tracy cook {FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

 September is coming to a close, but the weather here in Kamloops is still pretty good.  This afternoon I had the pleasure of photographing this adorably stylish little dude.  I asked his mom to jump in for a few shots.  As the mother of a boy, I'm partial to these kind of warm, affectionate images. 

 My favorite has to be this first one. 

 I love seeing a beautiful smile on a mother's face as she looks at her happy child.  

As a photographer I love to capture that emotion, and as a mother, I hope my son sees that smile and love coming from me to him everyday.  

tracy cook {PERSONAL} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

Reading a recent photography site, they asked about everyone's photography inspiration.  I wish I could say it's my 2 1/2 year old son, but most days it's not- because he is so tired of me taking his picture that he generally hides, or rolls his little bitty toddler eyes when I come with the camera.

But

the other day I did capture a few keepers.

And I got to thinking, that although he loathes the camera- he is my inspiration for everything.  He's not my muse (haha as if) but he's my inspiration.  He's everything.

What's your inspiration??

Do you have a muse?

tracy cook {PERSONAL} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

I've decided that every Wednesday I'm going to feature a saying that is relevant to me that week.

I'll post the saying, which I probably found on my new obsession

And follow it up with my thoughts.

You will likely learn a bit about me.

Good or Bad....

I'm putting it out there.

I thought Wednesdays were a good day to do it, since it's a good day for a pick me up.

Poor Wednesdays. 

Stuck there in the middle of the week.

Still too close to Monday

And too far away from Friday.

So here's this weeks.

source-pintrest

This saying is particularly important to me in my photography life.  Locally, there are so many talented photographers.  Kamloops, in my opinion is highly over saturated with photographers offering portraits.  I personally find it a very tough place to break into, and I have found it a struggle to succeed.  But as my husband will tell you, my definition of success is very high.  And I'm still learning.

But what I really need to learn is to just do what I want to do, follow my passion, do the best I can, and not try to compare or compete.  If I do what I like, and what feels good for me, there is no reason to compare.

Comparison really is the thief of joy. It points out only what you didn't do, and could have done better, compares apples to oranges in many cases, and does not recognize what a person has done right.

For me, I stopped following all but one photographer in my area.  I don't need to know what they are  all doing, how often they are working, how much they are charging, what ideas they are working on.... etc etc.

I just need to follow my passion, and continue to find joy in my photography.

I know myself that the comparison robs me of my joy.

And photography for the photographer and the subject should be a joyous experiences   

Does this saying speak to you??

tracy cook {NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

I do miss the big skies of Alberta, the beautiful mountains, the scenery....

This is taken near Pincher Creek.

tracy cook {NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

If you're looking for me when I retire....

This is where you will find me.

Every time I'm there, I have a sense of

 "THIS is where I belong".

We took our little man for his first EVER visit earlier this month.

Where do you belong?

tracy cook {FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY} www.cherryblissphotography.ca

While I was in Calgary I had the opportunity to photograph this sweet little girl.

Little Miss Olivia and my son were born ten days apart.

  Her mom and I have known each other since we were both just a few weeks pregnant. 

 We are part of a very special group of ladies. 

Here are some of the images from the session. 

(ps- I DARE you not to squish these adorable cheeks ! )

know what matters most

Happy Wednesday everyone !  

Just back from a lovely holiday with my boys.  Dylan had a blast- everything was about him- trips to the waterpark, chuck e cheese, the play centres, hanging with his friends and family, the list was endless. 

 Big Dylan (aka Daddy) and I had so much fun watching Dylan enjoy himself.

I`ve come to realize that lessons are everywhere.  There are a few things that I`ve always known about myself that re-presented themselves this last week.

1) As a social worker, a former probation officer, a counsellor and someone who`s career has included working with victims and offenders, I have a strong sense of fairness.  My personal and professional ethics are deeply rooted here.

2) I have an inability to remain quiet when I feel strongly about something.  This is one of my greatest gifts, and also one of my biggest flaws.  Even when it brings me grief, I`m still happy that I stood true and said what I wanted to stay.  I`ve probably made more foes then friends with this, but that`s the consequence.

3) I`m not the type who should participate in contests where judgement, popularity, and pulling strings are the goal.  Recent entry into a local photography contest has proved this.  

I want to win something based on merit. 

 I don`t want to play those games, I want my artistry to be judged on if my images move you, or make you smile, or are pleasing to you.  And if that`s not how i`ll be judged, then I`ve learnt that I don`t want to play in that sandbox.

source- pintrest (of course)  lol

Ohhhhhh this is a biggie.  

Knowing what matters the most

and not engaging in what doesn`t matter.

What matters most is growing my talent.

nurturing my passion

feeling good about my work

learning

making connections with people

Winning.... 

Nah, 

not if it`s not fair and square.

And I can`t expect others to play by my rules, because they are just that... mine.

My integrity is just that- mine.

So what`s acceptable for someone else might not be for me, and that`s ok.

But I think I`m not cut out for those types of contests.

So in the future

  It`s probably better for me to sit out of games where the `rules`  will just frustrate me 

and look for feedback and recognition from the things, and people that matter.

So on to something that is important.

Saying thank you for all of your support everyone.

and

I`ll be sharing with you all later today a session I did in Calgary... but not until 

 nap time.  

Because I`ve got important play time to get to with my little man this morning.

xoxoxo

Tracy