We are so happy to be able to give these graduates beautiful photos of themselves marking this milestone in their lives. A graduation is such a special time in a student's life. Wishing these two all the best in the years to come.

This year has been very different. it's been hard enough for us, as adults, but for the little ones it's been something that they haven't understood. Something that has changed their lives. They didn't get to see their friends as much as in the past. And, perhaps their parents and bigger siblings are more tense. And, of course, schools have been closed. This year has been exceptional. And, as photographers, we have been trying to give a little bit of normalcy back. By offering jk and sk grad photos, we can celebrate something that is a regular occurance for kids, celebrate their accomplishments, and celebrate their growth. 

I LOVE SUMMER. I love the outdoors, the warmer weather, the flowers, the rain, the smell of fresh cut grass, the lower sun angles in the evening, the sound of frogs and the smell of campfires. Who's with me? Let's face it, it's the best time of year. And, for a photographer, the best time to photograph. Don't get me wrong. Photographing in other seasons is ok too, but summer just gives a different vibe. It when we come alive, do things we've been waiting to do all winter, meeting friends, having drinks and socializing. As a photographer the best thing about summer is capturing the good times, the emotions and the fun. Here is a look back to many the many great memories I was able to capture during summer!

Back by popular demand! We are again offering $25 off an outdoor cake smash and birthday session all summer long until September 1st What better way to celebrate your child's first year. We offer lots of props and a fun time. You bring your child and a change of clothes for him/her, and you will definitely need the change of clothes! We do warm "tubby" shots afterwards to help in the clean up (if you want). And towels, lots of towels. Email for more information. Limited spots available. The squirrels love us. 

A must do for your little Kindergarten Grad! We supply Cap and Gown! What's better than some professional photos to celebrate your little one's achievement? With lots of outdoor space and a natural backdrop for them to express themselves. Use our Contact Form on our website at www.catsmac.com to get in touch! 

It's that time of year again! Proud parents of proud grads will be looking for something special to celebrate their achievements and CatsMac Photography is offering limited time graduation photography sessions. With this past year being so different and unpredictable, grads of all ages have had to work extra hard and we will showcase their achievements. Use our Contact Us form on our website at www.catsmac.com for more information. We'd be happy to celebrate with you!

Since the pandemic started, and my photography business was forced to slow down, I decided to try something that has always been fascinating to me. I’ve been working on creating fine art painterly images. Using many tutorials, looking at examples and talking to other photographers, I feel I have created something of a unique style. Using some photos from many photo sessions over the past years, I've studied and practiced for many hours. 
When I first attempted the painterly look, I felt inclined to add textures to many of my images. I have also seen people use actions that resemble brush strokes. And though I may use texture from time to time, I think that achieving the painterly look does not require a huge amount of texture. 
Look at the masters in Art History. What is it about their art makes it so powerful? Brush strokes, texture? Yes, these things do add richness to artwork. But I would submit that even more powerful is the richness of light and shadow and the art of the focal point.

With light and shadow I use two ways to achieve good light and shadow depth in my images. First, getting the most depth in-camera is important. This is best achieved when shooting in manual mode. I will usually stop my images down from what a light meter would suggest. This really captures the best gradient light on my subjects. I don’t necessarily underexpose, but I do expose for the light, trying to keep most of my highlights from blowing out.
Second, I have been recently experimenting with exposure blending in post processing. Though I don’t shoot my images in multiple exposures (this would be difficult since most of my subjects are children!), I do adjust the exposures in the RAW files when editing. This has given me great control over brightening and accentuating the light as well as enriching the shadows.

I feel that good art draws the viewer in and keeps them coming back. So what does the artist do to keep the viewer looking? Composition and focal point. This does not require anything flashy, just careful attention to what is going on in the photograph.
I plan to write a post in the near future on composition. But for starters, a good photograph keeps your eye within the frame. Again, light can be a wonderful source for composition. Does your eye move from the light source to the subject matter and back again? This is composition, the leading of the viewer’s eye. Keep it within the frame.
Focus is also something that seems to be key in fine art painterly images. I don’t always shoot my images wide open, but they are usually pretty close to wide open. This compresses my background and gives it a more “dreamlike” appearance also known as Bokeh, that blurry background that everyone loves.  It also really makes my subjects “pop”.

I often laugh when I hear the compliment, “Your photograph looks like a painting!”. Paintings are frequently praised, “That painting looks like a photograph!”.  Depth, richness, and story are common threads in both.
I am learning that creating fine art painterly images is just that, an art. It’s not something that can merely be achieved through a Photoshop action. It takes an eye to foresee the outcome.

Today is March 14th 2021. As I write this article, I’m also looking back at my work during the lockdown. As I go through all the images I remember how I felt during this last year. Going from boredom, to frustration and worry, anxiety and then hope and so many other thoughts and emotions. It’s been a tough year for many of us, and it’s been tough being creative. And I can only thank my photography and need to be creative to help get me through this time.

I have an obsessive personality, nothing too serious. I just get a little crazy over items that inspire me with my photography and I feel that I need to acquire. It could be clothes, decorations or furniture. I cannot for the life of me get them out of my head until I find the right one.

My last hunt, in perfecting my photography prop stash, was to acquire this gorgeous Peacock Chair. Unique and vintage with a Boho appeal.

Peacock chairs are cool. They are hip. Peacock chairs make anyone sitting in them regal with their throne-like back. And they speak of wealth. They are Boho and have been a part of our culture for over 100 years. 

​If you look at album covers from the 1970s, one of the things you’ll repeatedly see is this particular type of wicker chair. 

A true staple of a photographer's studio props, bringing inside living outdoors.

Your pet is as much a part of the family as you are. They greet you at the door, they accompany you on trips, they sleep with you. They comfort you in their own way. You brought them into your lives, and they’re involved in every aspect of your day to day lives, so why not include them in your family photo? We welcome them to take part in our outside professional photoshoots. 

​No matter what type of pet you have, animals bring lighthearted energy to photoshoots. Bringing your pet along for the fun can change the whole mood and turn nervous energy into relief and relaxation. It’s a great reminder that lifestyle portraiture is about capturing the joy, not about capturing perfection.

Do you want to give a special gift to a loved one and aren’t sure just what to get? Do you have a family member who has never had professional photos taken? Or perhaps a sister or dear friend who is expecting a baby in 2021? What about you and your family? You deserve to have beautiful images of your family this year too! If you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift and now have the added pressure of trying to find it, don’t worry. I’ve got you! Our gift certificates are unique and personalized to each recipient. Choose to give a full session, or a monetary amount towards a session. Great for engagements, families, babies, birthdays, maternity and more!

5 Reasons to Give the Gift of Photography

1. Photography is a gift that lasts.
   With all the trendy gadgets, fads that come and go with clothing and accessories, it’s hard to find a truly classic gift that stands the test of time. But with the fun experience of a portrait session with a professional photographer, the result is a set of artfully edited portraits that capture the most important things in life–love, family, friendship, joy, and the sweet simplicity of enjoying the moment with loved ones.
2. Photography is an experience, not a thing. 
   Our closets and garages are packed to the brim, and every year when we do our spring cleaning we vow never to go shopping again. So why give a gift that will be enjoyed temporarily and then put away after it’s no longer being used?  When you give a portrait session, you are giving an experience. One in which the recipient is the center of focus and can later see themselves in the best light.
3. Every portrait session is customized!
   I work closely with my clients to guide them on choosing a location and wardrobe. I like to spend some time before and during the session getting to know them so that I can capture the true essence of who they are.
4. A portrait session is an original gift.
   Giving the gift of a photography session is thoughtful, and unique. It's an artful, original and genuine experience that results in family heirlooms that last for generations. It's a gift of love.
5. No wrapping required!
   If you dislike wrapping gifts as much as I do, you’ll appreciate this. I have beautiful, glossy gift certificate cards that come in a nice white envelope. Ready to give!

If you are interested in giving a loved one the gift of a portrait session this year, shoot me an email!

This year our Christmas sessions are a bit different for us. Due to Covid, we did not offer any indoor Christmas sessions. All our sessions are being held outside at our new location in Cobourg. We've been very lucky to move to a large property which offers excellent views with lots and lots of trees. This year we acquired a vintage red sleigh to use in our Christmas photo sessions. Along with a beautiful red couch, and our trusted Christmas tree booth we've had some great time with clients. We are continuing our sessions through December and are offering $10 off if you can come out for a session during the weekday. Weekends fill up fast, so if you want a session, please contact us soon! 

At the beginning of this pandemic, a bunch of local Peterborough Photographers wanted to do something special to show our appreciation for our local health care workers. We got together and decided to offer free photography sessions for the front line staff and first responders at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). These complimentary sessions are being offered this fall, in September and October. 
I was privileged to meet Loretta and her husband. Loretta is a nurse who works in the Surgical Outpatient Department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre hospital. During the first wave of the pandemic, Loretta did not see her children and grandchildren for some time. She was actively working and supporting patients who came in for emergency surgeries.
Here is Loretta's story:  

This year our Christmas Mini Sessions will be a bit different. We are offering outdoor sessions only with 3 different set designs. New this year is a Vintage Red Sleigh!  Sessions will be held in Cobourg, Ontario just north of the 401 on our property. Because we can't move the sleigh from place to place, we have decided to use our own 5 acres to permanently place the 3 sets. 
As a result, we can offer various dates in November and December for anyone who cannot make certain mini session dates. If you are available during the week (this is for you home schoolers or for PA Days), we are offering $20 off the session! 
​Drop us an email through the contact page and we give you more details.