A Year in the Life of a Photograhper

One of the biggest blessings in my life is being able to do what I love for a living. While there are definitely areas of my job that I would rather not do, I LOVE being a photographer. Being able to celebrate life’s major milestones over and over again is indeed a blessing.

Being a photographer in Ontario has it’s own challenges. We have less impressive landscapes than other areas of Ontario but after travelling quite a bit this year, I’ve realized that without the distraction of mountains and canyons, oceans, and the focus of photography can actually be on people. I can focus on capturing those moments, creating those moments that you’ll remember and that you will be the focus of those memories.

Plus we get all the best seasons, especially those glorious fall colours! In spring we can go to the Guelph Arboretum for cherry blossoms in your engagement or family session. In the summer we can head to Burlington beach for some super fun beach sessions, In the fall, everywhere you look has the most beautiful reds and oranges and yellow. Then those winter sessions which are few and far between are so magical! We are so luck to have the array of different seasons here and being able to capture everything from engagements to weddings to maternity sessions, and family sessions, and solo sessions. I have the best job in the world.

And I could not do what I love without the support of all of the local wedding vendors in the areas. This year every wedding was incredible and so special shout outs go to Cellar52, Cambridge Mill, and Langdon Hall, thank you for having such incredible venues in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region!

Thank you to all my couples, families, and entrepreneurs for supporting my business. For trusting me with capturing your life and you as you are, thank you!

The F Family // Lifestyle Bump to Baby Session

One of the best parts of my job is meeting new people and people who have a love for photography. I try to get to know my clients and build that relationship with them for two reasons. First off, my clients are some of the most amazing people, they are fun loving, creative, and kind and have a joy for life that I just love. Second, getting to know my clients helps me capture their lives on a much more personal level, creating a deeper emotion that I could have if I was just a stranger taking their pictures.

Some clients turn into friends and I get to follow along in their lives for the long term. Monica and Stuart are one of those couples. You can view the post about their distillery district wedding here. From their engagement session to their wedding and now I got to be a part of their pregnancy and welcoming baby O into the world. Their lifestyle bump to baby session included an hour maternity session and then about a month or so later a lifestyle newborn session in their home! I love this family so much and they created such a beautiful baby girl together.

From my own experiences with pregnancy and being a new mom I remember those feelings of hating being pregnant but also the excitement of getting to meet my new little one. To that first beautiful snuggle and all the quiet (and not so quiet) late night nursing. That beginning of motherhood is one of the most beautiful moments in life and I’m so blessed to be able to freeze these fleeting moments for some of my favourite people.

**Also side note: it is my firm opinion that every session should end with pizza.

An Apple A Day // Fall Mini Sessions

I love fall mini sessions. If Christmas was in the fall it would be my favourite season ever but because Christmas is in the winter, I’m torn. Anyway, I love hosting fall mini sessions especially because here in Ontario we have (in my totally unbiased opinions) THE best orchards ever. If you don’t believe me just take a look below!

I am new to the area of Kitchener-Waterloo so it made sense to host some mini session for my first fall as a photographer here! I had so much fun with these families, my face hurt from laughing and smiling so much! I can’t wait to do them again next year!

I was able to shoot at Martin’s Family Farm and it was the perfect locations for fall pictures. As much as I love the changing leaves, nothing screams fall to me like an apple orchard. How awesome are those red apples on these trees? It was absolutely perfect. It was a chilly day sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy but it all worked out so well.

After such a successful season and a lot of happy families, I can’t wait to have these mini sessions again next year!

Love at the Harbour // Becca and Phil

Whether you just got engaged or you’ve been married for a year or ten, it is always a good time to have pictures with the love of your life! I love these couple shoots because they are so much like engagement pictures, which are typically a lot of fun and super easy! Add a cute doggie in the mix and you’ve got yourself an adorable family.

Phil and Becca knew they wanted some pictures at the harbour as a change from some of the more common field, forest, and “green” backdrops. I love the way the boats added depth and the water was just perfect!

I love finding new places to explore so that I always have a handy list of locations for any photography inquiry. Since moving to Kitchener-Waterloo I have start exploring just a little bit but now that the busy summer is over I plan on hitting some awesome locations, stay tuned for a post all about it!

Lifestyle Maternity // Allie

I was pregnant alongside one of my best friends, her with her second and I with my third. When I say right alongside I mean it, we had the same due date! As always though, my baby came late and hers came early so our boys are about ten days apart. I was with her throughout her whole pregnancy so it only seemed natural that I also take her maternity pictures.

Since we were due in January and it was freezing, she opted for an in home, lifestyle session. It was perfect because they had spent a lot of time and effort making their home such a beautiful space! Plus the light coming in from the window was absolutely perfect and created that soft glow that I love so much.

So the thing about Allie is that she loves being pregnant. I do not, not at all. But being pregnant at the same time as someone who loves it definitely gives a new appreciation to it. She was sad that she would no longer feel her belly move, or the soft hiccups, and that feeling of maternal protection surrounding her baby. Of course she was so excited to meet her little guy but watching her love on her baby bump definitely soften my eyes to mine!

Plus how awesome is that nightgown?!