For Photographers
Karmen Meyer
That Time I met Gwyneth Paltrow’s Wedding ...

“Is anyone sitting there?!” I said while balancing a plate of food and glass of wine.

He said “No, it’s all yours.”

And I cheered a silent ‘hoooray!’ because I was starving, and the wine was free. So far my day of solo travel had only occasionally been haunted by that painful kind of awkward. You know, the kind that almost always comes along with navigating new environments and experiences. And, dang, dare I say this was shaping up to be a good night.

I honestly can’t remember how the next bit went. But I quite quickly came to the realization that I had parked my clueless little self right beside the star of the show….

That Time I met Gwyneth Paltrow’s Wedding Photographer/4 Life Changing Lessons I Learned at Photo Native
For Photographers, Brand Sessions, Soul Sessions
Karmen Meyer
Why is photography so expensive?

OK, so here's the thing, this is really uncomfortable to talk about but I am going to anyways because I think these days transparency is everything.  So here we go (let's hope I don't make a mess of this). Why is professional photography 'expensive'? 

Why is photography so expensive?
Brand Sessions, For Entrepreneurs, Free Resources
Karmen Meyer
25 Places to Use Brand Photos

So you just had an amazing brand photography session done (insert happy dance here!). Now it’s time to put your images to work! We often suggest that you plan to sprinkle them into your social media to really make them last. Perhaps put a few on your website, but then what? Well the good news is that this beautiful collection of photos that aligns so powerfully with your brand both visually and emotionally can be used in so many other ways! We put a lot of effort into making sure your photo sessions tell your unique brand story and are absolute workhorses for your biz. It’s super important to us that you get the most use out of you one-of-a-kind as you possibly can. Heck, even if you took the initiative to create a set of brand photos yourself (bravo!), we still want your efforts maximized. Our mantra is 100% work smarter, not harder. So let’s go…

25 Places to Use Brand Photos
For Photographers, For Entrepreneurs, Free Resources
Karmen Meyer
6 Reasons to Start a Bullet Journal and How to ...

DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU WRITE DOWN YOUR GOAL YOU ARE 90% MORE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE THEM?!* For me journaling is such an essential part of my self-love, creative and entrepreneurial journey. I check-in with myself daily to reduce anxiety, stay creative, commit to goals and plan my next moves. Here are 6 reasons why you should have a bullet journal too and super easy steps to start your own!

6 Reasons to Start a Bullet Journal and How to Get Started Today
Art Shop, Travel, Soul Sessions, Slow Living
Karmen Meyer
The Story Behind the Photos // The Mojave ...

What happens when two sister’s head off into the desert with a tiny teardrop trailer and a killer road-trip playlist?! Magic, my friend. Pure magic. I am so excited to share everything about our adventure, from the creepiest night in a tiny Montana town, to the unbelievably beautiful abandoned mid-century motel that used to be frequented by celebrities like Harrison Ford!. If you love the desert as much as I do, you are going to love coming along on this wee adventure with us. Or heck, just come for the beautiful desert art!!!

The Story Behind the Photos // The Mojave Collection

DIY

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Vintage Trailer Reno | 1970s Triple E Camper

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 OH my goodness you guys!!  I got an email from Alberta Parks saying that we can start booking camping sites at the end of the month! When I read it, two things immediately crossed my mind:

  1. That's flippin' crazy.  Its FEBRUARY.  I don't plan that far in advance.
  2. Weeeee camping!

And now I keep finding myself daydreaming of summer, and actually considering camping sites in February lol. So since I can't get summer off my mind anayways, I figured now would be the perfect time to share our little trailer reno here on the blog.If you follow me on instagram you have probably caught me over-sharing about our beloved little trailer already. But for those of you who haven't, I inherited this teensy little home-on-wheels when my Dad passed away and proceeded to spend a good chunk of last spring giving it a bit of a face-lift. I can honestly say that it turned out to be a wonderful healing process for both me and the trailer! We are both feeling lighter and brighter and less leaky.Here is a little glimpse at the BEFORE pictures:[gallery type="square" size="large" columns="4" link="file" ids="4725,4723,4726,4721,4724,4722"]My grandparents bought this trailer brand new in the 70s, so it is filled to the brim with road trip memories. The fabric on the cushions has already been replaced at some point, but I really wanted to keep as much of the rest as original as possible. The hardest part really was tying in the new fabrics with the (awesome) existing patterns and colours of the 70s. Not gonna lie, I think it was a wonderful success. Everything feels fresh and clean, but nothing is so precious that dirty camping fingers and muddy paws can ruin it. Last summer we gave it a good test-run. We enjoyed every bit of our hard-work, and I reveled in the fact that I get to keep this little piece of my dad's childhood alive with my own family. To say we are excited to make some new memories this year would be a giant understatement..... So I just might have to be that person who books their camping in February lol️. How about you? Do you book early to get your favourite spots? Or do you do what I usually do and just call around until you find something available haha?P.S.  If you have any questions regarding the reno let me know!!  Just didn't want to bore y'all with the details 😉

HUGE thanks to Suzanne Taylor Photography for taking some photos of us hanging out on a perfect Alberta summer night.  All the lovely photos of us are by her.

Could we really part with everything we have built?

Maybe it's because I was completely exhausted from a 6.5 hour red-eye flight with two children.  Or perhaps it was the cute little off-the-grid cottage that we stayed at in Maui (pictures above!!).  Or it could have even been the wonderful simplicity of living with only a bag full of clothes and toiletries.  But after two weeks of travelling, when I stepped back into the home I adore, it suddenly felt HUGE and overwhelming. I turned to Brad and said, "I've never felt more ready to downsize"It's something that has loomed in the back of our minds for a while now.  But the truth is, we absolutely love our home.  We built it ourselves, planted the grass and trees.  We love it here and have hundreds of little (and big) projects in mind to make it even better.  But neither of us can seem to shake the feeling that we just don't need the extra space, the extra stuff, the extra costs.The idea of downsizing is sort of intoxicating.  But will it  actually be a positive forward step for our family?  Or will it turn out that cute little homes are really only practical for a two week vacation?  Have you ever toyed with idea of downsizing your home?  Anyone actually done it?!  I would love to hear your thoughts!Warmly,Karmen  

Audrey's ALOHA (Moana) Birthday!

Oh my goodness, my heart is so full.  Earlier this month, we celebrated our "big girl's" birthday!  Our little Audrey has turned four and we are so happy that we were able to celebrate with so many of our family and friends.  You guys are truly what made her day so darn special <3. And an extra special thanks goes out to my sis-in-law Alicia (www.thesmalldetails.ca) for helping make our Hawaiian party dreams come true!By now, you all probably know that I love making pretty things.  So every birthday is basically an excuse to get creative!  Combine that with the fact that my Sis-in-Law is a Party Planner and we. just. can't. be. stopped.  Haha, seriously we just had way to much fun putting this all together.In case you are interested, I thought I would make a little list of my favourite things and where you can get them!Balloon Arch and Banners- The Small DetailsThe Ocean in a Bottle Craft! -  This craft turned out so cute, and the kids really loved making them!  I ordered the teensy little bottles off Amazon and the beads are a dollar store specials haha. ( If you are interested in detailed instruction on how to make them just let me know!)Confetti Balloons- The Small DetailsPin The Necklace on Moana- ETSY.  This was HILAIOUS to watch.  Turns our blindfolded, dizzy preschoolers are the funniest.Ocean Themed Water Sensory Table- You can pick up these non-toxic waterbeads at the dollarstore (in the craft section) and the kids go crazy for them every single time!  I happened to have a bunch of plastic sea animals around the house that were a perfect addition.Cupcake Wrappers and Toppers - Ok seriously.  How darn adorable were the pineapples and the little umbrellas. Alicia used her circuit wizardry to make them.  SO GOOD!  The Small DetailsI can't believe we have to wait until December to this again!  If you have any questions just let me know.<3 Karmen      

Nora's 2nd Birthday

So I haven't blogged in a while... let's be real I am terrible at it!  I have so much to share and yet somehow I never seem to find the time to do it.  I would like to make it one of my New Years Resolutions but I am a bit afraid that I will fail miserably haha... Resolutions are so much more fun when they are attainable right?!Anyways!  I am popping in here because my baby, ahem... toddler, just turned 2!  We just love this little girl to bits and had such a blast throwing her a Tea Party for her birthday.  My sister-in-law recently started up a birthday planning business (The Small Details) and did such an AWESOME job decorating... it was so beautiful and us adults loved it every bit as much as the littles!!Cannot wait to see what this next year brings for our sweet, girly, independent (stubborn), smart little girl.  It really is a joy watching your children grow up.  A true blessing <3.