Oh gosh, I am in love with this backyard family session. This portrait session is proof that if the light is right, you don’t need a super fancy location to get great family photos. And it just so happens that this session was with friends, so I love it all the more! In high school I had an amazing group of friends. I’m grateful that I’m still in touch with many of them… and their growing families!

I took Jay and Tara’s engagement portraits a four years ago. They took a chance on me then because I was just starting to photograph weddings, and I really appreciated it! Fast forward half a decade. They moved from their Kanata townhouse to the growing town of Richmond for more space and a more rural feel, and their new place is all that and more. Now they have a beautiful property and they wanted to do some backyard family portraits in. With a toddler and a newborn, it definitely helps to be close to home! Baby Lyra was sleeping when we started and needed a feed halfway through, and that wasn’t a problem since we were just steps from their back door.

Big brother Hunter was keen to show me all around the house and the backyard. We visited the tree, looked for apples, saw the shed, etc. He’s the friendliest kid, and so gentle with his sister. And the faces he makes! When we finished taking pictures, he “helped” make dinner and then we built a huge block tower. Rob joined us at the house and once the kids were asleep, we caught up over dinner.

Tara and Jason, thank you for asking me to capture this time in your family’s life, and than you also for being such great hosts!