Rock On!

Haha! This little cutie is gonna be a rockstar, I just know it. I had the pleasure of meeting this very fun and easy-going family last weekend. As what happens sometimes, the weather just didn't want to cooperate with us. Rainy and dreary outside, their kitchen nook had great light. So out went the table. Out went the chairs. Everyone sat on the floor and played with Mr. J. He had a blast, and I think we all did too. :)

The Look of Love

I'm a bloggin' fiend these days!
It's because I'm proofing so many session in so little time, just trying to get everyone their galleries out as soon as possible.
This little guy was feeling a bit under the weather at our session, but was still a trooper, giving me lots of smiles and grins.
This shot is my favorite though, his mama was whispering in his ear, and the expression on his face says it all. Pure contentment!

***Oh, and September is almost completely booked up for weekend sessions. There are only two left! If you want some fall portraits, book now!

Sleepy

I've been really lucky lately, and been getting some super sleepy newborns. It helps when the heat is cranked up in the house, (to the point where we're sweating), and the baby is less that two weeks old. When they get a little older than that, they are more aware of their surroundings and not so keen to be poked, prodded and moved. This little guy stayed pretty sleepy, waking once in awhile to nurse. Perfection!

Best. Hair. Ever.

Can you believe all the hair this little man from today has?
I'm uploading the photos onto the computer and had to grab this one to share with everyone.
It cracks me up - his hair is longer than my 10 month old's!
Thanks for a great afternoon today guys, I had lots of fun.

On a completely different note, Fresh Sugar is having a policy change. Effective immediately, galleries are online for 1 week after posting. An extension of 3 days can be provided under extenuating circumstances. After that time, all gallery images will be archived OFF my main computer, and will require an archiving fee of $50 to be paid to repost the gallery for 3 more days.

I have several galleries tying up valuable space on my computer right now, and with my recent crash, I don't want to hog unnecessary resources. I want to keep things as streamlined as possible, and help everyone through the ordering process.
Please send me an email if you have any questions. Thanks!

New Music

If you keep your speakers on while cruising the site, you probably have noticed that I like to change the music up every so often.
I love finding artists who give their permission to use their music, and my latest find is Ashley Gramins. She has a beautiful voice and such a funky style. You can listen to her version of Rainbow Connection on www.freshsugar.ca, it's the 3rd song.
If you love what you hear, and I'm sure you will - you can purchase her cd Mama Rocks on iTunes.

Book now to secure one of the last evening sessions!

Just a quick update today, evening sessions are only available until the end of September, and are booking fast.
If you are interested in grabbing one of these last few dates to get some nice evening light photos (my personal fave) then check the website for the schedule and email me!

I'm still looking for teenage models for my new site, and need more guys - so if you know any, please tell them about the deal.
Free photo session, a cd of websized, watermarked images perfect for Facebook or MySpace, and 50% off prints.
Also needed, anyone who is interested in "trashing" their grad dress. Check out Drown The Gown to get an idea of what I'm talking about!

Finally, my computer should be ready for pickup today. I've been lost without it. For those waiting on newborn/maternity sessions - I am going to be working 'round the clock the next week to make sure your galleries get up in a timely manner. Thank you all so much for your patience.

Oh, and I've got some new additions to Fresh Sugar's product list. I'll be posting some photos soon! New birth announcements and new collages! Stay tuned!

(and the photo is random, but I can't post an entry without a pic! This is one of the only photos on my laptop, taken with our Canon point and shoot camera. It's Emma's first day at camp, at the wonderful Butterfield Acres)

Mattel Recalls 9 Million Toys

Mattel is voluntarily recalling 9 million of its toys including popular characters such as Batman, Barbie, Polly Pockets and a toy from Pixar's "Cars" movie because of hazards to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

Today's Recall
Barbie and Tanner - hazardous magnet
Batman - hazardous magnet
Polly Pockets - hazardous magnet
Doggie Daycare - hazardous magnet
One Piece - hazardous magnet
Sarge cars - lead in paint

All affected toys were made in China for Mattel

Wow, that's a lot of toy recalls lately. We didn't have any of those things here, but I do know that some of you have daughters that like Polly Pocket. It's good to know that Mattel is serious about toys hazards though, this is the second recall in a matter of weeks from the company. (Mattel is the parent company of Fisher-Price)

My Apple's Jacked.

So two weeks after getting it back, my computer got fried again. It's back at the "authorized service technician", who is actually super nice - even if I never want to see him again. Now, if I were you, I would probably tell me to get a new computer, obviously my old hunk of junk isn't cutting it. Except this computer that keeps crashing and dying is only 6 months old. I also got it completely tricked out, and it was top of the line. Macs are not supposed to have these problems, and as my Mac tech-guy tells me, "sometimes bad things just happen". Yes, but twice in one month?

I'm waiting to hear back how long it will take, I am still playing catch-up from the last crash, so I may have to find out a way to work without ol' Big Mac.

***UPDATE***
I just got off the phone with Paul from Bexx Systems (the computer place) and I guess the hard drive is fried. So brand new hard drive for me, yippee! Ok, that was a bit of false enthusiasm, but at least it's going to be fixed. The downside is that it will probably take about a week before I get my machine back.
I can work on my MacBook Pro though, so I'll try to continue on with editing sessions as much as I can. Bad for me, and I guess bad for you in return is that I'll need to start from scratch, so it's going to be slow going. To the girls from the Saskatoon Farm, I'm so sorry - they will be done as soon as I can get caught up. Thanks for your patience!

Fisher-Price Recalls Almost A Million Toys

Fisher-Price Recall Page

It was announced this morning that Fisher-Price has recalled 83 different types of toys due to excessive amounts of lead paint.
The recall involves various figures and toys that were manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone or as part of sets. The toys were sold at retail stores in the US and Canada from May 2007 through August 2007 for between $5 and $40. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price. You will need to return the product and will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the consumer’s choice (up to the value of the returned product).

Yikes! We have a lot of that stuff, but it's all older - so we're ok. Please check the list for any toys you may own or have bought recently. There are a lot of Elmo/Dora/Diego/Backyardigans stuff there.

CONTEST!

Drumroll please . . .


Fresh Sugar is adding a new area to the biz, and it's . . .
TEENAGERS!

Right now I am in need of two things - models for the new website - and a NAME for the new website.

First thing, models. If you are (or know someone who is) between the ages of 13-20 and would like to do a model session, please email me at info@freshsugar.ca
You will receive a free session, a disc of websized, watermarked images perfect for Facebook or MySpace, and 50% off all prints you would like to order. This offer is ONLY for the month of August, so email me now!
I am especially looking for anyone who would like to "trash" their grad dress, contact me for more info.

And now for the contest! I would like to keep Fresh Sugar Photography, and add a subtitle underneath. For example, Fresh Sugar Photography - Teens. If the word Teens wasn't kind of dorky, I would just use that. So I need something that conveys youthfulness and glamour. Please send your ideas to info@freshsugar.ca and if I choose your name - a $50 iTunes gift card is coming your way.

And to get those creative juices flowing, here are a couple of shots from some recent models. Thanks so much girls, it was awesome to work with you!