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Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

Raising funds for Molly Campbell

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

As you may have heard by now, a well-known Victoria family’s one month old daughter, Molly Campbell, was just diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. As wee Molly starts the battle to save her life, the community is gathering to help raise funds to help this family cope with living expenses. I am participating in a silent auction that has been organized at Koffi, a neighbourhood coffee shop at 1441 Haultain street (250-298-7878). If you have been thinking of booking a photo session with me, this is your chance to do so and help a family in need. Bids are welcome from Jan 5th to Jan 16th. A community event will be held on Jan 16th from 2-4pm (auction closes at 4pm). Thank you for doing all you can to help this family in need, and please continue to spread the word.

For all out-of-towners (USA, Vancouver, Montreal…), should you wish to bid on the photo session, please note that I will honour the certificate upon my next visit! Please let me know if you wish to bid or donate and I will put you in touch with the organizer.

Molly’s parents are documenting her progress at www.molly-campbell.com, where suporters from Victoria and around the world have logged on to show their support.

Tags: Children, fundraiser
Posted in Children, Events, Personal | 1 Comment »

New Year’s Eve

Friday, December 31st, 2010

It’s almost 2pm on New Year’s Eve, and I am taking a small moment to remember and be grateful for all that 2010 brought to my life. If one word were to define 2010 for me, it would be “transition”. I remember January 1st of last year as if it were yesterday. I remember my thoughts, my worries and my sorrow. Now, a year later, after going through a very fast year filled with change, love, hope, sadness, frustration, and growth, I find myself in a better space, with more awareness and determination. I also realize as I am quickly approaching my mid-thirties, I have a better understanding of myself and of my strengths and limitations. I know what I long for, what I desire, what I wish for, and I have a better understanding of how to manifest those ideals for myself, for my daughter, for my loved ones, and for the world. I invite personal growth and awareness and wish to live an authentic life.

I have spent the last 10 months with an incredible human being by my side. I am grateful every day for you and my wonderful Sofia. Thank you for being there for me, for understanding the challenges, and for helping me to breath when I needed a reminder. My Richard, my sweetheart, my rock, I love you. I look forward to the many adventures on our path together.

For 2011, I wish you all peace and harmony.

Véronique

Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »

Help-Portrait – year 2!

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

In September of 2009, Jeremy Cowart, a commercial photographer out of LA, had the brilliant idea of reuniting photographers, make-up artists and volunteers worldwide to create an annual philanthropic photographic day. A day where we can collaborate to GIVE BACK to our community, to people in need.

Out of an idea came Help-Portrait, and 3 months later, the first global Help-Portrait day happened. On December 12, 2009, 10,000 photographers and volunteers delivered over 42,000 images to people in need in 42 countries!

This year’s global event is scheduled for December 4th, 2010. The internet is alive with the buzz around Help-Portrait! It’s incredible to follow the live chatter of photographers planning events on Twitter and on Facebook.

The task at hand is simple:
- find people in need
- take their picture
- print their picture
- deliver their picture

Voila!

This year will be my second year participating in this fabulous event. I cannot begin to convey the immense pleasure I had creating and delivering images to the amazing people I met last year because of the event. I call out to my fellow photographers, to ralley together and create a special moment for someone else this year I guarantee that the personal satisfaction you will receive from that simple gesture will stay with you forever!

I invite you to check out the following links and videos, and get inspired, get moving and create!
Involve your network, get the word out and see the response! There is no limit to what these events can look like! Involve your local florists, hair dressers, make-up artists, massage therapists, bakery, coffee shop…… SO many people want to help!

HELP-PORTRAIT official site: help-portrait.com (tons of resources, downloadable graphics and information)

HELP-PORTRAIT 2010 promo video:

HELP SPREAD THE WORD FOR THE LOCAL EVENTS I AM PLANNING:

HERE IS THE CHEK INTERVIEW PIECE:

Tags: giving back, Help-Portrait, Portraits, volunteer
Posted in Assignment, Events, Personal, Portraits | 2 Comments »

New branding and website launch

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

My lovely Nicole….
I met Nicole and her beautiful family on a remote beach on Gabriola Island a few years back. Our friendship has flourished into a GREAT friendship, and I feel blessed to have her in my world. Besides being a generous and beautiful human being, she is an extremely talented Art Director and Graphic Designer, with a background in illustration. Those who know me have heard me rave about her many times Nicole has the ability to understand her client’s needs and to translate it into a look, a brand that not only represents them but their target audience. Her talent floors me. I have been lucky to work with her on several projects including the Girl’s Night Mixer and my new branding and website. I know I wasn’t the easiest client, but Nicole, with her patience and skill, persevered and created a look of which I am so proud! Thank you sweetie!

Website integration and development was done by thenumber creative. They came highly recommended, and I can see why! A team of experienced professionals, they were able to take an idea and bring it to life. Jason was my main contact for this project, plowing through what must have been hundreds of emails, tweaking my website and blog until it was just right… a true professional! I highly recommend thenumber creative for your website needs! Talk to Connor Sweeney and/or Jason Jankowski and tell them I sent you!

From their website: “thenumber creative is a creative agency based in Victoria, BC. We create unique solutions for the highly motivated, creative businesses, organizations, agencies and individuals. Our team of experts can help with graphic design, web design, video & printing.”

Tags: design, website
Posted in Events, Personal | No Comments »

Morgan’s Path

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

On September 9, 2010, I attended the opening of Path-Sci‘s new location in the old Nelson building on Quadra, across the street from Wild Fire. Path-Sci is a group of dedicated and knowledgeable fitness/rehab specialists who work with clients with spinal cord injuries, to help regain strength, movement and flexibility. The work they do is phenomenal and the people’s lives they touch along the way leaves you breathless. I came to know Path-Sci because of my good friend Leona Fowler, whose husband is one of the wonderful specialists working the facility. The new space will allow Path-Sci the room to welcome new faces and offer a wider range of surfaces and equipment to facilitate the training.

The opening was a phenomenal success! Spanning over several rooms within the building, artists had gathered showing off their pieces. In one of these rooms (just so happened t’was the booze room ), I met the beautiful Morgan Van Breda and her art on the walls! I instantly fell in love both with the strength and stunning beauty of the lady before me, and with the humility with which she presented her work to the world for the very first time. In a moment of absolute bliss, I grabbed her hand and told her I was buying one of her paintings. I was giddy to find out that I was the first person to purchase a Morgan Van Breda

Morgan is a client of Path-Sci. Her art sales contribute to her rehabilitation. I cannot begin to express the joy I have looking at the beautiful colourful piece of woven canvas art that sits atop my Sofia’s dresser. I am blessed.

Morgan is planning a seven week, 3,300 km cycling trip across India with her partner Viktor Berg and a documentary team to raise funds and awareness for children of poverty, people with disabilities and to change the face of spinal cord injury perceptions. They will depart Taj Mahal on January 29th, 2011 to arrive at the southern tip of India in Kanyakumari on March 19th. Follow the Able Project at: www.theableproject.com. Morgan is planning a local fundraiser in November of this year. Morgan – keep painting and keep dreaming BIG

In the more immediate future, Path-Sci is hosting a fashion fundraiser at Outlooks for men on September 29th in support of spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular disorders. Food, music and a fashion show (yours truly will be strutting her stuff down the aisle ).

When Morgan left my apartment after a beautiful few hours of chatting over tea, she looked at me and said, “You sure surround yourself with amazing people.” – I sure do. Thank you sweet soul for reminding me to be grateful. This song reminds me of you Morgan…..

My new Morgan Van Breda painting photographed with my IPhone

Tags: artist, event, fundraiser, spinal cord injury
Posted in Events, Personal | No Comments »

Weekend in Parksville

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Nothing more beautiful than to spend a wonderful weekend away with my loved ones…
And, I got to meet the lovely Mike, Christine and their wee sweetie for the first time!

Tags: Children, lifestyle
Posted in Children, Locations, Personal | No Comments »

Peter-po-Peter at Pecha Kucha

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Not sure why Sofia and I started calling my good friend and fellow photographer Peter Bagi this way, but we did! I have known Peter for 5 years. He was the first photographer I met when I moved here from Montreal, and our connection was instant. Not only do we share the same passion for photography, but we are both into food and wine. Peter is an amazing chef and finds most of his culinary inspirations locally. He shares his time between designing branding and websites (mostly food-related), photographing food in a lifestyle setting and blogging about his culinary discoveries. Not a surprise that he was asked to present at the Food for Thought Pecha Kucha night on August 12 at the Victoria Event Center. What is Pecha Kucha you ask? From the website:

“PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.”

It was a great night with amazing presenters and great food (including bread from my favorite local bakery Fol Épi) Very proud of you Peter! Your creativity and generous spirit abounds
Now, to find Peter:

Photo portfolio: www.peterbagi.com
Food blog: www.closetchef.ca
Twitter: @the_closetchef

Tags: food, networking, photography
Posted in Events, Personal | No Comments »

To Sheri…

Monday, August 16th, 2010

To my lovely Sheri, you will be missed. We gathered today on one of your favorite beaches on Dallas Road and celebrated your life, your beauty and all the lives you touched along the way. You are loved and you are missed. I felt honoured to meet and remember you with some of your close friends. We laughed, cried and shared stories while basking in the sun’s rays (à la Sheri!!), listening to the crashing of the waves and the wee ones’ giggles. You were a spectacular human being that infused our lives with so much love and light. You will not be forgotten. Gros bisous to Sarah who wanted to be there with us, but celebrated you from afar in a country you so wanted to visit together. Much love and peace to you my beautiful friend. xxxxxx