Posts tagged GTA
Project 366 | November

Oh November.  We have a bit of a love/hate relationship.  Actually, it used to be just hate until Levi was born last November.  But this year we saw our little man turn one.  It’s hard to believe!  Peter and I are enjoying discovering more about his little personality and it is pretty wild how quickly he is learning new things.  We had a couple of dicey weeks with his molars coming in and I felt like I was going to lose my mind once or twice, but I am lucky to have the best mother-in-law who took Levi off my hands for a few afternoons so I could regroup (also my mom will want me to mention that she was off saving lives in Ghana otherwise she would have helped me too)! I think we have one more 1-year molar to go and then I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be done with teething for a while!  Anyhow, I am marching along with the project and I think making it through this month was a victory.  Hoping I can blaze through Christmas and then January and finish strong!

1 year old toddler boy playing with toys on bed - Newmarket child photography
Father and 1 year old baby boy playing in bedroom at night - York Region documentary photography
Photo prints and wood USB packaging with twine and personal note - Stouffville newborn photography
1 year old baby boy wearing red sweater sitting in pile of fall leaves at sunset - Markham child photos
1 year old toddler boy eating snack in carseat - Stouffville child photography
1 year old baby boy in highchair watching father in kitchen - Uxbridge Lifestyle photography
1 year old toddler boy sitting on floor playing with fan - Newmarket child photograph
steaming cup of coffee on kitchen counter - Stouffville lifestyle photography
1 year old toddler boy looking into refrigerator in the dark - Markham in-home photography
1 year old baby boy looking out window at sunset - Uxbridge child photograp
groom's hand with wedding ring on bride's waist - Newmarket photography
1 year old toddler boy being held my redhead woman - Markham in-home photographer
1 year old baby boy sitting on bed - stouffville child photos
Dark grey couch in living room at sunset - Stouffville in-home photography
Muskoka roastery maple coffee pods in box - uxbridge lifestyle photos
1 year old toddler boy with pen on couch - Newmarket child photography
1 year old baby boy sitting in wooden box beside couch - Stouffville child photography
moody sunset behind house through dew drops on window - Newmarket in-home photography
1 year old toddler boy eating yogurt with spoon on couch with father - Stouffville child photography
photo of book on cream knit blanket with mug of coffee - markham lifestyle photo
1 year old baby boy playing with little tikes yellow school bus under table in pyjamas - Uxbridge child photography
1 year old toddler boy sitting on dad's lap with book - Newmarket in-home photos
1 year old toddler boy in red shirt looking out window with grandma - Stouffville child photography
homemade chocolate chip cookies in kraft box with chalk tag client gifts - markham newborn photographs
newborn baby girl asleep with hands crossed - uxbridge baby photos
1 year old baby boy in high chair with foot on tray - Newmarket lifestyle photography
newborn baby girl toes in swaddle on white bed - stouffville baby photography
buffalo grazing on hill through fence - uxbridge photography
Welcome Baby Peyton! | Toronto Newborn Photographer

From the moment Nicole contacted me I knew I was going to love this family.  So easygoing, flexible and fun, all ingredients for an enjoyable session!  And the cherry on top? Peyton’s amazing hair and the fact that she was constantly yawning, which just might be the cutest thing a baby can do.  She is clearly so loved by her big brother and parents.  Nicole and Chase made two under two look effortless (don’t worry guys, I know its hard work!) and made me feel so welcome and comfortable in their home.  I was honoured to capture these memories for them and hope that these photos will one day transport them back to that wild and beautiful time that they welcomed their baby girl.

1 month old swaddled baby girl sleeping in crib in pink nursery - Newmarket newborn photography
newborn baby girl sleeping in swaddle on white bed - Stouffville family photographer
pink baby girl nursery with rocking horse - Markham newborn photography
1 month old baby girl in pink swaddle yawning on white bed - Toronto newborn photographer
newborn baby girl feet in pink swaddle on white bed - Uxbridge family photographer
newborn baby girl with lots of brown hair asleep on bed - Newmarket newborn photos
mother with long brown hair rocking newborn baby girl in chair - stouffville baby photography
2 year old toddler boy smiling in doorway to nursery - Markham family photos
2 year old toddler boy sitting in red and blue bed looking at camera - toronto family photographer
toddler big brother lying on bed with crying newborn baby sister - newmarket family photos
long brunette mom holding sleeping newborn girl on chest - newmarket baby photography
brunette mother holding sleeping newborn girl in arms - stouffville baby photography
new mother with long brunette hair sitting on bed holding and looking at 1 month old baby girl - Markham newborn photography
new mother with long brunette hair sitting on bed holding and looking at 1 month old baby girl - Markham newborn photography
parents sitting on bed holding and looking at 1 month old baby girl - newmarket newborn photos
family of four with 2 year old big brother kissing newborn baby sister sitting on bed - stouffville family photos
father looking at sleeping 1 month old baby girl in his arms - Newmarket newborn photography
father looking at sleeping 1 month old baby girl in his arms - markham newborn photographer
dad looking at sleeping 1 month old baby girl in his arms - stouffville newborn photography
family of four sitting on couch with newborn little sister and 2 year old big brother - newmarket family photography
family of four sitting on couch with newborn little sister and 2 year old big brother - stouffville family photography
Welcome Baby Fay! | Uxbridge Newborn Photographer

In November Courtney and Ren welcomed their beautiful rainbow baby into the world! I had the pleasure of capturing their maternity photos and was counting down the days until I got to meet their newest family member!  I trekked out to their cozy country home and got to capture some special memories of their first days together.  Of course, when little Fay found out that I was coming she was far too excited to sleep! Luckily Courtney already knows this girl like the back of her hand, worked her mommy-magic and after some cuddles and rocking we had the sweetest sleeping baby on our hands.  I’ll let her modelling skills speak for themselves.  Courtney and Ren, I wish you many blessings as you embark on this journey of parenthood!

1 week old baby girl sleeping in mother's arms with hands folded - Uxbridge newborn photos
1 week old baby girl swaddled lying on bed with mom looking at her - Stouffville newborn photography
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with mother kissing head - newmarket newborn photos
mom swaddling newborn baby girl on bed - markham family photography
1 week old baby girl asleep in mother's arms - newmarket newborn photos
1 week old baby girl asleep in mother's arms - newmarket newborn photos
1 week old baby girl asleep in mother's arms in rocking chair - stouffville newborn photos
1 week old baby girl asleep in mother's arms - stouffville newborn photography
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with arms outstretched - markham newborn photography
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with arms outstretched - newmarket newborn photos
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with arms outstretched - markham newborn photography
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with hands beside face - stouffville newborn photos
1 week old swaddled baby girl asleep on bed with hands beside face - newmarket newborn photography
neutral nursery change table in front of window - uxbridge newborn photos
hand knit neutral cream baby booties on windowsill - newmarket newborn photography
one week old baby girl being dressed my mom on change table - markham newborn photos
one week old baby girl looking at camera over mother's shoulder - stouffville newborn photography
male golden retriever sleeping on grey round dog bed - uxbridge family photos
new dad holding sleeping swaddled one week old daughter - newmarket baby photography
new dad holding sleeping swaddled one week old daughter - markham baby photography
family of three holding newborn baby girl on bed in pink swaddle - stouffville family photos
family of three holding newborn baby girl on bed in pink swaddle with golden retriever - stouffville family photos
new dad holding one week old baby girl to chest facing camera - markham family photos
new father holding sleeping 1 week old baby girl in rocking chair - newmarket family photos
family of three looking at one week old baby girl in dad's arms - markham family photography
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Coffee Cake | Recipes

I'll be honest, this week is off to a bit of a rough start.  Apparently we have entered the season of temper tantrums and Levi is bringing them full force! So in the age-old tradition of stress eating I ate a well-rounded breakfast of M&Ms and leftover pizza this morning.  In case maybe your week needs a little pick-me-up too (and if you don't have a 1 kilo bag of M&Ms in your cupboard), here is my favourite recipe for you.  It is seriously the best cake ever...everyone who has ever tasted it raves about it.  I wish I could take credit for thinking this recipe up, but I got it from my mom and its origins prior to that are unknown! The best part about this cake is that it makes a bundt pan AND a loaf pan from one recipe, so if you make it to give to someone, or take it somewhere you still have a little loaf to eat yourself!

Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/2 cup mashed bananas (~6, I never measure!)
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 package milk chocolate chips

Instructions
- Cream butter & sugar
- Add vanilla & beaten eggs, then bananas
- Combine dry ingredients, except cinnamon & brown sugar
- Add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with sour cream, ending with dry (in other words, mix in    
  1/3 dry, 1/2 sour cream, 1/3 dry, 1/2 sour cream, 1/3 dry)
- Pour 1/2 batter into bundt & loaf pans
- Mix cinnamon & brown sugar & pour 1/2 over batter in pans, then pour 1/2 chocolate chips over
  batter
-Repeat layers
- Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes

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Project 366 | October

Phew! I wasn't sure this post was going to make it up, because I was SO inconsistent with my daily shooting this month.  But when I started this project I told myself that if I missed a day I just had to fill it in with another photo, even though it was taken on another day in that month.  Otherwise I'm not sure I would have taken on such a huge project...you need to give yourself a little grace sometimes!  October brought the cold weather and a couple of colds with it.  Poor Levi got a nasty viral rash from one of them (featured in many photos below!).  It was super itchy and we had to smother him in calamine lotion.  Luckily it wasn't chicken pox and not contagious, so the worst thing that came of it were a few dirty looks when I took him out in public.  For Thanksgiving we went up to the cottage and enjoyed four days with family.  This month we also celebrated Levi's first birthday with our families and he took his first steps (at his grandparents while we were out at a wedding, of course)! We had some fun dressing Levi up for Halloween...he was the cutest little lion and really enjoyed trick-or-treating to our next door neighbour's house, as you can see! Now we are just counting down the days until we can put up our Christmas tree :)

Lindsey & Beth | Newmarket Family Photographer

Being a mom is a blessing.  We are gifted with these precious little lives that become so entwined with our own that it's hard to imagine life before them.  It is also sometimes a bit monotonous, not very glamorous and at times frustrating (I'm assuming I'm not alone in this!).  The thing I love about photography is that it is an exercise in observation and appreciation of what is right in front of you.  As a mom it causes me to stop and think about the little things that I want to capture and looking back on the photos I have of the past year of Levi's life I am so thankful to have captured the little nuances of who he was at each stage.

I had the opportunity to capture Lindsey and her daughter Beth one morning in their home.  It was so fun to document Beth and all the little things that make her who she is at this stage of her life. I look forward to watching this sweet girl grow!

1 year old baby girl sitting in mom's lap reading book - Newmarket baby photos
1 year old baby girl sitting in mom's lap reading story book - Newmarket child photos
1 year old baby girl sitting in mom's lap reading story  book - Stouffville family photography
1 year old baby girl sitting in mom's lap reaching for story book - Stouffville baby photography
toes of 1 year old baby girl sitting in mother's lap - Uxbridge family photos
1 year old baby girl sitting in mom's lap reading book - Stouffville lifestyle photography
1 year old baby girl standing looking over side of crib at camera - Newmarket child photography
1 year old baby girl playing with toy drum set - Uxbridge child photography
1 year old baby girl sitting on floor trying to put on sock - Stouffville child photos
1 year old baby girl dancing and laughing with mom in living room - Newmarket in-home photography
1 year old toddler girl sitting in cream chair looking at camera - Uxbridge child photography
close up of 1 year old toddler girl's eyelashes sitting in chair - Newmarket child photography
Welcome Baby Olive | Toronto Newborn Photographer

I can't think of anything I enjoy photographing more than a brand new baby! So when little Olive joined this already adorable family I was beyond excited to document their first days as a family of four! Her big brother, River, was just the biggest bundle of energy and adorable-ness and her parents were so relaxed, natural and fun in front of the camera that they were an absolute breeze to photograph.  This little lady already has a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out, so those of you who don't keep up with tween slang); she did not want to miss a single thing the entire session, but her mom Alison managed to coax her to sleep at the very end so we could capture her peaceful little face and details.  I could probably rant all day about how much I loved this session, but I will let the newborn and family sweetness below speak for itself!  Enjoy :)

family of four sitting on couch  - mom holding newborn baby girl and dad holding 3 year old boy - mom kissing son's forehead - Newmarket family photography
3 year old toddler boy sitting at parent's feet playing with toy truck - Stouffville family photography
mother holding 1 week old baby girl while 3 year old big brother drives toy truck on little sister - Markham family photos
 1 week old baby girl in mother's arms wide awake - uxbridge family photography
3 year old toddler boy kissing 1 week old baby sister on head while mom watches - Newmarket family photos
nursery details - she is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future - stouffville lifestyle photography
3 year old toddler boy sitting on couch playing on toy xylophone with feet sticking out - newmarket child photography
1 week old baby girl asleep in mom's arms wrapped in swaddle - Stouffville family photos
1 week old baby girl asleep in mom's arms wrapped in swaddle - markham family photos
husband kissing wife's forehead as she holds sleeping 1 week old baby girl - uxbridge family photography
1 week baby girl swaddled and asleep between mother and father - Newmarket family photos
Family of four sitting on bed - 3 year old toddler big brother kissing baby sister's head - Stouffville Family photography
dad holding and looking at 1 week old baby daughter - Markham lifestyle photography
1 week old baby girl lying on father's legs wide awake looking at camera - Uxbridge family photography
Mom and big brother looking at new baby sister sleeping in moses basket - Newmarket family photos 
3 year old toddler boy standing in crib and looking out window - Stouffville family photography
3 year old toddler boy looking out window - close up of curly hair - Uxbridge child photography
close up of ear and hand - 1 week old baby girl swaddled - Newmarket lifestyle photography
close up of sleeping 1 week old baby girl swaddled on white bed - Markham family photography
The J Family | Stouffville Family Photographer

I have known the J family for many years (15 years to be exact!), and was super excited when they asked me to do some extended family photos for them while their entire family was in town.  We met at a beautiful park in Stouffville, and even though it was pouring rain on our way to the session the skies cleared just in time for us to start shooting! As you can see from the photos below there's a lot of love in this family and they were a joy to capture!

Extended family of 9 with 2 year old toddler boy standing on bridge smiling at camera - Stouffville family photography
Family of 3 with 2 year old toddler boy standing on bridge with mom looking at son - Newmarket family photography
2 year old toddler boy standing on bridge looking at camera - Stouffville child photos
family of three standing on bridge dad holding 2 year old toddler boy - Newmarket lifestyle photos
Family of 3 walking down bridge with 2 year old toddler boy swinging between mom and dad - Stouffville lifestyle photography
family of 3 standing on bridge while 2 year old toddler boy is crying - Newmarket child photos
woman with ombre hair laughing and smiling at camera - Stouffville lifestyle photography
woman with long brunette hair laughing and smiling at camera with hands in pocket - Newmarket lifestyle photography
couple standing on park path wife smiling as husband whispers into ear - Newmarket lifestyle photos
couple standing on park path smiling and laughing  - stouffville lifestyle photos
profile shot of couple touching foreheads and smiling - Newmarket lifestyle photography
4 adult siblings laughing together in park - Stouffville lifestyle photography
6 adult siblings laughing together in park - Stouffville lifestyle photography
mature couple walks down park path holding hands wife smiling at husband - Newmarket lifestyle photography
Grandparents holding and smiling at 2 year old grandson - Stouffville lifestyle photos
Courtney & Ren | Uxbridge Maternity Photographer

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting some maternity photos for my grade-school friend Courtney and her husband Ren! I can't even remember when Courtney and I last connected, so when she got in touch to see if I could capture her maternity and newborn photos I was thrilled. They brought me to a gorgeous area in the Uxbridge trails (its the trail capital of Canada!).  I can't believe I lived in Uxbridge for half my life and have never been to this spot.  It was a beautiful sunset session and we had so much fun.  They brought their dog Jack and he was basically an angel.  I'm sad I didn't find an opportunity to sneak him into my car and bring him home with me! All jokes of puppy-napping aside, I can't wait to meet their sweet baby soon and find out if it's a boy or girl!

pregnant mom-to-be holding baby bump at sunset - Uxbridge belly photos
pregnant mother-to-be holding baby bump at sunset -Newmarket newborn photos
expectant pregnant mom-to-be holding baby bump at sunset - Stouffville newborn photography
pregnant mom-to-be holding baby bump sitting in grassy field - Uxbridge newborn photos
expectant parents sitting in field at sunset dad looking at mom's bump - Newmarket newborn photography
golden retriever dog sitting with pregnant mother-to-be in grassy field at golden hour - Stouffville newborn photos
golden retriever dog sitting with pregnant mother-to-be in grassy field at golden hour - Stouffville newborn photos
rainbow baby pumpkin on bench - uxbridge bump photography
expectant parents sitting on park bench face to face pregnant mom holding bump - Newmarket newborn photography
pregnant mom-to-be holding and looking at baby belly - Newmarket bump photography
expectant parents sitting on park bench face to face pregnant mom and dad holding bump - Newmarket newborn photography
couple plays in field with golden retriever dog wife is pregnant - Stouffville bump photos
expectant parents stand holding hands in field with golden retriever dog - Stouffville baby bump photos
expectant couple walks in field with golden retriever dog wife is pregnant - Newmarket baby bump photos
parents-to-be standing in field husband holds wife's pregnant belly- Stouffville baby bump photography
parents-to-be standing in field husband holds wife's pregnant belly- Stouffville baby bump photography
parents-to-be sit on blanket in field husband holds wife's pregnant belly- Newmarket baby bump photography
parents-to-be snuggle on blanket in field y- Newmarket pregnancy photography
parents-to-be sit on blanket in field husband holds wife's pregnant belly- Newmarket baby bump photography
parents-to-be stand in field husband holding wife's pregnant belly- Uxbridge baby bump photography
Newborn Baby Elias | Toronto Fresh 48 Photographer

I'm not sure how to prepare you for the adorable-ness you're about to see below.  Little Elias is just the sweetest little thing. He was almost 24 hours old when I met him and it's easy to see that his parents, Kristin and Jonathan were already head over heels for this little man.  It was such a blessing to me to capture the first moments of this sweet family and I hope that one day Elias will be able to look back at these photos and see just how much he was loved, right from the very beginning. 

family of three sitting on hospital bed with 1 day old baby boy - Newmarket Fresh 48 Photography
new mom sitting on hospital bed holding 1 day old baby boy - Markham Fresh 48 Photography
new mom holding 1 day old  swaddled baby boy - Stouffville Fresh 48 Photography
1 day old newborn baby boy swaddled and asleep in hospital bassinet - Newborn Fresh 48 Photos
family of 3 sitting on hospital bed holding 1 day old baby boy - Newmarket Fresh 48 Photography
family of 3 sitting on hospital bed holding 1 day old baby boy - Markham Fresh 48 Photography
new father holding swaddled sleeping 1 day old baby boy in hospital - Stouffville Fresh 48 photography
famliy of 3 with mom holding 1 day old baby boy standing in front of hospital window - Markham Fresh 48 Photography
new father holding swaddled sleeping 1 day old baby boy in hospital - Newmarket Fresh 48 photos
close up of one day old baby boy swaddled and being held in dad's arms - Newmarket fresh 48 in-hospital photography
New mother sitting on hospital bed holding 1 day old baby boy face to face - Stouffville Fresh 48 photos
1 day old baby boy lying on hospital bed with mom stretching - Markham Fresh 48 photos
1 day old baby boy lying in hospital bassinet close up of feet - Newmarket Fresh 48 photography
1 day old baby boy lying in hospital bassinet hand touching umbilical cord clamp - Markham Fresh 48 photography
Project 366 | September

September was a fun month for our little family.  We got to enjoy a wonderful long weekend at the cottage, celebrated my husband's 29th birthday, enjoyed our first trip to the Stouffville Food Truck Frenzy (check it out next summer if you missed it!), celebrated a good friend's upcoming wedding by throwing her a bridal shower and I got to shoot my first two Fresh 48 sessions! Oh and there was a pretty awesome harvest moon and some beautiful sunsets thrown in there. September is also one of my favourite months because it brings the cooler weather...this past summer was WAY too hot for my taste and I welcomed the cooler days with open arms!

Toronto Newmarket York Region Family Photographer
Newborn Baby Harlow | Toronto Fresh 48 Photographer

     

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of going to meet this sweet little lady in the hospital when she was only 14 hours old! I've known Harlow's mom Sarah since high school, but we hadn't seen one another since grade 12, so it was so special to see Sarah and have a chance to catch up after all these years.  Sarah and her husband Will were so kind and laid back and it is obvious that they will make wonderful parents to their sweet little girl!  If you have a moment go check out Sarah's lifestyle blog and Will's photography portfolio...I think it's safe to say Harlow will inherit some serious artistic talent from these two!

1 day old baby girl swaddled and sleeping in hospital bassinet - Newmarket Fresh 48 photography
1 day old baby girl swaddled and sleeping in hospital bassinet - Newmarket Fresh 48 photography
1 day old baby girl swaddled and sleeping in hospital bassinet - Markham Fresh 48 photography
1 day old baby girl swaddled and sleeping in hospital bassinet - close up of it's a girl sign - Stouffville Fresh 48 photos
new father holding swaddled 1 day old baby girl while she holds dad's finger - Uxbridge fresh 48 photos
new family of 3 snuggle in hospital bed with mom holding 1 day old baby girl and dad kissing mom's forehead - Newmarket Fresh 48 photos
new father holding 1 day old swaddled baby girl kissing her forehead in front of window - Markham in-hospital photography
new family of 3 snuggled in hospital bed dad holding swaddled 1 day old baby girl and both parents smiling - Stouffville fresh 48 photography
new mother sitting in hospital bed holding 1 day old baby girl swaddled and asleep - Uxbridge fresh 48 photography
new family of 3 mom and dad holding 1 day old baby girl in front of window - newmarket fresh 48 photos
close up of 1 day old baby girl swaddled in hospital blanket lying in mother's arms - Markham fresh 48 photos
new mother sitting in hospital bed holding 1 day old baby girl swaddled and asleep - Stouffville fresh 48 photography
close up of umbilical clamp of 1 day old baby girl lying in hospital bassinet - Uxbridge fresh 48 photography
close up of 1 day old baby girl's feet being held in dad's arms hospital bracelet on foot showing - Newmarket fresh 48 photos