Here is a glimpse of my mothers day. It was amazing. These are not my best photos ever and I haven’t edited them much and so you get skin blemishes, stitches on chin (boy), cheese toast in fingers, stains on clothes, distracting objects in background that I’m not bothering to remove and everything else that makes this day what it is because – hey, it would not be mothers day without them! Happy mothers day.

I had a beautiful Easter Monday morning last weekend with Margery and her family at sun-bathed Kits beach in Vancouver, BC. Margery is a parenting coach and is in the early stages of getting her business off the ground so we had the goal of capturing her being a mom, a parenting coach, a business women, a wife, a family member, and all the other lovely things that she is. These three boys (twins almost 9, and younger brother 4) are some of the most endearing boys I have ever met. I saw laughter, tears, hugs, compassion, curiosity, jumping, running, coaching, caring, and silliness between these boys all within an hour. I felt so privileged to be witness to some of the tender moments occurring among these five. I actually had to confess to Margery at one point that I was fogging up behind the lens because I was catching a glimpse of a mother-son love through new eyes. First time I’ve cried at a shoot. She is a truly amazing mother, and I couldn’t think of a better fit for her than to coach others at what comes seemingly so naturally to her.  Caring and compassion seem to be at the core of who she is. Please visit her website and see for yourself: http://www.thecompassionateparentcoach.com/. I hope you enjoy this family as much as I did!

UBC various sites including: UBC Sportsfields (playfields), Theological Neighbourhood, Iona Building and open space, Archive Space, St. Andrews, Argyle House East and West, Stirling House and others.IMG_1369-2 IMG_1375-2 IMG_1376-2 IMG_1377-2 IMG_1379-2 IMG_1390-2 IMG_1392-2 IMG_1393-2 IMG_1395-2 IMG_1397-2 IMG_1399-2 IMG_1402-2 IMG_1404-2 IMG_1405-2 IMG_1406-2 IMG_1408-2 IMG_1410-2 IMG_1411-2 IMG_1412-2 IMG_1413-2 IMG_1414-2 IMG_1416-2 IMG_1417-2 IMG_1418-2 IMG_1420-2 IMG_1421-2 IMG_1426-2 IMG_1429-2 IMG_1436-2 IMG_1440-2 IMG_1443-2 IMG_1444-2 IMG_1445-2 IMG_1447-2 IMG_1448-2 IMG_1449-2 IMG_1450-2 IMG_1453-2 IMG_1454-2 IMG_1455-2 IMG_1457-2 IMG_1458-2 IMG_1459-2 IMG_1460-2 IMG_1462-2 IMG_1463-2 IMG_1466-2 IMG_1467-2 IMG_1471-2 IMG_1473-2 IMG_1474-2 IMG_1475-2 IMG_1476-2 IMG_1477-2 IMG_1478-2 IMG_1480-2 IMG_1482-2 IMG_1483-2 IMG_1484-2 IMG_1488-2 IMG_1490-2 IMG_1493-2 IMG_1494-2 IMG_1497-2 IMG_1499-2 IMG_1500-2 IMG_1501-2 IMG_1502-2 IMG_1504-2 IMG_1505-2 IMG_1506-2 IMG_1507-2 IMG_1508-2 IMG_1509-2 IMG_1510-2 IMG_1511-2 IMG_1513-2 IMG_1514-2 IMG_1515-2 IMG_1526-2 IMG_1527-2 IMG_1528-2 IMG_1530-2 IMG_1531-2 IMG_1533-2 IMG_1534-2 IMG_1536-2 IMG_1540-2 IMG_1541-2 IMG_1543-2 IMG_1545-2 IMG_1547-2 IMG_1550-2 IMG_1551-2 IMG_1553-2 IMG_1555-2 IMG_1556-2

I met this family in their East Vancouver House shortly before they packed it all up to head back to Ottawa to follow jobs and their families. When they asked me in an email ahead of time if it would be okay to do some photos with their boxers, I have to admit I hesitated for a moment, not understanding that they meant their dogs…but I read on to discover that they have 2 beloved boxer dogs that are truly a part of the family and obviously needed to be photographed along with the baby to make the family portraits complete. This was my first photo-shoot with pets and it went pretty well. Although…I’m not sure I’m ready to take the plunge and become a pet photographer because these two dogs were particularly well behaved and I’m not sure that’s always the case. This family was so sweet. We have a common friend, but I had not met them before arriving at their home and it turned out to be so much fun and they made me feel right at home. Jackson is a very endearing little boy full of smiles for his mommy and daddy. After all our interactions I was sad to say goodbye and see them move away. Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future…

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I have experienced a loss this week and it has been hard. Although I am usually quick to find my feelings and put words to them, these abilities seem to have abandoned me this week. So, I spent a morning finding joy yesterday with my lens. Here are my kids. I love them very much.

Baby Tyler might be the handsomest 3-month old that I have ever met. He is cute as a button, and yet has deep wisdom in his eyes that makes him seem older than his months, and striking looks that will surely end up on the cover of GQ one day. I had the privilege of photographing this family when they were just three as well (view this post). Stephanie was actually already expecting Tyler during that shoot but I didn’t know it while taking the pictures.  These four were gracious to invite me in to their home, and unbeknownst to them, I arrived and said “So, how’s the bedroom?!”. If they were reluctant, they didn’t show it and they appeared to trust me, which I am grateful for. They were so flexible and willing to fly with my suggestions, even though they were spending a long time lying down, upside down, and on top of each other!  Because I know these guys well, I took a few risks with light and style for this shoot and I am pleased with the results, although some of them you will see below don’t reflect my usual style. We spent 2 hours together with princess dresses, cuddles, laughs, cries, and lots and lots of fun.

If you are interested, I have also photographed Stephanie’s sister Erica and her family (view this post).