Every photographer has a photography "bucket list" of sorts - a list of locations or ideas they are dying to try out. Shooting in an orchard in full bloom is on my list, right there with photographing subjects in a barn, in a canoe at sunset, and on the beach at sunrise. When the Birtch family and I started talking about a family session at the family farm, which also happens to be the beautiful orchard my family and I go to every Fall, I had it in the back of my mind that I might get to cross this beautiful idea off my list. Sadly, because of the weird heat wave we had in March, the orchard bloomed far to early, and the subsequent frost devastated the apple crops. While I was sad to have missed the flowers, I was even more sad about the apples and what this means for Birtch Farms and so many other orchards across Southern Ontario. Thankfully, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery has a lot to offer, even without apple picking, so be sure to check out the fun activities they have for the kiddos as well as their amazing baking and delicious selection of apple wines and ciders (yum!). Blooms or no blooms, this setting was breathtaking, and the gorgeous summer light combined with this lovely family made this one of my favourite sessions ever. There is something magical about running barefoot through an orchard, and I'm so glad I was able to capture some sweet moments for the Birtch family in the place they call home.

Enjoy the photos!