Well, hello. Hopefully this works…
I have written a few blogs in the past month or so, and it appears they may not have been posting. WordPress strikes again!
Sorry about that. I am getting to the bottom of it, and if this one works, you should be seeing some new blogs soon. I hope.
*fingers crossed*
-Kayla
Good day!
Did you happen to visit this page a couple weeks ago? If so, I apologize if you received an error message and were unable to view the blog. I have to say, I am not over-the-moon impressed with WordPress (the blogging site I use). Every now and then I used to get an email saying I have a comment or two waiting to be moderated. Well, those comments were not typically from friends or readers of the blog. They were spam. Fine, whatever, I can deal with the odd spam message every now and then. Then one day, out of the blue, I had 36 new email messages. What?? Did something happen? Is someone desperately trying to contact me about some dire emergency? Nope. Spam. Lots of it. 30+ of those emails were from Word Press saying I had to moderate all these messages. So I start to look through them. No, I do not need a supply of Viagra. I am not in the market for RV insurance. And trust me, I do not want to see the racy photos awaiting me with one click of the mouse. Ugh. Every day for about two weeks I would get somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or more emails about this spam business. Around this time I also saw that there were updates available for WordPress. Hah! They really do not make those easy to install. I had to get Kevin to do it for me, as well as to install an anti-spam thing. Even he had a hard time figuring out what was going on, and in the meantime, my blog crashed. Man. I really hate the internet sometimes… I was not willing to pull a “Yes Man” on those messages!! Anyway, this was really just a long winded way of saying I’m sorry for my blog being down for a while, and I hope that my spam problem is done. *knocking on wood*
So it appears that there is not much in the way of art supply stores in Lloydminster. In fact, I don’t think there are any art supply stores here. The closest I have heard of is in Vermilion, which is a fair jaunt. How strange that there seems to be 2 or 4 of so many things, such as hemp stores or Tim Horton’s, but no art supplies. Hmmm. My brain’s a-tickin’!
Last week I went on a two day walking tour of downtown Lloyd. I had seen the majority of the city through a car window in the winter, so I had no real idea of what’s here. I lugged my heavy camera bag around with me and grabbed a couple good shots, but mostly I just got the chance to say hello to the local vendors. It was pretty rad getting to meet some small business owners and chatting for a bit. Great way to spend a couple afternoons.
No new stuff to tell you about really. Here’s a couple points:
- I have to say, I am not really active on Twitter, but I promise to be if I get more followers. Follow me on Twitter?
- Still thinking about doing some photography courses. Let me know if you are interested!!
- I still have some weekends available for weddings this summer. Check out the website if you are looking for a photographer!
Hmm, well I think that’s it for now. If you are trying to comment on the blog and I don’t get your comment posted, shoot me an email. I may have missed it in my quest to rid my inbox of spam emails…
Take care!
-Kayla
Hola!
The sun is shining, the grass is greening, and I am happy. Sooo happy that winter is G-O-N-E! It tried to fool me yesterday with a little snowy/rainy show, but you can’t fool me that easily! Any inclement weather we get from here until next winter is just Mother Nature in a bad mood. Luckily, she tends to get over herself in a short period of time!
So, what’s new these days? Coming up in May is the Lloydminster Woman’s Show (shouldn’t it be Women’s show? That kinda bugs me…). I am really hoping to get a booth there, but I don’t know how I will be able to pull it off at this moment. I am hoping something comes up right away and I am able to get in. If all else fails, I still want to go check it out, so if you are going, I will see you there!
Also, I have been thinking about holding semi-formal photography classes. A few people here have contacted me about them, so I wonder if it would be something more people would be interested in. If you or someone you know would like to learn a little more about how to punch up your photography, let me know. I am interested in setting something up! I may post more about this later on, so check back if you are interested.
Are you on Twitter? I am still trying to figure the dern thing out, but if you are, here’s me.
I am happy to report that my fingernails are dirty. A weird thing to be happy about, yes, but it is exciting for me. I spent a few hours last night re-potting most of my seedlings, and MacGyver-ing a massive tray to hold all the bigger Jiffy pots. I have three squash plants that are about to outgrow their indoor space. My little growing center is only so tall, and these plants are nearing the height limit. I don’t think it will be warm enough in the greenhouse for the little fellers yet. Not at night anyway. During the day it’s in the 20s in there, which would be fine. I think I could deal with bringing them indoors over night though, so I may start doing that soon.
Here’s some photos of the little guys:
Squash!
Li'l Gaffers
Cute!
My MacGyvered tray. Pretty nifty, huh?
Well, I’m off to get more peat pellets. Gotta get going on some tasty herbs!
Happy Spring, everyone!
-Kayla
Hello, hello,
I had the opportunity to see Rob & Lauren speak in Edmonton last weekend. They are so cool! It was really inspiring to see a couple people who are my age really making it in this business, and enjoying such success. I feel like since the move, I have been really out of the photography mode I was in. I think the winter blahs played a huge role in that, along with moving to a new place and not knowing anyone. Seeing these two speak has really given me that spark to get going again. I feel that I am ready to get movin’ and shakin’ again!
If there’s anyone in Lloydminster reading this, I’d like to invite you to the Mid West Canadian Artists’ Annual Spring Fling. I am new to this group, but I am so pleasantly surprised to find such an active arts group here in Lloydminster. I am entering a photograph this year, so if you would like to see this and many other really amazing pieces of art on display, head to the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Center between April 2nd and 30th. I am so excited to be participating in this, my first gallery showing!
As of right now, I still have several spots available for weddings this year. If you are looking for a photographer, look no further! Haha, but really. Here’s a link to my weddings & engagements page. I have one date left in July, and some in August still, so if you are planning a wedding for those two months, let me know right away and I can hold a date for you.
In the hopefully not so distant future, I am going to redesign my website and company look. I enjoy the black and red colors, but the more I find out about myself, the more I realize that they just don’t suit me as a photographer. I think it is time to come up with a new look. If all goes well you should see a new “me” in the next few months!
That’s about all for now. See you soon!
-Kayla
P.S. I will be pre-selling Pin-Up calendars sometime this summer or early fall. Until then, here’s a little teaser!
Alisha
Chelsea
Julie
Good day,
Things are quite well here in Lloyd. Today the sun is shining and the snow is melting. Is it possible to be unhappy when that is happening? Even though there seems to be some dispute as to whether Balzac Billy saw his shadow this year, I am optimistic that the worst of the winter is over.
There’s not a lot to update you on right at the moment. In light of this fact, here’s some photos from the supper I made last night. Yum.
Sea Salt
Garlic
Honey
The Finished Product - Sticky chicken drumsticks, mashed taters and gravy, and spelt focaccia with rosemary and garlic.
Mmmmmm…
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and stayed safe and sound. I hope the new year brings you as much wealth and joy as you need, and that you are living the life you want for yourself.
Well, we are all moved in up here in snowy Lloydminster. What a surprise that this year Alberta is getting a “real” winter… Can’t complain too much though! It could always be worse!
So here’s a quick update for you. A new year brings new challenges for everyone, and I am going to do my best to meet them head on. For starters I think I am going to start going to local hockey games and sporting events, taking photos and posting them on my site. If you are in the Lloyd area, watch out for this, as you’ll soon have the opportunity to buy photos from your child’s games! I am looking forward to getting out there and meeting the folks in my new community, and I hope that this will be a great way to do so.
Also, you may notice a few changes on the website over the next little while. It’s a new year - out with the old, in with the new, as they say. There shouldn’t be anything too drastic, just a little revamping to packages and that sort of thing.
I also plan on uploading some new photos soon. This is something that has fallen by the wayside lately on my part, and I apologize. One of my “resolutions” is to get better at keeping on top of that sort of thing, so if you don’t see anything from me for a while, let me know! I am always open to a friendly email telling me to get my butt in gear!
If you are wondering about the 2009 Calendar, I am sorry to tell you that it has been postponed. The 2009 calendar will now become the 2010 calendar. I am so sorry to anyone who was looking forward to it’s release - I have to admit that I was completely overwhelmed with moving and the holidays the last few months, and the calendar got pushed aside. For that, I am sorry. Don’t feel too let down though - it is still coming out! Look for it’s release late this year.
I know there was something else I was going to tell you about, but it’s escaped me at the moment. If/when I remember what it was, I will post in here. In the mean time, I look forward to hearing from you! Feel free to drop me an email or phone call whenever you feel like it!
Happy New Year!
-Kayla
Hi!
So sorry that I haven’t written anything in such a long time. As the title of this blog suggests, things have been hectic lately, and quite a number of simpler tasks get pushed out of the way. I apologize that this is one of them.
I have some news for you. My husband, Kevin, has been transferred to Lloydminster. This means that we are moving, and moving soon. The beginning of next month soon! Holy crow, I can’t believe that it is a week from now! Needless to say, this is one of the hectic things in my life right now. I do, however, want to reassure my existing clients that I am still definitely available for anything you may need now or in the future. As my husband can tell you, a drive from Lloyd takes less than half a day, so I can be here in Brooks if you need me.
I also would like to apologize for the state that my website is in. I know there are a couple items on there that are out of date, and that you haven’t seen any new photos in quite a while. Again, this is something that is a direct result of how busy life has been for myself and Kevin, who I have roped into maintaining my website. I promise that I will get everything fixed ASAP and you’ll get a chance to view some new photos soon.
Before I go, I just want to let you know the status of the calendar. I can’t believe it, but I am STILL working on it. I still need one more lady to round out the group. I am putting one last call out there to anyone who might be interested… I NEED YOUR HELP!! The calendar is so close to being done, I just need to do one last photo shoot. So please, PLEASE let me know if you or someone you know is even slightly interested.
Okay, well, I have to get back to work now. Thanks for making it through this apologetic entry… I hope the next one can be much more entertaining!
-Kayla
Hi!
I am still looking for two more girls for the calendar shoot. Time is running out! If you or anyone you know might be interested at all, please get in touch! If you want testimonials from the girls who’ve already had their photo shoots, I can get them for you. I’m sure they’ll have no problem telling you how much fun it really is to get your photo taken under studio lights!
So , please email or call if you want to join in. It’ll be fuuuun!
-Kayla
It is 1:56 am, and I am trying to come down a bit from the last couple weeks. ”Busy, busy!” seems to be my mantra, but I have to tell ya, it feels awesome.
About an hour ago I got home from a seminar in Calgary put on by two amazing photographers - Michael Anderson (who has the longest website address I know, and who is more importantly an amazing photographer and all around cool guy) and Davide Greene (who is one of the most non-artsy artists I’ve ever met, and a possibly a walking endorsement for Rockstar Energy Drinks). I am still pumped (non-Rockstar induced), even after driving two and a half hours home in the rain. After listening to those two talk, I feel inspired. I hope that I can make the commitment to myself to always remember them when I feel ordinary.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Kevin has updated the website with a store and a few new photos in the gallery. Keep in mind that you need to have a password to get into any of the private galleries in the store, but soon I hope to give you access to some of my fine art online. I’ll post here/in a newsletter when this is available to you. If you are a friend or family member of someone in the gallery, email me and I’ll set you up with a password so you can order some prints!
Also, I am extending the Back To School Special another month. Book a time! You won’t be disappointed, I promise.
This past weekend I shot my friends Karri and Mat’s wedding. What an adorable couple. Their little guy Justin is such a little character, and is pretty proud of his high-fiving abilities. 
Awesome couple.
What a weekend for friends! I also got to shoot my friend Meghan’s engagement photos. Her fiance Joe was such a trooper… he hardly complained at all when I asked them to take a stroll in the sand at Lake Newell. He braved mosquito bites and the occasional twig in the hair for his bride-to-be. So excited for these two!
So I guess it’s time to let you in on my secret project. I am working on a pin-up calendar for 2009. It will be sold on my website, as well as at a few venues in Brooks. I am still looking for a couple of models, so if you know of any ladies who might be willing to pose, let me know! I just wrapped the first shoot last night with a couple girls (Thanks, Chels and Beth!), and it was SO FUN. I can’t wait to finish shooting the last 10 ladies. Exciting.
Well, it is now 2:46 am (yes, I take a long time to write. I bounce around a lot.). I’ve been told I am a bit of a night owl, and I guess this is just further proof of that. Let’s hope that when I re-read this tomorrow morning it is somewhat coherent… Anyways, I’m going to finish listening to some newly acquired iTunes, and then hit the sack.
Talk to ya soon!
-Kayla
Good morning!
I sent out a newsletter a few days ago, but it is possible that it didn’t reach some people. In that case, I am going to post some of what was in that letter on here.
First of all, have you noticed the seasons changing? Out in Rolling Hills, there’s a definite chill in the air in the evenings, and there are more and more yellow leaves on the trees. I love this time of year! It reminds me of growing up on the farm in Rolling Hills, playing in piles of raked leaves and coming in the house at sundown with rosy cheeks. It is also my favorite time of year to take photos… The light is absolutely beautiful.