Tammy | Genuine Portrait Series

 Hey Friends, it's been a little while since I posted a Genuine Portrait Series session here!!  But it just so happens to be Volerra's second birthday this week (hooray)!!  So, I thought there was probably no better time to share some photos of the incredible lady then now.Meet Tammy.  Tammy hand-makes gorgeous jewellery which is as easy on the eyes as it is on the soul .  Her attention to design and love of nature is evident in every single piece.  You should really just do your lovely free-spirit a favor and head over to her website (or instagram feed).  I'm serious, just looking at her jewelry will leave you with that good sorta feeling.  You know the kind I'm talking about?  Hard to miss, but hard to describe.  I asked Tammy if she wouldn't mind sharing a little bit more about herself and Volerra, so without further ado, here she is:

"Working from home as a graphic designer full time while still managing a house, two small children, battling anxiety and hardly sleeping - my days were getting stressful. Apart from healing myself holistically, I delved into ways to bring peace and calm to my everyday by adopting minimalism, and decorating in ways that were very soft and inspired joy.

Gemstone jewelry came next. I had been making jewelry all my life, starting out with glass and wood beads and through my hunt for peace I progressed into gemstone beads.  I started making bracelets I could wear everyday that would help me with my stress and anxiety. With so many women out there wanting peace, and also self-confidence, love, healing, and gratitude - I began carefully selecting stones and botanicals to share my pieces with others in hopes that it could help other women on there journeys.

I want to create pieces that not only do good, but also in styles and hues suitable for any occasion and all outfits. I want women to wear these frequently so that they can gain the most benefits from them. I now offer gemstone bracelets, bracelet sets, naturally shed deer antler necklaces, beach jewelry and I have even taken the leap into making children's gemstone jewelry.

Perhaps starting a second business isn't everyone's idea of how to manage stress, but I have always found joy in making things quietly. I pour loving thoughts into each piece and find the act of creating things with intention so rewarding."

It is always such a joy to have such a kind, creative soul in front of my camera!  And am so grateful that our paths have crossed.  I CANNOT wait to see what's in store for you, Tammy, and Volerra in your third year <3

<3K   

Summer Mini Session Style Guide | Alberta Lifestyle Photographer

Summer portrait season is in full swing, and I am sooo excited!  I know it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to decide how dress for your session. So I thought I would post a little inspiration to help ya out. If you ever have any worries or concerns about what to wear for your photo session please feel free to let me know!! I would absolutely love to help you style it to perfection.P.S. In case you missed it! I am hosting mini-sessions for individuals, couples and families this July in DRUMHELLER! It's going to be so incredible and I have two sessions left!!  Click HERE to find out more.

Spring Photo-Shoot Outfit Inspiration !

I am basically rejoicing over here!!  It has been 10 degrees or more all week (insert happy dance)!  Man, January to... whenever the snow decides to start melting is such a long haul for me.  But, the snow is melting and the sun is out.  Outdoor portrait season is officially upon us!So, what better time to share some fun outfit inspiration than now.  Just remember there are no rules when it comes to dressing for your portrait session.  You should dress like yourself and feel good!ENJOY!Karmen   

Karmen's Capsule Wardrobe Update #1

[gallery type="rectangular" size="full" ids="4340,4343,4345"]

I’m gonna be honest here, I haven’t made much progress on my capsule wardrobe research because #life.  I have really found my enthusiasm for this project waning a bit.  I mean will it really be worth the effort?  It’s just clothes right?  And, I am a person who truly believes that beauty comes from the inside; so how important can it really be to put energy into my wardrobe?  But despite my apprehension, I decided to hit up google to see if I could find some answers.

I immediately came across a podcast episode from The Lively Show featuring Caroline Rector from the blog Un-Fancy.  Podcast are my jam (I probably listen to 100x more podcasts then I watch tv),  so obviously I was stoked!  I hit that play button and set to work on some much needed spring cleaning around the house.Fast forward 46 minute later, and I am feeling so inspired and totally reaffirmed in my decision to create am ethically-sourced capsule wardrobe.  It's time to dress like me, to feel good about myself, to simplify my daily routine and to buy clothing that is ethically made.  While it threw me off at first, I LOVED Caroline's comparison of herself with Bruce Wayne (I hope I don’t need this parenthesis but…. Batman) facing his fear of bats;  "he is crouched down in this dark cave and there are bats swarming all around him, it's madness.  He slowly unfolds and stands up straight, and the music swells and he takes this deep breath.  And he is ok."  Intense right?!  I would have never in a million years come up with that mental picture on my my own, but it is perfect.  I won't ever be able to completely remove myself from the swarm of messages I receive via ads, music, magazines, social media, television, movies, etc....  but I  can teach myself to be strong and confident.  I don't need a perfect body.  I don't need t0 wear the latest trends.  I don't need to buy into the thousands of ideas that are being sold to me everyday.So I am setting some intentions for myself this week.

1. Recognize when external media sources are affecting how I feel about myself and dictating what I think I ‘need’.
2. Unsubscribe from all the stores that send me coupons, catalogs, etc.  UNLESS it is company whose values align with mine.  (this girl still loves a good sale!)
3. PURGE.  Let’s get this party started.  The plan is to take EVERYTHING out of my closet (literally everything) and sort it into 4 piles:  Keep - Store - Giveaway-Seasonal.  And since I am waiting to do my shopping until I have completed my dreaded book-keeping/taxes (<- look at me being all responsible / let’s be real, it ain’t gonna happen unless I have some sort of motivation because book-keeping is the actual worst), I will have to make do with what is left in that 'keep' pile for the time being.
4. Read more of Caroline's blog!!  And do more research.

So there ya have it.  Man, WISH ME LUCK!  I think I am going to need it lol.  And thanks so much for following along on this (completely non-photography related) topic.  It honestly feels so good to have a little company on this adventure!Warmly,KarmenPS.  Do yourself a favour and listen to that podcast!  Episode #36 was packed full of helpful bits of information for the newbie capsule wardrobist. Photo Credit:  www.un-fancy.com

Why I haven’t gone shopping for myself in 4+ years…

  OK, so that’s not entirely true, I have picked up the odd item here and there but it has pretty much been out of necessity!  I have honestly not just gone shopping or purchased clothing that I love AND feel amazing in (and about) since I became pregnant with my oldest, and here are a few of the reasons why:

1. A changing body and breastfeeding.  The past 5 years I have been reluctant to invest in much clothing because I just might not fit in it a couple weeks later.  I don’t know what other ladies have experienced, but I found that it drove me crazy that none of my clothes fit for more then a week or two.  And I am not just talking about pregnancy, but postpartum as well!  I basically lived in dresses, cardigans and leggings during this time.  And now let’s talk breast-feeding for a second, if it doesn’t unbutton, pull-down or lift up it’s a no go.  I really don’t have the time or patience to change in order to feed my child.  And let’s be real, I didn’t really have much time to think about this whole fashion and shopping ordeal during this little phase of my life haha!!
2. I’m not a impulse buyer.  I don’t see something I like and swipe my card.  Much to the dismay of my shopping companions, I generally need to research and compare what I am buying. I DON’T WANT A LOT OF STUFF, I JUST WANT A FEW GREAT THINGS.
3. Ethics.  I feel completely overwhelmed when I walk into a mall and see thousands of things for sale, many of which were essentially made to be disposable.  I can’t help but wonder who made them, where they are made and where they will end up.  I often don’t even bother with ‘fancy expensive stores’ because I just am not all that fancy, and yet in the same breath how are all those fast-fashion chains selling these clothes for so cheap?!  I am not saying that clothes shouldn’t be affordable (trust me I LOVE a good deal as much as anyone!) but it’s just the lack responsibility that I cannot get behind.
4. I am picky.  If I am spending my hard earned cash, I want to love the way it fits and feels and I want it to last!

So ya, I guess now you know.  I am a super up-tight shopper, a total prude really.  But my body seems to have found it’s new normal and I am no longer nursing!  And I am sooooo, so ready to LOVE getting dressed in the morning.  I want my wardrobe to feel like an extension of myself, rather then just something I have to put on in order to leave the house.Like with most things, I likely won’t rush into this little project and I will probably start with researching ethically and locally sourced companies.  I am also debating creating a capsule wardrobe (because after 4+ years sans shopping I am basically starting from scratch anyways)!If you guys have any advice or tips or favourite shops, designers or makers I would LOVE, love, LoVe, to hear from you!  I have tried to navigate into ‘slow fashion’ previously and found it incredibly difficult (and kind of depressing).  But I am hopeful that after nearly 5 years away from the shopping game that there are lot’s of hidden gems to be uncovered!   And I promise to share any little nuggets find you <3.  EEEK, wish me luck!Warmly,KarmenP.S. Thanks so much Erinn, from www.shoptheskinny.ca, for sending this amazing dress with me to Hawaii!  I had so much fun wearing and photographing it (and it is bonkers comfy) 💜.   I am so stoked for you to be launching a ladies clothing line next month!  YAY!!!  Heck here's one more of The Skinny's 'Willa' dress, just for good measure ;)