The internet is such a wonderful, information-packed, fun-filled, bundle of technology.  I adore it because between Wordpress and Google Analytics, I can see what kind of traffic I’m getting on my website and blog.  That’s right folks, I see ya’ll checking in on me - how many clicks I get each day, what pages on site/blog are most visited, what site referred you, blah, blah, blah.  Now the thing is, I’m getting a whole lot of viewers each day, which I’m beyond giddy about.  But hey, give me some love my peeps - leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!  Do you like/love/hate the blog?  Is it something I should keep up with?  How about the photos - anything you adore/despise?  What would you like to see more of?  Less of?  Sound off my friends and don’t hold back (just keep in mind that comments have to be approved by me before they’re posted, so keep it PG)!  And, just because I know you’re stalking me doesn’t mean you need to discontinue - I secretly adore it.  Cheers!

Raspberry Farm, that is.  Good ol’ wholesome fun.

If you’ve visited my photography website, you know that I do Portrait Parties.  Clients are currently booking appointments for parties to take place in the Fall/Winter in hopes that they can snag some good photos of their kiddos and families to include in their Holiday Cards. 

For those of you who are unaware of what a Portarit Party entails, I’ll give you a quick lowdown.  You would host a party and invite 8-12 families, friends, coworkers, etc.  There is no sitting fee for any participant, no obligation to purchase photos, and there are no costs incurred to the host of the party.  Wait, it gets better.  The host of the party receives a free 8×10, two 5×7’s and a set of 8 wallets.  Hosts also receive credit toward additional prints in the amount of 10% of all guest print purchases.  The only thing I need is a 10×10 space to work in.  Each mini-session lasts about 20 minutes.  This is a great way for you and your friends to have professional portraits made in a fun and affordable way in the comfort of your own home.  You can obtain more detailed information by visiting www.mishkaphotography.com and clicking on “Parties.”

If you are interested in hosting a party, please call as soon as possible to reserve your date.  Alternatively, if you are not keen on hosting a party, but would like professional photographs taken for the Holidays, please contact me to schedule an individual portrait session.  Weekend appointments for parties and individual sessions are limited!

I’ve made it through a handful of photos from our vacation, basically the first half of vacation.  Lots more to play around with, but here are a few.

Well we returned from our vacation yesterday afternoon.  Some days were incredibly eventful and others not so much.  I secretly prefer the relaxing uneventful days.  For those of you who were not clued in on the annual family vaca, we took our boat up the coast of Canada on Lake Huron. 

The second day was outrageous.  We left Sarnia and my oh-so-darling husband read the weather forecast at the Harbormaster’s office before leaving port.  He apparently just glanced at it and was raving that the lake was only supposed to be 1-2 feet - supposedly a very smooth and easy ride to the next port.  Far from it.  Oh-so-darling husband failed to remember that we were in Canada and they use the METRIC system.  So it was supposed to be 1-2 METERS and not FEET, but later learned after arriving at next port (and all of the dock staff amazed that we made it safely) that it was actually 2-3.5 meters.  Yikes!  Yes, we were dealing with 8-10 foot waves.  It was wet, it was out of control bumpy and just downright uncomfortable - well, not that I would know.  My little Porkchop and I hid downstairs while the “men” braved it out and Luke napped the entire ride.

Port Elgin was voted by National Geographic as being the sunset capital of the world.  I didn’t believe it when I read it - - when I think gorgeous sunsets, I think of the sun setting in Africa or setting behind vineyards in Italy.  However, I can honestly say that the Port Elgin sunset was fantastic.  The bonus?  We enjoyed it two nights in a row. 

There were parts of the trip that were odd.  (1) Canadians do some awful damage to their french fries.  They put vinegar and gravy on them.  Weird, gross and what a way to ruin fries.  (2) It is incredibly difficult to find Diet Coke.  Pepsi, no problem.  I thought I was going to have seizures until I found a pop machine with Diet Coke and stocked up at $2.50 a pop.  I seriously cannot function without my Diet Coke.  (3) The price of gas was more expensive.  Expected, but still disappointing.  (4) I still cannot replicate the Canadian accent.  I try to imitate it and I just sound ridiculous.  For some reason, it reminds me of the movie “Fargo.”  (5) The Canadians are far more cheerful and welcoming than those of us residing in the States.  I mean, overwhelmingly nice.  It made me think why we’re all so stuffy back over in the U.S.  (6) They offered wine in liters.  This bothered me.  “Miss, would you care for another liter of wine?”  It just made me think I was drinking too much.  Now, I’m not very good with metric conversion, so when I think liter, I think gallon.  I don’t know, maybe that was the liter of wine thinking for me.  (7) Everything has an extra “e” or “u.”  I.e., colour, centre, litre.  Yeah, yeah, its the French influence, but its still weird to me.  So, that’s it.  No huge upsets other than the Diet Coke.

I finished 5 chick-lit novels, we ate ice cream each evening after dinner and strolled the beaches and quaint towns, dug holes and made sandcastles on the beach, went to arcades and fairs.  I was even able to fit in some camera time.  It was a very wholesome family vacation.  And best of all, the entire family enjoyed it.  The memories we create each summer by boating are priceless and will grow with our children into adulthood.  That, my friends, is worth every penny of the boat payment.

I’ll be sure to post photos soon.  The first week back is always a bit chaotic!

I will be out of town on a family vacation from August 6 through August 17.  With my handy dandy Blackberry, however, I will be available by phone and email buzzes directly to my phone (man, this thing is beyond addicting - I’m not sure how I ever lived without it!!!).  At some points of our trip, we will be in fairly remote areas.  I will do my very best to respond to calls/emails within 24 hours.  For clients who have had their session prior to my depature, I WILL have your proofs in their galleries before I leave.  Wish me luck.  Eleven days in close confines with my family - I’m crossing my fingers I return a sane woman!

I had the opportunity to photograph a family reunion on Saturday.  The “H” family was so warm and welcoming.  Makes me wish I had such a large family!  I expected that photographing 21 people would be complete chaos, but it moved so smoothly.  Here’s a glimpse of a few from the session.  Thank you for inviting me to your home!