If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll know that we’re always trying new things and experimenting with lighting. Jason found this video and was inspired. So we decided to test it out on our family and did some photos of ourselves in the bathtub. The kids thought it was great wearing their clothes in the tub. Here’s the result:

Click and then click again to see it larger.

We had to keep these pictures top secret so Donna could surprise our parents. The Thomas family are pros are posing for Jason as they’re used to him following them around at our family gatherings and vacations at the cabin. Donna’s my little sister. Isn’t Melissa cute? Here are a few favorites ….

Just to brag: Donna’s an awesome graphic designer.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Yes. It’s photoshopped. We’re more talented with trick photography than we are with cirque arts.

The short version of how we did it is the card is four pictures combined. We photographed each person in our studio on a white background. We knew what we wanted the final card to look like so we did a couple poses for each person to give us some flexibility in case it didn’t work. Jason did the rest, including the beautiful sketch of the tree in photoshop. Fun times!!!

We don’t send out cards every year but here are a few of our past cards:
2007
2006

Here’s a card Jason designed for his family to send back to the Olde Country (England). It was his Mom’s great idea to colour coordinate with the red scarves. Keep it in mind if you’re wanting colourful cards for next year.

Michelle + Nadia met Jason in Fort Langley for their family portraits. It was a beautiful fall day and they wanted something that involved nature. Nadia’s a dancer so she also did some whirling and twirling.

I think as photographers we come to appreciate the different colours, textures and lighting of the changing seasons. During November, the colour from the leaves on the ground and grass that is still green makes for a nice contrast to the bare trees. Here are a few favorites …

We are winding down our portrait shooting season and were happy to photograph one of our regular families before we tuck ourselves behind our computers and printers to finish all the orders in time for Christmas. We met Shari + Aron at Fish Trap Creek on a blustery, drizzling day. Shari is a veteran at having family portraits done and was prepared with warm clothes and umbrellas. One thing I love at the Dicks is that they laugh and have fun at their sessions! Even when everyone except Aron + I wiped out on the wet wood. Ouch! Here are a few favorites ….

Val won a gift certificate to our studio at a silent auction for Gallery 7 and has been saving it for a fall family portrait. She didn’t realize who we were but I had worked with her one summer at MCCBC. She is an amazing quilter who used to organize the quilting there. She has so many gorgeous quilts in her home.

We met Redekop family at their home and photographed them in the chilly wind. Brrr. They were troopers and here are a few of our favorites …

By the way, Gallery 7 is performing Pride & Prejudice from now to November 21. I’ve heard it’s a must see show!

We met the Murison family at Fort Langley for a fun, relaxed portrait session. The weather was great and the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Ava didn’t want it to end and told us she loved having pictures done. That’s music to our ears. Especially when the pictures turn out this cute …

If you’re one of our loyal blog stalkers you will probably recognize Annika + Sophie. We’ve photographed them several times before and even recently at our Boo Shoot. We always love the variety of expressions and moods they give us when we’re photographing. From all out laughter to deep, quiet looks. Their mom, Kobie, runs an awesome hair salon and always makes sure the sessions with the girls are fun and natural. Here are a few of our favorites …

You can see how much the girls have grown since their 2008 session.

We met Wayne + Mary-Jane on the set of Marriage Uncensored with Dave + Christie and always enjoyed their story telling and jokes. It was a treat meet up with them recently in Centennial park for some relaxed, fun family portraits. They brought their adorable kids and here are a few of our favorites …