mountains – Photography by Tracy Cook

Keeping it Real !

Someone posted an article the other day that talked about how facebook statuses that people post make up the 5% of their life that is ideal. It looks something like this. Perfectly dressed children. Smiling,wonderful, loving family.

We DON’T post the crying, screaming, arguing, the exhaustion.

I guess that’s ok, as long as everyone out there realizes those idealic posts, which seems to make up 99% of Facebook life, are NOT the real, full truth.These sanitized, cleaned up, buffed and shiney posts aren’t what you should compare yourself to, or try to measure your worth or success as a parent or person. Because when you compare what your life is like 95% of the time, to this 5% idealic, you are bound to feel bad and feel like you don’t measure up.

So, here are two sides of the coin. The real, and the ideal.

Real….

Beautiful location, crabby, tired child who doesn’t want to pose

Ideal…. caught that 1 second and managed to snap her looking peaceful, content and perfect.

Truth is, we have more of the first picture than we do of the second. And that’s ok because she is two, and it’s to be expected. I know this is the case for you too. Secret’s out. And it’s actually going to help everyone now that we understand this fact. So spread the word. This is your real life too.

September 9, 2016September 11, 2016 by Photography By Tracy Cook Categories: mountains, UncategorizedTags: danica, Valemount Leave a comment

Banff Springs Hotel

Having lived most of my life in Alberta, I’d frequently visited Banff. I am happiest when I am in the mountains. I always have this sense of feeling like this is where I belong. When I had a chance for Dylan and I to tag along on a conference my husband was going to in Banff, I didn’t think twice.

It has long been my dream to stay in the historic and spectacular Banff Springs Hotel. With my baby boo in tow, we spent hours and hours a day wondering the hotel, looking at the amazing, beautiful unique old details of the majestic castle. Of course camera in hand, I tried to capture the details and history of the hotel. As you can imagine, an old castle like hotel, from the 1888 has some lighting challenges. I was shooting without flash, using available light. (thanks Dani , I always think of your words when I am thinking about light)

The hotel has a history of being haunted. I did not see Sam, or the bride, but I did go up to where room 873 used to be, and it was creepy.

So no ghosts or orbs in these images, just beautiful history.

BANFF SPRINGS AT NIGHT, AS SEEN FROM SURPRISE CORNER

MOUNT STEPHEN HALL. STUNNING DETAILS

OLD FASHIONED ELEVATORS

SO MANY AMAZING ROOMS AND PEACEFUL SITTING NOOKS

DETAIL FROM THE PICTURE ABOVE, THE MOUNTAIN SHEEP MADE OF STONE THAT GRACES THE FIREPLACE

MY VERY FAVORITE ROOM- AT NIGHT.

And although most days were dark and gloomy, a mountain is beautiful whether illuminated by the sun, or moody with clouds and grey. I got a bit of both.