My favourite photo of my Mom and me, taken by my Dad, circa 1979.
Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there.
Boston, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel: Dress for Success
I had the honour of capturing the Dress for Success luncheon on Friday January 27 held at the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.
Dress for Success is an incredible organization which provides professional attire, career guidance and network support to women looking to find work. This year marked the 11th year of empowerment of 6,800 women.
The event was emceed by WCVB-TV's Shayna Seymour, with speeches by event co-chairs Rosalin Acosta and Lois Cornell, Chair of the Board of Directors, Jacqui Budd and Executive Director Kim Todd. The auction part of the luncheon was conducted by John Terrio of AuctionKnights. Awards honoured Boston's First Lady Angela Menino, Rick Condon and Jacqui Budd and were presented by Co-Founders Enith Levine and Nancy Schneider.
Over 400 guests were in attendance, including many of Boston's familiar faces such as NECN anchor Bridget Blythe, Wanye Budd of Goodwin Procter, Dan Kramer and Annette Goubeaux of Neiman Marcus, Kristen Daly, Tara Goodwin Frier and Margrette Cardone Mondillo from Goodwin PR, amongst other sponsors and supporters of Dress for Success.
Thank you to Kim Todd and Emmy Whitney for the opportunity to cover this fantastic event!
Throwback Monday: New Hampshire, '06
Today's Throwback Monday goes back to Spring 2006 and one of our visits to New Hampshire. My niece was captured on the swing.
Throwback Monday: New York City, May 2004
I'm so excited about our upcoming NYC trip in February and looking forward to catching up with some NYC bloggers while I'm there - if you'd like to meet up, send me an email!
One of the last times I was in NYC was in May 2004 with my friend Alicia, whom you've already met on this blog before, here and here and most recently with the newest addtion to their family, here.
This NYC trip took place when we were still in university and goofing around (hence the image of me pretending to take a flip and the one of us freaking out on the plane).
All of these were taken with film. Alicia is a talented web and graphic designer, so credit goes to her for all the images of me.
Here's the first installment of what I'm calling Throwback Mondays.
Boston: The Ether Dome
One of the most fascinating historic landmarks that we've visited since moving to Boston is the Ether Dome in the Bulfinch Building at Massachusetts General Hospital.
One Year Ago...2011
Happy New Year Peeps!
2011 was a crazy year for us:
We moved from Toronto to Boston.
I said goodbye to my animation job (The Backyardigans, Justin Time) in Toronto to focus on professional photography full-time.
I shot two of my favourite families before we left: The Brights and The Hamiltons
I launched HOGGER & Co., consolidating three (Foodhogger, Fashionhogger, Photohogger) websites into one.
I shot at Boston Fashion Week within weeks of moving to Boston.
I reviewed some amazing restaurants like Nil Bleu in Montreal, Roy's in Hawaii and reviewed some interesting products like Olivado's Avacado Oil.
I shared some fun recipes, like Cardomom Cake, Spicy Tilapia and How to make Cake Pops.
We travelled to Hawaii, Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, Amsterdam and Greece.
I tweeted the Royal Wedding LIVE. With my Mom. Whilst we wore hats.
My photographs were selected for an exhibit at the Boston Convention Center and are ongoing until April 2012!
I met designers Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka, Roopal Patel and Bibhu Mohapatra while covering them for Neiman Marcus.
I got to know some cool Boston Bloggers at several fun events (Holiday Party, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Lit Boutique, Zoora)
We went home for Xmas.
Thank you for all the support through 2011; it was so nice to meet a few of you in person last year and I look forward to getting to know each of you better in 2012!
Let's do this!!!
Merry Christmas, 2011!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the holiday season! We were so happy to be able to go home to Toronto for the holidays. After moving to Boston in the summer, this was our first trip back, so it was really nice to catch up with family and friends and do not much of anything else. Except eat, of course. The following sums up our holiday fairly well. 
Mindy Kaling Book Signing
If you've checked out my "Links" page, you'll notice that I list them under "Blogs I've Read that I Like"; an ode to Mindy Kaling's "Things I've Bought That I Love", which has since been resurrected into "The Concerns of Mindy Kaling". Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you're aware that Mindy, not only an accomplished writer, producer, director and the actress we best know as Kelly Kapoor in The Office, has also recently published a book, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns)."
The book is hilarious, heartfelt and had me bursting out into laughter throughout.
When Mindy tweeted to the world that she'd be at Harvard Book Store for a reading and signing of her book on Dec 5, she caused the site to crash leaving many of us unable to purchase tickets to the event.
Taking place at the Brattle Theatre, some of us who were not lucky enough to get tickets, waited in the rush line and as we waited, Mindy strolled by with a smile. Most of us were rendered speechless by her presence and soon the moment was gone. Then we found out we couldn't get in as the theatre was at capacity with those who had tickets. Disappointed, most of the people in our line decided to leave.
Except for the three of us.
I met Sailaja and Torey. Sailaja had been waiting since 3:20pm and was fuh-reezing. The three of us decided to wait it out in the hopes that they'd let us in for the book signing part, at least.
An hour or so later, they did.
We got to meet her, tell her about our wait in line, tell her about our blogs and got this photo.
I also love that Mindy's holding my card in the photo I took of her, which gives me hope that she may see this post, someday.
Be sure to hop on over to Brown Girl Magazine for a recap from Sailaja's POV.
Here are the photos from the event.
Amsterdam: Alan & Ginnie
Alan and Ginnie are our good friends from Toronto and we were so happy to see them again in Amsterdam in September.
I've introduced you to Alan before, in Stirling, Scotland, where we were hosted by Alan's parents at a glorious garden party.
In Amsterdam we, once again, enjoyed a few pints and saw some sights. Ginnie and I also visited some museums together and had many cups of tea.
Meg's Dance
My niece performed in the IANH dance last weekend. She did a fantastic job as did the other students in her dance troupe. So proud of you Meg! xo
Halloween: FRIDA KAHLO
A few years ago I was Frida Kahlo for Hallowe'en. It was the easiest home-made costume for me to pull off, I loved doing it. So much so, I did it again the following year for a work Hallowe'en party. Here's what you need:
- Dark hair or wig with hair that is already pulled up and away from the face.
- Flowers - I like red Carnations
- Hairpins - bobby pins
- Dangly earrings
- Spanish looking attire - ie. a full length skirt in a bright colour or ruffled, tiered skirt
- frilly top or bright spanish-looking dress/shirt
- a shawl
- red lipstick + blush
- mascara
Simply part your hair down the middle, into two sections, and french-braid your hair starting from the bottom of your scalp (from you neck) up to the top of your head so that you can pile your hair up at the top of your head. Tie the braids and pin the end of the braids at the top of your head. Hide the pins by pinning flowers (carnations) at the top of your head. Apply the mascara in a thin layer between your brows making it look like a uni-brow. You can also fill the rest of your brows with the mascara to add to the thickness. Put on some blush, lipstick, wear your earrings and outfit, wrap yourself in the shawl and you're done!
What are you doing for Hallowe'en? Are you dressing up? If so, what as?
The Hamilton's III
I absolutely LOVE shooting the Hamilton's! Their enthusiasm and boundless energy for shoots (and for life, in general!) always amazes me, and this third time around (see I and II, here) was no different. In downtown Oakville, with a nautical backdrop (including props which I didn't even have to ask for - see what I mean when I say these guys are pros?), we were ready. An added bonus was happening upon a very cool old Dodge, which made for a fun "Cars" inspired theme. This was Baby Benny's first shoot, having featured him last as a baby bump, this time, he was a natural in front of the camera. Em, of course, is one of my favourites, I adore capturing the lil' guy, who's growing up mighty quick! Then there's K&S who are always up for anything. Be it waiting for threatening waves to break across the pier, then running away with their kids. Or....having to pretend fish for the camera then actually having to fish out one of the said props. K&S, you guys are priceless, I love you; thank you so much for your continuous support. Words can't express how much it means to me to capture your growing family. xo
Happy 1st Birthday Benny!
A year ago Bennett was born.
He was first photographed here, as a baby bump.
We've been honoured to have had annual photoshoots with The Hamiltons and a few weeks ago we did our THIRD shoot with them!
Teasers to come soon! For now...
Happy 1st Birthday Benny! xoxo
The Bright's
It was such an honour to capture the Bright family, who are dear friends of ours. The J-man and Natalie made the perfect subjects for our "bright" and early morning shoot at Springridge Farm. What complete sports they all were, traipsing around in the sandbox and on bales of hay with various props in the hot sun. Thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to capture these moments for you. xo
Happy Birthday To Us
A and I celebrated our birthdays together again, this year. Last year we did the spa and dinner. This year we did it with strawberry picking at Springridge Farm (fantastic place btw!) followed by a picnic in the park. There was lots of sunshine, not so many strawberries, lots of laughs and a few tears. Thanks to N, who was the only boy at the party, for capturing all the fun moments of the girls!
