Shannon + Family Portraits - Tree Farm
This following weekend provided some pretty good weather so it was perfect timing to do a family portrait session with Shannon and her wonderful family. We were originally supposed to have them done at their home but some last minute scheduling led us to do the tree farm instead, and in the morning instead of the afternoon. As long as I still got to photograph them, I didn't mind the shift in location and timing. In the end, the Tree Farm provided the perfect backdrop for an early morning session. I think the kids had a great time as well.
This following weekend provided some pretty good weather so it was perfect timing to do a family portrait session with Shannon and her wonderful family. We were originally supposed to have them done at their home but some last minute scheduling led us to do the tree farm instead, and in the morning instead of the afternoon. As long as I still got to photograph them, I didn't mind the shift in location and timing. In the end, the Tree Farm provided the perfect backdrop for an early morning session. I think the kids had a great time as well.
Usually for an hour session, I take the family in a loop around the trail. Stopping here and there and walking at a nice easy pace ends up allowing for enough time to get a good amount of photos in. The challenge I find, is coming away with too many photos and narrowing them down!
Right off the bat, I could tell that everyone was going to be super easy to work with. All the kids were great models and even offered up some suggestions for spots to stop and take some pictures. I ended up using some of those suggestions as well. It was all a very natural and go with the flow kind of shoot. It's such a treat when I am able to photograph a family that is so easy going and willing to pretty much do anything I suggest.
Just before we finished up, I had promised earlier to let the kids do a funny face, and that is exactly what the did. It was fitting end to a spontaneous and fun session.
Brianne + Darren Engagement - Tree Farm
Going into the weekend I wasn't sure how the weather was going to be but Saturday ended up clearing up quite a bit and the sun even made an appearance. It was perfect timing for my first session of the day, and engagement session with Brianne, Darren and their dog Cora. They decided they wanted to do a mini-session, which is 30 minutes long, at the Tree Farm.
Going into the weekend I wasn't sure how the weather was going to be but Saturday ended up clearing up quite a bit and the sun even made an appearance. It was perfect timing for my first session of the day, and engagement session with Brianne, Darren and their dog Cora. They decided they wanted to do a mini-session, which is 30 minutes long, at the Tree Farm.
Like most couples, Brianne immediately told me that she doesn't really know what to do in front of the camera and I was quick to reassure them both. I get that exact question more then I can count from people and I say the same thing to each and every one of them. Just be yourself. I find it usually takes are few shots for couples to get truly comfortable but once they do it's a breeze. That is exactly what happened during this session. Both Brianne and Darren were naturals by the end of it all. It helps that I keep the entire shoot very relaxed. I always direct each couple a little bit, but at the end of the day, it's up to them to be themselves.
Because it was a 30 minute session we stayed in the first part of the Tree Farm which was just fine. There was a couple great areas with the usual tall trees as well as a few different trails. I even managed to get some great photos of Cora, doing her best pose. All in all, it was a fun little session and I think that comes through in all the photos below. Thanks as always to Brianne and Darren for letting me photograph their engagement session. They were a pleasure to work with!
Ashima + Family Portraits - Tree Farm
Just as I was finishing up one session at Centennial with Carol and her family, before I knew it, I was off to the Tree Farm to photograph Ashima and her family. As soon as I got there, Chase, her son, greeted me by walking up and saying hello! Shortly thereafter, he turned his attention to a dog in the vehicle beside me, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
Just as I was finishing up one session at Centennial with Carol and her family, before I knew it, I was off to the Tree Farm to photograph Ashima and her family. As soon as I got there, Chase, her son, greeted me by walking up and saying hello! Shortly thereafter, he turned his attention to a dog in the vehicle beside me, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
That initial introduction summed up what the rest of this mini-session would be like. Fast paced, spontaneous, and basically me just trying to keep up with the little guy. Luckily, we were able to slow things down a bit here and there to capture some family portraits. But, the rest of the shots were simply candid and on the fly. It was easy to grab this kind of photos too, with all the trees and places to run around and hide.
One of my favourite photos is Chase standing off in the distance between the tall trees. Of course, he had to have his toy dump truck with him at all times! As our time almost came to an end I made sure to get a few photos of the happy couple as well as the soon to be newest addition to the family.
Even though we only had 30 minutes together, it was plenty of time to get some great genuine photos of the Ashima and her family in a beautiful setting. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it!
Tobin + Family Portraits - Tree Farm
What another great session with Tobin, Kristi and their ever growing family. This was the second time using this specific location with them so I was anxious to get back there and capture some updated photos, especially with the new addition to the family. The tree farm is such a perfect location in that you can literally spend the whole session in spot if you really wanted to. Well, we made sure we moved around a bit so I think we came away with some great moments.
What another great session with Tobin, Kristi and their ever growing family. This was the second time using this specific location with them so I was anxious to get back there and capture some updated photos, especially with the new addition to the family. The tree farm is such a perfect location in that you can literally spend the whole session in spot if you really wanted to. Well, we made sure we moved around a bit so I think we came away with some great moments.
Admittedly, there aren't a lot of leaves at the tree farm but with that being said, there was still a lot of great 'colour' there. Plus, when you are right smack dab in the middle of these rows of huge trees, that's more then enough. Everyone had a great time during the session and we even managed to end it with some leaf throwing on the trail.
It was such a pleasure photographing Tobin and Kristi's family. Especially at such a wonderful location. I'm very much looking forward to our next session in the near future.
Dao + Keith Christmas Family Portraits
When we originally planned to do this family photo session is was earlier in the season. Well, it ended up working out for the best because doing it during Christmas meant I got the chance to visit Dao and Keith's beautiful house. This session was definitely a little Christmas themed as we started the shoot right beside their huge tree while sitting on the winding stair case.
When we originally planned to do this family photo session is was earlier in the season. Well, it ended up working out for the best because doing it during Christmas meant I got the chance to visit Dao and Keith's beautiful house. This session was definitely a little Christmas themed as we started the shoot right beside their huge tree while sitting on the winding stair case.
Once we got some great shots on the stair case we took some really fun photos on the couch. Of course, both of their dogs joined us for those ones as well. Because it was such a nice day out we spent the other half of the session outside. So, everyone got on their winter clothes and we checked out their backyard. Outdoor photos are definitely my favourite kind as it allows for a lot more freedom. The kids had fun as did Dao and Keith. Not only did we get some great family shots we also came away with some awesome individual photos too.
Thanks again to Keith, Dao and their family for inviting me into their home and letting me photograph them. They were so easy going which made for a very relaxed and extremely fun hour!
Marianne + Family Portraits - Tree Farm
It was yet another beautiful morning last Saturday and I was lucky enough to take photos of Marianne and her family at the local Tree Farm. The main reason she asked me to take photos was because her son just had his 2nd birthday recently.
It was yet another beautiful morning last Saturday and I was lucky enough to take photos of Marianne and her family at the local Tree Farm. The main reason she asked me to take photos was because her son just had his 2nd birthday recently.
We started the day at 10:00am. Luckily it was a bit overcast which made for some wonderful light and also some good weather. Once I arrived we started our walk through the forest stopping along the way. The hour went by super quick and everyone had a wonderful time.
The location itself is such a unique one. There are a ton of spots to stop with rows upon rows of trees in the background. Suffice it to say we took advantage of a few of them. We ended the session by the bridge that overlooks the creek which lender itself to a few more unique and creative photos.
As always, thanks to Marianne for letting me photograph her family. I had such a good time and I absolutely love how the photos turned out.
Tobin + Family Portraits
For the second year in a row I had the pleasure of photographing Tobin, Kristi and Grace. Last year we used Centennial Park as the location. This year, however, we chose to use the Tree Farm just on the outskirts of Thunder Bay.
For the second year in a row I had the pleasure of photographing Tobin, Kristi and Grace. Last year we used Centennial Park as the location. This year, however, we chose to use the Tree Farm just on the outskirts of Thunder Bay. I had recently visited this location and after seeing it for the first time I couldn’t wait to do a portrait session there. Especially around this time of year it’s absolutely perfect as the trees are changing colour and the leaves are falling.
Right off the bat I couldn’t believe how much bigger Grace got! She was off to the races as soon as she stepped out of the vehicle. I basically spend the next hour chasing her around and getting some really nice candid shots. She did settle down here and there to pose with her mom and dad which was great. She really was the perfect little model. The best part was that she had these boots on that squeaked so even though the tree farm was quite big, there was never any fear of losing her.
We got some nice photos in the high grass, there were some encounters with dogs, we checked out the creek area and the last part of the session ended with a whole lot of leaves being thrown around. Those were some of my favourite shots of the day. Thanks again to Toby, Kristi and Grace for letting me be part of an amazing day. I can’t wait to see how much bigger Grace gets next year!
