Brittany VanRuymbeke is a lifestyle wedding and family photographer servicing Southwestern Ontario. Scroll down to see Meg & Jake’s summer sunset maternity session on a family farm in Chatham-Kent, Ontario.

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When we were planning Meg and Jake’s sunset maternity session I asked her “How do you feel about hanging out in a wheat field?” Her and Jake were totally down, and her grandparents who live on a beautiful farm in Port Lambton just happened to have wheat planted all around them this year. It was meant to be! Wed had the perfect summer evening where it wasn’t too hot and we weren’t chased away by mosquitoes the minute the clock struck 7.

You would never guess it, but Jake and Meg had never had professional pictures taken together. They were also recently engaged, so I made sure to include that part of their story as much as I could. We already knew each other going into the session and they were comfortable with me, but I reassured them it would be relaxed and fun.

We had some fun in the wheat field and around the farm and waited out the clouds for that glorious summer sunset we all spend our winters dreaming about. We ended up having a lot of laughs together and it went down as one of my favourite sessions from this year. Pregnancy isn’t always everyone’s favourite moment of life (thank you heart burn), but it is such a special time to document. Your life is on the brink of change, and your heart is full of gratitude and wonder.

Thank you Meg & Jake for hiring me to tell this tiny piece of your story. You are both wonderful parents to Scarlett and I can’t wait to work with you again one day (maybe for an elopement, Meg?!)

If you are looking to book a sunset maternity session with me, please get in touch today! I would love to hear from you!

Brittany VanRuymbeke specializes in Lifestyle Family Photography in Ontario. To see more of her lifestyle family work click here. To book your session, contact Brittany here.

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These guys are always a riot to be around, no matter what we are doing. Allison won a family session at an event last year and we squeezed in a session near the end of the fall season after work one day. We got so lucky with the light and had lots of fun exploring their property with the kids.

I love getting to be goofy with kids and making them feel comfortable – getting those genuine smiles is always my number one goal! Parents are always worried how their kids will behave and react, but I always tell them not to worry. Letting kids relax and be themselves is the easiest way to make them comfortable and let their personality shine through.

Fall sessions book up quick! Contact me today to reserve your spot for a fall lifestyle family photography Ontario session!

Brittany VanRuymbeke specializes in Lambton Lifestyle Photography for families and newborns. Get in touch today to find out more information! To see more lifestyle family work, click here.

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I’m just going to throw it out there, but I was a big fan of the “front porch photo” before the pandemic! Your home is such an integral part of your family life (obviously) and including it in your family session is always a good idea. Most people think their house isn’t nice enough, but let me tell you that is probably not true!

The Dunn Family reached out for a late-fall/early-winter family session at their house. They had recently moved in and decided to decorate for Christmas early. This was a meaningful tradition for them, so including some of that decor and their new home was especially important to them. I love finding ways to incorporate your favourite family activities into sessions – it makes looking back on these photos that much more nostalgic!

Get in touch today for your lifestyle family session! I would love to hear what traditions your family enjoy doing together and help you document it!

Brittany VanRuymbeke is an Ontario Lifestyle Family Photographer specializing in fun, laid back and authentic family sessions. To see more family work, click here.

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This may have been one of my favourite Fall sessions of the year. Piper is so full of personality and there is nothing in the world that brings me more joy than seeing parents just so obviously in love with their kids.

I met Curt and Amy out at his family farm and we had some fun walking around, playing with the kittens, petting the horses and throwing leaves. Like most toddlers, Piper lit up brighter than a Christmas tree at the sight of her grandparents who joined us for a few shots. You can see the exact moment that she realized they were there and started waving and running toward them – the sweetest! I often get asked whether grandparents can join in on sessions and my answer is always YES!

Scroll through to see some of the happiest faces ever and I know you won’t be able to help but smile!

Here comes grammy….

Thank you so much Curt, Amy & Piper for inviting me for a fun evening! I can’t wait to see big sister Piper and the next addition soon.

Looking to book an Ontario Lifestyle Family Session? Click here to contact me today!

Brittany VanRuymbeke is a Chatham-Kent Family Photographer specializing in fun, lifestyle family, maternity and newborn sessions. Check out this recent Brander Park Family Session with Elle & Co.

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This sweet little family came to me with the famous opening line “we are awkward and only need a few shots together”. No matter how awkward you feel, I promise you as long as you are interacting with someone you care for and have been around for a while, you will look just fine. No need to be a model or rock Blue Steel, just be yourself and show your love like you always do. Leave the light and angles to me and go for it!

This turned out to be one of my favourite sessions of the year. Brander Park is always a great location for photos. Some people think it is overdone, but honestly, there are so few locations around Wallaceburg where I can always count on the light and the background, and Brander Park is one of them. Elle and her crew rocked the session and we had a lot of fun together! That girl is definitely loved!

Interested in booking a lifestyle family session? Contact me today!

There is nothing that makes me more grateful for this job than when families continue to come back! Seeing families year after year is the greatest compliment. I always have so much fun with this family – scrolling through you can see how much they genuinely love spending time together!

Extended family sessions can be more rigid than normal lifestyle sessions because I make sure to spend time with each individual family and capture the specific groups that everyone wants. Especially when blended families (my favourite!) are involved, the levels of groups greatly increases. That being said, I love when we get time to just hang after. As you will see in this session, as things progressed the defined “family groups” split up and there are images of natural groupings and interactions. Not only is this awesome because it is natural, but it also highlights some pretty great connections within a family that might not be obvious – like that favourite aunt or uncle!

Grandparents are often the reason why we are all there – because, duh, they are the best things ever – so I always make sure to grab those giggles that only Gma and Pops can get.

A fun, creative and timeless group shot is where I start and end. I make sure to get one off the pop (see above) just in case there are any meltdowns along the way. Near the end I grab another one – everyone has relaxed and at this point we are having fun!

And then we do what these deBakker’s do best – we have fun together! This family is the best possible example because you can tell they spend a lot of time together and value each others company. Every time I get to hang out with this group I leave with a huge smile on my face!

Thank you again and again deBakker’s for having me join you for a fun evening! I will never tire of sessions like this!

If you are looking for a London Ontario Family Photographer and are interested in booking a lifestyle family session or extended family session get in touch today!

So you have welcomed a new baby home, and now you’re wondering how to prepare for your in home session. Here are my favourite pieces of advise:

Tip #1: Dress Comfortably

Usually within the first few weeks after having a baby, looking stylish is the last thing you are worried about. Comfort should be your number one priority. Choose something that fits well – not something you have to squeeze into – and you can lounge in. A lot of what we do in a newborns session is snuggle, so you don’t want to be restricted. Neutral colours and denim will never go out of style, and something that complements the decor in your home is an added bonus!

Tip #2: Pick up little bit – but don’t stress!

Decluttering helps the focus of your images stay on you. Generally the nursery is a clean space we can use because it isn’t used much in those first few weeks. If the light is best in your master bedroom or living room then I suggest clearing off your nightstands or coffee table. Most people don’t notice little things like that, but if your favourite water bottle that always sits at your bedside is bright pink it might be a bit of a distraction! Don’t worry too much though, I am always moving little objects out of the way for the shot and I do not judge!

Tip # 3: Have a bottle ready or be prepared to nurse

At almost every single newborn session the baby needs to be fed – even if you have just done so! I suggest feeding them right before I arrive, but mentally preparing yourself to do it again is helpful. Babies just want to eat and snuggle. If baby is hungry we take a break and I get to chat with Dad for a few minutes or give your fur baby some loving!

Tip # 4: Take a deep breath

Sometimes this is the first time in a few days that you get to just chill with the little one and talk to another mom. You are doing great and that baby is so loved! Take a deep breath and soak up their perfection because that look on your face is the best photograph. Breathe in that little blessing!

Interested in an in-home newborn session or looking for a Sarnia newborn photographer? Get in touch today! I would love to hear from you and get started on planning your relaxing and loving newborn session!

Brittany VanRuymbeke is a Sarnia Newborn Photographer specializing in in-home lifestyle sessions that are easy, relaxing and family-centred. See more newborn sessions here.