Years ago I spent summers babysitting this raspy voiced, freckle faced little girl and her siblings. And over the last few years this little girl has gone from a cousin I babysat, to a good friend. I’ve documented Kathryn and Aaron’s engagement, wedding, first pregnancy and baby… and so excited now for baby number 2! When they visited recently, we took a couple minutes to capture a few images of this beautiful belly and family! Love this family so much – and we were so thankful to have a visit from them as we miss them now that they’ve moved back to Northwestern ONtario!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It is always such an honour to document a family through their major milestones. I met Paul and Becca a few years ago and documented their engagement, wedding… and now was thrilled to meet and photograph their family of three. Little Evan is so loved – it was so great to see these three interacting together. This little guy is always laughing and smiling – and it’s no wonder as this is such a happy family!

This was as soon as Paul and Evan got out of the car….. still in the parking lot. I knew I was going to have a fun session!

And then we find this gorgeous spot with trees in blossom – such a gift of a location!

Becca singing to Evan “love you in the morning and underneath the moon”

Peekaboo with mom!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

After weeks of cancelling due to rain, Glen and Caryn and I finally got to meet on a beautiful Spring day. We met out at their family farm near Ingersoll – excited to photograph in and around there on their upcoming wedding day too!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

  As I mentioned recently and you may know, I am a member of Smiling Eyes.  This is a group of photographers that donate photo sessions to people journeying through cancer. This past week I was honoured to photograph not just one amazing family – but two! I recently blogged about Caydance… not meet 7 year old Chase!

When I met Chase the first thing I noticed was his awesome freckles! I’ve always been envious of freckles. But within seconds the freckles are long forgotten because this high energy, fast talking little man has your full attention as he talks about dogs, boats, or about anything that pops into his head. I loved hearing all that was going through his mind! Such a sweet guy!

Chase’s journey with cancer may have claimed his kidney – but not his love of life and spunk!

I’ve mentioned bravery beads before and how much I love them! SUch a great visual reminder of each child’s unique health journey. Chase showed me some of his favourites before dancing with them!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

  As you may know, I am a member of Smiling Eyes – a group of photographers that donate photo sessions to people journeying through cancer. Over the years, this has fast become one of my favourite things to photograph. It is always a good reminder how precious life is – and the ones we love. 

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to meet little Caydance and her family. Today is a special day in their family’s life… Caydance is having her last chemo today! Hooray! What a day to celebrate! You will also be seeing a lot more of Caydance if you are in the Hamilton area as she is the new face of McMaster Children’s hospitals ads. Exciting! Caydance’s family decided they couldn’t control their circumstances – her sickness, treatment, etc. are all out of their hands – so doing something like fundraising was one way to keep their minds focused and concentrate on something they can control. Their family has raised around $80,000 so far for Mac – wow!! So amazing!

But let’s meet this little one….

This is Caydance – and her big sister Raya and little sister Quinn. All three are just adorable!

And here’s the whole gang! Such a great family!

Families sometimes need to stop… and pinky promise to behave for a photo shoot.

Bravery beads are about the best things ever… every time a child has something done – a needle, surgery, hospital admission, etc. – they are given a bead. This is a visual of the child’s story – unique to just them. It also costs the hospital about $10,000 a year – and Caydance’s family is now fundraising for this great program! Here are the girls inspecting the beads….

I love that Caydance put her sister’s names into her beads. They too are part of this journey!

And here’s her wish trip she’s waiting on! Soon Caydance!!

Such a beautiful family!

The photo on the right is so sweet… tehy do this cheer where they all put their hands in and yell their family’s last name. Just like you would in a sporting game. So fun!

A little Abbey Road happening….

Celebrating life and love… and the end of chemo!

Krista

When James and Kezia started to chat with me about ideas for their engagement session I got excited – couldn’t wait to document this session! James sent me photos that were their inspiration for their engagement session… not photos of other engagement sessions though – photos from the movie Drive with Ryan Gosling, from my trip to Africa and more. They wanted neon lights in the city at night. I’m always up for a challenge – and so we met downtown Toronto this past weekend and went on a hunt for funky lights in and around the city. I was also excited because after photographing James’ sister’s Jen’s wedding last year, I knew these two were great to photograph!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

One of my favourite things to photograph is Smiling Eyes sessions. Smiling Eyes sessions are free gifts of photography to families and individuals journeying through cancer. I have met such fantastic people over the last several years volunteering through Smiling Eyes. Last weekend was another instance of some amazing people and examples of strength. Lucille married her long time love, Shawn surrounded by their children and loved ones. Lucille was a stunning bride – you would never know by looking at her she is battling cancer. Again. It really is beautiful to watch the love and support of family and friends. Lucille is one loved lady!

This cutie caught my eye!

Ceremony time!

After the ceremony was over Lucille said “I want to hug everyone!” So sweet.

Lucille said she wanted this particular restaurant for the wedding because of this large amethyst – so beautiful!

fun group shot –

A lot has happened since I last posted… and I’ve forgotten to update you here!

This past weekend we moved. Yes, it was a sad choice – but a wise one. We loved our country home – but found all of our time, money and resources were going into it. We want more out of life than a house. We have bought a home still in the area – but in town, and much simpler. We don’t get that house for a month so we are renting a house this month. Always an adventure!

But the big news we wanted to share is really exciting!

We have been working on this forever… but finally went public with what our family is working on this weekend. Want to see what it is? You can watch it HERE

Yes! We are adopting!! So excited! It will likely be a year or more still… but we eagerly anticipate that day! You can follow our journey on our adoption blog HERE.

And what some people don’t know is that to adopt is about $35,000. Crazy. Insane. But we truly feel it is crazier for a child to not know a loving family.

I absolutely LOVE our photography community and I was blown away by the support. A bunch of photographers have stepped up and donated a day of mini sessions with funds going to support our adoption. WOW!

Here is the deal….

20-30minute session with a minimum of 10 images on disc for $100-150 (depending on photographer). Amazing deal… and in time for Mother’s Day!!

If you are interested here are the photographers involved.. a few more have signed up but still have to send us their details…. so stay tuned. Please contact the one closest to you if interested!

Happening April 27

Hamilton – Sandra from Contagious Design  + Photography (sandra.bosscher@gmail.com)

Grimsby - Elma & Amy (Photography by Elma and Asher Images)  (info@photographybyelma.com)

Toronto  - Sara Wilde Photography (hello@sarawilde.com)

Happening April 28

Waterloo area – Chris from Click Photography - now fully booked!

Jarvis – Katie Dawson Photography – now fully booked!

Hamilton – Kathy DeMerchant Photography - now fully booked!

Hamilton – Kelly at Visual Venues (kelly.elliott@rogers.com)

Nanticoke – Tracy at Father’s Eye Photography  (fatherseyephotography@yahoo.com)

Nanticoke – Beth at Sweet Media (Beth@sweetmedia.ca)

Nanticoke – Angie at Angie DeVries Photography (angiedevries@gmail.com)

Happening May 5

Caledonia area – me! I still have a couple spots open. (info@edisonphotography.com) - fully booked!

Caledonia area - Kristie at Kristie Fesuk Photography ( info@kristiefesukphotography.com)

Happening May 18

Port Dalhousie – Estelle at Studio Vie (estelle@studiovie.ca)

If you are in the Toronto or Niagara area and are interested, please drop me a line as I’m just waiting for details from these photographers. If you would like to contribute to our adoption you can do so through our adoption agency Mission of Tears. Thanks!

Thank you again SO much!!!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

A few years ago I had the honour of documenting Dave and Vivian‘s wedding in New York, and now it’s time for one of Vivian’s bridesmaids to get married and I was so happy to be invited back to document her day! It was great to meet Greg and Jiney in lower Manhattan last week for their engagement session. Despite pouring rain ALL day, we managed to have some fun indoors! Looking forward to their Spring wedding!

I love Jiney’s laugh!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

So many people have been writing and asking about Miss Meera and how she is doing. Even though my monthly photo visits for 2012 may be officially over, I am still keeping in touch with the fam and along for the journey! Yesterday, I popped in to Sick Kids to see Meera as she had an orthodontic appointment. She looked GREAT – as you will see below.

A few updates… Meera was thrilled to get some new teeth (as you may remember – her MAJOR surgery in November she had to have her top lip, gum and teeth removed). The first problem was she wouldn’t let her parents take out her teeth (like dentures) at night because she really believed her teeth had grown back. And then she wouldn’t let them put them in because she thought only a dentist could do it! Completely unforeseen challenges – life with a three year old!

Meera has started her chemo – she was so fortunate that they are allowed to give one of the chemos at home! I believe this is a first – so cool! Her chemo does not seem to be effecting her as hard as the last time she did chemo a year ago. So far she still has her hair, and she isn’t as sick. We will see how she does over the next few moths – chemo will finish this summer.

Meera is stil herself – laughing and running around and being a three year old! She has had some children ask questions – and sometimes even make not nice comments about her face. Fortunately Meera’s parents are good advocates for her and happy to share about her journey and why she looks the way she does. When anyone – young or old – hears that she had to give up part of her face to fight for her life.. it stirs something inside you. This is not just any three year old you’re looking at – this is a warrior princess fighting for her life.

Meera had her appointment – and then we just visited for a while in Sick KIds.

Meera was killing herself laughing at a My Little Pony video on her mom’s phone. So cute!

Roy, Meera and I had fun colouring Barbies together. I love colouring as much as my kids do!

Can’t forget little Miss Ameena!

I love this photo of Meera! Will leave you with this…

Celebrating life and love,

Krista