RECAPPING 2011!

Well, 2011 is almost over and what a year it’s been both personally and professionally. Firstly, we’d like to thank all of those special clients who chose NightinGail Photography to be a part of their weddings, family events and special portraits at some of the most beautiful venues in the areas. We so appreciate the confidence that you showed us by selecting our team to be part of your lives. I’d also like to give a special thanks to my team, Michelle, Shiri and Don who worked tirelessly with me on those weddings and portrait sessions through rain, high temperatures and mucky farmyards. And for the photographers who hired me to second shoot with them – Heather, Lindsay, Michele and Paul – Thanks! All in all, we had a great time and made lots of new friends.

During 2010, we moved from Barrie to Kingsville (that’s near Windsor, for those of you who don’t know) because my husband had just gotten fed up with living in the snowbelt.   Of course,  once we got moved in,  Kingsville had the most snow that they’d had in 25 years that winter .  But Kingsville is a small town with a big heart, where I met and made some wonderful friends. Getting to know some of the local photographers in the area really expanded my knowledge and having the opportunity to second shoot with some of them was amazing. But  having to commute and be away from home for 3 or 4 days every week to service my clients in Toronto, Barrie, Ottawa, Huntsville, Newmarket, and the Muskokas, turned out to be too much away time for my husband so again this past summer, we packed up the office and moved into the Kenney cottage in Haliburton; cutting my away from home time to a few hours instead of days. Of course, we absolutely love staying at the lake so it was no hardship at all!

We  sat down at the end of the summer and decided that we needed to come back home — not just for the business — but for the family.  Everyone is in the area and it sure is easier to get together when it’s only a couple of hours drive instead of seven.  The grandkids are growing up fast and only seeing them on travels through just doesn’t cut it.  My MIL is in a local nursing home so it was important for Don to be closer to her as well.   After many discussions, we settled on and  bought a new studio/home at the lake. It’s the place that my husband has been dreaming about for many years — winterized cottage with a sand beach and a western view.  To make a long story short, we will be relocating again when we return Canada. I cannot wait to have the family and friends up for visits! Shooting engagement and family portraits on our beautiful sand and rock beach along with the fabulous grounds will be amazing. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter by e-mailing – email hidden; visit post for email; requires java script for the latest promotions and specials!

Another of my husband’s dreams was to be able to spend the winter in Florida.  This year, it finally happened.  We’re spending and shooting in S.W. Florida.  We arrived in early November and will be heading home in late April.  It’s been beautiful here.  We’re settling in and Don broke down and bought a golf cart. To quote my daughter, “You know you’re old when you have your own golf cart!” (That’s my husband’s golf cart by the way!)

I took a couple of months off and I’ve been investigating the best beaches for weddings (some of the most beautiful wedding locations are in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties — but more about that in our first quarter newsletter.  Just drop me a line if you’d like to be added!

So as 2011 comes to a close, we wish all our family, friends, clients, associates and vendors the very best of 2012.

Happy New Year!