I'm so excited to finally let you in on a little secret! 

In an ongoing effort to keep my business as "local" as possible, I'm constantly on the lookout for supplies and products that not only lessen the impact on our environment, but also keep as much business in our community as possible.  As a business owner, it can be quite challenging to balance the desire to offer great products to my clients, while attempting to shop locally, a concept growing near-er and dear-er to my heart everyday.   This year, I'm committing to only offer products that have been sourced and/or crafted locally here in the Halifax area.

Here's the first new product of 2015; hello, Beautiful!  

Archival-quality canvas printed in Halifax, and made from reclaimed wood salvaged right here in St. Margaret's Bay.  All assembled right here in the LDP studio.

These pieces are now available in various sizes, and are sold separately, as an add-on to your photo session.  Insider tip: one is included in the Premium Family Photo Package!

Aren't they great?  They look amazing on the wall.  I LOVE reclaimed wood, and not just because I think it looks awesome, but because it tells a story.  It has a history.  These particular pieces came out of a century home here in St. Margaret's Bay.  I love seeing every knot and every nail hole.  Each piece in one-of-a-kind and unique, bumps and all (just like us).

Thoughts?  Questions?  Your feedback is important to me, so let me have it! My goal is to serve you to the best of my ability, with products and services that you will love forever.  My inbox and comment section is always open :)

Have a great weekend!

Lyndsay

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Lyndsay is a family, children and small business photography based in the Halifax area of beautiful Nova Scotia.  You can contact her at info@lyndsaydoyle.ca with questions, comments and love letters.

Doesn't it always feel kind of nice when January is over?  Although there's all kinds of awesome-ness in this month (*cough* my birthday *cough*), I find it always feels as though we've jumped the cold, dark, winter hurdle and spring is on the horizon.  According to my 7-year old, with Groundhog Day coming up, we'll know for SURE if spring is coming (it's just science), but I don't know, I just kind of feel it, don't you? And it totally makes me happy.

Happy because there's so much to look forward to.  As I alluded to in my previous post, this year will be different for me.  I'm taking more time to think before I act, refine some skills (personal and professional), and to look after myself.  As I figure out what that means for me professionally, I've been trying to come up with ways to use this blog to push my creativity, and to purge some of the ideas that build up inside my brain.  I've got big plans for this year :)

The thing is with me, is that I've never wanted to be like anyone else.  When everyone goes right, I automatically want to go left.  From the outside in, that's a great thing.  But from the inside out, those who are of a similar personality know how difficult it can be, when we're often told to "follow the rules".  I don't really like rules, so I'm going to mix things up a bit around here.  I don't want to have a traditional photographer's blog - I want to be different.

So, you'll start to see a few fun changes to the blog, and to my work as the weeks go on. I'm still going to post lots of photos, because that just makes sense.  I'm going to start incorporating some more writing, which, believe it or not, was my first love, long before photography.  How they come together and how things evolve will be a bit of a mystery, but I'm looking forward to seeing where things go.  Letting my ideas fly freely is part of me taking control over my life and my health.

I want to prove that it's ok to be different, to stand out from the crowd.  Tina Fey says our "personality dust" doesn't start to settle until our thirties, and I completely agree with this.  As I turn 35 and start to figure out who I am and where I'm going, I'd like to invite you to follow along with me as I start pushing my photographic limits, try new things, succeed, fail, and learn.  I'll blog about it all.  I promise I won't sugar coat anything, and I'll try very hard to dish it up with a dose of humour and a lot of kindness (my personal buzz word for 2015)

Are you ready?  I am. 

Let's start with an update on what's been going on around here.

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JANUARY

January is always what I call "hibernation month" where I try to spend as much time as possible under a blanket, avoiding any real work.  December drains me, and January recharges me.  I purposely put the camera away for awhile and let my brain rest a bit.  By the end of the month, I find myself starting to look for inspiration again.  I watch movies; new ones and old ones.  I read books with vibrant imagery that I try to translate into my own work.  I reconnect with old friends, and open my heart to new ones.  Other people inspire me immensely.  I love listening to their stories and hearing about their triumphs.  I find out where they've traveled and what funny things their children have said to them.  All this inspires me. 

Obviously, this gives me lots of time at home, which I love.  It gives me more time with my family, and my own kiddos become the subject of many of my photographic experiments.  They're pretty cute, so I'm fine with that!    

And a little self-portait at the end there :)

Until next time.  xoxo

Lyndsay

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Lyndsay is a photographer based in Halifax, NS area.  She specializes in photographing families, children and small businesses.

Whoa - where did 2014 go?!  CAUTION: LONG POST AHEAD!

The last few months of 2014 were a whirlwind; although that may be a bit of an understatement.  I've had to do something recently that I didn't want to do, and have never actually done before.  It was very difficult, but I had to sit down and do the unthinkable - make some New Year's Resolutions :)  I know, I know.  You're probably thinking "duh, I do that every year," but I never really have, because things have always been...well..nice and easy.  The crazy busy-ness that is my photography business is kinda booming, and I've now got the privelege to make some decisions as to what direction I'd like to head in (that's a good thing!)  I've made 5 New Year's Resolutions for myself.  But I'll get into that in a sec...

2014 was the fifth year for this business (very part time for the first three or so, and now moving into "full time" hours).  If you'd have asked me five years ago where I'd be in this whole photography thing, I wouldn't have had an answer.  Business is a little like a marriage in some ways.  It takes years to really know your partner.  You have to live with them for years to fully understand their inner workings, their habits (both good and bad) and if you're a perfect fit for each other.  I'm pleased to say that this business and I are a perfect fit for each other, and we're going to survive many, many more years together :)

You're going to notice some changes with Lyndsay Doyle Photography going into 2015.  I'm very excited to be able to announce these changes as I roll them out slowly over the next few weeks (Resolution #1 - Slow Down).  You'll notice some new services, namely in regards to offering photographic services to small businesses (Resolution #2 - Focus On My Passion For Helping Other Businesses).  You'll also notice the removal of certain services, like weddings (Resolution #3 - Focus on My Favorite Things, And Do Them Really Well).  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE weddings, and I'm continuing to shoot them - as a second shooter for another photographer (yay!)  However, in order to be the best at what I do, I've had to choose to focus on the things I love most: families, children and business. 

This leads into my next resolution (Resolution #4 - Provide Amazing Customer Service).  This means different things to different people, so I'll try to explain what it means to me.  It means booking less sessions each month so I can concentrate on providing my undivided attention to my clients.  It means being able to answer emails and phone calls in a timely manner.  It means returning your products to you quickly so you can share them with your family and friends while you're still super excited about them!  It means taking time to advance my education and my skills in order to continue to provide top-notch artwork to you.  In 2014, I spent more than 80 hours in the classroom (2 certificates, thank you very much!), and countless hours online, researching and learning in order to get better at my craft.  I will continue to learn in 2015, this is my committment to you.

And the last resolution?  Well, it's all about me (Resolution #5 - Look After Myself).  Again, open for interpretation, but here's the thing.  At the end of 2014, I wasn't feeling great.  A quick trip to my family doctor and a few tests revealed a few surprises about myself that I wasn't expecting.  Don't worry, nothing major.  But the point is that I was neglecting myself and my personal health.  With my 35th birthday right around the corner, I decided it was time to make some changes to my lifestyle (better sleep, better diet, less screen time, more family time...) before I lead myself down a path I don't want to go down.  And if I can figure a way to preach this to everyone I know, and make you all get yourselves healthy in body and in mind, trust me, I will :)  I may need your support along the way on this one!

So there you go.  That's my New Year's blog entry to get you all up to date on what's happening around here.  In summary:  I'm going to be even more awesome this year because I'm finally figuring out my direction in business and in life. I'm going to look after myself better so I can look after you better.  And the reason I do all this?  My kiddos.  Here they are:

Cute huh?  Thanks for listening - you guys rock!  Call me anytime, I'm available for long chats about life, business and family.  I'm available for photography too :)

Wishing you the best in 2015, in your personal lives and in your professional lives too.

Lyndsay

Um, wow.  Was that summer?  Maybe it's because we were blessed with the never-ending winter this year, but summer seemed so short this year, didn't it?  Of course, that doesn't mean I wasn't crazy busy photographing Halifax's most awesome families. 

But, you know what?  It's all good because I love fall.  And I love winter.  And spring too.  I love them all.  And just because the warm weather is fading, doesn't mean the photos end.  I'm all up for interesting family shoots in all kinds of weather, so don't let the cold keep you inside.  I'm here all year round.

Here are some of my recent favourites that remind me of the few hot summer days we had this year.  Beautiful sun, and bright, cheery, jacket-free images.  Ahhhh.....

Can you feel the warmth?  Gotta love it!

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Lyndsay Doyle is a photographer based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  She specialized in organic, free-range photography, and likes to coin new terms relating to her work.  Contact her at info@lyndsaydoyle.ca to schedule your gluten-free photo session (too much?) 

**UPDATE**  All time slots for the October mini sessions are full!  If you'd like to be added to the cancellation list, please let me know by emailing me at: info@lyndsaydoyle.ca

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Fall is right around the corner, and so are our mini sessions!  Registration is LIVE right now, and will close when all spots are full.  All sessions take place on October 18th, 2014 (3-6pm).

Here's the info:

Sign up here:

http://www.lyndsaydoyle.ca/fall-mini-sessions

A reminder that payment is due in full to secure your time slot, and sessions are booked on a first-come-first-served basis.  All sessions will take place at my home in the Tantallon area on the afternoon of October 18th.  Rain date, October 19th (but that won't happen :))

Looking forward to seeing some new faces this year, as well as some of my most favorite "regulars!"

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time: info@lyndsaydoyle.ca 

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Mini sessions not for you?  I'm still booking full family sessions for the remainder of 2014.  Contact me at info@lyndsaydoyle.ca for full details on family photo sessions.