gigiblog

Connection.

There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.

~Robert Smith Surtees, "Chapter XXX: Bolting the Badger," Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour, 1853

(Click on images to see them larger.)

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Can you believe it's Friday already? Wow! Where does the time go? And it's the FIRST long weekend of the "summer!" Yahoooo! Unfortunately, for all of us in Ontario, we're going to enjoy this extra long weekend indoors mostly, as it's pretty chilly still.

But - since it's FRIDAY ... it's time to name the winner of the Lovable Labels giveaway., posted on Monday.

A big thank you to Sonia for hosting this week's giveaway! I think these labels are the greatest way to keep track of your little one's stuff - and we all know our little ones have a LOT of stuff to keep track of!

So, the winner is, using random.org:

Number 11: Tanya

Just e-mail me and I'll hook you up with Sonia of Lovable Labels so you can get your labels printed up for you.

Congratulations, Tanya! I know these labels will come in handy for your girls when they go to school! ENJOY!

I hope you all have a fabulous long weekend ... :) ... and don't forget about the Do You Have a Bump? contest
going on. Spread the word and send in a photo of you and your belly and you will be entered to win a free maternity session with Gigi Photography, along with a complimentary 8x10 image from your session.

Happy Friday!

Hey, Lyla...

Lyla Precious - nicknamed Tarzan, the Monster, etc. - is my middle child. She's almost two years old (the big day is in July, coming up so quickly!) And you know what they say about middle children ....

"The middle or second born child or children often have the sense of not belonging. They fight to receive attention from parents and others because they feel many times they are being ignored or dubbed off as being the same as another sibling. Being in the middle a child can feel insecure. The middle child often lacks drive and looks for direction from the first born child. Sometimes a middle child feels out of place because they are not over achievers and like to go with the flow of things ... middle children are often loners ..."
-Essortment.com

*Ahem* I dare say that does NOT describe my Lyla-girl! She is a ball of FIRE. She loves people. She loves a challenge. She loves to be loud. She loves to be daring. She loves to eat dirt (and toilet brushes, apparently, but that's another *disgusting* story!). She loves to be tickled. She loves loud music.

Lyla has drive. Lyla has ambition. Lyla rocks my world!

Yes, my Lyla defies the stereotypical middle child syndrome.

And I'm glad.

Just two photos from snuggling my crazy kid yesterday afternoon:

Kisses for you, Lyla. You are such a gem in my life!

P.S. I'm a middle child too ... maybe that's why Lyla tugs on my heart so!

Holy Batman.

*Okay, cheesy title. I admit it.*

Thank you ALLLLLL for your fabulous response to my call-out for momma-to-be models (see below post)! Wow! So wonderful!

Okay, so it's obviously going to be VERY hard for me to choose ... so what I was thinking of doing is leaving it up to you - my wonderful blog readers and clients - to choose which momma-to-be will win the session with Gigi Photography. Over the next few days, stay tuned! I will post MY top three picks and get you to vote on which momma will win.

How fun! Thanks again for your great responses! The contest is still open so go ahead and send me your photo and entry at gillian@gigiphotography!

And because I can't post without an image ....

Do you have a bump?

Yoo-hoooo!

Calling all mommas-to-be!

Gigi Photography is looking for one lucky pregnant momma for an upcoming session ...

Qualifications:

1) The momma must be six months pregnant or more.

2) The momma must submit a photo of herself and hubby to gillian@gigiphotography.com

3) The momma must be willing to wear jeans and must be willing to follow the photographer's lead for images. (Don't worry, it's not too risky! Just different than I normally do!)

In exchange for modeling for me, I will give you a complimentary 8x10 image of your choice. All other images can be purchased online once the session is completed.

Again - e-mail me, Gillian, at gillian@gigiphotography.com and include a recent (preferably including your baby bump!) photo of you and hubby.

I will contact you when I decide on the winning model!

Little Sack of Sugar.

I have just finished proofing this session. It took me longer than normal because there were so many cute shots - it was hard to narrow it down! I've already featured Miss Nora on my blog last week but I couldn't resist a few images with her mommy ... I loved this series.

A, your proofs are now online - I hope you enjoy them!

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And now ..... um, since I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday (tisk, tisk!), I'm doing Monday's giveaway on Tuesday, today.

I have SOOOO many cool, fun giveaways lined up (all the way till July!) so it makes it really hard for me to choose which giveaway to do next.

Buuuuuut ... I think I'll go with this a giveaway from Loveable Labels. Here is their website: Loveable Labels

"It is said that necessity is the mother of invention and this proved all too true for Laura Porreca, Owner and President of Lovable Labels.

When Laura's first child entered daycare, she was told to label all his belongings. This meant labeling everything from his outdoor clothing, to his indoor shoes, lunches, sippy cups and backpack. Laura recognized a need in the market for personalized labels that were tough and durable and could stand the test of time and the everyday use that children put them through.

After researching and testing many different products and designs, Laura created a line of labels that include Regular and Slimline Stickers, Shoe Labels, Iron-ons and Bag Tags. They are not only bright, fun and colourful but also met the high standards that parents have come to expect. The Regular and Slimline labels are microwave and dishwasher safe, the Iron-on labels stay put in the washer and dryer, the Shoe Labels have an extra strength adhesive to ensure they won't come off and the Bag Tags are made of a durable and flexible plastic.

Thus, in 2003.....Lovable Labels was born!"

Sonia Huff of Loveable Labels is generously offering up a sticker label pack, printed in either the pretty or cool colour combo, to this week's winner.

To enter this week's draw, just leave a comment on this post and the winning entry will be listed on Friday.

Sonia has also suggested we might be able to do a monthly giveaway with her so maybe in your post, you could thank Sonia for her generosity! She's been fabulous!

Post away!

P.S. Don't forget to check back on Friday for the winning name.

Happy Mother's Day!

We have a roller.

Yup.

That's right!

Lucia, now four months old, is rolling over! I think she was doing it earlier (mid-three-month stage) but she wasn't as strong as she is now. And soooo ... we enter a new stage of the first year.

She's such a sweetheart. I love her sooooo much!

Today we went to the Farmer's Market in downtown Orangeville -

Do you like that hat? We picked it up this morning at the Orangeville Farmer's Market. If you're local and if you haven't visited the market yet, you really should go! There's fresh produce, funky handmade items (hence, the purple hat!), home baked goodies, lush flowers and plants ... and much more!

The market runs every weekend from now until October. Check out The Farmer's Market Website for more information.

We snagged some homemade butter tarts, the homemade purple hat, a bag of apples and two homemade beaded bracelets this weekend.

We saw some fun dancing while we were there ...

I can't remember what this group is called - does anyone know?

I just loved their outfits!

And I wish I had socks and shoes like this!

Check out the market next weekend if you've missed it this time around!

This Friday's winner is ......

Okay, time to announce who won Monday's giveaway from South Street Designs ... but first, a big thank you to Julie, the creator of these lovely jewelry pieces. I love to feature uique, handmade items ... Julie creates the most fabulous pieces - they are classy yet funky. I love them!

If you want to read more about Julie's story and how she began and created her South Street Designs shop, just click here.

In the meantime - using random.org, the WINNER of these beautiful earings ...

is #4 -Liana!

Liana, e-mail me and I will hook up you with South Street Designs so you can get your hands on these beautiful items!

*Please note, winners have one week to claim their prize. If they do not claim it, the prize will go to the next name.*

Check back on Monday for the next giveaway! :D

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On one of my shoots earlier this week, I had the pleasure of allowing a lovely young lady, Amanda, shadow me as practice for her photography skills. We had lots of fun together and she happened to snap some shots of the actual photos being taken so I thought I would share them.

Later, Amanda sent me the NICEST BIGGEST edible bouquet I have ever seen! WOW! I was totally thrilled to bits! I wanted to take a picture of it, but we managed to eat it all before I could get my hands on my camera! (Little girls really like fruit!) So, thank you Amanda! You're awesome! I'll be shooting Amanda's wedding in a few weeks and I'm so looking forward to that! Thanks, again, girl! Hope you enjoyed the session!

*Photos taken by Amanda Mitchell.*

I think I might have been shooting this shot ...

I have a ton of favourites from this session. It's hard to choose which ones to post!

and one with a bit of grunge.

Have a great Friday, everyone!

Six Days Fresh.

Oh my goodness.

I met the SWEEEETEST litttle baby boy in my studio yesterday. Oh my gosh ... what a lovely little piece of Heaven!

Meet Baby Max.

I *puffy heart* his name. That was one of our boy names we had (never got to use it yet!) on our baby name list.

Are they not the *cutest* family ever?

with his mommy - who he knew right away. When she whispered in his ears and stroked his head, he would calm down so quickly.

snug in his cocoon ...

and with his daddy .... I can't tell who he looks more like - his mom or dad ...

Thanks, guys, for coming to the studio before Max grew too much out of that beautiful, newborn stage. I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek!

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Don't forget! I'll be drawing a name for the giveaway tomorrow! If you haven't entered your name in the draw, just scroll down and enter to win some funky jewelry from South Street Designs.
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{joy}

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. Theodore Roethke

I came across this BIG HUGE SMILE while proofing tonight and it just made my night!

Isn't it amazing how one smile can spread so much joy?!

GO ON! SMILE TODAY at someone who doesn't look happy ... let's see what happens ...

I have a newborn session early tomorrow morning so I better get back to work.

Cheerio.

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below if you haven't already ...