One thing I love about being a Smiling Eyes photographer, is we also donate time to Ronald McDonald House and Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. This last week I had the honour of going and documenting three families in Toronto.

First was a beautiful little girl who has just recently had a bone marrow transplant. SHe is 10 months old and has this beautiful slow smile that melts your heart! Her big sister is only 15months older than her – this family has their hands full! But lots of cuddles and love helps!

Next up was a stunning 18 year old girl who was celebrating her 3 week anniversary of her new lung that day! It is so amazing what can be done now with transplants! Her mom and her are so close – really beautiful to watch them together!

Next up was two three month old twins – they’re fraternal brotehrs but man! they look alike! One has a heart condition and is weaker – but still able to smile and coo and charm us all!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Brad and Staci had a beautiful day for their Vineyard wedding at Legends Winery. The sun was shining and it was such a fun celebration!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Six years ago I met Chris and Lexie. I instantly liked them. They are so great together – and so fun! I met them on their 6th year anniversary of dating… and now it’s almost 12years! And 5 years married – craziness! HEre’s the LINK to their engagement photos – because Lexie is sentimental…. she wore the exact same sweater!

This last year has been so exciting for Chris and Lexie as they fulfilled a dream of theirs… to become parents! It was a dream that seemed illusive for years… but I was thrilled when they shared with me their plans to adopt. If you meet this couple – you know that they were made to be parents. JJ came into their life right from the very beginning – and there is no doubt that this is where she is suppose to be! This little family is so full of love – it’s infectious. I loved documenting their family – because I love this couple, because I love documenting families and because I think adoption is one of the most insanely beautiful things in the world.

And I always think it’s important to get some of mom and dad together too!

And we ended with one of Lexie’s favourite things… owls!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

When I walk in to a child’s portrait session I usually put down the camera and let them get use to me before we begin. Desi was sitting down on the couch quietly, but before long this adorable 5 year old was telling me stories and drawing pictures of his favourite Marvel characters and making funny faces… and being a kid. He had me laughing and loving his little face in minutes!

When you’re with him it’s easy to forget that he has T-Cell ALL (Leukemia). And that’s how it should be… Desi is a little boy and his cancer doesn’t define him. Love that!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It’s always fun to finally meet clients who have booked online… Greg and Lindsay took the train to Burlington on a beautiful Fall day and we finally got to meet in person! Tehse two are great and I can’t wait for their wedding next summer!

We made a new friend…

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Becky’s favourite place is at her cottage up north in Muskoka… and so this was exactly where she wanted to do her engagement session. I went up last weekend – and the rain came too. I arrived Thursday night and it started raining then… and it rained right until I left on Sunday! We met up a couple times when the rain stopped briefly = and once in the pouring rain too! A fun weekend with a great couple!

Saturday morning we met up in between rain…

We had really hoped for a campfire Saturday night – no go! So instead we played out in the rain!

Sunday morning went from fog to rain to sunshine to gloom to rain – I think we had everything!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

A few weeks ago I met someone for the first time and we were doing the obligatory “get to know you” questions. “Do you have any kids?” “How old are they?” and then she asked me something that broke my heart. She said “Are you still married? Isn’t it strange I have to ask that even?”

With increasing frequency I have watched people around me split up and it’s so sad. I watch couples commit to forever as a wedding photographer, and I want them to keep those vows. So, I have started to ask people who have been married a number of years what they would share with a newlywed couple.

Enter Ron and Sabra.

Ron and Sabra were our neighbours at our last home. I always really liked them and their family. I remember how much it meant to us when we were going through the tough days of my dad’s brain tumour to have them invite us over for dinner (and a dinner it was! Turkey and all the fixings – mmmm).

Their kids purchased a session for them for Mother’s Day… and we were finally able to do our session last week. We met at their home and these two were amazing. They are always cuddling and holding hands and laughing!

I asked Sabra what advice she would give to a newlywed and this is what she said….

“I wish I had some very significant words of wisdom but truly I think it is really quite simple. It is not just about love, you really have to like each other! There is no person on earth I would rather be with we are friends and friends accept each other for who they are! They don`t criticize each others faults but celebrate each others strengths! In difficult times we turn to each other not away from each other.
“We TALK!! Things are never as bad as you make them out to be in your head if you talk them out! We laugh!!!!!!! We laugh at ourselves, at each other and together! Someone once told us if you are going to laugh about it in 10 years you may as well laugh at it now!!
“We touch and we touch often, we hold hands, we hug, we sit side by side so we are touching…
“We start and end EVERY day with a kiss and not a day goes by without saying I LOVE YOU, three of the happiest words in the world and we use them often!!”

Celebrate life and love,

Krista

Another one of my close friends on the blog tonight – what a treat to photograph some of my favourite people lately! Kerri-Anne and I have become good friends although we could not be more different on the outside – she helps keep my scatter-brained ways on track and I keep her laughing. It was fun to photograph Kerri-Anne’s extended family this time – I had met her sister before (and love her too – she’s so much fun!) but hadn’t met her parents yet. Always fun to see the whole family together!

This picture cracks me up… some things never change.

Because the kids know me so well – there was lots of goofing off as well. Love that! I’ll end with a couple goofy pictures!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I have known this family for a long time – Carolynn is one of my closest friends. I was happy when they asked for photos again this year and agreed to drive out to have their session. Even though we don’t live close – it makes the time we do have together extra special! Love these guys!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Last time I saw Abigail she was a little baby – she’s grown into such a gorgeous toddler now! Almost two and so beautiful with that fiery red hair and big blue eyes. So fun to see her personality coming through and to see Kirk and Lyndsay as parents.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista