Better Days

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Jessica Bender

For the last 6 months I have been quietly working my way through a gastrointestinal issue. Despite seeking immediate medical help when my symptoms became severe and collecting a team of medical professionals who each ordered a heap of tests, this issue seems to be getting worse. I have a pretty sunny disposition and so I have been keeping positive. But at the same time, it has been really difficult for me to have a chronic health issue that distupts my life, as I have a VERY active life! Any health issue I have had in the past has been annoying, but fixable desipite varying degrees of severity. This issue, I have found, is not immediately fixable (hello frustration station!). I feel like I am on an episode of house as the patient; bring in the special ops team and the good doctor himself please and thank you!

As a result of the unpredictible nature of my illness, I have had to learn the skill of  graciously saying (gasp) no, and (eek) rebooking. Up until this point it has been uncceptable for me as an individual and a business owner to have to turn someone away or to reschedule a session that we had planned. I am finding, to my great relief that my clients are beyond understanding. How much gratitude I have towards those who have been so easygoing, flexible and genuinely concerned regarding my health, well it’s immeasurable. As I sit here and type this, I can’t help but feel joy despite the pain in my belly.

But don’t worry, I have no plans to stop working! I am just lightening the load a little bit. So if you do want to book for Fall/Winter photos I would recommend doing so quickly as I am limiting spaces to make sure that I can continue to provide my clients with the high quality of service and photography that they expect.

Photography is one of the things (along with my family), that still continues to bring me joy despite the ups and downs of my health. It’s going to take a lot more than my gastrointestinal issues for me to give up one of my life’s passions!

So thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me. You all know who you are and please know that your support and understanding has painted the walls of frustration pink and yellow, and maybe even added a few balloons so that I have something pretty to look at while I am waiting :)

And because every post needs a picture:

Everly and I, Photographed by Jon-Mark Wiltshire

Posted in Daily Check In | 2 Comments

Oh So Happily

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Jessica Bender

I first photographed Robin and Steph when they were expecting the arrival of their little boy Sebastian (or Handsome in some circles). They were both so excited for the new addition to their family and it showed in their photos. Their love lit up every photo, I had a hard time choosing the best one.

The next time I photographed them it was for an engagement/family portrait session. Guess what, their love lit up every photo in that shoot as well… and Handsome, well I found that he lives up to his nickname 110%.Some of the family shots that were captured that day, are some of my favourite of all time.

When it came time to photograph their wedding I was beside myself with excitement. Really, it’s probably not normal that the photographer is too excited to sleep the night before the wedding- isn’t that the bride’s job? But I knew what Robin and Steph’s wedding day was going to bring and I was super pumped for the rocking job I knew they would do… Those overachievers, they blew me away. Move over current Ralph Lauren advertisement models, Robin and Steph are going to be taking your place mighty quickly.

I had so much fun working with this couple who I am lucky enough to call friends. The people in their lives adore them and it showed at their reception when their Master of Ceremonies wrote a song especially for them which required the entire reception to sing along- which they did like a scene from GLEE! Robin and Steph- enjoy your life together and live oh so happily :)

Posted in Family Photos | Leave a comment

Sons and Mother

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Jessica Bender

Friday afternoon we got lucky with the weather. It rained all morning and the wind was blowing. The shoot Nicola and I had planned was waterfront- outdoors, open to the elements. At 1:00 she sent me a message “should we reschedule” I sent her one back “no way, they weather will cooperate” and it did. For my second trick I will turn water to wine… no just kidding.

Nicola and her boys Andre and Olivier were too cute for words. Their smiles shone as bright as the sun eventually did and I was able to get some amazing west coast family shots. They are originally from BC themselves, yet currently reside in Quebec so mom wanted some beautiful coastline to show off to friends and family back home. I don’t think it would have mattered where we did their photos though, the 3 of them are so beautiful they are all you see!

Was great to see you again Nicola, see you for our playdate soon :)

Posted in Children's Photos, Family Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vancouver Island Baby Fair

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Jessica Bender

Photo Contest

The Vancouver Island Baby Fair is happening again in Victoria on Saturday September 25 and Sunday September 26. And did you know that each year they host a photo contest? Oh you didn’t? Well now you do, and I think you should go! Details directly from the Vancouver Island Baby Fair website are below! Visit the Baby Fair website for more information regarding hours, vendors and location.

“The on-site Photo Contest is an incredibly popular attraction at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair. Attendees tend to arrive early and make a bee-line to get their little one signed up to have their photo taken. Contestants make a $10 donation to enter your little one into the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Photo Contest.

They have their photo snapped in our professional on-site photo studio and receive a free 5×7 print after the Fair. Judges determine one winner in each category: 0-24 months old and 2-6 years old. Each of those winning families win fantastic prize package – plus the winner of the 0-24 month-old category will appear on the cover of Island Parent Magazine!

100% of the money raised from the Photo Contest, Stroller Parking, and Face Painting of our events always go to charity. We have raised thousands of dollars and provided exposure to several charities over the past three years.

At our upcoming Victoria event, we are proud to sponsor Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society. The GVDSS includes individuals who have Down syndrome, as well as families, friends, advocates, peers, educators, and medical professionals. Together they provide information and understanding about Down syndrome, act as resources and supports for one another, and create a better understanding of diversity.

We are proud to be working with Jennifer Jonker Photography as our on-site photographer this year. (Little Pickle insert- Jennifer’s work is great, check out her site!!!).

To see the winners of previous contests, plus some other Baby Fair faces, have a look here.”

Text taken from the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Website!

Posted in Daily Check In | 2 Comments

Olivier est Très Mignon! {Victoria, BC Newborn Photography}

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Jessica Bender

Every baby that I meet is 100% an individual and Olivier was no exception. With a name like Olivier Jean-Claude Eli, you expect big things. There’s a lot of hype that goes with a strong name like that and little Olivier lived up to the hype let me tell you! Usually the newborns that I photograph stay fast asleep, and are putty in my hands to lovingly place into adorable props and poses. On occasion I have met a feisty babe who, not for a lack of trying on everyone’s part, will not fall asleep; Olivier was one of the latter. Now what made Olivier unique from all my other bright-eyed and bushy-tailed newborns was that he behaved as though he was asleep. He still let us pose him on props and in cute little poses and he stayed there, contentedly! I was blown away. I don’t know how many times I said to his mom- I just can’t believe it! It’s rare that I get pictures such as his, where baby is wide awake and peaceful. This little bug must know how good he has it. Mom named him well; a distinguised name to match his old soul. Congrats Kim and little Olivier- you are a family now :)

Yes there are 3 birth announcements! Mom paid extra so that she could cover all her bases. She comes from a very loyal Habs family and wanted something special to send to family back home in Montreal!

I have been getting inquiries lately in regards to the lovely knit props that I use in photo sessions… where do I get them, well, I am lucky enough to have an auntie who loves me and loves to knit. She keeps me in props and I take her out for dinner :) I am sure that my dinners do not come close to the time and love that she puts into making these for me, so I am pretty lucky that she loves me aren’t I! Thanks Auntie. I am so lucky to have you!

Many of these images were created using extensive post production work in Photoshop. Please do not attempt to recreate these poses at home.

Posted in Newborn Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hannah and her Sister {Victoria, BC Baby Photography}

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Jessica Bender

The only thing better than photographing newborn babies, is getting to continue to photograph them as they grow up! I first met Hannah when she was a freshie. What I remembered most about her from our newborn session was her big blue eyes and her super baby strength at that early age. Upon seeing her again at 6 months old, I was not surprised to see that these same two memorable traits had remained. She still has those amazing swimming pool eyes, and the strong little bean sat unsupported for a good stretch of time- pretty awesome feat for a 6 month old :) This day was sweaty hot as well, I believe it was day 3 of our now famous heatwave. We sought out the shady spots and even let Hannah have a little air out session in her diaper on some cool, squishy green grass (as you will see below!). Miss Hannah is one of my Watch Me Grow babies and I can not wait to do just that!

Posted in Baby Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brown Eyed Boy {Victoria, BC Famly Photography}

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Jessica Bender

On Saturday it was sweltering. I woke up sticky and cover less. My only solace… I was heading out to Sooke for a family session; there is always a cool ocean breeze in Sooke and the family that I was photographing was going to do wonders for my portfolio. Not that I am complaining or anything, but it seems only the genetically gifted contact me for portrait sessions. Mom and dad turned up the heat with their enviable hotness (despite the stickiness) and little man Gabe cranked up the cute to make it all bearable. We hung out on a dock along the Pacific Ocean and a boardwalk winding through the tall Westcoast trees… shade and a cool breeze ahhhh. Little Gabe did so well, I think dipping his little toes into the ocean gave him a cool down advantage to all of us! When our shoot was nearly over and we were tackling the last bit of forested boardwalk, mom stopped and said, “It’s so hot my eyelids are sweaty!” We all laughed and I said Les, that’s going to be a direct quote on the blog! Les, Brandon and Gabe, it was a pleasure as always! Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Gabe demonstrates his hunger for the literary arts!

Posted in Children's Photos, Family Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunshine Sophia {Victoria, BC Newborn Photography}

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Jessica Bender

Sophia welcome to the world and welcome to Vancouver Island! She made the trip here with her mommy to visit Auntie Serena, who is a friend of mine. Auntie Serena planned for lttle Sophia’s pictures far in advance, I think it might have been around the time that she found out her sister was expecting in fact! I was very excited at the prospect as I knew that this baby girl was going to be stunning if her mama was any indication (scroll down, you’ll see what I mean). If I were going to sum up our shoot in one word it would be sticky! It was a hot, hot day here in Victoria and we needed to keep the room that way to help little S stay cozy in her state of undress. Auntie Serena, mommy and I were all sweating or “schvitzing” as Serena would say and using our shirts as fans! Sophia made it bareable with her cuteness though, all 3 of us fawning over her as a loving stylist/photographer team. Now I always say how much I love it when my clients feed me (lol) and this shoot was no exception! Serena had some of my favourite cookies on hand and some yummy fresh cherries- a cute baby, yummy snacks, good company and a sunny day… can life get any better? I think not! I hope you love these ladies :)

Yes there are two birth announcements! LOL! A girl’s gotta have choices!

* Please note that many of these images were created with the use of extensive post production editing in Photoshop 5; please do not attempt at home *

Posted in Newborn Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lovely Little Lucy~ 4 Months {Victoria, BC Baby Photography}

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Jessica Bender

Four months ago I feel in love with Little Lucy when I had the chance to photograph her as a brand spankin new baby. To remind yourself about how cute this little bug was visit her original post HERE. I had to, so I thought maybe I should make it easy for everyone else to do the same! When Lucy’s mom Anna signed up for my Watch Me Grow package I think it is fair to say that I was beyond excited to be able to follow this little button through her first year; photographers love cute babies who are going to beef up thier portfolio!

Our first session took place at the recommended four month milestone. An age where babies have filled out those lovely cheeks and might just be lucky enough to have what Lucy’s mom lovingly referred to as “thunder thighs” (ugh- I just want to pinch them!). Lucy was every bit as cute as I expected. Her mom picked out some very stylish outfits and of course we got her in her Canucks jersey again! I think that the family would be heartbroken if little Lucy does not grow up to love hockey and the Vancouver Canucks!

I might have gone a little bit nuts with this teaser. The thing was that I couldn’t decide which ones to post, there were so many cute ones. And of course with Anna being a friend of mine she reaps the friend benefits of overflowing blog teasers, lol! I wrote to Anna that her daughter’s cuteness should be illegal. From her big sparkly eyes, to her pouty little lips (complete with drool!) she is just a doll. Anna and Colin I hope you think these are every bit as cute as I do!

And by the end of the shoot... she was done!

Posted in Children's Photos | 2 Comments

Wear What?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Jessica Bender

So we are on vacation right now in beautiful Parksville, BC. This is our daughter’s first beach vacation (outside of the womb) and we were so excited to bring her here. We hit the never ending beach. The sea was out for at least 1 kilometer, heaps of warm tidal pools were right for the the wading and exploring. We heaved and pushed our jogging stroller to the perfect spot: a little higher ground than the rest of the space and flanked by shallow, bathwater warm tide pools. We pull out the pails, throw down the shovels and rakes and even a few sand molds. B takes off his T-shirt, E is raring to go in her fancy pants iron clad sun suit, I pull my tank top over my head and drop my shoes faster than you can say 28 degrees and sunny. If you know me you know that I worship the sun. I am a lizard. sun meet skin, sun make skin brown, brown skin make me happy. Yes I am aware of cancer and the like and I use sunscreen. I don’t drink and I don’t smoke and I don’t do drugs. I don’t gamble either. Sun is my vice.

It has taken me years to be comfortable just walking around in my bathingsuit. I don’t think it was until I became pregnant that I actually learned to not give a crap. I learned what my body was really for- to create life, not to simply look good in a batting suit. I understand that health is what is important and that no matter how much closer to my ideal I become I will never be happy with myself unless I am happy with myself as a whole. I hear that this is a lesson that many women learn in their late 20′s/early 30′s and I feel fortunate that I have reached that place.

At the beach now my body is useful for sunning, but it is most useful for chasing after a very cute and very busy toddler! And did you know that you can get a tan whilst chasing? You can if you wear a bikini… Which brings me to the punch line of this post. There I am on the beach chasing said toddler in a bikini. I mention to B that my bottoms might be a tad but skimpy for the job, but oh well I am getting a tan. He says yeah I guess you need some new ones, really? Do we need to go that far? A few minutes later I say jeeze I might need a new top, I am constantly having to push my roaming boobs back in, he agrees. A few more minutes go by and he says there is absolutely no one on this beach dressed like you. I look around and no there is not. All the moms are in shorts and tank tops or full pieced wonders that do nothing wonderful for anyone. I say to him that they are all in their mom gear and maybe a few years older than me. B says are you embarassed? I say no should I be, he says I am embarassed for you with a smirk on his face. I say I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, the important bits are covered and I am getting a tan while playing with my daughter. Tons of other 28 year olds are wearing suits just like this, I shouldn’t have to wear an uglier suit just because I am a mom should I? I don’t think so. So bring on the sideways glances Parksville and make those joking comments B, this mama is going to strut her stuff in a bikini and get her tan! (safely with sunscreen of course ;)

Posted in Daily Check In | 1 Comment