Happy Holidays

Here's wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!  

Hoping you have had time to relax, be with family and friends and enjoy some time doing a few of your favourite things!

We've had so much we are grateful for and thank all of you for letting us into your lives.

A masquerade wedding

Here's a preview of our last couple of the year, and what a wonderful finish!

So many fantastic details in their masquerade wedding, with charm and style in every one.  We met Patrice & Ted at WedByHand this February, which we're excited to announce we were selected for again this year!  More info (and posts) to follow, event date is Feb 11, 2012.  

For now, here's your teaser of the lovely newlyweds:

Ottawa Wedding, Perth, Natalie Lyle Photography

Fall is here!

It's my favourite time of year.

The air is crisp and mild (usually).  There's a chill in the air that a cozy sweater's just perfect for and you still have enough sun on your face that your sweater might not get buttoned up at all.  This weekend it was so warm I couldn't believe it, especially since I'm still hardwired to expect Northwestern Ontario weather.  We enjoyed the long weekend with time for family shoots, visiting with friends, and some turkey, of course.

This season we're looking forward to so much exciting work.  There will be more baby and family sessions*, some fun partnering with local Burlesque troupe Rockalily, a fantastic Masquerade wedding with an adorable couple, time with family coming to Ottawa, Auntie Loo's 2nd birthday hoopla, and even more we can't yet share... some of which includes zombie muppets...  (yes, you heard that right, aren't you excited?)

With all that going on, I'll try to post and share as often as I can.  Hope you're all having a marvelous week.  

There's so much to be thankful for, and we are so thankful for all of you!  

Ottawa, Fall 2011

*Book soon for a fall photosession, this season is filling up fast!, 

Support Breast Cancer Survivors

Hello, everyone!  

I've written here before about my good friend Diane.  She's tough and loyal, generous, gracious,  determined and focused, easy to laugh with and especially easy to root for.  

For over a year and a half she has battled breast cancer.  There have been many milestones, some great ones and some that were tougher.   Another young patient she met, also under 30, lost the battle.  Diane's own journey could have been different had her health care team not turned her away at first (without even an examination!) and dismissed her concerns.  

She's doing well.  She's even stronger now, and she feels very strongly about screening guidelines for women in their twenties and thirties.  
This Oct 2nd she will be part of the Run For The Cure with her team, the Young & Feisty Fighters.  She's set some big fundraising goals for herself.  It's inspiring, and it's empowering for her and every survivor.

There are just a few days left for her to reach these goals that mean so much to her.  Please support Diane by making a donation of any amount at her page on The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website.

Here's her page:  http://www.runforthecure.com/site/TR?px=1783388&fr_id=1284&pg=personal 

Let this amazing woman know that she can make a difference.  Thank you so much!

We love visitors

We love it whenever we get friends and family visiting in Ottawa.  This weekend, Neil was in town for the National Peace and Police Officer's Memorial.  He and his wife have been friends of ours for over a decade and, while I was able to see them a few months ago for a photoshoot at Kakabeka Falls, it had been awhile since Darcy had.  Taking part in the memorial meant a lot to Neil, and we hope to see him again here next year.  Thanks for making time for a visit, hope you had an easy trip back!

Love for my one and only

Four years ago today, Darcy and I were married, in our hometown.  It was a beautiful, sunny, blue-sky kind of day in September for our backyard ceremony (which is lucky for Dryden since it snowed there just the week before) and then a big party with friends and family.   

When I think of that day, I still feel so grateful for all the love and support from everyone to help pull it together.  It was a wonderful day for us, and with every day since I still love calling him my husband.  Happy Anniversary Darcy.

Photos by William Au

Love for Pearl Jam & Cameron Crowe... It's PJ20!

It's only 4 days away, and I'm too excited not to share some of this.  First off, in case you didn't know this about me, I am a huge Pearl Jam fan.  Their music has influenced me and carried me through so much in my life, like an old friend that's still a ton of fun and a comfort.  Their dynamic sound and incredible songwriting skills have kept them pretty big on a lot of people's lists and still speaks to me in a big way.  Also, movie-loving geek that I am, I'm also a fan of director & former rock journalist Cameron Crowe.  

Crowe's movies are heartfelt and exciting.  He always uses music so well in his films.  You can't watch Singles or Almost Famous without getting that he's a huge music fan, and better yet he knows how to convey that connection and emotion.  So, Cameron Crowe, making the Pearl Jam movie?  

I'm beyond excited to see this.

Here's a PJ video, with a stripped down version of Thumbing My Way.  Enjoy!

PJ20 , the movie, chronicling the band's history, comes out on Sept 20th.

Check out the PJ20 Site for some great links, videos and more!

Here's the PJ20 Trailer:

Pearl Jam Twenty from Pearl Jam on Vimeo.

Back to Fall, Back to School

With September officially here, and the last long weekend for any summer-ish fun over with,  people have started to get into those back to school routines.  Here's hoping it's been fun for all those little ones, (especially those just starting school), and an exciting return for all the other kids, parents, and of course, the teachers.  Hope you're all enjoying switching gears!

From a family session at New Prospect School in Dryden, Ontario

Robin & Dennis, Northern Ontario Wedding Sneak Peek

Before our newlyweds from last weekend sneak away for their honeymoon, we wanted to post a little something.  We've known these two as a couple almost as long as we've known Robin.  They're so easygoing and are very fun people to be around.  Since they love the outdoors so much, Laurentian Lodge was the perfect setting for them to marry and celebrate with almost 200 friends and family.  These two met fighting forest fires in Northern Ontario, and 8 years, several cities, roommates, and degrees later, it all came together.

    

All day, Dennis was saying how lucky he is and how gorgeous Robin is.

It was the sweetest, and she makes such a lovely bride!

It was an amazing weekend, a beautiful start to a beautiful marriage.

Crosby, the cuddly houseguest

A couple of weeks ago our friend's dog Crosby made our place home for about a week.  The first night he was in his dog bed, and getting accustomed to our place again, after that he'd already claimed his favourite places.  One of these was the balcony, but he was so much happier when you went out there with him to watch all the downtown activity.
  
We had a fun date with our friends Sharon & Bosco at the newly renovated downtown Ottawa DogPark.  Neither of the dogs were into the new doggy water fountain, but were of course more than happy to run and play and chase a ball.  I think it's nice that the city put some work into the space, but I'm not sure how I feel about the gravel instead of grass.  We had a good time either way and it was nice being able to take him there since our apartment lacks the room to run and play (though Darcy & Crosby tried).
  

Hope you enjoyed your stay Crosby, it was fun having you!

Debb and Sydney-the Sneak Peek! Ottawa Wedding Photography

Before we head off to Laurentian Lodge for a wedding weekend, we couldn't wait to share just a few with you from this lovely ladies' wedding.  Debb & Sydney had their wedding at their home surrounded by their beautiful gardens.  

They came down the aisle to a backyard of all their friends and family singing Happy Together by the Turtles, led by a talented friend, Pat Moore, on guitar.  The feeling was warm, sweet and absolutely wonderful, continuing through the ceremony (by Keith Langille) into the evening.  

Debb & Sydney truly wanted only to host  a great night for each other and their loved ones with lots of delicious food, drink and a very good time for everyone.  Even their photography they wanted to be focused on their guests instead of them, on the people they love and laugh with easily.  Congratulations you two!

'Imagine me and you, I do, I think about you day and night, it's only right

To think about the girl you love and hold her tight, So happy together

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you, For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue, For all my life'

Have a look at a couple more shots from Darcy on his tumblr blog, thelyleproject. I love how soft and gorgeous they are!

Close to Home

The view from beneath the tree, where we stood as we were married 4 years ago.

This last week as Darcy and I were planning a date to go see Terrence malick's latest, Tree of Life, we found out that the Manitoba Maple tree at his mother's house needed to be removed.  It's always been very close to the side of the house, so it wasn't too  much of a surprise, but we're a little sad about it.  

It's grand, with silvery green leaves, and lovely to see, from the jogging path or while crossing the lawn daily to the neighbours, and has been a pretty big hit with the next generation, as you can see.  

When Darcy and I were planning our wedding in Dryden, from Ottawa, we tried to think of options that would suit us.  Standing at the tree, with our loved ones seated in the backyard of Darcy's family home, seemed perfect, and it was.  The years that Darcy, his family, their home, and this tree have been part of my life outnumber the years without them.

It was removed fairly unceremoniously, with us in Ottawa, and his brother Dave in West virginia. Betty gave me a call as they were finishing up.  She tried to take a few pictures to send us, which is nice, but I think it will always remain large in our memory, and will seem so strange without it there.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home 

Muppet LOve! Listen to this...

I just started listening to it myself only 10 minutes ago, but had to share with you.  The entire Muppets: the Green Album, is on NPR to stream for our 'most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational' listening pleasure. 
Have a listen here at NPR, if only for Weezer's rendition of Rainbow Connection. 
And, oh!  Mahna, Mahna, by the Fray ... so fun! doo doo do do do...

Check out the upcoming movie, due out in November.  Not only will there be the usual Muppet awesomeness, but it's written by Jason Segel, the incredibly talented actor from How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (which he also wrote) with muppets, songs, and I love his sense of humour.  I wish the Muppet show was still on TV, but this will do.

Enjoy!

Smashcake Birthday Photo Session!

Imogen had her first birthday last week.  Sadly, we couldn't be back in Dryden, ON, for the actual birthday, but now that the day has come, we can share these birthday pics with you.  While they were visiting in Ottawa, they wanted to have some smashcake fun in front of my lens, and of course, Wendy at Thimblecakes was eager to whip something up for little Immy.  

We found a quiet little spot in an area near the canal, and had a little picnic.  The Royals (Kate & Wills) were just arriving in town and actually passing very near us, but who could be bothered to stand and wave at them when there's so much fun to be had?  Unless, maybe if they planned on some cakesmashing.  In pretty little outfits.

After our lunch it was time for Imogen's first chocolate and first taste of cake!  She was so dainty, dipping her little finger in it over and over.   And, being as sweet as she is, wanted to share every 3rd or 4th fingerful of cake with mommy or daddy.  She managed to get it all over her face and adorable outfit this way but after a little help from her parents, she was tearing into it quite happily and in a lot messier way.  

 

 

Happy Birthday to the adorably silly, smart & playful, much-loved little Immy!