New Blog

i'm excited to announce that i've finally set up a new wordpress blog that is much more user friendly.  I'll no longer be putting new posts on this blog so please head on over to the new one and if you're using a reader (I love Feedly) to read blogs, please update it to my new blog.

Hope you like it as much as I do!  Please leave some comments on the new blog and tell me what you think.

Here's the link:  http://blog.michellebarbeauphotography.com

Michelle

August - What to Wear guide for Family Sessions

Here's this month's style guide.  Don't you just love that dress for Mom?

Beautiful Danielle / Ottawa Headshot photographer

Do you remember my head shot contest way back in March and our lovely winner?

(this photo was taken by one of her twin daughters) 

After having to reschedule due to bad weather, we finally got together in June for our photo session.  Danielle was so much fun to work with!  Here are a couple of shots from our session

Isn't she gorgeous?!

Adorable Family - Stittsville Family Photographer

This was one of the first families I photographed when I started my photography business 3 years ago and I was honoured that they had my back to their home to photograph their growing family.  They have a new member to their family now and it was so great to see how much their other daughter has grown (you can see their last session here).

the little one sure looks up to her big sister!

their backyard is so beautiful that we took some outdoor shots as well

It was great to see you again "J" Family!

July - What to wear guide for family sessions

Wondering what to wear to a photo session?

Here's a great example of some cute family outfits...all available at Old Navy

Beautiful Bridget / Kanata Teen Photographer

I love working with teens...they're so fun!  Bridget is graduating from Grade 8 this year and wanted some grad photos done.

Bridget loves to dress up so I brought a few flower headpieces to play around with...I thought this big pink one looked great with her beautiful eyes!

we made mom get in for a few photos as well...I love this one!

Thanks for the wonderful session Bridget and good luck in High School!

Teen Photography / Ottawa Teen Photographer

My daughter recently came home with some proofs for grad photos that got taken of her at school.  She was very embarrassed by them and I have to admit that I didn't like them either so didn't order any.
They showed her sitting in front of a bright blue background and wearing a cap and gown plus she had the fake "cheese" smile...it didn't show her as she truly is at this moment in time.  I want to remember her as she is now, before she moves into a new phase in her life in September when she'll be entering high school.  She's beautiful, fun, caring and has some "teen attitude"...she's still happy to hang out with her family but is making that transition to her peers being more of an influence.

I decided that there are probably other teens and families of teens that also have the same attitude about school photos as me so decided to start a new branch of my Photography Business geared for teens.

It's still a work in progress but I have a facebook page if you would like to check it out.  If you like the page and stayed tuned,  i'll be offering a fun contest for teens in the near future.

Here are a few pics of my daughter from a mini shoot I did with her on Mother's day weekend, I love all the flowering trees!

What to Wear For Family Sessions/ Ottawa Family Photographer

The question I get asked the most from my clients is "what should we wear to our photo session?".  I thought it would be fun to post some examples once a month.  

Here are some examples for this month:

Gone are the days of everyone wearing black or white shirts with jeans....show your individual style.  What I like to do is pick one family member's outfit first then coordinate around it to make sure nobody clashes.

Don't forget the accessories...they can make great additions!

I also have a board on my Pinterest account that i'm constantly adding things to if you would like to check it out.  Here's the link: Ottawa Family Photographer Clothing ideas

Instagram/ Ottawa Family Photographer

Do you have a favourite phone app?  Mine is Instagram! I love that you can easily take photos of every day life...my phone doesn't take the greatest quality photos but I usually always have it with me and can document certain moments that I would have otherwise missed!  If you don't have it, check it out...it's addictive!  :)

Here are a few pics i've taken using instagram in the past month:

Steak Modern Steakhouse and Sushi/ Ottawa Business Headshot Photographer

I had the pleasure of taking head shots for the new owners of a fabulous restaurant in the market called Steak Modern Steakhouse & Sushi (http://www.steakottawa.ca/).

Lee Wagner is the General Manager/Co-Owner and has had many years experience in the restaurant industry as a manager and a professional Sommelier.  He has been presented with 5 Spectator Awards as one of the world's leading wine lists as well as 5 Epicurean Awards for such accomplishments as best service, wine and food.  

John Leung is the amazing Executive Chef & Co-Owner of the restaurant.  He has had an impressive career working in restaurants such as Nobu London, The Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto and Boston and as the chef for the British High Commission in Ottawa and has received several awards including the gold medal in the Canadian Federation of Chef and Cooks National Apprentice Competition.  Steak Modern Steakhouse is sure to have an amazing menu under his guidance!

If you're looking for a great place for a date night, go in and check them out (ask for Lee and tell him I sent you :)).

Photo Booth / Ottawa Photographer

I set up a photo booth at an event a couple of weeks ago and it was so much fun watching everyone dress up and have a great time!  They picked a red and pink theme...love it!

Here are a few of my favourite photos:

if you would like more info about getting a photo booth at an event, contact me at michelle@barbeau.net

Voting has started

Voting has started for my Head Shot Photo Contest.  Head on over to my Facebook page and vote for the person(s) you think could use a new Head Shot photo!  Not on Facebook?  Send an email to me at michelle@barbeau.net with your full name and the name of the person you would like to vote for and I will add the vote for you.

**UPDATE**

congratulations to Danielle, the winner of the head shot contest...I'm looking forward to taking photos of this busy mom of 5 year old twins (one of which took the lovely photo below :))!

New Contest - Win a free Headshot Photo session

I've had several people request Headshot photos recently so thought it would be fun to make that the subject of this year's contest.  If you look on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook you'll notice that most people don't have a very professional looking profile picture...they're mostly just snapshots taken in bad light and are often blurry.  Social media is a very popular tool to network and help increase business so having a professional image is very important especially if you're an entrepreneur, business owner, real estate agent or even just looking for a future spouse on an online dating site!


Would you like an updated Profile photo?  Here's the perfect opportunity to win a
Headshot Photo Session plus two digital images.
($150 Value)

Here's how it works:

Go to this link http://bit.ly/Y73w8M and upload a photo of yourself before 11pm on Thursday, February 14th.  Make sure it's a photo of you and preferably one that you've been using as a profile photo so we can see how badly you need a new one!  :)  No professional photos allowed.  (option: email me your photo and i'll add it to the contest for you)

From February 15th until the end of the day on the 24th, people will vote on who they think needs a new photo and the winner will be announced on February 25th.  That's it...how easy is that?!

This year's contest is going to be run through my Michelle Barbeau Photography facebook page.  If you have friends not on facebook that would like to vote for you, they are welcome to email me at michelle@barbeau.net and I will add their vote (voting does not start until the 15th).

A few rules:

•  one entry per person
• participant must live in the ottawa area or be willing to travel to my home studio in Ottawa
• participants must be 21 years or older
• winning photo session is for one person only and must take place before May 31st, 2013

Good luck, I look forward to seeing all your photos!

Feel free to pass this along to anyone that you think would benefit from a free Photo Session


Here are a few headshots from recent photo sessions:

My Favourites of 2012 / Ottawa Family Photographer

I love going through all the photos of the previous year and reliving all the fantastic sessions with my clients.  I feel very blessed to meet so many wonderful people that allow me to capture a special moment in time for them.

Here are a few of my favourite photos from the past year!

I'm looking forward to all the amazing people i'm going to meet this year!

Michelle

52 Week Challenge - Week 52

wow, I can't believe my challenge has come to an end...I had a great time and I hope I inspired some of you to pick up your cameras and have fun!

The last theme of the year was "Oldness".  My good friends' Jane and Steve picked up this adorable old camera for me for my Birthday...I love it and can't wait to use it at future photo sessions as a prop!  For now, it has a place of honour on the bookshelf in my office.

52 Week Challenge - Week 51

Happy New Year everyone!  We were away for the holidays so i'm finally getting caught up on my 2012 weekly challenge.

Week 51's theme was "tired".  I took this instagram photo (I love Instagram!) on Christmas eve...I love how relaxed everyone looks, even the dog!

Stay tuned for the last photo theme of the year "Oldness"