Big Sister In Training | Abbotsford Maternity Photographer

I am playing a little bit of catch-up on my blog today... 2016 had such a great (but very busy!) start to it,  so I have been a bit of a naughty, negligent blogger (booo me!). Well, things kicked off in style on just the second day of the year, with this lovely family, who were about to become a family of 4! 

This little "big-sister-in-training" was a bit shy at first, but soon came out of her shell, and the session just zipped along with some beautiful shots to show for it. In fact, the family did so well that we even had time to quickly nip down to the Heron Reserve for a few quick outdoor shots as well! 

Happy New Year! | Chilliwack & Fraser Valley Newborn & Commercial Photographer

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” - Brad Paisley

Going through my images for 2015, to make this collage, it has reminded me of what an amazing year it has been. I have met some fantastic new families (with the cutest children), caught up with some fantastic previous clients... and had a lot of fun and crazy new experiences with my fantastic commercial clients. As an artist, I had fun stretching my skills and finally ticked some shots off my to-do list. As a business owner, I have had a busy year - my busiest to date - with most of the last 6 months being fully booked well in advance! (In fact, I was fully booked into January 2016 halfway through just October!)

So, I would just like to thank all of my clients, family and friends for a wonderful year and wish you all the best for an equally wonderful 2016! I am excited to see what it will bring. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mixing It Up a Little | Abbotsford & Chilliwack Maternity Photographer

A tiny bit of a "throwback day" for this blog post - these maternity images were actually taken back in November, but as their exciting news had not been officially announced "online" yet, I was more than happy to hold back on sharing until baby had made their grand entrance! Well, he has arrived and is now keeping them very busy (as all good newborns do!)...so, here is the first of 2 posts that I am proud to share, featuring their wonderful beginning as a brand new family.

When my clients book their Maternity portrait sessions, they usually have a choice of 2 very different styles of photo - they can either pick that pure, simplicity of a studio-based session, or something a little more casual and relaxed in their favourite outdoor location. Well, with things being rather "chilly" at this time of the year, it does make it a little bit more uncomfortable for the outdoorsy folk hoping to also have that popular bare-belly shot! 

Luckily, my studio is within a short distance of some beautiful outdoors locations, meaning that we can sometimes squeeze in a couple of those bare-belly shots in the studio, before heading out to one of these local locations for the remainder of the session's hour. 

Counting Down to a Very Special New Year | Fraser Valley Maternity Photographer

I met this lovely couple at the recent Baby & Tot Show, and whilst my simple, clean style of newborn photography was not completely what they were looking for (knowing your style preference before booking your Newborn Photographer is something I strongly encourage, since you need to love your images for decades to come), they were still very enthusiastic to visit my studio for their Maternity Session.

I am so glad that they did, because they were an absolute joy to work with - fun, kind, very responsive to direction and pretty darn good-looking! 

Waiting For Baby #2! | Chilliwack Maternity Photographer

I'm not sure if anyone else has found this, but my 2nd pregnancy seemed to go so much faster than my 1st. And that certainly seemed the case for this gorgeous lass,who happens to be my "bestie".

We usually do maternity photos between 32 and 36 weeks, but in this case, a busy family & work life had simply just got in the way. With the due date rocketing towards her and worried that the only photos of pregnancy #2 would be bathroom selfies, this momma-to-be asked me to squeeze her in for "just 1 or 2 photos". Of course, she knows me better than that... 1 or 2 photos?! I don't think so.... Cinderella, you shall have a full gallery!

Stunning at Sunset | Chilliwack Maternity Photographer

I love summer. I love the sun... the extra time with my kids... the fresh veggies and fruit from our garden... but most of all, I love the evenings. With the beautiful weather, and warm evenings, it gives me the chance to take advantage of something that we photographers call "golden hour". That is that final hour of daylight, when the sun is low and bathes everything in a gorgeous soft, yellow, dreamy light. Couple that beautiful light with my latest maternity clients and you have the instant recipe for an evening of gorgeous images.

In fact, this particular evening happened to follow some (much-needed) rain, so we actually got a great mix of light options, as the summer sun kept ducking in and out from behind a few left-over clouds. On top of the great weather, this couple was a total joy to work with - fun, great to direct,  and pretty darn good looking! I am really looking forward to meeting this baby in a month - with this genetic material, I predict a real cutey!

Rockin' the Bump! | Mission Maternity Photographer

I have so much admiration for my Maternity Session clients - they are proud of their blooming tums, and they have every reason to be. They are creating an exciting new chapter in their lives, as well as a little slice of cuteness. I was so uncomfortable in my skin during my pregnancies that I almost completely hid from cameras!

Now that I am older and wiser, I sadly can't turn the clock back... but this gorgeous Mama-to-be was the latest lady to be smarter than I was, with a visit to the studio to capture this exciting stage in her life! She was so awesome to work with... and brought a very excited Grandma-to-be for encouragement. Looking forward to working with "Team Awesome" , this Spring, after bump has emerged!

Braving the Cold | Fraser Valley Maternity & Newborn Baby Photographer

Normally, when I do a maternity portrait session, it takes place either in the studio or on location. However, it just got cold here... and I mean REALLY cold... and this beautiful mama-to-be had her heart set on having both bare belly shots, as well as some images in nature. Obviously, I would never expect a client to expose skin to -7 degree temperatures, so we did a bit of both for a change! We started our session indoors, and then braved the cold for the second half...

A Beautiful Bump! | Chilliwack Maternity Photographer

I really cannot wait to meet the little one hiding in this bump. Well, with such ridiculously-good-looking parents, he/she is bound to be ridiculously-cute! 

The Start of a New Journey... | Agassiz Maternity Photographer

This maternity session was a real pleasure to shoot. Capturing a moment of any Mom-to-Be's journey into motherhood is an honour, but this Mama was especially fantastic to work with, and I'm sure she is going to be a great Mom. I cannot wait to meet this little bundle, in a few weeks time.