Great Canadian Photographer #3 ~ Christine Melenhorst

I'm so happy to present to you my March Great Canadian Photographer: Christine Melenhorst, the founder and owner of Love Bunny Photography right here in Ottawa! Not only is Christine an accomplished photographer of weddings, maternity, babies and families, she is an amazing knitter of the cutest baby hats you have ever seen, check out her store here! Now, I proudly introduce to you, Christine!

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Where are you from? Where do you live?

I am originally from Ottawa, but I lived in Victoria, B.C for a couple of years during high school. Currently I live in Metcalfe - south of Ottawa.

How long have you owned an operated Love Bunny Photography? And how did it all begin?

I am going into my fourth year of business. I started LOVE BUNNY Photography while I was still working full-time for a local home builder. I have an eclectic education background which includes interior design, and I have found that both photography and design have many elements in common, so it was an easy transition. Also, after I had my first son, I wanted to capture every moment, so my love for photography became more dominant!

Who has been your biggest influence in your photography?

My biggest influence in photography has been my grandfather. He passed away when I was 18, but left us with so many wonderful photographs. He was an avid amateur photographer and took some of the best photographs. I love sitting and looking through the albums of photographs and the moments he took the time to capture.

How do you describe your style?

My style is just that - my style! I feel like there are so many overused words to describe peoples photographic styles. I donʼt feel my work is so unique compared to others, but I think itʼs me and my personality that makes the difference. I just love what I do, and I hope that comes across in my work.

Do you have a studio? Do you every work with strobes?

I donʼt have a studio and choose not to work with strobes or studio lighting. All of my sessions are done on location using the available light. I do own an SB600 flash that I use for wedding work when the interior locations are dark.

What has been the best workshop, book, course you have ever taken, that you can say vastly improved you and got you where you are today?

I have taken few workshops, but I do own numerous photography books. Last summer I had the opportunity to attend the Red Leaf Workshop and it was wonderful. It can be re-energizing to sit with contemporaryʼs and hear their thoughts on photography. It helped me to see that there is no big “secret” to photography, itʼs about how we see situations and to capture them creatively.

When did you start kitting those beautiful and cute little baby hats?

The hats!! I actually started knitting to save myself a bit of money on props and to keep my hands busy at night so I wouldnʼt snack! Itʼs turned into a bit of a side business, but I really enjoy it.

Do you blog stalk? If so who is your favourite to read?

I am a blog stalker - I can admit it! I have tried to be selective about who I stalk, or else I could be on the computer all day. My current favorites are:

Carrie Sandoval - http://capturedbycarrie.com/blog/
Elizabeth Messinaʼs Kiss the Groom - http://www.kissthegroom.com/
Simply Bloom Photography - http://simplybloomphotography.com/blog/
Lori Dorman Photography - http://loridorman.com/blog/

What is in your camera bag? Nikon or Canon or other? Of what is in that bad, what is your favourite item?

I shoot with a Nikon D3 and love my prime lenses. I have the 50mm f1.4, 35mm f2, 105mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, and 70-200 f2.8. Of all of them, I use the 50mm the most especially with the newborns, but I definitely love the 35mm when I am working with couples.

What is the most popular item you sell to your clients? What is your favourite item for yourself?

The most popular products I sell to my clients are prints and coffee table albums. The albums are a great way to showcase photos from both a, maternity session and newborn session, or to showcase a variety of photos from a family session. My favorite products are canvasʼs that I had done of my boys - the one indulgence Iʼve made for myself!

Are you married? Kids? Pets?

I am married to a wonderful man, that has supported my change in career, and also takes care of all of my business accounting! We have been married for 9 years and we have two boys, aged 4 and 6. Currently, we have 3 fish!

What is your ideal “date night”?

Date night - whatʼs that again?!! An ideal date night for me would be going to a great restaurant and being able to talk without being interrupted every two minutes!

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, what would you do?

If I had a free day to do whatever I wanted, I would probably snuggle up with a good book and some good movies and just relax.

Are you working on a personal photography project right now? If so, what is it?

My personal photography project is just remembering to capture my own family! For the last two years, Iʼve been trying to have a family session of my own, but it just never happens! So hopefully this year weʼll be able to get it done!

What is your favourite drink? Food? Restaurant?

My favorite restaurant is Flying Piggyʼs on Bank St. I enjoy all food really - Iʼm not too picky! And and good glass of white wine is always nice.


And in closing, here are some of Christine's favourite images she wanted to share:

Thanks so much for the interview Christine! Happy knitting :)

For more on Love Bunny Photography visit:

Facebook Page
Love Bunny Blog
Love Bunny Photography Website

Meet and Greet Our Great Canadian Photogs #1 - Julie C Butler ~ Ottawa Photography

Whether working in a creative field or having a passion for a creative hobby, I believe the way we all grow, develop our style and improve is through inspiration from others. We may see something in the world that will spark our creative juices, excite the passion to try something different or break down the walls of creative block. For me, I derive my inspiration from other photographers and LOVE to follow their work by reading their blogs. One day, I thought it would be fun to find out who these talented individuals were, and what they were like in their business and in life, as I feel a certain connection to them. Being inspired by a certain blog I follow, I decided to adopt their idea of “interviewing” inspirational photographers and sharing it with you and their clients on my blog; and hopefully inspire some of you out there to try something new and learn along the way! I only had one rule regarding these posts and that was that the photographer had to be Canadian!

I’m so very honoured to introduce to you my very first “Great Canadian Photographer”:

Julie C Butler

Julie is an amazingly talented photographer specializing in wedding photography, and also loves to photograph maternity, newborn, children of all ages and their families. She grew up in the small town of Small town of St-Pascal de Baylon, ON, but now lives in Ottawa. She discovered her passion for photography when her first son was born 4 years ago. Then it grew into photographing other people’s children, and eventually a friends weddings, which she never thought she’d get into. Now weddings are her favourite thing to photograph.

Her work can be found on her website http://www.juliecbutlerphotography.com/ and her blog http://www.juliecbutlerphotography.com/blog/

Can you describe your style?
I will have to say that my style is candid .. simple!! I LOVE capturing moments. I LOVE capturing people/children for who they really are.
At weddings I want to capture every couple’s story. Each and every story is different, and special in their own way!!

How long have you been in business? And how did you start?
I have been in business for about 2.5 years. I started when some of my friends kept insisting I should photograph other people’s children.

What's in your camera bag? What is your favourite item in that bag?
First of all .. My bag is a Shootsac (Love my Shootsac). I shoot with a 5D Mark II. My 2 favorite lenses are the Canon 24-70mm L, which I use indoors mostly, and the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 which I use for weddings, and most anything outdoors!!
These 2 lenses are the only 2 lenses in my bag and I seem to be content with those!! Yes, I have a few lenses on my wish list including a macro lens for those wedding details, and I would also love to try the 85 1.2 ;-)
I also have a Canon 580 EX II flash.

Can you describe your PERFECT (imaginary) wedding to shoot?
Hmmmm … WOW!! Good question!!
I think that if I could photograph any kind of wedding it would have to be an eighteenth century wedding. It would happen in the gardens of a castle far, far away, on a beautiful sunny day. The grand ball room would be filled with hundreds of people, having a wonderful joyous time. And at the end of the night the bride and groom would take off in a beautiful white carousel.
I guess you can tell from this that I love fairytales!!

What is your favourite product that you offer your clients? What do you sell the most of?
I think I’m going to have to say my albums … and canvases!!

Are there any books or workshops that you have attended that have inspired you and helped you along the way of starting a new business in photography?
Book: “Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson

Workshops:
1- Wendy Shulz (beginner class) http://www.wendyschulzphotography.com/
Wendy is a great teacher and she is always looking for ways to go above and beyond what is expected of her as teacher!! I love Wendy’s classes. I am actually signed up for Wendy’s “continuing education” class due to start in January!!

2- Audrey Woulard http://www.alwphotography.com/
Audrey’s workshop schedule changes all the time. I’m not sure if she still hosts workshops, although she should!! Audrey is amazing!!

3- Learnfest ’09 http://www.thelearnfest.com/
I am not sure if there will be more of these workshops, but it was hands down the best money spent on a workshop of this kind!! I left Learnfest with a gold mine. My mind was spinning with all of the information covered in this workshop, it was AMAZING!!!

What has been your best marketing idea?
Well, probably, like most photographers out there, word of mouth has been the best deal for me!!

What was your worst marketing idea?
Magazine ad, unfortunately I didn’t really benefit from it.

Who in the world of photography inspires you?
There are so many, but if I had to pick one I would have to say Jasmine Star. She is so true, simple, and genuine!!

Do you Facebook? Twitter?
Facebook yes .. http://www.facebook.com/juliecbutler
Twitter?? No .. I just can’t get into it.. I’ve tried a few times!!

Favourite Drink? Strawberry Zinfandel.
Favourite Restaurant? Milestones.
Married? Kids? Pets? Married 7.5 years. Two boys 16 months and 4 years.
Favourite thing to do on a Friday night? Have a nice diner and movie with a friend (or hubby when he is not working)

And in closing I want to give a huge thanks to Julie for playing along with me on this and before I sign off, I asked her to share a few of her favourite images. Here they are:

Busy Week!

I had a busy week this week, with two sessions (which I told myself I wouldn't do!! - it's just so hard to say no to beautiful little babies!), order deliveries, and a Broomball game :), so I've been a little off the blogging radar! I will have a few sneak peeks coming up, but in the meantime I wanted to do a few shout-outs to some fellow photographers I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few months.

Harry Nowell: a fellow Chelseaite, photographer and a pro-broomballer. Harry specializes in stock photography, public speaking, but most importantly photo education. Visit his site and check out some of his workshops, and sign up for his newsletter Exposed!

Jen Prescott: While I've known Jen for 16 years (Yes, 16 years since highschool!!), we've grown much closer over the past few months building and growing our photography businesses together. The only thing is that she lives in Pemberton, BC and I'm here in Ottawa! Skype has kept us connected, but with the 3 hour time difference we find it hard to connect as much as we'd like. Take a peek at the gorgeous kids and babies out west and if you're ever in Whistler and need some shots, give her a call!

Coming soon: Starting in January I will be launching "The Great Canadian Photographer". This monthly piece will feature an interview with my favourite Canadian Photographers, people who's images inspire me, spark my drive to be a better photographer and people I'd love to meet in person!

And finally... can't leave without a couple shots! My baby girl, helping me set up for a shoot: