Shale Photography

My fave pics of James (part 1.)

2012-01-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

My little man is now three months old - I can hardly believe how time is flying. I can't believe he's already 1/4 of the way to his first birthday (and I'm 1/4 done my mat leave!)

James gets more charming with each passing day. In these last three short months, he's gone from being a quiet, sweet, sleepy little baby to being a laughing, smiling, playful little boy. He has huge, bashful grins each time he sees me, my husband, or my mom; he loves his parents and his grammy! He laughs when we play with him. He loves watching our dog, the TV (especially the Kardashians, for some reason!) and the ceiling fan. He splashes in the tub, he "talks" during diaper changes, and he (mostly) loves riding in the car, just looking around and listening to the music on the stereo. He's almost double his birth weight (currently 14 lbs. 3 oz.) and has grown five inches in length. Amazing!

Motherhood is, without a doubt, the most exciting, rewarding, and beautiful thing I've ever done with my life.

Here are a few of my favourite pictures of my little man - just a few! Between my husband and I, we've taken well over 1000 pictures and videos in the last few months. I'm going to need a bigger hard drive!

Boudoir Marathon - Sneak Peeks!

2011-07-26T19:24:00.001-06:00

This was my last boudoir marathon for a little while, and as usual, I totally lucked out with an amazing group of fun, gorgeous girls who were super easy to work with. What a great note to end on! I think we should just let the pictures speak for themselves... don't you?

Miss Ashlynn

2011-02-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world, beautiful baby girl!

It feels wonderful to be back to work after a couple of months off; I needed the break but it's good to be back at it! I'm looking forward to a low-key, easy year in 2011 where I'll be focusing on portrait sessions alone.

18-day old Ashlynn was a perfect model for me this past weekend; this is the third time I've worked with her parents (engagement, wedding and new baby!) and it's always a pleasure. Congratulations, Reva and Chris, on your beautiful new addition. She's absolutely perfect!

Last chance, last minute boudoir!

2010-11-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Want to heat things up under the mistletoe this year? Shale Photography is offering one more chance to WOW him with boudoir photos this winter, just in time for Christmas.

Last Minute, Last Chance Boudoir Mini-Marathon

November 25, 2010

Hotel Alma, NW Calgary

$415 includes hair and makeup by Jackie Johnson, a one-hour photo shoot (4-5 outfit changes) with Shannon Lane of Shale Photography, 40-50 digital negatives (including five fully retouched) on a disc, and one 5x7" metallic print in a black presentation folder.

Yes, your digital negatives are INCLUDED and yes, you can print, email, and post these images as you wish. Compare that to other boudoir shoots where your digital negatives are an EXTRA $595!

Bookings must be finalized by Monday, November 22, 2010. Don't delay - book now! Contact Shannon via email at info@shalephotography.com or phone at 403-808-0307.

Fall Family Portraits

2010-11-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Our autumn is making up for our lack of a summer, I think... I can barely believe it's the middle of November and I'm still doing outdoor family portraits without even having to bring a jacket.

Say hello to Jocelyn, Lamont, Rocky, and Faith!

Boudoir Beauties

2010-11-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

I love what I do! I had another wonderful boudoir marathon this past Saturday with five fun, gorgeous women joining me at the Four Points Sheraton for a makeover by Jackie Johnson and a photo shoot. Here are just a few of the fantastic images we created.

Thank you to the staff at the Sheraton - they were WONDERFUL and treated me like royalty, including a free upgrade to the honeymoon suite (nice touch!) - and as well to the magnificent Jackie Johnson, makeup artist extraordinaire. Jackie has opened her own salon on 17th Avenue - visit http://www.maddpretty.com/ for more information!

Family Portraits - "J" Family

2010-10-17T18:44:00.001-06:00

A quick sneak peek from another fall family session! So much for autumn colours - fall came and went as quickly as it always seems to - but at least we had sunshine!

Sherry, Al and "the boys."

2010-10-05T17:12:00.001-06:00

Here's a little peek at the second session I did on Sunday; Sherry, Al, and their dogs, Ceasar (a Rottweiler-Shepherd mix) and Mitakuye (a Cane Corso.) "The boys" are quite possibly two of the best behaved dogs I've ever met and Sherry and Al were a pleasure to work with!

Rhonda and Windsor

2010-10-04T19:22:00.000-06:00

I was out in Bearspaw on Sunday for two portrait sessions; the first was Rhonda and her basset hound, Windsor. Rhonda is involved with the Calgary Basset Hound Rescue and organized last weekend's Basset Olympics.

Reva and Chris - Wedding

2010-10-02T23:04:00.000-06:00

I started to worry a few weeks ago when there was snow in and around Calgary... I knew I had one more wedding left for the season and was fretting what mother nature would have in store for October. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong; 25 degrees and sunny on October 2nd?! Go figure.

Reva and Chris had a gorgeous day to say "I Do." I first met these two (and their little dog, Mary) in February of last year for their engagement portraits (which you can see HERE.) I was thrilled when they called me again this spring with a date set for their wedding- it's such an honour when clients choose me to capture these special moments and milestones.

I want to start with a quick image from their ceremony... though it's hardly what you'd expect! I almost never share ceremony photos on the blog because it's such a private, intimate moment to say your vows with family and friends there to witness. It just never seems right to share that on the internet.

However, the ring bearer and flower girl playing in the aisle was just too cute.

I love the shoe game. :)

Congratulations, Reva and Chris, and thank you for having me as a part of your special day!

2010 Basset Olympics

2010-09-27T19:42:00.000-06:00

It isn't often that I come home from work covered in dirt, fur, sweat and slobber... but it isn't everyday that I'm asked to photograph an event like this! This past Saturday marked the annual fundraising event for the Calgary Basset Rescue. This is the second year I've attended the event, affectionately known as "the waddle." Last year, I showed up unannounced with my camera for my own entertainment; I posted some of the pictures online and they loved them so much, they asked if I'd return this year and shoot the whole event. Needless to say, I was more than happy to oblige!

The day was a HUGE success... not a cloud in the sky, not an unhappy face in the crowd, and a nice chunk of change was raised to help homeless hounds. What could be better?

...But let's cut to the chase, shall we? Here's some pictures from the event... this is merely a sneak peek! There will be about 400 more images posted online in the coming days; prints can be purchased and all proceeds - every last penny - will be donated to the Calgary Basset Rescue to help with their cause. I'll post ordering information when the gallery is ready.

Enjoy!

Boudoir is BACK! Now booking!

2010-09-24T10:44:00.003-06:00

Did you miss out last time? Don't miss this chance - Boudoir is BACK (and just in time for some HOT holiday gift-giving!)

Shale Photography has another boudoir photography marathon on November 6, 2010 at the Calgary Four Points Sheraton - limited spots are available and space is filling up quickly!

(Want to get a heads-up on events like this? Join the Shale Photography Facebook Fan Page - members were notified two weeks ago!)

-A one-hour hair and makeup session with Jackie Johnson of Makeup By Jackie
-Private use of a Deluxe King Suite at the luxurious Four Points Sheraton in Calgary for your session
-A glass of wine to help you relax
-A DVD with 40-50 of your best images, including 5 fully retouched
-Personal usage and printing rights for your images
-A 5x7 photograph in a black folder, printed professionally in a beautiful metallic finish.
-Drinks and snacks will be provided while you wait

What about privacy?
Your session will be photographed one-on-one with Shannon. There will be no other people present in the photography area of the room. Other clients may be having their hair and make-up done in the foyer of the room; this area will be separated by a curtain.

What do I need to do to prepare?
You will want to bring a selection of outfits for your session; 3-4 outfits is plenty. This can include lingerie, a sports jersey, a favourite pair of jeans that your man loves; anything you feel beautiful and sexy in. Feel free to bring props as well; anything personal to yourself or your significant other is great, such as a cowboy hat or boots, your wedding veil, or jewelery. As well, don't forget shoes! Heels lengthen and thin the legs and look fantastic in boudoir photos.

How long does it take to receive the images?
Your images will be ready for you in 4-6 weeks; yes, you will have them for Christmas! Rush service is available in special circumstances and fees may apply.

What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the marathon nature of these sessions, it is important that you are able to attend your schedule session. If you must cancel, it is expected that you will find someone to take your spot. Refunds are not available once sessions are booked.

I tried to book a session and everything was fully booked! Are you offering another date?
We will keep a wait list if things fill up; if you would like to be added to the wait list, please contact Shannon and she will add your name. If there is enough demand, a second marathon will be booked.

Any other questions? Please don't hesitate to contact Shannon Lane at info@shalephotography.com

Ready to book? Let's go! Contact Shannon to schedule your appointment.

Please note this is a women-only event and is restricted to women over the age of 18. All photographers, stylists, and clients present in the room will be women only.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Shannon Lane
Shale Photography
http://www.shalephotography.com
403-808-0307
info@shalephotography.com

Ali and Matt - Just Married!

2010-09-05T19:08:00.000-06:00

A few images from yesterday's beautiful wedding at Kamp Kiwanis in Bragg Creek, Alberta. Ali and Matt had an amazing day!

They opted for a "first look" before the ceremony - so nice to have these quiet, peaceful moments together before the chaos starts.

From there, we did portraits around the camp.

Ali, you're a knockout.

Matt, you can pull off a Sears Repairman tie like no one I've yet met.

Who know outhouses would make a neat portrait location?

Ali and Matt, you two were a blast to work with. I know I said this about ten times yesterday, but it's couples like you that make my job easy; you're gorgeous, you're so obviously in love, and all I have to do is show up and press a button.

All the best to you both as you begin your lives together!

Dave L. - Professional Work

2010-08-29T22:25:00.000-06:00

I met with Dave, a local Calgary realtor, for some head shots this weekend. He's revising his marketing materials and needed new professional portraits.

Dave opted to combine the professional session with a family session; after a stop at home to change clothes and pick up his family, we met again at Edworthy Park.

Serena

2010-08-29T22:08:00.000-06:00

Meet Serena - my 9-month-old poster girl. Serena will be the face of my "Summer Girls" mini-sessions: details will follow soon (and hopefully... so will summer weather.)

Day of Hope

2010-08-19T10:58:00.000-06:00

In honour of children lost and the families left behind.

Please visit http://august19thdayofhope.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Vancouver Aquarium

2010-08-16T16:16:00.000-06:00

Part of our recent two-week holiday was a five-day visit to Vancouver; this was a surprise for my husband's birthday. We had a wonderful time there. It's such a beautiful city.

Here's a couple of quick captures from our visit to the Vancouver Aquarium.

I love, love, love the high-ISO capabilities of my camera; I'm never afraid of the dark anymore! Most of these images (all but the butterfly, actually) were shot at ISO 6400. Brilliant!

Natasha and Phil - Wedding

2010-08-08T14:09:00.002-06:00

"In love, there are no mistakes." Wonderful words from the bride's mom at Natasha and Phil's wedding yesterday. While I've just gotten to know Natasha and Phil, I can attest that they are so fun, so caring, and have such good, kind hearts; their family and friends know this, of course. They are genuine and real and so is their love. Also, they have GREAT taste in music. AND they sent me home with Crave Cupcakes... so, yeah... all in all, it was a pretty fantastic day!

Their bridal party was so much fun and a total group of lookers. Made my job really easy, that's for sure!

And one shot from the reception (which was so full of amazing details that it might just need its own blog post later on...)

Congratulations!

Sweets

2010-08-07T11:26:00.001-06:00

Everyone has a price. Mine is Necco Candy Buttons.

I am BACK to work today after a wonderful 15 day summer holiday; with my schedule the last couple of years, a summer holiday, let along such a long one, has been nearly impossible.

I savoured every moment of it.

Michelle and Martin - Just Married!

2010-07-10T16:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a wedding and Michelle and Martin couldn't have made better use of it... what a contrast from the rain pouring down my windows as I write this blog post not 24 hours later.

Pearce Estate Park provided some beautiful photo ops after the ceremony.

Congratulations!

Art Canvases

2010-06-11T17:18:00.002-06:00

The art canvas ordered for the Stop The Traffic fundraiser has been delivered - "Willow On Erie" has made a beautiful piece of decor for the winning bidder!

The quality of art canvases is just phenomenal and they're a product that I'm very proud to be able to offer to my clients.

The photograph chosen is printed onto canvas, then stretched across a frame. The image wraps all the way around the frame and the corners are folded and finished.

The canvas is secured to the back,

a wire hanger is added to the frame,

and vinyl bumpers are placed on the lower corners to keep the piece from tilting when hung and protect your walls.

Art canvases are available in most sizes from 5x5" and up. Canvases can be ordered from your wedding images or your family or children's portraits. Art pieces, like the Willow on Erie seen here, are also available. Please contact me for more information!

The Art of Hope - Giving Back

2010-05-28T11:40:00.003-06:00

I was contacted recently by Rachel M., a local nurse and volunteer working with Stop The Traffic, an organization working to end human trafficking. Rachel is currently helping to organize an local fundraising event called The Art of Hope - please click the description below for details and to purchase tickets.

The Art of Hope: An evening showcasing local Calgary and Global artists, ranging from photographers to painters, from sketch artists to musicians, all in support of the fight against human trafficking in Calgary and around the world. A silent art auction will take place along with musical performances and a program portion with special guests. Be ready to be serenaded as you peruse and bid on beautiful pieces of artwork! Tickets include refreshments.

Rachel asked if I would be interested in donating a piece of art for the silent auction and I'm obviously happy to help - but now the question is, which piece?!

Please view the images below and take a minute to cast your vote at the poll above. The image will be presented as a 16x24" gallery-wrapped fine art canvas, ready to hang as soon as you bring it home. After voting, take a minute to comment with your email address - one voter will win an 8x12" print of the image of their choice.

#1 - "Cows", 2009

#2 - "Willow on Erie", 2008

#3 - "Spring Tulip", 2010

#4 - "Sunflower", 2009

#5 - "Lilypad", 2007

#6 - "Lac Des Arcs", 2009

#7 - "Open Tulip", 2008

#8 - "Grape Hyacinth", 2008

Allyson and Cody - Wedding Reception

2010-05-24T20:48:00.000-06:00

The first of my 2010 weddings left me with sore cheeks from smiling too much... you can't be around Allyson and Cody and their family and friends without laughing uncontrollably and grinning from ear to ear.

Allyson and Cody were my choice couple for the contest I ran for free wedding photography. You can read their entry HERE. Go ahead - I dare you not to laugh!

Allyson and Cody pushed things back by a year, hence the inconsistency with the dates - initially, they were apologetic and offered to forfeit their prize. Ridiculous, I said! A year is a year - no big deal. And let me tell you, this party was totally worth the wait.

We got together in Madden, Alberta, a town "hamlet" with a population in the double-digits. Talk about a hidden gem...

After leaving Madden, we headed down to Crossfield for their reception. A few short speeches, a delicious dinner, and some dancing to end the night. Perfect!

Cheers!

Shannon

Some news regarding weddings...

2010-05-24T20:11:00.000-06:00

Some brief admin stuff to mention... as announced a couple of weeks ago on the Shale Photography Facebook Page, I won't be taking weddings for 2011. I'm going to take a year off to reevaluate where my business is, where it's going, and where I want it to be. As much as I love shooting weddings - and I really, really do - they require a HUGE amount of time throughout the spring, summer, and fall months; I've been working way too hard the last few years and have worn myself thin. It's time to step back and determine how to do this so I can actually live my life and not just live to work. I still love this work and love this business, but I know I need to adjust things while that's still the case instead of waiting until I've burnt out and don't want anything to do with it anymore.

I will still be booking portrait sessions (family, babies and children, couples, and boudoir) as well as some commercial work, so please don't hesitate to contact me regarding anything you may be interested in.

Did you know...

2010-05-02T12:53:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Shale Photography is now offering real estate services? If you are selling a home and want to make it look its absolute best, contact me for rates and availability.

Boudoir Marathon - Sneak Peek

2010-04-19T19:58:00.000-06:00

A little peek of what I got up to this weekend...

This past weekend's boudoir marathon was a huge success with nine gorgeous women coming to have their portraits done at the lovely Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary. Thank you to the fantastic women who make my job so easy and to Jackie Johnson of Makeup By Jackie for her amazing talent providing hair and makeup!

Spring...

2010-04-10T14:19:00.002-06:00

I thought spring was here until that massive blast of snow on Thursday evening... while my power was out at my house, I decided to get some groceries and make myself useful. By Friday afternoon, it was like nothing had ever happened and the tulips on my dining room table seemed perfectly at home. Who knew I had such great light right in front of me?

Allyson and Cody - Love Shoot

2010-03-16T21:41:00.000-06:00

I was FINALLY able to get together with Allyson and Cody for their engagement shoot! It seems like we've been planning this for forever and the moons just never seem to align to allow it to happen. We hit Inglewood on Tuesday evening and had a great time wandering the neighbourhood and taking some engagement shots. Cody had a tough reputation to live up to - I've photographed Allyson before and she's a total natural in front of the camera - and he held his own and looked good doing it.

Have a fantastic time with your destination wedding next month, you guys - you are AMAZING. I know you'll have an amazing time and laugh and smile together through the whole week.

Boudoir Photography Marathon - April 17, 2010

2010-03-03T21:31:00.004-07:00

Did you miss out last time?

Shale Photography has another boudoir photography marathon on April 17, 2010 at the Hotel Arts - limited spots are available and space is filling up quickly!

(Want to get a heads-up on events like this? Join the Shale Photography Facebook Fan Page - members were notified first!)

This is a wonderful opportunity to have some special images created for your significant other as a gift; perfect for newlyweds, birthday gifts, or just to say "I Love You" and remind him how lucky he really is! Boudoir photos also make a great gift for the first anniversary, which is traditionally a "paper" gift.

What is boudoir photography?
"Boudoir" is the French word for bedroom, where these photo shoots will be done. Boudoir images are personal, beautiful images created in an intimate session. Most often, women wear lingerie or other beautiful, personal, or sensual articles for these sessions. Boudoir images make an excellent gift and are a perfect way to capture women looking their best at a time when they are at their most beautiful.

What is a boudoir marathon?
A "marathon" photo shoot is where multiple clients are booked in the same day in the same location. The photographer is able to shoot multiple sessions in a short period of time. By doing this, we are able to provide a great location and service at a reasonable cost.

The details:
Date: April 17, 2010
Time: Sessions booked on the hour; first session at 9:00 am and the last session at 4:00 pm.
Location: Hotel Arts, Calgary
Cost: $200 for your photo shoot; $100 extra for hair and make-up services (price is reduced to $80 if five or more women book hair and makeup service.)

What's included:
Your session will include the following:
-A 45-minute session with Shannon Lane of Shale Photography
-Private use of a King Suite at the luxurious Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary for your session
-A glass of wine to help you relax
-A DVD with 40-50 of your best images, including 5 fully retouched
-Personal usage and printing rights for your images
-A 5x7 photograph in a black folder, printed professionally in a beautiful metallic finish.
-Drinks and snacks will be provided while you wait

If you have opted to add hair and make-up services, this service is provided by Jackie Johnson, a professional make-up artist and hair stylist in Calgary, Alberta. You can view her website and online portfolio at http://www.makeupbyjackie.com.

What about privacy?
Your session will be photographed one-on-one with Shannon. There will be no other people present in the photography area of the room. Other clients may be having their hair and make-up done in the foyer of the room; this area will be separated by a curtain.

What do I need to do to prepare?
You will want to bring a selection of outfits for your session; 3-4 outfits is plenty. This can include lingerie, a sports jersey, a favourite pair of jeans that your man loves; anything you feel beautiful and sexy in. Feel free to bring props as well; anything personal to yourself or your significant other is great, such as a cowboy hat or boots, your wedding veil, flowers, or jewelery. As well, don't forget shoes! Heels lengthen and thin the legs and look fantastic in boudoir photos.

How long does it take to receive the images?
Your images will be ready for you in 3-5 weeks. Rush service is available in special circumstances.

What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the marathon nature of these sessions, it is important that you are able to attend your schedule session. If you must cancel, it is expected that you will find someone to take your spot. Refunds are not available once sessions are booked.

I tried to book a session and everything was fully booked! Are you offering another date?
We will keep a wait list if things fill up; if you would like to be added to the wait list, please contact Shannon and she will add your name. If there is enough demand, a second marathon will be booked.

Any other questions? Please don't hesitate to contact Shannon Lane at info@shalephotography.com

Ready to book? Let's go! Contact Shannon to schedule your appointment.

Please note this is a women-only event and is restricted to women over the age of 18. All photographers, stylists, and clients present in the room will be women only.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Shannon Lane
Shale Photography
http://www.shalephotography.com
403-808-0307
info@shalephotography.com

Family Day Food and Football

2010-02-15T21:39:00.001-07:00

As mentioned below, today was a fantastic day of barbecue, football, and fun at Bowness Park with the family of some past wedding clients of mine. This was Sarah and Chad's gift to Chad's parents for Christmas; we'll be making an album of pictures from today. So fun and a fantastic idea for a holiday gift!

Food, fun, and football; what could be better? Thanks for having me along, everyone! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek.

Family Day 2010

2010-02-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today was a change of pace for sure! I was hired by some past clients of mine to document an annual tradition their family has; a barbecue and a game of snow football in Bowness Park on Family Day. What a fun day! More pictures coming later, of course... just a quick peek of one shot that summed up the day nicely.

Giving Back - NILMDTS

2010-02-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent my day attending the official training seminar for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a non-profit organization I have volunteered with for about a year now. NILMDTS provides remembrance photography to families facing early infant loss; it is a beautiful gift to be able to give images of a precious child to a family that will have to go on without them. I feel very lucky to be a part of this fantastic organization.

It was a very informative day and it was great to network and share stories with other photographers who have had similar experiences in this work. Thank you to Trina Lewis of Creations Photography in Edmonton, Alberta for presenting the training seminar and for hosting all of us in your lovely home.

Click here to view a clip from The Today Show for more information about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. For those interested in volunteering or donating to the cause, you can visit their website at http://www.nilmdts.org.

"We make a living from what we get; we make a life by what we give." -W. Churchill

The Blog Frog.

2010-02-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

Another random picture on my computer from the zoo this past summer. Can you tell I've been cleaning up my hard drives?

Giving Back - Alberta Children's Hospital

2010-02-03T07:23:00.002-07:00

Today is the Q107 FM telethon for Alberta Children's Hospital. At 5:00 MST this afternoon, I will donate $1 to the ACH for each "fan" of Shale Photography on Facebook. I encourage all of you to make your own donation as well by calling 403-802-2700. Join me in helping the kids! Thank you!

Nose to Nose

2010-01-30T22:30:00.001-07:00

I love finding random photos stored on my computers.

This is from the Pet Expo last year. That's my dog, Ellie, in the foreground, nose to nose with a pony wearing blue nail polish.

I prefer not to ask questions.

Boudoir Photography

2010-01-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for details - another boudoir photography marathon is coming up in April 2010! Contact me if you'd like to be kept on a notification list and I'll email you with details.

Boudoir Marathon - Teasers

2010-01-09T21:22:00.006-07:00

Well, I'm totally exhausted and feel like I've been run over by a cement truck, but it was SO worth it! The boudoir marathon today was a huge success; these ladies were not only totally gorgeous, but they were kind-hearted, hilarious, and totally willing to try something new. In the end, I think it worked in their favour! A few sneak peek pictures below... or is this a teaser? A pre-sneak-peek? There will be more to come!

Ladies, I know you'll be seeing this post - I want to see comments the next time I log in! :)

Thanks so much for being such a fantastic group and making the day so much fun. Cheers and we'll talk soon!

(A big, huge thank you to Jackie Johnson for her part in making these ladies look so phenomenal - I couldn't have done it without you!)

Free prints! No strings attached!

2010-01-02T17:10:00.001-07:00

Interested in a free 8x10 print?

Who can say no to that?!

I have just signed on with a new professional lab to complete some of my print orders; I'll be submitting some test prints to confirm colour and density calibration with my working monitor.

Blah blah blah. Technical stuff. The point is, I'll have five 8x10" prints that I don't really need.

If you've had a session with Shale Photography, have a booked session prior to January 15th (yes, this includes the upcoming boudoir marathon!) or just want an art print for your home or office, please email me at info@shalephotography.com with "Free print offer" in the subject line. The first FIVE people to do so will receive an 8x10 print of their choice absolutely free.

(Disclaimer: Limit one free print per person. Employees and relatives of Shale Photography are not eligible for this promotion... you get enough free stuff already. :) Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Retail value of $60. No cash value and cannot be exchanged for other goods or services. Offer expires January 15, 2010.)

If I were a winner, this is the print I'd want... I took this photo almost two years ago and it's still my favourite.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Shannon

Comic

2009-12-07T15:22:00.002-07:00

Deadlines for Christmas Ordering

2009-12-01T15:23:00.002-07:00

Interested in giving portraits or photographic art for holiday gifts this year?

Deadlines are as follows:

Standard Plaque-mounted Photos - orders must be received by December 3/09

Prints LARGER than 12x18" - orders must be received by December 5/09

Press products (press-printed cards, photo calendars, books, etc.) - orders must be received by December 5/09

Prints 12x18" and smaller - orders must be received by December 12/09

By adhering to these deadlines, I can ensure your products will be in your hands by December 24/09 at the latest.

Cheers,
Shannon

Felix

2009-11-24T22:05:00.005-07:00

I can't say enough good about this little man. Not only is he the son of a couple I've gotten to know over the past few years, but he's the first baby to two people who will be wonderful parents. He is adorable, he is sweet, he is quiet and he is patient. He was an absolute angel throughout our whole session.

Welcome to the world, little Felix!

Boudoir Photography Marathon

2009-11-02T11:57:00.001-07:00

I wanted to let you know about a special event coming up this month. On November 15, 2009, Shale Photography will be offering a boudoir photography marathon. This is a wonderful opportunity to have some special images created for your significant other as a gift; perfect for newlyweds, birthday gifts, or to make the holidays sizzle! Boudoir photos also make a great gift for the first anniversary, which is traditionally a "paper" gift.

What is boudoir photography?
"Boudoir" is the French word for bedroom, where these photo shoots will be done. Boudoir images are personal, beautiful images created in an intimate session. Most often, women wear lingerie or other beautiful, personal, or sensual articles for these sessions. Boudoir images make an excellent gift and are a perfect way to capture women looking their best at a time when they are at their most beautiful.

What is a boudoir marathon?
A "marathon" photo shoot is where multiple clients are booked in the same day in the same location. The photographer is able to shoot multiple sessions in a short period of time. By doing this, we are able to provide a great location and service at a reasonable cost.

The details:
Date: November 15, 2009
Time: Sessions booked on the hour; first session at 9:00 am and the last session at 4:00 pm.
Location: Hotel Arts, Calgary
Cost: $200 for your photo shoot; $100 extra for hair and make-up services.

What's included:
Your session will include the following:
-A 45-minute session with Shannon Lane of Shale Photography
-Private use of a King Suite at the luxurious Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary for your session
-A glass of wine to help you relax
-A DVD with 50 of your best images, including 5 fully retouched
-Personal usage and printing rights for your images
-A 5x7 photograph in a black folder, printed professionally in a beautiful metallic finish.
-Drinks and snacks will be provided while you wait

If you have opted to add hair and make-up services, this service is provided by Melissa Ann, a professional make-up artist and hair stylist in Calgary, Alberta.

What about privacy?
Your session will be photographed one-on-one with Shannon. There will be no other people present in the photography area of the room. Other clients may be having their hair and make-up done in the foyer of the room; this area will be separated by a curtain.

What do I need to do to prepare?
You will want to bring a selection of outfits for your session; 3-4 outfits is plenty. This can include lingerie, a sports jersey, a favourite pair of jeans that your man loves; anything you feel beautiful and sexy in. Feel free to bring props as well; anything personal to yourself or your significant other is great, such as a cowboy hat or boots, your wedding veil, flowers, or jewelery. As well, don't forget shoes! Heels lengthen and thin the legs and look fantastic in boudoir photos.

How long does it take to receive the images?
Your images will be ready for you in 3-4 weeks, just in time to give as a gift for Christmas.

What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the marathon nature of these sessions, it is important that you are able to attend your schedule session. If you must cancel, it is expected that you will find someone to take your spot. Refunds are not available once sessions are booked.

I tried to book a session and everything was fully booked! Are you offering another date?
We will keep a wait list if things fill up; if you would like to be added to the wait list, please contact Shannon and she will add your name. If there is enough demand, a second marathon will be held on November 22.

Any other questions? Please don't hesitate to contact Shannon Lane at info@shalephotography.com

Ready to book? Let's go! Contact Shannon to schedule your appointment.

Please note this is a women-only event and is restricted to women over the age of 18. All photographers, stylists, and clients present in the room will be women only.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Shannon Lane
Shale Photography
http://www.shalephotography.com
403-808-0307
info@shalephotography.com

Dog as Art

2009-10-25T21:07:00.002-06:00

After a couple of hellish weeks being down and out with H1N1, I'm finally back on my feet; thanks for your patience if you've been waiting for an email reply, a print order, or a wedding to be finished up! I'm finally feeling better and getting caught up on stuff.

Just a quick image: this is my beautiful greyhound, Ellie. I haven't decided what to do with this image yet, but I love it! Just an idea of a collage-style print that can be made with photos from any portrait session; these look great with babies, too!

Christmas Cards

2009-10-05T12:06:00.002-06:00

I'm pleased to be offering photo holiday cards this year, with templates designed by the amazing PeaPod Announcements. Have you had a portrait session with Shale Photography and would like to order photo cards? Please check out the gallery of templates available; visit http://www.shalephotography.com, then click on "Slideshows" and "Christmas Cards" to view the designs. (Hint: You can view all of the designs at once by clicking the 2x2 grid icon on the lower right side of the page.)

These photo cards are fully customizable; you control the colours, fonts, text, and photos. Photo cards are available in many sizes and start at only $1.00/card for the 4x6" size. Envelopes are included!

Please contact me for more information or to place your order.

Cheers!

Kati, Steve, and Ava - Family Photos

2009-09-27T20:54:00.004-06:00

I first met Kati and Steve at the Pet Expo this past spring. I was doing my volunteer shift promoting Chinook Winds Greyhound Rescue when they approached our booth to get some information about greyhounds. They spent some time with my dog, Ellie, and the others at the booth. Before we knew it, I was at their place to do a pre-adoption home visit and interview; then, a week or two later, they became the new owners of a beautiful greyhound of their own, Ava.

The four of us headed out to Bow Valley Ranche on Saturday morning for some family photos- it's that time of year again, certainly, as there were about eight other photographers out there, all doing the same thing!

Ava's getting ready for Christmas a little early this year... this- THIS is why you get a greyhound. No dog is more patient with being decorated than a greyhound.

Basset Hound Rescue Network of Calgary - Annual Waddle

2009-09-26T20:26:00.013-06:00

Today was the Basset Hound Rescue Network of Calgary's Annual Waddle; what could be more fun than a park full of basset hounds?! I'm a die-hard dog lover, a huge fan of hounds of all sorts, and a big proponent of animal rescue... so needless to say, I was there and brought my camera.

**If you own one of these beautiful bassets, please send me an email identifying the hound and the picture he or she appears in; that way, I can credit your pooch by name and send you a full-size and unwatermarked photo. My email address is info@shalephotography.com. Thank you!***

Cleo (far left), Daisy (centre), Mable (centre), Missy (right):

Molly (left):

Sammie:

Windsor:

Sammy:

Conley:

Hoover:

Windsor:

Grandma Lucy:

Grandma Lucy:

Winston:

For more information on the Basset Hound Rescue Network, please visit their website at http://www.bassetrescuecalgary.com/

Please note: Shale Photography is not affiliated in any way with the Basset Hound Rescue Network!

Cows.

2009-09-20T13:17:00.001-06:00

Cows make good subjects.

Tara and Deon - Just Married

2009-09-13T08:38:00.009-06:00

The 2009 wedding season went out with a bang yesterday as Tara and Deon said "I do." Or was it Tara and Dora? Or Tara and Dylan? The JP had a little trouble during the vows... but if anyone could laugh through something so ludicrous and the JP saying the wrong name throughout their wedding ceremony, it's these two. It's obvious even to a stranger that Tara and Deon are friends first, above and beyond everything else their relationship has to offer. They are entirely at ease with one another, having fun and playing. And, in celebration of that (since I'm convinced that it's the secret to a long and happy marriage,) their photos were all about fun. And this blog entry is going to be all about fun.

Everything - the ceremony, portraits, and reception - were done in and around Fort Calgary.

The big entrance as Mr. & Mrs. H.

After dinner, they played "The Shoe Game" - I hadn't seen this one before and it was really cute. If you're planning a wedding right now, google it!

Cutting the cake? Way too boring for these two.

Tara and Deon's first dance was to "1,2,3,4" by the Plain White T's- a nice, fun change from the usual first dance choices.

But they still ended the night with some slow-dancing.

You know how you often hear brides and grooms say that by the end of the day, their faces hurt from smiling so much? When I left Fort Calgary last night, MY face hurt. No joke; I had so much fun with these guys that my cheeks were actually achy from so much smiling and laughter.

Congratulations, Tara and Deon, and may your love grow with each passing year of marriage- as they say, "May you look back on your wedding day and realize of all the days you are married, it was the day you were least happy together." Cheers!

Ianessa and Jamie - Just Married

2009-08-31T22:17:00.004-06:00

Just a quick sneak peek before I head off to bed!

Congrats to Ianessa and Jamie who are celebrating two days of happy wedded life- their wedding was this past Saturday.

Cheers!

Rhea and Tyrel - Wedding

2009-08-29T22:50:00.004-06:00

This month is going out with a bang! Two weddings in one weekend - something I never do, but I had to make an exception this year for two amazing couples.

Friday evening was Rhea and Tyrel's wedding at Heritage Park - what a great spot for a wedding! Rhea and Tyrel are professional horse trainers and the park added the perfect western flair to their day.

Congratulations and all the best to you both!

Meagan and Jason - Just Married!

2009-08-23T10:34:00.016-06:00

What an amazing August this has been for weddings. I've had a month full of fantastic couples, lots of fun, and great weather... and there's still two more weddings to go!

Yesterday was "I Do" for Meagan and Jason, who have been together for EIGHT years. I couldn't help but think of a line in How I Met Your Mother when Robin tells Lily and Marshall, who have also been together for eight years, "You know, your relationship is a third-grader." The wedding ceremony was in the garden atrium at the Glenmore Inn, which might just be my new favourite spot for a wedding. Not only is it two minutes from my house (okay, I know, but convenience wins sometimes!) but it's bright, beautiful, and has all the natural light of shooting outdoors, without the risk of rain, snow, or blinding sunlight. It was truly an amazing spot for a ceremony.

Pastor Anthony of the Calgary Life Church presided, and he was absolutely fantastic. The guests and the bride and groom smiled and laughed throughout the entire ceremony. It was fun and joyous, which is exactly what a wedding should be.

On to the pictures! As always, click on any of the photos to view a larger version.

Could Jason have looked any more excited as he watched Meagan come down the aisle?

Some of that infectious ceremony laughter:

Just married!

Meagan is an absolute natural in front of the camera.

And the two of them together are beyond adorable.

Some cake-smashing fun. In all of the weddings I've done, Meagan and Jason were the first couple to smash the cake. How hilarious are the chunks of cake frozen in mid-air on the second shot?

And finally, some dancing to end the night.

Congratulations, Meagan and Jason!

Newlyweds Chelsea and Greg

2009-08-09T11:30:00.008-06:00

What a difference a year makes. Yesterday was a beautiful, warm, breezy day; last year on the same day, I was melting in 35C weather while shooting Brenda and Patrick's wedding in Riley Park.

Chelsea and Greg were married yesterday in De Winton, Alberta. It was low-key, simple, classy, and beautiful; no gimmicks, no messing around, no drama. Just friendship, family, and love.

Here are a few shots from their day.

Happiest bride EVER while walking down the aisle!

Chelsea's cousin sang a beautiful solo while the newlyweds signed the paperwork.

After we took this next shot, Chelsea said "I bet that will be my favourite from the whole day." I think it's one of my favourites, too.

Kyla & Matthijs - Married!

2009-08-03T16:52:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was the kind of day every bride hopes for when she plans an August wedding. It was warm but not hot, breezy but not windy, sunny but not blindingly so. It was perfect.

Congratulations to Kyla and Matthijs who vowed forever to one another at the Nakoda Lodge in Kananaskis yesterday! Here are a few shots from their day.

Kaitlyn & Kevin - Just Married!

2009-07-26T17:50:00.005-06:00

I don't think I have ever felt so much love in a room as I did yesterday at Kaitlyn and Kevin's wedding. The joy absolutely radiated from their family and friends. It was truly a beautiful wedding.

I posted a quick teaser of Kaitlyn last night - here are the rest of the pics from the sneak peek.

Congratulations to you both- your day was absolutely wonderful and I have no doubts whatsoever that you will have a very long, happy life together as husband and wife.

Getting ready.

Some portraits following the ceremony.

Reactions to the toasts. They had me in tears at one point, too!

Their first dance as husband and wife...

Which later became three generations of the bride's family on the dance floor.

Sneak peek of a sneak peek...

2009-07-25T23:56:00.003-06:00

One quick shot before I go to bed- the full sneak peek from today's wedding will be up tomorrow.

Is Kaitlyn not the most beautiful bride you've ever seen?!

Family Sneak Peek...

2009-07-18T23:39:00.004-06:00

Just a quick post before I call it a night- some portraits of a beautiful family from this past Thursday night. Keep an eye out for one of these faces... you'll see her in a wedding dress next weekend!

Kara and Chris - Married!

2009-07-05T13:26:00.004-06:00

I wish I could remember some of what Kara's friend Will had to say at their ceremony at the Calgary Zoo yesterday so I could share it here... it was so beautiful and so appropriate for the occasion.

Kara and Chris had a beautiful day to celebrate their marriage. Here's a quick peek at their wedding!

Congratulations and all the best.

Family Portraits - "Max" Family

2009-07-05T09:52:00.002-06:00

I just returned from a lovely holiday in SW Ontario, where my husband and I spent a week relaxing by the lake, swimming, fishing, enjoying the sunshine, visiting with family, and attending my brother-in-law's wedding. We had a great time there. I'm back in town now and back to the cold, rainy "summer" of Alberta, busy traffic, Stampede week, and more weddings!

I photographed this gorgeous family while we were in Hamilton area last week; Gary, Cindy, Erin and Laura are family-by-marriage for me and it was wonderful to have a visit with them and catch up. I think the last time we saw each other was about five or six years ago!

Brandi and Adam - Wedding

2009-06-21T17:11:00.006-06:00

You know it's been a long weekend (and I mean "long" like loooonnnngggg, not "long" like "gee, Monday's a holiday and it's been so nice and relaxing) when you spent 20 minutes getting frustrated with Blogger's servers for being down until you realize you've been typing in "Blooger.com." Okay, Shannon, time to take it easy for a little while... good timing- I'm off on holidays next week.

Yesterday was my second June wedding for this year and the date belonged to Brandi and Adam. I have a funny story about how I ended up booked for this wedding. Brandi and I both got our dogs through the same greyhound rescue organization, Chinook Winds Greyhound Rescue, and Brandi has seen a bunch of the pictures I've taken of the foster dogs that have been in and out of my house over the past two years. She loved my photos of the hounds and wanted to book me for her wedding. I had to laugh- who thought that pictures of foster dogs would net me a wedding booking? Go figure.

Anyway, on to the pictures!

The beautiful bride.

The flowers and the rings.

A few portraits of the happy couple.

Brandi and Adam's first dance as a Mr. & Mrs.

Have a wonderful honeymoon and congratulations to you both!

Natasha & Scott - Married!

2009-06-13T00:04:00.008-06:00

Congratulations to Natasha and Scott, Calgary's newest newlyweds. Their day was beautiful and the rain stayed away for long enough for us to get lots of pictures.

A few shots from the ceremony, for starters...

After the ceremony, we headed to the park for portraits.

The bridal party was enormous! I told Natasha that she had as many people in the bridal party as my husband and I had guests at out wedding. No joke!

They were all lots of fun and kept me entertained.

...especially the guys.

And the kids were fantastic, adorable, and really great throughout the day.

Finally, it was just Tasha, Scott and I for their portraits.

We shot the portraits in Carburn Park, which was fun for me since I got married there and that's where my husband and I did our wedding pictures. Also in June. On another rainy day. Wedding deja-vu!

Tasha and Scott, I hope your day was everything you imagined. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it. Enjoy your sneak peek and have a wonderful honeymoon!

Giving Back - NILMDTS

2009-06-09T18:31:00.003-06:00

"You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give." -Winston Churchill.

I want to take a minute to mention a charity that is close to my heart- Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

As you know, I do infant portraiture as part of my business. When couples are expecting a baby, they never expect to face a tragedy and leave the hospital with empty arms and broken hearts. Unfortunately, it happens. It happens often. And tragically, this happened to a friend of mine recently. I wish she had known about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) prior to delivering her son so that I could have done what I could to help in a terrible time.

NILMDTS is a non-profit organization operated by over 7000 photographers in 26 countries. These photographers donate their time and talent to create beautiful, meaningful keepsake portraits for families facing infant loss.

I consider myself very fortunate to volunteer as an affiliate photographer for NILMDTS in Calgary; it is a beautiful gift to be able to give these families portraits of their children that they might not otherwise have.

To the general public: Please consider making a small donation to NILMDTS in order to keep the services running. With over 1,000,000 unique hits per year, a dollar for every visitor to the website would go a long way.

For photographers and photoshop artists: Please consider donating your time and talent to this worthy cause.

To parents: NILMDTS offers a support forum at http://www.nowisleep.com.

Thank you.

Kaysey and Joe - Engagement

2009-05-31T22:25:00.002-06:00

Kaysey, Joe and I spent the afternoon in Canmore, checking out the gorgeous scenery and snapping some engagement photos. Their wedding is this August in Toronto, and they're both new to Calgary- what a gorgeous way to share the province with their family and friends back home.

Kaysey and Joe have the secret to a strong relationship down to a science; they laugh at everything and anything. I'm convinced that couples who laugh together stay together. No question.

A few of my favourite shots from the day.

Thanks to Kaysey and Joe for being so fun and making my job so easy; as well, thanks to Cafe Books and the Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe in Canmore for letting us borrow their stores for a few pictures.

Photographers and Photographers

2009-05-29T10:07:00.003-06:00

I think this makes me a bad wedding guest.

(Photo by Sam Wong/Visual Cravings Photography.)

Website Update

2009-05-25T14:28:00.001-06:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I've done another major website update- lots of new photos added to the Weddings and Portraits galleries.

Enjoy!

http://www.shalephotography.com

The Neon Boneyard - Las Vegas

2009-05-20T16:28:00.003-06:00

I just got back from four days in Las Vegas with my mom, my sister-in-law, my cousin, and my aunts. We had a BLAST.

One of the things I was dying to see this time was The Neon Boneyard- basically, it's a junkyard where the neon signs of Las Vegas go to die. It was even cooler than I had imagined it and I got some great shots- because of their rights and releases, I can't post them on the blog (because it's a professional site) but I can link to my Facebook album with the pictures; if you'd like to check them out, please go here:

The Neon Boneyard - Photo Album by Shannon Lane

Enjoy!

I Heart Faces Week #18- Laughter

2009-05-11T18:19:00.006-06:00

I've mentioned before that I like to follow the I Heart Faces blog; their Fix-It Fridays are a lot of fun for me and pop up on my blog every couple of weeks. They also host a weekly photo challenge; there is a theme, and a category for photos of adults and one for children. I've never entered the weekly challenges before, but this week's theme spoke to me: Laughter. As soon as I saw it, I knew the photo I wanted to enter.

This shot was taken at a wedding reception on Hallowe'en night, 2008, and it's still one of my favourites; it is pure, unadulterated joy. There is nothing but bliss in her face. It makes me feel good right down to my bones to see the happiness in her face and the laugh these two guests were sharing on the dance floor.

Swing over to I Heart Faces to see more laughter photos (and guest judge Ree Drummond- one of my favourites!)

Eva and Bret - Wedding

2009-04-26T16:49:00.006-06:00

Beautiful couple, beautiful wedding, terrible weather! Rumour has it that Calgary had beautiful weather yesterday, but Cochrane was a whole other story. Eva and Bret didn't let it get to them, though- they toughed it out for a few pictures, shrugged off the snow, and had a great day... and great food. I can't remember who made the cheese buns, but WOW, they were good... and I know cheese buns. :)

Eva and Bret, I love how you just let things roll and don't stress about anything. I really believe that's the secret to a long and happy life together.

Congratulations to you both. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek.

The flower girl getting her hair done... or as my sister-in-law would say, "getting her hairs did." :)

The bride on her way to being altar-ready.

Finishing touches. Isn't she beautiful?

A touching moment during the ceremony.

The bridal party toughing it out in the snow for a few minutes. Thanks, guys!

The new Mr. & Mrs.!

Their rings... I love Eva's set.

A moment with Grandma. I'm not a huge fan of black and white, but some photos just call for it- this is one of them.

The rings again.

The snow finally stopped after dinner, so we took a few more shots outside of the reception hall.

Mountain Goat

2009-04-22T19:20:00.003-06:00

Just sharing a shot from this past weekend- I spent less than an hour in Canmore but had an eventful day, between taking a friend up to a few idea photo spots to losing my cell phone. Because I'm just that awesome.

Anyway, mountain goats make everything better so it wasn't a huge loss.

ShalePhoto @ Twitter

2009-04-19T22:43:00.004-06:00

Shale Photography is finally on Twitter. I don't know quite why... but if you want to follow the updates, you can find me at http://www.twitter.com/shalephoto

Fix-It Friday #10

2009-04-17T16:15:00.006-06:00

Another Fix-It Friday from the I <3 Faces blog (http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com)

The original image is absolutely adorable; I was so drawn to this one. However, the colours are washed out and dull and the framing of the rock- while I love it- overpowers the little guy who should be the main focus.

The original image, by Miranda:

I took the following steps to edit this image:

1. Crop. I used a freehand crop and it ended up almost a perfect 2:3 aspect ratio. The purpose of my crop was twofold: to cut out a bunch of the rock, and to get our subject (the little man) at a crosspoint for the rule of thirds. If you put a grid over the edited version, you will see that the top horizontal third line runs through his eyes and the right vertical thirds line runs through the middle of his face. Perfect.
2. Curves. I lightened ever so slightly, then intensified the black tones. This made a huge difference in the photo- the colours are now bright and saturated.
3. Sharpen the image slightly. I ran an Unsharp Mask at 75%, with a radius of 2.0 pixels and a threshold of 0.

That's it- easiest edit ever.

The finished version:

Pop over to the blog and see what other folks have been up to today!

Drumheller

2009-04-08T21:26:00.008-06:00

A couple of Fridays ago I made a drive out to Drumheller to pick up a friend. She was staying in the hospital for a few days to recuperate from a minor surgery (you've gotta love rural hospitals!) and needed a ride home.

It was a beautiful, warm spring day and such a pleasant drive. I popped in CDs from three of my favourite Canadian bands/musicians and drove along the prarie, content. I spent 90 minutes admiring the scenery, enjoying my tea from Tim Horton's, singing along to my stereo, thinking about how fantastic Canadian health care is in light of the fact that this friend just spent three days in hospital and will never see a bill, and remembering how much I love this country. Every last part of it. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather live.

Also, The Weakerthans. I love The Weakerthans. I often refer to Rick Mercer as a national treasure and in my eyes, The Weakerthans are right up there, too. (The other two CDs in my stereo that afternoon were by Nine Miles to Morgan and Feist, for those who are curious.)

Anyway, I digress. I picked up said friend from the hospital and asked how she was feeling; she was doing well, so I told her we needed to make a pitstop on the way out of town. When I was 8, my dad took my brother, Jordan, and I to Reptile World on a rainy afternoon while we were camping near Drumheller. Jordan and I held a large boa constrictor named Sophie around our necks.

That picture has nothing to do with this story, except that it is of my brother and I and it was taken on the same day. I know this because of our ridiculous outfits. So, just picture those two goofy kids with a big snake wrapped around our necks. Great, now you're caught up.

I have no idea why I don't have a copy of the picture with the snake. I'll have to call my dad tomorrow and ask him to scan it and email it to me. Dad, if you're reading this- can you send me the picture of Jordan and I with Sophie? Thanks.

Edit: Thanks Dad. Wow, that is a good outfit.

Anyway. Back to two Fridays ago.

Being in Drumheller for the day, I wanted to go back to Reptile World, nearly 20 years later, and see if Sophie was still around. I knew it was doubtful, but snakes can live for a long time and I was curious.

She was not. The kind young lady at the desk informed us that she had passed away quite a few years ago. However, the new resident snake, Brittany, was Sophie's daughter. How cool is that?

So, we held Brittany. I don't know if she was smaller than her mom or if I'm just bigger than I was when I was 8, but the heft and bulk of a boa that I thought I remembered so clearly just wasn't there.

Thanks to my post-operative friend for snapping these pics.

See, my camera's not that hard to use! And boa constrictors are perfectly harmless... though that's not to say I don't get a little antsy when they start to curl around my neck. Yikes.

There were other snakes too- smaller ones, like these two beauties.

And if snakes aren't your thing, there are geckos.

Let's get closer...

And closer still...

Cool.

It seems like a lot of time in Drumheller is spent looking up.

I love the vintage-y theatre sign. Speaking of vintage-y...

Why doesn't Calgary have Men's Shops with cool blue concrete walls? That's the wall that my current Facebook profile picture was taken in front of, if anyone's wondering. I'd love to utilize that for wedding portraits.

We made a pitstop at Horseshoe Canyon on the way back into town. What a cool sight- you're in the middle of the prarie, there's farmland all around, then BAM. Canyon.

Why anyone would want to live anywhere else is beyond me. Canada is amazing.

Free print winner & News

2009-04-06T18:03:00.001-06:00

Thanks to all the people who recently joined the Shale Photography group on Facebook, and congratulations to Catherine who was #100 and won the free print. I photographed Catherine's wedding last month, so I know she has lots of images to choose from!

I still have some space for bookings in 2009; please contact me if you'd like to talk. I'm booking into 2010 and would be happy to meet with brides-to-be for next year, too.

In "administrative"-type news, I'm going back to my maiden name (Shannon Lane), so the group name and information on the website and blog will be changing. Yes, I'm still happily married and that's not about to change anytime soon; my married name just never felt like it fit me and honestly, it's just too hard to spell and pronounce. I'm happy to have a nice, simple name again.

Mianna

2009-04-05T09:33:00.002-06:00

Mianna wins the award for the most expressive newborn I've ever met. She barely closed her eyes throughout our session and had some of the funniest faces I've ever seen on a child so young. She was also the tiniest newborn I've ever photographed, at barely 6 pounds. Too cute!

Just a couple of previews.

Okotoks Bridal Show

2009-03-27T22:53:00.003-06:00

The bridal show went well last night! Just a few pictures from the show, a hello to all of the brides (and grooms, and moms, and friends, and other vendors) that I met last night, and a congratulations to Katie, who won the doorprize I donated.

Bridal Show - Okotoks, March 26

2009-03-25T20:48:00.003-06:00

Just letting you know that I will be at the Okotoks Centennial Centre tomorrow (Thursday, March 26) for the Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase. I'd love it if you stopped by the booth to see some work and say hello!

There will be lots of prints on display, free goodies (cinnamon hearts!), a 10%-off promo code, and a draw for the framed print by yours truly as seen below; hopefully that's enticing enough to bring in a good number of brides.

Hope to see you there!

Kids.

2009-03-22T20:53:00.004-06:00

I love photographing kids- babies, toddlers, and children. They're all great. Kids don't stress in front of the camera like a lot of adults- myself included- do.

This family responded to my casting call for a non-Caucasian baby a few weeks ago, and I couldn't have asked for better models. We were finally able to get a day booked, and when I saw the snow this morning, I was worried I wouldn't be able to get my car out and we'd have to reschedule. However, my little beast made it just fine... I didn't fare so well and took a spill in the middle of the road when leaving this session. But, bruised tailbone and injured dignity aside, everything went well and I think their shots turned out great.

Thanks for having me over today, "H" family... and thanks to the neighbour who helped me out of the street. :) I hope you enjoy your sneak peek. Your gallery will be online shortly.

Modelling is hard work.

Fix-It Friday

2009-03-20T23:17:00.004-06:00

This week's Fix It Friday photo was a beauty, but required a fair bit of tweaking. This photo is from the I <3 Faces blog and was not taken by me. The post-processing is my work.

Before:

After:

The steps I took- using Photoshop CS4- are as follows:
1. Use Cooling #80 filter at 20%.
2. Lighten the photo significantly using Curves.
3. Use the PW Boost action and lower the opacity to the desired level.
4. Flatten the image.
5. Use the healing brush to touch up imperfections. I removed the red spot from below his eye, the bags under his eye, and a fleck of something (though it might just be a freckle...) on his chest.
6. Use PW's Bring On The Eyes action.
7.Flatten the image again.
8. Use the Vibrance slider to achieve the desired colour saturation (I brought it up to +37.)
9. Use Curves again to lighten every so slightly.
10. Use Levels to darken up the black tones a little bit.

Crystal and Mark - Wedding

2009-03-15T19:34:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was another gorgeous March Saturday. I can't believe the luck I've had with weather and weddings. Touch wood and all, but I've never had rain or snow for a wedding that I've photographed. The worst I've had to deal with is either -25 or +34, which, in the grand scheme of things, is no big deal at all... but I can't decide which one was easier to work in!

Congratulations to Crystal and Mark who were married in Canmore yesterday. Their day was stunningly beautiful and very special. They've requested that their photos stay private, so I've put together a slideshow for friends and family only- the newlyweds can provide you with the password!

Click here for Crystal and Mark's Slideshow

And since I hate to blog without posting a picture- here's Lac Des Arcs sometime yesterday morning.

I Heart Faces

2009-03-13T10:27:00.003-06:00

Have you seen the I Heart Faces blog? It's built around portrait photography and I love to browse it.

On Fix-It Fridays, they post an image that needs a little help, and it's up to the readers of the blog to give it a little boost.

Here's this week's image.

Just a reminder- I didn't take this image. I've just made myself in charge of playing with it.

Anyway, remember a few days ago when I told you about The Pioneer Woman's Actions for Photoshop? Well, those played a big part in my fix-up:

I edited the photo this way:
1. Crop.
2. Fresh and Colourful. Adjust opacity of "soft light" layer.
3. Boost. Adjust opacity.
4. Bring On The Eyes.
5. Flatten image.
6. Adjust Hue/Saturation. Select "Reds" and crank up the saturation. Adjust blues and crank up the saturation even more.
7. Clone out the pesky mossy tree thing and make it look like it was never there.

The end! That whole edit takes only a few minutes. If you haven't made friends with Photoshop (I'm using CS4, but they're all good) then you really, really need to.

This little man...

2009-03-12T20:57:00.003-06:00

I occasionally (okay, often) have moments when I'm editing photos and I think to myself, "How did I miss this shot when I did the blog post for this wedding?!"

Tonight was one of those moments. Except it was four shots. Check out how amazingly cute this little guy is- I love the whole sequence of coming down the aisle, handing over the rings, and going back to his seat.

Catherine and Brennan's Wedding

2009-03-07T23:27:00.007-07:00

Saturday was so lovely it felt like spring instead of late winter. Catherine and Brennan lucked out and beat the odds for an early-March wedding- even if only by a few hours! With the snow on Saturday night, it was hard to believe it had been sunny and warm just a few hours earlier in the day.

It was a beautiful ceremony (with one of the better pastors I've met- thanks, Matt!) and Catherine, Brennan, their families and their bridal party were all a lot of fun. Thanks for making my job so easy, guys!

The music for the processional.

The registry of weddings at the church

The maids' flowers.

Signing the papers- I love the way the decor frames everything in this shot.

Married!

Sharing a moment during the receiving line.

Catherine. Is she not the most stunning bride?

Brennan and Catherine.

We were able to sneak into the games room at the building we were shooting in for a few fun pictures.

Congratulations to you both and all the best in the years to come!

Photoshop Actions

2009-03-05T21:27:00.007-07:00

For those of you interested in photography and who use Photoshop:

One of my personal favourite bloggers, Ree Drummond (AKA The Pioneer Woman) has released two sets of Photoshop actions, custom-made with the help of Totally Rad Actions. I'm not generally a fan or a user of actions, but some of these are very, very nice. They're also available free for download from her website- http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/photography

Here's a few before-and-afters of the actions in action.

Vintage:

Boost and PW's B+W:

Colorize and Boost:

It takes a bit of playing to figure out which action works with which photo, but once you figure it out, they're really very nice. I highly recommend hopping over to PW's website and downloading them for yourself. They're free- why not? Enjoy!

As well, I've changed my website slightly again tonight. After purchasing a Macbook this week, I realized that the particular layout I was using gets cropped on smaller-format computers; the new site has been tested with Mac (iMac and Macbook) and PCs (laptop and desktop) and should work just fine. Please let me know if you find any bugs!

A special promo for blog readers...

2009-02-24T13:20:00.002-07:00

The 100th person to join the Shale Photography group on Facebook will receive a free print (up to 12x18") of their choice (art or event.)

Good luck!

Newborn portrait session(s) - Free

2009-02-18T20:44:00.002-07:00

I'm looking to "diversify" my portfolio of newborn/baby pictures; Calgary is a multi-cultural city and unfortunately, my baby pictures do not reflect this. If you have a non-Caucasian baby (under 1 year) or are expecting a baby who is non-Caucasian and would like a free portrait session, now's the time. If you know someone that this might apply to, please pass this along!

The "fine print:"
-Must allow photos to be used in display and promotion (website, blog, advertising.)
-Portrait session will be done in your home.
-Prints/announcements/products will be available for purchase at regular prices.

Please send me an email with your name, contact information, baby's first name and age, and a photo. Email to: info@shalephotography.com.

Thanks!

Reva and Chris (and Mary!)

2009-02-15T13:29:00.006-07:00

Reva and Chris were kind enough to have me to their beautiful home in Okotoks this morning for a portrait session; they just purchased their first house and recently got engaged. What a perfect time to remember with some photos! Their little dog Mary was so well behaved and photogenic, too.

I told you Mary was cute!

Fun with a fisheye:

Sometimes...

2009-02-08T18:47:00.004-07:00

Sometimes the most random, quick snapshots of your friends turn out to be the most beautiful photos.

Thanks, Lindsay, for not only being my snapshot model but for taking a few shots of me today for my site. :)

New announcements

2009-02-06T19:22:00.002-07:00

Okay, admittedly, every time I finish an announcement layout, I declare it my favourite one. But this one might actually be my favourite- love it! Wanted to share it with you.

New products!

2009-02-01T01:04:00.001-07:00

Well, it's officially February 1st and I'm still up like a sucker, working on stuff... but I'm happy to say that the new products have been unveiled!

I will now be offering plaque mounting, canvas prints, coffee tables albums (they're gorgeous!) and announcement cards. Some sample announcement cards are also on the website now, listed under Galleries --> Announcements.

Let me know what you think!

Last two days to secure current prices!

2009-01-29T22:35:00.002-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that my pricing will be changing on February 1, 2009. If you would like to secure the current rates, please give me a shout and reserve your session before then!

Sarah and Chad - Married!

2009-01-25T18:10:00.004-07:00

What a perfect day for a Winter Wonderland wedding. It was really cold but crisp, fresh, and beautiful. The sun was out and there was barely any wind, so it wasn't so bad. :)

Sarah and Chad had a gorgeous day out at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Going through their pictures, I had so many favourites that I had trouble limiting myself to just a few.

Thanks again for inviting me along, you guys- the day was amazing. I hope your marriage is as beautiful and successful as your wedding day.

Banff and Lake Louise

2009-01-25T16:12:00.001-07:00

I'm home from a very cold but fantastic weekend in Banff and Lake Louise. I was out for Sarah and Chad's wedding- their sneak peek will be coming next- so my husband opted to come out with me and we spent the night and took in the town. It was the Ice Magic Festival this weekend, so there was lots to see, and we had a fantastic dinner at The Grizzly House in Banff- so, so wonderful. Best meal I've had in a long time and fantastic service.

A few pics from the weekend:

My little beast of a car pulled over while I took those last two shots (and a few more.)

This is one of the sculptures from the "One Sculptor, One Block, One Hour" competition. It wasn't the winner, but it was my favourite of the bunch, hands-down.

I love shooting pictures of sweets. They're so bright and colourful.

Candy apples are probably my least favourite thing to eat, but they do make for nice photos. I like colour and I like repetition.

A few of my favourite things...

2009-01-18T15:33:00.009-07:00

This is just a random post... my home-office was in disarray the last couple of weeks as I purged stuff, moved furniture, bought new equipment, etc. It's been a disaster (and I didn't even get to paint it... sigh.) But now it's finished and I've filled it with a bunch of my favourite things, most of which are toys. It's a very pleasant space for me to work in and I wanted to share it with my blog followers.

First things first- the most amazing purchase I made in 2008: The Bose SoundDock II.

I love this thing. It has completely changed the way I listen to music and I will never buy a stereo system that isn't made by Bose. Everyone should have one of these. The only problem is that now, I want the Bose Lifestyle Home Theatre to go with it... and that runs about $2500. Yikes.

One of my favourite things for the DIY-fanatic: ReadyMade Magazine.

I've had a subscription for a few years now and it's one of the few mags that I read but never get rid of. I often find myself leafing through old issues for project ideas. Very clever stuff in there!

I like sand timers in offices. I have no real need for one, yet I'm always flipping it while I work on stuff. This little guy measures only 15 minutes, but it's ORANGE.

Orange sand! How cool. You can also get them in blue, red, green, black, and white. I picked it up at Chapter's.

What's that behind the timer? Oh yes. My very own robot.

Robot Lilliput was a gift from the fantastically awesome Lindsay Allan. I believe she picked it up at FAO Schwarz in Las Vegas, but I've seen them at Livingstone and Cavell Extraordinary Toys in Calgary.

Speaking of stuff from Las Vegas, every time I'm there (or anytime someone I know is going there) I need to get a new Dunny. These are made by KidRobot, which modestly brands them as "the world's greatest toy." I don't know about that, but they really are quite cool.

They're just little things- about 3" tall- and each one is designed by a different artist. You really need to click the picture to enlarge it and check them out. I think they're fantastic. And if you happen to be going to Vegas anytime soon, you can buy them near the counter at the Urban Outfitters in the Miracle Mile Shops. Thanks kindly. :)

Another one of my favourite things is a wedding gift that my husband and I got from family friends of ours.

Apparently, it's Korean tradition to give a jewelery box to the bride and groom; it's a gift for both of us, "for him to fill and her to enjoy." I love that. It's empty and I keep it in my office because it's just so beautiful and I love the sentiment behind it.

Every office needs a clock, right?

This one would be better justified with video rather than a still photo. The gears all turn as the second hand moves. It's kind of noisy, but one of the neatest little things I own.

Yet another gift from Lindsay, and this is one of my favourite things EVER-

Red! Yes, that's a stuffed Red from Fraggle Rock. Okay, so I'm kind of dating myself with that, but I love this. And I know Lindsay worked hard to get one for me since they're no longer made.

And speaking of red- I love these.

I'm a candy junkie and love pretty much anything made of sugar, but Red Hots have always been one of my favourites. If anyone happens to see me at a bridal show in March (more on that later...) you'll be sure to find a little pouch of these in your gift bag. Hopefully you'll like them as much as I do.

What are some of YOUR favourite things?

Wedding Availability and Prices

2009-01-15T13:43:00.006-07:00

Just a quick update with some news!

I will be available to take some bookings in Southern Ontario this summer. If you are getting married on the weekend of June 26-28 and are interested in booking, or if you would like a portrait session (newborn, family, child, or pet) between June 26 and July 3, please give me a shout. I will be available for the area circled in red:

Pardon my super-ghetto drawing there, but it's easier than saying "south of the 402, east to Lake Erie, west to the Michigan border, and south to..." um... well, just look at the image. And remember that I'm staying in Canada. :)

The second part of the news: My packages and pricing will be adjusted on February 1, 2009. If you are thinking about booking a portrait session or wedding photography, please contact me sooner rather than later to secure the current rates.

I'm also going to be changing my product availability in the coming months, so keep an eye out for information on that.

Cheers!

Happy 2009 - Wedding Photography Contest Winner!

2009-01-01T12:13:00.007-07:00

Happy 2009!

I "officially" started Shale Photography on January 1, 2008, after much encouragement from family and friends that I could turn my hobby into a money maker. This past year has been a whirlwind; I never, ever thought I'd be as busy as I have been. I've met amazing people, photographed beautiful weddings, shared in the happiest day of people's lives, and had an amazing time. Thank you to everyone that has been a part of that.

In celebration of the completion of my first year in business- because business, like a marriage, is supposed to be roughest in its first year- I am happy to announce the winner of the Free Wedding Photography contest.

I received some fantastic entries. Really, really fantastic. I decided I would choose the entry that brought out the most raw, honest reaction in me, and frankly, a lot of them did just that.

Connie started her entry with "This seemed overwhelming; how could one story sum up three and a half of the best years of my life?"

Anna and Vinh are high school sweethearts finally marrying one another after eight years together. And Anna was volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, building houses in Guatemala. Anna, you rock.

Lily says, "Life together of course is not all smiles all the time, but even at the worst times we've never stayed mad at each other for more than a day. We are grateful for being able to wake up each day finding out the other has hogged all the blanket and we are ready to take the next step to get married and start a family."

Christine and Enrico have travelled all over and decided to call Calgary home, saying "We decided to start our life together here to enjoy the mountains any time we please."

Shannon and Ryan have a fantastic story of how they met that's too long to reproduce here, but suffice to say that they both ended up alone and broken-hearted on grad night when their dates left with each other instead of them... and then ran into each other 8 years later and, as they say, the rest is history. Plus, their wedding is at the Calgary Aerospace Museum. How cool is that?!

However, after all of those entries and more, one still took the cake:

Allyson and Cody.

Allyson's entry was by far the longest one, but I laughed from start to finish. I've edited out some personal and identifying details, but have a read:

My name is Allyson, and my fiance's name is Cody. We have a home in Airdrie, and one lovely Boxer, Royce. We have lived there for two years now, and love it. We are a pretty chill couple, we like to try everything, we kinda of just go with the floooow...

Cody and I met Camping August Long ’05 (We actually cant even remember the date we started dating, so we make it up.)

So we have been together for almost 3 years (On August 3rd we think), and engaged for a little over a year (March 15th). We are quite the couple, at first the engagement basically turned into a competition. Let me explain. I thought it would be cool to ask Cody to marry me, I told my brothers, and my family being kinda old fashion, my brothers completely disagreed and leaked the secret out to Cody, so Cody having nooooo idea when, where or what I was doing, he felt the pressure, because he to would not have that either... So a couple weeks went by and Cody could not take the pressure anymore, and within 4 days, he asked my parents if he could marry me, he bought me the PERFECT ring, rented a gorilla suit, and with my Mom’s help coordinated the proposal. I went to my parents' house, walked in the door, and there was Cody in a gorilla suit on one knee with a pink rose... Needless to say, after I laughed for what probably felt like an eternity to Cody... I said YES. When I am nervous I can't stop laughing. The following day is when his ring was going to be ready, so I was one day shy of winning the competition... but I have to admit, it was more then I ever imagined, so I'm glad I didn’t win! Now, to explain the gorilla suit: I am weirdly obsessed with gorillas and monkeys, and I always said I wanted to be proposed to by a monkey, and he pulled it off. It was amazing!

So at the end of the day we are just two young freaks MADLY in love, and can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.

So, the wedding plans are starting, we are going to Mexico to get married, and coming back here for a reception and dance for people who simply cannot afford to go away. I think it is very important to have all your loved ones at your special day... So we are having our Reception & Dance on May 23rd ’09. It’s going to cost us a little more, but I get to wear my dress twice and it will be worth it to see everyone.

If anything I hoped I made you smile, and maybe even giggle a little. Just so you know, we are having VERN’s pizza at the reception, and I promise to feed you, if you have had Vern’s Pizza, you will want to come just for the Pizza, and if you have not there is more of a reason to PICK US... Mmmmm.

I have attached a couple photos of our life together, ENJOY!

Thank You for taking the time to read this!

Have a good day.

Did I mention we are having Vern’s Pizza at the Reception?? Ha ha!

-Allyson & Cody

Congratulations, Allyson and Cody!

Bianca and Family

2008-12-25T08:50:00.003-07:00

This gorgeous little girl has her mom and dad wrapped around her ten tiny little fingers- but who can blame them? Look at that face. She was such a doll and so well behaved throughout our whole session. A complete joy to photography.

Merry Christmas to Carrie, Joe, and little Bianca!

Christmas in Ontario

2008-12-24T08:18:00.002-07:00

I've been spending the last week or so in SW Ontario again. It's such a lovely part of the country that I'm proud to call home.

I'll be photographing another sweet little girl this afternoon, so stay tuned for those photos in the next few days. There has also been the surprise arrival of a baby girl in the last few days on my husband's side of the family, so I may grab a few shots on Boxing Day if they make the trek down to Windsor with the little one... we'll see about that.

I'll be announcing the winner of the Free 2009 Wedding Photography contest- I've chosen a fantastically fun couple and can't wait to be a part of their special day. I'll make that announcement on New Year's Day.

Have a very happy holidays!

Baby Alyssa

2008-12-14T00:31:00.005-07:00

What a sweet, beautiful little girl I photographed yesterday. Say hello to ten-day-old Alyssa.

What a sweet little face.

This shot makes me chuckle.

Congratulations to new parents Christine and Shane.

Website Update

2008-12-11T22:11:00.002-07:00

Hi everyone-

Just a quick note to let you know that my website has undergone a major overhaul and has been published tonight. The site itself is slightly different, and the new layout should allow everything to load much faster. I have added lots of new photos to the Weddings and Portraits Galleries. I have also added two new features: links to other wedding professionals in Calgary, and online ordering. The Online Ordering page can be used to order prints as well as to pay for portrait sessions or wedding photography bookings. Payments can now be made by credit card, debit, or PayPal via the website (in additional to cheque, cash, or money order.)

If you're on Facebook, please check out the Shale Photography group for regular updates- you can find it by searching "Shale Photography" or by clicking here.

Ellie

2008-12-10T21:58:00.003-07:00

Have you met Ellie?

For the camera-literate folks: That was shot at ISO 5000 (not a typo!) in my dimly-lit living room with no natural light. The Nikon D700 is worth every penny.

(Technical specs: Nikon D700, ISO 5000, 50 mm, 1/125 s, f/2.8.)