Category Archives: Smiling Eyes

Family Albums are Now Available!

I was so excited to open up my delivery today and couldn’t wait to show you my newest sample album for families and babies.  This one is an album that I designed for a newborn session I did this past fall.  It turned out so great!  Here are a few photos I took of it to share with you.

Such a sweet baby and this album will be an awesome keepsake for her!

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Baby Evaleigh

Really can you get any sweeter than this?  Congratulations Gill & Tyler on your beautiful daughter!  Wishing you all the best!

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Shane’s Smiling Eyes

Shane might look a little familiar… It was almost exactly a year ago that I captured Shane & Jodie’s beautiful wedding at BenMiller Inn.  They had no idea that day when they made their vows that they’d live almost every single word they promised within the first year of their marriage.   Shane was diagnosed with stage 3-4 rectal cancer that had already metastasized to his liver.  I’m sure you can tell from the photos that he’s a young man, and although this type of cancer isn’t common at all for his age, the emergency doctor who first saw him had the wisdom to request further testing which was quick to diagnose his cancer, just one month after their wedding… and just two weeks after that they found out that their precious little boy Brett was on his way.   I can’t even imagine the emotional roller coaster they’ve been on this year.

Shane had a 9 hour surgery on the 28th of April and the doctors successfully removed a tumor the diameter of an orange and 6-8 inches in length plus a poker chip size spot on his liver.  They took a third of his liver out.  The pathology reports showed clean margins around the tumor…….meaning they were able to remove all of the cancer.  He had 4 more months of chemo following surgery and now is gearing up for a second surgery in January to reverse his ostomy.  I asked him about blogging his photos and a bit about his story, and the reply was a quick one… if his story helps one other person then something good will have come out of all of this.  His strength and his positive attitude absolutely amaze me!  Jodie & Shane I’m so happy for you that Brett has helped make your family complete, and I will continue to think about you as you continue on this journey!  Sending lots of prayers your way!

If you or someone you love is fighting cancer and you’d like more info on Smiling Eyes please click here to visit the website!

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Tyler’s Smiling Eyes

When I first talked to Tyler’s mom, Trudy about doing a Smiling Eyes session for their family we decided we wanted to do something that reflected a bit who Tyler is.  Tyler is 17 years old is very active and loves adventure.  Rock Climbing, zip lining… you name it.  Now as much fun as it would have been to go zip lining for our photo shoot, we opted to head to the beach and toss around a frisbee instead.  If you’d like to read about Tyler’s battle against cancer you can check out his website by clicking here.   Here are a few of my favourite photos from their session.

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Tyler you are an amazing young man with incredible courage!  I hope you continue to win your fight!  If you’d like more information about the Smiling Eye’s program please check out the website at http://www.smilingeyes.ca/

 

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Mikayla’s Eyes are Still Smiling

You might remember my previous posts in 2008 and 2009 on Mikayla.  I had the pleasure again last week to photograph Mikayla & her family again.  Since we last met, their family of 3 has had a new little man join the ranks.  It was great to see them all.  It was a full time job keeping up with Mikayla… that girl can talk a mile a minute.  Such a sweet heart.  Here are a few of my favourite shots… including Mikayla with her friend “Clifford” who helps her see  when she’s walking outside so she doesn’t bump into things.

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This last shot is of Mikayla and her very special doll from her “Make A Wish” visit to Walt Disney.  She told me that Princess Aurora’s fairies left that doll for her as a gift.  Such a sweet girl!  If you’d like more information on the Smiling Eyes program please click here.  All the best to you Mikayla and your family!  I hope I get to see you again soon.

 

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Kate’s Smiling Eyes

I met Kate this past summer when I shot her cousin Stacey’s wedding.  She has such a vibrant spirit and fun personality – and she happens to be a bit photo crazy so we hit it off right away.  Soon after the wedding in July, Kate got the news from her Dr that she was embarking on the toughest fight of her life against bone cancer.  So in August instead of heading back to Brock for her 3rd year of University, Kate had surgery to remove 3 of her ribs, part of her lung and a large tumour from her chest – OUCH!  One thing they certainly didn’t take away was her awesome personality and amazing spirit!  Kate & I have been back and forth via email since the fall, trying to coordinate a time when she was feeling up for photos.  It turned out that the timing was good just after New Years and so I had the pleasure of going to her family home to grab some photos of this gorgeous girl.

Kate’s family and friends had these cool bracelets made in support of her fight.  The plain white one has the words “Kate’s Army” imprinted on it.  She certainly has an amazing support system of people who are cheering her on, including her wonderful family!

And of course her best friend and cousin – Ashley!  These girls grew up as neighbours and have been pretty much inseparable since birth!

Kate is headed back to London Heath Sciences today to begin yet another round of Chemo.  I’m sure not a day you are looking forward to, but I want you to know that you have one more member in your army, and as you continue on your battle know that I too will be sending you all my positive thoughts and prayers!  I have no doubt in my mind that you will fight this with every ounce of that amazing spirit you’ve got!  Best wishes & hugs!  Sandra

For more information on Smiling Eyes – Please visit www.smilingeyes.ca or email me at info@sandrargier.com

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