In some ways, this seems like an eternity ago. In others, it was just a few days ago. My first ever visit to Canada (Toronto, to be exact) got off to a very rocky start. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen my pics documenting the trial ;-). But as soon as I met the first group of girls (who welcomed me with open arms, in spite of the fact that I greeted them in clothes I had slept in and unbrushed teeth), all of my worries just melted away. We chit-chatted most of the evening getting to know one another. It was unseasonably cool for August, I believe, and while we enjoyed dining al fresco, it was a might bit chilly so we moved the party indoors. The next morning, we were up bright and early to do our in home newborn lifestyle photo session demonstration. I have to tell you, it is quite remarkable of these families to open their doors to all of these strangers and on top of all of that, have to “perform” in front of nearly a dozen cameras. But they did wonderfully!

That afternoon, we headed into downtown Toronto for our in home lifestyle family photo session demo with none other than Adriana of Ümla Photo. I first met Adriana a few months prior when she attended my North Carolina workshop and it was awesome to get to visit with her again AND to meet her family! And let me tell you, that little girl of her has got STAR power. Mark my words, you will see her on TV, movies, Broadway, on stage somehow, someday I assure you.

And that very, very, very busy day ended with a LOVELY maternity session demonstration in downtown Toronto where we experimented with different lenses, focal lengths, and varying perspectives:

Let me add that this beautiful mama attracted a LOT of attention…her stunning gown and a group of photographers following her around…we did overhear someone saying she must be a princess. Now how’s that for getting the royal treatment?

And finally, here we are in action (don’t miss the outtake of the group photo HERE):

A HUGE thank you to our hostess with the mostess for this workshop, Melissa with Simply Said Photography for a wonderful job of pulling things together for us.  And a HUGE thank you to our amazing attendees! You could not have made me feel more welcome and loved on my very first real time outside of the US:

• Images By Amanda – www.imagesbyamanda.ca – Edmonton, AB
• Elaine Janet Photography – www.elainejanet.com  – Westfield, NJ
• Nicole Miller Photography – www.nicolemillerphotography.ca – Ancaster, ON
• Jen Taylor Photography – http://www.jentaylorphotography.com/ – Minneapolis, MN
• Simply Said Photography-http://www.simplysaidphotography.com – Tillsonburg, ON
• Closely Knit Photography –http://www.closelyknitphotography.com – Ottawa, ON
• Kristin Peereboom Photography – http://kristinpeereboom.com/ – Alliston, ON
• Jennifer Bailey Photography & Design – http://www.jenniferbaileyphotography.com/ – Ottawa, ON
• Red Acorn Photography- www.redacornphotography.com – Elmira, ON

And, if you want to check out some of the attendee’s blog posts and images from the workshop, you can do so here:

• http://www.nicolemillerphotography.ca/blog/2013/9/thepinkletoesexperience
• http://closelyknitphotography.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/the-pinkle-toes-experience/
• http://kristinpeereboom.com/2013/10/04/pinkle-toes-workshop-reflections-alliston-newborn-family-maternity-photographer/

Side note: while I have not released the 2014 Pinkle Toes Workshop calendar yet, we have narrowed down our stops! Yay! And it involves more travel both in the U.S. and abroad…in fact, I have put in some pretty obvious clues into this post if anyone cares to try to figure it out. Stay tuned to the blog for the final announcements, but meanwhile, if you haven’t already, be sure to fill out the form on this page to be among the first to know of the dates and locations for 2014!