Hours of Operation

We've been receiving a number of requests to do sessions on Sunday.  Other than the odd wedding back in the day and maybe one session ever on a Sunday (not even sure we have), we have never been open on Sundays.  We realize it can be difficult to get a whole family together, so we certainly empathize, but it's also our day of rest and family time, as well a day we commit to going to church on.  And with Rodney working a full-time job in addition to doing photography, down-time is precious.  Thanks so much for your understanding.  We will try to make one Saturday per month available as well as an evening per week.  Please contact us well in advance of the date you need us so we can try to accommodate you.

Summertime

We're fully into summer.  First big heat wave.  Garden growing.  Trips to the beach.  Landscaping.  Popsicles.  Barbecuing.  Convertible rides (yes, that has been a very fun addition to life...we highly recommend it).

We've also been doing some headshots for business owners and will have the studio open on one or two Saturdays (Saturday, July 21st is the first one if anyone else would like to book in).  The evening light has been gorgeous and the mosquitoes not too bad.  If you've got your family together this summer, why not consider an outdoor family session?

Rodney is enjoying his new position at Red River College, developing their program and teaching two additional courses in the fall/winter.  We've been making some improvements to the studio.  It's still for sale as we're eager to build closer to home, but for now we're still on Selkirk Avenue.

Sonya has been learning about health and nutrition lately and still doing some writing.  But mostly focused on the kids, yard, and house this summer.  And trying to fit in some dates.  The new "date car" (Volvo C70 convertible) will increase the fun factor.  Now we can drive to Lockport and back and feel like it was special.  Joy is always in the simple things!  Also reading some interesting books from the library:  Committed (the sequel to Eat, Pray, Love), Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, and The Proper Care And Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger.  I'm not sure how I'll get through them all, but it was fun to take out so many books that intrigued me.

Hope you have an excellent summer!  And remember you are beautiful!

Here's to Mothers

Mama. Mommy. Mom. Mother.  So many ways to say it.  So many mothers in the world.  We all have/had one.  Mothers have an important role—to teach, nurture, and comfort—and a million other jobs.  This Mother’s Day, I honour mothers, all kinds of mothers.

Here’s to mothers of babies and pre-schoolers, who give and give and give, whether tired or not (but mostly tired).  Your love and care in these early years is crucial.  Enjoy the smiles and giggles and “firsts” now and remember that your time invested  will reward you later.

Here’s to mothers of children and pre-teens.  Many of you have launched your kids into the world of school and some of you have chosen to directly shape your child’s world through home schooling.  You are helping your kids discover their gifts, develop skills, and create healthy habits and relationships.  You may be weary of making lunches and after-school snacks, driving kids around, or telling them to practice or do homework, but hang in there.  Embrace the moments and the conversations you already know are fleeting.  And keep looking ahead as you make decisions. 

Here’s to mothers of teenagers and young adults, who love and don’t necessarily feel love back.  You are shaping the next generation of adults.  Your job is getting increasingly hard as pop culture and peers fight for influence.  Keep trying to connect.  And tell me how to let go of children gracefully, because I have no idea how I will do that.  

Here’s to mothers of kids with special needs.  You are troopers.  You are extraordinary.  You see beyond appearances.  Your rewards are different.  I hope when you are discouraged or weary, you have people around to support you.  I hope you can teach the world to be kinder and more accepting, more thankful, and more understanding.

Here’s to mothers who have adopted.  Whether you have experienced the ache of not being able to bear a child, or whether you have opened your arms to an orphan and expanded your family, you have chosen to care for the most vulnerable.  You have likely or will likely experience heartache like no other because of the unique situation of your child: the insecurities and questions, the anger, and the longing for belonging.  Yet you travel this road and you love.

Here’s to mothers of children who have been placed in the care of others.  You know what it’s like to have your heart ripped away, to feel helpless, and to despair.  You struggle to make your life better, but many times the cycle continues.  Visits are pain and pleasure—sometimes too much to bear.  Whether your kids are allowed back or not, you are a mother.  Though everything else changes, that will never change.

Here’s to mothers of children who rebelled, ran away, got mixed up with drugs or gangs, or went to prison.  You have been through the ringer.  You have loved, you have been tough, you have felt intimidated, you have questioned your decisions, you have endured the judgment of others, but you have kept hoping the best--longer than many thought you would.

Here’s to mothers who have lost children: through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, accident, or the taking of a life.  You have known sorrow in a way like none other.  Your world has shattered.  You have known darkness.  You have known grief.  You never forget that precious life for one moment.  Yet you go on with life and try your best to live and take care of the others entrusted to you.  Mother’s Day holds sadness with it.

Here’s to those who have experienced neither the joy nor the ache of motherhood, but have longed to.  You have watched friends and family make the transition and leave you behind in many ways.  You have asked “why?” a thousand times, and endured the pain of trying many things without success.  For you, Mother’s Day can be too hard to bear.

Here’s to single mothers who have lost the support they were meant to have, who work hard to earn enough money and still take what little time and energy they have left to care for their kids.  Making ends meet is challenge enough, but so is finding positive male influences, allowing anyone into your heart, and feeling accepted by other mothers.  I hope you have the support you need.

Here’s to working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.  You each make a unique contribution to the world.  You each must strive for balance in order to keep your sanity and your values intact.  You each feel moments of guilt and doubt regarding your decisions.  Yet each of you has made a valid choice.  The most important thing is to be present to your children when you are with them (and somehow, that is not as easy as it sounds).

Here’s to grandmothers and great-grandmothers.  You have wisdom and love to share, yet you must restrain yourself in order to avoid crossing lines.  You have such a special place in your heart for the children of your children and hold such a special place in their hearts, too.  You have the unique opportunity to make an impact on another generation without all the responsibility and hard work.  Yet it is not easy to balance making time for your own pursuits as well as making time for your grandkids.  One or the other will feel more natural, but both are valuable.

Last of all, here’s to my own mother.  You gave me life and love, taught me faith and perseverance, helped me develop my gifts and talents, and prayed for me every step of the way.  I love you!

Mother's Day 2012

Get ready, Winnipeg, it's time for our Mother/Daughter event!  Join us and celebrate your special bond!  Now until May 19th.

Sessions are $50 (plus taxes) and packages start at $100.  Perfect for Mother's Day!

Awards, Gallery Show, and Availability

Rodney was recently awarded "Best Portrait" and "Best Commercial" Image at the Professional Photographers of Canada-Manitoba print competition.  Here are his award-winning images:

"Abracadabra" - Best Portrait

"Fairy Dust" - Best Commercial

These two images are part of a larger collection which is showing until May 5th at Pixels 2.1 Gallery on 217 McDermot Ave.  Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11-5.

We managed to receive some good publicity at the opening of "Airborne".  There was an article in the Metro and a post on CBC's arts blog, Manitoba Scene.

The exhibit is receiving very positive feedback.  The gallery owner is determined these works should be put into book form.  If you're interested in pre-ordering a book (no money necessary yet), please sign-up for yours here.  There is also the possibility of a calendar in the works.  You can see more images on our Airborne Facebook Page.  Make sure to get downtown and visit the gallery though.  It is the most powerful to view them framed and on the walls as a group.

Rodney is just finishing up his first year teaching at Red River College, so he has more availability again.  It's a great time to do something for yourself, to give you that spring in your step and a sparkle in your eye.  Rodney expects to be in the studio Tuesday to Thursday from 11 - 5.  He may have some Fridays and evenings available as well as at least one Saturday per month.  You can reach the studio by calling 221-8413 to set up a consultation.

Email Down

Just a quick note: if you sent an email inquiry to us over the past 10 days or so, you likely didn't hear back from us as our email was down and we were a bit slow in getting things back on track.  Please re-submit your inquiry and we will get back to you shortly.  Thanks so much!

2012

It's hard to believe we're this far into 2012 already.  It has been full of adjustments and transitions.  Rodney has added two evening classes to his teaching load, but is enjoying it immensely.  Our youngest started kindergarten mid-year.  That is also hard to believe!  When I first conceived of Eve Studios, he was just a year old!

With Rodney's limited availability, we have weekdays Tuesday to Thursday and some Saturdays open for appointments.  I am now taking care of communication with clients, although consultations, sessions, and ordering are still all done through Rodney currently.

It has been an interesting journey for me since Rodney's teaching job has freed me up.  Even though I've loved the chance to become a "business-woman" and use my skills and develop new ones, I feel very blessed to now focus more of my time and energy on my passions which centre around my most important relationships, singing, speaking, and writing.  It has been strange to pull back from the business world, but it has been the right choice for me.

I'm so glad we can still offer women the opportunity to explore and celebrate their beauty.  As we venture further into 2012, may we find much to be thankful for each day.

Exhibit Dec. 2 - 8

Rodney's latest art project opens this Friday from 6 to 9 at the corner of Albert and McDermot (2nd floor).  We'd love to see you there!

News Bits

 A few new things are coming into play this fall.  Let me tell you about them.

• Rodney has taken on a part-time teaching position at Red River College and is enjoying the challenge.  (The studio is now closed on Mondays and Fridays).

• We will no longer be offering 2-for-1 sessions on the last Tuesday of the month.

• The studio will be closed the week of Remembrance Day.

• Rodney is currently working on two art projects to be unveiled this winter.  Watch for times and dates!

What does it mean to be beautiful?

On Facebook today, Kim Malchuk (Manitoba best-selling author of Tasting Rain) asked the question, “What does it mean to be beautiful?”  Here are the thoughts she inspired in me:

I think there are many ways to describe what it means to be beautiful, but here's what I've been thinking about lately...

To be beautiful is to be a woman.
To be a woman is to be beautiful.

Yes, there are things that can mar or cover a woman's beauty: usually through the responses to a wounded heart--hardness instead of strength, weakness instead of tenderness.

I believe every woman has beauty at her very core.  She was designed to bring beauty to the world; to be beauty in her own unique way.

It may sound fluffy or shallow, but beauty is important.  Beauty is not a luxury.

Beauty is something we all hunger for at a very deep level:  to see it and create it.
Without beauty, we live a truly impoverished existence.

God realized as soon as he created Adam, that he would live an impoverished life without Eve.  So woman came to be.  Beauty embodied.

So to be beautiful, does not mean to put on something.  It means to be who we were created to be: beauty.

Beauty inspires us to live better.
Beauty invites us to linger in its presence.
Beauty tells us all is well and all shall be well.
Beauty nourishes us.
Beauty causes us to look to the one who created it...it transcends the everyday and draws our eyes heavenward.

**My thanks to Stasi and John Eldredge for their insights shared in "Captivating" and to Thomas Kinkade in "Lightposts for Living".