A Votre Sante

A Votre Sante is  French for  To your good health.  Massage therapist  Marie Claire Sabourin has lived her life as an adventure in learning. She constantly seeks new challenges in her quest to help others live life to the fullest.

She is a seeker of knowledge and spirituality who embodies a love of learning as well as a risk taker who has developed her interests and talents through many career paths. She has been a hair stylist, private investigator, addictions counselor, massage therapist, laughter yoga leader, parent and student. She loves animals and has trained her Siberian huskies as well as studying Healing Touch for Animals.

Marie Claire has focused on physical fitness through dancing, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, yoga, dog sledding, horsemanship, and ballroom dancing. She has a good understanding of physical injuries and how they impact the body.

 A Votre Santé,  goal is to treat the root causes of illness, not just cover up symptoms  with medications.  The treatment of the whole person – mind, body and spirit for you physical well being.

I first met Claire at Women Business Owners of Manitoba, which is a great organization to network with other business owners both big and small.   We decided to do a exchange in services, as I needed a massage and she required a new business portrait.  I can say from personal experience that Claire has the magic touch!

check out her website

Marie Claire Sabourin Marie Claire Sabourin Marie Claire Sabourin

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Telling a story with family portraits

I recently photographed a family with two energetic kids in my studio.  I wanted to try a pyramid theme for something a little different. It was challenging  getting the 4 year old to stay up on his brother.    The dad was getting a little tired of all the weight too…LOL   I thought when I asked the kids to roll off their parents  I’d take a few photos.  I love the looks on all their faces.  The top image can certainly hang on the wall by it’s self, but when you add the other two photos it sure tells a story.   Gone are the days of serious family portraits!

familyportraits

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Dr. Heather Dean

I had the pleasure of photographing Dr. Heather Dean for a upcoming article.  Her current position is Researcher, Manitoba Institute of Child Health; Staff Endocrinologist, Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg; Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba.  Which is quite a list for a “current position”!

In the pouring rain, I drove out to her home in the country and was amazed at the carefree lifestyle she shares with her family.  There were so many options  for the portraits outside, that she insisted I wear her rubber boots and I was rather amused when her husband brought them to me. They fit perfectly and were so adorable I had to photograph them.

red cowboy boots

Heather has a amazing garden, and gave me a handful of parsley for the drive home. Check out the tomatoes, she barely stopped for me to take the photo.

Heather Dean garden

We needed a few differant photos to cover the article, we took cover under a tree which made for a beautiful frame for the farm equipment in the background.  The  work gloves remained on, and the word “mom” had to be in the photo!

Heather Dean

 

 

 

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Family Portraits for Calendars

I know 2015 seems like a long ways away, but when your  putting out a  calendar it needs to go to press in Oct/ Nov.  Every year I photograph Mr. Andrew Swan’s family for his calendar.  He  is the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General for the province of Manitoba.  The calendar is distributed to people who live in his riding of  Minto in Winnipeg.  I just miss it by 2 blocks!  This year we used Isaac Brock School as a background, and I think it looks terrific!  We sure lucked out with the beautiful warm weather this fall. Andrew Can you guess which one made the 2015 calendar?

MLAforMinto-familyportrait_photographybymichele

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Aspiring Model… Anna!

Meet Anna, what a beautiful young lady who took a few modelling lessons  from Panache Agency-Models-School in Winnipeg.  She wanted some photos for her portfolio so she brought a few outfits to try at the studio.   I really enjoyed photographing Anna, as  she wanted to show me her “moves”  or the poses she learnt at the Model School.   So I let her practice her poses  but, I also wanted to try a few poses just for her. After all she is only 14 years old!   When Anna viewed her images her favourite poses where the ones where she wasn’t posing.  Actually I did pose her, but it looks more natural.  Here are a few of them. photographybymichele_portraits  photographybymichele_portraits photographybymichele_portraits photographybymichele_portraitsphotographybymichele_portraits

 

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Alanna + Adrian Engaged!

Congratulations to Adrian + Alanna on their engagement, what a sweet couple!

I’m really looking forward to photographing their wedding this upcoming November at the Manitoba Club in Winnipeg. 034 050 066 083 059 096

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Hotel Fort Garry Weddings

At 101 years old The Fort Garry  is a historic hotel in Downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is one of Canada’s grand railway hotels and was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.  The seventh floor has to be one of best places for wedding photography. I just love the grandeur and elegance.

Hotel Fort Garry

Classic venue for a classy bride!

hotelfortgarry

 

Even the hallways can be romantic.

hotel_fort_gary

Congratulations to Angelina + Dustyn on your beautiful wedding at the Hotel Fort Garry, you truly are a classy couple!

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Photographing Interior Design

I’ve always had a love of interior design.  I really enjoy looking at how designers decorate homes. I’m constantly looking thru magazines and the web.   I spend many hours  being inspired by colours, textures, furniture placement, landscape ideas etc…   I’ve seen a lot of great photographs and taken a few too.

I used to shoot for a magazine called Winnipeg Homes and Lifestyles, sadly its no longer in production.  There’s a new magazine in the Winnipeg market called Fine Life Styles and homes.  I recently photographed a kitchen for a designer who will be advertising in the next issue.

Kitchen design has to be functional and beautiful as it’s the heart of the home.   I was not expecting this  kitchen when I walked into a very modest  bungalow.   Joan Grandmont designer at  Grandmont Designs did a fantastic job!  I just love the combination of colours.  What an impact this space makes on this special home.

Grandmont Designs

grandmont designs grandmont designs

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The Wild Wild West!

I’ll admit it, I love Alberta! Probably because I was born and raised in Calgary.  I love the rolling hills and being able to drive an hour west to view the mountains.  I have lots of family all over Alberta and recently went for a much needed holiday and visit.

One of the highlight’s for me was finding wild horses with my uncle and aunt.  First time for  us.  I’m so glad I brought my camera, but next time I’ll bring a little longer lens, as It’s not a good idea  to get to close, especially when there’s colts in the herd.

Wild Horses in Alberta Wild Horses in Alberta

We saw about 30 horses in the herd, these are just sections of them, and some of them were a little curious about us.

Wild Horses in Alberta

Just beautiful shiny coats on them, hard to believe these are wild.

wild horses in Alberta

We were shocked to see a couple colts in the herd, as the coyote’s usually have them for breakfast!

wild horses in Alberta

Memories to cherish for a life time….

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Elinor + Adam Engaged!

When I first meet Elinor and Adam for a consultation for wedding photography  I  asked how they met.  They replied  comic con!  It would have been great to photograph their engagement  at comic con, however a picnic in the park was the next best thing.  This is a fun couple, and   I’m looking forward to photographing the wedding this summer, Congratulatioins!

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