A sneak peak for the families who participated in the Momstown Oshawa Photoshoot Day last Saturday! It was a pleasure working with each of you and a large thank-you to Nancy for helping me throughout the day with the reflector!

Hope you like them!

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

A few more sneak peaks to share from the Momstown Guelph photoshoot day at the pumpkin patch! All the final editing is complete and will be ready for disbursement once they have been combined onto disks with the images taken by Jacqueline Coady. Thanks Jacqueline, it was a pleasure working with you!

Please watch your inbox for a message from Jacqueline to get your disks!!

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

For those of you who are not already aware, due to illness and technical difficulties, I have been behind in my editing over the past week. However, now working on getting back on track, I am happy to share this little sneak peak!

I hope you like them. Your disk will be reading to pick up shortly!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Shooting!

This is just a reminder that there are only two weeks left until the end of October in which to take advantage of the opportunity to get a free photosession done! Free photosessions are being offered only for the month of October and dates and times are limited. The new fees will take effect in November. I will at that time, be happy to announce the discount amount for registered momstown members.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

Sneak Peek...

Thought I would post a small sneak peek of the two sessions from this past Saturday!

It was great working with all of you and I look forward to working with you again in the future!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Shooting!

What do I wear to my photoshoot???

Does this question sound familiar? It is the most commonly asked question by clients to photographers! So to help with the answer to this age old question, I want to share a fabulous guide called "What to Wear" by Brandi Thompson Photography, a photographer located in Plano, TX and serving the Dallas Metroplex area! To view the Guide, Click Here.

Brandi shares some great tips and tricks to being Photo Fabulous in this guide, so take a read through and make sure you are ready for your next photoshoot!

In addition to Brandi's tips I would also like to add a few of my own that have not been covered in her guide.

~Make sure to iron the clothes you plan to wear, and those of any family members who will also appear in the photos.

~Avoid overly bright yellows, reds or oranges as they can create colour casts on the skin.

~Try to coordinate your outfits between family members, rather than matching them.

~Stay simple in your wardrobe choice, earth tones and shades of colour always look nice.

~Add your personality in with accessories and/or props.

~Avoid wearing white.

~Ladies, make sure you wear a pair of undergarments that fit well and are a neutral shade so as not to create "panty lines" or show beneath your clothing.

So lots to consider when making your wardrobe choices, but totally worth it in the final images!!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Shooting!

Momstown Whitby-Ajax Sneak Peek!!!

Hey Ladies! They're here - the sneak peek images of the final products from the photosessions!

Hope you like them!

Once the rest of the images have been processed, I will be making each of you a disk from your session and will give them to Nicole.

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

A Whole lot of editing goin' on!!!

I want to thank all the Momstown Whitby-Ajax moms and their families who made it out on Saturday! Also, a special thank you to Nicole, for all your help throughout the day! You make an amazing assistant, and the day would not have gone quite so smoothly without all your help!!

The day was filled with 5 family photoshoots throughout the day at Rotary Park in Ajax. The weather cooperated for us thankfully and we managed to capture some lovely images, which I am now in the process of post processing. I am hoping to have the sneak peeks posted here by this evening!

Please keep in mind that the photoshoot day for Momstown Oshawa-Port Perry is going to be held on Saturday, October 16th at Lakeview Park. There are still several spots left so be sure to go and sign up to reserve yours!!

We are also in the process of setting up a date for a photoshoot in the pumpkin patch with Momstown Guelph. The date is still to be determined, but it will be held sometime in October. I am very pleased to say that I will be shooting with Jacquie who is also a Momstown Guelph member and the two of us will be tag teaming the sessions!

I also want to thank Monica and David Taylor for having me shoot their daughter, Savannah's, dedication ceremony and after party this past Sunday! It was a beautiful day with lots of good people, good food and of course good fun!! I will be working on a sneak peek for you from this event as well!

Until Next Time ~Happy Shooting!

Jenn and Sean's Sneak Peek

Enjoyed a mini session with Jenn and Sean yesterday!

Just wanted to give them a sneak peek of the results of the final images!

Hope you like them!

Looking forward to working with you again!

Until Next Time - Happy Shooting!

New Momstown Chapters

C.L.Nike Photography would like to welcome Momstown to the Durham Region!!! The Whitby-Ajax Chapter has officially been launched and we are awaiting the official launch of the Oshawa-Port Perry Chapter!

You can click HERE to regisiter with the Whitby-Ajax chapter or HERE to register with the Oshawa-Port Perry chapter!

Please watch for dates to show up on the calendars for each of these new chapters for free photosession days in the next couple of months! I will be offering the same photosession offer to the members of these new chapters as I did previously with Momstown Guelph members, which includes a free photosession with a disc of some of the final edited images from the session.

I am looking forward to meeting you and your families soon!

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

Salutations from California!

We arrived in South San Fransisco air port yesterday at 9:15 a.m. (pacific time) after a flawless 5 hour flight with our 18 month old. He was so good during the whole trip here and flirted relentlessly with the stewardess' on the plane which resulted in all the conveniences of first class without actually sitting in that section! I was originally nervous about flying with our 18 month old son, but he was an angel and showed me that there can definitely be perks to taking a toddler on a long flight.

Since arriving we have been relaxing and yet not, as there have been so many family members all congregating together to visit. Many Nike's from all over, have all travelled here for this same week. Our plans this week include several day trips including a night tour of Alcatraz! Which I am stoked about!

Elijah, our 18 month old son, is still on Ontario time so was up at 4 am this morning! I am hoping he will adjust a little better as the week goes on or else this is going to be an exhausting week!

I have not yet had a lot of opportunity to take my camera out and take some pictures, but did get a few warmup shots yesterday and will definitely be taking a whole lot more as the week progresses and look forward to sharing when we return to Canada!

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting~

Momstown Sneak Peek!

Okay so I just wanted to share a sneak peek at the finished products from the momstown Guelph photosessions! Ladies I hope you like these and look forward to sharing the rest of your sessions with you! Thanks again!

*** PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR PRINT THESE IMAGES!

Until Next time ~ Happy Shooting!

Editing Frenzy!

The Momstown Guelph Photoshoots went well. Thank you to all of you came out and participated! I am now in the editing stage. 3 of the 5 families are done - 2 to go! Once processed, I will be loading them onto cd's by family and will give them to Leanne (Momstown Guelph owner) for distribution. Some of the images will be uploaded to my site soon and you will be able to view them HERE!

Here is a sneek peak at one of the finished images!

I will be scheduling some more PB sessions soon so stay posted for info on that. Also, I am scheduled to do my first Boudoir session in September. Gives the young gal a chance to tone things up lol before then so stay tuned for updates on that as well.

Until next time ~ Happy Shooting!

It's been a little while since I last posted! I would first like to thank my Father-in-law for lending me his DSLR while mine has been in getting repaired! Thanks to this, I was still able to capture some lovely images of the University Graduation I was scheduled to shoot last Wednesday!

I have been told that my camera has been repaired and is ready to ship so I should be receiving it back anyday now! Looking forward to trying out my new portrait/macro lens!

I have decided that I am going to work towards purchasing the Nikon D90 with 50mm 1.4 lense, that is my next goal!

I have also been working through the online course which follows the book 'Understanding Exposure'. I have read the entire book now, done several of the assignments but have not yet posted any of them...will have to do that!

The Momstown Guelph Photoshoot is this coming weekend June 19 & 20!! If you have not yet signed up, please check the calendar and do so as there are still some spots available on Sunday due to a few unfortunate cancellations.

Until next time - Happy Shooting!

Some of the Taylor Family shots are now available for viewing on my website under the 'Children' and 'Families' sections.
http://www.wix.com/CLNike/CLNike-Photography
I have not yet heard back on the progress of my camera repairs. Will keep you posted as to when I get it back!
Just a reminder that the momstown Guelph relaunch party is this weekend on Saturday, May 29th! If you're in the area, you won't want to miss it!

Many thanks!

Many thanks to the Taylor family for a great photoshoot on Saturday! Images are in the post processing stage and should be available for viewing soon.

On another note; we currently have 7 families signed up for the momstown photoshoot day on June 19th! Not sure how I am supposed to get that many done in the one day but will either have to make it work or reduce the number of sessions for the day. Entries; however, are now closed and I will not be accepting any more requests for that day.

My camera had to go in for repairs today! The hotshoe is loose so I am having it replaced and going to have the auto focus checked as it has been acting up. Also going to get a full cleaning while they have it. I was informed that it could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks and even up to 8 max! Asked them to put a rush on it so that I have it back in time for June 19th! Otherwise, I'm sorry to have to announce, that we may need to postpone the momstown sessions!

Well until next time - Happy Shooting!

New online course!

So it looks like the course that I wanted to take through Sir Sandford is not going to be offered again until at least this fall :(

That's alright though :) because thanks to Amy Simmons, a Photographer in the Toronto are who refered me to a site she uses, I am now taking an online course to better understand and put into practice skills for better exposure! The course is free, although you do have to purchase the book 'Understanding Exposure - Revised Edition' by Bryan Peterson in order to follow along with the lessons and participate in the activities. Once you complete an course level, you simply upload your results and post them to the site for review and critique by the professionals offering their services to the rest of us!

I purchased the book today for $31.50 at Chapters and am excited to get started! Will let you know how I make out as I progress through!

On another note; Savannah Davidia Grace Taylor was born two weeks ago tomorrow (May 1st) to the Taylor family and I am happy to be doing a family photoshoot with them tomorrow! Wish me luck! ;)

Until next time...Happy shooting!

Momstown Guelph Photoday

Attention Momstown Guelph members!!!!!

I will be in Guelph on Saturday, June 19th at the Arboretum for a Momstown Photoshoot starting at 9:30a.m.

If you are a momstown Guelph member and would like a FREE photoshoot, visit http://guelph.momstown.ca/node/11450 to sign up. There are limited spaces available as I will be allowing 45 minutes for each session so be sure to claim your spot now!

Currently there are spaces at 9:30, 10:15 and 11:00, followed by picnic in the park so be sure to pack your lunch if you would like to stay and join us for that. If you would like a session in the afternoon or evening, or if all morning sessions are booked, feel free to leave your comment in the event comments section on the momstown website and we can schedule you in - after nap time of course!

You are welcome to come only for your alloted time for your session or for the entire morning and stay for lunch. Leanne, the owner of Momstown Guelph, will be bringing some of the momstown supplies to keep the kids busy and happy!

Your disks will be available from Leanne once I have completed post processing touchups!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

If you are not yet a member of Momstown Guelph, please feel free to visit http://guelph.momstown.ca/ or visit http://www.momstown.ca/ for a location near you!!

Until next time....Happy Shooting!!

Many Thanks!

I would like to extend a thank-you to Monica and David Taylor, Jessica Rosborough and Leanne and David Ballard for volunteering themselves and their children for sessions this weekend! I think the sessions went well and we had a lot of fun playing in the parks!!

I am currently in the editing stage and pictures will be posted soon! Please feel free to give me your comments and feedback!

Anyone else who is interested in booking your photo session for yourself or your kids, please visit my website at

www.wix.com/CLNike/CLNike-Photography

and visit the Contact page to let me know!

Until next time...Happy Shooting!

Course Cancellation

Okay so I just found out yesterday that the portrait course I was supposed to start this Saturday has been cancelled. Total bummer! Was really looking forward to that!

So this morning I decided to move on to plan "B". At first I didn't know what that was, so I started doing a little research and found another course to start this Saturday. First thing this morning I called to enquire, only to be told that it too has been cancelled! Both courses may be offered again, but they are unsure whether it will be this spring or in the fall!

Although disappointed, I have decided to view this as a minor setback and will continue to find new ways of learning!

I have had several new individuals and couples ask me about doing sessions for them so I plan to just go ahead with them and if nothing else, learn through experience and trial and error. Wish me luck!

Until next time...Happy Shooting!

Website Promotion

So I am always looking for inspirations and fabulous props for photography ideas and came across a website that I felt compelled to share! I like to promote individuals and businesses like this one so here it is;

http://www.etsy.com/shop/afterthebump

Amanda, the owner of After The Bump, creates hand made crochetted items such as Cocoons, Beanies, Caps, Hats, Hanging Pods, Bowls, Wraps, and Diaper Covers for photographing newborns, infants and even toddlers! You can order ready to ship items or order custom items and she also has photography packages available! If you become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/afterthebump) you can receive discounts on your purchases.

After the Bump is currently having a SALE!!! 10% off your entire purchase (less shipping and rush order fees) or 15% off if you are a fan on Facebook!!

Be sure to check out this site and take advantage of a GREAT deal!!

Until next time - Happy Shooting!

New website has been launched!!

I have launched my new website! Please feel free to check it out and tell me what you think. The URL is:

http://www.wix.com/CLNike/CLNike-photography

This is my first and please note that in time, the pictures in the galleries will change or be added to.

I am also working on a partnership with Momstown Guelph (http://guelph.momstown.ca/). In partnership we are currently working on setting up a photography shoot even for members. In time; however, I will be charging fees for photo shoots, so we are in the works of coming up with some kind of discount deal for momstown members and NEW members. The details of that will be posted once worked out!

I also came across a really neat idea for getting that shy person in front of the camera to smile! Above you will see a picture of a Nikon camera with a, yep that's right, a Pez Candy dispenser attached to the hotshoe! First you have to purchase a PEZ dispenser of your choice, the wackier the better. Then with a blade, trim the feet, leaving a 2-3 mm plastic strip on either side. Check the width of your cameras hotshoe if you are not sure. Then just slide the dispenser in the hotshoe of your camera, it should fit naturally! And now you are ready to shoot! It will get laughs, smirks and smiles of all kinds!!

Well until next time - Happy Shooting!

Have to start somewhere!

So this is the first blog of many to come and I encourage you to come back time and again to read the updates!

I have previously taken 3 different day courses through the Henry's School of Imaging which focused on my specific make of DSLR, more advanced techniques for my camera and lighting but feel after practicing what I have that it is now time to expand on my knowledge.

I have enrolled in a course titled, "Portrait Photography" through Sir Sandford Flemming College, which will be held at their Cobourg campus and starting April 24th. The instructor's name is Cindy Taylor who has been a commercial photographer for the past 18 years and a professional model in front of the camera for several years prior to that, so she has an excellent knowledge of both sides of the lens.

The course will focus on the composition of group, single, environmental shooting with traditional posing versus the "new photojouralist" approach. Lighting techniques such as split, Rembrant, Hurrell, etc., as well as how to light certain face shapes and body types will be taken into account.

I will update you on my progress as I move through the 7 weeks of the course!

Until next time...Happy Shooting!