New On-Line Calendar

Networking is a wonderful thing - I've recently learned about some useful web-based tools including Google Calendar. The potential of the internet continues to amaze me!

By clicking on this link http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=sandy%40theintrepidlens.com&ctz=America/Toronto you'll be able to check my availability for photo sessions.

If you would like a date that's already booked, please feel free to check with me anyway - if you're in close proximity to the client who has already booked we can likely work something out. Or I can place you on a waiting list, occasionally clients need to reschedule their session leaving an opening in my schedule.

June - December have been updated, I'm accepting bookings through to December 7th (the last session with guaranteed prints for holiday giving).

The "Two-Fer" "Three-Fer" Portrait Special

It's been a few weeks since my last post, it's been a busy time (mostly catching up from being off with the flu for over a week, thank goodness I was the only one in the family who caught it!)

The spring and summer are booking up nicely with weekend sessions, but I have availability for weekday sessions (either outdoors Toronto GTA to Hamilton, or in my Burlington studio) in the first part of July and the middle of August.

The "Two-Fer" special is this: if two friends each book a weekday session during July or August 2008, the fee for each sitting is only $50 (midweek fee is normally $125). It gets even better. Should a third friend book a midweek summer session at $50 each of you will get a $50 print credit!

Here's the fine print.
Available dates are: July 3rd & 4th, July 7th - 11th, July 14th - 18th, August 5th-8th, August 11th - 15th, August 18th - 21st. Some dates may be limited to mornings or afternoons due to previously booked sessions.
Each friend may book a separate date from the list above, or book consecutive sessions if desired.
GST is applied to the session fee.
Each session is limited to six people.

Contact Sandy at 905-335-6182 or 416-888-4230 for more information.

A week off work wasn't what I had in mind....and freebies!

I'm just resurfacing after quite a nasty bout of the flu, seven days spently mostly in bed (and it takes a lot to haul me out of service completely!) I thought I had dodged it this season, but no such luck. I still sound like I have a truckload of sawdust down my throat but at least I've been able to get back to work today.

The only thing I felt up to doing over the last week was to occasionally take a stab at sorting through the cupboard closest to the bed. Even when sick I still can't help organizing things..... I've ended up with a few armloads of photo magazines that I'd been collecting, but it's time to share. I have numerous of copies of "B&W" (a monthly publication for collectors of fine art black & white images , a joy to look through http://www.bandwmag.com/), Photo District News (industry mag for photographers), Rangefinder, and some one-offs.

I also have a Manfrotto #222 Tripod head (joystick type) for anyone who would like to give it a good home (a little scratched up with use, but otherwise in good working condition).

If you have an interest in any of these items (or know of someone else who might) please get in touch by email sandy@theintrepidlens.com . Everything is free, but shipping costs are yours if you need anything sent out to you.

(and I can't forget to add a thank you to my wonderful husband who worked from home for most of the last week to spoil me with melted ice cream on the rare occasions that I had an appetite!)

The "Melancholies"

I'm in the midst of assembling an exhibit going into Artway One at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington for the (merry, merry) month of May - I measured wall space yesterday and I can't believe that I have 91 linear feet of wall space to fill! I'll be busy over the next two weeks getting some new work ready, and also issuing more of the limited edition prints that have been client favourites.

I find it interesting that my best selling images have been what I call my "Melancholies". They're the black & white (usually infrared) photographs that are often described as such. By those bolder/curious viewers of my work, I'm then asked if the mood of these images reflects my own personality. I find myself quite amused by this, I'm definitely a glass half full kinda gal!

However what I do feel when I capture these images is a sense of serene solitude, an appreciation of the beautiful places that exist whether someone is there or not to appreciate them. I suspect that it's the use of black & white film that adds to the perceived sense of loneliness. Maybe it's my foray to the dark side (in case you don't know me I'll add that I'm laughing as I write that........)

It's funny, the grand majority of my clients' children are girls - it was a pleasure to have these two young men in the studio on the weekend. The camera loves Carter, and his brother Jack is going to grow up to be a handsome young man too, don't you think?

Photo assistant for a day....the secret assignment

I'm required to be a bit vague on the details.....but if you're female, and would like to assist me on a photo shoot to give a Mother's Day present to some very deserving women I'd be very grateful for your participation. This is an unpaid assignment for me (however, I am offering my volunteer assistant(s) a photo session in thanks); this opportunity promises to warm your heart. No previous experience necessary, you would be holding reflectors, moving lights etc. (not to mention meeting some very special people). *



If you're available approx 9 am - 5 pm on either Monday April 7th or Monday April 14th in the Halton area, and are intrigued by this opportunity please either email me at (sandy@theintrepidlens.com) or call me at 416.888.4230 for more information.



In addition, if you know of a make-up artist or hairstylist who might be willing to donate her time (again, it has to be a female for this particular set of sessions) please send me contact information and I'll be pleased to follow up.



*If you have a teenaged daughter needing to complete some of her high school volunteer hours, this project qualifies - but it would mean missing a day of school.

New Summer Vacation dates

My daughter has a wonderful opportunity ahead this summer, a trip to Europe (yes, I've already asked if I can come along as official trip photographer but no go!), and this has resulted in a change in our family vacation plans. I'll now be on vacation from July 19th - August 5th inclusive. I won't be taking any weekend bookings during this time, but may take on some weekday sessions on short notice if it turns out that we're in town for a few days during that time.

May weekend sessions are booking up nicely, so if you have your eye on a weekend shoot during the warmer months please contact me to book a session (it can be held tentatively and changed (pending availability) if you've not yet nailed down your own summer plans).

We just have to hold fast to the idea that eventually this snow WILL be gone!