Hello Neighbour! Thimblecakes is here....

Notes From Wednesday's Snowstorm.....

I know many of you may be cursing this huge snowfall, but I have to admit, I love it!  Especially going out for a walk with no real need to be anywhere, with the snow falling heavily in big flakes.  I took today's joy and doubled it by taking myself out for a mini break to the nearby used bookshop and then... Cupcakes!

Thimblecakes opened up weeks ago, which was long-awaited by me since they are at the end of my block and I passed by their pretty storefront almost daily in December.  So far I've popped in a few times since they opened.

Sunrta as Barista

Try Jackie's fave, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip!

I've been loving the mini cupcakes (only $0.83) which allows me to try a few different varieties.   The flavours seem to always be changing, and there seems to be a little more selection in the regular size cupcakes which are still so light and delicious I feel pretty guilt-free about.  They have some gluten-free, sugar-free or vegan options to offer as well.  They're open 11-7 daily, and Apt613 suggests getting there before 1 or after the second batch goes out for the day for the best selection.

Today I tried the lemon with Vanilla Bean Buttercream, Double Chocolate and Pumpkin ChocolateChip(with Chocolate Buttercream).  I'm not usually a fan of chocolate buttercreams or chocolate icings (and I'm a serious chocolate lover) but theirs is perfectly rich and cocoa-y.  I loved it.

If they have the pumpkin cupcake when you go, it's a must-try.  I was skeptical, but Oh My was I wrong.  Absolutely great.

I popped back in with my camera after lunch.  They have some cupcakes in the window that will be available for Valentine's Day, and really, they were just too adorable not to take photos of.

While I was there Wendy, the owner and her partner Sunrta were setting up the Thimblecakes twitter and enjoying some coffee and Jackie was helping the customers coming in from the snowstorm.  The shop is full of vintage velvety chairs in gorgeous colours, and is lightfilled and calming but still cozy.

I've enjoyed picking up some cupcakes to bring back to my desk, but their space is so tranquil and lovely I may just need to start taking a proper break some days and enjoy coffee or tea with a cupcake there.  It might just be what I need to help me through endless hours of editing and emails.

Find them on Facebook for updates about what's going on in the shop!

Giveaway!

We've partnered up with our friends Don, Jenn & Claire at FoodiePrints, Ottawa's resident Foodies and resource for all things tasty in the Capital.  We love their blog, so we loved the idea of giving their readers a chance to win tickets to WedByHand.  This event is a fresh alternative for all things wedding and will have some free nibbles, workshops, and will be an all around fun afternoon with great swag bags, too (for the first 100 people there).                                                                                                                                 
You can check out Amy's Splendid Events' blog, her workshop sounds incredible and will no doubt fill up fast!  A couple other workshops let you learn some tips and tricks from these talented ladies; Cake Decorating with Sophie of Ottawa Cake Company and DIY Bouquet and Flower arranging by Erin of Full Bloom Floral.  Workshops are all free, tickets to the event are $10 single ticket/$18 double ticket at the door or less in advance.


To score a pair of free tickets from us go to FoodiePrints  and comment on the article with your email address and something you'll be making for a loved one this Valentine's Day.




We'll see you at the show!  We'll be offering a few giveaways for a few lucky winners and can't wait to meet you!

*For anyone looking forward to catching the Superbowl this Sunday, don't worry this event starts at 10 am so you can make it to Wed By Hand and still be able to catch a ton of pre-game!

Family & Maternity Photography, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Here I am catching up on some blogging...  there is more to come soon, but first I thought I could share some photos of Denae, since she was the Birthday Girl this week!  I got together with her and her family while in Thunder Bay for some very special photos.  Looking for some better-than-school-photos, and also some of the new baby sister or brother on the way we had a lot of fun in a slightly extended session.  

It was freezing out.....

So we found somewhere to take our minds off the cold...

And more of the sweet Birthday Girl...

I've been honoured to photograph Denae's Aunty's Wedding, Maternity and Family sessions, and working with Denae and her parents was just as great.  Such a lovely family, every one!  

Some more photos of her little cousin Imogen will be showing up here soon.

Ottawa Winter Weddings, and Wedding Shows

It's been another busy week here, but definitely a lot of fun.  I'm not sure I believe that winter is much of an off-season for weddings, nor should it be.  With some couples taking advantage of the gorgeous sparkling snow and lovely landscape (or the sunny destinations to travel to to say their vows), the rest are planning theirs with flurries of inquiries and trips to wedding shows.

I've spent time this week visualizing scenes for tomorrow's wedding at Ottawa's City Hall and Downtown shoot, wrapping up some work for University of Ottawa, while preparing for Ottawa's hot new Wedding Show, Wedbyhand.  There were a few extra things to order so they would arrive by Feb 6th, and Sunday was the soiree at Mambo for the vendors and sponsors.  

As tends to happen, there wasn't enough time to chat with everyone, but I really enjoyed meeting the ladies from Auntie Loo's Treats, Sarah from PurpleUrchinSoap, and Danielle of Six. Modern Paper Goods, who's actually from my neck of the woods in NorthWesternOntario (see her post here).  It was great to talk with Vanessa as another photographer and Amy of Splendid Events was an absolute pleasure to be around with a site every soon-to-be-wed couple should check out.  I can't wait to see what Kate (Flights of Fancy) has to show us, she's got such style.  It was truly a room full of incredible, talented ladies.  I love the warmth and sense of community.  I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of you as it gets closer to the show!

In it's second year, Wedbyhand is the show to be at to meet Ottawa's local, handmade, eco-friendly wedding experts.  I will post more info about the show soon, but tomorrow morning you can find out more on the A Morning Show!  (Tune in for about 8:45 am, Friday) 

The Newlyweds, One Week Later

Our New Year's Eve was spent in the company of Sandra and Enzo, a very special way to end 2010 and usher in the coming year.  It was a lovely wedding, and even the chaos leading up to the ceremony was light and fun (the wedding party included 5 grandchildren).

The evening came, with the light fading just as the solarium was filled with the couple's friends and family, soft twinkle lights and candles lighting the ceremony.  The evening was informal, without a head table or speeches, only table after table of old friends and new, celebrating with comfort food, wine and laughter. There were loads of treats (the kids made a few good recommendations as to which were the favourites, and which cupcake they thought best), and then warm hugs and smiles all around at the countdown to 2011.  

They were beaming and joyful, laughing, talking and dancing with their guests all through the evening.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate what's to come, especially for Sandra & Enzo.  

More photos will follow, but here is a quick one of the newlyweds before the ceremony.  Sandra was such a gorgeous, beaming bride that she was able to keep Enzo out for nearly 10 minutes instead of 2, for some Winter Wedding Photos.  No small feat with icy winds in -20 weather!

And I couldn't resist posting another shot from the evening:

Happy Holidays

Greetings everyone!

We didn't spend much time on Facebook or the Blog during the Holiday season, so we will say now that we hope you all had a lovely end to 2010 and that you were able to relax and reflect, spend some time with loved ones and celebrate the best in life.  There was so much excitement this year, both in our lives and those of friends and clients.  Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your big moments.  Weddings, Engagements, First Birthdays, First Teeth, New Pets, New Businesses, Family Get-Togethers, Galas, and Graduation, all made this year special and brought so many new faces our way. 

We were very happy to contribute our talents to a few short films and a television project, which we'll be able to share more with you about later on, and there are more of those projects yet to come for 2011.  One of the favourite projects was Darcy's music video for The Weathermakers song Stand Up In An Empty Room, which was shot entirely as still photos, and went on to place third at OIFF.  The Weathermakers released their album at the end of October and we can't stop listening to it. 

Last year we also worked with the University of Ottawa, the Haitian Consulate, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the National Capital Commission, United Way, Beau's, The Power of Movement, Love and Lipstick, Melody IaFelice, Fit Anywhere, Cherry Pie and RideauWood's Walkathon.  Thanks to these partners and more.  We look forward to working with you again this year to help make your events and programs a success and to exceed fundraising goals again!

Coming up in February is the WedbyHand show on Feb 6th, Ottawa's Alternative DIY Wedding Event and then the 2011 Power of Movement National Yoga Fundraiser for Alzheimer's and Auto Immune Diseases.  Check out their sites for details.

We're currently in NorthWestern Ontario, where we finsihed off 2010 and rang in the New Year with a lovely Winter Wedding in Thunder Bay.  We'll spend a little bit more time here with baby and maternity photos, a family session, and a little time with our family and friends here.  We'll see you back in Ottawa on the 5th!  There will be more posts (with photos!) to come, including highlights of 2010.

Wishing you all the best for 2011!
Natalie & Darcy

Holiday Excitement

Another busy weekend coming to an end.  This weekend was spent by us with some family, celebrating part of Christmas a little early.  It was a bit of a luxury having them here in Ottawa since they are usually at the other end of the province, and we filled our time with cooking, baking, a big dinner and holiday movie watching. There were so many goodies, just as if it were Christmas Day.  Now they head home for Christmas, and we have a little bit more family on the way from Dryden to celebrate with us next weekend.

As for photography related news, we have some of our fine art work on display, and another Radio Interview airing tonight.

The artwork is a selection of framed prints from the Centretown Village Series, currently on display at Starbucks on Elgin.  The series was first shown at Venus Envy this spring and is a collection documenting small changes in the landscape of downtown Ottawa from various perspectives, over several years.  This small part of centretown is unofficially the LGBT village of Ottawa, and is also a vibrant community in many other ways.

They will be up throughout the month of December, with framed prints @$125, unframed prints for $50, and 5x7 prints at a special price of $10.  After being invited to display my work at Starbucks on Elgin and in the Glebe over the last few years, it was great to be invited to show over the Holidays again in such a cozy spot.

Tonight have a listen to Love and Lipstick with Sue McGarvie on EZRock Ottawa (online or at 99.7), tonight's show (8-midnight) is all about less stress through the season.  She came to me to talk about looking good in front of the cameras in all of your holiday photos, so you can relax and feel like your usual great self instead of tensing up when you see a camera pointed your way.  

In our segment I talked about 3 main points; feeling comfortable with yourself (your expressions and angles); Posture (long and lifted); Positioning in relation to the camera (never square with it, and keep that posture).  Keeping these in mind, it's so much easier for that wonderful personality to come out in all of those photos with family and friends.

Check back soon, the interview will be posted right here for you to have a listen!

Natalie