Every Body Is Beautiful for DOTE Magazine

It all started at the beach. Young, modest and insecure; I found myself wading in the water wearing a one-piece Speedo covered with a t-shirt and board shorts. I’m not sure why I felt my thighs were embarrassing or that my body was something to be covered and unseen, I just know that by being covered up I was hiding. I was afraid.

It was at the beach that I saw mothers, women confidently in bikinis. I watched them in awe, and disbelief. How did they not feel concerned with all the people around them seeing their imperfect bodies? How did they get the confidence to so nonchalantly show themselves to the world?

Years have passed and I am now a mother myself. I think back to these moments I had when I was young, so insecure, yet, so amazed by the confidence these women exuded. Their freedom and confidence gave me permission to be OK with myself. I could dress like myself. I could be myself. I could breathe.

It’s been a process, and I’d be lying if I said that I figured everything out. The whole journey has left a lasting impression on me and it is the reason why I photograph women in a way that claims back our womanliness and celebrates the female body for all of its strength and loveliness. This shoot is a culmination of these things as well as so much more. Each woman pictured has been on her own unique journey, and I couldn’t be happier that we all ended up spending a chilly evening standing together in Mill Creek, Edmonton.

My hope is that others will see these incredible, strong, smart, beautiful women as a source of encouragement and strength. That perhaps for a few, it might just be the first step on a road to self-discovery and self-love. Let’s look out for each other, friends. Let’s take every possible opportunity to build each other up. You don’t know when a young girl, covered up in a speedo, will be watching.  

Publication: DOTE Magazine 

Models: Marielle Elizabeth, Hannah Hamilton, Osase, Kendra Allen, Sharon Litchfield, Justine Ma, Anna Stein

Floral Crowns: Lacombe Florists

Hair: Jill Keech

Make-Up: Shake-up That Make-up Tiiu Antrea

Clothing: Red Ribbon  

Mark & Christina | Edmonton and International Wedding Photographers

Yay! I am slowly following through on my promise to do more full wedding posts and I couldn't be more proud to share with you the wedding of Christina & Mark Makkinga today! Their wedding day was one of those perfect days you are praying for your entire engagement. The sun was shining, the air was warm, the wind lightly blew through the colorful fall foliage; gorgeous right? Yes, I felt truly blessed to be able share this gorgeous day with an amazing Bride and Groom. I cannot begin to describe how awesome it was to work with these two and their bridal party included.  They put there complete faith in my abilities and we had an absolute blast shooting them from morning, well into the night! Check out the photos for yourself, aren't they a stunning couple?! Enjoy!!Truly,KarmenP.P.S.  Don't forget check out there photobooth video!!!P.S. Thanks, as always, to Jo and Brendan! 



© Karmen Meyer Photography 2010.  All images are property of Karmen Meyer.

kmeyerphotography.com….. kmeyerphotography.com/blog….. Twitter.com/KarmenMeyer

*if you would like to know more about my products and packages feel free to send an email to karmen@kmeyerphotography.com

Ben & Heather {sneakpeek} | Red Deer & International Wedding Photographers

Good Evening!!  I am more than thrilled to share some engagement photos I took of friends and stunning couple, Ben & Heather!!!  I am not going to lie, this was one of my toughest shoots to date.  Between the freezing cold wind, lack of shade and  intense afternoon light this last minute shoot was not easy on the nerves or the ears or the toes!!  Without any time to scout for locations, we had decided to shoot down by Gull Lake but upon arrival found it to be less then desirable.Fortunately though, being a gorgeous, patient and easygoing couple, Ben & Heather rocked this engagement session!!  You can barely tell that no one had feeling in most of their extremities less then 15 minutes into the shoot.  It was so fun working with you two; you are so amazing together.  Watching you joke around, being all cute and romantic while literally freezing was amazing =)  We had so much fun, especially considering the circumstances.  I can't wait to shoot your wedding; I am so glad that it is in September not February, haha.  I wish you all the best in the rest of your wedding plans, I know you guys will have such an amazing BIG DAY surrounded by all your friends and family!!  Hope you love the photos as much as I do, I cannot believe they turned out so amazing!!  ENJOY!!!Truly,Karmenp.s.  Heather is an amazing make-up artist and hair stylist who has collaborated with me on a bunch of shoots in the past and I look forward to lots more in the future!!!  If you want to check out some of her work, the most recent shoots Heather has participated in were part of the Red Deer Boudoir Marathon!  She also did make-up for a bunch of the Brides I worked with this summer.  If you want Heather to do your hair & make-up for your wedding or photoshoot, let me know and I will send you her way =)p.p.s  As always a huge thanks to Jo for toughing it out with me and being amazing as usual!!!

© Karmen Meyer Photography 2010.  All images are property of Karmen Meyer.

kmeyerphotography.com….. kmeyerphotography.com/blog….. Twitter.com/KarmenMeyer

*if you would like to know more about my products and packages feel free to send an email to karmen@kmeyerphotography.com

Collective Time Juried Show {can't believe I am a part of it!!!} | Edmonton Fashion & Editorial Photographers

I am so pumped to be able to say that two of my images made it into Capic's {Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators} Juried Show, Collective Time.  It is such an honour, and I am soo extremely excited to go see the work of so many great photographers and illustrators.

Collective Time is in conjunction with Exposure - The Calgary - Banff - Canmore Photography Festival. It will be on display from February 24th to 27th at DaDe ART & DESIGN LAB in Calgary.  If you stop by opening night, the 24th, not only will there be amazing images but also a DJ and free drinks!!!  Worth stopping by for sure, not to mention I would be thrilled to see you =)

Truly,

Karmen

Happy Valentines Day, Our Story | Edmonton & International Photographer

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! I hope that whether you are single or attached you take time today to appreciate all the loved ones in your life =)  I know I am so thankful and feel so blessed everyday to have an amazing husband, and of course a fantastic dog Penny!  I am admittedly not the most romantic person in the world but what the heck, it's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year or something so I will share with you a bit of our story in photos.Brad and I met in grade 10 and have been dating since grade 11, haha yup, we are high school sweethearts.  Unfortunately, we don't have many photos from this time.  We were just to plain busy having fun and hanging out with friends to get any.  But I managed to scavenge some from just after grad off of facebook, and one of these days I will track down some grad photos from my mom.   O man we look so goofy!Here is some more photos from right after grade 12 (I think).  My mama took some for us one afternoon, and I am super glad that she did!Okay, not gonna lie, I think this is totally cool!  We went on a high school Europe trip together!!  Unforgettable =)On October 4th, 2008 Brad gave me a huge surprise for our 4 year anniversary.  Packed and ready for nice weekend in the mountains, I soon found myself on an airplane on my way to Victoria!  It was such a fantastic weekend of exploring the city by foot and by rented motorcycles.  How we even got two bikes is beyond me, Brad doesn't even have a bike license!!  But, we convinced them it is cool in Alberta and they let us take them.  Which is lucky since after a long, cold, windy and rainy trip to 'Point no Point' Brad proposed to a freezing cold me.  It was freaking awesome!  I mean rain, motorcycles and the ocean, even I will admit that is pretty romantic ;)Told you it was wet!Wiffin Spit Park at Point No Point where Brad proposed, so pretty!Engaged Us!!Some engagement photos taken by awesome friend and amazing photog Crux!We finally got hitched on August 21st, 2009.  The day was perfect.  I always wished I could get married on a beach or in some European country but it was absolutely amazing to be surrounded by our amazing friends and family.  Photos again by Crux!We had a fantastic time in San Fran on our honeymoon =)  I am constantly planning our next trip together, can't wait!Our first year of marriage was absolutely amazing and included the purchase of our first house!  And the initiation of what feels like never ending renovations! We love it, it feels like home.Which brings us to some of the more recent photographs from this Christmas and my Birthday!!

For the entire time I have known Brad there has never been a dull moment.  Life has been good to use and we have been grateful.  Together we have been for almost 7 years and  married almost 2.  And what amazing years they have been, I cannot imagine it any other way.  Anyways, I hope you enjoyed a little piece of our story =)  Have a great rest of your V-Day Evening!!  We send you lot's of love and good wishes!Truly,Karmen

{IMAGINE} Grad Portraits | Edmonton Portrait Photographers

Between weddings and portrait sessions, summer 2011 is shaping up to be a busy one and I am super excited!  Today, I just wanted to let all you graduates know that June is already starting to fill up with Graduation Shoots.  So if you are wanting to have photos taken, I would suggest looking into a photographer now and booking a session sooner than later.   If you want more info on my IMAGINE sessions {modern portraits that ditch the old traditional ways} just send an e-mail my way at karmen@kmeyerphotography.com. Have a great last semester =)Truly,Karmen

DESIRE Marathon {last minute}

Running errands for this weekend's DESIRE Marathon!!!! We could probably squeeze one more person in if your interested!!! It's gonna be a blast =)Email me at karmen@kmeyerphotography.com to book your spot and feel free to drop by www.desireboudoir.wordpress.com to learn more!