I love traditions – and fortunately my good friends Cherie, and Carolynn do too! Every year we wait for “the call” from Cherie. She lives on the edge of a beautiful orchard and the first message comes early Spring. “The trees are about two weeks away from being in bloom”. And then regular reports until it’s finally “time” – and we hectically try to organize our schedules to make an evening work. We get all of our kids out to the orchard – we all enjoy a visit and running through the trees. Some years we’ve done props and a bit of a “set”. This year, we didn’t get as many photos – the kids just played, hung out and goofed off. It was a gorgeous evening and we’re so thankful our kids enjoy this annual tradition as much as us!

After this photo session, I feel like I need to write my older siblings a formal apology. Eden is exactly like I Was. I’m so sorry, Marcie and David.

We then piled in the cars – and headed to another orchard. Got to love Ontario in the SPring! And this time we added Cherie’s stepdaughter Jodey who was home from university. We love Jodey and were so glad we could get her in on the craziness – unfortunately kids cooperation was done by this point. ha ha.

And this time we did something crazy – got a photo of us three moms. Cherie and Carolynn have been friends since grade one, and I’ve been friends with them since I moved to the area in grade nine. We’ve been through a lot together and I’m so thankful for these two!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Being a photographer has many perks – but one of the best benefits is the people I meet. A few years back through photographer meetings I had the benefit of meeting Nataschia. We quickly became friends. In some ways we are so alike that our husbands have asked if we are related, and we sometimes get asked if we are sisters. I always answer “yes”. We have gone on photography adventures near and far and have so many fun memories together.

To say I love this girl is an understatement.

Today – I want to introduce you to Nataschia’s family. It’s hard to believe these are her children and not siblings. My kids just saw this photo and asked “which one is the parents?”

Mike and Nataschia are high school sweethearts. Married young and are a great example to many.

Nataschia’s photography tag line is “for people madly in love.” And I have to say – they’re setting a solid example for her wedding clients. And their children. And me.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It is always so exciting to see parents-to-be anticipating their new arrival. Especially first time parents. The moment the little one arrives everything changes. Suddenly you become mom and dad. A person exists that you have the honour of shaping and guiding – and watching who they become. And the days leading up to the miracle are also exciting as we wonder who this child will be, who they’ll look like, what personality traits they’ll have and who they will become. I remember them as days full of dreams – dreaming who my child would be, who they would become and what life would be like. So when it came time to do Greg and Libby’s maternity photos… this dreamy orchard location was the perfect choice for this time of dreaming as they anticipate their little one’s arrival.

And we visited not one – but two orchards. The above orchard with the pink blossoms, and then the white blossoms (and dandelions!) below! I love Spring in southern Ontario!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Today is Mother’s Day – a day of celebrating for many, but also a day that is hard for so many. Memories of moms that had to say goodbye too early. Moms who weren’t the Hallmark idea of a mother and now there is hurt and pain mingled in with the memories. Women who long to be a mother and yet their bodies and circumstances won’t allow it. Women who have yet to find love, and are reminded of that fact again today. Women who are now single mothers – learning to parent alone.

Today is Mother’s Day – and I like to think of it as a day to celebrate the women who have been an inspiration or influence in our lives.

The aunts who spoil their nieces and nephews with memories while gifting the parents with a much needed break.
The birth mom, who selflessly carried her child and gave them the gift of life and love in a new adoptive family.
The girlfriends who have supported and loved as they watch their friend go through divorce, disease or other such challenges.
The moms who have intentionally loved their children and their families through big and small acts of love daily.
The sisters, friends, aunts, grandmothers, teachers, cousins, and other women in our lives who have carried us emotionally and supported us practically and inspired us to be our best….

This day is for you.

And we say thank you! We celebrate you!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Leading up to Mother’s Day is a great time to think about the amazing women who we call mom. Here is one such woman – meet Laura. Laura is mom to four little ones – the oldest is only four and they are all just a year apart. To say her hands is full is an understatement! She may be busy but she is full of laughter and cuddles for those little ones! It’s so much fun to watch this family of five interact together!

Meet the beautiful Laura…

And her incredible munchkins. First is Jack and his beloved stuffed rabbit Ping.

Then there is Beth who was so proud to so me her Spiderman stickers when we met!

Then there is little Jolene with those little pigtails and her kitty cat.

And last is Andy who is so in love with his mom and loves nothing better than her cuddles.

The kids were SO good but when the meltdowns start… it’s time to go!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

[The GOLDEN project can be read about HERE. I will be photographing couples married 50+ years, hearing their stories and sharing their wisdom. Have someone you think I should document for this? Drop me a line at: info@edisonphotography.com with the subject "GOLDEN"]

I didn’t plan to document Leonard and Helen, but while photographing their grandson’s wedding I met them and just fell in love with them! During the reception, I asked if I could sit down with them just for a couple of minutes and chat about their love story over the last 58 years. So this one is a bit different than the other GOLDEN posts as it is not at their home – but at a wedding.

Leonard moved to Canada from Ireland when he was 17 when his dad was hired to work on the Avro Arrow. When he had been in Canada only 3 days, he met Helen’s father at church. Having also been Irish immigrants, the families had a bond. Her dad invited Leonard’s family over after church. Leonard said he went downstairs to watch television – he didn’t have a TV so this was exciting. When he went down Helen and her three sisters were sitting on a couch. I asked why he singled out Helen. He said very matter-of-factly “she was a redhead.”

Since we were at a beautiful wedding while chatting, I asked them if their wedding was similar. They laughed. They said they think it cost $1.25/plate at that time for their Toronto wedding.

When I asked them what advice they would give to their grandson or “secrets” to staying together happily so long they had some good insight. They said there is a lot of ups and downs in life and you just have to learn to weather them together. They thought that is where the breakups happen when hard times come and they don’t handle the tough times together. Helen said that things will always get better. It’s never “always” bad. These two have known their share of hard times, having lost a daughter ten years prior who had a lifetime of health concerns. They both agreed that sickness cane make or break a couple. Leonard and Helen both also thought that having Faith is important and helped get them through a lot of their tough times.

Leonard and Helen both had parents that were married right to the end and that example of sticking together made an impact on them. Life wasn’t easy as immigrants – but their parents were committed to each other and their example was helpful for their children’s marriages also.

I love sitting and chatting with these two – but since it was their grandson’s wedding didn’t want to keep them long. Before I left for the evening I was able to capture a few images of them on the dance floor enjoying each other’s company. When I left – they were still up dancing!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista