Stephanie Cantin Photography

We've MOVED!

2008-06-16T12:55:00.002-04:00

The Stephanie Cantin Photography Blog has moved!

You can now find us at www.stephaniecantin.ca/blog.

Come and see us there - and don't forget to update your bookmarks!

Jamie & Pam

2008-05-28T17:21:00.008-04:00

From the first time I met Jamie and Pam I knew they were amazing for each other. It took all of about 30 seconds to figure out. :) I couldn't wait to shoot their wedding.

Once again, I met up with the girls in the room where they were getting ready.

If you didn't notice, that last photo was taken while Pam was being sewn into her dress! I have to admit - that was a first for me.

Eric met up with the guys in their room...

I met up with Jamie in the holding room at the church. I was so excited for Pam when he let me in on a little secret - he was going to surprise Pam with a new ring during the ceremony! Very cool.

The ceremony and reception went off basically without a hitch (well, from our perspective anyway) and we had a great time. Congratulations again Jamie and Pam! All the best to both of you!

X turned 2 and Welcome Little R!

2008-05-24T19:51:00.002-04:00

I have been doing portraits for this family since I photographed the couple's wedding in September of 2006. It has been such a joy to watch X grow into the amazing little boy he is now... and how excited was I to hear that the family recently recently grew by one?! Thank you C & J for inviting me into your home. I had such a great time hanging out with all of you!

A Turned One!

2008-05-22T13:36:00.005-04:00

Some of you may recognize this adorable little girl from my website. I photographed her at 3 months old and was happy to get the call asking me to come do her one year portraits.

She greeted me at the front door and was just as sweet as I remembered, and has grown so much since I first met her!

Following Korean custom, A's parents dressed her in hanbok (Korean ceremonial dress) on her first birthday. I was excited to hear that I would get to photograph her wearing this dress. Just beautiful!

A heartfelt thank you to J & M for inviting me into their home once again. It is always wonderful to see you all.

Is That a Tree In the House?

2008-05-15T18:26:00.004-04:00

You bet it is! I was so excited to walk into this couple's home and see the large tree trunks in the living room. S & H had personalities to match their funky home, too! They were both so very down to earth and it was obvious just how much love there is between them. I can't wait to get the call saying that I get to meet their eagerly anticipated new arrival!

Brian and Sara

2008-05-05T19:56:00.010-04:00

This past Saturday, my husband Eric and I covered a wedding for one of the nicest couples you will ever meet. Eric's morning started off with a phone call from Brian, the groom, who was completely cool, calm and collected. The pre-wedding jitters hadn't found him - and never did seem to catch up with him throughout the rest of the day.

Eric headed over to the hotel where the guys were kicking back and enjoying a little poker, a cigar and a beer or two.

I headed over to the couple's home to capture some of the girls' preparations.

The ceremony was beautiful and the rain held off so we could head outdoors afterwards for some photos.

Congratulations Brian and Sara, and a heartfelt thank you for having us both there. Wishing you both the best for a long and happy life together!

A Day in O-Town

2008-05-01T18:00:00.006-04:00

Sam and I headed out today to check out the locations of a couple of my upcoming weddings. He was more than happy to model for me and he had a great time walking around downtown. The shots above are just a few of my favorites from our little jaunt. I'm happy to say that the locations look wonderful and I'm really looking forward to working at each one of them!

Baby C

2008-04-22T15:09:00.004-04:00

I promise, it's simply a coincidence that my baby posts happen to be in alphabetical order! ;)

I was forewarned the day before this session that sweet little C was in full growth-spurt mode. Mom was a little concerned that the session might need to be re-scheduled, but we were all quite pleased to be able to go ahead as planned. Our little model did a fantastic job and allowed us to capture and preserve her tiny-ness (ok, I know that isn't really a word, but it fits) before the growth spurt changed it forever!

K & E: a heartfelt thank you for inviting me into your home again and a very big congratulations on the arrival of your very beautiful little girl!

Could it Be? Is it? It's Here! Spring is Finally Here!

2008-04-17T18:43:00.006-04:00

Whew! I hope I don't jinx it, but it would appear spring has finally made a real appearance! My son and I spent some time outside in the sun this afternoon... in t-shirts! What a glorious feeling after such a trying winter!

I'm beyond excited because this means I will be able to resume outdoor sessions! With only a few May sessions still available, I can't wait for my wedding season to officially begin in a couple of weeks! For those of you wanting spring sessions, please book them now to make sure we can get you in!

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy some of this wonderful spring sunshine.

Baby B

2008-04-09T09:01:00.004-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of photographing one of the smallest newborns I have met to date. I actually commented to the parents that I didn't remember my own children being that small... and then it dawned on me: they never were!

Baby B was so cooperative and so beautiful... I had such a wonderful time. Congratulations and thank you J & M! Enjoy your sweet little girl.

What Happens When...

2008-03-27T22:48:00.007-04:00

... you let kids be kids? Their personalities shine through and they show you just how amazingly fun they can be. :) The kids and I slipped away to have a little fun in front of the camera this evening, and of course we ended up with a few outtakes. As I sat down to take a look at the photos, I was drawn not to the images that were perfectly posed with not a hair out of place, but to the images that told me a story about who each one of them truly is. Honestly, these images are just perfect to me and will likely find a place on my walls.

Of course, when you make it fun, sometimes they'll cooperate and give you a few serious moments, too...

I so love what I do!

Ohhhhh Mama!

2008-03-20T20:20:00.003-04:00

A quick sneak peek from my most recent maternity session. This couple was so much fun to work with, and the best part is that I will be going back to shoot their newborn - PLUS I get the privilege to watch the baby grow throughout his or her (it's still a surprise!) first year! I'm so excited! Thank you M & J for inviting me into your home and making me feel so welcome. I look forward to seeing you both again!

Back to School

2008-03-18T17:49:00.004-04:00

Last week we "celebrated" spring break with the kids. To be honest, it went by waaaay too quickly. My husband took the week off from work, and we spent a lot of time just being a family. On Friday we decided to treat the kids to a movie (well, our friend was nice enough to give my husband a gift card to the cinema as thanks for helping him out with some car trouble so it was really his treat, but I digress...). It was opening day for Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who and we really thought we couldn't go wrong. Wrong! Very, very wrong! My husband and I both struggled to stay awake and at one point our middle child - who usually has no problem sitting through a feature length film - tapped me on the shoulder and informed me he wanted to go play. So, for all the parents out there considering taking their children to a movie - I highly recommend you wait for something else. If you decide to go anyway, don't say I didn't warn you!

Here are just a few photos of my brood hanging out and enjoying each other last week.

And upon picking this one up from school this afternoon, a little boy from her class proudly came up to me and declared that she is his girlfriend! I think he just might need to clear that with her father. Haha!

I hope everyone has had a painless transition to the kids going back to school this week.

Check back soon to see some previews from a recent maternity session!

Another Beautiful Mother-to-be

2008-02-28T19:21:00.005-05:00

I had such a great time doing this session! This couple is expecting their first and if she turns out to be anything like her parents, the world is in for an extra special treat! I truly cannot wait to meet her!

Cabin Fever?

2008-02-25T20:51:00.003-05:00

So, we've had a wicked spell of c-c-c-cold weather recently, and I must admit that I'm as sick of winter as the next guy. It's true: we Canadians enjoy complaining about the weather, no matter what the season.

Saturday morning, however, I was treated to a beautiful sight while en route to a session. We had received a very fine snowfall that covered everything, and the scenery looked completely surreal...

I think I hate winter a little less after getting the chance to take these, so maybe I'll stop complaining about it... at least for a couple of days.

Baby G and His Big Sister E.

2008-02-24T21:18:00.006-05:00

I am so pleased to have had the honour of photographing these two cuties! E and I played some hide & seek and baby G was just sweet as can be. I thank this wonderful family for welcoming me into their home.

Baby E

2008-02-19T18:05:00.004-05:00

It seems each time I went for a session with this family mother nature decided it was a great time to dump some snow on us! Thankfully my cars made it through the weather on both days!

This is baby E. Such a sweet little man. Thank you M&K for allowing me into your home and sharing him with me!!

How about this snow?

2008-02-18T20:58:00.003-05:00

Just a couple of snapshots from this past weekend to show everyone what our front yard looks like (please excuse the unsightly power lines!). For reference, my husband is about 6'1". It seems like every time the weather man has called for snow, we've gotten a few centimetres more than what was forecast... I really think I'm ready for it to all melt away...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T15:37:00.004-05:00

Instead of going out and purchasing commercial cards for the kids to hand out this year, I prepared some photo cards featuring my favorite recent photos of them to share with their friends. You can't get more personal than that! These kinds of custom cards are also fabulous for birth announcements, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthday invitations... you name it! We can do them in several different designs, formats and sizes - give us a shout if you'd like more details.

I hope everyone has a great day filled with the sweetness of chocolate treats and (most of all) love! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

This Little Piggy...

2008-02-08T23:38:00.000-05:00

If you haven't already noticed by looking at the photos here on my blog and the photos in my portfolio, I have a BIG thing for itty bitty feet. What is it about those ten little piggies that turn me into such a sucker every time I see them? In all honesty, I'm not quite sure. It could be that they go from being these tiny little things that aren't much use to a newborn (but are adorable to look at nonetheless), and they transform into a 6 month old's greatest discovery. Later on as a one year old, that baby's first steps will take him on the biggest adventure of his life, and then as a toddler they'll allow him to jump higher than he ever has before! When he grows older and joins little league, these same two feet will be what he uses to slide into home for his first home run, dance with a girl at his first school dance, and they'll be used to finally press the gas and break (and clutch!) pedals when he learns to drive his parents' car. Not too long after that, they'll help him take that well deserved walk across the stage to accept his diploma... and we won't even talk about the day he gets married! Then, before anyone knows it, those feet will be pacing the halls with anticipation as he awaits the arrival of his own little miracle - and then he'll get to watch her follow the footsteps he has left behind him.

Ah, little feet... they have such a big job ahead of them.

Change is Good for the Soul

2008-02-06T19:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new look of Stephanie Cantin Photography! Our site has also been updated with new photos, so click the link under my mug (uh huh, right there on the right! You know you want to!).

We'd like to celebrate our new look by adding even more fresh faces! If you've been thinking about booking a session, NOW is the time to do it! For all NEW clients who book between now and February 15th (sessions must be held before March 31st, weddings excluded), I will be slashing the session fees in half! That's right - you will get 50% off of your session fee! As always, you will pay no session fees with any collection, so they are obviously not included either (unless you really want to pay half of the session fee anyway). ;)

Email or call ASAP to get in on this fabulous deal!

Art Imitating Life? Or is it the Other Way Around?

2008-01-24T19:56:00.000-05:00

Such a proud moment for a photographer! They say that imitation is the deepest form of flattery, and in this case it was felt 10 fold seeing as it was my son doing the imitating. I love it when my kids show me what they've learned through observation. We'll have to work on his technique a little, but I must say it's a promising start! ;)

We took a few moments after that snap was taken to have a little old-fashioned fun. No matter what the source, genuine laughter is so magical when captured through the lens! These are the images I keep coming back to and truly cherish. A real smile - whether in person or in a photograph - is always, always infectious.

Motel, Food & Gas

2008-01-20T21:36:00.000-05:00

We drive by this sign in Vars many, many times a week and I've often wanted to pull over and photograph it. Well, I got my chance this afternoon when my husband stopped to fill up our family-mobile. The sign is two-sided (one side is english and the other is french), and I'm intrigued by the fact that they did not place the words in the same order on both sides... Isn't it strange what we notice when we take a few seconds to really observe our surroundings?

Bandages Make Everything Better

2008-01-18T12:52:00.000-05:00

Just a short post today...

Remember when you were a kid and all it took to make the world better again was a kiss and a bandage?

Honestly, as a mom of 3, I'm not sure how I'd survive without those little sterile miracle strips!

Sam stepped on something this morning (I'm still not sure what it was) and came to me in tears looking for comfort. I'm happy to report that the wound was superficial, and everyone is going to be just fine. :)

Winter Wedding

2008-01-14T12:25:00.001-05:00

This fabulous couple had some special reasons for moving up the date on what was going to be a January wedding abroad. They were married in their home in mid-December instead, and it was completely apparent that where or when they tied the knot didn't matter - they simply belong together. There was a special buzz throughout the house the entire time we were there, and it was such a privilege to be present to witness you both promise each other your forever. Congratulations to both of you, and a heartfelt thank you for having us there!

It's a Dog's Life

2008-01-12T01:56:00.000-05:00

It must be tough being a 1 year old golden retriever in a house with 3 children. Haha! Oh wait - I think it's probably tougher on me than on any of them! :)

This is Memphis, our beloved family pet. Most of his evenings are spent doing exactly this after playing with our 3 kids and putting up with their "affections". He's such a fabulous companion! We are all just completely in love!

Another Little Lady (Bug)

2008-01-09T16:22:00.000-05:00

I completely love it when an unexpected photo opportunity presents itself. I guess you could say that's really what drives me to want to take photographs at all... being able to take an otherwise ordinary moment and turn it into something cool. It's so much fun to have a tool (the camera, of course) that allows me to see the world from a whole new perspective - I almost feel like a child again!

This little lady (bug) was sitting on the spray bottle that I was going to use to clean our kitchen table this afternoon. Instead of getting rid of it like I usually do with critters, I pulled out the camera! My daugther loves the photo, and she learned that the white spots are not the ladybug's eyes. :)

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T14:13:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe 2008 is already here. A fresh new year! It's time for resolutions (which we may or may not follow) and new beginnings for so many more things than I could possibly mention. I hope 2008 brings everyone health, happiness and prosperity!

After a hiatus over the holiday season, I bring you a couple who are looking forward to one of the very best beginnings to a new year - a brand new life! This couple was absolutely amazing to work with... Sometimes I'll walk into a home and just know that we are going to click - this was the case with M & K.

I anxiously await the call letting me know that their sweet new baby has arrived and cannot wait to work with all of them again! What a way to start the year!

Sweet, Sweet Baby... Indeed!

2007-12-09T15:26:00.002-05:00

This little guy was such a joy to photograph. He was sleeping when I arrived and after a very brief "warm up" (or should I say, undress...) he was ready to go. He was such a patient little soul. I am still very impressed by how easy-going he was. Thank you S & S for allowing me into your home today. It was truly a pleasure to meet all three of you!

A Post, Just For Em!

2007-12-04T17:32:00.000-05:00

Emily finally gets her post and it's obvious she's feeling much better! We got a chance to get some photos done for her birthday party invitations... These were my favorites. Everyone will have to wait to find out which one(s) actually make it onto the invites though. ;)

Yet Another Snow Day... And it's Only December 3rd?!

2007-12-03T14:18:00.000-05:00

Of course, the best place to be on a snow day is out in the snow, right? Unfortunately, none of us will be heading out there today. The stomach flu has found all three kids, starting with Em on Friday, so we're staying cozy inside our warm house watching movies and catching up on the sleep we've lost over the past few nights. My husband is working from home today, and now has a better appreciation for how difficult that can be with three inquisitive youngsters around. So... seeing as we can't romp in the fluffy white blanket covering our little part of the earth, I'm posting a couple of shots of my resting boys. Emily will soon have her own dedicated post - as soon as I get her photos done for her birthday invitations! ;)

Lady In Red

2007-11-28T10:16:00.001-05:00

This sweet little girl was so much fun! Doesn't she look like a little porcelain doll in her beautiful red dress? How could you not fall in love? She was full of inquisitiveness and hugs - a true joy to be around. A huge thank you to the family for such a wonderful session. :)

Pssst! In Case You Didn't Notice...

2007-11-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

...that's a photo of Santa in my previous entry. This can only mean one thing. Christmas is coming - and fast! Have you started thinking about your preparations?

I realize that some of you out there may be looking for that perfect gift for someone who is terribly difficult to shop for... You can't bear to buy them another sweater (because you know they'll either return it or stash it in the closet!), they already have drawers and drawers of socks and aren't really into electronics... So what now? Well, I've decided to offer a smoking deal on gift certificates this holiday season. :) $175 will get you a regular session and $100 towards à la carte prints if you purchase your gift certificate by December 7th! Easy as pie. You get someone one of the most personal gifts out there, and you're almost assured that no one else in the family has thought of it. Now don't you look brilliant? ;) Anyone interested can simply visit my site (the link is up there, right under my mug shot) and use the contact form to request more information.

So, now that you're shopping is started, why not kick back and relax. You've earned it!

Ho! Ho! Home?

2007-11-25T11:54:00.001-05:00

The Cantin household received a very special guest this morning! The town food drive was in full swing, and when everyone's favorite man in red noticed our three munchkins sitting in the living room bay window he came to the door! At first, Emily wasn't sure if she should go... "But, I'm in my pyjamas! " she wildly exclaimed. We quickly settled her fears by explaining that Santa truly wouldn't mind - it was Sunday morning, afterall. He handed each child a piece of candy, gave Memphis' fur a quick rustle and was on his way to visit the other neighborhood children. Living in a small town sure does have its perks!

Welcome!

2007-11-24T12:22:00.000-05:00

That's right! We've jumped on the blog train! How fitting since those of you who have visited our home know that the train passes through Limoges on a regular basis! :) Honestly, what better way is there for me to keep up with my large extended family, my friends, and of course, my clients? This is where I will be sharing favorites from my recent sessions and, well, favorites from my own personal photographic collection of family treasures. To my customers: I felt it was only fair that since you allow me into your homes and lives, I do the same for you. So, bookmark us, settle in and enjoy! I promise to do my best to keep the content fresh - just like the beautiful snow we've received over the past few days! And on that note - here are some photos of Sam, our youngest son, playing in the glorious white stuff after dropping off his big brother and sister at school on Wednesday morning!