Almost 5 years ago, I had photographed Bryan and Andrea’s wedding in Hamilton just a week after he returned home from Afghanistan! And then a week later, I went to Ottawa to photograph a cocktail party reception for their friends at the Army Mess Hall which was stunning. I hadn’t seen them since… then on Facebook Andrea noticed that I Was going to Edmonton. SHe messaged me that they are living there now and had a new addition recently – Penelope! She asked if I could come and document their family in their new home – was thrilled to. Always fun to reconnect with past clients!

Penelope was so excited to have Bryan come home from the army base that morning – a daddy’s girl already! I asked Bryan if he could keep his army attire on until we had a few photos – love the contrast against Penelope’s perfect skin!

Penelope had recently discovered her belly button and toes – so exciting.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Always enjoy my time with Christa and Mike and their boys. Since photographing their wedding, Christa and I have become good friends. It has been so exciting to see her develop as a wife, and mother – and artist. Christa is the talent behind Anista Designs, stunning custom paper goods, that has been featured all over the place (including Vogue!).

For this year’s session we wanted to incorporate a “day in the life” feel – some of the boys favourite activities. This included playing cars in the dishwasher (they choose to wash dishes by hand and leave this as the boys racetrack and car storage), playdough under the kitchen table (it’s going to end up there anyways), wrestling, fort building, collecting rocks… and more wrestling (they are boys after all). So much fun! We started with trying to get a family photo – and then came back home to enjoy the boys favourite activities!

Every mother does this, right? Sometimes with a face cloth – sometimes with spit and fingers.

Sharing candies while they wait for mom and dad…

Back home we go….

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I have known Dick and Cheryl’s family for years – they are such a sweet, fun, loving family. I recently heard that Dick was diagnosed with cancer and so I was more than happy to offer their family a Smiling Eyes session. I loved seeing the family laugh and enjoy each other’s company. They are such a strong family and so well loved – we will continue to keep them in our prayers as they face this fight ahead.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I loved photographing Lyndsay’s maternity session this Fall (LINK) and was so excited to come back and document their new arrival – Miss Anna. Big sister Abigail just loves her – and mom and dad are pretty smitten too! I have enjoyed our own two girls – and visiting their family brought back lots of memories of those early days! So much fun – and so much more to come!

And while Anna needed some time with mom – I slipped in to peek on Abigail and dad…

And while this peaceful scene happened upstairs – downstairs Kirk and Abigail were playing as only dads and daughters do…

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Darrell and Tara and I have been friends for a long time… Tara and I were friends when we each met our now husbands and stood up for each other in our weddings. Fast forward 18 years of marriage for each of us – and now Tara and Darrell have three little ones to love! Big sister Sophie, and then the new twins Owen and Ella! It was so fun to visit with this family on a very cold morning recently!

Tara definitely has her hands full now!

Okay – now make a silly face!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It has been great to get to know Sandra and her family over the years at school and soccer and around the community. It was a lot of fun photographing their four little ones on a cold morning recently!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I always love the annual photo session with this family – it has been so much fun to document them from their wedding and through the years. The girls are getting so big and love seeing their personalities coming through more and more! This year Arlene had the great idea of documenting visiting some of their neighbours and the neighbourhood they love so much. We went to a couple homes – wait until you see the incredible “mouse house” under their home’s stairs someone has created for the neighbourhood kids to enjoy – they even decorate it for each season! A fun evening with the family again this year!

Sisters – fighting and angry one minute… hugging and loving the next!

The girls were excited to show their new trampoline!

As we collected neighbour kids on our walk – we ended up at the mouse house I had heard so much about – it didn’t disappoint!

A great night with these sisters and the family once again!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I’ve been waiting to share this wedding – today you can see it also on Wedding Chicks – so it’s time to share it here too!

Jen and I have been friends for years and it was such an honour to document their love story. There is so much to tell about this wedding – so I’ll just dive in! Peter and Jennifer love Hamilton, bicycling and their community of friends and family. They incorporated all of these passions into their wedding celebration!

Peter and Jennifer had their “first look” in their own backyard before doing their portraits in and around their own neighbourhood. All portraits were taken within walking distance of home.

The moss in the ring bearer’s canoe holder was from where they sat to write their vows at the cottage.

Jen’s mother made the veils for both ceremony and reception. Jen’s earrings were a family heirloom. So many personal touches!

And finally time for the first look in their backyard!

Peter had proposed to Jennifer with a tandem bicycle – and now for their wedding celebration they used it to ride from home to the ceremony! But not only did they ride – they extended an open invitation to any guests who would like to ride with them. Friends – adults and children – joined in the ride through downtown Hamilton, Ontario. It was such a celebration as they rode – the riders rang their bike bells, cars honked and waved, people cheered and shouted out congratulations!

At the Waterfront Centre – where their ceremony and reception were to be held – guests enjoyed the view. The ceremony had more personal touches – with no attendants (all guests were participants instead!).

One beautiful part of the service was the binding ceremony where Pete and Jen literally tied the knot! They had asked specific groups (family for each side, community groups they are involved in, work place, church, etc.) to choose a ribbon with meaning specific to that group. For example – Pete and Jen’s own ribbon they chose was an ombre blue ribbon going from dark blue to light blue – the two colours combining into one with no clear distinction where one ended and one began. (This ribbon was also used in the boutonniere’s the couple made.) Randy – a good friend and minister – shared the meaning of each ribbon one at a time.

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed lawn games – bocce ball, bubbles, croquet and more.

The reception seating also reflected the couple’s desire to be with their guests. Instead of a head table at the front – Peter and Jen sat in the middle of the room at a table with other guests. They were able to easily connect with all their guests this way! Their special, personalized touches continued throughout the day. The guestbook alternative was a pottery dish that would be put in the kiln and glazed to make a lasting keepsake. Instead of cake – there were donuts from a friend’s new company including maple bacon donuts! Board games and colouring for kids – or those who didn’t want to dance. Each item carefully thought through with great intent!

The dance was hopping with young and old out on the dance floor! Such a fun wedding full of celebrating love – both Pete & Jen’s and their love for their friends and family!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista