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I do not know where she gets her energy- but she has a way of making the perfect picture out of a Gray day! It may be a play on words, but it is the truth as many see it. Bonnie Gray of Pawsitively Charming (formerly Gray Digital Photography) will have you thinking in colour from the minute you meet her.
Bonnie was born in Newfoundland but grew up in Ottawa. She left there in 1976 to discover Edmonton, Alberta at the young age of 19. She worked various administrative jobs with the RCMP from 1976 – 2005. It was while working with the RCMP that she met her husband and was married in 1982.
In 1985, her husband was transferred to Ottawa where Bonnie again worked for the RCMP and later on, following the birth of her daughter, part time for the RCMP Veterans’ Association and The Quarterly Magazine as a researcher/writer.
While in Ottawa, Bonnie began to spend more time working on her hobby- photography. In 1998, she and her husband joined forces with her two photographer brothers and started MasterPix Canada Inc.TM
Gray Digital Photography owned the Ottawa franchise and her brothers owned the Collingwood franchise. “I was lucky – I learned so much from my brothers who are both wedding and portrait photographers” she tells me.
Using only state of the art Kodak equipment, they were the first photographers to bring on-site digital event photography to Canada. Purchasing and working with this equipment gave them a vision for all the possibilities of this new technology. They set up shop and covered events all across Eastern Ontario, taking pictures and providing people with their personalized framed photos at the event.
She worked with her husband – taking on projects around his days off, and sometimes with her brothers at larger events. They had a motorhome that they took to Golf and Hockey Tournaments and they became the official photographers for many large, well publicized events. MasterPix has been the official photographer for Company of Women, Collingwood Elvis Festival, Dragon Boat Festivals, RCMP Balls, Scouts Canada, Girl Guides of Canada, numerous schools, and many other events.
Working and taking pictures at events was great fun for Bonnie and she learned all the tricks of the trade in the ever expanding digital photography business. However, in 2001, her husband was transferred to Calgary so Bonnie started over again as she followed her husband in red serge from place to place.
She put their photography business on hold for awhile and again worked full time with the RCMP. But something was missing and so she got busy with her photography. She began shooting all of her daughter’s school plays (pro bono), G8 Staff photos, Girl Guide Award ceremonies, and did some family photography on the side.
Always on the lookout for new opportunity, she read an article about photo charms for the new Italian charm bracelets. After some research she located a few great distributors and developed a way to take her digital photography into the jewellery business. Now she is once again able to provide a new product to consumers.
Once again Bonnie has stepped out into uncharted waters and has created a great niche for her business. Single-handedly she has marketed her products to Alberta jewellery stores and customers alike. Her tag line is “Creating Wearable Memories for Italian Link Bracelets” and that’s exactly what they are, beautiful wearable memories of your loved ones, friends, pets, company logos, etc.
Bonnie is one of very few makers of Custom Photo Charms for Italian Charm bracelets in Canada and sells them to clients and jewellery stores all across the country, as far away as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Whether it is for a birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas gift for a special Mom, a Wedding present, a Graduation remembrance, or a family memories bracelet, Bonnie can take a photo you supply (digital or regular), and turn it into a custom photo charm for your Italian bracelet. The results are stunning!
In April, 2005 her husband retired from the RCMP and took on a new career in Fort McMurray, AB. So, once again, Bonnie packed up and moved her business. This time, she also experienced “empty nest” leaving their only daughter in Edmonton to attend University there.
Always adapting to change, researching and looking for new ways to expand her business, she has now added a trendy new line of exclusive Designer Pet Jewellery, Dog Coats, Boots, Treats & Accessories to offer to her clients. “There were times when I seemed to be making more ‘pet photo charms’ for my clients than children’s photos” says Bonnie, “so, I knew there was another target market for me.
If my clients loved their pets that much, so would other pet owners. Hence, ‘Pawsitively Charming’ was born”. You can put your favourite pet’s name on designer collars or harnesses in genuine Swarovski crystal letters or add beautiful fun shaped slider and dangle charms. Her coloured leather collars go as small as 6 inches to fit the tiniest puppy or kitten to as large as 26 inches for your big pampered pooch.
She also has a large assortment of gorgeous sweaters, fleece coats and Muttluk boots to keep them toasty warm during our cold Canadian Winters. “We have just about everything for your pampered pet”.
Bonnie also sells Cell Phone Charms, which are the hottest new fashion trend going. “I am always researching and looking for new items that I think my clients, and their teens will love that still fit within my Pawsitively Charming theme. We accessorize our outfits everyday, so why not add a little bling to your cell phone? I guarantee that people will notice them and they’ll be a great conversation starter.” says, Bonnie. “My daughter and her University friends love their cell phone charms, especially the Martini, Bunny, Dogs, Pet Paws and Dragonfly ones.”
But, it is Bonnie’s energy that says all about who she is. Upbeat, friendly and the first to volunteer to help others, she has done more than her fair share of pro bono work. A recent example is that she took the picture for a children’s book cover, and inside photos, that will be used as part of the grade four reading curriculum in all schools across Alberta.
It was her contribution to Alberta’s Centennial celebrations. She is also donating her photography skills to another book presently being written by three high school students about teen depression which will be printed in the Spring of 2006.
A mother, a networker, a business owner and a devoted wife could never aptly describe Bonnie Gray. Quick to smile, she can make anyone feel right at home wherever they are. Her friendly but professional demeanor assures you that you will get the products and the service you deserve. It’s hard to keep up with what Bonnie will introduce next through her business. But, you can be sure whatever it is- she will be one of the first to do it – and do it well..
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