With my photography rebranding, I recently had new cards made to match! I am so happy with them!
Here they are! Thank you again to Tanya for creating them. This is for those who asked to see them.
Be sure to click on the photos to see them up close!
the sweet little boxes they arrived in.
the front of the cards.
and the backs.
Welcome to my brand photography site!
I have been shooting professionally for almost two years now. When I started up back in the summer of 2008, I had no idea just how much creativity or joy from doing something just for me was missing from my life. My life, with six kids underfoot. Along came the opportunity to pick up my camera again. The chance to do something just for me. Photography has taken me on the most wonderful journey I could ever imagine. I am thankful for the all of the photo friends that have come into my life to stay, and for the encouragement from many different people along the way. When I feel like giving up, they are right there encouraging me to keep going. I am so happy to be a part of this giving community!
My new sites (both my boudoir site, and my photography site) wouldn’t be possible, or near as wonderful without the help and assistance from many people. The idea of creating two very separate and unique sites was a concept that was being developed back in January 2010. By February 18th, I had my very first meet up with my amazing designer Tanya Zboya of Zboya Design. She came up with so many beautiful concepts that I had a tough time choosing! I cannot say enough wonderful things about her, her work and her understanding of my very specific wants and needs. So thank you Tanya, from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank Shane for doing all of the web stuff for me. I am so happy with how well it all turned out. We are talking MONTHS and months later to get everything as perfect as possible! I felt my past sites did not represent me, or speak to my clients and potential clients in the way I wished to represent myself on the web. Thus, the big change moving away from my template sites. They did serve their purpose for the time that I needed them. Although, the whole time I was wishing for a big change! I would look at both of my sites and not feel proud of them. I just felt I had what a lot of other photographers had out there. I realized I didn’t want to be like everybody else, because I am NOT like everybody else. I am me, Cathy Empey. This is my point of view, and I want my sites to reflect who I am. Who I am as a photographer. This whole process has been a wonderful learning process as well! A wise Californian photographer by the name of [ b ] had shared in his knowledge and suggested spending money on a custom website. So, finally I took the leap. A bit scary at first to make yet more changes, but excited to create something that was totally me. Now, when I look at my two new sites, I finally feel like I have what I have wanted this whole time!
Onto some more thank yous.
I also would like to say thank you to some wonderful wordsmiths in my life: Emma, and Kelly for writing some of the info on my sites for me. I couldn’t express (truly…) how much they both have helped me on both of my sites. I also would love to say thank you to my husband, Cliff and my six kids. They allowed me the time away from them all to get what I need to get done. And they continue to do so whenever I need it. They have been my biggest supporters. I am thankful to them all.
I would also like to thank my past clients for placing all of their trust in my vision to create for them their images. Trusting me to create images that are whimsical (true fact: I grew up with my Mom calling my whimsy and I love it!) lovely, delightful and fresh. I am always striving to create images that are unique to the client. Images that will be passed down from generation to generation. T
Two more important thank yous to give: Jennifer Rodriguez-Cruz for the photographs of me on my site and of course Scarlett for beautifying me for my close ups! So much appreciated!
I hope all will enjoy my brand new photography new site! Please bookmark it you wish, and subscribe to the reader! If you ‘like’ me please join my photography page on Facebook. And if you want read my tweets, I am also on twitter.
Also, I had posted several new posts before this official welcome. Be sure to click on the blog, and search the archives.
delightfully,
cathy
Happy Long Weekend everybody!
Things are coming together in my creative life. Also in my home and business life! I am excited about all of the changes that are heading my way! I have A LOT on my plate, however plugging away at everything bit by bit! That way life seems a lot more manageable to me.
I am excited about a lot of things. In a few weeks we will be moving!
I am excited about a whole bunch of photography shoots that are coming up! A most exciting boudoir session next week, and a really exciting project at the end of June. Something I have been waiting and waiting to do! It is almost here.
Working on my sites. My blog. Expect some big changes in the near future!
I cannot wait to have a couples session with my husband and I! That will happen in Summer.
School is almost out for summer! I cannot wait for the new house and fresh new memories for our family!
Cathy xo
OK, this week went by way too quickly! It has been a beautiful week. I have been able to pull out my sundresses and flip flops. I went for a pedicure, and had my toenails painted a light pink. This week was busy with activity!
My husband Cliff and I had dinner out to celebrate 12 years of marriage together. It was great to sit and talk without interruption!
Also, Mother’s Day is big around here! I was spoiled by my husband and kids. I look forward to it every year. To see what lovely little gifts and cards the kids made. It is always a thrill! Six times over!
My husband bought me an anniversary/Mother’s Day hanging basket for the front of our house. I love it! It is one of the moss baskets and I think it made my day when it went up! I always appreciate his thoughtfulness.
Snuggles with my brand new nephew on Mother’s day too. Oh yeah, a huge get together with all of the family! We went for brunch, and although a bit crazy, a lot of fun!
The sunshine. Oh the glorious sunshine was out for most of the week! Ahhhh…
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cathy xo
My husband Cliff, and I. My biggest fan, and biggest supporter. Oh how I love him!
My kids, my joy. My life. Oh how I love them so!
(both photos taken by the talented Kyle Perison)
Me and my brand new nephew, Colby Thomas. Oh how I love a fresh baby!
What a great week this has been for me, and it just keeps getting better!
I am still thinking about the wedding of Anna and Max this past Saturday! Wishing them all the best as they start out on their new life together as husband and wife! Oh how I remember how amazing it felt to be newlyweds!
I am basking in the glow of holding my brand new nephew Colby! We met him the day after he was born, and then this past Sunday I took some photos for my sister Amy and her husband Tyler! Congratulations, and welcome to the world Colby! xo
I am thinking ahead to the weekend. On Sunday, we have double whammy of sorts going on. My husband Cliff and I will be celebrating 12 married years together. And, of course Mother’s day is also this Sunday!
I just love the month of May! My other sister April will be celebrating her anniversary later this month as well!
April showers bring May flowers, and I couldn’t be more delighted!
Happy Weekend!
Cathy xo
It is always great to work with friend. When friends ask for help, I am THERE. When my friend Wendy Russell asked me to photograph some images for a craft, I was of course happy to help. A couple of weeks back, she came over and we got busy, preparing the images for the article.
Today Wendy’s project (and my photographs) were featured in the “At Home” section of The Vancouver Sun newspaper. Section E, E3 to be exact. You can take a look below at a few images I took of the article!
Wendy, thank you my dear friend for always including me with your fun projects! I love spending time with you. xo
Since Sunday afternoon, I was in Richmond, BC at the lovely River Rock Hotel and Casino for an awesome Photography Convention called Image Quest. Image Quest is put together by the PPABC. They bring in amazing speakers to teach, share, and inspire other photographers. Several amazing photographers from the OC that I REALLY admire and look up, to such as Dane Sanders, and the lovely Jasmine Star were there too! It was great to have them here in Vancouver! Locally we had the opportunity to listen to Miranda and Reilly of Blue Olive Photography speak upon a very important subject, social media and the impact it has on us photographers. Great information on using social media such as Facebook, twitter and others. I found the info presented all around to be just what I needed to hear, and took away so much information that my head was hurting yesterday! (Thank you Andrea for the Motrin!)
Another bonus of hanging out at a photography conference is having the opportunity to connect with other photographers that I communicate with daily! However, never having met formally! So, Image Quest helped me to connect and meet IRL (in real life) with many twitter and Facebook friends! BONUS! I loved meeting you ALL!
I also made sure that when I went to the conference, that I would be sure to step outside of my comfort zone, and meet other photographers which I did not know at all. I wanted to make a connection with atleast one other person I had never met before, so I met several other photogs. this way too. I also enjoyed the taps on the shoulders and being recognized as a twitter or facebook friend. That is the power of social media right there! Amazing.
I got home late last night, kissed the six sleepy heads in their beds sawing logs. I actually kissed all of their heads twice. I was hoping they would wake so I could tell them that I loved them. However, I just had to whisper that in each of their ears. Then, my husband Cliff and I sat down with a decaf (I had picked up from Tim’s) and had a slice of brownie that he made for us. We talked all about the conference, and the exciting impact it had on my life, and on my photography business. It was very exciting! Made me feel not so sad about missing WPPI in Las Vegas earlier this month!
I had troubles falling asleep and stayed up until 3 a.m. reading through my notes, and implementing information I learned in the last three days! Whew!
Today, I am super happy that I had the opportunity to get out there, and I am especially thankful to my awesome husband Cliff who took care of our six kids while I was away. It was a nice treat to get away by myself for two nights, and I have to say a special thank you to Laura Hana for welcoming me into her home for two nights. A huge highlight of the conference was getting to know Laura, and Sherry Lu, who also stayed at Laura’s home. I had so much fun!
So, what I learned is this. If you are not on Facebook, or on twitter and you are a photographer! I think you are missing out! It is the new way to connect with an amazing group of peers. And hey, even if you are not a photographer do it too! You just never know what opportunites are out there.
I am thankful for the opportunity to learn, and to grow. And, make new friends!
Cheers!
Cathy xo
P.S. I have one photo of Jasmine Star and myself on my iPhone, however not a lot of time to get it off the phone. So, I leave you with a link to her blogpost on Vancouver! She had a good evening in Vancouver! I hope you come back Jasmine and JD. It was awesome to meet you both! #truff
P.P.S. Boudoir session on the blog next!
OK, here is one more to hold you until I can post again! I am still editing!
I ran a 10 km race on the past Saturday that had two of the most steep hills I have ever seen! Even with hill training I had to walk up some of them! Whew! I ran a sub 60 10 km race and so I am happy ! I have signed up for another clinic to repeat and hopefully get a pb (personal best for you non runners!)
Taking maternity photos of my beautiful sister Amy who is in her 36th week of pregnancy! I am SO excited to meet my niece or nephew!! Yay!
Running, and more running. And nachos last night. Mmmm my once-a-week splurge with my husband.
The sunshine. Oh wow this gorgeous sunshine!
Looking forward to Image Quest that starts on Sunday, and runs until Tuesday! I cannot wait to learn and grow my photography business! I am thankful I can get out there to participate and meet many other photographers that I admire and look up to! Saying hi and talking will be the highlights from the event that is for sure!
Have a happy weekend, and I promise a couple of posts will be up on the blog hopefully by this evening!
Cathy xo
[hello] Happy Saturday!
OK, so where did the week go? How did I miss Friday?! I missed my FRIDAY FIVE, so today I will do a Saturday Six!
Enjoy the weekend! Tomorrow an 11 km run, and then a Mother/Daughters shoot with Arianne tomorrow afternoon. And, of course I will be parking myself in front of the TV to watch the closing ceremonies.
Cathy xo
P.S. A boudoir sneak peek will be arriving early this week on the blog! Watch for it.
