JEWELIMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY » Award Winning Calgary photographer. Calgary family photographer Calgary newborn photographer. Baby, birth, couple, child, family and life photography in Calgary. Calgary couple photographer. Calgary birth photographer. Specializing in LOVE! Also servicing Airdrie, Canmore, Okotoks.

helping Ryan

Julie Miller — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:36:55 +0000

Just before Christmas I had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous little guy and his family. The session is HERE.

I wanted to let you know about a fundraiser that is being held on his behalf. He has recently found out that his time on Earth is limited and it would be great if everyone was able to help in some way to relieve the financial burden on his family. They have so many other things to worry about right now.

Please go to this link and help if you can!

http://www.giveforward.com/heartsforryancancerfund

** I just received word that Ryan passed away tonight peacefully and surrounded by loved ones. Thank you Ryan for touching my life and so many others. xoxox

helping hearts session jewelimage photography

Julie Miller — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:13:26 +0000

Just this past year I joined a group called Helping Hearts.

This is how they describe themselves: “Helping Hearts is a project created by Melissa Knowles & Michelle Regner with the goal of being able to provide free photography sessions for families with children who are suffering a life-altering illness or disability. Over the last couple of years we have acquired an entire team of photographers who are dedicated to donating their time to Helping Hearts because they believe in sharing the gift of photography with as many families as possible.”

Just this past month I was able to photograph my first session for Helping Hearts. It was truly a highlight for me. I felt so honoured to be able to go into their lives, if only for a moment, and share in these special memories with them.

Our session was a long time in coming since we had to keep putting it off as Ryan, the three year old, was too sick. Finally he was feeling better and they were able to have me over.

The family just wanted a picture of Ryan where he appeared happy. He had suffered and battled through so much that just a smile in itself would be a victory. Not only had he been suffering with brain stem cancer, he also had neuropathic pain and many other issues. His older brother was also such a sweetheart. He has autism which added more challenges to their everyday life. I sure had fun with these boys though. We played on the floor the whole time and they were so sweet with one another.

It was great seeing the family interact with one another. The love they shared was palpable. I was just so happy to be there and be a part of it.

Just a few days after their session, Ryan’s mom wrote this to me, “ I am so glad you came when you did. We found out on tuesday that Ryan’s tumor has progressed so much in such a short amount of time that we now have only a short amount of time with him left. We will cherish these photos forever, they are so special.”

I cannot pretend to even understand a little of their pain. I am just glad that I was able to give them something to cherish forever.

As I was leaving the house, Ryan hurried over to me and gave me the biggest kiss on the lips. I think of that kiss often and feel blessed to have received it.

I look forward to helping more people through these sessions.

new year, new logo! jewelimage photography

Julie Miller — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:45:06 +0000

Last year at WPPI, I had the pleasure of meeting Holly Nicholson. I met her through our mutual friend and designer Renee of Ribbons of Red. We hung out that evening and I thought that she was the sweetest girl!

Shortly thereafter, Holly discovered that she was up against a battle with colon cancer of all things. Life can be pretty crazy. Her friends at AGP studio and Design put together a silent auction for her. One of the items up for bid was a brand new custom logo design done by the one and only Ribbons of Red.

I knew I had to bid. I was of course wanting to support Holly in kicking cancer’s butt, and was super curious to know what Renee would create for me as fas as a new logo was concerned.

I loved it the second I saw it. Thank you Renee for “knowing” who I am and helping me discover it along the way. You are brilliant!

Here is the new logo!

happy day! – calgary maternity, beloved, & couple photographer

Julie Miller — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:07:00 +0000

Writing this post is something that I have been dreaming of for a very long time. Meet one of my very best friends and her amazing husband. I have known both of them for approximately 23 years. I moved to a new school in grade 8 and this wonderful person was one of the first people to speak to me there. We have been friends ever since. We laugh about the sleepovers we had, the pranks we pulled, the boys we liked, the school dances we attended, the secrets we told. She is the friend that everyone dreams of having. She is so positive, so loving, so forgiving, so accepting. I have always felt fortunate that she has considered me a friend.

I have always known what wonderful parents they would make. And now, in just a week or two, they will become parents for the first time. I can’t wait to meet this precious and very lucky baby.

Images of Hope Fundraiser Calgary 2012

Julie Miller — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:45:21 +0000

If you read my blog you already know how much my family has been blessed with babies born through the help of IVF and other fertility treatments in the past few years.

I was happy to donate a session to the Images of Hope fundraiser last year, and this year I was so honoured when they asked me to be one of 10 photographers involved in photographing a family who has also been blessed through IVF. I met with this lovely mom and her two children last week to photograph them so that they can share their story at the fundraiser. Tickets to the event go on sale in January but you can read more information about it HERE. It is a lovely evening and a chance to help others who are struggling to conceive.

Here are a few captures of these adorable little kids! The little boy reminded me so much of one of my sons at that age that I couldn’t stop kissing his irresistible cheeks :)

perfect calgary baby

Julie Miller — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:48:07 +0000

This baby could not have been better for our session. He did not wake one single time. He was cuddly, perfect and oh so cute!

Here are a few images from his newborn session.