Product Shots!

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!

Council of Canadians COC

On October 31st I was hired on by a fantastic citizens group that works hard getting attention brought to some serious issues that Canadians face. The shoot was held at the Crown Plaza Chateau Lacombe Downtown and their three day conference was being held there. "Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. We work to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians. We develop creative campaigns to put some of the country’s most important issues into the spotlight. We work with a network of over 70 volunteer chapters to organize speaking tours, days of action, conferences and demonstrations. We also produce research reports, create popular materials, and work with individuals and organizations across the country and around the world. We do all of this to ensure that governments know the kind of Canada we want. The Council does not accept money from corporations or governments, and is sustained entirely by the volunteer energy and financial assistance of its members." I had a great time doing the photoshoot that was headed up by Jan Malek and everyone was so cooperative and fun! Now that my attentions have been brought to this group I definitely want to take a deeper look into the council and I encourage you to do the same!

Promo shots close to home!

So this week I was hired to do a few headshots and promotional shots for my boyfriend's new website. (He runs a digital video production company called Point Of View Media and he also helps out in my company from time to time as a wedding videographer and lacky. It was my turn to help him out and I think he was pleased. We got a bit goofy by the end and even managed to do a fake ad for my company...*Laugh* take a look.

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!