This entire family is made of 100% pure awesomesauce. I can’t tell what part of the day was the best: mom getting the giggles for 20 minutes and being so contagious I could barely keep a grasp on my camera, or the teen daughters who not only helped with my reflector, but gave a running commentary to mom and dad on how to loosen up their posing!

We came out for some drop-dead stunning Hatley Castle portraits, and it was one boomshot after another for two continuous hours. I could barely wait to get home and start working on my favourites.

Another feature! I’m so excited about this one, and it just arrived in my mail today… Heads up New Zealanders!

Thank you CENZ Effect magazine! Here’s a quick snap of my squeeing excitement when the issue came in my mailbox earlier this week…

Asukabook is one of my favourite album vendors. They have some of the best coffeetable style albums out there, and recently brought out a whole new line of awesome options. Their July mailer arrived in my inbox with a pleasant surprise…

I’m a featured photographer on all their new sample lines! As soon as it loaded I had a little (okay, big) squee!

If you’re a professional looking to purchase a sample to show off in your studio, you might just take home some of my images.

I’ve been overdue on posting my favourites from this GORGEOUS Ontario wedding. One of the best parts about having opportunities to shoot as a destination wedding photographer is getting the chance to be involved in celebrations that are so full of culture, beauty, happiness and diversity. Unique weddings are always such a joy to photograph.

Stephanie and Shahriar had an incredible wedding at Windreach Farm in Ashburn, Ontario. Here are some of the highlights:

Shahriar was so adorable, he couldn’t stop smiling at Stephanie all day long. This photo sums up the ‘problem’ I was having all day: trying to get serious faces with a guy that was too happy.

Speeches are some of my favourite parts of weddings. I love hearing the stories of how the couple got together, and I have to say that Stephanie and Shahriar had one of the best I’d ever heard!

Thank you Stephanie and Shahriar for inviting me to your beautiful Ontario wedding!

Due to a series of terribly, terribly unfortunate events while driving a car with no A/C in the blazing heat for four hours ended up arriving at this session looking rather frazzled in a chocolate-covered blouse and bright orange crocs. I said, “I hope you weren’t expecting a high level of professionalism from my appearance!” and then she pulled out a circus hoop and tied it to a tree so she could hang upside-down. And everything was right in the world.

Her wonderful dog, who faithfully freaked out whenever she climbed into the ring.

My favourite families to shoot are the ones that don’t take photography too seriously. Time flies, even on a blistering hot day, when you’re surrounded by people who love to laugh, love each other, and love to have fun. The awesome was dripping from this family (or was that sweat? Man it was hot that day!). These pictures can only capture a portion of the awesome.

Kristi, mom of beautiful boy/boy twins at seven months old! This was another one of my Colorado sessions.
A tip for all baby photographer hopefuls: nannies are the key to getting good baby smiles. Without the aid of mom’s friend and nanny, the last hour of this session would have gone very differently!

This was my last shoot before I left to Colorado… so that’ll give you a hint to how backed up I am! Tip: never fall ill immediately after returning home from a business trip, it’s bad mojo.
I’m playing catch-up now, so expect a number of posts in the coming week!

First: the sneak peek for the Turkington family! A 10-man family portrait taken at grandma and grampa’s house in beautiful Metchosin.

A single image from Auri’s newborn session. Make sure to check out her “Dawning” birth session, just one entry back, for some truly amazing images from her arrival.

This has become my new favourite baby image. Look what can fit!

For this “Dawning” session, I traveled all the way to Fountain, Colorado to wait on a baby’s emergence. It’s the furthest I’ve gone for such a little client. She was shy and waited until the very last minute to come, but when she did decide to arrive she came in style: her mama’s labour was a mere two hours long! It’s the second fastest birth I’ve ever attended (can you believe there’s been one faster than that?).
Even though I was in the same room, I almost missed getting those key shots of the baby emerging… because that part was a mere seven seconds long.

Welcome to the world Auri Meadow! Born at 3:54pm, 8lb 9oz and 21″ long. She is welcomed by her mom and dad, plus four older brothers and sisters.
All photos are under a cut for nudity and some blood… but don’t worry, nothing gory or spread eagle: that’s not how I roll.
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