Zurich is one of my all time favourite towns. It's a little town up near Grand Bend and I have a couple of really good friends who live there. Every time I visit, I immediately come home and go online to look at houses and dream about the country life.

So when I got a couple requests for photos from the Zurich area - I was excited! Our family went camping up in the area and then I did Jackie's (and Amanda's - going to post that next!) photo shoots in the Zurich area. So fun!

I met Craig & Jackie and their sons Kyle and Sheldon and we headed over to her friend's place at the beach. A great spot overlooking the lake with lots of trees. Beautiful!






Meet Jackie's boys - Kyle and Sheldon. Kyle is leaving for Australia soon - have fun!!! I loved Australia when I was there - it's incredible!



Kyle....





Sheldon...





And recently I posted about a 50th anniversary shoot - well, here are Jackie and Craig looking pretty happy at 23 years of marriage! Love!



And I'll end with my favourite place in the world - the beach!!!



After this we went to meet all of Jackie's family and do a lot of extended family photos. Still working through those!! What a fun bunch!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

When Mark and I were first married we had twin boys - Clifford and Doctor J.
Our puppies were our babies before our babies - if you're a pet owner, you know what I mean! We babied these boys - loved them to pieces!! I still miss them sometimes. Shhhh.... don't tell Mark. Our boys were wonderful big (well older - not "big") brothers to our girls.

On Sunday I met Echo - Echo is not only going to be an older brother very soon - he is going to be a BIG brother. We're talking this great dane is massively tall - and beautiful!!!!!!!

Andrew & Marnie are expecting their first this September... I remember those days fondly. Feeling the baby move - wondering if he/she will look like Mark or me, debating names.... such anticipation! So it was fun to get a taste of that again as I photographed these two!

Meet Echo....



Now, let me preface this photo by saying Marnie is a tall woman. Echo is sitting down.



We went into the big town of Baden where they live and found this amazing location with lots of variety - sweet!














Then we went back to their place for some more photos showcasing that glorious baby belly!

Note (total random side note) - while Marnie changed I looked over her bookshelves... and what to my wondering eyes did appear? But Jane Austen books galore! I knew I liked this girl! (Did I mention that I'm trying to re-read all Jane's books this summer. Read Persuasion on the weekend. Might skip Pride & Prejudice since I've read it enough to recite passages and Sense & Sensibility is my least favourite so maybe I could skip that. But I digress...)







My good friend Sandra has this neat photo hung up in her house she took when we were in Vegas last year. It is two identical images - but focused on different elements in each photo and she calls it "Perspective" - that is what I was playing with in my mind when I took these...



And my personal favourite photo from the day....



Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

I remember years back when I first read the Notebook - what I fell in love with was that it was a love story that was for life - not the young 20 year olds falling in and out of love like in other books. For life - even when life was hard. Got to admit - when the movie came out a few years later, I was in the theater sobbing with my girlfriends. Love that story!

Anyhow - on to my story here. Last week I met my own real life inspiration. Fifty years - and these two still can't keep their eyes off of each other! They are so smitten and such a good team - what an example! We went to a family member's farm (where they once lived themselves!) and where there was the same make of car they drove back in the day when they were dating! Talk about a trip down memory lane...

In case you are new to the blog (welcome!) I try to avoid doing trendy editing and techniques - I want to keep the photos classic and timeless. But... this first photo asked me so nicely with such good manners... I had to antique it a bit... This photo could have been taken today or 50 years ago...



And on to our happy couple...





Looking back - they haven't changed that much!





You know what they say - the couple that laughs together, stays together (do they say that? Whoever they are... if they don't - they should!)





I like this picture because when I think of 50 years of marriage - I think of a journey. Knowing only a tiny bit of their story - I know they have gone through some incredible hardships and joys, but they were always walking together..



And then to shift gears... their daughter Lynn (who is a friend of mine) was the one who arranged this photo shoot. Her sons and husband wanted to see the old cars and came along... so since they were all there, I got them to pose for a few photos. Here's the gang...







and one last one to leave you with - I think I'd like him to marry Eden. Or Madi...


Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

Nicole and I have been trying to schedule a time together forever it seems! SO it was so good to finally connect today and meet! I had photographed Nicole's sister's family in the Fall - so it was fun to meet Nicole's family now!

Nora is 13 months and so sweet... and fast!! You blink and she'd be in that water! It was fun watching her.. I forget my girls being that small. Such a fun age!

Meet Nora....



Meet her adoring parents...





This is how photo shoots with a 13 month old go... they run away! ha ha



I love how she is looking up at them as they kiss here!





















Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

Today was a strange experience - last I saw John & Lisa they were dating in high school. Fast forward a few years (not saying how many) and here they are married with three beautiful boys! Seriously - where does time go?

Their boys - Aidan (7), Brendan (5) and Cullen (almost 2) are so sweet and good natured! They were a lot of fun to photograph! Despite a little rain - the weather held out for us as we explored along the beach.







I love Cullen - as if he's saying "What about me??"











And a closer look at the boys...

Aidan - the big brother!





Brendan - the monkey in the middle!





And little Cullen...







Thanks for being troopers in the rain and weather! It was great to see you again!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

Yesterday I had the fun of meeting Laurie and her 4 "kids" - they were so much fun! There was lots of laughing and joking around as we played... I mean photographed. You could just see the love between these guys - thanks for a fun afternoon! Great Mother's Day gift idea - very thoughtful! I made it into the car about 5 minutes before a massive rainstorm. Whew!











These guys are always laughing!





Laurie looks amazing - I want to know her secret for looking this good with 4 grown children!! Here's a closer look at Laurie and her kids!



Laurie


Eric


Kyle


Shane


Rachel (Shane and Rachel are twins)


The boys... Eric is more a peace lover than a gangster - ha ha!





The girls....





Thank you for such a fun time!!!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

It is always a daunting task to photograph for another photographer, but when Charity (from Charity Swords Photography - her website is in the works, but if you're on Facebook look her up!) asked Beth and I to photograph her - we were so excited! She is stunningly gorgeous and her kids are adorable! So, Beth and I photographed her family together - and then I took her kids - Eve and Kohl - to do some photos of the kids, while Beth did some photos of Charity on her own.

When we got to their house Eve had this baby kitten, Grace, she was loving...



Then we headed out to this great spot Charity knew of... Here is the family (we didn't last here long as the mosquitoes were so bad!)







And then we strolled down the road to try to get away from the bugs!





Mom and daughter chat...



...while Kohl is off looking tough!



Then the kids ran free!





After this I took the kids down to the beach. Let me introduce you to the lovely Eve and cute little Kohl....















I think this is my favourite photo from the day...



Charity was nearby at this point so I grabbed her for a family photo there too!



And then I had to get one of Miss Eve on her own there too..



She does love to model!



Then it was back to home and into bed!



(notice the cat here!)



Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

I love doing photos of couples after they have been married awhile. Sometimes we forget to continue to celebrate and document our relationships. Jen and I went to college many years ago... and have kept in touch through blogs and Facebook. Doug had this idea for a portrait of the two of them for a Christmas gift - and today was finally time to use Jen's gift certificate! Because they love the outdoors - we decided to go to Rockwood, bring the canoe and enjoy a gorgeous Sunday morning.

This is how I started my morning - seriously. Calm, beautiful water. Geese with tehir babies. I love my job.









And then we hiked - what a great spot to explore!













And then we went to the ruins. I thought this looked like a big stage - so I asked them if they could Dance. Doug pulled out some snazzy dance moves...



This is more what I was thinking though!





Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

Today I had the fun of photographing the Timmerman family - "Oma" and "Opa" are celebrating 55 years on this Wednesday! Wow! I fell in love with them right away - Oma gave me a big hug and kiss before we were even introduced. It is always fun seeing family interact and enjoy each other's company. Here is a photo of the happy couple...

Labels: portraits

Now, this title might be a bit misleading. This was not a Smiling Eyes shoot... it was a photo shoot of the founder of Smiling Eyes, Christine form Click Photography. When another photographer (especially one who is so talented!!) asks you to photograph them... eeks! A bit intimidating. But it's like a wedding, I get nervous before hand and then I just get lost in the moments, the interaction, the love... and I forget to be nervous.

We went down to the beach in Stoney Creek and had fun with Christine, her hubby Rich, their twin daughters Taegan and Lauren and Christine's mom and Grandma.

What better way to get kids relaxed then with "wish flowers" as I like to call them.





These two got along so well and are so sweet!



Daddy on the loose - run!



Lots of fun interaction in this group...

Th egirls picking flowers for Grandma



Christine and her Grandma



Taegan catching bubbles



Look at that face on Lauren! Ha!



Rich is a bit of a goof as you'll learn through the photos...



Sisterly love









Rich and Christine are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and wanted some photos of the two of them...







And this is called "what not to do when dipping your wife"



And some of the group...









And I'll sign off with one of my fave series - this is childhood in a photo to me.

Labels: portraits

Today I had the joy of photographing for a supported living home in Hamilton. It was such an amazing organization! They have apartments in an apartment building in Hamilton where people with special needs live independently - with support staff to help where needed. It was incredible to spend a day with these individuals! They had me laughing most of the day! And I can't believe how many flirts there were!

Because of client confidentiality, I won't post a lot of photos - but I loved this one of this gentleman taking his support dog for a walk.

Labels: portraits

Monica is one of my dearest friends ever. We met in grade nine and she has been a constant source of encouragement and wisdom ever since. She is able to create musical masterpieces that are so powerful. Monica and I have been through so much together. We drove out to the Yukon together one summer and lived tehre for a few months, and then teh next summer we drove outto PEI and teh east coast for a vacation. We have visited every province and territory togetehr except Nunavut (created after we were up North I might add) and Newfoundland. We'll do it still....

Today, my girls and I drive the couple hours to go visit Monica. Monica is 4 days from her due date and looks fantastic! Maia will be an amazing big sister to the new little one.

We had a couple minutes with Tim (love this guy!) when I got to the house - so we quickly did a few photos before he left.





And then after Tim left I had Monica all to myself for a few minutes.



And where were the kids while I snapped pics? The three of them were reading books on Maia's bed!!



We went outside and let the kids play in the backyard while we snapped a couple more photos!











Madi has decided she wants to be my helper. She set up this shot - showed Maia how she wanted her to hug her mom and Maia followed...



and from Madi's direction I got this great shot!



And I'll leave you with a couple photos of the big sister (Maia) and big brother ("Phil the dog")







Celebrating life & love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

My girlfriends Cherie and Carolynn and I all love taking photos - our kids are all close in age and until 18 months ago when Caden was added, they were all girls. We've had lots of teaparties and princess photos with our girls! Well at Easter I bought these adorable dresses for my girls for their Easter dress - and when I showed Cherie & Carolynn they had to have them for their girls too! (And the dresses came with a mini dress for their dolls to match - adorable!) Cherie lives beside an apple orchard and we decided when they were in bloom we'd get the girls in their dresses and snap away! This morning we got a panic email from Cherie - she had been away for the weekend and returned home to find the trees in bloom! So we bumped our quickly photo date up to today and this is what we got with an hour together...

This was the setting...



Madi carrying the basket out...



Eden getting in to the grub... (girl after Mom's own heart)





Then we let the kids run and run and run.....






















I love Aliah's long hair..



Poor Caden was the only boy and didn't know what to make of it all...



It was windy - but Paige makes it look like she's running through a hurricane!



I love this one of Madi and Paige - not posed at all! And the bottom one where Paige is throwing her hand in the air laughing - just like two old cronies!



The girls all loved smelling and picking the flowers...







After a lot of running Madi discovered she loved climbing trees!







And then we stopped for a bit of a picnic snack...





And I'll leave with my two girls...



Celebrating life & love,

Krista

Labels: portraits

Every Mother's Day I ask for the same gift. I ask for my family to cooperate for a family photo. I set up the tripod and grab the remote and snap away! It is fun to see the changes a year brings as we look back every Mother's Day. With Mother's Day a week away I'm looking forward to new photos - and starting to try to think about what I want done this year....

Here are last year's photos! LINK


Celebrating Life & Love,

Krista

Labels: portraits, random

Back in the Fall I met Stephan and Stephanie when Stephan was a groomsman in a wedding I did. Stephanie contacted me recently to do photos of the two of them... and their pets! I love that! Celebrate each stage in life and each person - or animal - important to you! Well, Stephanie sure loves her dog (Scooby) and cat (Mr. Gray). So much fun to photograph!

The cat and dog trying to ignore each other





Stephanie and Mr. Gray having a heart to heart



The family






The "kids"















Then we went down by the water to enjoy a bit of sunshine and greenery with Scooby!

























And this last one is an edit of one of the ones above...
I don't like to do a lot of photoshop work - making images and people looking different than reality. I want their true beauty to shine and capture the day as it happened. But... My hubby wanted to see this pic with a few more loops around the legs - like in 101 Dalamations. So here it is...




Celebrating Life & Love,

Krista

Labels: portraits