With the inauguration of Obama, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what was an incredible and diverse year in 2008. I don't remember following anything so closely as I did leading up to the primaries in the Democratic party last year. It had the drama of a playoff run for the oilers..but maybe, just maybe, bigger implications depending which candidate won.
Shankpony Images Inc. and me personally had a year filled with some amazing firsts. Of course the birth of my daughter Wynter was the best first a guy could ask for, she lights up each day for Colleen and I and never fails to make us laugh. Wynter was born a bit early, in fact so early that we nearly had her help us pack boxes to move into our home in Sherwood Park...didn't she know that we had a plan and she was supposed to come after the move? (ha ha)
I was fortunate to meet so many great couples and families in 2008. I shot amazing weddings and family portraits and also had the opportunity to share some time with the Stanley Cup in Minnesota during Independence Day weekend at Lake Minnetonka. Long time friends, the Hartigan's, invited me to enjoy the celebration of their brother, Mark Hartigan's Stanley cup win with Detroit last year. I would like to thank everyone again, Raeann and Collin for allowing me the pleasure of sharing those special and very fun days, and Mark and his lovely family! It was a 32 year old boy's dream come true.
Other highlights included helping with some shots and watching my good friend Craig Moritz launch his second CD, Down and Dirty. If you haven't heard him on the radio yet, look out he's on his way up. In fact, his first music video is due out soon and we're all excited to see it!
Another good friend Aaron Lines along with wife Dana and daughter, allowed me the opportunity to do family portraits to go along with CMT's close-up on couples. I hope I was able to deliver!
Wedding season was a blast, bouncing around western Canada never tires for me. After so many years on the road in remote places in far away countries that there is no place in Canada that doesn't feel like home to me. I was lucky enough to shoot in many locations with diverse families, from a country style wedding in Viking to my first Ismiali Muslin wedding...no two weddings alike.
After wedding season I decided to visit some of the best wedding photographers in the world. Along with some of other photographers from New York, Detroit, Seattle, Vancouver to name a few, we spent a week in Vancouver working with Jenn and Stephen Bebb. I learned so much about myself, my art and where I want to bring my work. I owe it to all the people I work with, and myself to be the best.
After that fantastic week in Vancouver my wife and six month old baby made our first trip overseas, this time to Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Both Colleen and I have spent time in Southeast Asia but we really loved backpacking (to an extent) with our little munchkin. The attention we drew was incredible. We were treated with such hospitality, something special that I had never experienced before, that I only would have by carrying a little baby bundle in the "snuggly".
The trip was interesting, and I finally saw Angkor Wat. Ever since I was last in Asia I have had a longing to go back and see that landmark, and I was not disappointed. It was a special trip in Asia as I had close family from Canada sharing it with us. My Aunt, Uncle and Cousins spent about half our trip with us, and we enjoyed the beaches and the culture together.
It was great finish to 2008 and 2009 feels like a new breath of air has filled my lungs. With a new look on the year ahead I couldn't be more excited to get to work.
I'm looking forward to my next wedding at the Banff Springs Hotel in 2 weeks.
Yours truly,
Carey
On an old train bridge on Vancouver Island in February
My beautiful wife and my little wonder (Wynter is in the belly at this point)
They can't all be good pictures...still it was fun to see him play in Canada
My good friend and country music star Craig Moritz - special thanks to Cook County Saloon
Mark and Colin Hartigan hoisting the Detroit Red Wings cup
It wasn't all work for me in Minnesota!
You should ask me how happy I was at this very moment
Truly one of the most impressive places I have ever been, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap
There was few greater feelings than crossing a land border with my baby. I hope she gets the travel bug like mom and pop. We didn't intend on having matching outfits however considering my backpack was half diapers, we were left with a three outfit rotation.
The gang going Paparazzi style at the Bebbinar in West Vancouver.
A shot I took of our lovely model/actress
I'm sorry I had to throw in one more shot of the cup....It's the Stanley Cup!
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:36PM 
