I`m a new man....

well maybe not a new man but at least I`ve got a new back! Yesterday I finally got my long awaited spinal surgery. I must say my doctor , Dr. E. Wai is a amazing person. Not only can I feel my left leg and toes again but I have very minor pain as of now. Thank you so much to the staff at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, your all amazing!

My Daughters First Concert

Yesterday was my daughter Lily's first concert at school. What a blast, for the past month she's been telling us it's a secret what songs she's going to be singing. Well, it's not easy being a four year old with a secret so every time she got excited (about twice a day) she began singing her songs. Very cute if you ask me! So yesterday she had her big day, the moment of truth. It was great, you could tell she was nervous but once the show started all the kids did great. The occasional missed word, louder voices then the rest and of course all together stop singing to wave to mom, dad and little brother Myles but it sounded perfect to me! Great job babe!

Yet another great couple to work with.

I'm so blessed, this past September I shot a wedding for the Jennifer and Dean Hart. Well recently the best man from that wedding contacted me from Toronto and asked if I would shot his. This is the biggest compliment you can get in photography. Awards come and go but referrals last forever! I'm so honoured when a couple who have been to a wedding I shoot hire me for their own. Well this is no different, at Jennifer and Deans wedding I met this great couple. I recently met up with them to shot their engagement photos. I think It was about -30, I thought my hand was going to freeze to the camera! I'm so glad that this couple agree with my dislike of snow...we only shot a few outside before going in.

Dinner and a photo

Last week friends of ours invited my family and I over for dinner. What a feast! I hope I get more invites, wink wink:) Anyways since we were there we took some family pictures for them so they could send them out for the holidays. Enjoy.



Oh so cute Hanna!

Ferguson-Swain Baby On It's Way.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing a childhood friend of mine well she is 8 months pregnant. It was pretty surreal to see a friend that I've known since childhood one month away from being a mommy for the first time. It was only two years ago that I was a groomsman in her wedding and now she's about to be a mom. Life goes by so fast but rarely do we take the time to sit back and reflect on what we've done. Today that's exactly what I did. I reflected on all the great people I've be blessed to have been touched by. Two fantastic kids that are growing up to fast, a wife that has been in Florida on business for the past week but continues to call to tell me she loves me. A father that is doing much better since his near death this past March, a mother that continues to be a pillar in our family. I've got great in-laws that are so supportive and friends that are more like bothers and sisters. All this to say that I hope little Sophie is as blessed as I've been.

Calabogie Peaks Wedding

Well last night I was thrilled to be able to shoot the wedding of two high school friends, Casey and Kelly. About a year again they approached me with the idea of me shooting their wedding. Wedding photography can be a stressful day at the best of times. Add to that two people that you grew up with and know about 80% of the people in attendance. I think for the first time I got really nervous. It was kind of like when I shoot my first wedding. The funny thing was these are two of the most kind and relaxed people going. Well the wedding was beautiful and it was great to see so many old friends. It felt like a school reunion wedding...if that makes any sense?

click to view video

A Little Girl That Has Forever Touched Our Hearts

Well today as put my kids to bed for their afternoon nap I went to my computer to begin editing photos for this past weekends wedding. I noticed a new email had arrived. It was from a man named Horacio Werchow, a friend of a friends. It was entitled "Thank you!". I opened it up to find this every heart felt message that reminded me of how great a life I really do have. By that I mean, two healthy kids a healthy wife and mother and a father that continues to get stronger every day. The below is the letter that Horacio sent to us as a thank you for donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I hope it touches you as it has me and reminds you that even when the sun is shining over head there are still little kids like our good friends daughter Eva that continues to fight daily to see her next sunny day.

Wasaga Beach Race Report September 08, 2007

This was my big big race!, the one that I prepared for the entire year, it was very special for me and meaningful, since it was The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Canada goal race, which I join them in order to honor Eva Caron (4 yrs), my friends’ daughter and my complete inspiration.

Everything starts at the beginning of the present year; when Jude, Eva’s father, told me about his family’s very unfortunate situation: Eva has been diagnosed with Leukemia. After trying to absorb the terrible news, I have decided that there has to be something, at least, that I could do for them to give my support. I heard about The Leukemia Society Team in Training and after consulting with Jude, decided to join them and perform a race for Eva.

Since then, for them, my entire year of training was with a purpose, I’ve never been that motivated in my life before. One thing is just to train and race because you like it and the other one is because you are fundraising while helping a friend and his family.

The Race:

We (my whole family) head to Wasaga beach area the day before around 5:00 pm, arrived there around 7:00 pm to join the members of the Team in Training for our pasta dinner. After dinner we went to the hotel to have some rest to be ready for the following morning.

The morning of the race day was initiated with a cold weather with strong winds making the lake wavy and choppy. Consequently, the race officials have decided to cancel the swim, changing the International Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run) to an International Olympic Distance Duathlon (10K run, 40K bike, 5K run). Despite the fact that the swim, my favorite discipline of the three, was cancel, my motivation to perform well that day won’t be vanish by any decision or reason. Even if they have cancelled the bike as well and change the entire event to a 100K run and I knew that I will be able to do it and finish it in a good shape even though I have never run more than 12K in my life.

10K Run

The run consisted in two 5k loops starting on beach for about 300 m running in the sand to the boardwalk. After that, it was all pavement, boardwalk and a little bit of ravine (grass). I felt strong during the entire run.

40K Bike

The bike leg was slightly hilly, with strong winds. The first 20K I felt good but with “threats” of having a cramp in my right calf twice. I think that the hydration with Heed and the consumption of two Powerbar gel prevents me of that.

The last five kilometers were “easy” since I was relieved of leaving the bicycle knowing that my calf will be thankful for that.

With a lot of energy still on my tank and only 5K to go, I have decided to give it all from the very first K, again always thinking on Eva.

I finish strong, felling absolutely great and happy for just being able to be there and offering my humble “help” in this way.

Just for the records, I set up my best performance ever, finishing forth out of 25 within my age category.

At the finish line I saw the Caron Family that came all the way from Cambridge to cheer me up. Eva cooked some cookies “only for me”. They were really delicious. Thank you.

My courage and determination to finish this race is nothing, absolutely nothing compare to the immeasurable adversity that Eva and her family are going through, they are the real heroes of our lives. Wish you all the best, get well soon.

Horacio