London Ontario Family Photographer | Erin, Spencer & Sydney Downtown

I had the pleasure of working with Erin as an ECE in her kindergarten classroom when I first moved to London, before I took the plunge and decided to really dive into my passion for photography. Her lovely little family trusted me with one of my very first portfolio building sessions, and then officially hired me again shortly after when I first started my business. Erin's always been such a supporter of my work and is such a wonderful person, it was such a joy to see her and her kids and photograph them again. Such a beautiful, fun-loving, radiant bunch. Our downtown session was a blast, and the light was so warm and soft. Here is a look at our session!

Project Ten | May (Soft)

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

 

London Ontario Maternity Photographer | Leili

The lovely Leili is the photographer behind Leili Heidema Photography in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories (which just so happens to be a place my husband and I have always dreamed of visiting together!). When she contacted me about doing maternity photos for her and her husband during their short London visit, my heart skipped a beat. It is always such an honour when another photographer chooses me to capture their memories, and maternity photography is my favourite. We met in a quaint little organic cafe before heading out to an overgrown field. It threatened to rain during the entire session, but the first drop didn't fall until we were saying our goodbyes - talk about perfect timing! Leili and her husband are simply adorable, and I had so much fun hanging out with them. Leili - thank you so much for trusting me with documenting this very special milestone for your family. I wish you the very best as you prepare to welcome your little bundle! xo

London Ontario Portrait Photographer | Natalie at Sunset

Last week, I spontaneously texted my lovely friend Natalie about checking out a new possible location, and... let's just say one thing led to another. We ended up photographing each other and soaking up the gorgeous golden sunlight... the kind of light that makes a photographer's heart skip a beat. What started as a few test shots turned into mini headshot sessions, and it was so fun to photograph (and be photographed by) someone as passionate about golden hour photography as I am. (picture us mildly freaking out over the perfect light, and frantically taking turns shooting each other... "Ok, just one last shot.... no I lied, just one more... hold on... okay your turn..." -- so much fun!) You can see the shots Natalie took of me on her blog, and read her thoughts on networking with other local photographers. I have to say, I couldn't agree more. This idea that local photographers should be at each other's throats is just silly. I've never been the competitive type (I can't even be fully happy when my favourite teams win, because I'm always feeling bad for the losing team), and quite frankly I'd much rather sip coffee with my "colleagues" and laugh about crazy #photographerlife stories than walk solo and try to "beat the competition". It has been so refreshing and wonderful to get to know this girl on both a business and personal level over the past year, and I'm so thankful she's in my life. While on paper, I suppose we are each other's "competition", the reality is that we are each other's biggest fan, and her support means the world to me.

Ok, enough sentimental gushing. Here are some photos of the GORGEOUS Natalie Young, who by the way is carrying TWINS! :)

xo

The Mama Journal | Everyday Beauty

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.

Project Ten | April (Books)

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.

London Ontario Family Lifestyle Photographer | Alexis and Mama at Home

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

The Mama Journal | Egg Hunt

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

London Ontario Lifestyle Photography | Kiya

The first time I was invited into this lovely home, it was to take candid backyard portraits of the wonderful Albinger family 2 1/2 years ago. Back then, this little girl's daddy hadn't even married her mommy yet. I had the honour and pleasure of photographing Derek and Audrey's wedding a few months later, and then got to meet their sweet little Kiya during the Mother's Day Minis last year. They moved away shortly after our last shoot, and I was so glad that a session with me made it on the itinerary of their recent visit home. This time it was all about Kiya as I got to photograph her playing around her grandparents' home. I followed her around every room of the house as she played and explored and got to capture her sweet little personality. What a special little girl! I am always so honoured and touched when a family allows me to capture memories for them over the years and document their milestones and new additions. I truly have an amazing "job", though it feels more like a very special privilege! Here are some photos from our in-home lifestyle session! xo