hibou photo blog

coming up for air | fredericton photographer

hibou photo — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:57:33 +0000

I have been glued to my computer all weekend. Doing what? Watching an online wedding photography course hosted by creativeLIVE, featuring highly-sought after American wedding photographer Jasmine Star. Jasmine is renowned in the industry for being very giving of her time and business insights; highly unusual in a business that puts so much emphasis on secrets. As she put it, “I’m telling you all my secrets. I don’t believe in secrets. I am the secret.”

When I first tuned in, I was bored. Jasmine was shooting details and rattling off camera settings. Snorefest! But then the wedding started, and I was absorbed (you know you’re a wedding photographer when you sacrifice seven hours of your otherwise free Friday night to watching the wedding of total strangers on the internet…). Even more so on Saturday and Sunday, when the photography was done and the discussion of business began. I think Jasmine would be the first to admit that her business sense is better than her photography: she only started her business 4 years ago, and her rise has been nothing short of meteoric. For me, someone whose business is still very much in its infancy, and someone who has no mentor, to be listening to her talk and be able to think, okay, I’m doing that, I’m doing that, I can do that: it’s inspiring. She has this ability to get people excited about what they do; it has made me think about how far I’ve come in such a short time, and about the long road ahead.

So what have I done these past 15 months? Moved to a new city and launched a photography business with zero name recognition. Worked on my SEO, my blog, my website. Partnered with great vendors so that I could offer more and better products. Met my booking goal for the year, meaning I scored photoshoots with awesome clients, most of whom have returned to me two and even three times. I’m pleased to make that connection with them, and proud that every shoot is better than the last.

And where am I going? I’ll be working on branding, on name recognition, on the experience. Adding more products and improving presentation. My goal is to be running a boutique photography business that makes my clients feel important; beautiful; unique – with the images to match. My style is evolving, but what’s remained constant is how much I love photography. Capturing fun, candid, evocative images that make you feel something; turning moments into memories.

There is a lot of work to be done to get hibou photo to the place I think it can and should be. I’m looking forward to it, though, and I hope you come along for the ride.

kate takes a groom | kentville, ns

hibou photo — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:46:53 +0000

One month ago today, perhaps to the very moment, Kate walked back up the aisle to cheers and applause – a newlywed. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and I was overjoyed to be part of it. Congratulations again to you both!

on the road in… | wolfville and hall’s harbour, ns

hibou photo — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:30:02 +0000

The Annapolis Valley was the final stop on the 2010 Nova Scotian Summer Tour. I lived in Wolfville for 5 years while attending Acadia, and somehow have managed to find myself back there every years since. Each time I try to do or see something I’ve never gotten around to before, and this time that included scoping out the Wolfville Farmer’s Market, Gaspereau Valley Fibres, and visiting Hall’s Harbour.

on the road in… | mahone bay & lunenburg, ns

hibou photo — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:30:07 +0000

In the 8 years I lived in Nova Scotia I somehow never made the time to visit Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. I regret that, but there’s no time like the present to rectify past mistakes, right?

on the road in… | halifax, ns

hibou photo — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:30:25 +0000

Of my 27 years, I lived in Halifax for precisely three. Why then does it seem more like home than anywhere else?

atlantica hotel halifax | halifax, ns

hibou photo — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:14:26 +0000

I hit the “accept” button on Hotwire with trepidation. I just don’t like making decisions without all the facts. And when the big reveal came – Atlantica Hotel Halifax – I didn’t know what to think. I’d never heard of such a place!

Turns out the old Holiday Inn on the corner of Robie & Quinpool has been bought out, rebranded, and renovated. Turns out I had no reason to worry. Lovely place. Thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub. :)

the miles family | fredericton, nb

hibou photo — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:00:55 +0000

I am so lucky that in the relatively short time I’ve been photographing families, so many of my clients have chosen to be repeat customers. In late June I met up with Melanie for a one-on-one photographer chat* – we talked about tips and tricks for getting great shots of children, and Melanie brought her favourite subject to practice on. As for me, Gillian has grown so much since the last time I photographed her, of course I couldn’t resist getting more images!

*If anyone is interested in this kind of informal one-on-one workshop with me, get in touch!

kate | coldbrook, ns

hibou photo — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:11:02 +0000

There are so many more where this comes from, but yesterday was the bride’s birthday and I wanted to give her a little treat sneak peek. I just can’t wait!

Kate you are beautiful, and you were a beautiful bride. I’m so excited for you to see the rest of your images, but for now…

kings landing | prince william, nb

hibou photo — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:30:54 +0000

On Canada Day some friends and I visited Kings Landing. The theme that weekend was “Fine Wines and Tempestuous Times,” or as they put it:

It is 1855 in New Brunswick and a law to prohibit liquor is introduced. Will the impending law devastate our economy, or is it in our best interests to outlaw the demon rum? On this Canada Day Weekend, find out for yourself. Meet Simeon Jones, a famous brew master and son of Thomas Jones of Kings Landing fame. Learn famous New Brunswick drinking songs and sign a petition to save the Kings Head Inn (will you be able to sample a forbidden beverage?), or follow Samuel Leonard Tilley and join in the cause of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance Demon rum… “yea” or “nay,” you decide.

As always the settlement was beautiful and the cast excellent. Over the course of the day we saw many arguments for and against prohibition, attended a temperance rally, and then later in the day saw a barn dance! I regret that I didn’t get to learn any of those NB drinking songs, though. I’ve visited Kings Landing two summers in a row now and still not been able to see the entire settlement, so I guess that means I’ll be back again next year!

alexis & annik | fredericton, nb

hibou photo — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:30:12 +0000

Alexis was born in January, six weeks before his due date and just 12 days after I had photographed what was supposed to be only the second of three photoshoots charting Annik’s pregnancy. Apparently he was anxious to be in pictures ;) I’ve been waiting a long time to get to meet him, but finally in early June we had our photoshoot. Here he is at 20 weeks.