Missy and Chris contacted me in October to do a fall family session with their little girl. I’ve been in business a few years now, and my absolute favourite part is documenting growing families. Very often that starts with a wedding. Rob and I were living in Edmonton while planning our wedding in Ottawa. Planning a wedding from another province is a little tricky! One of the challenges meant that we only go to meet the deacon who married us a few days before our wedding, though we’d talked to him on the phone beforehand. Thankfully, he was terrific! He stated several times in our pre-wedding meeting that we were officially becoming a family of two. At the time, I really liked the sounds of that. We were a family already, albeit a small one!

But when I get to be part of a couple’s wedding day, and then later document their growing family, that is the best. Missy and Chris were married last summer on her family’s farm. I remember the toasts and speeches at their reception. Their family and friends wished them a lifetime of happiness, and the blessing of children. You can tell when couples really want kids because they get all hopeful-looking when people say those words. And so I was so happy to hear that a little girl was on the way for these two a year after their wedding.

Claire is just about 6 months old and she’s adorable! She looks so much like both of them, though I personally think some of her expressions favour her dad right now. Missy and Chris are amazing with her, and say she is one chill baby! She was a little ham for her portraits, and very patient while we walked her around in the late afternoon fall air. Those big blue eyes!

Missy and Chris, it’s an honour to document your growing family. Have fun with Claire’s first Christmas!