So one muggy June afternoon last year I signed my name and started the process with BBBS.  June 9^th 2010 it became official, C and I met, hit it off and have been baking, walking, talking and scrapbooking our way to getting to know one another.  It’s been, in a word, enlightening.  A word I feel that usually brings up cheesy romantic notions or even religious connotations at times, but for me is the only word I have to grasp at how these past couple weeks have felt. 

I often forget that there’s always something new to learn about yourself, and that in seeing C, where she is, the life she’s lead so far, the life she’s yet to lead, there is so much more out there.  I know the downfall I had at thirteen was that I could never escape the tragedy of my own circumstances.  I was too clouded with hurt and anger and sadness to see the possibility of what could be.  That one day I would be okay, one day I would be better than okay.  One day I would be happy. 

I hope if I give anything to her, it’s the brilliant hope of a happier tomorrow, one where anything you work hard enough for can be accomplished and anything that makes you happy can be a reality.  From pink kitchen walls to dodgeball playoffs to standing in a new ocean.  It’s all possible.

ps. forgive me for the similar shoes. i figured i needed more arsenal than normal for a day of calaway park. that arsenal came int he form of my nikes.

I’ve always wanted a big family. When I look ahead, I hope it’s a family like this. One that has parents and grandparents, and brothers and sisters, one that laughs, one that argues, one with a dog and one with love to tie it all together.

The Mckee’s are no stranger to this blog, Carly has single-handedly started my photography career with her encouragement, endorsement, referrals and overall wonderfulness. Anyssa jumped the bandwagon with her dance moves and bestfriend Martina, and yesterday I finally had a chance to meet all the relatives for my favourite family shoot to date.

I love you guys. And c.a.n.n.o.t wait for Carly & Cotie’s wedding so we can get together all again with your beautiful smiles and my fancy lenses.

So sweet.

…And not quite as sweet. Hahahaha.

Rylee is a tank.  Family’s words, not mine.

We were all about re-creating amazing Disney childhood memories.  Too bad we lacked that poncho & visor.

The best part? It’s that time of year when all families seem to remember no one ever has enough photos together, I’ve been jam packed full with meeting new friends and catching new angles.  I met Erin through Carly, a twist of fate clearly meant to happen when we realized we share a love of baking and Starbucks Christmas drinks.

We spent hours giggling down Kensington and traipsing through snowy roadways, the two EVER patient with my, just one more here, and only forty-eight more blocks to the left The girls never complained once, despite the chill, and the stilettos.  That’s right, not one, but both showed up wearing heels.  Clearly two after my own heart.  I couldn’t think of a more fantastic way to spend my Saturday.

Nothing like a little phone booth love to get us started

Hello beauties!

E-tank! + J-machine! (PS. If this picture doesn’t make you fall instantly in love with them, something is wrong in your head)

Love, love, love.

Absolute favorite for last!!!!!

We spent the blustery, blustery Sunday afternoon trampling across cold grounds with her and her very best friend Martina.  They played Rummy in their coolest of cool clubhouse and giggled as I made them risk peril on train tracks and bridge ledges.

Here’s to best friends, inside jokes, growing old together…

Martina lives on THE coolest, most beautiful acreage ever…hello, future dream home!

I love Anyssa, but…

Martina kicked her ass in cards

Favorite of the day. Of the week. Of the month.

Love.

Anyssa rocked the monkey bars.

The light here was RIDICULOUS!

And then August 15th came, and Cotie made years turn into current time.  He proposed, she said yes, and there was a hell of a lot of excited shreaking.  On my part, of course.  Carly has single-handedly been one of the biggest influences to get my business up and running and lord only knows without her pimping I’d probably have dusty lenses and a silent phone.  There aren’t words to express how grateful I am to have her as not just another client, but a really great friend.  I am SO excited for this wedding, it’s going to be a long time coming (November 2011) but I will sit patiently with my desktop calendar drooling over these photos in anticipation.  Love you two, xoxo.

I love, love, love this picture!

Favorite.

Bling!!

My Mom made me who I am by these things, I move furniture before I clean, hum the bars of harmonica in Five Days in May, laugh with abandon, swear often, say I love you in between each breath.  Small things that happened in between moments that threaded between my pores, on a blustery Saturday of October I had the happiest afternoon snapping these moments of Sarah and Brighton’s lives.

I hope to know Brighton years from now, see who he becomes, see who Sarah helps him to become.

Hello Brighton, I love you.

I know this one is a bit blurry, but for some reason I just completely fell head over heels for it.

And their love, it will last forever.  It was in the quiet of her whisper at the end of the altar, the soft kiss he laid on her shoulder, wrapped between the chords of Billie Holiday and echoed through the grins and tears of the people who know them best.

How unimaginably lucky I have been to know you, for me, as someone who so wholeheartedly hopes and believes in love you have been a joy to photograph.  A million thank yous would not be enough to show how happy I’ve been that you two took a leap with me.  I hope your honeymoon in London is going fantastic (Tate Museum is a must!) and can’t wait to hear all your stories when you get back.  xoxo Camille.

Getting ready with these girls, I literally busted a gut.  They were gorgeous and hilarious, clearly a very deadly combo

Elizabeth is the only girl among three boys, here are her brothers all dolled up in their kilts, I think they look might handsome!

As soon as the veil went on, I’m pretty sure oh my god’s were uttered from every angle of the room.  Purely stunning.

This right here, this is when even I couldn’t help but cry.

The jovial bridal party Damn, they are gorgeous!

Had to post this picture, I loved it way too much, and Carly is just about one of my favorite people ever.  She’s newly engaged and her photos will be splashed here in a couple weeks time!

Here’s Payton and Brighton.  Brighton is Sarah’s (Maid of Honour) son, and clearly the cutest kid alive.  Glasses?  And a kilt?  My head nearly exploded.

Are you kidding me Elizabeth?  SO beautiful!

As of today, right in this minute, this is my most favorite picture I have ever taken.

I know I’m cutting it close on time, but I’m just so glad that I’ve been able to so far this month keep up coming on here and jotting something down, even if it’s a little.  I’ve got some pictures hanging around from the opening July long weekend out at Pine Lake, they put on a spectacular fireworks show, the first we’d ever seen from my Uncle’s new boat.

Oh, and my title is a reference to the soundtrack from Slumdog Millionaire, the movie I’ve had going for the past couple hours while cleaning my room.  It’s a repeater.  Beautiful, wonderful, and no matter how many times I watch it I always end up with tears.  If you haven’t seen it, hit up a blockbuster, even better hit up an HMV and purchase it for multiple viewing enjoyment!

Their wedding was beautiful, simple, understated, perfect.  I was so happy to be a part of the day with Jenn, so grateful at having a friendship with someone in this industry, tales of the trade passed across ribs and mashed potatoes.  I cannot wait to see all of Jenn’s images, and can’t wait to draft through all of mine, all this happiness, and I get to do it again next weekend.  Here’s to life, in all it’s fabulousness, hope everyones long weekend was as totally awesome as mine.

Today I’m off to shoot a wedding with Jenn Galloway, I’ll write more about her awesomeness tomorrow when this connection firms up, or when I have a chance to hit a Starbucks, hope everyone is having a fantastic long weekend, I know I am, Medicine Hats forecast for today is +35 dear God let my anti-perspirant work over time!