Anniversary Mini Sessions

Can you believe we have had our on location photography studio for 8 years coming up this May?  Time flies!  I am so excited to have come this far.  Being a photographer in Saskatoon definitely has its ups and downs, but to all of my clients who have supported me over the years, you have made this journey worth traveling.  

With an anniversary right around the corner, comes something really exciting!  A charity event!  As some of you already know we moved to Lakeview here in Saskatoon less than a year ago and love this welcoming community.  We discovered that Lakeview school is in desperate need of a larger playground with the student population expanding.  This year, we decided to do something to help out the folks over at the Lakeview Playground enhancement committee:  MINI SESSIONS!  We are offering the rare opportunity to partake in mini sessions with Memories by Mandy photography with 100% of the session fee going straight to the Lakeview Playground enhancement.  We are so excited to give back to the community that has been so welcoming to us since we moved to the area.  

Here are the details!  Please email us to book your session:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca.  

The most emotional session of my life...

This weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph one of the most emotional sessions of my life.  On Good Friday, I ventured to the hospital to photograph a beautiful mother, who has been battling cancer ever since the birth of her baby boy, 6 short months ago.  She found out the bad news when they opened her up for a Cesarian during the birth of her baby boy and has been battling this awful disease ever since.  She was recently given only a few weeks to live.  I was asked to give this family, particularly the baby boy, some images of him with his mother, so he can have these memories to remember his mother by.  I can't begin to describe how lucky I feel to be able to give this child this gift. 

While I have always felt that photography was so important to preserve memories for any family, I feel like this session was the most meaningful session I have done to date.  While the session itself was not the most ideal situation. Shooting in a hospital, having your subjects stricken with grief, mom, extremely weak, and in incredible amounts of pain.  The images I got are not award winning, but they will mean more to this family than you or I could ever know. 

I feel like this family has opened up my eyes to what I have around me.  I always say I'm thankful for being in good health, but until you see someone in unbearable pain, you have no idea how lucky you are.  Until you see a husband clinging to his wife with more hurt in his eyes than you or I have ever experienced, you have no idea how lucky you are.  I often stress about small things in life, like making sure my kids are at their activities on time.  Having a good work/home life balance.  Having to meet deadlines, be at appointments, having a clean house. And the list goes on.  After my session on Friday, I realize these things are not what is important.  Don't stress over how high your kids can count before they turn 3, or keeping up with having a healthy supper on the table at 6:00 every night, or making sure the house is spotless every Sunday.  Enjoy every single moment you have with the people you love.  Spend the extra time tickling your kids to hear them laugh.  Kiss your husband and squeeze him tight instead of nagging him to take out the trash.  Call up a friend you haven't heard from in a while because life gets busy.  Go and visit your sister who lives in another province.  Let go of all the little stresses in your life and enjoy all of those little moments, which are actually the big moments.

I didn't ask the family if I can share their images, and likely won't, but I felt like I needed to share their story.  I am so thankful of this family and having them allow me to give this baby boy a gift, a memory of his mother that he can take with him wherever life takes him.  They have touched my heart in more ways than they will ever know.  I will never forget them. 

 

Princess sessions are back! - Sask Photographers

We have decided to do another round of Princess sessions!  We are so excited!!!  Here are the details:

When:  Saturday, May 30, 2015

Where:  Our home studio in Lakeview, Saskatoon

Cost:  $99 for a 25 minute session, which includes a free 5x7 framed print 

You can find all of the details on our princess sessions on our FAQ page, HERE

Please email us for more details!  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca 

Our contest winners - Saskatoon photographers

The cute couple won a contest I had over on my Facebook fan page back at the beginning of the year.  They got engaged over the holidays and won a free engagement session with digital files valued at $725!  We often have contests via our Facebook fan page, so if you aren't already a fan, you must check it out!  You never know what you might win!!!

I officially announced our winner who were drawn randomly, and nominated by a client of ours.  After speaking to the gorgeous bride-to-be on the phone, we decided that we would do the session in their home.  I arrived and they live in this super cute little character home.  She had their spare bedroom decorated for the session and it was so adorable!!!  I think the photos speak for themselves!  Congrats on your engagement you two!!!

Mother's Day Photo Lockets

Our lockets we offered over Christmas were such a huge hit (we sold out!), we brought in some new designs.  We named our new designs after Mandy's Grandmothers, which we thought was fitting for our new Mother's day photo lockets. 

We are only offering our lockets for Mother's day.  All orders must be placed by May 1. 

Single photo locket - $39

Double photo locket - $46

All of the lockets come with your image already inside, beautifully wrapped, and ready to give to that special woman in your life.  All you need to do is email us your image. 

MARGARET Locket:

-Margaret is approx. 1” wide, 1.5” long

-Photo is printed oval, so please keep this in mind when choosing your photo.

-Chain is 25” long

-Single or double photo lockets are available with Margaret

MONICA Locket:

-Monica is approx. 1” in diameter

-Photo is printed circular

-Ball chain is 22” long

-Only single photo locket is available with Monica

Photos:  Please email us a higher resolution image.  Head and shoulders work best, however depending on the image, it may be possible for me to crop the image for you.  If you provide us with a full length image, we highly suggest we crop it to head and shoulders, as the images are quite small.   Please email us for more details on photos if you are unsure:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca. 

Fine print:  Full payment must be made to start production of your locket.  We ask that you email us your images to be sure we have one that works before sending payment.  With our Lockets we accept Email money transfers or cash.  These lockets are only available for a limited time, while quantities last.  We are only accepting photo locket orders until May 1.  Sorry, our lockets will no longer be available after May 1.  Shipping is available for an additional $5.00 (Canada), otherwise all lockets are available for pick up at our home studio in Lakeview, Saskatoon. Warning:  Giving your mother Photo lockets for mothers day will likely make her shed a few tears. 

Princess session FAQ - Saskatoon Princesses

So what's the deal with our princess sessions?  I'm glad you asked.  I've put together a list of FAQ that should answer all of your questions about how our princess sessions work. 

What age are these sessions for?
7 months (baby must be sitting on their own), to 7 years old. 

What should I bring?
We ask that you bring along a white, pink or black t-shirt, tank top or body suit, as well as leggings or tights.  We supply all of the accessories to transform your little princess: The tutus, headbands, crowns, and jewelry.  Your princess will have two outfit changes and will be photographed on two different sets. 

I'm not available on the date you posted, could we do it another day?
Unfortunately, these sessions are only offered for one day only

How much are the sessions and what is included?
The session fee is $99 (plus taxes) and includes a 25 minute session as well as a free framed 5x7 print.  We have also created some custom packages that can be ordered if you wish.  Some of the things included in our packages include a 4x6 faux leather brag book, 2 lockets (one for the princess and one for her queen), as well as digital files.  Packages start at $249.  We will also have some a la carte products available.   

Where are the princess sessions done?
The princess sessions are done in our home studio, here in Saskatoon.  (Lakeview area)

What do I need to do to book?
We require the full session fee to reserve your timeslot ($99).  All session fees are non refundable in the event of no shows or cancellations.

What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept, cash, cheque, Visa, MasterCard.

If I want to order a package, when do I order?
We do all ordering immediately following the session.  All of the images in the packages are the photographers choice.  Not to worry, the photographer has a ton of experience in what poses/expressions moms like best, as she is a mom herself!  She will only choose the best images from your session.  Please note you are not obligated to order anything beyond your free 5x7 framed print that comes with the session. 

I have 2 (or more) princesses, can they combine their session?

Please contact us to discuss our options for sister princesses. 

 How do I book?

Email Mandy:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca to book your appointment.  Spaces are limited. 

You can find last year's princess sessions HERE.  Please visit our Princess session Gallery HERE