This month has already been insanely busy. I have had so much I have wanted to blog about but haven’t had a spare minute to myself to think, let alone share it with you! I have made a list of the things I am going to blog about and well, I am making time this evening for a couple posts.

Late January and early February was a “sick” time in my household. My youngest daughter, Jillian, and I shared the crummies. It ended up being a prolonged strep throat. Yyyuuuuck! That finally got over…
After a good 10 days of being all better, I looked back and realized I was still able to get a load of design work done. It shocked me.

Yeah, design work…I don’t often talk on my blog about the design work I get to do. I run a small design firm called Five Loaves Creative and that “day job” is my primary source of income and where I spend most of my time. We [read that as "I"] spend most of my time doing web and print design with clients from all over the globe and in all different fields, from movie agencies in Hollywood to businesses and organizations in my own back yard…well, in my city anyway.

For instance, meet Dale. He is not in my back yard, but he is a business owner that I did a fun set of projects with.Dale Hogan is a fantastic friend and a man that I very much have admired from a distance (I only say “from a distance,” because he lives in Ottawa, Canada and we have never met face to face). Dale is one of the first photographers at iStockphoto.com that really rocked my world in the lighting and portraiture department. iStockphoto is what originally inspired me to take my “hobby” photography to the level of professional. He (and dozens of others) helped me along and taught me the ropes.

Anyway, back to it…Dale has a small business… a photography business. He was looking to grow and expand his local influence with professional branding in every aspect. In his print materials, website, blog, proofing site, and even his vehicle. He came to me for help. he waned a feel similar to my sites and entrusted my design firm to help him get to where he wanted to be. So working together, hand-in-hand (but not in the creepy way you’re thinkin’), we did just that and his new identity and all things therein were born…If you live in Ottawa, he is the best photographer around. Check him out!

I think I will start sharing some design more often. I am really excited for my clients and the steps they take to grow their businesses. Cool [read "great"] design is important in your business and I like to think I can help raise the bar for you.

Fun Wedding Moments! – With the fast approaching wedding season of Oh-Eight, all you brides out there need to relax and catch a few glimpses of funny photos to lighten the stress of preparing for your big day. Check out this link from Divine Caroline for lots of fun (several pages)!

Wow. Sorry for the long break, my ever-so-faithful followers! Have you missed me? …I am dreading the continuance of cold weather, as it puts a damper on shooting outdoors, so I don’t have as much to blog, but I have had the occasion to shoot a couple of times and I look forward to sharing with you.

On another really awesome note…there are some major surprises in store for my fellow photographers and my clients…it’s coming soon! Can you guess what it is? Stay tuned!

I am so excited for you to meet this couple! We shot down on the Plaza when it was a heat wave (something like 45 degree F). Blake and Jennifer are getting married this September 27 at Renee Kelly’s at Caenen Castle! How cool is that? They were fun to spend a few hours with, just getting to know one another, and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding!

Jennifer, keep hanging on! The wedding is not too far away!

They are so wrapped up in each other. It’s cute.

Awwww….pretty couple.

Together…forever.

I loved the texture from their jeans and coats. Jennifer has the coolest coats.

Hot, hot, hot!

Window shopping anyone?

At least it was warm inside…They got to thaw out a bit, while I froze my fingers.

His sweater is pretty cool…Classic, but cool. My little sister, whom I will post some photos of this week, bought me a sweater like that for Christmas.

Parking garages are fun. I didn’t have any other external lights with me, so I just used the darned fluorescents on the ceiling.

Shoe shopping never was much fun for guys…unless you are with the one you love…and you are really NOT looking at shoes. Then it might be fun!

She is going to be a gorgeous bride. Mark my words!

Sultry! Look at the painting in the window. It looks like they are on the beach!

Shot through two windows at the corner of a building. Kinda cool, huh?

Whoa! Blue eyes!

Smoking!

We finally warmed things up at Starbucks with good conversation and hot coffee.