Cinematic Lifestyle Session - Downtown London Ontario Cafe + Arcade Family Photos

Introducing: RFP Cinematic Lifestyle Sessions

Cinematic, because the photos feel like paused frames from a cherished family home video. These longer sessions focus on activities and interactions and are documented with more of a fly-on-the-wall approach than a typical family portrait session. They also last longer, because you’re actually doing whatever activities you’ve chosen–I’m just along for the ride. Have a fun idea? Indoor, outdoor, any season—I’d love to hear it!

We’ll also dedicate a window of time to capturing a handful of lightly posed family photos, so you’ve got those as well (scroll to the last few photos to see what I mean).

For this session, I documented this adorable family as they strolled around the market, enjoyed hot chocolate and treats, and had a blast at the arcade. We also snuck in a few classic family photos in that creamy downtown golden hour light.

If you’re thinking, “my kiddo can barely handle a mini session”—don’t worry. These are not “stand here, look-and-smile” sessions that a child needs to “behave” for. With cinematic lifestyle sessions, you’re in the moment, in movement. These sessions allow for feelings, for getting bored, getting hungry, for changing the plan as needed. There’s no earning a special treat after the photos, because getting the treat is part of it.

Telling stories through images is more than just an overused photographer tagline for me. It’s always been the thing that drives me creatively, the meaning behind my business name. I want you to look at these images and think: “There we are. That’s totally us.”

London Ontario Family Photography - Westminster Ponds Extended Family Session

I loved spending time with this fun-loving extended family for their woodsy session in the Westminster Ponds conservation area back in 2019. My favourite with these sessions is always documenting cousins playing and grandparents loving on their grandchildren. Lucky me, each of these individual families has since gone on to book family and newborn sessions, and I’ve had the joy of staying in touch and continuing to document their growing families.

London Ontario Family Photographer | Backyard Winter Family Session

I had such a fun time with this family for their backyard family session. Winter sessions, backyard sessions and older child family sessions can all present certain challenges (the cold, limited space/lighting/background options, less options in terms of cuddling, playing, picking little ones up, etc.), and this session checked all of those boxes. And yet, this family session was so full of joy, laughter, playfulness and genuine cuddles, making my job easy and so much fun. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | White Studio Charity Minis

I look forward to my yearly mini session fundraiser all year long, and these 2019 sessions did not disappoint! I spent the day at Studio Collective (who generously donated the use of their space) with beautiful families taking photos and raising money to support the Rohingya Crisis (100% of session fees donated). Here are a few favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | Snowy Family Session

I’ve always been a huge fan of Winter sessions. The snow makes for such a gorgeous backdrop, not to mention a giant reflector. I’ve been lucky enough to work with this beautiful family several times now, and it’s always a blast. I love all the candid moments throughout this session, from snuggles to giggles to snowball fights. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer - Woodsy Extended Family Session

I absolutely loved this extended family session. My favourite part? Ring Around The Rosy with Grandma and Grandpa! I’m so glad we captured so many fun candid and playful moments in addition to the many different posed groupings. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | Playful Beach Extended Family Session

Extended Family sessions tend to come with a list of important groupings and must-haves - after all, how often does everyone get together in coordinated outfits with the sole purpose of documenting family memories? We make it count and get every combination that is meaningful, including individual photos of the kiddos and mini family sessions for each individual unit in addition to the large family groupings. The challenge can sometimes be to find those playful, affectionate, candid moments throughout the session as we go down the list of must-have photos (it’s a bit more structured and regimented than an individual family session where we go with the flow more), but this family came to have fun. I absolutely LOVE the playful, hilarious photos we captured as they not only ran in the water together, but pushed each other in. It was a survival of the fittest situation, and it was so.much.fun. Let’s be honest, family sessions can be stressful (outfits, hair, getting there on time, kids arguing, weather uncertainty, all that pressure to get the photos you’ve been planning (and sometimes saving) for), but this session shows how amazing it can be when you let fun memories, too. Scroll to the end for the FUN! :)

London Ontario Family Photographer | Chilly Fall Family Session (with a sprinkle of snow!)

No one expected it would snow on the morning of this beautiful family’s Fall family session, but sure enough, the ground was covered in a sprinkling of snow, and it was just a bit chillier than we had hoped! But our positivity prevailed, and a little unexpected snow didn’t stop us from capturing some great family memories. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Session | Fall Family Session in the Forest

Here is another family that I’ve loved working with regularly over the past several years! These kiddos are full of energy, and we always have a blast documenting how much they’ve grown each year. For this session, we headed to Medway Forest to start in the wild overgrown fields and make our way to the leaf covered woods by the creek for some leaf throwing, log balancing, rock skipping fun. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | Wild Field Family Session

I love seeing this family over the years! Winston is the cutest little dude, and watching him grow is such a joy. Here are a few favourites from their session in a wild overgrown field. Late Summer/Early Fall is such a great time for photos. The warm air combined with the Autumn feel of the wild golden rod make for the best of both worlds!