Karmen Meyer 1/2/12 Karmen Meyer 1/2/12

Lillian and Her Home {AFRICA} | Edmonton & International Photographers

So I have been pretty terrible at sharing photos from Africa. The truth is, there is just so many and I don't even know where to begin or what to do with them!!Right now the CRWRC is using them for a website and educational purposes within universities and churches in North America; but, I want to share my little story with you as well. So here we go.... My first little post about an amazing 6 weeks in the gorgeous continent of Africa.December 8, 2011 | Durban, South AfricaIt was a cool, damp day, the sky was grey and felt the need to occasionally let some rain on us. I had been in Africa for 37 days at this point, and let's just say I did NOT pack enough sweaters or pants. While the weather is so often hot and sunny (some would say to hot!), it just made the cool days that much harder to take. But anyways, the weather was somewhat fitting for our eye-opening trip to Amathuba, a housing project in Embo, South Africa.Since we have been traveling across East and South Africa (over 5,000 kms!), nearly all day has been spent in trucks or at concerts, we have hardly had time to visit with local Africans not participating in the caravan. So, when fellow caravaner and South African friend, Skhumbuzo Myeza, presented us with this fantastic opportunity there was no way we were saying no. O and by the way, 'we' was myself and two other awesome Canadians I met on the trip, Ryan and Leah!! You might have heard about Ryan already, since he is the video part of our little CRWRC media team.We caught a cab and traveled a small ways outside of Durban, arriving to see homes of all shapes, sizes and materials lacing the side of one of SA's rolling hills. Witnessing these types of things is always so overwhelming, it is horrifying and inspiring all at the same time. You suddenly feel very blessed, stupid for not having brought something to help, useless. My mind just cycled through a huge range of emotions, although I like to think I kept a calm and collected exterior. Something that was particularly easy to do when speaking to Lillian. The beautiful 80 something year-old woman below.When we knocked on her door during her devotions, we were welcomed with an enourmous smile and greetings. Leah, Ryan, Skhumbuzo and all crammed into her home; one room, one bed, one fridge, one dresser, one hot plate. It was a bit of a mess, she explained, since now that she is old and has outlived most of her children there are not many around to help her keep the place clean. Lillian told us stories of the past 78 years she has lived here.She told us about her work and her family. She told us about the important photos that hung above her bed, and even introduced us to her (I think, great)grandson!We asked Lillian what would help her, her family and her community. And what things have already happened. She told us of the fantastic women named Suzi from the UK who came here one time and for no particular reason decided to help them. She donated huge amounts of her own money to work with people in the community to help create better homes. She told us of how Suzi later died of a brain tumor, and although there is still a little bit of local funding coming in you can see that work has slowed, there is still so much left to be done.Lillian took us outside for a little tour. She could not take us to far, as the hill is very steep, but this is a little of what we saw.Unfortunately, this is where we had to say goodbye to Lillian and where I will have to leave you for today. But I have so much more to share with you about this remarkable place and the rest of my trip to Africa. Until then, here is one more photo of the lovely Lillian in front of her home.

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Karmen Meyer 10/5/11 Karmen Meyer 10/5/11

Edmonton International Film Festival {PHOTOBOOTH} | Edmonton Event Photographers

So guess what?! I had the absolute honour of shooting for the EIFF the last couple weekends. It was so, so fantastic; There were GREAT films (obviously), an academy award winning actress, amazing actors, writers & directors and a fantastic group of people just hanging out and watchin' movies. All in all, the Film Fest was AMAZING and a total blast! The evidence is in the photobooth. ENJOY!!!Truly,KarmenP.S. Thanks so much to Kristen Bass and Tami Paul for assisting! You girls are the BEST.

The song What To Say was generously shared by the Born Ruffians! Check them out on iTunes.

Wanna see it BIGGER and better?! Check out the HD version HERE.

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

Karmen Meyer 9/6/11 Karmen Meyer 9/6/11

Brandi {sneakpeek} | Edmonton & Red Deer Portrait Photographer

Last Years Trash the Dress Winner!!!It took us a while to nail down a date, but it finally happened. AND, it was nothing short of an adventure. Hope you love your sneakpeek Brandi =) I will get the rest up for you soon!Truly,Karmen

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

Karmen Meyer 7/15/11 Karmen Meyer 7/15/11

The House | Edmonton & Red Deer Fashion Photographers

Models: Reakash Walters, Rebecca Hughes, Brianna BuistLocation: Lacombe CountyPhotography: Me Of Course {Karmen Meyer}Photo Assistant: Jolyn RodenburgComments: I have nothing to say other than, thanks so much for sticking out through the crazy wind and rain girls!! I think it paid off. What do you think?? ENJOY!!Truly,Karmen

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

Karmen Meyer 7/6/11 Karmen Meyer 7/6/11

More Sunshine... Can it be True {a sneakpeek} | Edmonton & Red Deer Grad Photographers

After all that rain and cold, can you believe how gorgeous it has been lately??? Finally I have been able to reschedule rained out shoots like this one =)Talia, as I am sure you will noticed, is an absolutely gorgeous girl and is graduating this year. It was so great working with her, sometimes I really think I am spoiled... I get to work with some truly amazing people. I suppose it is one of the perks of being a photographer. But anyways, other than obtaining a wack load more mosquito bites, it was such an amazing & enjoyable shoot. Talia, I hope that you love your sneakpeek, I can't wait for you to see the rest! And I am very much looking forward to meeting your whole family for pictures later this summer!! ENJOY!Truly, Karmenp.s. Talia... I am not sure if I just recognized you from Dancer's Edge, or if we were indeed in the same dance class. If we were in the same class.... you know that class that I was definitely to old for but Miss Heather let me in anyways....... ya that one, well I am a bit embarrassed lol. I hope you find my photography skills far more superior than my dance ones =) All the best in your first year out of high school!!

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

Karmen Meyer 6/27/11 Karmen Meyer 6/27/11

sunshine & mosquitos {a sneakpeek} | Edmonton & Red Deer Portrait Photographers

It had been a week of cold rainy days; and I am not talking damp wet, I am talking to the bone, pouring rain. But, as I was driving to Lacombe I watched the clouds start to break up and reveal one of the nicest evenings this month. Yup, we were given a few short hours of loveliness for the shoot, and then everything promptly returned to being miserable =) But, man, did we ever enjoy those few hours! It was so great to work with Jennifer on her grad portraits, not only is she obviously drop-dead gorgeous but she is the sweetest thing you will ever meet. Even the mosquitoes thought she was delicious, there were swarms of them, they must have come from all over Central Alberta! The really must have, I have no idea how else there could have possibly been so many.... But anyways, the mosquitos loved Jennifer, we loved Jennifer and the camera loved Jennifer =) And Jenn, I hope you LOVE your sneakpeek!!Truly,Karmen

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

Karmen Meyer 6/4/11 Karmen Meyer 6/4/11

Belle & Jen {bestfriends} | Edmonton & Red Deer Fashion Photographers

I LOVE when last minute shoots come up! There is no time to over-think or over-plan. You just have to go with the flow, and work with the available location, lights, and models. This was one of those shoots. And I am SO HAPPY with results. What do you think? ENJOY!!Truly,KarmenJen & Belle, you guys rocked. Jen you were amazing for your first time =) Can't wait for your grad shoot later this month!!

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