One door closes , For another to Open

My husband and I , deciding for a few months now , we asked our self this .

What do we wish to do with our life after we say goodbye to Meka ?

After much thought , we realized that life would not be the same if we didn’t have a fur ball to care for .


Planning begun …..

Intense thought , research and allowing our heart to take control , we decided that changes needed to take place . Our life has been nothing but intense change for the past 2 years . We felt it was time we ventured out with change in our selection of Breeds as well .

The way we found Meka 7 years ago was in our local Bargain Hunter , where you can find anything and everything your looking for . With Meka , we knew we wanted a Pure Breed Black Lab … this time was much different since we were not 100 % sure what we were looking for .

Always being drawn to the Husky , Lab breeds we narrowed the field to 3 Breeds .

We were in a toss up between The Golden Retriever , Newfoundlander , and The German Sheppard .

Then we came across The Bernese Mountain Dog …. We fell in LOVE !

We decided to do things a little different and research online Breeders .

Found several Breeders , made contact , but none of which made us feel like they were the right fit for us . We thought that the search would never come to an end . Months passed …. Still nothing caught our attention , not even website presentation with photo galleries .

I recently read a status on facebook about being “picky” , taking 6-8 months to find the breed they were in desperate search for and still coming up with nothing .

Feeling like we were in the same boat ….

My response was , your not picky .... you want what you want , sometimes it takes a while before you have the little one you have been waiting for .... your almost at your 9 months ....

Then , during our nephews school soccer game , there she was … the cutest Bernese ever !





Just over a year old , personality and markings were amazing !

There I was …. little kid having her first lollypop . Eyeballs popping out of my head , you could say I was more than excited ….

Let’s not forget I couldn’t let the opportunity of capturing her pass me by either !

In the distance here I was trigger happy …. Making sure I captured this Bernese in a light that made me fall even more in love with the breed .








I then decided to ask where the gentleman found her . I gave him a business card to contact me with all the details and allow him the chance to see the photographs I was taking of his little girl , Daisy .

Daisy was adopted through Hidden Hills Bernese Breeders , which is close to Toronto , Ontario .

I was in heaven and within travel distance that wouldn’t break the bank .

Lets not forget , that to me , this is more than just a new bundle of fur we are going to bring home . This is a new baby boy .

I wasted no time getting in contact with this Breeder . The reply was no delay either .

I then was filled in with all the info I needed .

Now we wait …..

Checking my inbox more than a few times a day .

Mothers who are expecting , I can say I truly relate to the waiting game .

I came home after work the other day to see a response from the breeder .

Puppies were here !


Our baby boy , born November 2nd , 2010 .

Wasting no time …. I dialled the contact number and butterflies started to fill in my tummy .

We may have to say goodbye to one love to gain another . Yet no matter how much it hurts to say goodbye , I know that Meka will have part of my heart and the hearts of those that are closest to her forever .




We have 4 names picked out . My husband picked 3 names , as I decided on only 1 .

Dexter , Milo , Cooper , and my choice , Channer . I don’t have a clue as to what name will stick but all I know is , this new addition will be loved no matter what !


They say that when a door closes another opens …. Perhaps this is true . While closing a door with Meka , we open a new door for our new pup .

Time has come to say our Goodbye .....

There comes a time when we have to shed a tear and say our last goodbye .



That day is on it’s way for my family and I .

Meka , our black lab will have her last breathe come the end of this month , November 2010 . We hate to say goodbye to her so soon . Yet we know to keep her with us , is not the right thing to do .

When your animal is sick , you know deep down the right thing is to let go . Our emotions tell us different . Most of which confuse us to racking our brain as to the logic of what is right and what our heart feels at the moment .

I know that Meka will be terribly missed by so many people and most of all , her closest family !



She helped me for 90 % of her life . Making sure I wasn’t going to lye alone , feel scared or even gasp at the thought of having to endure such an emotional life change that would take control of mind , body and soul …. I wasn’t alone .

Today is a very different story …..

No matter how much money we spent to find the solutions to her medical issues . We never got ahead . Nothing ever worked for her , let alone being doped up , Meka was slowly becoming not herself by no means .

Sometimes the simplest conditions can effect our health , those of which take us down and we never get back up . This seems to be Meka’s issue . We would love to spend the thousands it would cost to make her life more enjoyable … yet money simply doesn’t grow on trees , yet if it did , we would all have the things in life we want to have .

With the allergies being a given …. Lumps have formed , not 1 , or 2 , but 3 . I know that it could be many possibilities .

Yet , I know what suffering is all about …. Meka may not have the same emotional connection to this situation we find ourselves in , yet I know that we must say our goodbye's earlier than planned .

We love her more than words can ever express .

Today I hold my head up high , knowing that the right thing is to let go of those you love most . Holding onto the memories , for a lifetime , cry for the moment and laugh forever .

Our hearts will fill with sorrow , but our minds will remember . You brought hope , faith , goals , and most important love . You showed us how to care , grow and live .




Meka you will be remembered , never forgotten . Your heart lives within us all . We will promise to hold onto you forever my little girl , 4 legs and fur !

Skeet Shooting

A man that works with my husband , asked a few key questions about Monette Photography and what it was all about .

My husband , as kind as he is , explained to the best of his knowledge the basics ….

I then contacted the family to set up our first initial meeting . It is important for me to have this meeting . I get to know what they wish to have done , my surroundings and know the location of choice before any sessions take place .

The day of the meeting , I had the privilege of learning how to Skeet Shoot .

This family has a little slice of heaven living out in
the bush …..

I , on the other hand was in heaven myself !

With 3 dogs , horses , a cat , the largest backyard , a Barn and a little child , this family is a true pleasure to get to know . After all the paperwork was complete , the boys decided to take me out into the bush …. Skeet Shooting , here I come .

Watching me use a shot gun for the first time ….. Now that is a Kodak moment right there folks !
　
I have never saw a gun up-close and personal or even held one .

The lessons begin ….


I felt out of my element here , I wont deny that .

Teaching me to shoot , seriously ….. I thought to myself , this is gonna be a breeze . If I can shoot a camera and have great quick reflexes to shoot the moving kids and babies I often shoot , I had no issue with a gun and a
moving target ……

Well …….

It’s much harder than it looks !

Let’s not forget , the gun weighted just about as much as I did and the force it gives off after each shoot , I was very surprised to still be standing .

The boys laughed …… a lot !

Yet here I was shooting and hit absolutely nothing , not even a knick ….. On a standing still object . How does that happen ?

The boys on the other hand , did great . Hit the moving targets like it was nothing .

I decided it was best to stick to the kind of shooting I knew best .











After the Skeet Shooting was over , we headed back to the famlies house . Stuck around for a little longer and back home we were headed .



The day of the shoot .


The little , sweet child was somewhat unhappy to have a photography session …… I changed that one fast .

We started with the basic lifestyle candid shooting I loved to do .






Then the little tyke was off for her nap and it was time for the mother and I to have a little fun .
Out came her Wedding Dress and the lovely horse they have .

The horse was a little uncomfortable with the beautiful dress dangling along side the horses legs for this one shot we were thinking of .

A little bucking , some close bareback falls and some underwear peaking through ……

We get the shot !



I’m sure she was proud of her horse to have accomplished something so magical for the first time .
　
We continued to shoot …..



She told me that for the longest time , she wished to have her dress cleaned , yet the cost of cleaning was out of her financial budget , all because of 1 little stain which wasn’t worth the trouble . So getting it more dirty seemed to be an alright plan .



We finished up and the little one was ready for more photos . This time , dad , the 3 cute dogs and the horse were also in on the action .

I must say it was a challenge for me to get all 3 dogs , a baby not sucking her cute little fingers , 1 horse and the parents in 1 shot perfectly . Unnatural posed photos is not something I love to shoot , the more real candid moments are my favourite , reason of which I was called upon to shoot this family session .

They love the candid ability Monette Photography has and I wanted this shot just as bad .
I was able to capture every shot except this 1 …… a little help from the series and a few hours in Photoshop , which is something I dislike to do , but if need to get it perfect , then this is what I have to do …….

Masterpiece !



I have to say , this family truly touched my heart . The feeling you get when you visit this family and there home is truly welcoming and inviting .

I would want nothing more than to see them grow and achieve all the things they wish to achieve , dreams they have to come true , goals to be reached and grow the way they are , changing absolutely nothing .



Live your life to the fullest and enjoy the moments that take your breathe away leaving behind your photographs of life in which these moments were taken to remain still forever !




{ To hear video properly , Scoll 2 bootom of page to Pause Music Player }

Picture Perfect

Today was a rather exciting day for Monette Photography .

Monette Photography’s photo was publish in the Local Newspaper .


I sent the photo in , thinking to myself , “ why in the heck are you doing this , you’ ll never get published , your wasting your time ” .






What good self confidence I have huh …….






On my way home from work today , I decided to stop in and see if my sister was home , no luck , then knocked on the door right beside hers to see if my mothers friend was home , luck !

She was so happy to see me , invited me in , then confused me just a little . She stated she had a photo of mine .

Here I was thinking , when in the world did I take a photo of her and actually give her a copy …. Never . Then I was really lost , she continued to say , “I have it , I have it ”….. And there it was ….. Right in the middle of her fridge , standing out like a sore thumb !



I cried !



The photo I sent in to the Local Paper in hopes to get
published ……


For most that don’t know me , I recently went for a major surgery , A Complete Hysterectomy , to be exact . I was put on a pill that has really send my hormones into wacko mode .



So picture this ~ I’m sobbing like a little baby , standing in the middle of her kitchen , tears dripping onto her floor , trying to listen to the words she was saying to me , telling me how the photo caught her eye . Meanwhile I was so proud , excited , and emotional , that I had to get her to tell me what she said all over again , but this time , no sobbing .

She said she looked at it for more than an few moments , then read the capture phrase under the photograph and realized it was in fact a photograph taken by me , someone she knew rather well .
　
I think I should have more self confidence and realize that to myself it may not be prefect , yet to the public , it is Picture Perfect !



I thank the Local Northern Life Newspaper for publishing this great shot of our Local Sailboats @ the Ramsey Lake Boardwalk



It means more than words can say , Thanks !



Caption says the following :

Picture Perfect

Roxanne Monette , owner of a new business Monette Photography , recently had to close up her fledgling business for a few months to recover from a major surgery . " During my recovery I was told to do lots of walking , " she wrote in an e-mail to Northern Life . " Walking down my street and back wasn't enough , so I decided to take my walking ventures further and get out to the Ramsey Lake Boardwalk in hopes I would be able to capture something truly amazing and to satisfy my photography urges . As the evening sun was setting ... I was able to capture this lovely shot of the sailboats . "

Happy Birthday !

Today we celebrated my Uncle’s birthday . Born July 8th , and I’m not about to tell you how old he is either ...

This man experienced youth , marriage , parenthood , and now experiences being a grandparent .

With 2 grand children under his belt , he lives life to the fullest , not even his gathering will stop the man from doing something .

While the rest of us were enjoying the day , he was following a path very close to his father , hard at work .

My Uncle is a person of strength , wisdom , and simply a great person to have in ones life !

Right away it was down to business ... Out with the gear and onto the shooting .

I was amazed on how much my little niece had grown in a years time . My cousin stating she never really smiles all that much , yet here I had a full session with tons of smiles , yet still acquiring the serious looks here and there .

I managed to capture the day in a way that I’m sure everyone will remember for many years to come .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !

Lifestyle Portraits ~ May 20th ~ 2008

To You

I wanted to have special pages for each friend who I hold dear to my heart . This friend is just as important as the rest . A person who …. well to be honest , I knew before she was even born .

This person should know who they are right from the first sentence , and if not , your silly …..lol !

This person has been trough so much , as same with I . Something we can relate to . Talk about and learn from one another . Over coming conditions and most important remaining friends .

I used to lay on her mothers belly when my colic was at its worst . As we grew in age , there were many moments where our lives brought us to situations that were pleasant and not so pleasant in our friendship .

We have had differences in the past , but yet never sit there and not make emends with one another . It might take a few weeks or even months , but some how we find our way back to being friends . Truth be told there are good reasons why we have this kind of relationship .

We both are bull headed !

No , ifs and or buts about that one . We both want it our way .

We never see the other side until it is too late , this we come to realize . Given all that , we find the way to emend our differences and move on .

I told her about my business . She was excited to hear so . Saying that if she had the cash she would be interested in a shoot . I new that the cash part would be a huge issue for her . As it was also the same for me at the time .

So I offered a deal ….. Spend the day with me and I shoot her for free . This way we kill 2 birds with that one stone . She gets what she wants , and I get what I want . Again both wanting it our own way . This time succeeding in a comprising manner .

We began … boy was she stiff . She even stated to me that she felt really nervous . So naturally what did I do . I just brought up the past , the moments that were unforgettable !

The situation that made her relax more was a situation that yet again , I was the star of the show .

Years back I had a mouth full of metal , that is what I like to call it .



Others might call it having braces .



None the less I went over to spend the night .

We were in the living room , my aunt in the kitchen , we were talking about something , which to this day I cant remember to be honest . Sure enough I got laughing . Okay folks , for those of you that don’t know me , when I start laughing I cant stop , I have tons of tears rolling down my face , trouble breathing , sore belly , and pain in my neck which I cant explain to this day , but you get the just of my laughing fits .

There I was , uncontrollably laughing my head off and some how I wound up stick to the carpet !

Unfortunately for me , my head hit the carpet because I rolled into the fetal position laughing so much that my braces got hooked to the carpet ……. She laughed more .

Then I kept repeating …. " No really can you help me , I’m stuck to the carpet , I’m stuck ! " She continued to laugh …… here I am lifting the carpet with my teeth hooked so tight , while she sat there and laughed , didn’t bother to get me free .

Just laugh at me .

Then my aunt came into the living room wondering what was so darn funny , then she started .

I think I was stuck to the carpet for nearly 15 min .

Finally free at last .

I had to just laugh more thou …. Because naturally I had to think of it from her view . What she was looking at ….. and then I busted a gut again .

Basically we have moments like this all the time . I have no clue why they happen only to her and I , but when they do there something you truly don’t forget .

As we continued to shoot I continued to tell story after story while she became more and more relaxed .

I called her a week later ….. Told her the package was finished and that we needed to make a time that would fit us both to drop the package off to her . She wanted them right away but I had to wait till my husband came home with the car .

She stated to me that she could see what I was talking bout while viewing the photos for the first time , her being stiff a little in the shots . On the other hand thou she loved every one of them .

I have captured her and her son many times …… never once do I now have to mention she looks stiff … all I do is bring up something really funny that will make her remember the entire situation . This way she forgets what it was I was trying to get from her for the shot !

I am sure she will tell you that I am a person who loves to tell story after story . Making sure jesters were re-enacted , just to make it that much more entertaining !

I’m glad to know that this person is a person with dreams just like the rest of us , in many hopes that her dreams do come true because she really deserves the life she wants !

May your dreams come true , your heart be full and love life just the way you have it now !

Much love to you !

New Life

Here I am in my New Life .... excited beyond all reason to know that this time around things are brighter than ever .

I decided that since I had felt good enough to get out this weekend , that I would bring along my camera for that " just in case " I need it shot happens .....

My husband and I drove all over the place , he took me places I had never been before .... he took me places he had been with his friend on fishing trips many times in the past . Yet here I was in a new and exciting place , new smells , new feelings , new everything , not to mention spring in the air .

I thought to myself , am I ready to shoot a few shots , am I capable in my condition , being a fighter that I am , and pushing pain aside , I managed to get a few shots in .
I even got down on my hands and knees to get shots , which was a little bit of a challenge for myself , given the kind of surgery I just had done .

Of course that didn’t stop me what so ever .... I waddled my way around , going at snail pace , but this time around absorbed things in ways I usually wouldn’t have done . You don’t realize what you miss when you are going a mile a minute , until life makes you move at a much slower pace .

I was shooting and enjoying my long weekend doing the things I love and spending it with the person I love . I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend in all of my life .
The day came to an end , as much as I didn’t want it to , it had to come . I was so excited to upload and see what trash I was able to get . I didn’t think I would get much given I was not 100 % steady on my feet yet .

I loved how things during the weekend were so random and how I managed to come out with great shots , in my mind that is .

Which is all that counts !

I know that over time , I will heal , time will progress , and I will be on my way to my clients before I know it . The healing process should be exciting , liberating , and full of joy to know that what you once had a hard time to do , wont be so hard within a few months time .

You must live life as thou it is your last day , the only thing that keeps you going from day to day , is not your cloths , your make-up , the people in your life , or the animals we love so very much , it is that air in which you breathe that keeps you going , without that , your not living at all !

Recovery

Hello to everyone !

Today is day 18 in the recovery process . I am itchin to capture anything I possibly can , yet im unable to at this point . It is amazing how much you love something till you are unable to do it . I miss my clients , I miss my days just shooting anything in sight , yet I sit here and I know for fact that once this 3 month term comes to its end that I will be able to shoot whatever it is that passes me by , or what captures my eye !

I love the fact that my NEW LIFE is beginning , and to know that the choice that I chose was in fact the best one ever !

I have been receiving tons of help from family and friends , and to know that those that have been helping me are making the recovery process that much easier on me .

I wonder and I dream , about all the things I will be able to do again , that for the longest time I was unable to do . I was speaking with my husband a few days ago , he mentioned to me that perhaps we would finally be able to get out and use the tennis rackets we purchased over 2 years ago , the though excited me so much that I now find myself itching to get out more and more .

It is amazing how when you are in a position where you were sick , sick , sick , yet forced yourself to move and capture peoples life , to going to barley moving at all , that you sense the urge to just want to jump knowing that you cant just yet , but in time , the things that you once couldn’t do , or did with the dreadful illness creeping up on you , that one day that would finally change forever !

I went for the surgery knowing that it was for the best .

I had many fears , never expressing them mind you , wondering what it would feel like after surgery , how would I react to what was around me , would I have questions , or regret , would I finally feel free at last ?

I tell you this , if I didn’t go through with the surgery , I don’t think I could sit here today and state the obvious of all .....

How great I feel !

Sitting here and having no pain , getting out and just walking to the end of the driveway and back , or to the next driveway and back , come in , sit down and no illness creeping up on me ....... what a feeling this is !

I thought that things would be more challenging , things would be harder and that I would cry more , or have more emotions that I do have . I thought that for sure some thoughts would never fade , yet all I can think about is what I will be able to do once im fully recovered .... The thoughts are so overwhelming , I truly don’t know what I would like to do first ..... I know for fact that I would love , love , to find myself out on Manitoulian Island , out at the Stanley Park area , the place I had my honeymoon 7 years ago .... and be there this time sick FREE !

I know that what ever it is that I do in my life from this point on will be eye opening , life changing , and most important precious to my heart , knowing that what I once forced myself to try and enjoy , and not really feeling the full effects of it all , I will be able to feel yet again .

I have moments where I just tear up knowing that the things in life people tend to overlook , or take for granted , I will not . I will accept anything that is on my path with the new life I finally get to begin . a marriage put on hold , now the feeling that I have just taken my vows , and said " I Do ".

Children might never be a part of my life with my husband , yet I know that there is good reason for the life I have now !

Family Outing ~ October 19th 2008

I had this super great idea for my father-in-law who I call “ Pop‘s ”. I was thinking a head this year unlike the many other years come Christmas time .
I had invited him along to the location I really wanted shoot the family at . He couldn’t make it . Perfect ! I was then able to give him the gift I intended to give . We took a long drive out to Killarney .

I wanted to be by the light house out there . The kids hadn’t been there and I couldn’t wait to arrive . It was a cooler day in town and I neglected the weather . Once we arrived , I should have been a little more prepared . Given we were shooting at the waters edge , I was freezing cold . Hands shaking , toes froze to the point of no sensation , winds creating my eyes to water heavily . With all that I was still able to capture exactly what I wanted to .

The kids were eager to get to the waters edge , as I still had to gear up at this point in time . I love taking shots when people really don’t know they are being captured . To me it shows true personality of who the person is and the way they carry themselves .


It was perfect !

I ran over as fast as I could . Set up and started clicking away . Winds were powerful enough to have huge waves roll in to the shore line . I really didn’t except this out come to be so perfect in so many ways . When I went to this location many years back …… it was on a calm day , I remembered stating back then that , if I had the right camera and the right day with the wind , I would be able to capture something truly unique . Something that would allow me to return to that photograph and feel like I was still there .

As the waves continued to roll in faster and faster , I had asked my nephew to sit so I could capture them in the background . Well…… did he not get wet ! Only a little bit on his jacket , but the face he gave knowing he was getting wet was priceless .

I wanted to get some different styled shots in . As they were talking about all different kinds of things , I was just snapping away .

We decided it was time to move along . I noticed this cliff that had water pounding along the shore line . I wanted a shot with that next . My nephew was super scared to even think of going below me alone . I then asked my husband to go with him . I couldn’t have asked for a better shot !

I loved that shot so much I had to get my sister-in-law and her daughter together next .

As the day went along and the different areas we chose to shot in became never ending . We decided that it would be best to head back along the path we were on . I couldn’t stop clicking ! The more we walked the more I clicked .

During our venture , my sister-in-law was her usual self . Being a little on the nutty side . In which I then had to make sure I captured .

The afternoon was almost over . I wanted to make sure that I had all the shots I wanted before leaving . Once we were on the road we were passing along a horse ranch that the kids wanted to stop and have a look at .

Out came the camera again !

This day was a long day , only because we spent most of our time in a vehicle . The kids were so tired that they slept some of the way home . I was super excited to arrive home , load the photos , edit and choose the perfect gifts for Christmas time .
As I went threw the shots , I couldn’t express how happy I was with the outcome . We haven’t had a family outing like that in a long time . It is usually a home visit if anything rather than an outing . Something I think we need to do a little more often !