Changing Focus

It's not very often that I turn the lens on myself, however at least once a year I have one photo scheduled.

It started as a way to celebrate my wedding anniversary.

Holding the photo from the previous year, we have started documenting our married life. Sometimes, the years are exciting: visiting Costa Rica, taking a road trip to see my favourite singer, while other years are quieter and probably much more like the two of us. Twice we returned to the scene of the crime and celebrated at Biff's Bistro, where we held our reception, which includes this year. 

Looking at these photos hanging on the wall, always brings a smile on my face. The years will come and go, and we'll be able to look back and see how we've grown together.

A very belated post!

Just a quick catch up, as this is very (extremely!) belated!

Thank you for all that supported our Gutsy walk team! This past June, we were able to raise over $500 for Crohn's and Colitis Canada!

This is a charity near and dear to me, as my husband, Ian, has Crohn's disease. From the his diagnosis almost 15 years ago, to the couple of hospital stays, medication and specialist changes, it has been a roller coaster, and it has been reassuring to know that there was a charity out there that not only funds research, but also provides support to patients and care-givers. Thank you to all that donated.

During the next week, I will write again and provide a couple of tips to taking your own family portraits - keep your eyes out for that!

Megan, with Capt'n Poo representing team: Toronto May-Poo Leafs at the 2016 Gutsy Walk

The Importance of Chicken Necking

From time to time, clients, friends and family alike have asked for my number one tip to look better in photos. Every time I respond with a very enthusiastic "Chicken Neck!".

If this has left you scratching your head and thinking "Uh... sure Megan" don't worry, you are not alone, but after a quick explanation I hope you will have a better understanding and see why I love it so much.

As someone with a heavier face, I often have a double chin in photos and like everyone else, I hate it! Chicken necking helps eliminate this, and who doesn't love that? 

To perform the chicken neck, you want to make sure you are not slouching (as I often do), put your shoulders back, and then jut your neck forward, as a chicken would peck the ground. Now, you just want to tilt your chin down a wee bit; you don't want people seeing up your nose and because you are chicken necking, you don't need to worry about the dreaded double chin appearing. 

Now, this doesn't look nice in a profile style portrait, as you can see, but I wanted to make sure it was fully demonstrated. In the chicken neck photo, my shoulders are back, and just my neck comes forward, leaving my chin at either eye level, or slightly down.

It feels ridiculous to do, but chicken-necking really helps shape your face, and slim it down without preforming any sort of editing at all!

I hope this post has helped you understand my #1 tip! 

Family Fun in the GTA

Looking for something to do during these dog days of summer? Luckily there is plenty happening in and around the city!

Here are just a few ideas:

Courtesy of Jenn Triebe (www.facebook.com/2forhookingcrochet)

For Hockey Fans:
The Hockey Hall of Fame is having a 30 Teams in 30 Days event, which includes collectible cards, discounts and player meet and greets! Check them out at www.HHOF.com

                                                                   

For Foodie Families:
There is the Sip and Savour Ontario Farm and Artisan Market at Avenue and Roe (just south of the 401 on Avenue). This Farmers market features fresh Ontario produce as well as vendors to educate you and your family on local culinary, agricultural industries and local wine. This happens every Thursday from 3-7 until October 30. Their website is www.sipandsavourontario.ca/ma






For Animal Lovers:
The Toronto Zoo will be hosting an even for kids this coming Friday: Be A Keeper Day - Real Zoo Keepers For Plush! Wildlife care experts will teach how to give your stuffie the tender love it deserves, by having you go through different stations with a Keeper and learn what foods to feed your animal, how to weigh and clean your toy and much much more. For children under 12 years of age, no live animals. Check out www.torontozoo.com for more information.

A rare weekend off

This past weekend found me with a rare weekend off, and with that, my sister and I house and cat sat for my parents and spent Saturday down at the Live Green festival and enjoying a Summerlicious dinner.

I had never been to the Live Green festival and was really impressed with the originality and quality of some of the products people were selling.  A bit of a spending spree later, found me with a new phone charger that is solar power (perfect for when I am working a wedding and want to keep my phone topped off so I can use the GPS to get from venue to venue), some great granola and perhaps my favourite - a free app that allows you to check out the negative health impacts that cosmetics/personal care items can have. If you would like to check it out, go to ThinkDirtyApp.com

My sister and I at the Live Green Festival

Anniversary Dinner

One of our new-er traditions, which I love, is that when we celebrate our anniversary, Ian and I will take a photo, holding the photo from the previous year.

The photo that we started with is courtesy of Tracy Greer Photography (http://www.facebook.com/TracyGreerPhotography)

The next year, we celebrated in Costa Rica!

Last year, it was slightly delayed due to illness, but we went old school to one of the places we love to visit - the zoo:

And finally, this year, we returned to the scene of the crime, Biffs Bistro, where we had our little reception. The meal was fantastic, and it just happened to be Summerlicious, so we were able to be very decedent with out splurging too much (my mother would be proud)

This idea wasn't something I came up with myself - it was something both Ian and I stumbled upon on Reddit, and decided we should do it. For me,  I love that it's the one time that I am forced to go in front of the camera and make sure that I do get a photo or two of Ian and I together, but it's also been a great way to see how we have changed through out the years.

Summer Has Arrived!

Welcome Summer! We have been waiting a long time for you!

Summer barbecues, popsicles, and lounging on the deck, what could be better?

Come and celebrate the warm weather, changing times and your growing family with a summer portrait session at TriebePhotography.

Our summer sale includes your choice between:



The Junior Special (a $115 investment)* A hour to 2 hour long photo session at a location of your choice
* An archival disc of 5 of the portraits from your session. This disc will have the 5 images in colour, black and white, as well as sepia, with the ability to print as well as share on social media.

or

The Senior Special (a $150 investment)
* A hour to 2 hour long photo session at a location of your choice
* An archival disc of 25 portraits from your session. This disc will have the 25 images in colour, black and white, as well as sepia, with the ability to print as well as share on social media.

For more information, please contact us at megan@triebephotography.ca or visit our website at http://www.triebephotography.ca

World Cup Mania

Boy I love the World Cup! I don't know if it's the English announcers' way of describing plays (delicious cross, scrumptious goal), the just amazing soccer/football that is happening or the fact that in my family we have a little rivalry going on. Now that England has been eliminated, Ian has seen the light and has started cheering for Germany though. I think he may have been even louder than I was when Muller scored this afternoon.

Toronto being as multicultural as it is has a lot of variety for viewing options.

Cheering for Germany (like me)? You may want to check out Little Bavaria at 3222 Eglinton.

How about Brazil?  Apparently Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse is the place to be.

Dutch fans can often be found at Hemingway's at 142 Cumberland St in Yorkville

French Fans may be found at Murphy's Law in on Queen street near Kingston Road

Argentina supporters may like the Sky Ranch at 2473 Dufferin

and if you are just looking for a good time out - I know that the CBC concourse downtown is viewing all the games.

Do you have a favourite place to watch?


For me, I tend to stay in and cheer along with friends and family. It's a great time to pull out some good munchie recipes, try different cultural foods and enjoy the world class soccer that is being play.

Terry Fox

Just a quick thank you for all who supported the Terry Fox walk this year:)

 Together we raised $350!!

Terry Fox 2013

So, it's that time of year again! 

I will be participating in the Terry Fox walk next month, and have started fund-raising.

 Last year, we were able to raise $400.00 together!

 If you would like to donate, please visit:  http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=2057401&langPref=en-CA

Terry Fox Walk 2012

Toronto's Newest Visitors

Went with my nieces and nephew to the Toronto Zoo recently & snapped these.

Thought I'd share!

M

Contest time!

Over on Facebook, we are holding a contest for a free family session & prints!

Check it out! Http://bit.ly/ZrDyA7 #Toronto #contest #familyphotos

Sneak Peek

Just a quick note to share a sneak peek from a family who visited us in the studio recently. They were such great sports :)

Things to Do in Toronto this Month

After this long winter, I am really glad to see that the sun is out and shining today! Once I am finished writing this post, I think I may just sneak away and go for a walk :)

Thought I would share this terrific blog I came across recently - Toronto4kids.com

They have a special blog post on things to do with your family for the rest of the month, and all the ideas are very cost friendly, including a FREE Sesame Street event at the TIFF theater!

Check it out!
http://www.toronto4kids.com/April-2013/April-on-the-Cheap/

Now off to get some sun :)

Sunny Days

As I sit here typing, the sun is out shining away! It's great to see, knowing that spring is finally here and the warm weather is soon to come!

That means that Mother's Day is fast approaching! 

To help celebrate your growing family, we have a $60.00 Limited Edition Mommy & Me portrait session 

which includes:

* A 45 minute portrait session

* A $40.00 credit to be used towards the purchase of your prints

April is quickly filling up! Call Today to book your session

CONTEST TIME!

The title says it all! We're holding a contest here at TriebePhotography.

Sign up for our newsletter (tinyurl.com/triebephotography-newsletter) to be entered to win our Baby Collection Program, which captures the special moments in your baby's first year and provides heirloom treasures that will be a joy to view for many years to come.

Contest Ends 11:59 PM, Saturday, March 23, 2013
Winners will receive an email shortly afterwards.

Double your chances by visiting our Facebook page (facebook.com/triebephotography) and Share the Contest photo!

The Baby Collection includes
* Three one-hour portrait sessions at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year
* One art portrait from each session, displayed in a folio frame (given at the end of the program)
* 15% Off any added Portraits ordered from the sessions

Baby A

When I had my consult over email with Mom, I was told how sweet Baby A is and I was not let down. This little one (well, really not so little - at three months, she is one big jelly bean!), was a perfect model, letting us take some nice family portraits, as well as play around with some props :)

There are a few more portraits posted to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/triebephotography) for those that are interested :)

Mommy and Me Limited Editions

There's nothing like the mother-child bond. We all love our own mothers to no end, and those of you who are mothers yourselves know how strong that bond truly is. Celebrate the special mother in your life with our Mommy and Me session. These are held in our studio for a timeless keepsake that is sure to be treasured for years to come.

This $60.00 Limited Edition includes:

A 45 minute portrait in studio portrait session for you and your little ones, plus a $40.00 credit towards any print(s) you purchase from this session.

Mother's day is May 12th -

Call today to schedule a session.


416.556.2946

A New year...

So it's been a while since I last updated this, and I am truly sorry for that. There have been many a-great photo sessions that I can't wait to share! However, this note is a bit more personal.

These past several months have been difficult for me. 2012 was not a great year for my family, as we lost 3 members.

Most recently, my Oma (Grandmother) passed away of kidney failure/stroke on Christmas night. It was a difficult blow to my family and to me.

The year that sucked (otherwise known as 2012) has left me with a couple of thoughts. Through all of it, I have clung to the photos that I have with these important people.

I am so grateful that my friend Tracy was there at my wedding to capture and create these beautiful images that are now even more important to my family and especially to Ian and myself.

My Oma and me (unfortunately my Opa was too ill to make the trip to the city)

Ian, myself and his grandparents (his grandfather is celebrating his 93rd birthday later this month!)

I've made an unknown, until now that is, vow to take more photos of myself with my friends and family this year. With all the advancements in technology (phones, tablets, point and shoots),  we almost always have a camera on hand which is something that I will try and take advantage of  more this year.

Professional photos always have their place, but I do believe there is a great value for the candid photos that family take and share within themselves.  These events are often fun & have tradition to them.

My family has taken to walking in the Santa Claus parade. It's nice to be able to get together before the big Christmas rush and have some fun for a day. This year, my dad had an injury that kept him away, but my mom, sister and I were out there walking :)

So - take care of yourselves! Hold your love ones close and get snapping with the photos (or at least I know I will be :P)

Thank you!

Thank you to all who supported my Terry Fox Walk. Together we raised $400.00 for this fantastic charity :)

Thanks Everyone!

M