Here it is, the fourth and final instalment of Mother's Day Minis photos! A week after they were supposed to take place, the three remaining families made their way to the field for their scheduled rain date. I couldn't believe how much greener the same location looked after just one week. Here are some peeks at their lovely sessions. Big thanks to all the families who came out and made these minis amazing! I can't wait for next year!! xo
This month's theme was "soft". No better time to introduce Neve to the wonders of soft ice cream, and no better place than under a majestic, blossoming Magnolia tree. Both the tree and the light were so stunning, I have a whole other set of lovely shots - sans ice cream - that I'll be sharing soon. But for now, enjoy these adorable and hilarious captures featuring one very soft (and messy!) ice cream cone. And when you're done, be sure to head over toRed Rubber Studio to see Julianna's interpretation of the theme! -xo
Sunday evening's forecast was looking like rain (and rain, it did!), so we did a last minute scramble and rescheduled some of Sunday evening's families to Sunday morning. There wasn't much sun (and you'll notice how different the setting looks with the different lighting!), but everyone was in good spirits and we captured some adorable family moments. You can go back and check our Part 1 and Part 2, and enjoy some Part 3 peeks below! One more round to blog! :)
Here we go with round two of the minis! We had gorgeous weather Saturday evening and the sunlight was just delicious. You can see round 1 blogged here, and stay tuned for two more posts in the coming days!
What a wonderful round of mini sessions we had again this Spring! I had the pleasure of photographing so many new faces, and many familiar ones as well, in a beautiful rustic field. We enjoyed cookies and lemonade and a delightful vintage setup provided by Found Decor Company. There's something so tangibly beautiful about a mama loving on her littles, and it's always an honour to capture these precious interactions through my lens. We had a few different rounds of minis, including two rain dates, so I've chosen to blog these sessions in four parts, one post per round. Please enjoy Part 1, photographed on the first morning of minis. And stay tuned for parts 2, 3 and 4 in the coming days! -xo
This week has been difficult for me on an emotional level. I've never been to Boston or Texas, and yet I shed real tears upon hearing the news of the recent tragic events that took place in these cities. Tears that shook me to the core. My heart broke over and over again for the lives that were lost and the countless others that were forever changed. I'm typically a pretty positive person, but this week has been a difficult one to navigate. I don't just turn on the news, turn it off, go to bed and forget. Perhaps that's why I tend to avoid the news in general. I internalize all the sadness and it's hard for me to "turn it off" and go about my daily life without being, well... sad. There is always something terrible happening, and it would be easy for me to live in a perpetual state of heartbreak. And yet, I don't want to remove myself completely from the injustices and tragedies of this world so that I become disconnected and ignorant. It's a tricky balance - one that I haven't mastered - to maintain perspective by regularly putting oneself in another's shoes while still knowing how to appreciate the familiar comforts and celebrate the beauty of one's own shoes. Does that make any sense at all? Regardless - There was no escaping it this week - it was everywhere I turned, even in my news-free bubble. So this week has been about striving to see the tangible beauty in my everyday world of home while my heart aches for the pain felt elsewhere in the world. I've gathered a small collection of everyday simplicities, sweet moments of childhood experienced with my girl over the past few weeks, that I just wanted to share here. I am so thankful for these beautiful moments that happen even when the world seems to be falling apart. And I am aware more than ever to hold on to them and cherish them, because they can be taken away all too soon.
-xo
Daily book time - Her favourite.
Watching at the window, waiting for Papa to get home for dinner.
Coming full-circle - bathing her baby in the bath she used to fit in
An official introduction to sidewalk chalk on a stormy Saturday morning.
While my first thought was to style something pretty with beautiful antique books, I decided to take a different route with this theme. As much as the artist in me sometimes craves the challenge and delight of styling a session to perfection, it's my love of raw emotion, real moments and everyday simplicities that has always been the driving force behind my photography, and I wanted to capture our real, everyday experience with books. I wanted to document my girl and her stacks of used, brightly coloured, unattractive, ripped and faded children's books - many purchased second-hand at a library sale. Paperback corners folded, board book corners chewed up, reminiscent of those first few teeth that would chomp everything in sight. These are the books that are strewn across our floor everyday. These are the books that my daughter holds dear and knows by heart. These are the books that bring me and my girl together every single day as we go through piles of them, reading familiar rhymes, pointing out favourite illustrations, snuggling close. These are the books that are opening my child's eyes to the world beyond our home, introducing her to the beautiful experience of losing yourself in a favourite story and daydreaming of faraway lands and imaginary characters. And so these are the books I photographed on a quiet morning with soft light streaming through the patio door as my barefoot girl indulged in her daily ritual. -xo
Please don't forget to follow the blog circle to see how the lovely ladies at Jessica Downey Photo, Red Rubber Studio and Alana Harris Photography interpreted this month's theme. First up, Julianna from Red Rubber Studio.
I love the warm glow of the rising/setting sun and a whimsical outdoor location just as much as the next photographer, but there is always something so special and inspiring about being invited into a family's home to document them in their element. Allison is a dear friend of mine, and I've had the privilege of photographing her sweet little family fairly regularly over the years. Alexis is four years old now, and as lovely as ever. I came over one Saturday morning (while her daddy was out golfing) to photograph some quality mama/daughter bonding time. They whipped up some chocolate chip cookies together and then headed to the big bed for books and snuggles (the best!). I love how Alexis chose to wear her beautiful dress for a baking session. Allison and I laughed about it as she tied her festive apron over her fancy outfit. Gotta love a four year old fashionista. Enjoy these photos! -xo
It is a well known (and well documented) fact that I am a holiday nut. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Canada Day, you name it. I've always cherished the holiday traditions that my family has carried on, and I always looked forward to starting special festive traditions with my own children. Easter means a lot of things for our family. We celebrate life, reflect on love, and thank God for a gift so wonderful and so undeserved. Easter is also a time to celebrate those we hold dear. We gather for meals with family and friends, we enjoy the sunshine together, and we indulge in special treats and activities. This year, Neve was actually old enough to grasp the concept of an egg hunt (and old enough to have the occasional taste of chocolate), and I was all over it. After a lovely late afternoon playtime at the park, I scattered some chocolate filled plastic eggs in a nearby field and, in the glow of the setting sun, my girl grasped the handle of her plastic bucket and excitedly got to work. She squealed with joy and hopped from one egg to the other, and when she actually realized what was inside the eggs, well that just took it to a whole new level of best.game.ever. As I watched her, my mama heart nearly exploded with happiness. A memory was made, a tradition was started, and my girl - eyes shining, face grinning, feet hopping - was over-the-moon. I wish I could bottle her childhood innocence and wonder. Instead I snapped a few photographs to hold on to this moment forever. What a blessing and a joy she is.
However you celebrate, may this weekend be a time of joyful memories made for you and your family.
-xo
This week has been trying. At the beginning of the week, Neve was out with a fever. She needed her maman. There were lots of snuggles and kisses and sweet, sweet moments that made me catch my breath and thank God for my little girl. But, as any parent will tell you, caring for a feverish toddler also has its difficult moments. When Neve's fever broke, she was back to her old self again. Which these days, involves a lot of power struggles and cries for independence balanced with wanting my attention every.single.second.of.every.single.day. I'm thankful that the little tantrums and fits of "NON MAMAN!" are short-lived and quickly followed with hugs, kisses and requests to read books in my lap. She's still my sweet, affectionate, hilarious, adorable girl. But boy, is she ever spirited. Which is a nice way of saying she knows what she wants and when she wants it (hint: it's usually NOW). Which is a nice way of saying she is stubborn. Which is a nice way of saying she can throw it down with the best of them. Which is, really, just another way of saying she is sort of like her maman. Lots of deep breathing, lots of hugs, lots of letting her try things on her own and giving her opportunities to make choices and practice independence, even if it means everything.takes.double.the.time.
Of course, part of Neve's strong personality is her love of exploring and learning, which are qualities I am thankful she possesses. As soon as she was feeling up to it, I took her to the woods near our house and let her run, play, touch, pick up, feel and collect bits and pieces of nature all around her. She loved it, and I loved watching her. I actually brought my big girl camera along for the ride, and I've shared some of our little moments below. Oh, how I long for the warm, golden Summer evenings when the sun comes out to play. But even despite the lack of a "golden hour" and the heavy grey skies, I kind of love these photos. To live in Canada is to embrace each season, so consider this my glass-half-full attempt at making a muddy, gloomy Spring day a little brighter.
-xo
