Tag Archives: Kitchener Community event

A Kitchener Waterloo Portrait Photographer’s Top Shots from 2015

What a year! For me and EBI, 2015 turned out to be a flurry of excitement full of extreme highs and lows, big life changes and unprecedented career opportunities.

The year opened up with elaborate plans for my own “glitter garden party” wedding scheduled for June, escalated with Easter minis, continued with the honour winning a YWCA 2015 Woman of Distinction Award, got complicated when I learned who my true friends were in the spring months, and peaked in June when I vowed (on literally the rainiest, stormiest day in 6 years) to stick with Todd forever. Just our luck.

Me and my business hit the ground running in August and the number of jobs I had on the go steadily increased until holiday minis and then the Christmas rush were upon us. After some personal tragedies and the deaths of 2 family members and my beloved bunny, Todd and I had plenty of opportunities to test the strength of our new marriage. I’m pleased to report that through all the various challenges 2015 presented us with, the two of us have become a stronger team than ever. With his support, I shot and edited more portraits for more clients this holiday season than I would have believed possible in the recent past. For weeks on end I was running on coffee and editing around the clock as Todd delivered photo packages for me all over town. I actually had to turn potential clients away in December because there just weren’t enough hours to fit everybody in before the big deadline on the 25th. I would have liked to help those families out, but I admit it also felt like a bit of a milestone for my business to have reached a point where I can afford to turn people away.

At long last, it feels like I’ve got a substantial client base rooting for me, and what excellent clients they are! In a classic example of Murphy’s law, when my new husband and I finally got a chance to slow down on Christmas day, Santa blessed us with food poisoning and we both rang in the New Year in a rather disgusting state.

It truly was a crazy year, full of far more challenges, joys and sorrows than I ever could have anticipated. These are the images, personal and professional, that stick out for me after the last 365 days of living life and pursuing my dreams at full speed.

ebi_9094edit__Emily_Beatty

Thanks so much for being here and for taking a few moments from your busy day to glance at my pictures. Wishing you love, peace and joy in 2016.

Steckle Heritage Farm’s Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt

2014 KW Polar Plunge Fundraiser for KidsAbility

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It was a brave crowd that came out for the third annual KW Polar Plunge on Saturday February 22nd, 2014. This fun and dramatic community event is the pride and joy of founder Greg Lehman, who started it three years ago after losing a bet. Participants including Greg collect donations from sponsors, and then dress up and jump into freezing water to support KidsAbility.

This winter has been the coldest on record for many years, and those who took the plunge deserve a lot of credit for boldly jumping into a COLD kiddie pool on a day that hovered right around zero degrees. The rest of us were awfully grateful to be bundled up in boots, hats and jackets that were a bit more appropriate for the middle of winter in Canada. I think every one of us in Waterloo Town Square that day was glad that the event was rescheduled from the original January 25th date due to dangerously cold temperatures. Zero Celsius is pretty cold– but it could have been worse!

The jury is still out on the final total, but word has it that this year’s event raised over $7000, all of which will go directly to the KidsAbility facility in Waterloo. KidsAbility is a terrific organization that “empowers children & youth with special needs to realize their full potential through life-changing therapy and support services”.

As always, it is the volunteers and community sponsors that made this event such a success. Thanks to Nom Nom Treats, Hogg Heating and Air Conditioning, KFUN 99.5FM, Spike Creative Solutions, Bre Creative, Bright Water Services, Boston Pizza, Beertown, and everyone else that contributed to this year’s KW Polar Plunge.

Our fearless leader, KW Polar Plunge founder, Greg Lehman.

Thanks to Nom Nom treats and volunteers Keirra Reid and Charlotte Armstrong for the delicious custom cookies!

Bre Creative always makes time to volunteer for community events.

The delightful team that organized the 2014 KW Polar Plunge.

Kitchener Waterloo Portrait Photography Prices

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Back in March, I did something called the “Lucky Birthday Sale”. I was able to meet and photograph nearly 20 new families in a short period of time, and using their feedback, I’m currently developing my new portrait packages. (Don’t worry, prices aren’t going up!) Need a quote right now? Sure! Just e-mail emily@emilybeatty.com, let me know what you’re looking for, and I’ll write back with a custom quote, usually within 48 hours.

Looking for information on wedding photography? I accept contracts for just a handful of special weddings each year so that I can pour my heart and soul into each one. Download this e-zine with all the details about EBI wedding photography or visit the website pricing page for more downloadable price sheets and details about the collections I offer.

Looking for more sample portraits before proceeding? Visit the portrait galleries on my website.

Want to talk to a real human before you invest in custom photo art? Call 519 568 9819 to make an inquiry or to book a date for your photo session. Don’t worry, I’m not one of those pushy sales people that will try to give you some long winded sales pitch over the phone, but I will happily answer any questions you may have, make suggestions for your shoot, or give you an on the spot estimate for a shoot.

You can also e-mail emily@emilybeatty.com with your inquiry, or just to say hi. It’s pretty common to e-mail back and forth a few times before actually booking a shoot. With all the other options out there these days, I completely understand if you want to shop around and check out other photographers before committing to a session date. Not everybody enjoys my bold portrait style- but if you have been hunting for unique and eye catching photography and you’re drawn to bright colours like a bee is drawn to honey, than this could be the beginning of something beautiful. Clients with unusual tastes, and alternative lifestyles welcome!

Want to see more samples before committing to a shoot? Click here to visit sample galleries.

If you’re ready to book a session, e-mail emily@emilybeatty.com or call 519 568 9819 to set up a photo shoot at my home studio or another location of your choice.

Yoga To Beat Cancer Event Photography in Victoria Park Pavilion

“Wake Up, Santa!” Breakfast at Steckle Heritage Farm

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A HOLLY, JOLLY BREAKFAST WITH SANTA HIMSELF!

Once again, the staff at Steckle have come up with a totally unique community event. Their “Wake Up, Santa!” breakfast on November 30th was a real treat for both the young and the young at heart. My presence was a last minute thought, but I’m glad I was on hand to capture the atmosphere of joy in the barn that morning.

group photo at Steckle Heritage Farm in Kitchener

The staff at Steckle Heritage Farm pose for a photo with Santa outside the 180 year old barn.

Families arrived at the farm around 9am, and gathered around the curtained stage where Santa was rumoured to be snoozing. When the curtains were drawn, all the children shouted, “Wake up, Santa!” and the big man himself sat up with a smile! Santa put on his coat and his boots and proceeded to visit with all the breakfast guests while they enjoyed pancakes, sausages, clementines, hot drinks, and other goodies.

Once everybody got a chance to eat, Santa sat down on his special straw throne and invited all the children to meet him one at a time, take a loot bag, and pose for a photo or two. Children also had the opportunity to make a tree ornament and visit with all the animals that live year round at the farm.

There were a TON of smiles in the barn that morning before Santa had to head back to the North Pole. Merry Christmas to all the friends of Steckle!

_EBI1896edit_web Wishing you all the best this holiday season, and in 2014 from Emily Beatty Imagery and the entire team at Steckle Heritage Farm.