The NEW Blog!

Come and see the brand NEW Fresh Sugar blog - www.freshsugarblog.com! I'm so excited to unveil it today, it's been a work-in-progress since January.
I'll be adding some more features in the next few weeks, including an information page for other photographers.
I'd love to hear what you think.

So there's lots of stuff that needs to be talked about today, so I will get right down to it.
Firstly, we have the WINNERS of the Family-A-Fair give-away.
Congratulations to marguerite p and natalie barre!
Please email me right away so we can get you your tickets! info@freshsugar.ca

Now onto the NEW CONTEST! I've been hyping up this prize, and there's a reason. It's 2 floor seats to the WIGGLES concert on April 16th here in Calgary! That's right, you and your favorite child (lol) will be sitting in the 9th row to watch Murray, Anthony, Jeff and the new guy eat their fruit salad and drive around in their big red car. I jest, it's actually a really fun concert, we went last time they were here and had a blast. Plus, Anthony is pretty darn cute.

Now onto the contest itself. Hidden somewhere on the website is the secret word. You'll know it when you see it too, so don't worry about it being too hidden. Just search www.freshsugar.ca,
find the secret word and email it to me at info@freshsugar.ca.
The winner will be chosen by a random draw from all the entries recieved and announced on April 9th! Good luck!

So that's it for now, I am still getting ready for the Family-A-Fair this weekend, please come on down and say hi!

-Brandy

Hot . . .

There's a country song by Trace Adkins that kept coming to mind while I was editing these images. I'll let you guys figure out which one. (No, it's not Honky Tonk Badankadonk - LOL)
This mom-to-be was absolutely stunning! It was a quick and easy maternity session a few weeks ago, and I'm really excited to come back for the newborn session very soon!

Today is the last day to enter for a pair of tickets to the Family-A-Fair. I've received some email entries as well, which will be added into the random draw. Winners will be announced tomorrow ON THE NEW BLOG!

I'm so excited, it's finally done! Tomorrow is a BIG, HUGE day - Blog launch, my birthday, contest winners and a NEW contest that you don't want to miss. Trust me, the prize is so good I want to keep it for myself!

See you tomorrow!

CONTEST time!

I have throw a big thanks out to all of you who were so patient with me this last week as I recovered from this brutal flu.
I'm finally feeling better, and things are getting back to normal around here.
I have tons of client shots to share this week, and will finally be releasing the new BLOG! It's in the finishing touches right now, and as soon as I get a few things tweaked - it'll be unveiled! I'm really excited.

Speaking of excited, I've got the Family-A-Fair (formerly the Mom & Tots Fair) coming up this week - April 4th and 5th. www.family-a-fair.ca
I have a booth down there, and will be doing a very rare sale. Gift Certificates will be worth DOUBLE your money when purchased that weekend only. Buy a gift certificate for $250 and get one for $500! It's an amazing deal, so come on down and say hi! Cash and cheques only.

I've got 2 sets of 2 tickets to the Family-A-Fair to give away on the blog this week, so make sure you comment (you can just leave your name or email) on THIS post, and you'll be entered in the random draw for a pair of tickets. Winners will be announced on Wednesday (which also happens to be my birthday, whoo hoo)!

I've got the flu.

I just wanted to let everyone know that it's going to be a couple more days until I can get back to your emails from the last week.
Almost immediately after returning home from Las Vegas I was hit by the flu in a BIG way, I've been completely knocked by this thing. As soon as everything stops hurting, I'll be back to work. Thanks for your patience. :)

Vegas. Baby.

So this is my last baby to share before I leave for Vegas on Wednesday! This little cutie was SO darn good, she slept through almost the entire session. I don't know how Mom & Dad do it though, they just moved into a new home right before she came - THEN got the flu! Super-parents for sure. :)

So Wednesday morning I leave to Las Vegas for WPPI, a photography convention and tradeshow. I'm going early to take a workshop with the awesomely talented Chris Lalonde from Photolux Studio. His fashion stuff rocks my world, and I'm so excited to learn from him. I also have a personal 90 minute mentoring session with Stephen and Jen Bebb from Bebb Studios.

It's going to be talent everywhere down there - I'm heading down with my bestest pals: Danna Bowes, Alicia Price and Deanna Hall. I get to meet some super skilled photogs that I've only ever chatted with online - like Joyce Smith and Susan Braswell. My only sad point is my fab friend Jinky who was all the way over from Australia to teach some workshops was missing home and is now back down under. Now who will I play roulette with and laugh hysterically over 5am breakfasts with this year?
Dawn Roberts, that's who!

I'm also excited to be taking a boudoir workshop while I'm down there, so I will be looking for guinea pigs, er, models, to photograph when I get back!

So an action-packed two weeks for sure, but I'll be missing my little Fresh Sugar newborns while I'm down in Sin City. Ok, maybe not missing . . . but I look forward to seeing them when I get back!
Oh, and I won't get a chance to unveil it before I leave - so watch for the NEW blog when I get back, as well as some new website coolness. :)

A Few of My Favorite Things

I wanted to tell you all about the great time I had last night - I went to Flames Central for a fundraiser put on by The Flames Better Halves. It was raising money for the Flames Foundation of Life with funds directed to Rotary/Flames House, Alberta’s first free-standing pediatric hospice.
It was an amazing event, first class all the way. Wine was flowing, the Better Halves did a fab job of modeling on the catwalk, and my favorite part was bidding on the incredible baskets put together by the Flames and their wives. The baskets were filled with their "favorite things" and included things like lululemon gift certificates (the Aucoin basket), Royal Kona coffee (the Langkow basket), Gladiator on DVD (the Tanguay basket) and an iPod touch (the Kiprusoff basket).
But my very favorite basket was made by Susan and Stephane Yelle - I loved it so much I had to bid 3 times in the silent auction to finally win it. It was so packed with awesomeness that I had to go and pull my car around front - I could barely carry it out the front door! It had great treats like Lush gift certificates, Jo Malone bath oil, Williams Sonoma cupcake mix (my fave), Planet Earth DVDs and lots lots more. My husband was happy to see something for him - Anthony shave gel and facial mosturizer.
I had a wonderful time meeting lots of really cool women, eating delicious food and tasting a few glasses of different wines. (The Pinot Grigot was my favorite). But I think the best part was seeing my gift certificate from Fresh Sugar Photography being given away as a door prize and hearing the women behind me groan in disappointment when their numbers weren't called.
It was such a neat idea, and I can't wait for next year's - which I am sure will be bigger and better (if that's even possible!)
It got me thinking about what I would put in my own "favorite things" basket.

It would definitely include some Philosophy bath products (Sugar Cookie is the BEST), maybe a Tassimo machine (Chai tea is so delish, but only available in the US right now), a gift certificate to Holt for a pair of Miu Miu pumps, and some Bare Escentuals makeup and brushes (the soft focus blush brush is DIVINE!).

Long time no see!

I've been a major slacker in the blog dept. lately. I've been super busy trying to get a whole gaggle of newborn galleries up. It's baby season in Calgary! This little sweetie lives in one of my favorite places, beautiful Canmore, AB. I love driving out there (when the roads are good, lol) it's a really peaceful drive. Just me, my iPod and my speed sometimes a wee bit above the limit. Haha!
I had a very, very easy time at this session - baby wanted to sleep, and sleep she did!

I've got some new stuff to unveil this week about the website, I'm excited to show and tell. Also, I have a super, fab, awesome contest coming up with a prize so cool and amazing that I want to keep it for myself. How's THAT for hype?
;)

Sweet.

Fastest. Newborn. Session. Ever.
I get all kinds of babies - big, little, sleepy, awake. The parents of this little man took me seriously when I told them to have the room warm. We had the heat cranked, the fireplace on, AND a space heater going. We were all sweating, but this guy absolutely loved it. He stayed sleepy and content the ENTIRE time. That almost never happens. It was a great session, and he made me look good. :)

Ollie

We got a new puppy last week, a Morkie (maltese-yorkie) named Ollie.
My girls instantly fell in love with him, and they've all been getting along great. When the baby isn't squeezing him because she loves him so much, she's following him from room to room making kissing noises. But it's Emma that he loves most - she' been gentle, kind and pretty responsible with him. So far it's been a very easy addition to our family, knock on wood!

More Boys Should Wear Pink

You can't deny how cute this look is! I love pink, and I love a man who can wear it, big or little! :)

Secret

I swear that this little guy had the best secret. He couldn't stop smiling to himself while he was sleeping.
Thanks for a great morning - you made my job very easy!

Daddy Played Bass

I had a session yesterday with such a cool and fun family. Dad is a bass player for some great bands and wanted to incorporate his bass with his new daughter. It was hit and miss for awhile, but with dad spotting just to the right and wielding a bottle and soother, I think we got what we were after. :)

belly=beauty

In recent ads, I used the phrase belly=beauty, and never has it been more evident than during this session.
The lovely mom-to-be just had a radiance about her, and it sounds cliched, but she really did glow.
She looks beautiful, and I can't wait to meet her new little one.

It's been awhile since I've posted here, it's because I'm getting old. I woke up Sunday morning completely unable to move my neck and head. I guess I slept on it funny? It took 3 full days of being on my back to finally start feeling better - but I'll be roaring to go for the sessions this weekend!

Slideshow

Back in November I was graciously invited to speak at the Foothills Camera Club about infant and child photography.
I had no idea I had a fear of public speaking until about 45 minutes before I was scheduled to go on, lol!
I had a great time, and met many wonderful people that evening. If you're interested in photography, I'd highly recommend that you check them out, they have a lot of interesting outings, contests and guest speakers.
Foothills Camera Club

I prepared a slideshow of some current work to start off my presentation with, but actually forgot it when I was hit by a sudden urge to start talking about what I do, and keep talking for 45 minutes. So I thought it would be fun to share here.

SLIDESHOW

Defined.

I'm excited to show you some sneak peeks at one of the new products for 2008. Defined Collages.
They are 20X20 collages mounted and laminated - they look absolutely amazing! Clients are eating these up, and I'm ordering a ton for my own home. You can even order them without the text if you prefer. Every client will have one sample in their gallery in 2008.

Good egg.

Hee hee. This little cutie made me start thinking . . .maybe it's time to have another baby? She was so sweet and what a beautiful little temperament! I had previously met the mom during her friend's newborn session, so it was great to come and do the photos of her own little one. Congrats again on your beautiful little girl!

New

There are a million reasons why I love what I do, and this is #547. This little cutie is my friend Yolanda's new baby girl. Yo and I used to work together at CMT, what seems to be a million years ago, but I guess was only 7. Thanks to the powers of Facebook, we reconnected and I got the pleasure of taking photos of her new little one and meeting her new husband Dave, and seeing her daughter Tay looking gorgeous and GROWN UP! It was a great day, and I am so happy the document this new stage in their lives.

On the topic of new, there are going to be a lot of new changes for Fresh Sugar in 2008. A new look, new products and new pricing. The new pricing starts February 1st, but if you book before January 31st you will receive current prices. That means you can book a session for May, and still have 2007 prices. If you want a session soon, please email me as I have only one session left for January!

My Favorite 2 Year Old of 2008

Ok, so she's been my ONLY 2 year old so far this year, but she's still my fave. This little beauty was so sparkly and fun, I could have stayed and played for hours. She was a little shy at first, but I managed to break the ice by pretending to be afraid of things. Hey, I'll do anything for a laugh. I had so much fun meeting this family, we laughed, the baby cried, and I got to show off some of my rad moves a la Backyardigans. Awesome!

Also, the Fresh Ideas session for January is still up for grabs, email me now if you're interested. It's a $250 value!

Fresh Ideas from Fresh Sugar

I'm so excited to implement this new promotion this year! Each month I will be posting a Fresh Idea. These are concepts that I am personally and professionally interested in. It may be that I have a cool idea, or something I would like for the Fresh Sugar website or advertising.
Each month will have a new idea, and a new winner. The winner receives a FREE session and a FREE 11X14 of the shot that I was trying to achieve with my Fresh Idea.
I can't wait to get started, January's idea is for a buff shirtless dad to do some newborn photos. If you know a dad or dad-to-be that fits this bill, email me at info@freshsugar.ca. There's only one winner a month, so act quickly if you want a free newborn session!