#WCW Breanna Fitzpatrick + Lisa Nicholson

It's #WCW!! And I'm very excited to introduce you to Breanna Fitzpatrick. Bre is a leader and creator in the nonprofit community. She is constantly pushing for the small initiatives to grow with her involvement. She is a very busy woman who outside of her full-time schedule at Red Deer College has the alumni development coordinator, volunteers on numerous boards and committees. Her active life doesn't stop her from taking on new projects, or sway her from supporting local businesses. You will find her at the local coffee shop mentoring others or paying it forward by buying strangers coffee. She believes women should help one another out and not be competitive with each other she is here to make red deer a better place by creating a movement in the nonprofit community. AND Lisa Nicholson. Lisa founded Hope4MVCKids Society in 2013, out of a need for children with medical needs support, financially and emotionally. Her own children, biological and adopted, have special medical needs that were not easily met. She knew things had to change. The 'Pay It Forward' attitude that she possesses spread quickly and soon and an entire Society was created. She stepped up to challenges and overcame unfair regulations and laws. Lisa has become highly involved in the Alberta Provincial Parent Advisory Committee to the Alberta Ministry of Health and continues to give to the community by being an advocate for those without a voice. Her empathy and understanding is without comparison. Accomplishments aside, her biggest success is enriching the lives of everyone around her.

And We're Back! | #WCW with Lane Tamalty, Anna Morgan-Wold, Jaycee Bourke

HELLO!! Oh my word it has been so long.  If you follow me on Instagram you probably have already heard that the hard-drive on my computer crashed while were gone to be BC, quite the welcome home gift, UGH.  That combined with a lot of my out-of-town family being home for my sisters wedding has meant an unintended break from blogging/social media and from #WomenCrushWednesday.  But I'm back baby (so lame lol). But seriously, so excited to have my computer running and to start sharing again!  So today I'm playing a little catch-up and sharing THREE awesome ladies. First up, I'd like you to meet Lane Tamalty, born and raised in Red Deer.  She is the owner of Copper Lane Hair Studio, which she opened in 2010 in Red Deer and has been innovating the industry ever since.  Since then, she has opened a second salon in Lacombe in 2015.  Hungry for experience and education at a young age, Lane began travelling independently and has since been to over thirty countries.  As a nominee in the 2017 Matrix hair colour competition, she was voted the winner by her peers across the country demonstrating her talent and the respect she has earned in the industry.  With a passion for her employees, her clients, and her community, Lane has set a new standard for what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Meet Anna Morgan-Wold. Anna was born and raised in Alberta by a family of passionate educators. A graduate of Trinity Western University with a BA in Humanities, she held various positions related to her love of cultural anthropology and teaching before finding her place at Central Alberta Refugee Effort where she shared her talents for over 10 years. Anna taught english as a second language to adult immigrants before lending her gifts to the role of ESL manager. Anna fosters a positive work environment by being an exemplary role model and champion for staff and students alike. She is instrumental in the expansion of existing programs and the creation of programs such as Women of the World and Community Based Care for Newcomer Children

And last but no least for today, one the youngest 

#womenofexcellence

 nominess, Jaycee Bourke. Jaycee is a highly motivated young lady who loves assisting people when she has the opportunity, she is currently 17 years old and an honour student in Grade 12 at LTCHS. Jaycee is actively involved as VP of the leadership program at her school, and is in charge of Student Community 

Involvement. During the summer break, Jaycee is a volunteer camp counselor at Camp Alexo where she makes a positive impact on the youth attending the camp. Jaycee is looking forward to a career in nursing and has applied at Red Deer College nursing program. Jaycee has volunteered with many organizations including the Kinsmen club and the Kinette clubs at many community events, the Red Deer Boys & Girls Club, youth HQ and Festival of Trees.

Shadow Play | Style Session with Volerra, Finders Keephers Boutique and Boheme Goods

Ain't nothing like photographing other creative souls. I could give you a thousand reason to book a soul session or brand session, but I'm just going to let the photos do the talking today. If you have any questions let me know!! 

Styled by Tammy Swier Design for Volerra and Finders Keephers

Women Of Excellence Gala 2018 | Leona Staples

Today's #WCW is Leona Staples!! Leona is a fourth generation farmer dedicated to teaching and sharing the history of farming and a growing food in central Alberta. Leona and her husband Blaine own and operate The Jungle Farm, creating family memories with an authentic farm experience. She began influencing the agriculture industry in her teens, as a very active and award-winning 4-H member. After graduating from the University of Alberta, she worked with Alberta Agriculture, and in 1996 moved to the family farm to raise their three boys. Together they made changes to create what the jungle Farm is today. Leona serves as an executive board member for the Innisfail Growers Cooperative, a founding board executive of Calgary's farmer's market, and current chair of the old College Board of Governors.

Women of Excellence 2018 | Shannon Mcquaig

Well the Women of Excellence Gala was as wonderful as I had hoped. Just picture a room full of inspiring women and their supportive community. Everyone gathered to recognize the contribution of these incredible people. I'm telling you, this type of positive energy is a force unlike no other!! In an effort to keep this powerful momentum going and to continue to lift these exceptional humans up after the awards have been handed out, I am excited to start sharing a photo of a nominee each week! My genuine hope is that we recognize the diversity and strength of the women in our community all year long! And that by doing so we will continually support, encourage and inspire one another!

So without further ado and in no particular order this weeks #WCW!SHANNON MCQUAIG, was raised in Beiseker, Alberta and moved to Lacombe at the age of 16. She later went on to earn an Early Childhood Diploma from the Red Deer College. Shannon worked in various sectors of the education system but her heart was always in working with special needs and speech compromised children. After marrying in 1999 and while raising two children, Shannon volunteered on a number on non-profit projects before re-entering the workforce in 2003 to become a certified DONA Birth Doula. This career has evolved into a lifelong passion and helped bring over 450 babies into the world. Shannon cherishes all her clients as she works with them to create special birth experiences. You can find her online at www.holdinghandsdoula.ca

In the Desert | Mojave Preserve California

Driving the through the desert is a magical experience (highly recommended), you come across sights that seem like they could only be from another planet.  Some you drive by with eyes widened, others require you to slam on the brakes and turn that car around.  This was one of those times.  A lone Foo Dog just off of Route66 in California.Model: Rebecca Hughes Poncho: sweetjolieboutique.com Jewelry: volerra.com  (PS.  Volerra is having a HUGE sale today!!)Travel Dates for the remainder of 2018 are listed HERE on my website.  I will be taking portrait and brand sessions at all locations, just shoot me an email or comment below if you have any questions!

What did I do before photography? | Embarrassing Photos Included

I recently had someone ask me, "What did you do before this."For a second I was confused, but soon after realized what she meant; what was I doing before I became a mom and started taking photos.  My reply, "Nothing.  This is what I went to school for!"She had no idea, and I suspect a lot of you didn't either.  You guys, the becoming a professional photographer part of my life was so long ago, in fact it's been 9 years since I got that business licence.  Sometimes I forget just how much that stage in my life shaped both me and my business. So what do you say, shall we do a little reminiscing today? 

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 It all started in 9th grade when I signed up to go to Mexico with our church.  Before this trip, I had been to the Calgary Zoo haha.  So ya, let's call it the beginning of Karmen's love affair with travel.  My mom lent me her beloved camera (honestly still can't believe this, thanks Mom).  It was her baby, a Nikon F80, silver and black, rather large for a young girls hands.  Attached to the front was a zoom lens, and in the back I loaded roll after roll of film.  You guys, I easily shot a roll of film a day and was quickly promoted to trip photographer lol.When I got home I dropped that giant ziploc bag of film off at the local London Drugs and waited.  Oh my word, does anyone remember the gloriousness of waiting for your film to be developed?!  Everything about it, right down to that weird chemical smell is something I will never forget about shooting film.  When they were finally finished, my mom and I sat in the car in the parking lot (like we did every time a roll of film was developed) and looked through them all.  She thought they were really good, and I mean that's all that really matters amiright?She encouraged me to enter them in some contests, I won.  I was shocked.....  But basically my head was in the game to graduate High School and to go to university for something BIG.  You see, at the time, both my Mom and Nana had been single moms who devoted their lives to raising their families.  No post-secondary for them meant I WAS GOING TO GO UNIVERSITY!  I was going to get a degree and it was going to be for something important.  Together we thought that perhaps I would be a great lawyer or a doctor (soooo not smart enough haha) or a nurse.  I wanted to be a Archeologist.I focused on my core subjects throughout highschool, I didn't take a SINGLE art class haha.  The irony.  I had an after school job at a local coffee shop (shout out to Kavaccino's!!) and I savvvved and savved for tuition.  But, truthfully, I ended up spending most (ALL) of it on a trip to Europe and then a trip to Bolivia. My logic here, the government certainly wasn't going to give me a loan to travel..... and I still needed some time to be 100% sure I knew what I wanted to be before spending an insane amount of cash on schooling...You see this idea of being a photographer was creating a lot of doubt (and excitement) in my mind, something about my previous plans just didn't seem right anymore.  But a photographer?  I mean, is that really something that can be a career?  I decided to wait another year.  I got a job at a cricket farm.  Yes you heard right.  I was indeed a cricket wrangler lol.  During this year one of my former teachers said the magic words I needed hear, "I think you would make a fantastic photographer"...  That was it, apparently that was allll the validation I needed.  I decided the time had come to be brave and leave all my carefully laid plans behind for something entirely different.  I was going to apply for NAIT's competitive photography program, and if I happened to be one of the 28 people chosen for the program then I would be starting school in September!!  Weeee!  Cue the nervous anticipation.Needless to say, I got in and, oh friends, the fit couldn't have been more perfect despite the fact that I hated the city (not for long tho, Edmonton won me over with her subtle charms).  I LOOOOOVED both the artistic and technical details of photography.  I loved breaking down lighting and understanding it.  I loved the chemistry of developing film. I loved rich history of photography and photographers.  I loved it's impact.By the end of my first year I was already working for several incredible photographers and I will always be so grateful for all the knowledge they shared.  It didn't take me long however, to realize that I didn't want to work for someone else.  I wanted to start my own studio.  I was clueless, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.But here we are today, through all the ups and downs.  9 years, many trips and two babies later;  I still LOVE it.