Month: May 2017

Engagement

Josh + Maddy | Engagement on the Rideau | Merrickville, ON

Engagement sessions are my FAVOURITE!…Well, I say that about a lot of sessions, but at least this week they are.  Seriously though, I love the easy, laid back feeling of an engagement session.  Two people in love, looking forward to such a special day in their love story and, for the time they’re with me, there’s not a care in the world.  We chat about their wedding plans, crack jokes and therefore, laugh a lot.  Couples get to hold hands, hold each other and kiss! There’s always LOTS of smooching going on at a LOP engagement shoot, which if you or your other isn’t too jazzed about the photos part, you’ll at least be pretty happy with the amount of kissing.

Maddy was a bridesmaid at a wedding that I shot last fall for Miranda and Taylor (and LOVED).  Just after Christmas, and all of the usual holiday engagements, I held a contest where people could tag their newly engaged friends for a chance to win an engagement session.  Miranda, being her sweet self, nominated Maddy and Josh and what do you know, I ended up drawing her name!

Josh and Maddy requested that their photos be taken in the picturesque little town of Merrickville, ON.  They said that they often visited the village in the summer and even considered having their wedding there.  Since they decided to move their wedding to their private cottage property, it was a no brainer to have their engagement photos taken in the town that they have fallen in love with

I was only happy to go along with their request. One of my favourite features of this historic town is this sweet little phone booth.  I mean, who doesn’t love a vintage red phone booth?! Also, the gorgeous alley between the Baldachin and the old Sam Jake’s Inn/ Fullford Academy is reminiscent of old European streets. I just couldn’t resist getting a few photos there!

I know it sounds cliché, but after spending only a few minutes with Maddy and Josh, I could actually feel the love that they have for one another.  They were so sweet with one another.  Josh offered to carry her jacket (along with a few of my items) and I heard Maddy say, on more than one occasion, “You’re cute” and a smile would spread across Josh’s face.

Josh and Maddy, the love you have for each other is just dripping with sweetness and evident, even to those who don’t know you.  I can tell that in 60 years, you’ll be sitting beside one another on a porch somewhere, holding hands. I can’t wait to see you both on your wedding day this September!




Family Sessions, Lifestyle, Newborn Sessions, Sessions

Another little Frisby | Lifestyle Newborn Session | Stittsville, ON

It’s always interesting to see who, from my past, will show up as a client some day.  I knew Kendra from when I was in high school.  She was the office admin, and since I was such a great kid 😉 I can’t say that I saw her all that often.

With the way that social media is these days, I’ve been able to watch Tim and Kendra’s family grow via Facebook posts and photos (Isn’t that so fun…and at the same time so odd!) but I actually got to meet them all in person the other day and fill in a few of the first pages of little Isla’s story.

Being the baby in a family of 6 sure has it’s perks.  This little girly was snuggled and loved up by her bigger siblings the whole time that I was there.  We even used her as a bargaining chip in the relative chaos that is a family session with four littles under the age of five.  She sat quite contently, wide awake.  Didn’t want to miss a thing, until I was finally able to get her asleep…at the very end of the session – Go figure!

It’s easy to see from these photos, that this new little babe is a welcome addition!  BUT you never quite know what is going to happen when you are dealing with kids, and kids with a new baby sister, at that.  Some times, things get a little crazy you just need a little time out with mom all to your self.  One of the reason’s why I love lifestyle sessions is to capture moments like the one below. It doesn’t always have to be all about the frame-worthy photo (though, I would totally frame this one).  Sometimes it’s about remembering the realness of a new chapter and how it effects everyone.

I know, in my own life, if I’m not intentional about being in the photo, there would be no photos of me with my kids.  I always try to find a little time for just mom time, just dad time and time for the two of them together without other siblings, which can also get missed, especially when you’re the youngest of 4.

Isn’t it a beautiful thing, watching families grow and seeing how each one finds their place inside a family dynamic?  Like I said earlier, it’s not always “pretty” or “instagram-worthy,” perhaps, but it’s real life and that’s a beautiful, amazing blessing.

 

Congrats, Frisby family!



Newborn Sessions, Sessions

A rainbow is a promise | Newborn | Hamilton, ON

I always consider it a great privilege to be able to document times in your life that are so tender and fleeting and precious. Newborn sessions are ones that I hold so dear to my heart for that reason.  This session, though, was a little different for me – sacred almost.  You see, this baby holds a special place in my heart.  Friends, this is my youngest nephew, Liam.

Now every baby is a beautiful gift from God, I know that to be true.  Liam, though, is a special reminder of God’s great faithfulness, that sorrow doesn’t last forever and the difference a year can make. You see, a little over a year ago, my sister-in-law, Karen, gave birth to another baby.  On February 12, 2016,  Karen and Will said both hello and goodbye to their first baby boy, Ethan. Ethan was diagnosed, in utero, with a fairly advanced case of trisomy 18  early on in the pregnancy.  After hearing their options, Karen and Will made a brave and noble choice to continue Ethan’s pregnancy as long as the Lord would allow, hoping to be able to spend even a few moments with their boy, while his heart was still beating. Unfortunately at 32 weeks, Ethan’s heart could no longer keep up and he was born still, into the arms of Jesus.

BUT, “sorrow lasts only for a night.” We found out a few months later that we would be welcoming another nephew or niece into the family.  This time, it was, “a very normal, boring pregnancy.” Eight or so months later, we welcome this very handsome new nephew into our lives. What a remarkable and beautiful gift!

Needless to say, this session with this precious, new family was one that I won’t soon forget.  The added bonus of quality Aunt/Nephew bonding time was icing on the cake.

“After the worst storms, come the most beautiful rainbows.”