Emily + Parker | A Burlington Beach Birthday

Emily and Parker have become a couple I look forward to photographing every year! I love the love they have for photoshoots and they are always up for anything. They basically made all of my photo dreams come true with this session!

I was hosting some beach mini sessions and Emily sent me a message saying she wanted to book a slot as a present for Parker’s birthday! First of all, how awesome is it that she wanted to gift him a photoshoot? Second, how awesome is it that he was super pumped about it? They are my dream couple for sure. I was super excited and she booked the sunset session.

After a very crazy time finding a suitable location for my beach minis (that didn’t include lots of geese poop or an expensive permit) I selected Burlington beach and it turned out beautifully. Almost. There was still the weather we had to contend with! We all sat in our cars for about 45 minutes while the rain poured down, and thankfully it cleared up just in time for a beautiful sunset and stormy sky. It definitely all worked out for the best!

Let us all take a moment and appreciate that E+P take the time to document their lives and their relationship. This wasn’t an engagement session or something that “had” to be done, but something fun for them to do together. This session gave them a beautiful memory and as you’ll see, quite the adventure. That’s what photography can do for you. It not only captures your moments and memories but it creates them. Doing this super fun beach session with me created a memory that they will definitely cherish forever. As a photographer, there is nothing I love more than being able to help create lasting memories, not just great pictures.

TORONTO BRIDAL PORTRAITS // SHAVONNE

One of my biggest goals as a photographer is to make you feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera. I want to know how you feel, if you're awkward or you'd rather be serious than smiley or the other way around. It helps me capture YOU if I know what you're feeling. When I took these bridals of my model in a gorgeous dress provided by Lea-Ann Belter Bridal, the first thing she told me was that she felt so much more comfortable smiling, and that she always felt a little awkward trying to smolder. This made our session so smooth. I knew how she was feeling and I knew that the more she was smiling, the better images I would capture. 

So my advice to you is BE YOURSELF! I'll be my goofy self behind the camera if you need help laughing, I'll tell you how to pose if you feel unsure of what to do, I'll be quiet in the background if a beautiful moment is unfolding. The pictures we capture together will look the best if we are all just who we are, and not trying to recreate something that doesn't suit your personality. That way you recognize the person in the picture! 

Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal, Toronto, Ontario

Model: Shavonne (@shavonnemelissa)

Hair: Nicole Clement (@your.hair.guru)

Bouquet: The New Leaf, Toronto, Ontario

Location: Scarborough Bluffs