I’d like you to meet my new best friend!! Okay, so it doesn’t give me fashion advice, and it doesn’t chat with me endlessly on the phone, but when it comes to my hair, it is my new “BFF! (I”ve wanted to use that term for so long, but well at my age, I usually end up sounding silly! : )  )

“Osis Dust It” was one of the products that I was introduced to during my time in Seattle.  Simona, the hair and makeup expert highly recommended it for volumizing hair and holding curl and used it during my shoot very effectively.  She was quite enthusiastic about the product and I decided I had to try it once I got home.  Sure enough, it’s incredible!  Thanks to my very awesome sister-in-law, I was able to get my hands on some last week.   It is a fine dusting powder that comes in a small box.  You use very little of it, but the effects once it hits your hair are incredible.  It is a ‘texturizing’ product and boy does it give grip!!  The area it’s put on in your hair instantly feels “grippy” for lack of a better word.  You apply it to sections of hair close to the roots (part some hair, then sprinkle near the parted area) and then, using your fingers, run your fingers through your hair (from underneath) and work upwards to create serious volume.  DO NOT USE TOO MUCH!  You will find a little does the trick.  Then, the other bonus I found was that it holds the odd stubborn curl that would really like to lie down flat (Yes I DO have straighter, stubborn parts of my hair).  When applied to stubborn/curling iron curls, it holds like no one’s business.  You can check Youtube for video instructions if you’re not sure how to apply and can purchase it at:

www.Amazon.ca

Have lots of fun!! And warning, it’s addictive!

I had the privilege of photographing a gorgeous girl named Becky on the weekend!  While she wasn’t completely convinced,  I KNEW that she is beautiful and I couldn’t wait to show her just how much.  Becky is one of those people you meet in life and instantly realize that she is special.  Her infectious smile wins people over time and again.  She exudes life and handles what life throws at her with grace.  I met Becky at an adult hip hop dance class (yes, that’s another post in itself! LOL!) and we connected right away.   It is a privilege to know Becky and I am so glad she is in my life!  Thanks Becky for such a fun time at your session!

P.S. – I still have some slots open for this Friday and next Friday’s “Fleuri Affairs”!  Contact me if interested.

Also- I now have a Fleuri Facebook Page over here:

http://www.facebook.com/FleuriPhotography

Come on over and ‘Like’ our page!

Happy Saturday all!   This morning  I would like to introduce you to a couple of special women.  You see, these women are two of my Great-Grandmothers.  We all have some of these images in our drawers, and boxes.  Just about every generation except this one has taken the time to do this.  Surprisingly, despite very lean times, both of these women (and so many in their day), took the time to be photographed on their OWN.  I have never had the privilege of meeting them,  but cherish their photos greatly.  Looking at them, I can see where my curly hair comes from (see the woman on the left – kind of have to zoom in to see, but it’s there!), and my brother’s quiet smile.  If they hadn’t had their photos taken, I wouldn’t have this keepsake.  I don’t know why, but my weekend in Seattle and having my own images taken, has made me realize the importance of being photographed.  Not just as an indulgence, not just to feel beautiful (although those are AWESOME perks!), I feel as though I finally have “my image” that I will pass along to my children and grandchildren so that someday, someone I never have met may cherish it as well.  The images are my lineage, me during MY life and I am proud of the images to boot!  For some reason, women of our generation have stopped having this done.  Maybe blame it on the point and shoot cameras?  We think, “Oh well, we’ll get them taken with the kids sometime” and that ‘sometime’ never comes.  How do you want to be remembered?  When was the last time you took a photo of yourself and felt good?  We all love photos of our kids, but our children deserve beautiful images of you as well.  Hope you’ll think on it.  Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

“Be beautiful TODAY, not when you lose the weight, not when you are a 20-something, and not when in your perfect  jeans… Because you are a GIFT and someone SPECIAL and every bit as beautiful as the next person.”

When I first arrived in Seattle,  Sue asked me to answer a few questions on camera (no makeup, hair, nothing) and I wasn’t given long to think about them.  When I ended up saying the above quote, it surprised me so much considering that I was answering so quickly.  I’ve never had my own words come back to reflect so much of what I’ve been feeling.  The message I gave has always been an ideal for me, sounded good, but never really felt. After the weekend in Seattle and having the opportunity to have beautiful photos taken of myself I am FINALLY starting to let this message sink into my soul.  I’ve ALWAYS believed that I will feel beautiful when the weight is off and the right clothes are on.  Until now.  Things are changing around here for the better.  I cannot wait to photograph women and watch this message sink deeply into their souls as well.  Please give me a call.  Your beauty is waiting…

I’m home!  Wow, what an incredibly empowering, uplifting and knowledge filled workshop I had the privilege of attending.  We broke records for the largest number of sales of a workshop ever and even had 10-20, 000 people watching at different times!  For me, the best, best BEST part, was learning from Sue.  Being in her poses myself, I have come away with an even better understanding as to how to pose women beautifully.  2012 is going to be an amazing year as I begin to photograph real, local women.  The calls and e-mails that I have received over the last few days has been overwhelming!  The images Sue took of me make me realize the importance of this type of photography.  I’m including them here below for you to see.  I feel empowered and beautiful and beyond excited to have these images taken of me.    Please allow me to give you this opportunity as well.  I promise you that I WILL capture your beauty lying within.  I have booked three solid days of ‘Fleuri Affairs’ now and have only one spot left open:  Friday, March 23rd at 2:45pm.  If you are at all interested please let me know asap!

Lastly, I need to thank Sue Bryce and the CreativeLive team once again for this opportunity of a lifetime.  These people are TOP NOTCH!  Meeting the students and staff from around the world is something so special in and of itself.  Amanda, Mapuana, TY, Tobin, Mark and the whole CreativeLive team, it was an honour meeting you all.  If you are a photographer thinking of submitting a video for entry to a workshop in Seattle, DO IT!  I’m soooooooooooo glad I did!

Wow!  What a week!  I am currently putting together the last touches I need for my week away in Washington (can’t wait!).  On top of that, our “Fleuri Affair” dates have quickly filled up!  I have only two spaces left PLUS have booked at third date completely full in April as I have had many requests for a weekend date as well.  If you are interested in one of the two remaining spots, please let me know as soon as possible.  I cannot wait to pamper the lovely ladies attending and share their stories and photos with you!  I’m off today to photograph a sweet newborn and then over to an online workshop that I want to attend.  Have a great day all!

They’re here!!!  The “Fleuri Affair” is now ready to change the way you see yourself!!  I would be honoured to photograph you during one of these days.  The location is a secret (known only to those who book), but let’s just say it’s beautiful!!!  Come and join Gigi and I for a session you won’t forget. Bring your confidence and your beauty (and probably some butterflies in your tummy!)  and let’s have some fun!!

Wow it’s been a super busy start to 2012!!!  While putting together my new ‘Fleuri’ material, I’ve also been caring for my Mom who has been laid up with knee replacement surgery.  THEN…….I find out this week that I have been chosen to attend a workshop in Seattle, Washington in TWO WEEKS!!!!!  The featured photographer at this workshop will be Sue Bryce who is without a doubt the best Modern Glamour photographer on the planet.  I am BEYOND grateful, thankful, excited, nervous and everything in between!!!!  Her website is here if you’d like to see her work:  www.suebryce.com   Out of 130 people,  only 4 women were allowed to go and I am one of them!!! Then, to top it off, I will also be photographed by her as well!!!  Thank you Creativelive and Sue Bryce once again for this opportunity.  I think I will be thanking then for a loooooooong time! I promise to keep you updated!! Here’s my entry video along with the others as well

http://www.creativelive.com/blog/sue-bryce-studio-audience-announced

WOHOO!!!!

I hope everyone has had a great holiday!  What is usually my quietest month has turned into a VERY productive and very busy January!  I have a couple of projects on the go currently besides mentoring and I can’t wait to share them with you!  On a side note, if any photographer  is looking for mentoring help, I have one spot left available.  Please e-mail me for further details. 

My first sneak peek of the year is of two absolutely adorable sisters.  I had thought they were the cutest babies ever when they were newborns, but they continue to get cuter and cuter if that is possible!!!  Thanks for a fun shoot Mom!  It was great to spend time with you all again!