I still can not believe it’s been 10 YEARS since High School. Yikes, I sure feel old now! We were from different groups of friends but linked through a few people so we knew “of” each other back then. During our consultation meeting I had a blast – we talked for HOURS about how things were back then, and even gossiped a fair amount – you all know who you are out there, yes, now I know it all lol! One great thing I did learn - Colleen is one cool chick. I wished we would have been friends in school – Oh… the times we could have had!

Sean actually works with my best friend Eileen, so there was another link in the chain of small-world-ness! Sean is a member of the Sea Cadets and the two are currently separated for weeks while he does his summer thing in Halifax! Can you imagine, getting hitched and then having to be separated from your new man for over a month? Colleen I feel for you, but thankfully you both have a wicked trip to NYC planned when it’s over!

After knowing what I did about both of them I knew their day would be beautiful, relaxed and fun.

They were wed at the Kennebecasis Baptist Church in Quispamsis, NB.

After a very quick ceremony we headed to the reception location - The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, NB. Since the grounds there are so beautiful there we didn't need to pick a different location for photos. If you are from the Maritimes, you know that we have had nothing but mostly very wet, cool summer thus far. This day was certainly not an exception! Colleen was a great sport and braved the weather so we could get some beautiful portraits done outside.
Colleen’s bouquet was beautiful – so many lush bright colors.

During the family photo session, a little kitty decided she would join us.

Across the street from Riverside is the Comex bus stop which made for an entertaining and interesting location!

The staff at Riverside were nothing but friendly and accommodating to my husband Marc and I. (Marc played my assistant for the day and actually took a few photos himself which I was very impressed with!) They set us up in our own little room to eat dinner, it was so romantic – except for the fact we couldn’t eat together since we would have missed part of the speeches! Ah, the thought was there, thank you Riverside staff!

Their cake was beautiful and done in two of my favourite colors – Pink & Green!

Arm wrestling and Guitar Hero? I cannot even explain the smile on everyone's face when they broke these two games out! These two are a riot!

Colleen & Sean, thank you for choosing me to capture your day. I wish for Colleen to win in all future arm wrestling, Guitar Hero matches
and most of all ~ I wish you both a lifetime of happiness :)

Shannon, Steve & Lauren ~ Portrait

2009-07-27T12:32:00.001-03:00

Sunday I met up with Shannon, Steve and their new little baby Lauren. Lauren is just over 2 months old and such a sweet little girl. Her mom already has her hooked on PINK which I love :)!
They had chose the Public Gardens in Saint John as their location. The gardens are beautiful ~ I should really visit there more often! Thankfully we just missed the rain and has some nice overcast which is great for portraits.
Shannon works in a daycare, so she is very lucky to have Lauren along with her everyday. Steve sells Harleys at Eldridge's on the West Side. If you are in the market for a new bike, be sure to go see Steve!

Here are a few of what I captured during our session.

How cute are they?

The sweetest little face ever!

Shannon has the most stunning brown eyes and Steve has an amazing smile. They are such a beautiful family.

Oh what parents will do to get their little one to smile - so cute!

At the end of our session little Lauren was all tired out and fell asleep in mommy's arms.

Shannon & Steve, congratulations on your new little girl and thank you for having me capture this special time in your life.

Happy Birthday Zoe

2009-07-23T15:34:00.000-03:00

Happy Birthday to my baby girl Zoë. It is hard to believe she is 4 years old today.
You can say this little girl has changed my life forever.

After researching what breed of dog would be the best for us, we discovered that a Boston Terrier was the right choice and went ahead searching for a puppy. Zoë’s cute little polka dot (or Hagerty Spot is what it is correctly called) won my heart and I knew she was the one. I can still remember the day we brought her home. She was so small, her ears flopped over her head because they were so big and her smushy little face was just too cute for words.

When my grandfather met her for the first time I remember him saying "That's a dog? She looks like she ran into a door", in an endearing way of course. He was hooked and in love with her instantly though, like the rest of my family.

From that day on, my love for Bostons grew and a few months later I discovered a little place on the net called Woofboard. It's a social and educational place for Boston Terrier owners. There I discovered a whole new world and most importantly, it led me to Boston Terrier Rescue.
Over the next two years we adopted two other Bostons (Piper and Fenway) from Rescue and I became a volunteer for the Boston Terrier Club of Canada Rescue. Our dog Fenway is the spokes dog for BTCCR - be sure to visit the site and listen to what he has to say in a very cool surfer dude voice! ;)

My love (or obsession rather) for fashionable dog collars for the pups grew out of control. Naturally, I started making designer dog collars and leads and formed the company Zoe's Collection. Named rightfully after my inspiration of course! Zoë’s Collection today only consists of Designer Camera Straps and a few accessories which go hand in hand with my photography career. This past year I made the decision to limit ZC's product offerings to allow me more time with my photography. The most important decisions in life are usually the hardest to make!

Determination to take great pictures of my dogs and better product images for my company led to a more and more photography gear. Eventually, I purchased my first Digital SLR camera. The creative world of photography was at my fingertips and all I had to do was learn, learn and learn more. I enrolled in a SLR class with Noel Chenier, a Photojournalist for our Telegraph Journal. From there I learned the basics and taught myself the rest.

A few years later and here I am today ;)
I owe it all to my little dog. I love her more than words.
Happy Birthday sweet girl and thank you for all you have inspired me to do.

By the way, we are desperately looking for FOSTER HOMES to join our Rescue! If you love Bostons, please consider getting involved and visit our site for more information on how you can foster a Boston in need.

http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/

Technical difficulties

2009-07-21T11:47:00.003-03:00

It has been brought to my attention that the comment section is not working :( We are currently working on the issue and hope to have it fixed soon!
In the meantime, thank you for visiting my blog and enjoy ;)
Randi

Update: Comments are now working - Yay! {thanks to Courtnie, the fabulous web-mistress}

Jessica & Tim ~ Wedding

2009-07-20T16:03:00.004-03:00

So young and so in love...

Today I captured the wedding story of Jessica and Tim at the KBM Outing Association in Grand Bay as they celebrated with family and friends. They both live in Fredericton but were back home for the celebration. Both the ceremony and reception were held there. The ambiance was lovely and the venue so sweetly decorated.
You just know when you see a couple so much in love like these two are that it is going to last forever. The way he looks at her ~ the way she looks at him, and the fact that they have been together since childhood is one of those real love stories that always ends in "Happily Ever After". There is something about growing up with someone, watching them go through changes in life and growing old with them.

Jessica's dress was extra special. Her mother Brenda is so talented and made it for her by hand! Every detail was perfectly sewn together and of course it fit her delicate frame like a glove.

Tim was calm and confident as he waited for his Bride.

The ceremony was beautiful and emotional. I normally don't cry at weddings, but I admit I did have a tear well up in my eye for this one!

Such a beautiful couple.

The rain didn't stop us from going outside. We headed over to Unity Park and had
shelter from the rain in the beautiful gazebo. I love the shot below of Tim's mother Tara - taking pictures of others taking pictures is so much fun. I just love their facial expressions! ;)

They both have very stunning eyes and are going to make very pretty babies!

I love this one of the girls walking towards me.

Tim's Best Man, Drew, was friendly, hilarious and super tall I might add! He stuck around after everyone else had gone back to the venue for the bride and groom portraits. He even offered me a hair elastic since my hair was in the way due to the wonderfully misty weather. How cool is that?
After a few fun poses, I suggested that he lay down and for Tim and Jess to sit on him since he was so tall and there would certainly be room for both of them! They obliged and we got a few laughs out of the ordeal. *please note the Best Man was not harmed in the making of these photos*

Jess has a lovely tattoo. It is gorgeous in color and the design is flawless.

How romantic is this?

Congratulations Jessica and Tim. May your life be filled with love, laughter and many wonderful days!

Jessica & Tim ~ To be wed

2009-07-18T08:00:00.001-03:00

Today I will be shooting the Wedding of Jessica & Tim in Grand Bay, NB. They are a sweet young couple who live in Fredericton and are so much in love. Since this blog is new, here are a few shots from their engagement session back in May. Tim is a very talented musician - I wish every shoot came with live music in the park like theirs did!

Happy Friday

2009-07-17T01:00:00.001-03:00

I am sure glad this week is almost over!

After suffering major sunburn on my legs from river tubing last weekend which resulted in 3 days of immobility, hours of lost sleep and severe pain, I am glad that I am almost feeling like my busy old self again. On Tuesday evening I peeked out the window, saw the light casting beautifully on the old bench outside and grabbed my camera and captured this through the screen.

Happy Friday ~ Enjoy!

2009 BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR dates are set!

2009-07-16T22:15:00.005-03:00

Attend the Boudoir Marathon and get yourself a Sweet Sugar Studio Signature - LITTLE BLACK BOOK

MONCTON, New Brunswick September 19
Location: Chateau Moncton Hotel, 100 Main Street

10:00AM
11:30AM
~~1:00PM~~ Booked
2:30PM
4:00PM

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick October 17
Location: Our Studio, Uptown Saint John

10:00AM
11:30AM
1:00PM
2:30PM
4:00PM

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia November 21
Hotel to be announced

10:00AM
11:30AM
1:00PM
2:30PM
4:00PM

Limited times and dates available!
Be sure to contact us at sweetsugarstudio@gmail.com if you have any questions or are considering booking!

www.sweetsugarstudio.com

New Albums Sneak Peek

2009-07-16T21:50:00.003-03:00

Things have been so busy since January that I have been hoarding these away for a while now. This week I finally found some time (or rather, made some time) to photograph and get these released for purchase! If you are booking a session with me in the future I will be sending you some promo material on how to order these. Previous clients feel free to contact me as well if you are interested in ordering one ;)
Without further ado; Here are a few samples of some of the fabulous Albums we offer.

The Mini Album is just adorable and perfect for carrying around in your purse. I LOVE it and think everyone should have one so I ordered a ton to have in stock!

Classy Boudoir Photography hits the Maritimes!

2009-07-15T00:00:00.005-03:00

I am proud *and very excited* to launch our new company:

Thanks to Taz at www.designsbytaz.com for our new branding!
Since opening my photography business, I discovered that women had no place to go to have tasteful, classy boudoir style photos taken. I think being a female photographer is important in this field and most importantly being professional and making sure the girls have fun during their session. Our studio is located in Uptown Saint John. However, we will be travelling to other Maritime locations for Boudoir Marathons! Dates on our 2009 Maritime TOUR to be announced next week :)

Sweet Sugar Studio was created by women for women in need of professional boudoir photography in the Maritimes.
We take pride in being able to provide women with a high end specialized boudoir photography experience while creating tasteful images that reveal their true beauty and evoke confidence in all women.

The "Gift" of boudoir is simply endless!
Gift for your Groom
Make your man's Christmas extra sexy
Valentine's Day - Bring romance back!
Or do a session with your man - sure to make sparks fly in any relationship!

We have a variety of packages, albums and specialty products to suit any occasion!
Thanks to some of our gorgeous clients and models who allowed use of their photos for our new site!

Visit our site for more information and an extended portfolio of our work:
www.sweetsugarstudio.com

Welcome!

2009-07-14T16:46:00.013-03:00

Welcome to my new BLOG!
I am pleased to announce we have many new and exciting things for Randi Gallant Photography this year!
I hope you like the look and check back for updates often! I will be posting sneak peek images from most sessions, important news, and even some personal fun here and there ;) I intend to make this a landing page for my business, life and everything in between.
Most often when you start down a new path in life, you never know where it will take you. My journey thus far in photography has been amazing. Sure, it has been challenging at times, but what great things in life don't come with a little trial and tribulation? I have met many wonderful people and have had the chance to be a part of their days and special events. The support I have had from my family, great friends and colleagues has been the backbone of my success and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.
So, thank you for visiting and stay tuned for more :) !

P.S. To answer any questions for those who have just discovered my site. Yes, I am a female, named Randi. Apparently my Mother and Grandma thought they would name me after a female actress. Randi Oakes played Officer Bonnie Clark on the show CHIPS, was a fashion model and had many other roles on prime time. I will never understand how the little baby with dark eskimo thick curly hair gets named after the blonde TV cop.
But that is the story, in case you were wondering ;)

P.P.S - I LOVE comments ;)!