NEW NEW NEW.....

HEAD ON OVER TO THE NEW BLOG AND CHECK THINGS OUT! FRESHER, CRISPER, BIGGER PHOTOS AND LOTS TO READ ABOUT.

FEEL FREE TO LOOK AROUND HERE AT SOME OF MY OLDER WORK AS WELL!

DON'T FORGET OUR NEW ADDRESS http://www.ginaharvie.com/!

DAVE AND NICHOLE:MARRIED | CALGARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Dave and Nichole's story starts much the same as many a Calgary couples probably has, it all started at the Roadhouse of all places and believe it or not during Stampede!  Nichole had just moved to BC for work, but Dave's charm eventually won her over that night and upon Nichole's return to BC they spoke almost everyday until they decided they just couldn't be apart any longer and Nichole packed up and moved back to Calgary where they started their family together.

I had read this story on Nichole's wedding website and knew that I was in for a day filled with love, little did I know just how much love! As the photographer I was lucky enough to see both Dave and Nichole before they walked down the isle, before anyone else had seen them, before they had seen eachother and love and excitement was pouring out of them both.  I walked with the Pastor to the Bridal room and as he opened the door seen Nichole standing in the middle of the room, a beautiful white dress, gorgeous hair, and a smile to rival the one on her soon to be husbands face.  She was stunning to look at and not because she was in a wedding gown, and not because her makeup was perfect, and not because of her piercing green eyes, because I had never seen anyone look so happy, chill's went up and down my spine and goose bumps hit my arms. There truly is no better job in the world then to witness two people who are so in love as they get ready to spend their lives together.  I am so happy I could be part of this day!

Just Married!

I couldn't decide which way I liked this one better so am adding both!

I LOVE this one!

DAVE & NICHOLE SNEAK PEEK | CALGARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Have I ever had so much fun?? Maybe, but this ranks pretty high up there on my list! Dave and Nichole and their wedding party are a blast to spend the afternoon with! and I am in LOVE with all their pictures! I may just sit up all night looking through them...I had big plans of coming home, putting on some snuggie jammies and watching New Moon on the PVR, however, believe it or not ladies, editing their photos is so much better!!

Hope you enjoy a little peek guys..I can't wait to show you more!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!

DEAREST MOTHER NATURE | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER.

Dearest Mother Nature,
It has been brought to my attention that I have in some way ticked you off...I would like to formally apologize for this, however, I am not sure what it is exactly that has made you hate me so much.  Is it because every January I complain day in and day out that I hate the winter weather, I no longer enjoy your  three feet of snow and -35 temps? In my defense I have two small children to wrestle into snow suits every morning at 7:20am, oh yes I realize Ella does not need to be at school until 8:30am this is just how long it takes us to get everything on an out the door, maybe you were not aware of that.  Possibly it is because come July I am instantly mad at your +30 temps as they make me cranky and uncomfortable, its just that I hate tank tops and shorts make my legs resemble chickens and lets be honest with eachother that is just not flattering.  Also I am now living in Calgary and must say living on the island spoiled me, I became accustomed to seeking comfort under a shady tree wherever I looked, this can not be found here in Calgary and my kids love to go to the park when its +25 and its just not fun to sit out in the sun baking with no shade while they cry because their little butt was just burnt on a steel slide, I am sure you can sympathize with me on that one.  Is it because I am constantly cursing you? constantly annoyed with your wind in my hair, again you must give me a break, I have extremely thick hair  and it hurts to brush out all those knots after an afternoon at the zoo when you have decided that it would be best to have it be a very comfortable +16 when I leave the house to go to the zoo and then laugh as you make the wind blow me away once I get out of the car because you know full well there is no getting those kids to leave once they get there.

Regardless, I have had to rebook shoot after shoot because of you, I prayed to you on Leslie and Kelly's wedding day in hopes of you giving me a break and making a beautiful sunset at the very  least, well you were either not home or choosing to ignore me at that moment.  I re booked Erin's family shoot 3 times due to your weather and when I finally gave in and shot it in your blizzard you presented a beautiful day the following day.  I re booked the Hassman's because of your winter deep freeze, I know their photos came out nicely but they would have been fantastic outdoors and you know that.  Lets not even talk about the Blaker's session!!

So I ask Mother Nature, why oh why is today a lovely +8 with the perfect amount of sunshine and why oh why is Thursday a very acceptable +16 and, as you know full well, I am shooting a wedding on Saturday, WHY is it going to snow??? Honestly, Mother Nature, don't you think this a tad Elementary of you? can we not be grown ups and work together? As I said above I would really like to apologize to you I will try not to complain quite so much about the weather if you could just once give me a decent day to take some photographs, after all its not just me you are hurting its Dave and Nichole, and I don't know what gets said behind closed doors but have they too ticked you off?? Because if so I can imagine they are also very sorry.

Anyway just wanted to clear the air a bit, give you some time to stew on this before Saturday and possibly change your mind, maybe we could be friends after all??  I will continue to check the weather station in hopes we have resolved this little issue.

I've added this picture I took last summer to show you I really do love you some of the time!

Respectfully yours
Gina.

BOOKING ANNOUNCEMENT | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

I have had so many inquires for bookings once the warmer weather hits, and I am so excited to get outside and take some family and children's photos, however, sadly I wont be taking any bookings, other than what is already booked for the entire month of May due to a family issue, But will be back at it in June so book away!!

GUESS WHO | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

Yes, Ella is dominating the blog these past couple weeks, and yes, I realize not everyone who reads my blog is as enamored with Ella as I am, however, I sometimes still think the only other person actually reading my blog is my Mom and I know she is just as enamored as I am, therefore, I continue to post her.  Beyond thinking about how I am more in love with my kids then I ever thought one could be, I think often about how we don't live anywhere near the other people we love and its sometimes hard to make sure everyone gets the Thank You phone call they all very much deserve and we are truly sorry for that, if you are new to our lives, you should know we are only what I like to call "surface organized" this meaning we come across as though we've got our act together but in reality I am continually rushing through the days trying to get it all in and taking valuable time out of each day making to do lists which end up frustrating me and taking up an hour of wich I could have been phoning to thank people but by then I have to get to the school an hour early because if I don't I will a. not get a parking spot and b. not have time to run Oliver as hard as possible at the playground which will in turn have him coming down the stairs 25 times because he isn't tired and then the dishes don't get done and said phone calls often get put off until Tuesday night when we will be home and everyone will hopefully be tired, but then I forget Ella has piano and violin Tuesday so on Wednesday I write them on my to do list for Thursday but then I forget we have musical theater Thursdays  which wasn't on my to do list because I have too much trouble organizing a proper to do list so it goes to Sunday but then I forget  surprise surprise we are never organized Sunday nights and I am rushing to bath kids and wash a favorite shirt for Monday morning so it gets pushed to Tuesday again but then I forget Brock gets home Tuesday night and we have to pick him up at the airport AND Ella has piano and violin then it gets forgotten because when Brock comes home we shut down, we only talk to him, we only acknowledge his existance in the world like we are the only 4 people living in it, friends don't get called, family dosen't get called, we just enjoy having him home, so by this time weeks have gone by and it would be utterly rude to make such a call, so that said we would like to formally THANK everyone who sent Ella money for her birthday! She saved it all  up and bought yet another insturment to add to her growing collection and is asking to once again drain our bank account and my gas tank and try and force me to get organized with a third music lesson!

Enjoy these photos of her with her new love....and to all our family memebers who are waiting for photos of our kids they are coming ASAP just keep in mind ASAP to me might not have the same meaning it does to you, but they are on my to do list ;)

ELLA'S SWEET TREATS CUPCAKE PARTY | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

Hours of preparation went into this party! We must thank our good friend Elise for all her hard work helping make Tutu's, her amazing tissue paper flowers and helping bake all the yummy cupcakes and most importantly staying up with me until 1:45am keeping me company while sewing all the aprons! Not to mention her help in keeping the craziness of the party at bay. Wow can a group of 7 year old girls give you a run for you money!! These girls were full of personality and fun! I just wish Oliver hadn't broken the video camera so we could have caught some of the awesome moves at the dance off!!

I truly enjoyed every second that went into planning and putting on the party and I loved watching Ella's eyes light up when she came down in the morning to see all the Tutu's, the next day when she woke up to aprons and flowers and when she got home from school to see all the cupcakes and cupcake cake. I kept saying to people that told me I was crazy for doing it all, "one day she will appreciate it, it might not be tomorrow, or even the next day but one day" I think I was wrong, I think she already appreciates it and we thank Sydney for the chapters gift card, we spent most of the next afternoon sipping coffee and hot chocolate and looking at books, one of our favourite things to do and much need relaxation the next day!

Heres just a few party pictures!

SOOO MANY COLORFUL TUTU'S!!

Oli James got in on the decorating too! and no one pulled the apron off better then he did!

Cupcake decorating was very creative!

Ella and her very sweet friend, Mariah! One of the sweetest pictures from the photo shoot!

Just try and get all these girls to sit for a picture after all the sugar they had eaten!!!

I am already thinking of ideas for next years party!! are you ready Elise????

ELLA TURNS SEVEN | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

Ella's story began seven years ago on February 18, arriving on her due date and handed to two very scared parents.  Brock and I didn't know what the world held for us and we weren't really sure how to be parents.  Despite our fears Ella has become a beautiful, talented, compasionate little girl and we are very blessed she picked us to be her parents! In the past seven years I think I have taught Ella a lot but I know she has taught me so much more, if anything she has taught Brock and I the most important life lesson we could ever learn, what it is to love and what it is to be loved. I am so proud to be her Mom and wouldn't change that surprise for anything. She's starting a new chapter in her life and seven feels like such a milestone to all of us I just can't believe how far we've come together and I look forward to seeing what else the world has in store for us as a family and for Ella on her own, she is destined to be something spectacular and I can't wait to see what that is.

I took El and did a birthday photo shoot with her out in the snow, and think she is just beautiful in them all....and a little sneek peek of the party today which was worth the late nights of tutu making, sewing aprons, baking cupcakes, making tissue paper flowers and wrapping smartie boxes in scrapbook paper in every way!!!

Ella's coat was made by my Mom who makes the most beautiful clothing and has finally listened to us after many years and started a business......SEW-I-CAN!

We would also like to announce the newest addition to our family! My brother and his wife welcomed their third baby on February 16 only a couple weeks over due ;) Beckett Harvie! We hope to make a trip home very soon to meet this sweet little boy, even though we haven't met him or cuddled him he is very loved by his aunt, uncle and cousins!
Here is Beckett with his big brother Quinten and Daddy taken by my Mom and sent via email!
Thank you to everyone who booked Beckett's special promotion! I look forward to taking all your photos!

RYDER | CALGARY NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

 Yesterday I photographed Ryder.  Only seconds into this session I heard his Mommy say "I've waited so long for this" as she smiled at her new baby boy and my heart melted, If Ryder only knew how much his Mommy loves him and just how wanted he is, you can tell he has changed his Mom forever.  If only every baby born into this world could feel the love Ryder will.

SOMETIMES WE FORGET | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

Sometimes we forget just how lucky we are, when no one is listening, a seven year old is being more sassy then you ever imagined a seven year old could be, you're cleaning the breakfast dishes from the table while you set it for dinner, the smoke alarm is going off and dinner is buring because someone needed help on the potty, you can't sit on the couch because 4 loads of laundry  sit there waiting to be folded, the violin teacher is sending notes home that someone wasn't paying enough attention today, the only conversation you've had with your husband in three days is cracked and lost because of bad reception...sometimes a day of editing photos is all you need to remember just how lucky you are despite it all, everyday isn't easy at the Kramp house but we are pretty lucky regardless and I just remembered why.

This one pretty much says it all......

YOUR INVITED....TO A PITTY PARTY | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

I have been having a pitty party for the last two weeks now, I long for Brock to be home, I miss him so much, so much so that I even stopped doing my hair sort of like an "I don't care, I am so sad, feel bad for me" sort of look...well I dodn't know if I should be elated or devastated with all the compliments on how great my hair looks, I was taking a stand against my husbands job, I wanted everyone to wallow in my misery with me but instead of "oh Gina, I'm so sad for you" I got a whole bunch of "you look so put together, I love your hair that way!" I also don't know if this means that I looked like crapola before.

Along with my pitty party because my husband has what I consider to be a crappy job (sorry welders out there, ask your wife they too think its a crappy job, and if they tell you they do not feel this way you probably just got married and arre childless, so ask them again in three years, prefferably at the time your 2 year old son will be discovering himself and expressing it through his many many many outfit changes per day, causing the laundry to pile to the rafters because you don't have time to go down and put a load in for fear he will be changed when you get back should you leave him alone for 10 seconds!) I have also been having a love hate realationship with the infamous Leslie and Kelly wedding photos! This being my very first wedding I want every image to be complete perfection and have been brought to tears over an out of focus, slighly underexposed, oddly angled photo more times then I care to admit! But I stumbled across a photo yesterday that brought back the butterflies photography gives me, it was the simplest photo in the bunch but I could see its potential to be something fabulous!!! and now I am wondering to myself "...hmmm is it odd to hang someone elses wedding photo on your wall in a huge canvas?"

This photo tells a story to me, it almost makes me want to write a book about the characters I am imagining with it, the only thing missing is a vintage suitcase beside Kelly and it would be perfection for me.  To me it screams feminine and masculine intertwined it is my new coveted image, the one that makes me want to keep going, it made me smile and I needed to smile.

VINTAGE COUTURE-HANDMADE BY KAREN | CALGARY PHOTOGRAPHER

She is so beautiful, smart and talented with the most outstanding personality....she's the Mom that all us other Mom's are talking about...the ones we long to be, she works out three times a day, not three times a week like the rest of us who barely fit that in THREE TIMES A DAY! She is taking University courses, she is a Teacher a Mother and a Wife! and she still finds the time to design these!

They can be made for little ones too and are so adorable on little girls...of course Ella had to do some modeling, I know this doesn't show the headband that well but it shows my beautiful Ella so I had to post it!

This is just a quick little sneak peek at the ever talented Karen's handmade headbands and hair clips! These are the most adorable, funky, vintage inspired headbands ever! They make the simplest outfit fabulous! and Karen makes each one custom to your specifications!!

I will blog much more of these headbands in the next couple days while I continue to talk Karen into setting up a blog/website!  If you want to see more, or would like to get in touch with Karen send me a quick email ginaharviephotography@live.ca and I will get you in touch with her!