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

Ottawa Boudoir Photography, The Radio Interview with Sue McGarvie

Listen here for our Radio Interview on Ottawa's EZRock 99.7 show Love and Lipstick!

Get in touch to nab one of the last spots for this weekend!

Thanks again to Sue!

Pinup Style & Boudoir Beauty: Introducing Melody IaFelice

The Boudoir event is coming up this Saturday & Sunday and we couldn't be more excited! 


I am so excited to have Melody, the amazing Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert as my lovely accomplice this weekend.  Her professional 'raison d'etre' is to help women bring out their hottest self.  She knows exactly how to make you feel amazing in your own skin by playing up what you've got to get the look you want. 


I can't think of anyone better to help rock that Pinup Look, whether sultry or sweet.  With the photo sessions set at your pace and comfort level, those bedroom eyes really pull off that Boudoir look no matter how much skin is showing.


You can read more about Melody on BlackBook Lifestyle or check out her fantastic blog, MelodyandJezebel (to see clips of her regular segments as the Beauty Expert for Rogers and Achannel shows and for the dish on the latest and greatest products).  She's also a weekly consultant on Love and Lipstick with Sue McGarvie, and has over 17 years experience as a Beauty Expert, working with major brands, including Smashbox, Nars, Makeup For Ever, Bobbi Brown and M.A.C. 


We have a few last spots available this weekend, so contact us soon for a gift to yourself or someone special.


December 11th & 12th :  $125

This includes makeup and styling, session fee and your best 15-20 high res images on cd and online in a private password-protected gallery.  

Other products available including prints and custom boudoir books.

Get in touch to nab your spot for this weekend!  


You can reach Natalie at 613.237.7835 or email at natalielyle@me.com

Moustaches for Men's Health

Retro Mo' :   Catching a nap with Dad

If you have noticed various men, young and old, sporting some new moustaches (possibly embarassing looking ones) throughout the past month here's why:

Back in 2003 some Australian guys came up with a rather clever campaign to raise awareness and funds for Men's health.  In their 2nd year of trying it, 432 'Mo Bros' raised $55000 for Prostate Cancer, and it has since become a very fun worldwide event.

The rule was that at the start of November participants had to begin clean-shaven, and grow a Moustache for the 30 days of Mo-vember.  (Women could support by joining as a Mo-Sista, to spread the word, etc)

I know many guys have had fun with this, trying on a Mo for a month, getting out from behind the comfort of their usual beards, scruff and whiskers.  If you haven't yet, you can reward these amusing efforts by making your donation at movember.com, if not to support the silly factor, then maybe for the men in your life.

Click here to help Change the face of Men's Health, or join in the fun and help create change next year!

Natalie

Boudoir on the Radio!

We've been very busy the last couple of days with a film shoot, but after another long day tomorrow, we're looking forward to the first radio interview for Natalie Lyle Photography!

Author of  'Quivering Jello' and 'The Libido Diet', Sue McGarvie is an outstanding, talented & energetic woman who is the Go-To relationship and sex expert in Ottawa.  She was the host of Sunday Night Sex with Sue for 5 years, followed by the Love & Romance Show, and on top of her  work in television and newspaper, she's the host of Ottawa's newest Love & Relationship Show 'Love and Lipstick' on EZRock 99.7

We couldn't be more excited that she asked to talk to us about the Boudoir Sessions, pampering ourselves, and celebrating ourselves at our sexiest.  

Love and Lipstick airs 8 pm-midnight, we'll be on between 8:30-9:30 this Sunday night, You can listen online wherever you may be, or on 99.7 EZ Rock in Ottawa.  Tune in to the rest of the show to hear her expert advice and juicy ideas. It's always a great show! Sue McGarvie on Love and Lipstick

To book your session, or for more information, give us a call at 613.237.7835 or email natalielyle@me.com

The first Boudoir & Pin Up marathons!

We are super excited about our first ever Boudoir marathons!

We will be shooting private one hour sessions at a boutique hotel, with an amazing makeup artist to help you look and feel your best.  There will be drinks and treats on hand, you bring along your prettiest bras, sexiest heels or your partner's favourite tshirt. Keep it simple & fun, or bring out that unexpected vamp, or both, it's up to you.  Whatever it is that makes you feel like yourself at your sexiest!

December 11th & 12th :  $125

January, Date TBD (poss. 15th & 16th): $175, only $125 if booked by Dec 31

Sessions include makeup and styling, session fee and your best high res images on cd and online in a private password-protected gallery.  Other products available including prints and custom boudoir books.

Just in time for a great holiday gift, book the December session, or as a 'gift certificate' for the January session, a hint at what's to come... (Don't worry, if you have the holidays taken care of these are a great Valentine's surprise)

Contact us to get your name on the list and book your session before they fill up!

natalielyle@me.com or 613.237.7835

My friend Diane

Next weekend, with a big group of friends, we will be at a lovely champagne brunch.  The occasion, is to celebrate Diane, and her last round of chemo.  

As I'm sure all of you know, October is breast cancer month.  There are so many ways to support the research for the cure, and you always see a lot of it in October (I even bought mushrooms the other day in a pink ribbon logo-ed package).  My friend Sharon does quite a bit better than me and raises money and participates in the run.  However you do contribute, bravo!  I'm not just writing about this today, though, to remind you of this worthy cause for financial support.  I'm reminding you to feel your boobs (or to talk to the women in your life about selfchecking).

Diane, first noticed something was wrong last fall.  Being only 28 at the time, her doctor kind of blew her off, she was too young to worry about this.  "Sometimes it can be normal" he said, "everyone's different".  Come December she knew something was wrong and insisted they check further.  January they started doing testing...  it was May before she was diagnosed.  By the end of June she was meeting with her oncologist for all of the results and a treatment plan.  The breast cancer had progressed, and they needed to start chemotherapy that day.  

I am so proud of how she has dealt with this, and the battles she has had to fight as she's gone through it.  Her strength, humour and grace have beaten out every little indignity that treatment has thrown her way.

Diane, far left, with her father and twin sister A.

She's still got a few hurdles ahead   (after her chemo, as she gets ready for family to come visit at Christmas, she will also be getting ready for her surgery) but I can't wait to celebrate this milestone with her.

So many people are affected by this, and I know there are many survivors that have faced this with the same strength and courage.  

We can beat this. Give what you can, and Ladies, Trust Your Instincts, and Check Yourself please : )

Learn more here: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

There's nothing like sisters.

**Update:  Diane went in for her last session this week, and finished it off by ringing the 'end of chemotherapy' bell at the clinic.  Her adoring, devoted husband Ken took a photo of it, and I can't even tell you how great it is to see! 

I'm so glad for both of them.  This could have made anyone feel defeated but it's incredible to see their strength.  You can't help but see how much they adore each other when you're around them, and how deeply they love and support each other.   


Here's a favourite from this summer.

Thanksgiving

Usually these long weekends end up full of activities, catching up on chores or projects, or involve trip-taking and sometimes weddings.  Whatever it is that you have filled this weekend with, I hope you have time to take a breath, enjoy a few moments as they are, and be thankful.  And remind yourself to do this more often : )  

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Weekend full of fun, good food and memorable time with family & friends.

The Weathermakers, Ottawa's Indie-Rock Band

Tonight, to much anticipation, the Weathermakers will have their cd release party at Maverick's.  Tickets are $12 at the door, with a great lineup, Young Rival from Hamilton and Abigail Lapell.  

I've enjoyed working with the Weathermakers, shooting them on their own, or at their shows, and working on their recent music video.  These are some very humble, super-talented people that are a lot of fun to be around.   We'll see you there!  They'll be giving out free copies of their CD to the first 200 people through the door!  (If you can't make it tonight, have a listen on CBCRadio3, their Myspace page or their site.)  

The Weathermakers are:  Matt Deline, Chuck Saso, Natasha Beaudin, Nina Langfield

Summer Days...

A short post of recent Bits & Pieces.

These last couple weekends have managed to be both busy and flexible enough to really enjoy summer.  We wrapped up shooting on a short film, and spent one of those Saturday nights watching Some Like It Hot with friends, and popcorn on blankets in a downtown park.

Darcy's music video for The Weathermakers took Third Place in the Ottawa International Film Festival last weekend and the screening was full with friends and laughs.  It was a really great evening and we're already looking forward to The Weathermakers CD Release at Maverick's on Sept 18th.  Here's a selfportrait we managed on our little camera at the start of the evening:

This weekend was busy as well.  It's the final weekend of Pride and downtown is full of energy.  I still spent some time editing, as always.  Here's a shot of my cousin's little boy I snapped while back home.  It looks like one of the best ways to enjoy the season.  With the lake nearby and watermelon in hand.  Enjoy!

Family session

Well, we're back from our trip to Dryden and Thunder Bay which was really great and felt like a three week trip instead of ten days, there was so much that happened. You can look for some details and photos to show up here sometime soon.  


As for the rest of the summer, it kicked into high gear before we knew what was happening.  I'm very glad our trip involved some camping and time with friends and family to help get us back into that laidback summer mode. With family shoots, lovely weddings, contributing on a short film, and finishing a music video all before the trip, we had been going nonstop!

Here are some photos from one rainy morning we spent with a few sisters, their partners, babies, and the lucky grandparents.  They were in Ottawa for their cousin’s wedding and took advantage of the fact that they were all together, to meet with us for photos.  It was a lot of fun for us to meet them and we were lucky that things cleared up in time for us to make use of one of Ottawa's great little parks.  They were so great to be with, genuinely enjoying each other’s company and goofing around.  Did I mention how adorable these little ones were?  All dressed up and beyond cute!  

Waiting for baby...

As we are heading off to Dryden, Ontario this morning, I just have to send out a photo of two of some of my all time favourite people.  As you can tell, they've got a little one on the way, who I'm sure will make that all-time favourite people list fairly quickly!  Today, in fact, is that little one's due date. (Yay!)  I am so excited.  

I don't make it to my hometown often, especially not with the timing that allows me to meet these little ones when they're so brand new.  So, this is great, right?  Well, we'll see if this is what she has planned.  I'm sure she'll have her own timeline, and we'll find out if I do in fact get to meet her, but if I do?  You can bet there will be some photos taken.  

Her momma-to-be has already been used as my official 'pinup girl', with much appreciation (see our facebook page profile photo, if you haven't seen last years Wedding Bells ad or some of our business cards), so I'm sure it will be hard to resist sharing some very special newborn photos.

Cross your fingers, I know her parents are very eager to meet her soon as well!

The Inaugural Post

Hello, and welcome to the blog (finally!)  Although I am an avid blog-reader (especially anything humourous, photo-related or DIY) I was very hesitant to start my own.  I wanted to, since it's a great way to share the recent activities of my photography business, which vary a lot and can be quite fun, but am not so sure about my own writing skills or finding the time for it.  So, I hesitated, procrastinated, and am always so busy that this worked well until I was really kicking myself for not having gotten around to it already.  

So, here it is.  Comments, critiques and handy tips will be appreciated, with a smile.  Especially the positive ones.  I'm starting it off with the first photo that went up on the first website for Natalie Lyle Photography.  It's missing from my current site (which is also in need of a few big changes)  and since it's a little favourite of mine, I thought it deserved the spotlight again.  

Enjoy!  The next post should be soon, before we venture off to Thunder Bay and Dryden to play with toddlers and newborns and newlyweds (currently soon-to-be-weds).  Thanks, Natalie