Retrospect Photography. Stephanie Strauss Hall.

Siobhan & Shawn | family photography | look serene

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:30:22 +0000

I held an autumn giveaway this past fall to celebrate the relaunch of Retrospect Photography where I asked the question , “What is your Look?” Siobhan was the lucky winner and her look was serene.

We had beautiful sunlight and a clear, calm day at Hayward Lake the morning of the photo shoot. (Note to self: I need to schedule more morning shoots with the gorgeous light!)

Yes. They are a good looking couple.

This little cutie pie was all smiles.

Siobhan, you have a lovely family and I am thankful to have met you! It was a pleasure to capture your family photos.

Cheers,

Steph

Happy New Year 2012! | look ahead

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:00:26 +0000

May 2012 bring you much joy!

Cheers,

Steph

Behind The Scenes 2011 | look here

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:56:16 +0000

Last year I gave a glimpse Behind the Scenes of a variety of photo sessions. I want to give the viewer a chance to see not only what the finished product looks like, but what the product as it’s being created can be like.

After my personal Favourites of 2011, it’s fun to reminisce and see what else happened along the way.

Enjoy seeing a behind the scenes look as we close out 2011!

Cheers,

Steph

My trusty partner/assistant. Carrying gear and waiting for me to test the light. He usually smiles.

More light testing. He is really friendly, really.

This is us. We try to stay balanced. I’m on the far right; I get a bit off kilter sometimes.

Surreal styled shoots sometimes have unforeseen children in red running through them.

Sometimes things are just fun and silly.

Occasionally the kids make a plan of their own and decide NOT to follow suit as per the plan of all jumping on the count of 3!

This was a moment that I just happened to catch as we were preparing to set up for family photos. The ceremony had literally just ended and I caught the bride looking at her new ring while the groom is in the foreground.

Sometimes putting on a jacket is handsome in an old-fashioned movie star kind of way.

The bride is always allowed to ham it up model style while waiting for family photos to begin.

“I’m looking, but I’m pretty sure that I don’t see your eye through the camera, lady.”

The wedding party waits patiently.

Lady in blue… you are perfect.

This is what a dramatic bunch looks like.

The dramatic get out of hand.

Sometimes things happen and everyone starts giggling and laughing!

Carefree and fun.

Working collaboratively with other fantastic wedding vendors is a treat. (Peripheral biker rides by).

No words needed for the far right corner.

A perfectly timed dip and kiss and speedo man is out of the photo.

I love capturing the details and interacting with people.

Thanks for checking in behind the scenes!

Rachelle & Patrick | family photography | look stylish

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:30:50 +0000

I imagined that this family was going to be stylish when they showed up for their family photo shoot. They delivered.

The daughter has shared the same preschool and elementary school as my daughter and she is always dressed in cute and fashionable attire, along with an adorable smile.

Rachelle, with the colours, textures, patterns and overall look you put together, I think you should consider a side gig as a stylist!

This guy had TONS of energy. It was fantastic! Literally running up the walls.

Miss Adorable.There may have been some Mary Poppin tunes being sung out from the littlest here!

Thanks R& P, and J and L for the lovely, fun filled, trendy and creative afternoon!

Cheers,

Steph

Merry Christmas! | look grateful

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:33:10 +0000

From my family, to yours…

Blessings,

Steph

The Top 11+ of 2011 | look back

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:30:20 +0000

Last year I showcased the Top 10+ of 2010. I thought it would be fun to do a version of that again. This year it’s the Top 11+ (yes, I couldn’t narrow it down to strictly eleven) of some of my favourite images from 2011:

Thank you for a great 2011!

Merry Christmas!

Steph

B. Kids | children photography | look festive

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:19:06 +0000

These cousins braved the cold, foggy morning weather to get photos done.

They were such good sports and in my opinion earned the have-as-much-hot-chocolate-as-you-want award!

Take note of their outfits -coordinating and matching, but still texture and pattern and still very much the personality of each kid. Good job moms!

Merry Christmas!

Steph

Alouette Christmas Tree Farm | CHRISTMAS TREE GIVEAWAY!

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:08:30 +0000

Alouette Christmas Tree Farm is a gem tucked away in Maple Ridge, BC.

The property keeps going, and going…

There are gorgeous, fresh trees both already cut/ready-to-go or take some time to find your perfect tree in the “forest” and saw it down!

Santa makes an appearance often (and he’s quite knowledgeable in Christmas tree choosing, obviously).

Fresh wreaths are available for purchase to take home. These add fantastic colour and smell to your home.

Here comes the train!

Alouette Tree Farm is selling Polar Express tickets for a special night train ride. Especially for children, the evening will be filled with hot chocolate, cookies and crafts. Make sure to reserve, as I’m sure space will be limited for this magical, pajama-clad, cozy evening!

Check out the cute bunnies at Snowflake stable.

Santa’s Workshop has a kids table with colouring and crafts and Candy Cane Lane with treats for kids of all ages with a sweet tooth.

the Berry Boys have an array of local berries that are grown, sweetened, and dried in BC. These are sensible, convenient snacks. I’m thinking yogurt covered cranberries as a stocking stuffer? the Berry Boys product can be picked up at Alouette Tree Farm in Santa’s Workshop. (There is also some included in the giveaway treat basket- see details at the bottom of the blog post to enter!)

Getting ready to load up the tree for home.

CHRISTMAS TREE GIVEAWAY !!

BC Lower Mainlanders! Still need a fresh, fabulous Christmas tree? The good folks at Alouette Tree Farm are giving away ONE CHRISTMAS TREE (along with a basket of locally made edible treats!)

Here’s how to enter:

1) “Like” Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall on Facebook
2) Leave a comment telling or upload a photo on the wall showing how you decorate your Christmas tree! Tell me if you decorate traditional, red & green, all white and sparkly, modern, pink and teal, etc… What’s your Christmas look?
3) “Like” Alouette Tree Farm on Facebook!

Contest closes on Thurs, Dec 8th, 2011 at 11:59pm. Winner will be notified by email Fri, Dec 9th, 2011.
Prizes awarded as given. No cash value. Random draw.
Tree must be picked up by the winner at Alouette Tree Farm, Maple Ridge, BC.

Good Luck!

Steph

Contest is now closed. Thanks everyone for your entries!

WINNER of the Alouette Tree Farm Giveaway is: Wendy Janzen Klassen! Wendy, please email at retrospect {at} shaw {dot} ca to arrange prize details.

Thank you all for your entries! I loved hearing the various ways that you decorate for the holidays!

Steph

Breen Family | family photography | look friendly

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:31:09 +0000

It was a crisp, sunny morning when I met this family at the park. The weather was literally on the brink of changing from autumn to winter as the colourful leaves floated down into the crunchy, white snow.

The Breen family is a bunch of friendly faces!

This little guy was doing what toddlers do- moving quickly! Isn’t this girl adorable?!

I love the joyful expressions!

More exploring and leaf collecting.

The amiable and pleasant couple, looking good.

Cute, cute kids.

Thanks Breen Family for braving the snowy morning with your welcoming faces!

Cheers,

Steph

Zalinko Family | family photography | look playful

Retrospect Photography | Stephanie Strauss Hall — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:00:09 +0000

While visiting the prairies recently, I got the chance to take family photos for a friend that I had gone to both elementary school and high school with. I think it had been close to 15 years since we’d seen each other! (I warn you, she is ageless; she still looks fabulous!)

Baby girl and Mama love.

Family fun!

Nothing like a father and son living room wrestling match.

This little baby girl might be the happiest baby on the block. She is always smiling.

Mr. Super Handsome. (Doesn’t he look 4 years going on 16 with his grown-up-casually- cool posture here?!)

Big brother helping little sister take some steps.

With the kids reasonably occupied, we were able to get a few couple shots in as well.

From the sound if it, this family has had to deal with a lot this year. They seem to have such an admirable sense of togetherness and strength to get through the tough times.

Onto fun and playful times with the family’s coordinating animal toques!

I love that Mom & Dad were full participants with puppet mitts and silly hats.

Looking gorgeous, even in a zebra hat.

Thanks for the fun times!

Cheers,

Steph

PS- I plan to be back in Saskatchewan for part of summer 2012, send me an email if you might be interested in a photo session or stay tuned to the blog! retrospect{AT}shaw{DOT}ca