Kim Mallory's Photography Blog

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW!!

We've got a new blog... all new posts will be HERE:    http://kimmallory.com/blog/

Photography 101 - Starting January 21, 2009

Another six weeks of Photography 101, starting Wednesday, January 21, 2009.   Great if you are planning on getting an SLR or if you have one, and need to know how to use it!    These classes are packed full of information and they are FUN - not dry and boring!  

I have one or two spots left.  Classes are Wednesday nights from 7-9pm in our Chilliwack Studio.  Cost is $225.00

Call me at 604-824-9917, or contact us at kim@kimmallory.com, or through the contact form on the website!

Alpha Inventions

Just came across an interesting blog called alphainventions.com.  It's like flicking a TV channel and being able to view random blogs...  I like to check it out once a day, it's just really interesting to see what comes up... sometimes, something just right up my alley..   

A NEWBORN SESSION

I did a Newborn Session yesterday...  with the sweetest little baby boy... and wow, he was just perfectly, perfect - and boy, is he a BOY!!  Sometimes with newborns, you can't really tell boy/girl... but this little one is all boy!  Cute, cute, cute!!

  It was a challenge getting these photos on the web today!!  Our weather is sooooo windy, the power kept going out and shutting down my computer... at least 5 times this morning and finally went out for good at about noon..  So it's finally back up, and I'm going to post these before the lights go out again!!!

(Amy, Dave, feel free to right click and copy to use on facebook or to email. - you have to leave a comment though!!)

GET A GIFT CERTIFICATE AND PAY IT FORWARD

From now until December 23, 2008, if you purchase a Gift Certificate for a Session ($150.00) not only will we donate $25.00 to our Adopted Family, we will also give you a $25.00 Print Credit.

Gift Certificates of $500 or more, will receive a complimentary DVD on their print order - ($300.00 Value)  AND $25.00 will go to our family.  (BEST deal)

Thanks, so much for helping us help others, we appreciate your business and look forward to our 2009 Sessions!! 

 

YAY! WE'VE FOUND A FAMILY!

More details to come, but we have found a family that we will be adopting for Christmas!  A single mom and two little girls ages 6 & 3!  I am so excited, because to me, this is what Christmas should be about.... helping others.... 

I feel so fortunate.   I know what it's like to struggle to get by - my family did not have money growing up, so our toys were the great outdoors, and I had a closet with about 6 things hanging in it - a far cry from today's society where our kids have to have one of everything and a wardrobe to match.     My biggest fear is that my kids will grow up not "getting it".   Everything I've achieved in my life has been done without the help of anyone.... I moved out when I was 18..  I worked, I paid my own way...   I remember losing $2.00 in the grocery store when I was 20, and that was my lunch money for my bread and meat until payday...  I didn't have mommy and daddy to go home to to get free food and a pocket full of money.... I just had to go without.  I am so blessed to have had these experiences.  It made me appreciate things and it gave me the maturity & tenacity to get out there and achieve my goals.   I only hope that I will be able to teach my children these same lessons in today's world....     

Okay, I'm totally telling my life story online..  my message is:  give back, help others, be thankful, don't spoil your kids... get involved!   Call me with your donation of money, gift cards,  food, clothes, presents... The girls and I will make every effort to pick up donations if needed!!  604-824-9917 or 604-316-3635 or contact me through the blog or website. 

Many, many, many thanks and good karma to you!!     

xoxo

A FAMILY IN NEED?

In the spirit of Christmas and giving, my girls and I, are reaching out to everyone to help us give to someone in need.   I've just been told by the Salvation Army, that there are too many sponsors for the adopt a family program.... in other words...  there are not enough needy families out there.......  

Rather than sit back and say, okay forget it, I am calling out to everyone... IF you know of a needy family... please help us to help them.  Email me and we'll get something set up....

Many Thanks...

 

A NEW BLOG

Yes, we are moving to a new blog!   It's sure to be beautiful & a fun read with lots of cool pics!  Stay tuned!  It should be up and running next week, and I am SO excited!!  

BRYANNE & DUSTIN

Hey!  I know everyone has been waiting patiently to see some sneak peeks!  I've been sick the last few days and just getting back at it!  So thanks for your patience while I suffered from the plague! 

This wedding was shot last weekend, the bride and groom had their formals done prior to the ceremony, which is always kinda cool!    The weather held which was a complete miracle so we did all of the shooting outside.... it was a bit chilly.... but I had my green gloves....heheheh

This is a shot as Bryanne and Dustin are seeing each other for the first time....  

This Wedding Party was awesome.  I know some of them from other Wedding's that I've shot, including a groom from the summer!  Everyone was so excited to be there.. and it showed.  They are just a bunch of fun loving people and I had a great time shooting them!  

MY NEW FAMILY....

Okay, I had to laugh at myself today..... I think I'm like the mechanic that doesn't fix his own car.... I have some frames around my house.... 4 to be exact..... Some of them are fairly new, some older, others are hanging on the wall.... what's funny is that these frames still have the pictures in them from when I bought them... I'm sure my friends are just thinking that these are family members of mine.... and my family, I don't know... they are clueless... it sorta looks like my style of photography... The truth is, I've been too busy to get the time to print my own family pictures.... When I got out of bed this morning and rolled over to look at my most recent purchase.... a frame I've had for about two months... I thought hmmmm, who are these people... maybe I'll just give them names, save myself some trouble! I've been giggling about it all day... it is pathetic... especially the ones hanging on the wall.... I'm not losing it really!! I'm redecorating... heheheh... Can't WAIT for my month off over the holidays to get my stuff done!

A NOVEMBER FAMILY SESSION

We had planned to do this one in the studio, because it's November and you just never know! Fortunately, the rain held and we were able to get outside... it was a bit chilly but we all survived and had a pretty fun time.

Here are some sneak peaks!!!

A BEAUTIFUL COLLAGE

Here's a collage from awhile ago.... such a pretty baby.....

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THE WHITE FAMILY

This is the is White Family Session that I just did last week. This is our second session together. The first session was last year at this time and Danica was just a baby, so she grew up FAST! She's such a sweetie! Here are some of my favs...

TRAIN TRACKS...

I've always loved shooting on train tracks... somehow they signify infinity... they just go on and on forever... fitting for a newly married couple. This is a Wedding from last weekend, Amanda & Andrew. Amanda wore one of the most beautiful gowns I've seen this year... I love colour in a wedding dress... so cool. Anyway, here are some sneak peeks... Congrats Andrew and Amanda, I hope you're having a blast on your Island honeymoon!!

PICTURE PERFECT

Wow! I knew this baby was cute, but holy man, things move so fast in a session it's hard to appreciate it. I finally get a chance to go through these photos and I am completely blown away by how amazingly beautiful this baby is..

THIS ONE'S FOR GRAMMA!

These shots are from a session I did in the studio last weekend. Emma who is four and Ethan who is 6 months. Typically four year olds are hard nuts to crack. I use a lot of bribery, but what ALWAYS gets me the shot is when I tell them: "This one's for Gramma"..... This only works once, so I have to be ready.... if I get a fake smile at first, I'll tell them: "oh no, gramma won't like that one, give me your sweet gramma smile"... it works everytime as you can see here... Emma loves her Gramma!

Here is a sweet one of Ethan, who was tired after missing his nap time.... but getting those babies on the bearskin rug seems to calm them down enough that I can get the shot I'm after.... isn't he cute!!?

BAMBINO MAGAZINE

Keep an eye out for Bambino. A local magazine created right here in the Fraser Valley by a very talented mom. Packed full of information about local businesses, and resources for parents of children from pre-birth to pre-teen Bambino is YOUR local magazine. You can pick one up at the Studio or around town. I am excited to be shooting the covers for Bambino. Here are some shots from the Fall & Winter editions!

I haven't seen the Christmas Cover yet, but here is one of my favs from the shoot!

A RECENT BEAUTIFUL WOMAN SESSION

These sessions are fun and empowering... really great for the self esteem let me tell ya! Now is the time to book a Beautiful Woman Session if you're looking for something for your honey for February 14th - our studio is closed for a month from December 15th - January 15th. So time is limited for Feb 14th orders.

This is Kelsey. I'm sure after this session she'll have the guys banging her door down. Here are a couple of my favs!

BABY'S COMIN!

I had the pleasure of shooting a maternity session this past week. This little baby due on Halloween.... My husband was born October 31st and my advice to anyone that has a Halloween baby - You don't need a cake on Halloween night, especially chocolate! It's junkfood overkill and hard on the tummy.. just thought you all needed to know that.. Anyway, here are some of my favs from this very fun session with the cutest little 2 year old... Issac, he stole the show with his big brown eyes and his super sweetness..

SWEETNESS...

I had the pleasure of shooting the Ball Family last week at Cultas. It was beautiful out and the kids were dressed so sweetly... We had fun running and playing, just hanging out. With this age group you are sure to get a variety of expressions and mood swings, especially our little princesses! Here are some of my favs!

A classic pout image...

This is just 3 seconds later.... (girls are complicated..)

Love this one.... so solemn...

RAIN, RAIN, WHERE DID YOU GO?

I always have loved shooting in the rain... This is from a family session that I did last weekend. It was supposed to rain, so we planned ahead. A rain coat, umbrella, boots.... Did it rain? NOPE! But we did manage to find a big puddle made from a fountain downtown that comes on every 10 minutes... very cool!

MORNING SUNSHINE...

This was a session I did last week with my uber talented graphics guy, Matthew who helps me with production at the studio. He also doubles as a videographer & producer and he's currently putting together a commercial of me at work that will advertise my business locally and on the website. We have very similar styles which is great and I think we are a pretty good team. I finally had the pleasure of meeting his beautiful family for a morning in the park for a photosession! These are some of my favs!

Reality sucks now doesn't it? heheheh. I've been there... it ain't a bed of roses, but would we trade it for the world? Nope!

THE BLANKLEY FAMILY

I had the pleasure of shooting the Blankley family a few days ago in the studio. We decided to shoot this session at the studio because of the ages of the kids. Babies last a lot longer indoors with all the comforts close at hand. The kids were visited by my mascots Sadie and Casper - My very friendly pets that make great ice-breakers with the toddlers.

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BLUE EYES...

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul.... I truly believe this... I will often tell people to smile with their eyes... or I choose images that I love, because of a look in the eyes, solemn and thoughful... When it comes to being able to capture the soul.... kids are easiest. Adults are all too consumed with how their hair looks or the space in their teeth or their double chin... beauty comes from within though and if you can forget about your insecurities for just a moment and laugh like a child or with a child, your personality will glow and your pictures will be beautiful... Here are some favorites from a recent family session...

LEMONADE....

This session rocked! Mom and Dad brought a lemonade stand that they had made for the kids... it was sooooo cute and so fun to shoot... I just love it when we can personalize a session like this, it makes such a huge difference when the parents are on board to create something cool!! Joldie and Norm, you guys are awesome and lucky kids to have such fun parents!!

FAMILY...

Lots of Family Sessions this past weekend... This family was lot of fun... the kids were so awesome to work with... very laid back and fun. So cute to get the four of them in this shot.... we just set up the 3 older kids and waited for little Mallory to come along and mimic what her brothers and sister were doing.... She bounced on everyone's back first and then made her way to her spot... it was so cute!!

Here's Mallory...

MY VERSION OF A FAMILY PORTRAIT...

I'm not into a posed family portrait.... it's painful for me to make a posed portrait... this is more my style.....

A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY....

This little baby has THE longest eyelashes.... beautiful lips and a full head of soft downy hair... I just wanted to keep him. It's so nice to be able to hold a little baby every so often.... Here are just a few of my favs...

A WEDDING IN THE COUNTRY..

This wedding made me cry.... a lot.... I know I'm a sap, but... Jess and I have worked together in the past and she is a wonderful friend I guess it started with Jess & her sister.... They both sing & Jess's sister wrote this beautiful song that she was going to sing at the wedding.... she sang it for Jess before the wedding as everyone was just finishing getting ready.... I'm shooting and pretty much sobbing behind the camera... It was so beautiful and the words were so touching.... The Ceremony was just amazing too, songs, prayers, a really nice sermon... the music is what really gets to me though.. but there were many touching moments throughout the day as you can see by several of the photos.. It truly was an awesome day... Congrats Jessica & Clint!

This is Jessica hugging her mom right after the ceremony..... honestly everytime I look at this picture I feel like I want to cry.... I guess it's the mother daughter connection...

A REALLY FUN FAMILY SESSION!

I had the pleasure of shooting Kathleen & her two awesome kids yesterday. I LOVE urban sessions and when I saw David with his skateboard, it just totally made my day!! It was such a good fit for these three... Kathleen and Michaela were just so beautiful too... Here are some of my favs