One for the Wall photography

Hello to everyone!

I sat down at my computer mid afternoon today (after a hefty sleep in with Kate and a couple of hours reading the Steve Jobs biography). I turned on my new tv (a gift from my fam for my office!). And I began to sort through photos.

I have not gotten dressed. I have watched Wedding Crashers almost twice (I am currently half way through for the second time). I have watched 27 Dresses twice through and cried at the ending once. I have eaten a bag of chips, a plate of philo pastry appetizers left over from last night and a bowl of my favourite ice cream; mint chocolate chip.

I have sifted through hundreds of familiar faces today. I have given much thought to you all over the last few hours. I have done my best to get as many of you in here as possible! I will be blogging these family shoots in their entirety in the weeks to come.

Any thoughts I had that I didn’t do enough this year are gone and replaced with a lot of pride tonight:)

So what did I do in 2011….

- started off the year in NYC taking a course with the most kind and creative soul,  Shannon Sewell. (SO excited to have Shannon back again this summer for another workshop and more girl time!)

- worked with the insanely talented, Jordan Pressault, to have a video made about the importance of photos in our lives (you can click on the video heading above to see it!)

- introduced a new One for the Wall logo, colours, blog layout and information packages

- launched a newborn photography business with my most incredible friend and business partner, Angela Smith, called Along Came Baby

- had my work published in 3 magazines and a book

- worked with Tonia Jahshan to photograph the Steeped Tea 2011 catalogue

- won first place in the NACAP international image competition (babies category)

- was featured on the Melanie Ashcraft photography blog and Kelsey’s Andersen’s Evoking You blog

- hosted Shannon Sewell here in Ontario for a children’s photography workshop (this was a highlight for sure!)

- attended a phenomenal two day photography workshop in Toronto with Silvana of Impulse photography. Here I met some really amazing friends that I keep in touch with to this day!

- Ang and I were the official photographers in the Canadian Country Music Award gift lounge hosted by Raj of Fronte and Senter Communications (meeting Richard Marx and Chantal Kreviazuk were highlights!)

- rounded out the year with  a road trip to Michigan with Wendy MacKrimmon to the HER photography conference. There I re-united with fellow photographer friends Jessica Paige and Melissa Hutchinson. I was so fortunate to have met and become friends with Angie Arthur and Amy Locurto of I Heart Faces. (Looking foward to having them here this spring for a photographers retreat!)

But most importantly I photographed close to 200 families in 2011. I saw many faces for the second and third time. I also met many new faces this year. Ones that I look forward to seeing again in 2012.

I continue to be amazed by the people that I meet and the stories I hear. I am touched by people’s kindness and appreciation for the work that I do. Looking back on this year I can say with confidence that I know why I do what I do. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I also want to thank all of the wonderful photographer friends (both “old” and new) for being so kind and supportive. I often wonder what I did to deserve the people I have in my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for another beautiful year. I look forward to what 2012 holds.

Much love and appreciation,

Hilary