London Ontario Branding Photographer | Julie Anne & Lindsay's Downtown Lifestyle Headshot Minis

You may or may not know that I offer 3 branding packages for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The smallest of these - the Lifestyle Headshot Mini - is perfect for those needing only a handful of updated headshots for their website and social media. As with all of my photography, my approach to branding photography is natural and personal with a lifestyle feel. I want your headshots to tell the story of who you are, beyond just a plain backdrop. These two sessions took place within walking distance from each other, but are completely different - perfectly demonstrating how even with a headshot mini, you can infuse your personality into your photos.

Julie Anne - who also happens to be my gorgeous big sister - is a doula with who loves evening walks and beautiful sunsets. It seemed only fitting to update her headshots at golden hour, while walking along the water, in a location that really showcases that glowing pre-sunset light.

Lindsay is a naturopath who really wanted her personality to shine through her photos. After chatting a bit about what that would look like, we settled on a downtown cafe for a few photos before heading out - coffee in hand - to take advantage of the nearby brick wall backdrops.

Here are some favourites from their sessions!

London Ontario Branding Photographer | Michelle's Lifestyle Headshot Session

Michelle is the talented photographer behind Michelle A Photography, and someone I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know while photographing 2 headshot sessions, her engagement session and her wedding! It’s been such an honour to help capture these important moments for Michelle over the last years. With her next headshot session coming up in a few weeks, it was definitely time to blog this fun branding shoot from 2017. If you know Michelle, you know she loves her adorable dog, Samson. I love that he was such a big part of this session - and I swear this dog actually smiles for the camera! We incorporated some other things Michelle loves - golden hour, iced coffee, and of course her camera - and included outfit and location changes around Wortley Village to ensure a gallery full of variety that Michelle could use on her website and social media as needed. I absolutely loved this lifestyle branding session, and am so happy to finally be sharing some favourites on the blog!

Grand Bend Ontario Wedding Photographer | Jen & Blake's Rainy Oakwood Resort Wedding

I remember telling Jen that her guests would never forget her wedding day. And I can confirm, a year and a half later, that it is still one of the most memorable weddings I’ve had the pleasure of documenting. Like every other couple planning an outdoor ceremony, Jen and Blake kept an eye on the weather leading up to the big day. When it looked like rain, they picked up a bunch of umbrellas and decided to make the best of it, hoping that the rain would hold off at least during their vows, which were to take place on the beautiful terrace at Oakwood Resort in Grand Bend. Well, the rain did not hold off for the ceremony, in fact it picked up as the ceremony start time approached. But not only did the rain not dampen anyone’s spirits (pun not intended, but appropriate!), they decided to go ahead with the outdoor ceremony anyways. Big kudos to the incredible Oakwood staff as well as the amazing team at Unmistakably You and Melissa Snyder, their fearless officiant who pulled it off without a hitch. Another big thank you goes out to my second shooter, Melissa Pushelberg, who followed me around with an umbrella as I shot the ceremony from every angle. I’m sure that was quite the arm workout (especially since I am 6 feet tall)! :) Everything went smoothly, everyone was happy (albeit a bit wet!), and Jen and Blake got an outdoor ceremony they (and their guests!) will never forget. It was so special to look out onto the sea of umbrellas as their guests stood in the rain, watching with smiles and laughter as Jen and Blake said “I Do” under their own shared umbrella. I did not hear a single complaint, and if anything the rain added extra charm and character to their day. It was such a memorable wedding, and I am so happy to be sharing some favourites here on the blog.

Venue: Oakwood Resort, Grand Bend 

Caterer: Oakwood Resort (chef Rory)

Photographer: Raw Footage Photography

Second Shooter: Melissa Pushelberg

Florist: The Garden Gate Gifts & Flowers, Grand Bend 

Hair: Sommer Hair Studio

Makeup: Britt Darling Make Up

Dress: Novia Mia, Red Deer (Madison James dress)

Suit: Rob Rae Clothiers, Red Deer (custom suits)

Rings: Marlow Designs, Calgary

Planner: Unmistakably You, London (Amy, Jenn, & Kaleigh)

Decorator: Oakwood + Unmistakably You

Rentals: NJS Designs

Doughnuts: Culbert's Bakery, Goderich

DJ: Vanrock, London (Adam)

Officiant: Melissa Snyders

Ceremony Music: Encore Music, London

London Ontario Wedding Photographer - Carla & Jon's Old Courthouse Wedding

There’s nothing like blogging past wedding to get me thinking about how much I absolutely love my work. I am so thankful for the amazing couples I get to work with, and Carla and Jon are right up there with some of the kindest, most down-to-earth people I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. This whole day was full of smiles and laughter and just an overall sense of ease and lightheartedness that made it such a joy to be a part of. I absolutely loved documenting this wedding, and I’m so happy to be sharing some favourites on the blog.

Florist: RL Designs

Venue: Old Courthouse

Second Shooter/Assistant: Melissa Pushelberg

Caterer: Culinary Catering Services

Hair: Milos Hair Studio

Makeup: Always Smooth Spa

Dress: Garbers Bridal

Suit: Moores

Rings: Poag Jewellers

Planner: Heather at Culinary Catering Services

Decorator: RL Designs Inc.

Cookie Favours: Grandma's Oven Bakery 

DJ: Richard Begin

Videographer: Captivate Photo+Cinema Ltd.

Officiant: Deb Arts Wedding Officiant

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Chris & Christy's West Haven Golf Wedding

I’m so happy to be sharing Chris and Christy’s beautiful West Haven Golf wedding. Christy was the maid of honour for one of my past brides, Lauren, and I was so delighted that Lauren was Christy’s matron of honour as well. It’s such a treat to bump into past wedding clients at weddings I’m shooting, and I am so thankful for the many generous referrals I’ve had over the years. Chris and Christy’s day was filled with laughter and sun with a Fall theme woven throughout their decor elements, from the “Mr & Mrs” pumpkins to their adorable cake topper to their Halloween-themed candy table. Here are some of my favourites!

Venue: West Haven Golf

Officiant: Wayne Prevett

Florist: Little Shed Flower Company

Hair: Meghan Boyd Hair Artistry

Makeup: LDN Makeup Artistry

Dress: Garber’s Bridal

Suit: Joseph’s Clothiers

Rings: Nash Jewellers

Cake: Boombox Bakeshop

DJ: DJ Alpha

Second Shooter/Assistant: Priya Tharmaseelan

London Ontario Family Photographer | Spring Blossom Mini Sessions

Booking for this year’s Spring Minis opened up this week and they are just about sold out! We can never predict what specific blossoms will be in bloom at any specific time, so it makes each year a little bit different. I always like to reminisce about the previous year’s minis on the blog during booking week, so here are some favourites from my 2018 blossom mini sessions.

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Bri and Mike's Medway Creek Engagement Session

I am so happy to be revisiting Bri and Mike’s Medway Creek engagement session. I loved working with this amazing couple for their engagement and wedding photos. They are such a sweet pair, always smiling and so affectionate, which makes my job so easy. They actually just welcomed a sweet baby boy, so I’m also using this post to send a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to both of them on this new adventure. Here are some favourites from their engagement session (which was also featured in my promo video!).

London Ontario Couple Photography | Emily & John's Anniversary Session

Just over a year after their gorgeous FireRock Wedding, I had the pleasure of photographing Emily and John again (you can see a few clips in my promo video!) for a fun anniversary session. It’s always a blast to hang out with them, and this was no exception. Emily is a talented photographer/videographer, you can check out her work here!

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Emily & Mike's Romantic Wedding in the Woods

I have such incredibly fond memories of this day. I knew Emily and Mike’s wedding would be special just from having photographed their engagement session. These two have such a beautiful connection and are full of life and joy. But when I showed up to their ceremony in the woods, I was blown away. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of private property weddings with lots of character, but this magical clearing in the woods with the sun streaming in through the trees literally took my breath away. My pal and second-shooter-for-the-day Lea and I looked at each other like, are you kidding me? As if a fairytale-like setting wasn’t enough, their ceremony (and entire day) was full of deeply personal touches. I can still hear Neil Young’s Harvest Moon every time I look at these images. It’s the song Emily’s brother played during Mike and Emily’s ceremony while all of their guests sang along in unison. An enchanted forest acoustic sing-along? Yes PLEASE. This day was one for the books, and I’m so excited to finally be sharing it on the blog.

Ceremony Venue: Private Family Property

Reception Venue: Rosehill Farm (Permanently Closed)

Florist: Twigs floral design 

Hair: Chelsea Geerlinks 

Makeup: Inspired Beauty by Laura Schell

Live Band: Andre Bisson Band 

Dress: Sophie’s Gown Shoppe

Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal 

Suit: Moores

Catering: BBQ Feast 

Second Shooter: Lea Legg

Best of 2018 Family Sessions | London Ontario Family Photographer

I wish you could have seen me putting this blog post together. First of all, it took a very long time. But most importantly, I smiled from ear to ear the entire time. So many beautiful families. So many favourites. So many. Some obvious ones that I previewed on social media and were stand-out favourites from the very beginning, and some that I had completely forgotten about, that for some reason didn’t really grab me during the editing process but made my heart sing during this yearly review.

As always, I feel the need to point out that my initial selection was so large it was ridiculous. In fact, one might argue that this selection is ridiculously lengthy. But I can only narrow them down so much, ya know? At the end of the day, whether a session appears in this compilation or not, I am so eternally grateful to each family that trusted me with capturing their memories - some for the first time in 2018, and some for the 8th time. It sounds so cliche, and we photographers like to throw around phrases like “I want to tell your story” and “capture your milestones” and “document your real life”… but it’s the truth. It’s why I do what I do.

Looking through all of these images made me so excited about the upcoming shooting season. For now though, I’m still reminiscing about the incredible year that was 2018. Here are some favourites!