Spring(?) on the Prairies

The photos from the Sprouts Model Search will be coming soon...really!

In the meantime, I thought I would share a couple photos I took while I was at home last week.

It may feel like spring here, but back home, it was all winter.

Cold - but beautiful - the hoar frost thick on the trees, the sky, a brilliant blue, and the sun, turning ice crystals into a thousand dancing stars."Locals" on the farm
There is quite an abundance of birds out there....
It could have something to do with my parents converting a bird bath into one giant birdfeeder
And here is their resident squirrel -this little guy gets quite protective of his stash!
So while we enjoy the blossoms here...this is what life back on the farm looked like last week!

Enjoy Life...

Thank-you for your understanding while I've been out of reach this past week.

My grandfather passed away, and I have been back in Saskatchewan with my family. I will be back in Victoria tomorrow (Friday, March 27th).

My grandpa was an amazing man. His, truly, was a life well-lived.

Left in a letter to the family was this simple statement.

"Enjoy life...because it is good, if you make it good."

How right you are grandpa...how right you are.

Unexpected Trip Home

Unfortunately some sad family news has come, and I will be flying back to Saskatchewan this evening.

I won't have internet access where I am staying, and therefore will be out of touch for a number of days.

If you have questions regarding the Baby Fair photos, or the Sprouts Model Search photos, please send me a message to: "erin@prairiechild.com" and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

While I am away, you will not be able to order prints as I will be unable to complete the portrait finishing. I will be extending the order deadline upon my return.

Thank-you for your patience during this time.

Model Search - Day 2 (rain, rain, rain)

It was a rainy day for the second half of the 3rd Annual Sprouts Model Search.And while it may have stopped some folks from coming down, there were still over 60 young models who turned up during the day (over 140 over the 2 day event).

(this was our youngest model!)

In the end, we raised over $1,500 for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation!
Thanks to all for coming down and supporting this great local charity!

(you can learn more about them and donate online - http://www.victoriahf.ca/)The Shaw Daily will be airing a clip from the event this evening (Tuesday, between 6:30PM-10:30PM) - be sure to tune to see if they happened to catch you in action!

We'll be announcing the winners within the week (and prints will be ready for pick-up from Sprouts after the weekend).

Stay tuned to see all the little models!

Sneak Peek of Model Search - Day 1

It was a crazy start to Day 1 of the 3rd Annual Sprouts Model Search!
By 9:30, we had a line started outside, so we opened the doors early & got snapping.
Karen Elgersma and the crew from the Shaw Daily were there to capture the mayhem and do some interviews with the Sprouts gals and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (watch for them, Tuesday night on the Shaw Daily)...

..and then, a seagull decided it would be a good day to fly into the transformer on the building (poor seagull) - luckily, the power outages were brief, and those in line, patient!

I haven't done the "official" count, but I believe we had over 80 kids participate, and raised over $800 for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) thus far!

Which means, we need to raise over $1,200 today to meet my goal of $2,000!

I know we can do it!

Model Search is ON!

I'm just about to head down to Sprouts to get ready for the 3rd Annual Sprouts Model Search (more details 2 posts down!)

The mini-studio is set up and ready to go!

(Here's Tracey, one of the Sprouts' owners giving me a hand with the lighting tests!)

I'm looking forward to beating our fundraising efforts of last year - my goal this year - $2000!

I'll post a few previews of today's models later this evening!

Double the Fun!

Last week I had the pleasure of capturing some sweet moments with this brand new set of twins!

(While at times they seemed intent on waking each other up, with some hot water bottles, a hair dryer, and the key ingredient -nourishment from mom - we did get them sleeping at the same time!)

Sweet Ella & Evan

Congrats J & J - they are beautiful!

Coming up next...an update on another set of twins you may have seen in that basket!

Sprouts Model Search!

It's that time of year again!The 3rd Annual Sprouts Model Search for Charity!

Date: March 13 & 14
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Venue: Sprouts Children's Boutique (202-536 Herald Street)

Participation by $10 donation to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

How can you help us to keep things running smoothly?

1. When you arrive, please get a number.
2. Listen to what number we are on. When we are 2 away from your number, join us "on deck"
3. At this point, please get your little one ready (ie: out of sling, out of stroller)
4. Please have your $10 donation ready (we are only able to accept cash)
5. Fill out the entry form/image release form (sample here)
(feel free to download it now, print it out & have it pre-filled before you come!)
6. When it's your turn, please hand the entry form & donation to the photographer

And please remember, this is a model search (not to be confused with a photography session!)

We want as many people as possible to be able to participate, and our aim is to get one good shot/participant (anything more is a bonus!).

As for the question, "what should my child wear?" - that's entirely up to you!

We will be doing a shoot with the winners at the end of the month/early April, when they'll be sporting Sprouts' gear, and these will be the photos used in the ad campaign. Winners will be announced a week after the event in the Sprout-e-News & PrairiE-news.

And last, but not least, it's meant to be a FUN event to raise money for charity!

(so if crowds and a bit of mayhem causes you stress, you may consider passing on this event!)

What happens after the event?
* Your Free 5x7 print will be ready for pick-up at Sprouts after March 21st
* The 5 winners will be announced via email one week after the event
* Winners will come for another photo shoot down at Sprouts (date TBA)
* One lucky winner will grace the cover of Island Child Magazine (editor's pick)

If you love your print & want to purchase more, you can do so online. But please note - I have still not found a Canadian service that offers online order & print fulfillment (so any prints ordered will ship from the states)!

The Wait is Over!

I'll keep the posting short, as I know you are just going to jump to the photos anyway!

So, without further ado, I present to you, the kids from the Baby Fair!

(http://prairiechild.smugmug.com/babyfair)

Day Two at the Fair

While today was a bit quieter than yesterday at the fair, the kids definitely weren't going to let me off easy!

It would seem today was "mommy day" - and lots of little ones really, really, really did not want to come out of their mommy's arms and on to the big white backdrop with the flashing lights.

Who can blame them!

But, with some crazy "sneezes," hand puppets, and whole lot of peek-a-boo, the smiles came out!...and sometimes, third time really is the charm!And, a big, BIG thank-you to Sheryl & Lauren for their amazing work at keeping things running smoothly at the booth! (and letting me test my lighting)

(But I'm afraid you still can't enter the photo contest - 6 & under only....sorry ladies!)

Watch for the gallery of ALL the participants of the Baby Fair Photo Contest (coming in the next week!).
And the FREE 5x7 print, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Sheri Jackson Photography from Nanaimo & Bellies in Bloom in Victoria.

A Peek from Saturday

It was a busy day at Day 1 of the Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Nanaimo.I *believe* we had over 104 children photographed at the photo booth (but I haven't done the official count!) - it must be somewhere in that ballpark, because I'm pretty slow moving this morning!

I have 2 more hours to recover, and then, we'll be doing it all again - Yeehaw!If you live in the Nanaimo area, head on down - lots of great exhibitors!

I'll try to upload some sneak peeks from today when I get home tonight, which is for sale! (See details here: http://1130baldwinplace.blogspot.com/)