New Website and Great Danes!

Hello, We have been very busy giving crystal.puim.photography a new look for Spring 09. We are revamping our website, our logo and giving new energy to an already fun dynamic of people. Of course photography doesn't halt for us even with the upgrade and we have had alot of fun with various shoots this month! One particular shoot that sticks out was our Great Dane Pet Shoot. Jethro is only 1 1/2 years old and Stella is 2 but you wouldn't guess it looking at these two! They, like every other puppy, had alot of playful energy! Here's a sneak peek- you'll be able to see more once the website is ready! See you soon!

Ackland Grainger's National Sales Conference and Tradeshow 2009

I was hired on by Sonar MediaThink to take photos of Ackland Grainger's 2009 National Sales Conference on January 14th and 16th. The first night was the Meet and Greet with group photos of over 600 employees downtown at The Westin. Friday morning was the Tradeshow at the Shaw Conference Center where companies like 3M, GE, Kimberly-Clark, Westward and dozens of other companies showed what they were all about with some very impressive booths! The event wrapped up that night with the Presidents Gala where many employees were honoured for their achievements with bonuses and even trips to Hawaii! They definitely know how to treat their employees! It was a hectic couple of days and we got to meet some really great people! Thanks again Acklands Grainger and Sonar MediaThink! Job well done!

Send My Love To Germany!

I had the honor of working with a very fun and dynamic couple this weekend! They found my website and liked my style so they decided to contact me in the off chance I may be able to fit them in for family photos of the 2 of them before they left to visit family back in Germany. I had no idea that when I met up with them that I would be talking to a married couple of almost 20 years who are ex skydivers (not only recreational but professionally!) They are the most energetic and fun couple I have had the pleasure of meeting! They even brought clothes and prop changes! The day is a blur of laughing and photo taking and the end product turned out quite well!! "Awesome job, Crystal! It was so much fun hanging out with you and Mark...Again - thanks a lot, you are amazing (not just as a photographer)." -Steffi The photos above aren't even the ones that made the cut! I will be posting my favorites in my gallery so be sure to take a look! And of course, have a safe trip Steffi and Torsten- send my love to Germany!

Upcoming Price Adjustments...

Due to raising costs in fuel, wages, equipment and services we have new prices in affect which can be viewed on our site under "Services". The adjustments are minimal and will be in effect as of October 15th 2008. Please note that our prices are still below the average and do not have any "hidden costs." The new pdf's are now up! Thanks for your understanding -Crystal

Website Updates with Photos www.crystalphotos.ca

Just for those of you whom were asking about new photos and when they were going to be up they are now up and running! We have a few new adds to existing albums like "Product, Food, Archetecture", "People Etc", and "Engagements". And we have added new albums in the Wedding Portion of the site titled "NEW Glimpses" aand "Wedding Story 2". We have future plans of dividing the Corporate and Wedding portions of our site into 2 sites and including a new site entitled "Zen" or something to that affect so that there are 3 seperate portals to go into but that might be a while yet... If I could use only 1 descriptor to encompass the last year of crystal.puim.photography it would have to be the word GROWTH. Times are booming- I have corporate jobs ahead (1 today actually) and I am getting booked up for next year's weddings. Blessings to all and a huge thank you!

Good Day Sunshine!

The end of Wedding Season is here (sort of...Im glad it never fully ends) and other photo jobs have started to appear on the horizon. I have managed to take some menu/food photography and the odd headshot but two jobs really stuck out as fun for me this month. I had the pleasure of doing some engagement photos with a super fun couple and later that same week I did some kid photos with the cutest little guy and the biggest wonderment in his eyes. I love my job- I really do. Now I must find time this week to update my website- at least add some new photos!

Thank you...

So Wedding Season is coming to an end for me- the hectic energy is dying down to a more handleable load and I feel mixed emotions about it (as I always do.) I welcome the lull as a chance to renew and re-energize but I will miss all the lovely moments that weddings bring. The tears, the laughter, the anticipation and the celebration always moves me (I always have to brace myself as the bride walks down the aisle because even I shed a tear or two...) Speaking of celebration I am writing this blog to mention a wedding I just shot last week! I shot my first ever Ethiopian wedding and they definitely know how to celebrate and rejoice! It was the most wonderful thing I ever experienced! I was hired a couple of days later to shoot the gift opening and I was amazed at how inviting everyone was. They all remembered me and laughed and invited me as part of their family. There was, however, one moment at the wedding reception that meant alot to me. One of the gentleman at one of the tables who could hardly speak a word of english took it upon himself to take me aside and say "You are truly gifted at what you do! People like you...you do a good job!" Thank you...even after all these years and all of these photo sessions I weep at the sincere appreciation of my clients and their family! I guess now it's time to update my website with the new photos, to add new packages, to add new and exciting options for me lovely clients, and to eventually make a new section for a new photo project of mine (well..relatively new..it's been in progress since 2003.) Where do I begin?

...and more weddings...

I will soon be updating my website but I have been busy with even more photos and when I think I may be coming to the end of wedding season I get more inquiries! Lol... and I am loving it!

Wedding Season

It seems it has been ages since I have written last. I guess it sorta has been. My last written entry was in May and now we find ourselves in a very weather turbulant Summer and coming to an end of it. I have been keeping busy doing photography but I usually only book 1-2 weddings a month in the summer (as I like to take on other photo projects as well.)This year I planned a little differently and took on many more weddings as I had specific requests for my services; wonderful clients who took a look at my site and enjoyed the style and look of what they saw. How could I not try and photograph their most memorable day? I have currently shot 6 weddings in the last 2 months and still have a couple more to go and I am thrilled and delighted to have had such wonderful weddings to attend and such open and friendly couples to work with. No fear though- I have still managed to be in talks with a few people about doing the odd corporate or product photo job and I welcome the variety but for now I have been living in Weddingland and enjoying the visit immensely knowing that it is about to wind down and yet knowing that I already have a few booked for next year so I can visit the land of romance and love again. I am, however, looking forward to do various photo genres as I already got a taste of it shooting some items for a band's cd cover which I enjoyed (even if I was photographing rusted nails and rattlesnake tails...isn't that what little boys are made of? ) Anyways, enough rambling as I have some photo editing to do and a Fringe play to attend to tonight. Life is good. Please keep your eyes posted in late September for a new "Wedding Glimpses 08" folder on my site of a select few new weddings shot this year. Until then...I will give you a sneek peek!