Flower Child Fall Challenge :: Motion

There's something so beautiful about taking something that was old and outdated and making it into something new, resuscitating it to have a new life and to be loved all over again.

My challenge today was Motion. I couldn't capture the exact motion today because my hands were covered in paint. Brandi and I spent the afternoon redoing a cabinet we were gifted a while ago. It took us quite some time to decide on the colours and techniques we wanted to use, but half way through it's looking great! 

Flower Child Fall Challenge :: Comfortable

It's the time of year when just about every photographer feels like they're at their wits end. They feel like they've made it through the summer, but their busiest season is just about to begin. And if you're lucky enough to live in our climate, you're trying to cram as many outdoor sessions in to the month of September as possible because you know the outdoor season can be cut short on the spur of the moment with the fun little addition of the dreaded S-N-O-W (I have a very full month ahead of me, so I won't even speak the word).

And as if this season isn't the busiest one of the year, it's also the one when I need to recharge and break out just for fun the most.  This morning, while I was enjoying my daily mug of coffee and perusing my daily sites of social media, blogs and some shops (shhh...)I saw one of my very favourite photographers post something really exciting. Kaihla Tonai issued a photo challenge to everyone reading her blog and following her on Instagram and Facebook.

Every day for the rest of the month, she has issued a word and participants will capture what that word means to them with one image. Some days it's much easier than others. Todays word is Comfortable.

This is my space I'm most comfortable. At my desk, working on whatever, having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It's my ritual. It might not be what everyone expects, or look the greatest, but it's my little corner of heaven. 

Most would probably think my place of comfort would be behind the camera, but in fact that can be my most uncomfortable place. I'm an introvert and have always been very shy. I've had to push that to the side when I have a session and as Brandi can attest, I always get a case of the butterflies before a session. 

This is the place I come when I need to unwind, destress and get inspiration. It's a very small part of our home, but the area I'm in the most. I'm definitely most comfortable here. 

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post on here every day, but I will be posting on my instagram my daily images. Feel free to follow me here!

If you'd like to take part in the photo challenge, please go check out this post: The Flower Child Fall Challenge.

Shania + Corey :: Engagement

We met with this sweet couple on a muggy summer evening. There were clouds looming that seemed to threaten our session, but the love these two have for each other out shined even the darkest of clouds.

Shania and Corey, thank you so much for allowing us to spend the evening with you. Thank you for not only taking us to the lake, but to the farm where you guys seem to be so happy. Your story is of a town boy who fell head over heels for a country girl and it has the perfect balance of both worlds. Your love is sweet and gentle and it's in the quiet moments that it shines, when Corey looks at Shania and a smile comes across his face. 

These two lovebirds are currently planning a destination wedding and I couldn't be any more happy for the two of them! Shania and Corey, you two deserve such greatness not only on your wedding day but in your marriage. Enjoy your images!

The Musgrave Family

Oh this family. They were so welcoming and down to earth right off the bat. I absolutely LOVED getting to spend such a beautiful evening with them.

I was introduced to Suzanne through my very good friend, Danielle (you can see her sessions here and here). I had heard so much about Suzanne and her awesome family and then finally met her at Danielle's bridal shower. Everything that Danielle said was true. This family was amazing. They are some of the most down to earth people I've ever met, not to mention humble and welcoming. I've never met such well rounded teenagers that will strike up a conversation with you...and keep it going! haha. I was a teenager once, and sadly I know I wasn't like that!

Suzanne, Neil, Tyler and Kendall, thank you so much for having Brandi and I come out to your secret piece of paradise. Now that I know it's there, beware! haha. Thank you for allowing us to use the newest baby of the family, that beautiful 1938 truck. It really was a dream come true, and I'm so happy with the results. You guys kept us laughing all evening, and made us feel so at home with you. Thank you so much!

Here's a sneak peek into our evening with such an awesome family!

Danielle + Alex :: A Styled Wedding

My best friend Danielle was married to the wonderful Alex in March. Because I had the incredible honour and joy of being Danielle's MOH, I wasn't able to partake much on the photography side except being on the other side of camera! It was such a beautiful day that I'm still raving about. I wouldn't have changed anything.

Because we love them and loved their day and wanted to relive it all over again Janice Huser (from Precious Pictures Photography) and I joined together for such a fun styled wedding showcasing two of our favourite people and some of the beautiful details they pulled together for their wedding. I love going to a wedding and seeing the couple's personal touches in their details. Your wedding is your wedding and it should be uniquely you. 

My top three details from Danielle and Alex's day are:

1. Instead of going with a typical guest book, the guests signed a wooden "leaf" on silhouette of a tree that Alex made. And of course the tree housed two little love birds. The framed tree is now a piece of art in their house where they get to look at it every day.
2. The bouquets. I love these bouquets. Again forgoing traditional bouquets, Danielle chose to go with wooden flowers. They were jaw dropping and so light to tote around all day!
3. The wedding cake and Groom's cake. When Danielle first told me the wedding cake was a traditional fruit cake, I was skeptical. But then I tasted her mom's recipe and I couldn't have imagined anything else. It was delicious! And because the most widely known fact about Alex is that he loves chicken wings, there was nothing else that could have been served alongside the wedding cake. It was perfect.

I also have to say the evening could not have been pulled off without the help of Brandi, my good friend Andrea who was our unofficial official art director and decorator, my parents and Janice's parents for letting us use quite a few of their odds and ends that fit into the decor, Danielle's mom, Donna who made a second cake for our wedding and for allowing us to invade her yard for the night and her husband Brian for allowing us to use his vintage car! It's always amazing to see people come together to help!

Danielle and Alex, you know how much I love you two. I love how you two not only love each other but how you love the people around you. I consider myself blessed to have experienced that love. Thank you for going along with getting dressed up again despite the heat and bugs. I loved spending the evening with you guys!


So without rambling on anymore, here's a peek into our styled wedding shoot!

What to Wear :: Family Sessions

Growing up in a family with two older sisters and a dad that isn't always keen on the idea of having a photo taken, I can totally appreciate the stress that mom's must feel when trying to organize a family session. 

It's hard to make everyone feel and look as comfortable as mom wants. It's not always real, and there's always that one person in the family that just wants to take the dress clothes off and run around in the dirt.  Trust me, it happens. And more importantly, it's ok!!! I would rather be taking a photo of a happy dirty kid than a cranky unhappy one. 

That being said, it is important to look your best and to coordinate within your group. Gone are the days when little girls need to be in crinoline and tights and little boys in dress pants and sweater vests. (But really, how cute would that be??)And let's be honest for a minute, what family walks around wearing the same shirt and jeans? It's ok to wear things that you would actually wear in your daily life. That's what make your family, your family. I don't shoot catalogue families. I shoot real ones.

I shared a style guide on my Facebook page (you can see it here)a little bit ago and while it has some really great information in it, I wanted to share a guide that has some tangible examples as well and not just illustrations. I've partnered up with whattowearguides.com and put together a few examples for spring/summer family sessions. If you'd like to see some more examples, please check out their website. They have years of experience and examples to look at and see how to coordinate a family.

So have a look, and remember to have fun picking out your clothes. Nothing's worse than sitting in the summer sun with an itchy dress on, right girls? ;)

The Piquette Family

I went to school with Jen, the only daughter in this lovely family from about junior high on. She was always so kind and I always enjoyed sitting by her in math class because she knew SO much more than I could ever comprehend. haha! I can't tell you how excited I was when her soon-to-be sister in law (who also worked with Brandi), reached out and wanted to have a family session with the whole Piquette clan. 

I'm always excited when a family wants to make their session special and incorporate their hobbies and interests into it. Not only did we go to the lake where they spend so much of their time, but they also brought camouflage and guns! I have to say it's not the first time guns were brought for pictures, but I'm so happy to say I was the only one shooting...ha ha ha. I'll be here all week. ;)

Piquette family, it's clear how much you love and simply enjoy one another. You were up for anything I threw your way, and you did it with enthusiasm, smiles and most importantly laughter. You were amazing in every single way and I am so grateful you allowed Brandi and I to document this time in your lives!

The Brousseau Family

Oh dear, it looks like I've fallen behind on my blog posts! Well, brace yourselves my friends. There's going to be a whack of incredibly beautiful people coming at you over the next little bit. You've been warned. First up, is a family that I LOVE.

Is there really anything more lovely than a farm in the fall? Few things can top it. Except that is, a fall family session on a farm!

The Brousseau kids bought a session for their amazing parents, Guy and Sharon for Christmas to celebrate their anniversary. If this family looks familiar to you, it's because we had the incredible honour of documenting Jess and Patrick's wedding day. You can check that out here.

I fell in love with this family on that wedding day, so it was a treat to get to spend a morning with the whole gang. Guy and Sharon, you've set an incredible example for your kids and all those around you. It's a beautiful thing to see a marriage that is built on respect, love and joy. 

Here's a peek into their session!