Heather + Family Portraits - Thunder Bay Marina
This past Sunday was yet another scorching summer day but that didn't stop Heather and her family from joining for a portrait session down at the Marina. We decided to walk around the outer portion of the Marina which is usually a little bit more quiet, and plus there are always small pockets of shade here and there to stop and do photos.
This past Sunday was yet another scorching summer day but that didn't stop Heather and her family from joining for a portrait session down at the Marina. We decided to walk around the outer portion of the Marina which is usually a little bit more quiet, and plus there are always small pockets of shade here and there to stop and do photos.
Right off that bat, I could tell Zoe, their daughter, was going to be a blast to photograph. She was very well behaved and actually posed on cue most of the time, yet still making me work for it a bit. Plus, there were a ton of candid moments throughout the session. Everyone was so natural and they just rolled with the punches. I always try to keep every one of my portrait sessions relaxed, and this one was no different.
The hour went by so fast and I still can't believe how many great photos I came away with. It helped that Heather and her family were so easy to photograph.
Katelyn + Family Portraits - Marina
Well, after some initial rescheduling because of the weather, Katelyn and her family joined me at the Marina this evening for an awesome photo session. Katelyn actually contacted me a while ago to purchase a mini session gift certificate for Mother's Day. We had already met previously too, because I photographed her sister Courtney's wedding just last year. Suffice it to say I was really excited to spend some time with the O'Connor's again, especially for a portrait session.
Well, after some initial rescheduling because of the weather, Katelyn and her family joined me at the Marina this evening for an awesome photo session. Katelyn actually contacted me a while ago to purchase a mini session gift certificate for Mother's Day. We had already met previously too, because I photographed her sister Courtney's wedding just last year. Suffice it to say I was really excited to spend some time with the O'Connor's again, especially for a portrait session.
As I mentioned above, the session took place at the marina, and we decided to walk around the far end where the docks are. It's a beautiful part of the marina with lost of great spots. Throughout the portrait session, I simply pointed out spots I thought would look nice and we would take a few photos and move on. The whole session had a great flow to it and everyone was so easy going, especially the little ones.
The weather was absolutely perfect too. It was a warm overcast day so the lighting was spot on. It also helped that the entire family was very easy to photograph. You can see from the photographs that everyone had a really fun time, as did I. Thanks as always to Katelyn, Courtney and the rest of the family for letting me spend some time taking photos of them!
Amanda + Family Portraits - Mission Marsh
Every now and then I give away free portrait session at Shags of wedding couples I am eventually photographing. Well, Amanda won a session and decided to take me up on my offer. We decided on Mission Marsh for the location and it ended up being perfect! All in all, it was a family of 5 and they were all great sports.
Every now and then I give away free portrait session at Shags of wedding couples I am eventually photographing. Well, Amanda won a session and decided to take me up on my offer. We decided on Mission Marsh for the location and it ended up being perfect! All in all, it was a family of 5 and they were all great sports.
Since Mission Marsh is a relatively small location, it was a nicely paced session, taking advantage of a few different spots. It was a good mix of candid and slightly posed shots. As I do with all of my session, I tried to keep it as natural as possible. I couldn't have asked for a better family to photograph and I just love how the photos turned out!
Amanda + Serge Family Portraits - Centennial Park
Centennial Park was the location for my latest portrait session with Amanda, Serge and their daughter Norah. They are friends of the family, so anytime I get to spend an hour with people I know, it's an added bonus. As soon as I arrived little Norah showed us where to go, and that ended up being the playground, of course. We kind of just let her roam around with some gentle guidance here and there. She was actually really great all the way through, stopping and posing for a few seconds when we asked her.
Centennial Park was the location for my latest portrait session with Amanda, Serge and their daughter Norah. They are friends of the family, so anytime I get to spend an hour with people I know, it's an added bonus. As soon as I arrived little Norah showed us where to go, and that ended up being the playground, of course. We kind of just let her roam around with some gentle guidance here and there. She was actually really great all the way through, stopping and posing for a few seconds when we asked her.
We then made our way to the stable where the animals usually are. Thankfully, this time around, the horses were out, along with the chickens, pigs and even goats. Norah was the most impressed by the goats, constantly going back to them and peering through the fence. That whole area of Centennial is such a great spot to take photos. The animals make it that much better too.
We finished the session down by the log houses and train tracks. Of course, the session wasn't all about Norah, I also got plenty of photos of Amanda and Serge too. The session, as usual, went by very quickly because we were having so much fun.
Alexa Portraits - Thunder Bay Marina
My second session of the day, was yet another one that was just centred around the child of the family, in this case it was Michelle's daughter Alexa. Michelle had one a free 30 minute portrait session at one of the shags I sponsored too and that brought us to this past Sunday. My model for the day was 4 year old Alexa, who from the very first minute I met, didn't stop running and moving the entire session. You might think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I was completely fine though, because I love a challenge. Plus, that much energy was sure to make for some great candid photos.
My second session of the day, was yet another one that was just centred around the child of the family, in this case it was Michelle's daughter Alexa. Michelle had one a free 30 minute portrait session at one of the shags I sponsored too and that brought us to this past Sunday. My model for the day was 4 year old Alexa, who from the very first minute I met, didn't stop running and moving the entire session. You might think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I was completely fine though, because I love a challenge. Plus, that much energy was sure to make for some great candid photos.
That is exactly what happened too. As Alexa ran and laughed the whole way I just sat back and let her lead the way (most of the time). I did manage to get her to sit still for a few moments here and there and that is where I got some natural posed photos.
All in all, it was fun energetic lesson and I had a great time photographing Alexa. I ended up getting so many good photos.
Kirstyn Family Portraits - Vickers Park
This past Sunday I had two separate photo sessions and both focused just on the children. The first session was with Kirstyn's two children as well as her sister Steph's daughter as well. I don't think Kirstyn knew it going into the session, but I had actually photographed Steph's wedding a couple years ago. I absolutely love photographing children so I was super excited to get the session on the way.
This past Sunday I had two separate photo sessions and both focused just on the children. The first session was with Kirstyn's two children as well as her sister Steph's daughter as well. I don't think Kirstyn knew it going into the session, but I had actually photographed Steph's wedding a couple years ago. I absolutely love photographing children so I was super excited to get the session on the way.
When photographing children this young, you pretty much just have to roll with the punches and let them dictate how the shoot goes. Of course, I still got some good 'posed' shots with a little direction, but you have to be extremely quick and reactive as the moments they sit still are very fleeting. Luckily, I excel at taking candid photos, so I came away with a good mix of moments.
I chose Vickers Park for the location because it has the nice playground there plus an large open field. We spent most of the time around the playground and then we got a few photos out in the open area too. By then the rain started coming down so I we wrapped it.
It was such pleasure photographing both Kirstyn and Steph's kids. The were so well behaved and easy going it made my job that much easier!
Patrick + Family Portraits - Centennial Park
My session of the weekend took place this past Friday at Centennial Park with Patrick and his family. In all, there were 5 families members including Patrick, and they were all extremely fun to photograph. The weather was beautiful and the sun was behind the clouds for the most part, so it was the perfect setting for an hour long family session.
My session of the weekend took place this past Friday at Centennial Park with Patrick and his family. In all, there were 5 families members including Patrick, and they were all extremely fun to photograph. The weather was beautiful and the sun was behind the clouds for the most part, so it was the perfect setting for an hour long family session.
We all met in the parking lot and then made our way down the trail towards the cabins, stopping along the way. Anyone who has read or seen any of my blog posts in the past knows that I have done plenty of session at Centennial Park. One of the main reasons being that is one of the most beautiful and family friendly spots to take photos in town. The challenge with that though, is not making every session look the same.
Luckily, that's not a hard thing to do, because the families change each and every time and they bring their own personality to the shoot. This one was no different. There was a lot of laughing and joking around, and you could just tell, they all get along very well. This atmosphere made for some really 'natural' posted photos as well as some good candid ones too.
I was hoping to finish up by the horses, but for some reason the gate was closed, so we couldn't do that. Although, we did end up getting a few good shots in and around the park. After that, the session was done. It was a great start to the weekend, and I'm thankful I was able to spend an hour of my time photographing such a fun family.
Betty's 80th Birthday at the Norwester Hotel
Today the weather held off just long enough for me to have a very fun family portrait session over at the Norwester Hotel. The occasion for this particular session was to celebrate Betty's 80th Birthday. Plus, it was one of the rare occasions where most of the family would all be together at once. As soon as I arrived at the hotel, we all made our way out to the back field which overlooks Mount McKay.
Today the weather held off just long enough for me to have a very fun family portrait session over at the Norwester Hotel. The occasion for this particular session was to celebrate Betty's 80th Birthday. Plus, it was one of the rare occasions where most of the family would all be together at once. As soon as I arrived at the hotel, we all made our way out to the back field which overlooks Mount McKay.
We started off by getting an entire family portrait and then worked our way down from there into different groupings. Even though this was more a 'posed' session, it was still very natural and I was able to sneak in a few candids here and there.
With one of the most beautiful backdrops in Thunder Bay, and a perfectly overcast day, it really did make my day that much easier. Plus, the whole family was a pleasure to work with. I managed to get about 40 minutes worth of photos in before the rain told it was time to wrap things up. Regardless, because we worked fairly fast and loose, I still came away with tons of great photos.
Thanks as always to the whole family for letting me be a part of such a special occasion. I hope these photos provide memories for years to come!
ONWA Family Portraits
Last week I had the opportunity, yet again, to photography some families over at ONWA. I've lost track how many times I have done this but each time I do, I have just as much fun as the last. This time around, there were only 4 families, but that just meant I was able to spend even more time with each family. The whole session was very relaxed and most of the time I just let the families interact, which helped create good genuine moments. I'm very much looking forward to the next session, and the opportunity to meet and photograph more families.
Last week I had the opportunity, yet again, to photography some families over at ONWA. I've lost track how many times I have done this but each time I do, I have just as much fun as the last. This time around, there were only 4 families, but that just meant I was able to spend even more time with each family. The whole session was very relaxed and most of the time I just let the families interact, which helped create good genuine moments. I'm very much looking forward to the next session, and the opportunity to meet and photograph more families.
The Key Cover - Lifestyle Portraits
One of my favourite genres of photography is definitely lifestyle. I think that comes from my love for wedding and portrait photography, which focuses on candid photography. When The Key approached me to cover a variety of events in Thunder Bay, for their upcoming issues I jumped at the chance.
One of my favourite genres of photography is definitely lifestyle. I think that comes from my love for wedding and portrait photography, which focuses on candid photography. When The Key approached me to cover a variety of events in Thunder Bay, for their upcoming issues I jumped at the chance.
One of those sessions was a woodworking and welding class at Confederation College. I was essentially required to capture students in their environment, candidly. All the students knew beforehand that I would be coming so everyone was very easy going. I was able to work my around both classes and come away with great photos.
Laura + Family Portraits
Even though winter is here to stay, I managed to get squeeze in a family session with Laura and her family just before the snowfall and before it got too cold. Because the weather was cooperating, we started the session outside in their backyard as well as the side alley. When possible, I always try and get as many outdoor portraits as possible, but we also decided to get some indoor one as well, especially since Laura and her family had such a beautiful home.
Even though winter is here to stay, I managed to get squeeze in a family session with Laura and her family just before the snowfall and before it got too cold. Because the weather was cooperating, we started the session outside in their backyard as well as the side alley. When possible, I always try and get as many outdoor portraits as possible, but we also decided to get some indoor one as well, especially since Laura and her family had such a beautiful home.
Not only did I capture some great moments with the whole family, I also came away with some really good individual photos of Laura. The session went by so fast, but the resulting photos turned out better then I ever could have imagined. It helped that I had the perfect family to work with!
Danielle + Steven Engagement - Centennial Park
I will be photographing Danielle and Steven's wedding next year but we decided before it got to cold out, we had better get their engagement photos done. We did so this past weekend and the weather turned out to be pretty cool. The location was Centennial Park and upon arrival, Danielle looked at me and seemed just a bit hesitant, not completely sure if we should still do the photos. Mainly because it was starting to snow pretty heavy. Well, I assured her that the photos would turn out fine and the snow would only add to the character, which it definitely did, as you can see from the photos below.
I will be photographing Danielle and Steven's wedding next year but we decided before it got to cold out, we had better get their engagement photos done. We did so this past weekend and the weather turned out to be pretty cool. The location was Centennial Park and upon arrival, Danielle looked at me and seemed just a bit hesitant, not completely sure if we should still do the photos. Mainly because it was starting to snow pretty heavy. Well, I assured her that the photos would turn out fine and the snow would only add to the character, which it definitely did, as you can see from the photos below.
We kept the shoot fairly simple and laid back, as are all of my sessions. If you look at my previous posts, you will see that I have had quite a few sessions at this park but I will never get tired of shooting there. Plus, with the snow coming down it provided a very unique atmosphere which I took advantage of. I made sure to get in close for a lot of the photos and also pull away to get some far away shots. Danielle and Steven were complete naturals behind the camera and it really came through in the photos. Even with the last shot, they pretended to put their tongues on the cold metal pole. At least I think they were pretending ... it looks pretty real. :)
I'm very much looking forward to capturing their wedding next year, and if this engagement session is any indication, it's going to be so much fun.
