This is not a job I can handle all on my own. It’s also not a life changing decision but why not jump in anyway and help me out.

I dragged (yes dragged) my family to a professional photo shoot by Art and Design a few weeks ago just outside of Toronto in Whitby, Ontario because I had seen such beautiful portraits on the website (www.artanddesign.ca).

The owner of the business is Tara Sinclair Hingco and when I say she’s talented you don’t have to believe me.

The proof is in the proofs (you like that one?) below.

If you’ve got little ones (toddlers or babies) you know that you have exactly .00001 seconds to grab that cute smile or toothy grin. And then like magic, it’s gone. And we all know that normal cameras move at the speed of a snail so what you usually end up with  is a turned head, a crying face or snot (or some combination of all three). Needless to say my expectations for this shoot were not that high.

Tara blew us away!

The shoot wasn’t tricky or laborious. In fact, we were there less than an hour and she produced the best photographs of my family I have ever seen.

Ever. Period.

Sidney was allowed to act like a two year old and run up and down the (gorgeous) studio. Eva was allowed to wail. The joy of Tara’s photography is that she isn’t looking for a staged shot and she’s a mom. So she understands that when the toddler goes psycho it’s time to move on to the mom and baby.

And when the baby needs a diaper change it’s time to move on to the dad and toddler.

She is a well-oiled machine with a soft voice and an incredible gift.

So you’re probably wondering what my problem is, right?

Well, I can’t narrow down which shots to actually print and frame! Yes I know this is low on the list of world problems but I thought it might be fun to get your input. We want to put some shots up in Eva’s nursery but we’re also hoping to develop a family gallery in our living room. We have a whole wall that could be potentially filled with black and white photography.

This is where you come in.

You can see just a sampling of Tara’s amazing talent in the photos I’ve posted on this page. See them all by clicking on this link to the entire gallery on the Art and Design website.

There are about 90…yes 90 (!) proofs and I’d like to get your top ten picks. They are all numbered so just write down the ones you love and email me at contacttracy@cityline.ca

Obviously if you have to make 1000 brownies for your child’s bake sale this is not the activity to engage in today. However, if you’re at home with a napping baby and have some extra time to slay I would really appreciate your help.

And please don’t email me with my mom’s solution, “Choose them all Tracy! You must choose every, single one!"

Thanks Mom.

As promised here is the link:

http://www.artanddesign.ca/public/proofs2010/evam_1110/gallery.html

If it’s easier for you to hit me up on Twitter you can find me at @tracycityline.

Oh and don’t think I’ve completely forgotten about my weight journey. I’ve rebounded from my 2 pound weight gain last week (gasp) and I’m sitting at a healthy 155 as of yesterday!

11 pounds to go. Are you with me?

contacttracy@cityline.ca

Tracy