best friends engagement - Saskatoon photography

This is my best friend and her fiance.  They got engaged Dec 23rd, 2010.  He called me and asked me to do some family photos of them with his 2 children.  He also said that during our photos he is going to propose.  Of course, I was thrilled for her (she didn't have a clue!), and even more thrilled that I was able to be there to witness my bff get engaged!  So there we were in the middle of our photo shoot and he drops onto one knee and popped the question.  She cried.  I cried. It was awesome!!! 

Fast forward to exactly one year from that date and we did these, their official engagement session.  We were supposed to do them in Calgary (where they live) when I was there a month or two prior, but the day we had scheduled to do them, downtown Calgary was closed due to hurricane winds.  I think the only time downtown Calgary has ever been closed and it happens to be when I have a shoot booked there.  LOL.  They were planning on coming back to Saskatoon for Christmas, so we rescheduled for then, exactly one year from the day they got engaged.  The weather was going to be so mild, it was perfect.  A couple of days prior to that, she sprained her ankle so bad she couldn't walk.  She didn't want to reschedule, so she was a trouper and hobbled around on her crutches.  She even wore heels!

I have to say I'm so happy for my best friend.  It's obvious these two were meant for each other.  They didn't stop laughing the entire time we spent together.  I wish I could shoot their wedding but I will have a more important job... to stand beside her as her maid of honour while she says her vows.  Needless to say I can't wait for her big day and to stand up for her and watch as she marries her other best friend, the love of her life:).     

Love these kids - Saskatoon family photographers

This is my brother and his family.  I love these kids so darn much....

Days like today... - Saskatoon photographers

On days like today, when it's -39 with the wind, I picture myself back on this balcony in Maui....

Little man - Saskatoon newborn photographers

I photographed this little man's mom and dad's wedding a couple of years ago.  I was thrilled when I got the email saying they were expecting their first baby.  I was even more thrilled when I got to meet him!  He did great for his first photo shoot.  Something about new babies gets me every time.  I think even more so now that I have my own.  It's such a special time and I'm so thankful when I get to capture it.   

Some time with Grandpa - Saskatoon photographers

Yesterday my dad came by to watch Rylie so I could get some work done.  Here is a shot of them together through a mirror.  She loves spending time with the people who love her most.

Inspiration - Memories by Mandy photography

I find that clients are never sure what they should print and put up in their home, so I thought I would share just one sample of what's in our home.  This is what I did in Rylie's room.  I took a 16x20 image from our maternity session and one from her newborn session and framed them in frames that I already had (I'm always buying frames, so yes, I just had these two lying around:)).  I framed them nice and close above her change table.  I love the way it looks!  We get so many compliments on them.  These aren't even all that large, but just large enough for that space.

This isn't the greatest photo, and the reflections in the glass are awful, but you get the idea:). 

Trash the Dress for Charity event - Children's Hospital foundation of Saskatchewan

Last October, myself and 6 other top photographers from Saskatoon and area, all members of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), organized our second annual trash the dress for charity event.  It was a huge success!  First and foremost I would like to thank all of our beautiful brides who participated.  Together we raised over $4400 for the Children's Hospital foundation of Saskatchewan!  Thank you to all the fabulous photographers who donated their time and talent to this cause; Gina's portraits, Danielle Stasiuk Photography, Stuart Kasdorf Photographics, Stobbe photo, Grant Romancia Photography, Vanessa Savage Photography, and of course myself, Memories by Mandy photography.

The pampering started a week before the big day at Just for you day spa.  On the big day, they arrived at Unique Look hair design to get their hair done by their fabulous stylists.  They also had their makeup done by Make-up In Motion, 13 Stars make up, Kendal Kayter and Crysta Coates.  Didn't they do a great job?  Wild Cuisine Catering provided a delicious lunch for our lovely ladies.  Once they were all dolled up Living Skies Limousine picked them up and chauffeured them around for the day.  We arrived at the first location, Ebon Stables, where they were each given a bouquet.  Michelle's flowers provided our flower bouquets and Sight for Style Designs provided the feather bouquets.  They were a huge hit!

We arrived at the second location, a grungy downtown area.  Sova Designs provided the stunning head piece that the brides were fortunate enough to wear in some of the shots.  Lastly, we made it to the last location, the riverbank.  All of the brides were up for going right in the water despite the cool temperatures.  They were all troupers!  I just went in up to my ankles and couldn't feel my feet, so I can only imagine how my bride felt when she was completely submerged in the water! 

Needless to say, it was an amazing day!  Another huge thank you to all of our lovely brides for participating.  Also, an enormous thank you to all of our fabulous vendors who donated 100% of their products/services so 100% of the proceeds could go to this lovely cause! 

Want to participate next year as a bride or vendor?  Please contact us for details!

Here they are, some of the images from our day!!!! 

Here is a behind the scene's look at the riverbank shots.