I think the best thing for me about this session was being with Brenda and watching her be a Mother. 
As the principal of our school, I have seen her fierce dedication to the our children, 
but it is really something else to see it with her own. 
Also, as mothers, her and I have shared stories and similarities between our children, 
so it was wonderful to get to experience all those beautiful things she says about them first hand. 
And so our session down at the river…while the autumn leaves were putting on a show for us…
was fantastic. 

Hard to choose favourites….
But ive narrowed down a couple…;) 

Ryan, Christine and Sienna are my newest neighbours. 
Lucky right!?! I know! 
For me, photographing people is the easiest way for me to get to know them 
and so this was perfect! 
We met at Eves Park, not far from either of our doors…. 

Sienna was content most of the time in moms arms, 
(I don’t mind…snuggle photos are always my fave..) 
but we coaxed her out a bit for some sweet giggles in the sunlight. 

Im looking forward to getting to know them a bit better
and feel very grateful that I got to capture them as they settle into ‘island life’ 

Here are a few faves! 

Gah! You guys! 
I Looooooovvvved this session. 
Loved it. 
This beautiful family has put up with me every year for 6 years
and I am so grateful to them. 
This year we met at the base of the mountain and let the girls run wild. 
I love each image as its filled inch to inch with their personality
against the backdrop of the setting sun and the lush greenery of the mountain. 

Honestly I could have shared their whole gallery with you, 
and I almost did…lol 

But here I narrowed it down to a few faves, 
and by a few…I mean like ninety…haha

Im sure you can imagine the excitement the day Axel was born. 
Not knowing what was growing and kicking inside her belly, 
with two sweet girls at home already, 
I think they all just assumed possibly they would be blessed again with another beautiful girl. 
but….Surprise!
The moment Axel was born is one I’ll never forget. 
The room was bursting with tears and excitement as the Crisp Familys’ first boy was brought earth side. 
Since then, he has been surrounded and delightfully smothered by love, and rightfully so.
I feel very fortunate to have been there surrounded by all the excitement 
and then home a few weeks later to see him settling in just perfectly. 

Welcome sweet boy. 
You are as handsome as they come
and one of the luckiest little boys I know. 

Here are a few favourites of my time with the Crisp Family, 
now a family of five.

Michael & Mackenzie 
July 7th 2018 

These are my favourite days. 
No pressure, no stress. 
A glorious backyard wedding, surrounded by family and friends. 

Mike and Mackenzie had the perfect day. 
I was just lucky enough to be the one to document it all. 

Her parents home had me swooning, not to mention the oceanside backdrop complete with resident eagles. 
I loved every detail. 
Mackenzie said “Nothing matches, nothing is perfect” 
Everything was lovely, and completely ‘them’ 

….And the Adventure Begins…
Thank you thank you THANK you for allowing me to capture your memories. 

Here are just a few of my favourite moments….

What I was going through an awkward adolescence, 
it was the home of the Batty family where I spent a lot of my time. 
Teresa and I were best friends and spent most of our days listening to Smashing Pumpkins or Beck
and sneaking out for cigarettes (that may have been more me than her…lol) 
Robin and Barb opened their hearts and their cupboards to me,
and honestly I still to this day have such a special place in my heart for them because of it. 

Its funny the things that stay with you, even when you are a silly teenager,
you never forget the kindness people show you. 

Now as I am becoming a parent of a teen heading into high school, I think if the Battys often. 

That is the kind of home I want to share with Noahs friends, a home they feel safe to come over to, 
to be themselves, to eat good food, and to make memories. 

Barb and Robin gave me that, I want to pay it forward. 

I feel fortunate in my job that I get to reconnect with so many families that I love, 
and I get to see them all grown up with families of their own. 
(Although Robert will forever be 8 years old in my mind,
Im not sure when he grew up and made himself a beautiful family….) 
I felt at home again for a morning with them. 
….and Barb even fed me before I left….of course ? 

Here are some of my favourite moments with the Batty Family….

Nothing fills my heart more than spending time with families that I hold close to my heart. 
I had decided about a year ago that I loved this little family and wanted to keep them as my own,
 only weeks before little John was born. 
I was there that day, it was incredible. 

These photos were to celebrate him and his first year around the sun, 
but also to celebrate them, how damn cute they are…
The hair…the eyes….all wrapped into to one amazing family. 

Im the lucky one that gets to photograph them and spend time with them. 

Hard to narrow down favourites, I had to try…
So here they are…
Max, Lil’ John and some people who love them very much. 

Two days after I spent an evening with the Hewitt Family,
Scott and Betty celebrated 35 years of marriage. 
When I asked them both what the secret was (Scott gave me a cheeky answer of course…lol) 
But they both agreed that laughter was a big part of their happiness. 

I saw that in the time I spent with them. 

They’ve raised three incredible children. 
And have created a life full of love. 
I was grateful and happy to be able to capture just a little bit
of what they have built for themselves that night. 

Here are just a few favourites of my time with them…..

 I was there when River was brought into this world.
The immense power and strength, mentally and physically that I saw from his mother that day changed me.
I realized then, that as woman, no matter what the circumstances, we power through.
Taylor taught me that.
Now as a mother of a happy, wonderful one year old boy, I am still learning from her.
I quietly observed their connection with my camera.
I documented his beaming personality, her patience and the incredible bond they have as mother and son.
Its been a wonderful year getting to know them,
celebrating their beginnings and all the incredible moments that came after it.

Here are some of my favourites from a beautiful motherhood session,
following a busy toddler exploring in the grass
and watching the sun set behind the moutains. 

Its usually my hope that I deliver maternity photos BEFORE the baby arrives…
But once in a while,
I get a baby who is in a hurry and comes before my big delivery day! 

Such is life and the nature of birth and parenthood. 

I am excited to share these for many reasons…
One, because these two are just about as cute as they come. 
I enjoyed every minute I spent with them. 

…and two because it will feel like a lifetime ago that it was just the two of them in this home. 
As soon as that baby is placed in your arms
you have a hard time imagining what life was like without them here. 

Well…here it is. 
Now it may be a little more tired, possibly a little less tidy, but overflowing with love. 
I didn’t know at the time if it was possible to pack more love and laughter within these walls.
But it was. I saw it the minute that little girl was born. 

Next Ill be sharing their Birth Story,
but for now, a few tender moments
while it was still just the two of them,
waiting to become a family.

Heather wanted something authentic to them.
And so I suggested that I come over, and just spend the morning with them.
She told me I could come in my PJ’s, that they would all still be in theirs.

How wonderful.

There is a certain sense of vulnerability with these kinds of sessions.
And even she didn’t really know what this would look like.
I knew…because I can see it as its happening.
In showing her and Kory the sneak peeks from our session a few days later
she told me that they were perfect.
That they made her fall in love with her boys all over again.
Can’t say that I blame her,
the boys, all of them, including Kory…are wonderful.
And capturing their sweet personalities
in the home that the love and are growing up in,
was a dream.

One day, when she is gone, her family will have theses images,
tangible memories of her as a mother, them together as a family
and a little window into how blessed they are.
Totally ordinary moments, filled with love and adventure.

The moments of our everyday become the map of who we are.
To me they are the most important things to document.
And what we treasure most in our hearts.

I hope you enjoy my morning with the Eastman Family.
I sure did.
And I cant wait to come back again next year.

I met the completely adorable Bates Family at one of my favourite local spots.
As Felina said, the walkway would be perfect for containing
‘active’ toddlers and the bird sighting are always a great distraction.
The beautiful, rich fall colours and textures surrounding us
were the perfect backdrop against this beautiful, fun family.
Oscar and Leila were perfect,
tolerating me, my camera and my antics during nap and snack times
which is asking a lot from such sweet little people.
(and big people too! lol)

It was hard to narrow down some favourites,
I loved them all,
But here are some that pulled at my heart.