Tales of the Mortician's Wife

Dive in.

Friday, August 6, 2010

When something inspires me, I like to just dive in and go for it. It probably drives my hubby crazy because I don’t take the time to think a lot of things through and am impatient and inspired all at the same time, leaving little room or time for something to change my mind. Maybe it’s a middle child thing. Maybe it’s just crazy, but when something – ie. an idea – comes into my mind, I find it very hard to to let it go…
What’s new in my brain, you ask?

Underwater photography.

Yup, trust me. I was freaking out a little dunking my camera under the water for these shots, soooo nervous the casing would leak … but after a while, it was proven to be quite safe. So with a few gadgets to keep me under the water, and with some ideas bursting from my brain, Heather, who is 8 months pregnant, sweetly agreed to model for me and try it out.

It was so much fun, but a LOT of work. Especially for two pregnant mommas. Thankful for hubby’s help with this project – he was great, even if he did nearly drown me by rigging up a leaky breathing apparatus. 😉

Four things I’ve learned from this venture:

1) pregnant woman are very buoyant …

2) I don’t breathe well underwater with a snorkel kit. No kidding.

3) Charlie Horses are not fun.

4) This is definitely something I’m going to love!

And just for fun … two bellies for the price of one … my belly on the left (29 weeks) and Heather’s baby bump on the right (33 weeks)…

I have lots to learn but am totally going to love the process! Maybe it’s time for a backyard pool …

{Big thank you to my client and friend, Janet, for letting me use her pool! You’re soooo sweet!!}

maternity

by Gigi

36 comments

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August 15, 2010 - 10:42 pm

Jo Smith – “Stunning” seems to really fall short to describe those shots. Out of this world. Seriously, I’m blown away. Sweet work. 🙂

August 12, 2010 - 8:49 am

Heather – WOW!!! I just love these! They are so creative and artistic. Really cool!!

August 10, 2010 - 7:53 pm

Kim – Amazing!!!

August 9, 2010 - 6:38 pm

Lori – WOW! These are awesome! Great way to expand your creative eye and 2 capture a whole new side of your photography! Hope 2 see more in the future!!!

August 8, 2010 - 7:57 pm

stephanie – Gillian, you have taken things to another level with this! Not only are you fantastic at what you do, but so innovative and wonderful to showcase such a beautiful stage of life!!! I can’t wait to do it myself… and I am sure others feel the same way!

August 8, 2010 - 5:35 pm

Sarah – Gillian – these maternity shots are breathtaking!! Such artistry!

August 8, 2010 - 8:51 am

Cathy Bray – You are going to be famous someday!
Always listen to your heart…you do….and your pictures are beautiful.

August 7, 2010 - 11:09 pm

Monique – wow so cool! your stuff is always wonderful to look at, and I am always inspired.

August 7, 2010 - 10:37 pm

Babineau Photography – Great Session. You captured the images great for a first time. the second and third time you shoot underwater get much easier.
Keep up the great work.

August 7, 2010 - 3:59 pm

Sherri Smith – Too Fun. Love the wispy, whimsical white gown pic. Sort of reminds me of a mermaid. Enjoy your new location shoot while the summer lasts. 🙂

August 7, 2010 - 2:11 pm

Jenn – VERY cool!

August 7, 2010 - 2:11 pm

Tabitha – WOW!!! Gillian – that is the coolest thing I have ever seen!! Yay!!!

August 7, 2010 - 12:58 pm

Tiffany – Great shots!!!

August 7, 2010 - 12:23 pm

Courtney – Amazing! I love these!

August 7, 2010 - 12:16 pm

Frances Morency – WOW!! Incredible pregnancy shots.

August 7, 2010 - 11:39 am

Jen – These shots are absolutely GORGEOUS!! So feminine and beautiful 🙂

August 7, 2010 - 11:30 am

Shelley – These are the most amazing shots I have ever seen!! Any woman that will wear heels and be pregnant in water…amazing amazing!!

August 7, 2010 - 11:17 am

Courtenay – Absolutely beautiful, what a fun idea!! Makes me consider having another one 🙂

August 7, 2010 - 10:42 am

Mich – WOWZERS Gillian!! These pics are so original and absolutely stunning. The first one, like so many have said, is beyond brilliant!! I just love to see your creativity always bursting, there is never a dull moment in your photography!! Congrats on successfully making your new idea a reality. I would love to do an underwater session one day with the kids!! I hear you on the snorkel gear, I can’t figure it out either 🙂

August 7, 2010 - 9:44 am

Amber – WOW!!! Absolutely beautiful!! You are very brave. I love that you follow through on your ideas!! This was definitely worth it!!

August 7, 2010 - 9:36 am

Frances Boniface – Amazing Gillian….
I’m particularly LOVING the first shot, can’t seem to stop looking at it. Brilliant Job!!

August 7, 2010 - 9:30 am

Nancy – absolutely breathtaking photos…bet even the babies enjoyed these non-stress shots!!! Love them all…amazing yet again Gillian!!!

August 7, 2010 - 9:24 am

Grandma Gerr – All I can say is WOW!!

August 7, 2010 - 9:09 am

Catherine – LOVE IT! Great work! I can’t wait to see more underwater photos from you.

August 7, 2010 - 8:30 am

Heather – O.M.Gosh Gillian they turned out beautifully !!! So awesome !!!

August 7, 2010 - 8:20 am

Petra – Whoa … the first shot is incredible…

August 7, 2010 - 8:13 am

Jamie – What a wonderfully fantastic idea! I LOVE the first picture, it’s so serene and beautiful!!!!

August 7, 2010 - 8:01 am

Anne Bailey – These are amazing! Good work, I can’t wait to get pregnant again and do these with you… or maybe even a trash the dress under water

August 7, 2010 - 7:56 am

Brenda (Gillian’s Mom) – Gillian, THESE ARE FANTASTIC!! I love the one with the high heels, so original!! And of course, the one with the two bellies. 🙂 I recognize my own grandchild, even if HE is stil in the womb 😀

August 7, 2010 - 7:28 am

Shannon – OMGoodness!!!!!!! This is sooooo super cool!!!! I love, love, LOVE that first shot!!! So neat Gillian!!! You come up with some great ideas….but this AMAZING!

August 7, 2010 - 2:09 am

love – these are amazing. that seals it. you just have to do our pictures sometime. [preferably of me, preggo, underwater.] =)

August 7, 2010 - 12:34 am

janet pereira – OMGosh Gillian these are sooo cool. Not sure how you did it but amazing. you can use the pool anytime you need to. I told Nel to go out and ask you if you wanted the waterfall on but he said he was afraid to because i had told him “do not go outside Gillian is doing a photo shoot” lol

August 7, 2010 - 12:21 am

Margaret – Wow..Wow..Wow….Fantastic Gillian….these shots are great!!! What a fantastic idea!!!

August 7, 2010 - 12:18 am

Rose:) – OMG this is sooooooooo COOL!!! I can’t wait to see some babies in this new adventure of yours:) AWESOME U ROCK GIRL!!!

August 7, 2010 - 12:05 am

Tara – That is amazingly cool….i too would be freaking about the camera and leaks!!!! eeek
The results are fantastic.

August 6, 2010 - 11:56 pm

Jen – awesome.

Beautiful Boys…

Thursday, August 5, 2010

“Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood,
we find a delightful creature of a boy.”

Author: – Unknown

These boys just melt my heart.

Catherine, their mom, first contacted me five years ago – when I first started my photography business, for her maternity photos… we’ve come a long way together… and I just absolutely adore their family, that has now grown from one sweet baby boy to THREE baby boys …! Cat & Greg, you are such fantastic parents. I love our sessions together- you warm my heart!

And by the way, you are SO blessed. These boys are fantastically wonderful! Enjoy every minute of them. 🙂

::love::

We had lots of fun in the river together on a beautiful sunny morning …

… throwing rocks to see who could make the biggest splash …

trapping tadpoles …

and catching crayfish …

splashing about …

and making memories.

Such adorable fun. I love every water-soaked minuted of it.

children, Families

by Gigi

7 comments

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August 8, 2010 - 9:39 pm

Hilary C – This is a fantastic session! Love these!

August 7, 2010 - 10:39 am

Mich – What a beautiful family and amazing water shots of those boys loving all the cool things boys do – Gillian you are just so great at capturing the essence of “family love”. Great job!

August 6, 2010 - 5:56 pm

Medicine Ball Exercises – Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article

August 6, 2010 - 3:54 pm

Jennifer G – Great job once again Gillian!

August 6, 2010 - 2:35 pm

Jason Weed – Love the boys!

August 6, 2010 - 2:17 pm

Nancy – what a special moment…captured…water fun and boys…so natural…beautiful shots Gillian <3

August 6, 2010 - 1:39 pm

Catherine – LOVE them!! Thank you for a wonderfully fun session and the amazing photos. I look forward to many more sessions in the coming years!

Baby Max…

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

**edited to say – THE BLOG IS NOW FIXED!!!* Yipppeeee!

OH MY GOSH!!!

I am ABSOLUTELY FLOORED!!!!

After nearly two weeks of trying to fix my blog through various venues and different companies, techies, etc., a beautiful, amazing, complete stranger all the way from Alaska has taken time out of his schedule for the past two days and has FIXED the Gigi Photography blog tonight …- out of the kindness of his heart!

AMAZING! I am so blessed!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jason Weed of My Toes Are Cold Photography (seriously – love the name!) for helping a total stranger miles and miles away!

You have made my WEEK!!!!

Comments can now be left and read on the blog! 🙂 Yay!

___________________

For a very special family – who unexpectedly welcomed baby Max into the world a little bit earlier than expected … 10 weeks earlier than anticipated, actually. Weighing only 3 lbs. 2 oz at birth, Max has proven he is a fighter!! Max’s story really hit home because I’m now 28 weeks and 6 days pregnant (hey, who’s counting? Well, www.lilypie.com, actually) and the thought of this sweet baby rolling around in my stomach making an early entrance is very real and scary … God bless Max’s momma for being so strong through this whole situation!

What a special honor to be involved in capturing these sweet memories for Max & his awesome mommy….

Sweet kisses to you, Baby Max. {xo}

Babies

by Gigi

10 comments

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August 4, 2010 - 8:29 am

Grandma Gerr – As always your photos are wonderful!
Thankyou Jason for helping! Your photos of beautiful Alaska are fantastic!

August 3, 2010 - 10:42 pm

Mich – Gillian, what a courageous, handsome little miracle Max is!! I wish him and his Momma many blessings and comfort in the days and weeks ahead as I can only imagine how stressful it has been for both of them. I love the lighting in these shots G, you did an awesome job. Jason, you rock on getting Gillian’s blog fixed. I know I am one of so many that have missed commenting and giving praise to her amazing talent!!!

August 3, 2010 - 9:53 pm

Brenda (Gillian’s Mom) – God bless Jason Weed ….. what a great person you are! Thank you for helping Gillian 😀
And what beautiful pictures of Max and his mommy! Another miracle, for sure!! xo

August 3, 2010 - 9:33 pm

Nancy – must have been me and being impatient…lol…Gillian…I want the world to know how much these pictures mean to me. He was born 10 weeks early and it’s hard to believe that these pics were taken 2 days before his due date but just to see them…brings tears to my eyes and what he has been through, along with his Momma, and just how strong they both are….thank you from the bottom of my heart and beyond!! <3

August 3, 2010 - 9:25 pm

admin – Nancy, it worked! Yay! And you are SOOO welcome!

August 3, 2010 - 9:21 pm

Nancy – this still isn’t fixed or is it me doing something wrong?…LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures and thank you again Gillian…you are amazing <3

August 3, 2010 - 9:20 pm

Jen – Wow! Beautiful.

August 3, 2010 - 9:20 pm

Nancy – absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the sneak peeks of Max and his Momma…thank you ever so much for taking the time and having the patience through all of this…makes me want to see ALL of them that much more…lol <3

August 3, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Jen – amazing as always… you rock – Gillian!

August 3, 2010 - 8:55 pm

jason weed – Great pics!

And the winner is …

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Okay … it’s time- time to announce the winner of the Cutie Pie Contest, that was being held over on my Gigi Photography facebook page for this past week. How it worked was parents submitted a photo of their cutie pie and friends and relatives would vote on the photo – the photo with the highest votes by Saturday (today- right now!) won…

And it was a SUPER close call between Cutie Pie Liam…

and Cutie Pie Eachann… but in the end .. by 8 p.m. tonight, the votes tallied in at:

261 votes for Baby Eachann

Congratulations, Tabitha!! I know you worked your butt off for this contest and it truly paid off!!! Eachann has won a session with Gigi Photography along with a 11×14 print of your choice from his session.

*woot woot!!!* So fun! I can’t to see you and work on his portraits!!

And to all of you who submitted a photo and worked hard at getting votes this week, you guys were awesome!! I’m certainly glad I’m not the one who had to make the final choice because all of the children in the contest were super cute….! And with the awesome positive feedback I received on this one time contest, I’m definitely considering it again for the future. So stay tuned. You could be next! 🙂

Again, congratulations, Eachann!

P.S. The blog is still *sniff sniff* “broken” and not taking comments at this time. I feel like I’ve exhausted my resources in trying to get it fixed…. I sure hope I can find someone to fix it soon because I truly miss hearing from all of you!

P.P.S. In case you weren’t following on the facebook page, I spent the last week camping with my family … so I’m now going to try to return all e-mails, etc. over the next few days, as well as sneak peeks, galleries and orders! Thank you for your patience! 🙂 It sure was a nice vacation with my fam this week!!

Babies

Well ….

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Since the blog is not working correctly (have you noticed that you can’t comment lately? Not sure what’s going on, but it’s taking forever to get it fixed … !) … let’s have some fun and throw a little contest on the Gigi Photography facebook page, shall we?

If you have a child that you would love to see photographed through Gigi Photography, this is your chance …

Introducing … the Cutie Pie Contest!

All I need you to do is submit a photo of your cutie patootie through e-mail to gillian@gigiphotography.com – with the subject line of “Cutie Pie” Contest – include their first name and age and I will post it online on my facebook group (so obviously, you must be okay with having your child’s photo posted online). From there, you share the link with your friends and family and get them to click on the like button underneath your child’s photos (please note, they will need to be a fan of Gigi Photography in order to vote) … in the end, the photo with the most likes will win! Once the blog is up and running properly, I will also post the images here on the blog, as well.

Well, what do they win?

A session with Gigi Photography, to be booked during the month of September 2010 along with a 11×14 print of your choice from your session.

So go on – submit your photos – e-mail them to me and I will be posting them by Friday night!

The contest will run for two weeks – the more likes under your photo, the better chance of winning!

Submissions must be made by Friday, July 23. (Hopefully that’s enough time for you all – I’ll have to see how many entries I can get in two days!)

And because no post is complete without a cutie pie image …