Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Springtime Mini-Shoots, Newborn Session Specials, and New Nature Images Added!

The nice, warm, sunny weather will soon be upon us, and I, for one, can't wait!  Yesterday, even though it was rainy, I took my kids out for a drive to see if we could find any interesting things to photograph.  (I also knew it would guarantee a nap for all of them, which was a bonus!).  We ended up in Beacon Hill Park (among a few other places), where there was an endless amount of ducks and geese, among some other birds and wildlife.  It's such a big, beautiful park, and there were lots of people, young and old, taking strolls in the rain.  Some were feeding the ducks, some were just enjoying the fresh air.

Then I had an idea.  This Spring, I'll be doing mini-photo shoots in Beacon Hill Park!  It will likely be on a Saturday - date TBA.  Bring your family down to the park and get a mini-shoot done for only $40!  Sessions will be about 15-20 minutes long or so, you'll get an online gallery of your images, and a credit towards the purchase of any prints from your session!

Sessions will be done on a first-come, first-served basis, sort of like a photo shoot "walk-in".

If you're looking to have just a few shots done in a fabulous location, stay tuned for the date and come one down to see me!  I'll also let you know where in the park I'll be set up.  Tell your friends to stop by as well!

I'm really excited to do this - and if it goes really well, it might just turn into a semi-regular thing during the spring and possibly the summer!

In other news... I've been busy crocheting some new items for newborn photo props (mainly cocoons at the moment).  I hope to have a bunch of new items ready in the coming weeks, so please let me know if you are about to have a baby or just had one - I'd love to try them out!  The perfect time to photograph a newborn is when he or she is around 2 weeks old.  I'm considering doing a few newborn sessions at a reduced rate, as it's something I've only had the opportunity to do with my own children so far, and I'd really like to build on my newborn portfolio and use my new and ever-growing supply of props.  Is there anyone in the Sooke or Victoria area who would be interested in this?  A great newborn session in the comfort of your own home, at a fantastic rate, your images on a disc, a few prints, some birth announcements, and an online gallery to view and purchase any prints from your session.  Please email me if you or someone you know is interested in doing this!


If you'd like to book any other sessions with me, please view my package and price list to the right (just scroll down a bit).


Additionally, I'm uploading photos to my Nature's Footprints gallery from my rainy day outing as I type this, so check them out here!


I look forward to hearing from you regarding the newborn session specials, and about any other photo shoots you are interested in!  If you don't see something you want, ask me about it - custom shoots are available.  I also look forward to seeing you out there at Beacon Hill Park in the upcoming weeks - remember, stay tuned for a date and exact location!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Beautiful Weather... Is Spring on it's Way Already?

The past few days have been absolutely gorgeous here in Sooke; Spring-like indeed.  I'm happy to say I have my camera back after a minor repair, so I am back in business!  Perfect timing!  It's a great time to get out there, to your favorite location in Sooke, and let  me capture some memories for you!  Some popular locations include Whiffin Spit, the Sooke Potholes, areas along the Galloping Goose Trail, and French Beach.  Did you also know there are some fantastic locations in the Port Renfrew area?

Growing up in Southern Ontario, my family always used to take drives - and in a place like that, there was never any shortage of directions to go, roads to take, or places to visit.  It's something that I continue to enjoy doing no matter where life takes me.  When my husband and I moved here, Port Renfrew was the first place we went to see outside of Sooke.  While a very small community, we thoroughly enjoyed it and all it has to offer!  (There is so much potential there, too!)  We have since visited several parts of the town, and I've found some magnificent backdrops for outdoor photo shoots.  My favorites include the beach at the campground, the bridges leading to the marina, and Botanical Beach.  Nearby is also China Beach or Sombrio Beach, both excellent sites, even though they're a bit of a trek to get to!  If you're feeling adventurous and don't mind the drive out there, I certainly don't mind making the hour-long trip to take your photos!  Why not make a day of it and take your family there for a nice hike, enjoy some delicious breakfast at the Coastal Cafe or lunch at the Port Renfrew Hotel?  Or, go early in the morning for a chance to go tide pooling at Botanical Beach, have a picnic lunch and then meet up with me for your photo shoot.  Be sure to check the tide charts before you go to make the most out of your time there: http://www.dairiki.org/tides/monthly.php/rnf will give you a good indication of when to go.  The best times, we've found, is about an hour before the tide is at it's lowest.  (Hint: April 8th and 9th are the next closest dates with the lowest tides, at 8:42am and 9:31am, respectively.  After that, May 5th-9th are also good dates).

Whichever location you choose in the Southern Vancouver Island area (and there are PLENTY), I am more than happy to turn your cherished moments into memories that will last a lifetime.  There are many other great spots to choose - Victoria Harbour, a nice little park in Esquimalt called Saxe Point Park, Beacon Hill Park, Esquimalt Lagoon, etc.

Email me today to set up a session date and time - and remember, even if the weather isn't perfect on the day of your photo shoot, it doesn't mean we still can't capture some fantastic shots!  Rolling with the punches is sometimes the best way to get great photos!

murchiesphotography@gmail.com - view the price list to the right, and contact me today to book!