Once your kids get older, they sometimes all live in different places in the world, so when everyone gets together in one spot its a good time to get a family photo, everyone- all together in one photo.
This was a shoot with the whole group, grandparents, older children and grandchildren.
It is something that you will all cherish for years to come.
Enjoy some of my favourites from this shoot.
Salt spring Island wedding. If you have never been to Salt spring Island, I suggest you add it to your list.
E&N on Salt Spring Island. They run a beautiful farm and decided to have their wedding on the farm. Mostly everything at the wedding was grown/raised on the farm. The farm to table dinner was amazing!
The attire from the wedding party was vibrant and colourful- just like the brides. They were surrounded by so much love and laughter. Everyone there loved them so much and it was so nice to see everyone come together and enjoy a beautiful wedding and ceremony at such a beautiful location.
Here are a few of my favourites from their wedding day.
If you are looking for a little destination for your wedding, look at Bullock farms- it was so beautiful.
We wait all year for the long days & the warmer weather here in Vancouver.
I am so excited to get back to shooting outside again.
My favourite time of day to shoot at is a hour before sunset. You get that nice warm glow to your photos.
I have a ton of great spots to do photos in North Vancouver, West vancouver, Downtown and even the Fraser valley.
I hope to capture your family this summer!
There is a time in our pregnancy that we don’t feel like even getting out of our sweat pants and that once oversized t-shirt that was our husbands is starting to feel snug.
Maternity sessions with me are usually done around 31-34 weeks in my studio or outside. My full maternity sessions include hair and make up to give you that extra special feeling.
Being pregnant, if you actually think of it is such a miracle. We try for so long not to get pregnant… and then when we do, for some of us its actually hard. You are now pregnant and it is such a gift. I want your maternity photos to be a symbol of that, a memory of such a special time.
I am absolutely aware that photoshoots with kids are incredibly stress-inducing, but they are also TOTALLY worth it. You know how fast your children change, which is why having photos of them at different stages in life is so important. That being said, I one hundred percent understand how stressful the whole process can be.
Choose your outfits one week prior - yes, one week prior! Hit up consignment stores for accent pieces like vests or fun jackets. H&M and Zara are good places to get the basics. Solid colours are best, and usually, these bigger stores’ seasonal colours are on-trend and in complementary palettes that will work with your whole group.
Pick comfortable pieces your kids will actually wear - eliminate the frustration of fighting your toddler to wear something they don’t want to wear, for example, scratchy jeans or structured shirts. Opt for something they will put on their bodies and not flip out in the process of doing so.
Bring snacks and treats. Ah yes, snacks and treats, also known as bribes. Very little will get a toddler more motivated than a smarty or lollipop. This may not be for everyone, but, in these special circumstances, it can be very motivating to get your little one to cooperate.
Mentally prepare yourself for chaos, lower your expectations, and try not to strive for ‘perfect’. It’s often us, the parents, who put these crazy expectations on ourselves to create something that is perfect. When things don’t go in this direction (honestly, do they ever?), it can cause stress. Kids pick up on this stress and in turn, makes the whole situation tenser than it needs to be.
Work with a photographer who knows kids - a photographer who has experience with kids is likely going to be calmer around children. And honestly, we know that kids are always way better for people who aren’t their parents, right?
Bring help - it’s always a good idea to have help, whether it’s your spouse or a grandparent. Sometimes it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation where I’m holding the camera making farting jokes, dad is positioning the baby, and mom is trying everything in her power to get the baby to smile. It really is a workout so be prepared to get sweaty.
This isn’t meant to scare you, it’s meant to help prepare you for the wonderful chaos of a family photoshoot with little kids. Lower your expectations for your kids and yourself and we will do just great together!
Is it just me, or are our relationships in need of some TLC? We’ve had a lot of time at home in the past year, which can put a strain on relationships of all kinds (parents, couples, siblings, you name it). One way to keep things interesting is by going on dates and setting aside one on one time with each other. So, here’s a fun idea, why not throw a photo session into a date night?
Seriously, when was the last time you and your partner had photos done together? This session was at my favourite location, Blackie Spit Park in Surrey, and the couple was prepared to have FUN. They brought music and drinks and just enjoyed their one-on-one time together. You could feel the chemistry between them, and you knew they were enjoying themselves. Really, a photo date night wins all ways, not only is it a date night (necessary) but you also have keepsakes to hang on to.
Just before summer began, I did a Children’s Portrait Series and it was a big hit with my clients. These portrait sessions are perfect for adorning your home with high-resolution, striking prints of your little loved ones. Portraits are also ideal to use as headshots if your kids are involved in acting.
I learned via my Instagram polls, that many of you are interested in big prints like the ones featured in this now iconic blog post by Chris Loves Julia. There are tons of tutorials on Pinterest and the web, so I’ll highlight the basics like where to get prints done in the Vancouver area and what kind of frames I like to use.
Most of the tutorials online require you to do some photo editing to achieve the right look - I’ve eliminated this step by giving you colour and black and white edits to choose from. You also won’t need to fuss around with the resolution since these are professional portraits you can send right to print.
I highly recommend Kerrisdale Cameras for printing! They have an amazing online service that’s easy to use, great quality, and the turnaround is so quick. They also have locations all over the Lower Mainland and in Victoria.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on framing every image in your home. IKEA has tons of styles of frames to choose from, they’re inexpensive, and they come with mattes. Matting can make a huge impact on a framed print, it keeps things cohesive and tidy, and can really make an image pop in your space. For big pieces like this you can’t go wrong with large RIBBA frames (which are now less than $20!), they’re light, easy to hang, and have a timeless modern look.
I hope this helps you make the most of the portraits you’ve had done with me, another photographer, or some killer photos you have on your phone. Also, if you’d like to have portraits like these done, stay tuned, I may do another shoot this fall!
Something about spring in Vancouver, its just so beautiful. The nature is blooming- cherry blossoms, tulips. The weather is warm and there is tons of pregnant mamas.
I love this location because it has the city views and the beautiful sandy beach.
This couple was so fun and down for whatever, I loved their chemistry - made my job super easy and I cannot wait to meet their little boy!
Milestone mini sessions are perfect for babies 3-12 months old. They can grab their feet, sit up or roll over, such fun milestones to capture and remember forever.
These sessions take place in studio and you can also bring along a sibling
