Cat + Family Portraits - Centennial Park
My portrait session with Cat and her family today was so much fun. Not only was it foggy out, which is by the best weather ever for any kind of photography. It was equally awesome, that her family was just so much fun. Of course, anytime kids are involved, it’s hard not to have fun. They definitely kept me on my toes, that’s for sure. When they needed to, the kids slowed down for a couple quick poses. It took the promise of skittles to get them to do most things, but whatever works right?
My portrait session with Cat and her family today was so much fun. Not only was it foggy out, which is by the best weather ever for any kind of photography. It was equally awesome, that her family was just so much fun. Of course, anytime kids are involved, it’s hard not to have fun. They definitely kept me on my toes, that’s for sure. When they needed to, the kids slowed down for a couple quick poses. It took the promise of skittles to get them to do most things, but whatever works right?
I thought it would be best if we head to where the cabins are to take care of all the formal family portraits. From there, we made our way to the playground where the kids, and everyone else had fun. As with all of my sessions, I make sure to get lots of candid photos in between everything else. I hope I get to photograph Cat and her family in the future, as I would love to see how all the kids grow up in the next few years.
Shauna + Patrick Family Portraits - Shebandowan
With summer winding down, hopefully not too soon, my latest portrait session took place in Shebandowan at Shauna and Patrick’s camp. I had passed by the area on a number of occasions on my way to Fort Frances but I was super excited photograph there. We were back and forth leading up to the session not knowing if the weather would hold but luckily it did.
With summer winding down, hopefully not too soon, my latest portrait session took place in Shebandowan at Shauna and Patrick’s camp. I had passed by the area on a number of occasions on my way to Fort Frances but I was super excited photograph there. We were back and forth leading up to the session not knowing if the weather would hold but luckily it did.
I ended up getting there a bit early which worked out perfectly. It allowed me to capture photos of some of their camp. I’m used to always photographing weddings and events so I always try to treat portrait sessions the same, especially when the property is as beautiful as this one.
With a new addition to the family Shauna and Patrick figured it was as good a time as any to get updated portraits done. It was an hour session but it went by so quick. The weather held up for the most part. With about 15 minutes left it did start to rain but by then, I had gotten a ton of photos.
I’m always looking to photograph at different locations so travelling 45 minutes outside of Thunder Bay to do so was a welcome change.
Jamie + Cory Family Portraits - Centennial Park
What can I say about this amazing session. First of all, I absolutely love photographing kids. They just bring an energy that is not only infectious but also inspiring. Sophia and Teagan made me work for so many of the photos but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. They were running, laughing, falling, crying at certain points and just being crazy like kids are. The good thing about it was that it makes for extremely natural photos. I hope I helped tire them out just a little bit for bedtime.
What can I say about this amazing session. First of all, I absolutely love photographing kids. They just bring an energy that is not only infectious but also inspiring. Sophia and Teagan made me work for so many of the photos but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. They were running, laughing, falling, crying at certain points and just being crazy like kids are. The good thing about it was that it makes for extremely natural photos. I hope I helped tire them out just a little bit for bedtime.
Of course there was a new addition to the family in Gabriel who was the calmest baby I have ever seen. Luckily he let out a smile once every now and again. The whole session was just constant movement. I like to just keep a nice flow to my sessions, especially when young kids are involved. You can’t expect to sit there and pose them for 10 minutes at a time. We were lucky if would spend more than a minute sitting still.
The 1 hour went by extremely fast. I also snuck in a bit of video here and there so stay tuned to this post over the next day or so as I will be adding it.
I still can’t believe how fast Sophia and Teagan are growing up. The next session can’t come soon enough!
Andre + Danielle Family Portraits - Friendship Gardens
I know the heading says Andre and Danielle, but this session was really all about Darius. Since he was born, he’s had a rough go of it, but has always had a smile on his face, even through all the pain. I have know Andre and his family for quite some time now, and when I heard that Darius is going for a very dangerous surgery in August, I offered to capture some family portraits and a short video of everyone. We chose Friendship Gardens as the location and it ended up being the perfect venue.
I know the heading says Andre and Danielle, but this session was really all about Darius. Since he was born, he’s had a rough go of it, but has always had a smile on his face, even through all the pain. I have know Andre and his family for quite some time now, and when I heard that Darius is going for a very dangerous surgery in August, I offered to capture some family portraits and a short video of everyone. We chose Friendship Gardens as the location and it ended up being the perfect venue.
Upon arriving, Darius was ready to go. He had endless energy and there was always something to see with him. We did manage to get him to sit still for some posed portraits but otherwise the rest of the photos were just candids, which are of course my specialty. He got to interact with a little dog and he also saw some ducks in the pond which really piqued his interest.
At the end of the session, some bagpipers were arriving and he instantly heard them playing their pipes. As I was driving away, I saw him banging on one of the drums and smiling like he was the whole session.
I can’t imagine how hard it has been for Andre, Danielle and everyone else. It’s not much, but I hope they can look back on these photos and video with fond memories. My prayers are with Darius and his family this August and I know he will battle through any obstacle in his way!
Amy + Family Portraits - Sandy Beach
Amy and her family were in need of some updated family photos and plus her parents were in town so we decided to use Sandy Beach as the backdrop. The kids full of energy so they had me working extra hard this time around, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s amazing how fast kids grow up! I really can’t wait until the next session. :)
Amy and her family were in need of some updated family photos and plus her parents were in town so we decided to use Sandy Beach as the backdrop. The kids full of energy so they had me working extra hard this time around, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s amazing how fast kids grow up! I really can’t wait until the next session. :)
Baylee + Noah Graduation Night
Anytime I get to do family portraits of my actual family, it’s an added bonus. In this case Noah, my son, and Baylee, his girlfriend, wanted some getting ready photos of Baylee’s Graduation Night. It all took place at her beautiful home out in the country, so it was the perfect backdrop. I was only there for about an hour but it was enough time to capture some moments of her mom doing her hair as well as some outdoor portraits. Baylee looked very pretty and of course Noah was handsome too. They ended up having a really good time that evening at the Graduation Party.
Anytime I get to do family portraits of my actual family, it’s an added bonus. In this case Noah, my son, and Baylee, his girlfriend, wanted some getting ready photos of Baylee’s Graduation Night. It all took place at her beautiful home out in the country, so it was the perfect backdrop. I was only there for about an hour but it was enough time to capture some moments of her mom doing her hair as well as some outdoor portraits. Baylee looked very pretty and of course Noah was handsome too. They ended up having a really good time that evening at the Graduation Party.
Albany Graduation Night Portraits
Earlier this month I photographed Albany for her official graduation photos. We also made it into a partial family session too. During that shoot she was obviously wearing her graduation gown and the photos turned out amazing. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out my previous posts to see highlights from that session.
Earlier this month I photographed Albany for her official graduation photos. We also made it into a partial family session too. During that shoot she was obviously wearing her graduation gown and the photos turned out amazing. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out my previous posts to see highlights from that session.
This time around, I was tasked to photograph Albany and some of her closest friends just before they Graduation Dinner. She decided on the Marina as the backdrop and it did end up working out well, although we did have to improvise a bit. Just as we all arrived it starting to rain very hard so we, and everyone else, were forced to go in the Mariners Hall beside Bight Restaurant. Luckily, there was enough window light in there, and after moving around some tables and chairs, we managed to get a lot of the group and individual photos done. Keep in mind, a lot of other grads were trying to do the same thing, so we didn’t have a lot of space to work with!
Soon enough, the rain stopped and the clouds parted so we headed back outside to capture some outdoor photos. It was actually nice to have a mix of indoor and outdoor photos. It goes to show you, that you always have to be ready to adapt to any situation as a photographer. From what I heard the next day at the BBQ, Albany and all of her friends had a great time celebrating their graduation.
Eden + Chris Family Portraits
I originally photographed Eden and Chris’s Wedding a few years back and then a portrait session a couple years ago as well. It was time for yet another portrait session and I couldn’t wait to see then again. Every time I have photographed them in the past it’s been such a great time. This session was no different. The hour went by so fast I could hardly believe it. I’m so glad the weather held up too, it was perfect overcast and not too hot.
I originally photographed Eden and Chris’s Wedding a few years back and then a portrait session a couple years ago as well. It was time for yet another portrait session and I couldn’t wait to see then again. Every time I have photographed them in the past it’s been such a great time. This session was no different. The hour went by so fast I could hardly believe it. I’m so glad the weather held up too, it was perfect overcast and not too hot.
Heidi + Rob Family Portraits
I photographed Heidi and Rob’s wedding back in 2016 and it is still one of my favourite weddings ever! When Heidi and Rob contacted me to do some family portraits for them, I simply couldn’t wait to do so. They recently welcomed Alfred to the family so it meant Wallace now had a younger brother to compete with. Upon arriving Alfred did not know what to make of me. I used that to my advantage as I got some really good looks from him. Fast forward about 15 minutes into the session and it was hard to get him to sit still.
I photographed Heidi and Rob’s wedding back in 2016 and it is still one of my favourite weddings ever! When Heidi and Rob contacted me to do some family portraits for them, I simply couldn’t wait to do so. They recently welcomed Alfred to the family so it meant Wallace now had a younger brother to compete with. Upon arriving Alfred did not know what to make of me. I used that to my advantage as I got some really good looks from him. Fast forward about 15 minutes into the session and it was hard to get him to sit still.
Aside from hanging out with Heidi and Rob once again, I was also anxious to see their beautiful house again. We did some of the wedding photos there on the day of their wedding and I fell in love with it then and there. Of course it served as the perfect setting once again for this portrait session.
For anyone interested, here is the original blog post of their wedding.
The session itself was very relaxed and extremely candid, which is exactly how I like it. Alfred was a champ and was very calm, and also extremely cute too. Wallace was not to be outdone of course. There is talk of making this a yearly thing and I really hope that is the case, because I had a wonderful time capturing family moments with Heidi and Rob. Plus, I really do love seeing the kids grow up each year and documenting it along the way.
Amy + Family Cake Smash
I have been lucky enough to be photographing Amy and her family for quite a few years now. I remember doing a cake smash for Jace. Now it was Ellie’s turn and she did not disappoint. Before we got to the cake smash though, we did some family portraits outside. It was quite sunny out, so we found some shade by the tree in their front yard and captured some great moments. Ellie was so calm the entire time. I think she was more confused by me if anything, which worked out perfectly!
I have been lucky enough to be photographing Amy and her family for quite a few years now. I remember doing a cake smash for Jace. Now it was Ellie’s turn and she did not disappoint. Before we got to the cake smash though, we did some family portraits outside. It was quite sunny out, so we found some shade by the tree in their front yard and captured some great moments. Ellie was so calm the entire time. I think she was more confused by me if anything, which worked out perfectly!
Amy then brought out a beautiful mirror and let Ellie play around it for a few minutes. She didn’t quite know what to make of it but I was able to get some good photos nonetheless. I also snapped a couple picks of their dog Oliver who is still looking great. He was busy chewing on a bone so it was relatively easy to get a good photo.
We then headed inside to Ellie’s room and did the cake smash portion of the session. Ellie was very delicate with the cake and it was a slower paced cake smash. Regardless, I got so many awesome photos and reactions. It’s hard not to with those enormous blue eyes of hers. Jace was his usual photogenic self as well.
I really can’t believe how fast time goes by. Amy says there are no kids planned as of now so I guess Jace and Ellie will have to do for now!
Albany + Sophie Graduation Portraits
I have actually been doing a lot of graduation photos as of late and I am looking forward to more in the coming weeks. For this session I actually had two graduates to photograph and both were family, which made it extra special. Sophie is graduating Grade 8 and Albany is graduation high school and off to McMaster next year, which is super exciting. Their parents also joined us for the session so it was also a bit of a family session as well, which was perfect.
I have actually been doing a lot of graduation photos as of late and I am looking forward to more in the coming weeks. For this session I actually had two graduates to photograph and both were family, which made it extra special. Sophie is graduating Grade 8 and Albany is graduation high school and off to McMaster next year, which is super exciting. Their parents also joined us for the session so it was also a bit of a family session as well, which was perfect.
We started in on Cooke Street where all the beautiful graffiti walls are painted. I figured it would be a nice backdrop for the first portion of the session. Plus there is the street there as well, which isn’t busy at night and it gives off a nice urban vibe. After spending about 30 minutes there we went for an opposite feel and headed down to the Marina. Walking down the trail and stopping here and there made for a very casual and relaxed shoot.
It was an hour session but it went by so fast. I was glad I could help capture such an important time in both Sophie and Albany’s life. Hopefully they will be able to look back on these photos fondly!
Tannis + Family Portraits - Fort William First Nation
It was a very hot and humid day for my latest portrait session with Tannis and her family at Fort William First Nation. It was definitely worth it as it was one of the more adventurous family sessions I have had in a while. I met Tannis and her family at Mount McKay which is on the First William First Nations. It is the best view in the entire city.
It was a very hot and humid day for my latest portrait session with Tannis and her family at Fort William First Nation. It was definitely worth it as it was one of the more adventurous family sessions I have had in a while. I met Tannis and her family at Mount McKay which is on the First William First Nations. It is the best view in the entire city.
We snapped a few photos in around the top of the mountain before heading down to the base. From there I hopped in Tannis’ truck with the rest of her family and we took the rough dirt road to Crescent Lake. We spent about 20 minutes there using the Lake as a backdrop. It was then off for a quick pit stop down the road at Tannis’ mothers house we captured a few more family pics.
Seeing as how everything was close by, we then went to their home to get another set of quick photos of Tannis’ dog. I can never say no to photographing any kind of animal so I was all in. Just before the shoot was over we finished up with some beautiful portraits of Tannis and her husband at his work. Luckily his boss was kind enough to give him a few minutes off to do so.
I’m very much looking forward to the next session with Tannis and her family. I had such a great time!
