It Has Been a Loooooong Time

 Life got busy.  And hard.  Photography felt like too much.  The responsibility of capturing the best of an individual or family, delivering top quality images, and talking about payment felt like too much on top of schoolwork, caring for my elderly mother, and caring for a family member struggling with their mental health.

Recently though, the families of a few of my favourite students contacted me because those little boys I first met when they were barely out of toddlerhood, who I had the privilege of helping educate right up until I took a leave from my regular job - are graduating high school.

My instinct was to say no.  It’s too much, it has been too long since picked up my gear, I’m not confident enough.

But my students become part of my heart, and I found myself saying yes despite my misgivings.

By the end of the shoot, my heart was full, my soul was fed, and I knew it was time to get back behind the glass.

Winnipeg Graduation Photos

High School graduation is such an exciting time.  You've worked hard for at least 13 years to accomplish this goal - and you deserve to be celebrated!

With that in mind, I'd like to congratulate Shay on her hard work and perseverance and wish her the best in this next stage of her life!

You are a courageous and beautiful young woman and you will no doubt do big things in your life!

Winnipeg Senior Photos 2015

Have you ever walked on a railroad bridge?  If you’ve watched the movie, Stand By Me, then you remember the scene where the boys cross the railroad bridge.  If you haven’t seen the movie - watch it right now.  Seriously.  Drop whatever you’re doing and watch it.

WARNING - some NSFW language, and some viewers may find the scene disturbing.

I am not the copyright holder of this material and I make no claims of ownership.  This material is owned by Stephen King, Act III Productions and Columbia Pictures.

Anyhow, in my opinion, this is an extremely accurate depiction of walking on a railroad bridge, even if it’s just a few metres onto it…

Before these photos were taken, I don’t think I’d ever actually been frozen by fear before.  I didn’t realize I was such a chicken!

In my defence, the gaps between the railroad ties are HUGE, and they’re not perfectly even and railroad bridges are kind of shaky, and even if there are sides on the bridge, there’s a good metre wide gap between the wall and the end of the railroad tie.  

Did I mention that the gaps are huge?

I’m not ashamed to tell you, beloved reader - I crawled like Verne until I got back to solid ground.  Then I took some photos.

The beautiful Ms. M was much more brave.

More after the jump!