I am here today to share some images from one of my all-time favourite sessions from last summer. Working as a lifestyle photographer in Chatham-Kent allows me to see so much of the beauty in peoples lives. These sessions are not about the smiles and the poses, they are full of real, raw moments that are so personal for each family. I love taking a back seat to your day and watching the way your family moves together, interacting in the most natural way. The smiles are real, the laughs are genuine, everyone is comfortable, and it shows. Lifestyle sessions allow personalities to shine as everyone has fun doing what they normally do.

Brent and Jess are some of my closest friends, so when they invited me out for an evening boat ride with their boys I knew it was going to be a great time. This is where they spend their weekends making memories and soaking up the sweet summer sunshine. The session was care free and easy, we all laughed together, and I got to sit back and watch them all of their thing. Both boys were full of energy when we arrived, and ready for bed when we left. Thanks again Brent and Jess for having me, it is to this date still one of my favourite sessions to look back on.

If you are interested in learning more about lifestyle photography or scheduling a session for your family, please fill out the contact form below. I am offering discounted sessions until July 1st, 2016, a one hour lifestyle session with me for $175, including digital files and a print release. 

Well, we made the epic leap as parents and sacrificed our backyard for the children’s play set. Although it was very little work for me, Eric (and Pepe) put in a few more man hours than the instructions hinted at, and its construction ended up costing us two whole weekends (and a considerable amount of $$). Go play Archer, and please enjoy it for a few years.

While demolishing yet another section of landscaping at our house I dug up a tiny little maple sapling and had Archer help me transplant it. He has been watering it regularly ever since.

We spent the holiday Monday with Nanny after working outside all day. We made yet another trip to the greenhouse, where Archer took approximately 2 minutes to throw a tantrum and get dirt and blood all over his white shirt (parenting fail all around). Don’t worry, it was just a little cut on his finger after an encounter with a thorn bush after repeated warnings of touching plants… Sandwiches and cookies at Nanny’s made everything better.

Archer takes “helpful big brother” to a whole new level with his “checking on Gryffin” (read: screaming in his face and poking his head). Although it sends my stress levels through the roof, he truly does mean well, and he loves talking to his baby brother.

What’s that? You’re sick of greenhouse pictures? Well I am terribly sorry. I can’t help myself with all of the colours and the perfect light and the leading lines.

baby quails!

And another weekend full of play time with cousins, and a lovely Sunday morning at the park just the 4 of us. If you are following my 100 Days of Summer on Instagram you will have seen some of these because Sunday May 29 marked Day 1. Follow along using the hashtag #one2summer to see some seriously talented friends of mine completing the same project!

Happy Monday everyone!

xo, B.

Life with these boys is going to be an adventure. Archer is at an age where he remembers everything and is literally absorbing his environment. I am trying my best, with Gryffin in tow, to keep him occupied and learning every day whether it be at home our out. When Archer was a baby I walked with him everyday, but once he started to walk and run, he didn’t want to be confined to the stroller any more. Now with Gryffin (and my post partum bod) I am trying to get out walking more. We love this little trail through Dresden where Archer can run free for a few minutes, and I can still walk with Gryffin in the stroller or carrier (maybe even throw in a few lunges or squats… maybe not though).

This trail also offers me a creative outlet. I have recently joined a few new photography circles that are inspiring me to play with light differently. When we walked into the trail and I saw all of the dappled light, I was so glad I brought my camera along.

These creative challenges also have me seeing our house a little differently. I love finding new ways to play in the same environment. This is a little moodier than I usually shoot, but when we noticed the orange lights on our way up the stairs, it was worth delaying bed time for.

And just to finish the week off, a nice moment with all of the VanRuymbeke boys.

I hope you’re having a great week!

xo, B.

Finally some beautiful weather, am I right?! I have been itching to get out into the garden and in the yard every day, and we are taking lots of walks and trips to the park. A little Vitamin D does the body good! I am looking forward to a summer full of sunshine, picnics and margaritas (that last one is just for me).

2 year olds attempting organized sports might be the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. Archer’s one hour practice each week is made up of approximately 10 minutes of crying, 15 minutes of laying on the floor, 5 minutes of running, 10 minutes of potty and drink breaks, 5 minutes of poking the boards with his stick and maybe 10 minutes of actual lacrosse related activities. Part of the hilarity is hearing all of the dads in the crowd get worked up because their toddler isn’t listening, like they are doing it to purposely embarrass their fathers. But, in the time that he does pay attention and  try to do the drills he does so good! His attention span is improving as he is getting to know the coaches, and he really does enjoy it. I’m one proud mama. Geez, if I can talk this much about his sports now, I feel bad for those who have to listen to me when he is older…

Some days after daycare Archer is so tired out from all the fun that he can be such a grump all evening. But other times he comes home on a daycare high and our evenings are so much fun. Snacks and chats on the deck in the sunshine, snuggle time with little bro, and grass cutting with dad – all with a happy face.

And our typical weekend uniform these days includes all day jim jams, lots of coffee, and couch snuggles surrounded by our little messes.

All the heart eyes for my boys.

xo. B

Now, I’m giving you fair warning. We spend a lot of time at the park, so in the coming months, expect a lot of this… I bring my camera with me everywhere, and even though we visit this exact location multiple times in a week, that doesn’t mean it isn’t full of new opportunities (or some other creative bull – this is my excuse). Anyway, the park is an easy place for us to chill, with Gryffin sleeping in his seat or in the sling, Archer is free to roam and play. Often times there are other kids there, so I get a bonus few minutes to relax and watch him socialize (which by the way, he loves to do. He can talk to anyone, anywhere. He is his father’s son).

As much as I am trying to get out of the house with both boys, sometimes we get cabin fever and spend the entire day at home. Home is also full of creative opportunities, but sometimes my subject is less willing to participate when he is cornered. I give you Photographer’s Kid Syndrome:

I used to make fun of people who dressed their kids in matching outfits. And now, I am obsessed. And I have no shame. I have been a little disappointed with the lack of outfits that range from newborn to 3T however, and these jams were one of the only options. But, they did the trick for a Saturday morning snuggle session.

Yes, I did plan their outfits before they went to bed with this in mind. Judge all you want –  again, I have no shame.

I cannot get over how BIG Archer is since having Gryffin. I feel like he grew up instantly. His hands are like catcher’s mitts and his head is the size of Gryffin’s entire body when he is all snuggled up.

I am hoping that is chocolate on his hand…

(Archer: “we’re done here.”)

And whenever it rains, even just a little, we have to go looking for muddy puddles. Never getting over this rain jacket.

Greenhouses might be one of my favourite places in the spring. I can’t wait to get out into the garden and start planting. With the weather so up-and-down lately we haven’t done much, but we took a walk through All Seasons to get out of the house and I could have stayed all day. But, in true toddler fashion, Archer was running around, pulling petals off of flowers and knocking over hanging baskets. So I don’t think we would have been welcome all day. 15 minutes was probably enough.

On a side note, anyone want to do a family photography session at a greenhouse? I would be in heaven!

And finishing the week off was Mother’s Day. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, these boys are everything to me. They have taught me more about myself than anything else, and they make me want to be better every day. Between all of the crazy and rough moments are a million amazing ones, and I don’t ever want to get off of this roller coaster ride.

I have an amazing role model in my mother and I am so happy my boys get to spend as much time with her as they do.

Reese’s brownies made by my boys and tulips picked from the garden were the perfect end to my Mother’s Day.

xo, B.

Well, here we are somewhat settled into our new normal with Gryffin. Our first full week at home with him was full to the brim – not with activities, but with so much love. We had lots of visitors bringing food and gifts, plenty of calls and messages from friends, lots of snuggles with the little dude, and lots of play time with the big dude.

My first day home just Gryffin and I was a breeze. He really is such an easy baby, and so snuggly. While big brother was at daycare for the day I took advantage of the quiet for some newborn pictures of Gryff in our favourite spot (also Archer’s favourite spot to jump).

For those of you who have been asking, Archer is adjusting really well. He is so proud to be a big brother, always wanting to hold and touch Gryffin. He has had a few moments of, shall we call it, buyers remorse? But rightfully so. His world has been affected more so than anyone else, and overall he is doing great.

Archer started lacrosse and maybe it was the hormones, but I was so proud watching him out here. He did so great! He is one of the youngest, but he listened better than we expected and lasted the whole hour for his first week. He has since learned some new skills and he loves practicing at home with Dad. Eric and I were both in awe of how great he did, and I was totally that mom in the corner with my huge lens and no shame.

Entertainer of the Year award goes to Zach, obviously.

To no ones surprise, I got in a few shots with Gryffin while he is still so tiny. We opted to not get newborn pictures taken this time, so I wanted to make sure I got plenty of him before he started to chunk up and lose his newness.

Since bringing home Gryffin, the one thing Archer has had trouble sharing is blankets. We have a ton of these muslin blankets and Archer has always slept with them, but once he saw Gryffin using one too we had to do some damage control. In the thick of this Archer has started chewing on them, I guess as a way to mark his territory? Whatever the reason, it makes him seem so small and I secretly love it.

Happy Wednesday folks!

B

In my short time as a family photographer in Chatham-Kent, the thing that has inspired me most are images of mothers with their children. These relationships are my favourite thing to capture for many reasons. For one, it is so easy. Every woman can’t help but smile when they look at their babies. Every woman looks beautiful when they are holding their children – no matter clothing, weight, hair or location, you are glowing. Becoming a mom was the greatest thing to ever happen to me, and seeing that look of love on another woman’s face reminds me of how lucky I am to be on this journey. I look forward to every Family Photography session for this reason (I have even introduced Mommy & Me sessions to my lineup in order to photograph more moms with their kids!).

As mothers, our first priority is always our babies: their livelihood, their safety, their happiness. We spend our days making sure they are cared for and loved, making sure their life is comfortable, safe and fun. They need us to survive and thrive.

What we don’t often talk about is how much we need them. The moment they are thrust into our arms they become a permanent fixture, and if ever removed, we are left feeling empty and lost. Their needs become our needs, and our day-to-day care taking isn’t just for the benefit of our kids, it fuels our hearts.

When they laugh, it brings us genuine joy. When they cry, our heart aches. They instantly become a part of us that we cannot survive without, let alone thrive.

I think sometimes people see these images and they see how cute the kids are, how their faces are lit up with smiles and their cute chubby cheeks. But what I see is a reflection of the drive I feel within me, the need to be with my kids, the need to hold them and support them. I see the look of love in the mothers eyes, I can feel the comfort in their embrace, and I can’t help but smile when I see their smiles, because I know there is no better place on Earth than wherever your children are.

This Mother’s Day I am celebrating these beautiful moms, and millions of others. Happy Mother’s Day.

xo, B.