Happy Anniversary My Ruphus!

Nine years ago today a wonderful change happened in my life – I married Ralph Edward Jennings – AKA – Ruphus, a name I’ve called him, after reading Romans 16:13 one Sunday morning - “My chosen in the Lord” This is also engraved in his wedding band.  The past 9 years have flown by with many wonderful changes and sometimes very sad times.  Nine years ago, we wrote our vows and said them to each other in front of family and friends - today I want to say my vows to you publically once again My Ruphus – I Love You, and I am so honoured to be your wife, thank you for changing my life in such a wonderful way!

Ralph, I believe with all my heart, soul and mind, that God has chosen you for me, and today in the presence of our family and friends, I give you myself.  I promise to love you unconditionally, to respect you as the man God has chosen for me, and joyfully obey you as you lead our home, desiring always to give honour and praise to our God because I respect you and your integrity. I come to you with my need for your strength, your understanding, and your tender care - needs you have so lovingly developed in me by completely filling them for me. I will strive always to be the friend and wife that you need, to be your helper, and complete you, realizing that our relationship is exclusive of all others and is permanent in the sight of God. I will be greatly honoured to be your wife. I promise this to you for as long as we both shall live, or until Christ returns to take us home together. 

Ralph, I ask you to receive this ring as a symbol of my love and as a constant reminder that I have chosen you above all others to be the one to share my life.

2nd Annual MA Photo Contest

Michael Andrew Photography is taking it a step up once again with his 2nd Annual Photography Contest, the Grand Prize being One Brand NEW Canon Rebel T2i With Kit Lens - (or A Gift Card of Equivalent Amount from BHPhoto)
The other 2 - 1st place winners will receive Canon Point and Shoot Digital Cameras (Or Equivalent Gift Cards from BHPhoto)  
All images must be submitted between: August 11th 2010- October 15th, 2010 at 11:59pm
Images must be taken between August 1st 2010 - October 15th,, 2010 
Categories Include:

A. Portraits
B. Landscapes / Nature
C. Macro
D. Sports
E. Abstract / Textures

For complete details, the guest judges, and to check out Michael’s Blog click HERE.

Joe & Agnes

The wedding of Joe and Agnes had to literally be one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended!  The Bride was breath takingly beautiful,and the groom was right out of the pages of GQ.  The ceremony took place at  the awesome St. Peters Cathedral in London, and immediately following, the Bride and Groom released homing pigeons.  For this wedding I was second shooting for Dawn Boyce Photography out of London, which was a pleasure to be able to meet up with Dawn and Matt again.  The reception to follow was amazing, no surprise there. With some wonderful Polish traditions, and the most incredible father – daughter dance I have ever seen…(and then to find out it was not rehearsed, it really looked like they must have worked on it for weeks! ) It was absolutely beautiful start to finish.  Click the play button below to see the slide show below for a quick recap of the Bride and Grooms Incredible day!

Arkona’s Country Cafe

 

Now Open !

It’s Coffee Time in Arkona at 7:30am!  The Old Country Store has taken on serving up your morning coffee by opening the new Country Cafe.  The Cafe is open at 7:30 Monday to Saturday with soup, subs and sandwiches at lunch, and a Thursday lunch special!  If you haven’t already checked it out, – There’s no time like the present!

 

 

 

Now Playing

Now Playing At the forest kineto theatre
Salt

Aug.27,28,29,31

All seats $5

Doors Open at 7:30 with an 8PM showTime

Now Playing At The StarLite Drive In

AUGUST 27-SEPT.2

Epic Jasmine Star EClass

This is the week!  It has finally arrived, and I can just imagine the butterflies in this girls stomach as the beginning of Creative Lives’ broadcast began.  From Wednesday to Sunday of this week, Jasmine Star will be teaching on a variety of topics – on the air – Live – with Friday’s class being a 9 hour coverage of an actual wedding shoot.  At one point today during the class I noticed that 4100 other students were taking part, and the message board was going completely nuts.  I didn’t give much notice to the message board however as Jasmine has a habit of speaking very quickly, and is constantly throwing out personal perspectives, insights and valuable information.  Today’s class ran from 2-8pm EST with a 45 minute break for dinner,  fortunately I do have Windows 7 with my “snap feature”, so some multi tasking is possible with editing during the broadcast.  In class for the next few days!

Buddy’s Debut

As promised Matthew!  Buddy is making his debut modeling appearance on the blog today.  Buddy – the guinea pig, with no desire to run and jump with his fellow guinea pig friends squealing wee wee wee all the way home – No – Buddy is content, rather, down right complacent, to simply sit…and twiddle his nose :D 

Nice seeing you again Buddy!   PS.  Bradley and Amy Really miss their cousins!

Photoshop Effects

There are many different tutorials you can find that will help you learn tips and tricks to all kinds of interest effects in Photoshop.  Today I thought I would pass along one I found called Tutcast Training.  Here is a quick tutorial, and you can check out their website HERE  too.

Not Just Desserts!

Just thought I would share a couple images of the desserts from one of our local caterers – Laura Engel.  This woman really knows how to put on a spread, and it is so easy to know who the caterer is as soon as you see the dessert table.  Don’t get me wrong though – the desserts are just the icing on the cake – her entire meal is delicious!

Meet The Norton’s

This summer we decided to take a family vacation in a northerly direction up to Joy Camp.  While we were there we met some incredible families.  Meet the Norton Family!  This is the sweetest family who have been through incredibly difficult times and are currently dealing with medical uncertainties with their youngest beauty – Elsa, dealing with a very rare and unique bone marrow issue.   If you would like to find out more about little Elsa, please feel free to visit their blog, and please remember to hold them up in prayer.

Now Playing

Now Playing at the Forest Kineto Theatre

Dinner for Schmucks

Aug. 20,21,22,24

Now Playing at the Starlite Drive Inn

AUGUST 20-29

Kutota Introduces…

 

I received this email yesterday from Kubota Image Tools who are now introducing a series of Artist Series Style Books.  The books will “feature a collection of Style Books and DVD Tutorials that expose, step-by-step, the signature style of renowned professional photographers.  You can find out more HERE.

Simeon & Silas

 The incredible miracle of life!   Congratulations Jonathan and Janine on the arrival of their two boys, Simeon and Silas!!  Every Good and Perfect Gift is from the Lord.  With wonderful hospital staff watching over these little men and Mommy in the hospital, incredible friends and family watching over big brothers and sisters at home, and above all, the Mercy and Grace shown through out by an Awesome God! 

 

Paul & Jenn

The date of August 14th has now been put down in history as the day Paul & Jenn made it official!   The wedding took place in Mount Carmel with an incredibly meaningful service, and continued right along in style and fun!  I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jenn’s family before with the wedding of Tim & Kaylea McGee in 2008, a couple I was happy to get to see again today.  The families of Paul and Jenn are such nice people, and I’m sure will be quite a support to this newly married couple. 

There were some incredible personal touches at the reception as well, and nice to see images from their engagement shoot that we had done earlier in the year in several areas of the hall!  Congratulations Paul & Jenn – what an incredible day!

Now Playing

Now Playing at the forest kineto theatre 

Inception (Tentative)

Aug. 13,14,15,17

Doors Open at 7:30  Show Time 8 PM

Now Playing at the Grand Bend Starlite Drive Inn

Gates Open 8PM
THE OTHER GUYS @ 9.30PM / SALT @ 11:25PM

Lenses Falling Off

Below is an article posted by Pro Photography Show concerning the issue of lenses falling off of the Canon 5D Mark ii, and now reportedly the 7D as well.  Sadly, I don’t think this is even the extent of the problem, as I have incurred this problem twice as well…on the 50D.  As with anyone this may have happened with, I really thought I was alone.  I remember thinking, I must have some how accidentally, pressed and held the release button and 'turned the lens – all without knowing it – fat chance – but, well, it could happen right???  Well, according to this article by Pro Photography Show it’s not happening to everyone, but the problem definitely exists.  Thanks Choo Yeung Yao for passing on this article :D

 
“Everyone has not had the problem, but as verified by more continual comments, the issue very real. Many don’t realize how serious it is until it happens to them (which can be at any time). At this point I don’t see how it can be denied that there’s a serious design flaw in some of Canon’s release mechanisms. Shame on your Canon for ignoring this problem. To anyone having this issue, let everyone know. If you get lens damage due to this, don’t just pay up. If you’re a CPS member contact your Canon rep and explain the issue. Ask them to fix the lens under warranty. If you don’t know who your rep is, contact Canon customer service (              800-652-2666         800-652-2666). Don’t hesitate to direct reps to this post to backup what you’re telling them. The easiest way is with the short link… http://bit.ly/canonlens

The issue is also started occurring on the Canon 7D. Apparently canon did not address the problem when they designed the new body. Based on this, I recommend all Canon users be cautious. This keeps happening on more Canon bodies and depending on how you hold your camera you could be next. I don’t plan on a brand switch at this time, but if Canon does not address this issue I’m nearing a point where I may stop recommending their SLR’s. We’ll see how this plays out. In the meantime please share your comments and tell people anytime it happens. You’re not alone… Gav”

Dress Up Day

 

 

 

Today was dress up day – so why not have a little photo shoot to top things off?   Amy had fun dressing up, getting Mommy to do her hair (as much like Taylor Swift as possible :D )and even putting on a little make up.  These are the result of our little after supper shoot.

Camera Rain Jackets

Today I was out with the kids in London.  The weather was very “iffy”, and drizzled much of the day – perfect conditions for the day actually – not too hot, and the kids barely knew it was raining most of the time as they were in and out of the splash pad!  It brought to mind however, an important piece of equipment I carry with me – my camera’s rain jacket!  This little gadget has been at times invaluable – totally saving the shoot, and…camera.  These really aren’t that expensive, This one pictured is one by Thinktank, and is probably one of the higher priced ones I’ve seen for a straight SLR camera, running around $200.  I would highly suggest a rain jacket to anyone who shoots professionally, or those who like to shoot in extreme conditions.

VBS This Week !

This week – VBS programs will be running in Arkona at Arkona Baptist, and in Forest at Forest Baptist.  Programs are free and will be running all week long.  Great activities, crafts, songs and snacks.  See You There!

Happy Friday

It’s Happy Friday – so I thought I would just share a video that I doubt you can get through with out laughing – Enjoy!!

Now Playing

Now Playing at the Forest kineto theatre

Despicable Me

Aug. 6,7,8,10  Doors open at 7:30pm  Show Time 8:30

Now Playing at the Grand Bend Starlite Drive-in
AUGUST 6-12

Let’s Get Active

  

North Lambton Community Health Centre has been running a great program for kids this summer.  Events have included a Water Day, Games Day, Cooking Day, Obstacle Course Day, a Family Picnic, and tomorrow in Thedford it’s “Survivor Day”!  The kids are active, and the leaders are continually keeping the kids going.  On top of all this, it’s Free!  Tomorrow Morning 9:30-12 in the park beside the Fire Hall !!

Lawn Mower Races – Yee Haw!

 The community of Thedford rounded out their Annual Funion Days with the Western Ontario Outlaws Lawn Mower Races!  It was a Great time for young and old, and makes you proud to be a country boy…or girl!

Thedford Lawn Mower Races from Captured Innocence on Vimeo.