Just a quick little note….

Where are you?

I would love to know where my audience is located. Plus, I would really love to see how many people read every post, or most of my posts. Call it a 'customer survey' if you will. Comment on here, or send me a message so I can post it, on where you are located. You don't have to give your name if you don't want to. But I would love to know the town, city, country you are reading my blog in. If you do, I will send you a free 5x7 print of your choice, of any item in my Etsy store. The link to the Etsy store is on here. Just let me know which one you like too and an email address. That way I can correspond with you to get your mailing address. Please note, that this print you will receive, will NOT be framed or matted. Just a simple token to say thank you for taking the time to help me out. Looking forward to finding out about my readers.

Out of the Ordinary

Yesterday was Bell Talk Day.  A day that supports mental health and encourages people to talk about their problems and the issues that might cause them a 'mental health' issue.  It got me thinking that maybe being in the dark and not talking about my 'issues,' is not what Bell Talk Day was and is all about.  It is out of the ordinary for me to talk about anything personal to anyone other then my boyfriend or my parents, but here goes....

Bell Talk Day encourages people to notice signs of people having mental issues.  But to me, the people who don't like to talk too much about themselves, are (in my case and I am typically generalising) the ones that usually have a mental issue.  You see I have an anxiety issue.  Yes, it is something that I have just now, come to terms with.  In fact, I do not broadcast this to anyone.  In fact, yesterday because of Bell Talk Day, I just told someone that I do take medication for my anxiety.  This person is not in my immediate circle, nor have they known me for even a year.  But if I can help even just one person by reading this blog posting, then I think I have done my job, no?

Over a year ago, I was having major outbursts.  It was the smallest things that set me off.  If the dishes were still dirty in the sink, if the bed wasn't made and if someone didn't ask me how I was doing after I had asked them all about themselves.  It was not the big things that seemed to bother me, it was the very small things.  To the average person, it wouldn't even matter, but to me it could have ruined my day, my week and I would continue to obsess over it until I had a blow up.  I call them blow ups, because now that I look at it, I was like a ticking time bomb.  I would argue with the closest people around me and avoid everyone else, unless they contacted me first.  I didn't do it on purpose!  I just noticed that all things were making it unbearable to live.  Not even just for me, but probably even hard for my boyfriend to get close to me too. 

It was actually my boyfriend who encouraged me to go talk to my family doctor.  For that, I will always be forever grateful to him.  He is one smart man!  Don't tell him I told you, but I think he's pretty amazing and I am the luckiest girl to have him beside me all the time!  I spoke with my doctor and he has since put me on anxiety medication.  I have been on the medication for almost a year now and I can actually see how much of a 'crazy' person I was.  I took two steps back and assessed my life and situations that I was putting myself into.  I also started talking to a counsellor that specialises in personal anxiety issues.  That was a great thing to do!  She helped me realise that I am a bigger and better person then what I  was even giving myself credit for.  She has helped me laugh again and be that outgoing self people have known to love (at least I think they love it;).

Being able to talk about my anxiety disorder has also made me understand what my Father and boyfriend have been telling me since day one.  "Don't sweat the small stuff and not to worry about things I can't control."  I think everyone should realise this and help others realise it to.  It took me so long to even understand what that meant and even today I catch myself forgetting about it.  I have to always keep myself in check.  I have also noticed that I am me and if I want to change I have to want to change and no one else can make me change or else for some twisted reason I rebel and push even harder to fight people.

I don't find myself better now, I just find myself better than what I was over a year ago.  My dad told me recently that he even can tell there is a different spark in my voice; to what it used to be before I had my mental breakdowns.  Don't get me wrong, it will always be something I am sure I struggle with, but I took the first step cause I felt that I was just not being true to myself nor was I being true to my closest friends and family members. 

I know what you are thinking by now.  How does this even have anything to do with Photography.  Well to me, the biggest time when I feel I am getting worked up is when I have to meet deadlines for different Art Society's or getting ready for a family shoot.  I try to make everything perfect all the time.  I jump feet first into projects ( I have always done this, even as a kid).  But I always need to remind myself, that I will always do the best I can for any shoot, or any print.  If someone doesn't like my best, then they are entitled to their opinion.  There will always be a negative on any job; I just always need to remember when issues arise or someone voices their opinion in a bad way on my work, that the next person will like my work and things will get better!

If you are reading this and think sometimes you have emotional backlashes towards issues you think about all the time, I encourage you to talk to someone, anyone!  Remember to breath!  That is one key thing I have learned.  When I am getting worked up and start to get anxiety pains in my body, I have to remember to breath!  Focus on the 10 rule.  Is it going to affect my life in the next ten seconds, the next 10 minutes or the next 10 hours?  Usually, the answer is no.  Fix what you can and move on.  I have to always remind myself of that.

To those that have stood by me through everything, thank you.  I wouldn't have even been able to write about this over a year ago, never mind even admit it and get help to help myself.

Now, on to bigger and better things!  Thank you for taking the time to read my post, even though it was out of the norm for my photography blog. 

Let's get back into us!  No time like the present to reflect on ourselves then in pictures:)

Guest Writers Wanted

Are you interested, or know someone who is interested in being a guest author on my blog?  Write me an email at corcoranphotographycanada@gmail.com or message me at 7053051748.  There is a wonderful gift for the guest writers.

Valentines Mini Sessions

I am booking now, for Valentines Mini Sessions.  Not just for one day, but for two days!  Everyone always wants to run their own kissing booth, don't they?

Updates For 2014

Happy New Year to you and your family, from Corcoran Photography!

I wish you a very healthy and happy 2014.

I have updated a few things for the company.  

My new number is 705-305-1748.  This is the number that you am reach me directly with any questions.

Also, the new email address that you can reach me directly at is corcoranphotographycanada@gmail.com

I look forward to updates in the next week, to let you know what's new and happening in the next couple of weeks with me.

Free Holiday Shipping

On my Etsy site (Shop), I am offering Free Shipping on all orders above $20.00.  On the time of checkout, enter the coupon code HOLIDAYSHIP2013 and receive free shipping.

How can you pass up this kind of offer for a Christmas Gift?  If you are local to the Barrie, Ontario, Canada area; I will even deliver the item to you.  That way you can purchase not one, not two, but three items and get to meet the artist.  How much fun would that be?

You can check out all the items I am currently selling on the Etsy store by clicking here on the link.  Etsy Store for Corcoran Photography  Or if the link does not work on your smart phone, click on the Etsy link, directly on this page to the right, on where to find me.

If you have any questions at all regarding printing, etc., email me at Erin's Email or call or text me at 416-886-3540.  

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

With warm regards to you and your family over this Holiday Season.

Pop-Up Art Shoppe

I would like to cordially invite you to the first King City Art Pop Up Shoppe.  It is being held from November 28th - December 20th.  The Shop is located within the King Township Museum (2920 King Road, just East of Highway #400).  There are only 10 artists that will be exhibiting at the Shop.  Each artist is of a different medium, which helps on selecting unique pieces.  There will be all different price ranges; which will be great for Holiday Gifts.  

The museum will be open Tuesday - Saturday; 10:00am - 4:00pm.  

I will be exhibiting some great Holiday Cards, a few framed pieces and many different sizes of pictures in matts.  If you see something you like at the Shop, but would like it customized to fit what you are looking for, please let me know.  I am able to work with you on anything specific you might be looking for.

If you have any further questions regarding the month long Pop-Up Shoppe, please let me know.  You can contact me directly at erinlinc80@gmail.com or via phone 416-886-3540.

Some of the examples that I will be selling are on my Etsy Site. 
Etsy Site - Corcoran Photography 

One of the Holiday Cards that will be there is:
Holiday Card

For more information regarding the King Township Museum, please see the link directly below.
King Township Museum Information

Have a wonderful Evening!

A Sneak Peak Into The Holidays!

I sell Holiday cards now on my Etsy site.  Here is one of them,  check it out!  Free shipping is being offered, until the end of November 2013.

Peace, Love, Joy Holiday Bird Photography Card $6.00 CAD http://etsy.me/1aDxcCj

T is for Thornton

I was so happy to be given the opportunity to be chosen as the photographer for this family.  They had not had family pictures taken in 'forever,' which is what I was told.  I was honoured!  They told me to do whatever I wanted and I thought that was awesome!  They live on a dead end road surrounded by a farm, so you know me, let's go for a hike!  The pictures that I was able to capture in the field were amazing; perfect fall colours.  The rain even held off and for a brief moment out on that field, the sun came out!  It was meant to be:)  Even their dog Sophie was having a ball out in the field of tall grass.

The Thornton's consist of two kids and a young adult.  The three of them were amazing at how fast they were able to shine through the camera lense.  At first you could tell they really weren't sure about me, but I think I turned them over to my 'photographers' side by the end of the two hours.  Devin, is the young adult in the family, whom might I add, should be a freakin model.  She's gorgeous.  I was so happy when they suggested to take a few head shots of her.  See for yourself!  Don't worry boys, she's already spoken for.

Thank you again Thorntons.  You made my job well worth it!

Two Things Happening

In honour of Movember, I'm hosting a photo contest.  Upload your Movember photo and tag Corcoran Photography.  Photo(s) must be original, fun, family friendly and include a mustache.  

This contest will run for the entire month of November.  All photos must be submitted and tagged by November 30, 2013 10:00am EST.

The winner will receive a free mini session, by Corcoran Photography.

Please note, the prize does not include the cd of photos, only the mini session.  The winner will be selected at random and must be located in the Barrie/Toronto areas, or surrounding area(s).

And.....

Christmas Mini sessions are now being booked..

The Potts Family Fall Session

This past month I got to meet a wonderful family. We all hit it off, right from the beginning! I felt like I had known them for a long time! The Mom & Dad (Linda & Mike) and their two boys; whom might I add are awesome preteens boys and very well-mannered! The girls are going to love them when they get older; definitely will be heart breakers, in fact I am sure the phones have already started to go off with text messages (back in my day it was pagers, lol).

 They were all great to work with. I got there early in the morning, what seemed like the crack of dawn for some (sorry Mike; he had a wonderful poker game the night before;) but they were all ready to go and truly up for anything. I had fun finding out that they 'might' have a beaver in their back woods and that they just love their little white ball of fluff (the dog). We did laugh a lot; and I am sure Mike did not think that was going to happen at 8am, but he threw a couple of laughs out too. 

 I enjoyed incorporating a ladder that Linda has had in her family since forever and found out that the green patio chairs in the backyard might have been there for a little longer then what they had thought;) 

 All in all, the rain held off and we had a ball! Thank you so much to the Potts Family. I really enjoyed getting to know each one of you. 

 Here are some pictures that I thought should be posted, since the family was beyond adorable and full of entertainment. I just love all the black and whites of the family and how they turned out.

Thanks Potts Family, for choosing Corcoran Phototgraphy.

A 'Spook-Tacular' Event

I am pleased to announce my first mini session!

**Halloween Costume Mini Session**

Sunday, October 27th

I am booking for the entire day.  Message me for the time you are looking for.  

Come dressed in your costume or just come for a fall fun mini session.  Each session is 30 minutes and you will receive 15 edited photos.  The mini session decor will make you feel like your trick o' treating  with pumpkins and candy galore! 

Each session is $60 and this event is for ALL AGES!!