For Lauren | Meadow Lake Photographer

Posted on April 18, 2011

Last week our daughter and her friends experienced a tremendous & heart breaking loss. A friend of theirs died very suddenly and left a sea of broken hearts behind. I told my daughter that I would like to take her to Saskatoon for the funeral if she wanted to go, and of course she said yes. Three of her friends also wanted to pay their last respects to Lauren and her family and so we planned a day trip to go and say our final goodbyes.

The trip there was very subdued, I think the girls were unsure of what to expect and the emotions were building up to the moment when reality would set in. We enjoyed each others company, but there was a lingering sadness in the air. Goodbye is never easy. . . . .especially at such a tender age. We arrived early to find that there were already a lot of people there, and we paid our final respects to a wonderful young woman. The girls were very subdued but emotional during the service and my heart was breaking for everyone of them. We comforted each other as best as we could throughout the service and after wards.

After the service we made a couple of quick stops, washed the van, gassed up and grabbed a bite to eat. We saw a guy outside of Burger King with four or five dogs. He looked homeless, and the girls wanted to ask him if he was hungry. The girls in their day of grief could not help but want to reach out in kindness to someone who looked like they also could use some care and compassion. Turns out he wasn’t hungry, and I suspect from the conversation he also wasn’t homeless, he just enjoyed a carefree, hippie lifestyle:) I was impressed with the girls for their kindness. Compassion is an important thing in this life.

As we left the city I listened to the girls talking and that still quiet voice said to me “Pull over. . . . . let them play on the bridge. Mix some happiness with all that sadness. . . . .” As I was listening to the girls, they were talking about how some of them had never stood on a bridge before. So I asked them if they wanted to double back to the bridge and check it out. They were so excited. I took pictures of them as the ran excitedly across the bridge, and then more as they waved at semi trucks to make them honk their horns. My tiredness  faded away as I watched how something so simple could bring such joy.

We had many adventures on our way home. We played on an old bridge, waved at the big rigs, stopped at Dairy Queen and acted a little crazy, ran in the snow, had a road trip fire drill (jump out of the vehicle and run around it at a red light), climbed the stairs to the lighthouse in Cochin, played with Glo sticks, saw a huge moose and some deer, and created some fun memories. . . . .  fitting memories for a wonderful person who was full of life and love. Lauren lived in the moment, that much was clear at her services, and so as a tribute to Lauren, for this day, her day,  we lived in the moment too.

Lauren, you will be missed but not forgotten, and always loved . . . . . until we see you again.





Candy Kisses & Valentine Wishes | Meadow Lake Photographer

Posted on January 30, 2011

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching!

This weekend I finally had time to do a photo shoot with my two youngest kids. We had SO much fun! Some photographers don’t like posting pictures of their own children, they feel like it is cheating somehow, but I disagree! I love photographing and sharing images of my precious little ones:) And since I am not permitted to post any images from any of the other sessions I have done lately this is a great time to post some of my own:)

I have some great specials coming up for Valentines Day! This is your last week to get in on them! Call or email me for details!

So without further ado, here are my latest pics of my youngest two!





Love at First Sight | Edmonton Newborn Photographer

Posted on October 24, 2010

It’s part of the JOY of Family

WIth each new life that joins the bloodline, your heart finds room for a deeper love than you knew existed! This weekend we had the privilege of meeting the newest addition to the family, baby Levi. He is a calm and easy baby, he fits in perfectly with his other two siblings! He is the spitting image of his big brother and obviously connected to his big sister, they all match:)

Clayton & Amy were so great to work with. We spent most of the day photographing, taking frequent breaks for feedings and comfort. I loved watching them interact with each other, they are very loving and considerate, and after 3 kids, still very much in love:) It does my heart good spending time with these much loved siblings of ours.

Initially I was going to do this sneak peek in color, as I hardly ever deviate from color (I heart it), but I saw a few of the images while editing and thought they would be great black & white images. When I started editing them I fell in love with the black & white conversions, and so here is my first all black & white sneak peek!! Enjoy:)

Thank You so much Clayton & Amy for inviting us to meet Levi and capture his first precious days of life! I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to photograph him and I can honestly say I have fallen in love with this sweet little man! We are so proud of you both and your beautiful little family.





Family Fun in the Rain | Meadow Lake Photographer

Posted on September 20, 2010

I have to say, I have really been loving the work of being a location photographer:) Every new place I go stirs up the creativity in me and makes me so excited for the work I do. This summer I have seen my work take on a whole new dimension and I am really loving it!

When Farrah contacted me to do family pictures I was thrilled that she had a location in mind and it had meaning to the family. Choosing a place to have your session done is one of the most important jobs, and so when she told me we were doing them at the family farm I was almost giddy with excitement.

The weather that day was threatening rain, and at one point during the session it started to rain, but we pushed through:) It wasn’t a sprinkle or a downpour, but somewhere in between. I worked my way through 2 sets while it rained gently and then we headed towards the house. Just as we were ready to go in it stopped! So we resumed our session and enjoyed the freshness in the air for the rest of our evening together.

I just love these images, and can’t wait to show off the rest! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek Orin and Farrah!!

Thank you so much Orin & Farrah for  the wonderful opportunity to work with you and your family!

I very much enjoyed working with all of you!

Thank you to Larry & Carol for the use of your farm, what a beautiful location!





A Horse and his Girl| Meadow Lake Photographer

Posted on September 2, 2010

Ok, so it’s a girl and her horses. . . .

I thought it sounded more intriguing this way ~ LOL!

So anyways, on with my story:) Years ago I met Kristy in my salon when her Mom started coming in to me for services. Every couple of months Kristy would come in for services too. Kristy was one of those little girls that I knew would grow up to be an exceptional woman. She was respectful, smart and pretty! I loved seeing her whole family on a regular basis:)

Years went by, I left hairdressing and Kristy grew up and moved away from home to go to College. One day I saw her on Facebook and sent her a friend request, and since then have enjoyed seeing her updates and new pictures periodically. A couple of weeks ago Kristy contacted me about a special I was advertising and booked a session. I was so excited.

So last night I headed out to the farm and we spent an hour with Kristy and her horses. For part of the session we were by the main barn and corrals, and the rest we were at the old homestead barn all the while enjoying the evening light. I tell ya, just when I think I can’t love my job anymore, along comes another session that leaves me feeling so creatively fulfilled that I can hardly contain myself!! To be honest this summer has set a precedent for me in which EVERY session has filled me with pure joy and love for my work! Did I mention I love my job?? Yeah, well I do:) And here is why!

So without further delay, here are some images from our session! Enjoy:)

This is Kristy and Chip. He's a new horse that Kristy and her Dad have been working with this year. Kristy's mom Carol tells me that Chip has proven himself to be an exceptional team member:)

I love evening light. . . . . it creates the most yummy backlighting. I love the rainbow lens flair and relaxed feel of this image.

I envisioned this pose on the way out to the farm. The final image is even better than I pictured it! Is it just me or does she look like Salma Hayek???!

While we were shooting at the barn I heard thundering hooves coming our direction. I turned to see what the commotion was all about and saw these two beautiful creatures standing there expectantly watching us. I fell in love ♥

Misty is a magnificent creature if I ever did see one. She was raised by Kristy's Grandfather from a foal, and he taught her how to kiss:)

She is a gentle creature, with more character than I have ever seen in any animal. I felt a connection with this beautiful old girl.

The look says it all. I love the expression here, delight is a word that comes to mind.

Kristy tells me that Misty's BF Tony is never far behind.

Misty is outgoing and Tony is shy. . . . together they make perfect couple! LOL:)

Back to Kristy!! This was supposed to be her session before I got hijacked by the horses. LOL:) I saw the evening light here and had to get some last images in it, so we walked across part of the field until we reached a spot where it was just right.

Wow. She's a natural in front of the camera!

On the way back to the truck Kristy was admiring the clouds with the pink highlights. Girl after my own heart I tell ya! I ♥ the clouds! So we took a couple final images with the beautiful pink highlighted clouds in the background. Feels like someone painted them and placed them there just for us:)

I’m so proud to see what a lovely young woman you have become Kristy (as if there was any doubt:)

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to photograph you and your beautiful horses.

It was a dream session for me! I hope you love the images as much as I do:)





BFF’s | Meadow Lake Photographer

Posted on August 10, 2010

Last night was one of my most fun sessions to date! I met with Tanya about a month ago to plan the session. It was clear from the get go that there would be lots of life, fun and laughter. Tanya has an energy that just lights up the room! And capturing that energy. . . . honestly effortless with beautiful subjects so full of life! LOL:) Genuine smiles and laughter make my job so much easier:) We met at a local park and set out on an adventure full of beautiful evening light and mosquito bites (why oh why can’t they suck fat instead of blood HAHA!). Tanya and Amanda have been best friends for so long they share a bond closer than many sisters, and it was my privilege to capture moments in time for them to enjoy as they look back through the years.

Thanks Tanya and Amanda for such a fun session! You are fabulous, beautiful women  and a real joy to photograph:)







All images and text are © Natanis Davidsen - 2010