Ottawa Tulip Festival

I always love the Ottawa Tulip Festival it's the sure sign that spring has arrived. My favorite flowers are tulips as well so I'm in double heaven, if that's even possible.
We tried to go on Sunday for Mother's Day but it was so cold that we didn't stay long. Monday however was beautiful so I packed up all my stuff and headed into the city, I saved a horse but took my car, were I spent the day taking pictures. I got a parking ticket but that's a whole different story. After i finished up at Dows Lake I headed into the Arboretum. If you've never been to it you just have to make the time and go. All the trees are coming into bloom so it's very pretty.

Anyway I'm off to pay my parking ticket and because everything is prettier with a picture......enjoy!

Go-Karting

Let me start out by saying Holy Wow I can't believe I haven't blogged in over a month. Lots has been going on. I came back from Arizona refreshed and ready to get down to work and that's what I did. I worked on the business side of CL Buchanan Photography as that's the side that keeps getting neglected. After being home for a bit I had a weekend away with some old and new friends from a community were I lived six years ago, Saint Lazare, Quebec. After coming home from that I was off to a workshop in Burlington, ON. This guy was amazing- his name [b]ecker ( I will go a separate post on the workshop). The workshop focused more on the business again so it was back home to reevaluate things.
While I have been running the roads my husband has been busy getting our son Jacob ready for his first year of go-karting. It has been great so far. Jacob and Andy are very excited to get the year going and this weekend they took the kart to Morristown, NY for a test run. This was Jacob's first time out in his own kart and Andy's first time as a Pit Cheif/Kart Owner so everything was new for both of them. They came home with a lot of stories to tell and I think they were both equally excited for the first official race May 2nd at SLMP. Here are a few pictures form the yesterday (pictures by Andy) as I stayed home and spent a relaxing day with our daughter Michaela

Back & Rejuvenated

Well I'm back from my trip to Arizona with my sister and what a great time we had. It was fantastic to be able to spend some time together. We had quiet time but seemed to see lots as well. I had never seen the Grand Canyon before so I took a day trip up there and all I can say is wow. It really is breath taking and you just have no idea of he size until you see it for yourself. I also had the chance to visit some native ruins, the painted dessert, the largest Navajo reservation, and there was just so much. We stayed in Sedona were all the red rocks are and it didn't matter how many times you looked at them you always seemed to notice something different. One of the other places we were able to visit was Jerome. Jerome was once a booming mining town that had become a ghost town. now there are about 500 people that live there.

Now that I'm back I have started working on my to-do list that I created while I was away (It's amazing what you think you can accomplish while having a glass of wine and relaxing). I'm looking forward to all my upcoming weddings and sessions with a whole new sense of excitement.

Here are some photos that were taken while on vacation, enjoy.
Cherie-Lynn

Jackie and Paul's Engagement Session Sneak Peak

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do an Engagement session for Jackie and Paul. I had met Jackie a while ago but had never met Paul before. After chatting for a little bit at the beginning I knew we were going to have a lot of fun. They are so cute together. When they look at each other they instantly smile which in turns makes the people around them smile. The morning started out a little blustery but it didn't take long for the snow to stop and for us to get some great shots. I am not their wedding photographer but I would like to think that we've become friends after today. I wish them nothing but happiness and love in their upcoming wedding and marriage.
Keep smiling at each other,
Cherie-Lynn

Winterlude 2009

We had such a great day at Winterlude on Monday and to make it even better it was Family Day. We started off by going over the the ice slides and looking at the snow sculptures. It always blows my mind to see what they can do with a big block of snow. It always makes me think about all the complaining that we do about it as well. How can something that causes people so much grief be so beautiful.
From there is was on to the canal. Michaela was the only only one that skated, the rest of us just walked it. It was such a nice day and the ice conditions were perfect. So many people were out enjoying the festivities. To top off our great day it was Beavertails all around. Oh so good but somehow they seem to taste that much better when they're enjoyed at Winterlude.
Because everything is better with a picture I put together a few from the day.
Enjoy,
CL

Wedding Albums

I have spent some time lately researching wedding album suppliers. I didn't realize that there were so many choices out there. I have narrowed it down to two companies- Finao and Asukabook. I have heard nothing but good things and have had the chance to take part in webinars for both companies. I am in the process of putting together a couple of sample albums and will hopefully have them order within a couple of weeks. Both companies offer lots of choices as to size, page type, cover style, and creative design. I'm looking forward to having them in my hand and being able to share them with my customers. And as my girl Jasmine says "Everything is better with pictures" here are a couple to wet your appetite.

Asukabook


Finao Albums

We're Nuts- Another Dog

I have spent the week getting use to having another dog in the house. We bought him home on Sunday and we loved him the minute we seen him. Brom is a Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel Poodle cross). He's very playful and cuddly as well. Marco is adjusting and at times doesn't quiet know what to make of this little fluff ball jumping all over him. As well as the new dog I have done some work on my photography.
I've been working on finishing up my business plan, much to Andy delight, and also took in some webinars regarding wedding albums. I was thankful to also be able to sit in on a video chat of one of my photography idols. Bet you didn't know we had our own that we worshiped did you? Well we do and we are also very protective when they get disced. Tomorrow I'm headed to a photography seminar and hopefully will be able to take in a little bit of Winterlude here in Ottawa over the weekend as well.
Cheers & have a great weekend,
Cherie-Lynn