Ken and Brandi had a beautiful day for their wedding last weekend at the Estates of Sunnybrook. They were both so relaxed, and ready to celebrate!! It was a fun day with lots of laughs and fun with this crazy gang!

The moment a parent sees their daughter as a bride is so powerful. Here’s Brandi and her mom’s reactions. They’re so tight – it’s beautiful.

Always love the moment as the groom waits for his bride – the anticipation builds!

The groom’s parents are always laughing!

The mother and sister of the bride – three beautiful ladies!

Love this photo with Grandma!

The beautiful couple. Such a great venue!

The crazy wedding party!

Boys will be boys!

Some cute ideas at the reception…

Guests signed the muskoka chairs – what a great keepsake!

As guests were told which table they were at they were handed a small bag of flavoured popcorn. The flavour matched the big bowl of popcorn on their table – instead of a table number. And so yummy!

Had to play with some popcorn for the ring shots then!

Let the party begin!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

As I mentioned when I posted Kris and Sarah’s maternity photos, last week I had the honour of documenting the birth of their son.

Now, I have never photographed a birth and the only two births I’ve witnessed – I’ve been the one giving birth. I didn’t know what to expect. And it was a home birth – again, something I had never experienced. But I love photographing life moments and new experiences. I was honoured when tehy asked me.

Not knowing when the baby would decide to come I was worried that perhaps the arrival would happen and then I’d be scrambling for child care (as it’s summer holidays and my girls are home) or that I’d be out at a wedding or something and unable to go to the birth. It couldn’t have worked out better on my end! My kids were at a sleepover when I got the text – and Mark and I had a chance to have a nice dinner the two of us and enjoy a movie together before I headed over.

If you don’t know Kris and Sarah – you’re really missing out. They are two of the most genuine, loving people. When Sarah would have a contraction, Kris was right there to hold her tight. As the contractions started to finish Sarah would often grab Kris and kiss his face saying “I love you so much!” Not the screaming, crazy woman you stereotypically hear of (although that’d be fun to document too – ha ha). And when the contraction was done, Sarah would turn to us – her mom, her doula Teri, the two midwives and myself, and ask if we needed any refreshments or coffee or…. seriously? You’re having a baby! Let us wait on you!

I loved this moment below. SOmeone said to Sarah something along the lines of “you’re baby is coming tonight”. And she started to bawl. “I get to meet my baby! I get to hold them! I can’t wait to meet my baby….” Beautiful.

Sarah went up to the tub to help her body relax. (I should mention their 17month old daughter slept through the entire birth!) I stayed back to give her privacy – but suddenly we heard “it’s coming” and me and her mom ran upstairs! ABout two minutes later this beautiful baby boy arrived on the scene.

As soon as Sarah saw the baby, her reaction moved us all to tears. Between kissing Kris and the baby she was crying “I love you so much! Desmond William you’re here! I love you! I love you!”

And Kris was in his glory just beaming at his son.

What a perfect boy – weighing in at 7lb 12oz and so gorgeous!

One of the best jobs is given to the dad – calling family to share the news!

Sarah’s mom is smitten too I think!

This is going to be one adored little boy!

Desmond – you are loved!

Celebrating LIFE and love,

Krista

Almost 4 years ago I met this great couple – Kat and Janice. They are quite possibly the sweetest couple with Janice’s easy laugh and Kat’s way of taking care of everyone… and doting on Janice! I photographed their engagement session and wedding. And when Janice’s friends from Malaysia came for her wedding – we did a friends photo session the day before the wedding as well! (love this idea!) Janice is also a wedding planner and Janice organized a styled shoot I photographed last year. And then this Spring we met for their maternity session – and now I was so excited to meet baby Kai this past week!

Kat and Janice are such natural parents. Laughing and at ease. And Kai – wow. What a sweetheart. With his Justin Bieber hair and big eyes – he’s gorgeous! Hard to believe he’s only 5 weeks old with all that hair. Probably why Janice wanted to make sure to show how tiny he is when we documented him.

Love his facial expressions!

We went outside – and Kai loved it!When we laid him in the grass he just grabbed fistfuls of grass and held on for dear life!

I loved Kai’s room and not just because they chose to decorate in edison photography colours (grey and yellow).

Love the mobile Janice made!

Passed out on the sweet blanket Janice made for him. Loved this fun reversible, colourful blankie!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I love seeing new families… it is such an exciting time to see two people go from husband and wife to mom and dad. Although it was almost a decade ago, I can still remember how becoming parents involved all the mix of emotions! It’s always a treat to visit first time parents and see the whole miracle of life through fresh eyes.

I hadn’t met Travis and Lindsay before visiting them in their Toronto condo, but it was obvious they are completely smitten with little Miss Brianna. And I’d say the feeling is mutual.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Ken and Brandi are getting married this weekend – and I can’t wait to photograph their day at the beautiful Estates of Sunnybrook. But first, I wanted to share their recent engagement session. It was fun to discover Ken is from Caledonia – right near me – and so we met at his parent’s property and just walked around their neighbourhood for their photo session. I love documenting places that have significance to people – and this is where Ken grew up and has lots of memories! And it’s a beautiful spot…. as you can see!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I am just home from photographing Kris and Sarah’s beautiful home birth of their new son… so what better time to share their maternity photos! We got these done just in time – 3 days before baby arrived!!! Kris and Sarah decided to come out to my place for their session and we had some gorgeous evening light to play in! And little Bella was such a sweetheart! She’s going to be the sweetest big sister!

You can see Isabella’s maternity photos from last year HERE, her newborn photos HERE and their Christmas family photos HERE.

Check back because it’s definitely baby week here. Two newborn sessions and Kris and Sarah’s home birth still to come!

Celebrating life and love.

Krista

(Meera is a beautiful 2year old with cancer that I am photographing once a month for a year. You can see more about her here: December, January, February, March, April, May, June and her story in her mom’s words.)

July 28.

What a special day. It was the day of Meera’s “Chemo’s done” party. If ever there was a reason to celebrate, it was that this tiny warrior princess had finished her aggressive chemo treatments. Her hair is starting to grow back in. Her appetite is returning. She’s running and playing with friends instead of dancing with IV poles.

As soon as I heard of the party – I knew I had to go and celebrate too! When I got there I found Meera with a new friend. Cinderella.

There have been a few online auctions to help Meera’s family with the costs they’ve had to face due to this journey thru cancer… at one online auction someone had donated a princess who comes to your party. The recipient of this prize, turned around and donated it back to Meera. So generous – and the perfect gift for this princess.

Meera’s family did such a great job with the party – so much for the kids to do. Everyone had so much fun!

It was really fun for me to meet in person so many people who I have “met” online who are such a part of Meera’s life. Always nice to meet face to face!

I had posted this image on my Facebook page (link) earlier as it’s such a special image for me. I met these two girls back in December at the Ronald McDonald House. Meera was in the midst of her chemo treatments, and Rebekah was waiting for a new heart. These two – a teenager from the east coast and a toddler from the GTA – would normally have nothing in common. But they both knew what it meant to fight for their lives. Literally. I’m so happy that now Meera has finished her chemo, and Rebekah has received her new heart and after almost a year she is heading back home. I love this two girls strength. I may just print this for my desk for when I need inspiration.

And a few more of the girls together.

And of course – what is a party without CAKE?!

And I’ll sign off with these two images – one of Meera’s Grandpa’s new tattoo, and one of her Grandma’s vehicle. “I believe in MEERAcles!”

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

My good friend Jocelyn (and extremely talented cake artist at Sugarbelle Cakes!) listened to her daughter persistently ask to do a lemonade stand. Like all us moms do, Jocelyn smiled and nodded. Finally after Ava asked and asked… Jocelyn questioned what she wanted to do with the money. “I want to donate it to charity, mom!” Out of the mouths of babes.

So, Ava and her friend Alyssa began their plans. They made bracelets, cookies, Christmas ornaments, bookmarks, magnets and of course lemonade. They worked and worked on preparing for today.

And the result?

$835 raised for research for women’s cancer.

Two 9 year old girls. One lemonade stand.

Makes me dream about the difference I can make,my girls, my family, my network of friends… if this is what two small girls in a very small town can do… what can I do?

Thank you Ava and Alyssa for the inspiration! We’re all so proud of you both!

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Helen Keller

“We have it in our power to change the world over.”Thomas Paine

“When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

So excited to say we have sold over 100 necklaces! Wow! I just am so in love with the idea of women supporting women. To read more about these gorgeous necklaces and how you can purchase one to help make a difference in a women’s life in Uganda – read HERE

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

One thing I love about the photography community is the supportive network. I have made great friends with many photographers in the region and know that if I’m ever stuck or in need of some help, I can count on them. One thing we all love to do is second shoot occasionally – it is a great chance to see how someone else flows their day, documents their couples and an opportunity to grow as a photographer. So, when my friend Tyler (Tyler James Photography) asked me to come as a second shooter on his wedding of Luke and Katelyn – I was glad it worked out with my schedule! And – as an added bonus it was close to my home, and turned out to be the daughter of one of the teacher’s at my daughter’s school!

Here is a look at some of the images I captured… Tyler has posted his teasers on Facebook here and more are coming to his blog!

As a main photographer, I’m usually with the girls – so it was fun to get to document the guys this time!

And then I got to snap a few photos of the girls while Ty documented the guys. Great group of friends!

Congratulations – it was an honour to meet you both!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista