'no one puts cupcake in a corner...' | Iron Cupcake London >> July 2010 competition

Did you know that free spirit photography is the official photographic sponsor of Iron Cupcake London? Well we are! And last Sunday I had the scrumptious pleasure of shooting some pretty sweet subjects..of course, cupcakes!

What in the world, you may ask, is Iron Cupcake? In April of 2008, two challengers went head-to-head (or shall we say spatula to spatula, haha) to a cupcake bakeoff. These cupcake bakeoffs were unlike any other cupcake bakeoff, since the theme of the bakeoff needed to be of a particular 'secret' ingredient. The first ever Iron Cupcake secret ingredient was Wasabi. The idea caught on and spread throughout US and Canada! Iron Cupcake competitions were born. (read more history at www.ironcupcakelondon.wordpress.com)

Iron Cupcake is a cupcake competition open to the public. A 'secret ingredient' is announced and each baker must incorporate the secret ingredient theme into there cupcakes. This past cupcake challenge, the secret ingredient was 'flowers'. And wouldn't you know there were violets in cupcakes, lavender in the cupcakes and even cauliflower! Cupcakes are presented in their 'finished state' for competition. And anyone can come out and be an eater and vote for their favourite!








The Idlewyld Inn is a sponsor, along with Whimsical Bakery, Jim Anderson Flowers, the Canadian Cake Decorators' Guild and myself!






I had so much fun taste-testing and photographing 'the goods'! I look forward to the next Iron Cupcake London competition in September at the Western Fairgrounds Farmers' Market! Maybe I'll see you there!

shutterbugs.

An exciting opportunity awaits me! Recently, I sent a proposal to the St.Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre here in my hometown. My proposal was to introduce a photography program for children for the community. Now I am proud to say my proposal has been accepted, and the arts centre is now offering what I called 'Shutterbugs'- a program invested for children to learn the art of photography! I am very excited to not only meet quite a few eager little photographers in the making, but that I am able to support my community and offer something back to it!

This is just another way photography has been and still is a blessing to me!



Shutterbugs will be running for both the summer and fall programs! I will also be teaching full day workshops on PD Days starting this fall.

Thanks to Sherri Howard at STEPAC! Look forward to working together with local artists in the community!

the Ryan family.

Back to my fundraising day at Waterworks Park in St.Thomas! Had another sweet family book a family session, the Ryan family. Their little girl is absolutely adorable! Such a little muffin.




She was the highlight of the session! (hard to resist big bouncy blonde curls and baby blue eyes!)




Some time alone with mama..


Squishes & cuddles..



A typical little lady on the run!


Thanks to the Ryan family for coming out and supporting my charity event for Von Hippel - Lindau disease, www.vhl.org. Your support was appreciated, and meeting you both and your sweet little one was a pleasure!

the Zavitz family.

A little while ago, I hosted a small charity/fundraising event in a local park near my home. I offered family sessions that day for a reduced rate, and proceeds/donations went toward the cause I strongly support, Von Hippel-Lindau Disease, www.vhl.org. May was VHL Awareness Month, and I wanted to make sure I could help out in some way! I had brochures, booklets, wristband and pins available. Some passing by stopped and asked me a few questions, took some information about the cause and even gave a donation towards it. Grateful indeed!

I situated myself at Waterworks Park in my hometown of St.Thomas, and met some wonderful families who had booked a session with me. One such family is the one I'm about to blog about, the Zavitz family.





Absolutely loved how animated these guys were!!


One of my favourite shots..barefoot and so serene..




The bond between mother and son..*sigh*, how I know it so well!

Love this moment they shared..



Loved their little guy! Such a character!


Love Waterworks Park because of all the critters lurking around..(turtles, geese, frogs..)


A great big thank you to the Zavitz family for the opportunity to photograph them! You were so fun to work with! And thank you for supporting the VHL cause!

I'll leave you with a photograph I find ADORABLE! Cracks me up everytime!

♫ ♬♪♩The Hills are Alive!! ♫ ♬♪♩

The Sound of Music Production Shots::Catholic Central High, London Ontario

How much fun was it to capture the dress rehearsal of Catholic Central High's Sound of Music production? Loads! Especially coming from a family where this beautiful movie was cherished and viewed many, MANY times!

The cast was comprised of CCH students and a few public school students. I was completely taken back by the voices everyone had! The singing was amazing, and the acting phenomenal! I think there are going to be some major stars from this school sometime in the future!

Here are few scenes..

Maria & Captain Von Trapp


Sister Margaretta, Sister Berthe and Mother Abbess


Brigitta, Marta and Gretl


Maria's first night at the Von Trapp home, children gather with her during a thunderstorm..


Captain Von Trapp, upset with Maria for making a 'spectacle' of the children..


Playclothes out of curtains??



The Baroness with Captain Von Trapp


and Max..


Captain Von Trapp and Maria alternated show nights.

The other Captain Von Trapp..


and the other Maria.


Max alternated show nights as well..here with the children..


The sisters rummage through Marias trousseau and get an unexpected surprise..Mother Abbess places veil on Maria..


A wedding! Captain Von Trapp and Maria are wed..


Rolfe, Liesl and Maria..


Max, Hans, Frau Schmidt and the children..



And not to forget the wonderful musicians in the orchestra!





This is one of my favourite musicals of all time! It was a pleasure to see this timeless classic re-enacted by the talent at Catholic Central High! And it was a pleasure to capture it! The experience was truly divine...



Capturing your spirit...