How did this happen? My baby is four years old… sob. She really hammed it up for this session; striking poses, blowing kisses, and doing Beyonce dance moves. We had a ton of fun at the beach, taking advantage of a little early May heatwave. We interviewed her again this year, some of her answers stayed the same, some changed quite a bit. She’s getting too big! And that’s all I have to say, or I am going to get emotional and cry.

This year was the first year that I didn’t have a say in Everly’s birthday party. She wanted a “Beyonce” party, and there were no if’s, and’s or but’s about it! She has been obsessed with Beyonce since she saw the 2013 Superbowl Halftime show. She looked back at me, with stars and pure rapture in her eyes, she said, “I want to BE her,” the passion in her voice was unmistakable. Beyonce is frequently on our television, iPad, and in our conversations. When selecting clothes, Everly asks herself “what would Beyonce wear?” As a result, she has a fairly sizeable collection of clothing with sequins, glitter, and rhinestones.

When Everly first said she wanted a Beyonce party, I was a little bit stumped. I wasn’t sure how to do a party that would be appropriate for her age group. I sat with the idea for a few days, Googling Beyonce and learning a little bit more about her. I noticed that she was going to have a cover on the March issue of  Vogue, once I saw the spread, the ideas starting flowing! I decided to “recreate” the photo shoot with Everly, and use the Superbowl Halftime Show as inspiration for decorations. There was a lot of glitter!!! I went with a mini-mogul approach, and focused on the ways in which Beyonce has been a positive role model by including motivational quotes.

I designed the invitation to look like an oversized concert ticket. I used a photo of Everly, taken with inspiration from Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter World tour promotional posters. I made beverage labels, toppers, and popcorn boxes; even custom gift bags with a “House of Everly” logo (inspired by the House of Dereon). The swag bags had “Everly 4″ mixed CD’s, with the cover inspired by Beyonce’s 4. There were also Everly 4 pencils, and of course some bling; custom made rings by Little Wren!

When Everly saw the party room, her face lit up, and every late night design, or craft session was immediately worth it!

Menu

Vegetable sceptres

Fruit star kebabs

Birthday cake (orange and vanilla)

Mini cupcakes (raspberry vanilla)

Berry apple crisp push up pops (raspberries and apples)

Candy and caramel popcorn

Louboutin Cookies

Halo cakes (mini angel food cakes with raspberry sauce)

Ring cakepops (blackberry lemon)

Macarons (raspberry, mango, tropical)

Blueberry lemon loaf

Grammy lollipops

Vendors

Party Design: Jessica Bender

Graphic Design: Jessica Bender Photography

Photography: Jessica Bender Photography and Kim Kalyn

Press Printing: Metropol Print Shop

Ribbon and Washi Tape: Michael’s Craft Store

Cupcakes and Ring Cakepops: Serena’s Sweets

Cake: Schur to Please Wedding and Speciality Cakes

Cookies: Marcia Sedola (contact information available upon request)

Macarons: Bon Macaron

Popcorn: Kernel’s Popcorn

Lollipops: Whirly Pops

Pencils: Oneup Designs

Rings: Little Wren

Location: Gordon Head Recreation Centre

Flower stems supplied by: Poppy’s Floral Art

A big thank you to my intern Emma for all of her help with this party- you’re a rockstar!

I have been lucky enough to witness six human beings enter this world; two of them being my own children. Isaac’s birth, on April 16 of this year was the first one I have been to since having my children. The other three I was years away from babies of my own, and knew nothing!! It sure makes a difference when you know what’s going on, and when you have an idea of how much pain the labouring woman is in, or how hard it is to give birth. It’s both joyful, and scary. It is physically, emotionally, and psychologically demanding; it’s not called labour because it’s easy!

Isaac took his time in arriving. He was born at exactly forty-two weeks gestation. Mama’s body needed a bit of help to kickstart things, but once her body got going, man did it move! It took twenty-one hours of labour, and three hours of intense pushing for this little gent to be born. His mom and dad were an amazing team. It was so moving to watch a couple as they welcome their first child. It was amazing to take pictures. At times I found it hard to adjust my settings because my eyes were filled with happy tears.

When he finally did arrive, Isaac weighed in at eight pounds, one ounce, was nineteen inches long, and is head measured at fourteen and three quarter inches!! He’s a perfectly made little squish.

Many thanks to Megan and Brendon for inviting me to share this event with them, and for letting me share these pictures with all of you. I’m so proud of my little nephew. xoxo

The amazing Fairholme Manor was the location for my first round of Spring Mini Sessions. They booked up quick, and the day was so much fun! Children from birth to 5 years old arrived with their families, and they all stole a little piece of my heart. Some pictures have to remain hidden (they are going to be gifts for Mother’s Day; what an awesome gift for those grandmas!!), but here are the ones I can share!

The one year old cake smash is becoming a “must” milestone for babies of this generation. Trash the cake sessions are a TON of fun, and the perfect opportunity to get cute photos for birthday invites, and thank you cards! I have been so lucky to have done four already this year, and I can’t wait for more cake!! The toddlers below, would agree!

One of my best friends, Megan, is expecting her first child, and I am so excited for her and her husband Brendon. This baby, who will be named Isaac, is going to be so loved I have been planning this shower almost as long as these two have been married. I’ve know that it was going to be something “super” lol. Brendon and Megan are comic book fans, actually, Isaac’s nursery is super hero themed. I had so much fun with the Wondermom and Superbaby theme. I wanted it to be “comic bookey” but also soft and feminine like the mama to be.

My inspiration for the table scape and food came from Superman’s life. The left side is meant to represent Krypton, the middle is his time on the farm with his adoptive parents, and the right represents his life in Metropolis. I used Daffodils which represent “new beginnings” and their vibrant yellow colour fit so well with the colour palette.

My nieces helped me a ton with all the crafts (comic masons, paper flags, bunting, circle swags, etc…). We spent a few afternoons painting, glue gunning, cutting, taping, measuring, collaging and ribbon tying. I could not have got this all done without Emma and Madison.

The mom -to-be was very spoiled with love, and had an excellent time. The guests enjoyed the food, decor, games, and company. Super Shower mission accomplished!

Krypton- ombre green veggie plate, super spinach dip, kryptonite pretzel sticks, super slaw.

Smallville- raspberry pie pops, rainbow fruit skewers, “make your own hero” sandwiches.

Metropolis- raspberry cake bombs, up up and away push up pops, Jimmy Olsen pasta salad, macaroons, cupcakes.

GUEST FAVOURS:

Various flavours of  Crofter’s Superfit Jam

VENDORS:

Cake Bombs: Serena’s Sweets

Cupcakes: Ooh La La Cupcakes

Macarons: Bon Macaron Patisserie

Cookies: Marcia Sedola (contact information available upon request)

Paper Straws: Green Munch

Washi Tape: Shop Sweet Lulu

Glass Bottles: Starbucks Frappuccino bottles emptied.

Invitation and Printables: Jessica Bender Photography and Design 

Digital Paper Design: Jazzy Patterns

Superhero Clipart: Blackleaf Studios 

Photography: Jessica Bender Photography and Design

Party Styling: Jessica Bender Photography and Design 

Some of my little Valentines this year Give the ones you love a squeeze!

During the holiday season, I had tons of fun hosting two days of family mini sessions. One day was an outdoor location, the other was held at Ma-luxe Studios (I LOVED working in that space!). Here are a few of my favourite shots.

Something I have been considering for a while now is a name change. I felt like my “brand” was not really growing in the direction that I saw myself headed. Kind of like that moment when you realize you have outgrown your Hotmail account and are kind of embarrassed to tell people your email address, lol! I felt like my business was growing up in a way, and with the name that I had I felt restricted to do that.

It was hard for me to make the switch. Everly was the inspiration behind the Little Pickle business name, as well as the logo. I felt a strong emotional attachment. But, I felt confident that she would need a mama who was focused on growth and development more than a business named after her.

I had a few ideas in my head. I consulted various groups of people (clients, other members of my field, social media mavens, and two creative powerhouses). In the end they all said the same thing, go with your name, you are your brand. The hesitation I felt towards this was funny. I thought my name sounded funny as a business name, because, well, it was my name! (I wonder if the Hiltons had the same problem? ha ha!). But it grew on me. And so now, here I am:

Jessica Bender Photography

And, because no post to a photography blog is complete without a photo… here is my girl, my constant source of inspiration to be the best example of a woman that I can be.

Day 12, the last day! This was a HUGE project, and I am really proud of myself for sticking with it. I am so happy that I have these pictures to look back on. I am making an album of the year, and I was looking at the January 2012 images in shock; my babies were so little! Time sure does fly when you have a family. Document your family as much as you can. Don’t forget to print, make albums, and canvases; use your images to create pieces of art to decorate your living space. This year I am taking on a project 52, and I am going to post it on New Years Eve 2013. The goal is for an image with the two kids together each week. But honestly, I will settle for two individuals side by side as well. Living with these two has taught me to go with the flow when need be.

While in the process of designing our album, I am reminded of the year that we have had. Of the year that I have had as a businesswoman, mother, wife and human being. I have learned so much. This project taught me a lot about the art of photography, and the art of the family.