Baby M: Delta Maternity Session

I'm not sure where to begin on this couple as they're special to me in so many ways! Steph and Eric and I grew up together and went to high school together at DSS. Many a fond memory include these two crazy characters on various band trips and, even back then, they were a pretty special couple with a wonderful connection. Over the years, Steph and I spent lots of time together, working at McDonalds and had an extra connection through her brother, Derek, who was in my grad class and eventually my grad date.

Some of the far less enjoyable connections between us came after graduation, when Derek passed away suddenly and, a few years later, my brother passed away. After that point, in a lot of ways, our connection and bond was solidified. I had the privilege of singing at their wedding and I couldn't be happier to be a part of helping them capture this amazing stage of life. I may not understand life and the loss both Steph and I have experienced, but I do thank God for allowing our paths to cross - that has truly been a great blessing to me.

I can't think of two people who will be more loving, patient and kind parents and I'm so glad that this blessing has come into their lives. I love you both and hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoy knowing you and being a part of your lives. Here it goes :)



We started out at Derek's bench, a spot where I hadn't visited before, but it was a great location and, apart from the teenagers having some morning 'beverages' on the pier, we had the place to ourselves!





Steph looks so amazing for almost being done her pregnancy and I loved the outfits she picked - so fun to have some variety in the photos!



After the shots at Derek's bench we headed to Deas Park for some different backdrops and there were so many to choose from that, I'm pretty sure we were all starving by the time we were done.....White Spot afterwards was a very welcome treat but I'm so glad we stuck around to take a ton of different poses :)



Look at this gorgeous lady!







I have to give Eric a lot of credit for enduring a lot of photos! He was game for whatever I suggested and did it with a smile on his face! Stephie, you are a lucky girl :)





We kind of thought this one was funny because, if you just glance at it you think it's Steph's two hands but, as you look closer, something just isn't right ;)



I love their smiles at one another in the bottom photo. Priceless!



These two are so adorable together and I loved capturing this next sequence of interactions between them. Love you guys!





We lucked out with such nice weather and a great location, not to mention the beautiful subjects so I just kept going until we were too hungry and had to stop ;)



These next ones were Steph's idea and I'm so glad she was up for climbing on the railing. Thanks Steph!



A few shots of the rings :)



Finally, you have to have some belly shots so here they are ;) I love the butterfly they brought along.



Steph and Eric, thank you for a wonderful morning. It was so much fun to share in your joy and excitement and I will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of your little one. He/she is so lucky to have you as parents and I'm thrilled to continue to walk through life with you and your growing family.

Beautiful Belly; Maternity Session @ Derby Reach Heritage Site

There are few things more beautiful in life than the way a baby grows in a womb for 9 months with little to no help from us at all. I truly believe that entire process is one of the best pieces of evidence for the existence of a God so, when I was asked to photograph this beautiful baby belly I jumped at the chance!

Kaelynn was 37 weeks pregnant at the time and, lucky for her, still nice and small - a fact I'm sure she appreciates on those hot summer days. From the minute we met, we hit it off and had a great time chatting on our way to the shoot. We headed to Derby Reach Heritage Site and, even though I've been there before, we found some new spots and the summer morning sun was good to us!

Kaelynn, I know you've been waiting patiently for these so, I'm happily taking a break from a movie I rented, to satisfy your curiosity. Enjoy!





Kaelynn was so easy going the entire shoot and moved from sitting to standing to lying pretty easily for being 9 months pregnant! Her co-operative nature and ability just to have fun during the shoot sure made my job easy and we got some great shots!





Sometimes the best shots happen when the subject doesn't know they're being photographed, I think I was just testing the light out in these locations with these shots but they ended up being some of my favorites! She has such a peaceful look on her face. I love it.





Just as Kaelynn was willing to do anything to get a good shot, I think I was lying on the grass at one point for some of these shots as well. Totally worth it :)




Now for wardrobe and scenery change #1. It was great to have a few wardrobes to choose from and I applauded Kaelynn for finding 3 great outfits so late in the pregnancy as I know what it's like when you're down to the last few things that fit and you're wondering if the baby will come or if you'll have to buy some more clothes to tide you over. I think she looked great in all her choices!




The long-awaited belly shots. These were some of the ones that Kaelynn was looking forward to!





I love her expression in the bottom photo. It says it all!



Being a farm girl herself, it was great to be able to get some shots with the whole barn in focus.







These sillouhette shots turned out wonderfully - something I haven't done before but would do again - they really show off the belly!




Out of the uncomfy jeans and into outfit #3. We decided to do a few more shots by the barn and then head down to the water!




The photo on the left below might be one of my favorites. Kaelynn, you are truly glowing!




Kaelynn was really hoping for some shots with her feet in the water so down to the water we went!




I always say how much I love it when clients come ready with ideas of what sort of shots they want and Kaelynn was super creative. She wanted to do some shots with the name of her soon-to-be baby girl, Cierra, in the sand and we made it happen. A great idea and beautiful name!



I love these ones - so natural and such gorgeous scenery too!






Finally we went right into the water for these last few shots. It was perfect weather down by the water and the wind worked well for us too.




Kaelynn, it was such a pleasure meeting you. I'm so glad April put us in touch and gave me this opportunity spend an afternoon with you and your baby to be. That little girl of yours is going to be well loved by you and so many others and I look forward to hearing of her grand entrance into this world. God Bless you and your baby belly!

A beautiful Lily: Ladner Newborn & Family Portraits

I was so excited on a somewhat cloudy morning to head to my old stomping grounds for a newborn photoshoot right near my old high school. Becca and I went to high school together and, funny enough, are both teachers now only Becca teaches at our old high school and, after having her second little baby, is on maternity leave again. Her oldest, Logan, is just a bit younger than Ben and I was so excited to have a chance to photograph their newest addition - Lily!

Here are some of my favorites pics of her gorgeous little family! They picked some beautiful colors for the photos and had a great home with just the right amount of natural light.

Logan was amazing for the entire shoot and, it definitely helped that he could settle in with dad and watch some Nemo while Lily had her photos taken.

I absolutely loved the light in this particular spot and the way in which Lily looks so little when held in her mom and dad's hands. She's so precious!

Father & Daughter.

Some more shots of this beautiful family. I love the colors in Lily's dress and how she's just sleeping so peacefully through it all.

Now for the star of the show. She was so amazing throughout the whole shoot and endured a number of wardrobe changes. I had a bunch of new fabrics to try out and she was happy to oblige :)

Lily has such beautiful hair for a little newborn - hair that a lot of kids don't even have at age 1 or 2!

I got some gorgeous hats from a store on etsy, KnitWitWoolies, and had a lot of fun trying them out on Lily. I love how the pom pom on the bottom rests on her little bottom. So cute. Richard and Logan were enjoying some movie time while Lily was getting her photos taken and I love that you can see them blurred out in the background of the bottom photo!

A few of mom and dad with their little princess. Check out her smirk as she lays in her daddy's arms. Love it.

I love the little one-eyed look in the bottom photo. She looks so happy to be hanging out in that bucket :)

Becca shared with me that their beautiful little girl is named after the flower that Richard always buys for her so she had a few on hand for the shoot. I love it when clients come with creative ideas like that - it makes my job even more enjoyable than it already is. As you can see she wasn't too into this hat at first (another etsy find!)  but, a pee and a poo later and she was good to go :) All in all, considering that was the only drama of the photoshoot, I'd say we fared pretty well!

I know from experience that, when the older sibling is only 2 and a bit, it's hard to get a good photo of baby and big brother but we got a few in this spot and then some more later when we were outside. Logan did really well and Lily looks so contented with him snuggling her.

A few more faves of this little beauty.

While Lily got a bit of a milk break, I headed outside with Rich and Logan for some father/son time. I love how much air Logan is getting in the top picture!

We even took some at the park right across from their house where Logan loves to play. What an awesome place for a kid to grow up and Logan was so good about coming back into the house. Such a great little guy.

A few of Lily and mom and dad. Have I said yet how amazing Becca looks? Such a beautiful mom.



Such a fun family. I love how Lily has her eye on the camera in a lot of these pictures.



Becca & Richard, thank you for inviting me into your home to photograph your beautiful family and precious new addition. I had such a great time and it was wonderful to reconnect with you, Becca, and meet your other half and kidlets! I hope you enjoy your photos and maybe we can even find a time to get our boys together while we're off on leave together :)