Sneak Peak

This past weekend I met a wonderful family.  Their two daughters were just adorable in their wool winter coats.  Even though one of their daughters (the youngest) was not a big fan of the camera, it was simply enjoyable and we had a few good belly laughs.  Here are two of the sneak peak photos for you.  And yes.... It was a cold day;)

Pre-Graduation

I was given the honour to take some pre-graduation pictures for a group of grade 8 girls.  They all looked gorgeous!!  However, the weather, was not on our side this day.  The rain held off just in time for us to start shooting and then it poured.  Now when I say it poured, most people picture heavy rain and maybe the odd bang of thunder or lightening.  But this was no heavy rain!  It was Mother Nature pouring out her entire was basin from her dirty laundry that she had to air out.  It rained so hard that we even called the shoot off 40 minutes into it.  But needles to say the girls escaped with very minimal damage to their outfits.  I on the other hand, hand to go home immediately to change.  My shoes took three days to dry out.  Now that folks, was a shoot in awful weather that I will never forget.

The pictures that I did manage to take, turned out great!  And yes..... these girls are only 12/13.  Good luck to their parents in just a few years.  Watch out boys, these are already good looking heart breakers.

Getting to Know Mrs. Markle

I thought it would be fun to do a little interview with someone, about their ideas and photography ideas.  What images they remember and feature them on my blog.

I've known Amy, for just over four years now and have always admired how she always looks so put together in all her pictures she posts.  So it's great to hear her thoughts on pictures she has taken and also pictures that have been taken of her and her family.  As my blog guest, I  asked Amy fifteen different questions about photography.

E:  Have you ever taken a picture of food?  If so, what was it and why did you take it?A: I took at picture if my yummy poutine and drink at south street burger. It was to tease my pregnant sister

E: Have you ever taken a picture of someone famous?  If yes, who and do you still have the picture?
A: I took a picture of Jeff Daniels and yes I have the picture still

E: What was the first picture you ever took, using your current cell phone and do you still have the picture saved on the phone?
A: I am not sure exactly what picture I took but I know it was one if my daughter and yes I would still have it. 

E: Have you ever hired a photographer in the past?  Explain why you picked that person.
A: Yes. I hired a photographer to do my maternity pictures and pictures of my kids. I picked this photographer for their prices.

E: If you have hired a photographer previously, what was one thing that stood out to you when they were shooting?
A: No clue 

E: You wouldn't ever wanted to be photographed doing?
A: Eating or sleeping

E: You wouldn't be caught dead in what kind of picture?
A: Nude

E: What is one picture that sticks out in your mind as the best photograph you have ever taken?  What type of camera did you use?
A: A pic of my niece and nephew sitting in a field of dandelions. I used my canon cool shot (I think that is what it is called)

E: The last family picture you have taken was?  What would you change about it?
A: Last family pic was one of my maternity pictures. I wouldn't change a thing

E: Take a picture of what is currently in your purse or pockets and then describe it to me and include it with your response.

A: Full of diapers, Kleenex, my wallet and soothers. Lol. I don't know how to attach a pic. Lol

E: Have you ever had your picture taken by higher authority?  If so, did you have a copy of your mug shot?
A: No

E: When you see people taking tourist pictures, what is something that stands out to you?  Is it a positive or a negative?
A: How many random people will be on their pic. Or how they hold up a crowd just so they can get a perfect picture 

E: The last picture you had printed was?
A: Pictures of my kids

E: If you could describe the perfect family photo, what would it be like?
A: Outside on a beautiful summer day in a natural pose 

E: If you could have your photo taken with just one person, alive, dead or even famous, who would it be and why?
A: My grandpa. Because he isn't with us anymore, and it would be a great keepsake and memory

Thank you for participating in my mini interview Amy.  On behalf of Corcoran Photography, I would like to offer you a free mini session, to be able to capture your 'perfect family photo,' in a 'natural pose.'

Please contact me directly to arrange this.

Thing 1 & Thing 2

I had the pleasure of working with Carolina & Jerry at the beginning of July, for their maternity photo session.  They are having TWIN BOYS.  Oh Boy, I say;)

I am always so HAPPY when my maternity clients choose a natural outdoor setting - - and I love the beach as it truly does represent summer.  I was even more excited when they showed up and were game for anything!  We hit it off from the start and they are just the cutest soon-to-be-parents!  Here are some sneak peak pictures that I promised to post for Carolina.  I can't post all of them as I have included the names of the boys in a lot of the pictures and have been sworn to secrecy.  But, once Carolina and Jerry see the additional photos, I am sure they will love them!  I have also included a little video too;)

Click on the link directly below this, for the video.
Maternity Session Video

A FEW PREVIEW PHOTOS

The Art of Non-Conformity

I picked up a few self help books.  Partially because I am feeling discouraged at not getting enough business generated from photography.  It probably lays in the reasoning of me trying to train a new person at my full time job and also trying to get my Real Estate career going.  All in all, I read some great stuff at the book store!  

This one book that I picked up was called "The Art of Non-Conformity."  Actually perfect for me; I kind of feel like Chris Guillebeai wrote this book for me.    Just the sub-title itself "Set your own rules; live the life you want," was perfect!  How many times have all of us set our life to what we think people expect from us?  How many times have we said in want to "Change the world" and don't?

Personally, my own main fear is that people won't like me or pick me as their photographer.  I have talked about this before and tried to write it out on coming to terms with that feeling, just goes along with all jobs.  

In the book it says how to "Smash down the wall," the "unconventional way."  That alone was a moving chapter to read.  My plan is to smash down my fear (wall) get out there and just shoot!

Get back to what I want to do!  Fun outdoors and landscape shots, nature all kinds and fun family and maternity sessions.  I am going to rock it, you just wait and see!

I know a lot of people think I am a secretive person, but if anyone took the time to read my blog, they'd know I'm actually an open book and just wanna make people happy!  See their smile when I give them a piece of photography that they love!  I look forward to hearing from you on how you are going to smash down your wall and make your life a happy life that you want to live!

Until later,

Erin

First Post on Tumblr

I wrote my first blog on the Tumblr site (Photographers of Etsy) -- the one which I was given the opportunity to write posts for.  I wanted to share it with you.

Tumblr - Photographers of Etsy

I would love to know what you think of the post; all comments are welcome!

Talk soon,
Erin

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.

How It All Began

I have not been posting for a while.  I was on a course for the last month and needed to focus on that.  Unfortunately, photography had to take a break just for that little moment.  Now I am back and trying to get involved with many new things, relating to photography.  Trying to get involved with new galleries and and stores/restaurants that are looking for new pieces of art.

I was reading another blog today.  It's actually a photography group that I belong to on my Etsy site.  They post wonderful things all the time; but for some reason I clicked on the Canada tab.  I had not read the article they had on Canada yet and it was an interesting read.  It was about how a photographer from Winnipeg, Manitoba got involved in photography.  He just kind of fell into it.  It got me thinking....  Probably something I do best LOL.  How did I get involved with photography.

I really have always liked taking pictures.  Never have invested anytime into it.  I knew I had a good point and shoot camera, from which I was told had a great zoom lense.  But that's all I really knew.  I loved taking pictures, pretty much of anything.  Flowers, birds, our dog Dexter, anyone that would smile.  That was the extent of it.  

My boyfriends Father always said to me I should really get into it more; see what's out there.  I always thought that he was just being nice to me.  But he was being serious.  So I did....  I took the plunge.  I had no idea what I was doing or where to even start.  I Googled every place I could for juried art shows, because in my eyes (and that's just me personally) I wanted to be in juried shows as apposed to an all entry kind of show.  It felt more personal to know that if I made it through a jury with my photography then I might have done it:)  YEAH!!!!

I worked on a company name and worked on logos and met some very great people along the way that were by far great people to work with, when starting up a new business.  I still, to this day though don't consider it a business I just consider it a hobby.  But a hobby that brings in a few dollars to buy coffees every once in a while;) LOL

I have since felt pretty accomplished with what I have completed in just over a year.  I have been published in a few local newspapers and also accepted into 2 juried art shows.  I now sell my photography on Etsy and I am currently in a gallery in Uxbridge, Ontario; with an art show coming up April 26th and 27th, 2014.  

I plan on learning a few things every so often; while time permits.  I love seeing the final product and that's just really why I do it.  Thank you Brian, for pushing me into the right steps of getting my photography business of the ground and running.  He always tells me "Rome wasn't built in a day."

York Region

I am looking for your help.  I am trying to find one image that best describes the Regional Municipality of York Region, Ontario.  

What are your ideas and thoughts in this topic and what describes York Region.  

Send me your ideas on what images you think best describes it.  

Thanking you all in advance.

#yorkregion

A Little Video

Back in September, I was an exhibitor in the Schomberg Art Street Festival.  My Father, Randy Corcoran was there taking pictures for his own website.  He is with Century 21 Heritage Group in Richmond Hill.  For his own website, he makes videos to help people see the different areas and what's going on in each neighbourhood.  This video link is of the Schomberg Festival.

If you are looking for more information about Schomberg or the surrounding areas, contact him.  His information is listed at the end of this video.  

http://youtu.be/QxpnIgctiIg (The video link).

Contest

I am running a contest, for SUPERBOWL!!!

Please keep in mind that this contest runs when the SuperBowl game starts, on Sunday, February 2, 2014.  No Exceptions.

Go to my FaceBook page and comment on the link.  Write your prediction of the score for the game.  The person with the correct final score of the game or the person with the closest prediction to the final score of the game WINS!

This is open to everyone!

The winner will receive their choice of any picture on my Etsy site, framed and mailed off to them.  The link to my Etsy site is also listed on this blog.  Remember that the Etsy site is always being updated and you don't always have to pick what you see on there now.  

Good Luck Everyone.

GO BRONCOS!

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:)

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..