The Simpsons: Winnipeg Family Photography

I got together with an emerging photographer for a one-on-one mentor session the other day to teach her some of my portrait photography techniques. She wanted to learn what settings to use, how to use light and what’s needed to make photos “pop”. Part of the mentor session involved having a family come pose for us so that I could demonstrate my techniques in real life. The lovely Simpson family stepped up to the plate and did amazingly well! They smiled, posed and also took my “posing candids” directions very well. It may not have felt like a normal portrait session (I didn’t get as many shots as I normally would because I was also teaching!) but we got some great ones thanks to the Simpsons being so patient and easy-going. Here’s the preview from our time at St. Vital Park!

Jacob: Winnipeg Lifestyle Newborn Photography

Melissa and Steve have been friends of mine for several years and our photo journey starts many years ago when they got married far far away on a tropical island in the middle of a cold, Winnipeg winter! It was a delight taking their wedding photos and it continues to be a huge pleasure taking photos as their beautiful family grows. Recently they welcomed a baby boy and it was so fun meeting up with them to capture these memories and this exciting moment in their family’s life. Lifestyle newborn photography is one of my favourite types of portrait photography and it’s always a little extra better when it’s for good friends. Félicitations Melissa et Steve!

Annick: First Birthday Photo Session

In 2019 I had the pleasure of photographing Miranda and Mike’s winter wedding, and instead of using the engagement session in their wedding package for engagement photos, they swapped it out for a future family photo session. The day finally came and I got to meet Annick, their adorable 1 year old daughter, who is full of spunk and curiosity. We met up at St. Vital Park to take photos in the flower garden and it was so much fun catching all these memories for them. What a beautiful family!

GABRIELLE TOUCHETTE

Winnipeg Family Photography at St. Vital Park

It was such a beautiful summer morning at St. Vital Park! We were worried about the cooler weather, but as soon as we got there the sun was warm and the temperature was PERFECT. I always cherish my time with this family, they’re not only my cousins but also great friends, and it’s always such a treat being able to capture memories of their growing family. Even though they don’t live close, we still appreciate the time we get to spend together! These photos are a great reminder of the beautiful summer we’ve had and how lovely it’s been to enjoy every minute of it before the kids head off to school. What a summer it’s been. I don’t want it to end!

The Andersons: Winnipeg Family Photography

What beautiful evening it was when I met up with the lovely Anderson Family! It was also one of those hot evenings where you are reminded that you are in the dead middle of summer (which I love!). This family always brings so much energy, fun and goofiness and I love it so much! With 6 kids, it’s really interesting seeing how each one of them has their own unique personality. It’s also really beautiful to see their closeness and friendships, all mixed into a large bunch of sibling dynamics. They are a joy to photograph and it was a pleasure being able to update their family photos this year!

Makayla: Grad Portraits 2020

What a year it’s been for the 2020 high school grads! Even though it may have felt really strange, it was also really great being able to bring a certain level of normalcy and celebration to the grads. We did exactly that for Makayla, who just graduated grade 12. She wanted senior portraits to mark this important milestone in her life so we met up at Upper Fort Garry park to take these photos. I had a lovely time with her and a ton of fun creating these images for her. I love her creativity, confidence and charisma!

Micah: First Birthday Photos and Cake Smash

Micah turned one! To mark this exciting milestone, his parents invited me to their home to take some lifestyle family portraits as well as to take photos of a cake smash in their backyard. We used my white paper backdrop, set up the cake and Micah did the rest. 🙂 We finished with a bubble bath and he was so happy the entire time! Happy birthday Micah! You are so cute!

Almond Nail Bar: Social Media Content Photography

When Almond Nail Bar reached out to me needing social media content photography for their Instagram account, I immediately knew that I would be bringing in Emily Janzen of Feast and Festivities to do the styling.

After a few meetings, brainstorming and creating a vision for the photo shoot, Emily and I gathered at the Kinship Studio with a few models to create these photos.

It was really rewarding seeing the final product after weeks of work on this project. Here are the final images that were delivered the client.

A few behind the scenes photos at the studio taken with an iPhone. This is Emily Janzen in action, doing her photo styling for the shoot:

Looking to get some professional branding photos?

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Winnipeg Headshot Photography: Ashley

Ashley approached me earlier this Spring needing some updated headshots for her business. If you know her, you know that smile: which comes from her authentic, joyful, bubbly self that is a constant.

She can light up any room and capturing these portraits of her was a true delight. I love her entrepreneurial spirit and she is an inspiration to many. I wish her continued success in her business endeavours, she’s amazing!

(Photos taken at the Forks near the Human Rights Building, Winnipeg)

Blais Family Photos: King's Park, Winnipeg

It was time for updated photos for the lovely Blais Family so they chose King’s Park for their session this summer. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Sunday evening and the park was full of people! Can’t blame them, it was a warm summer evening and King’s Park is such a treasure to discover. There’s a waterfall area, beautiful walking bridges, a flower labyrinth garden, pagodas, pergolas, and everything else in between! (Did I mention the off-leash dog park too?! We saw some pretty cute pups on our way through!)

Their family is nothing but fun to photograph and the session was not lacking laughs and a few goofy shots too. They have a beautiful dynamic and I took WAY too many frames, but I look forward to sharing the full gallery of photos with them. For now, here’s their (not so small) preview!

Family Film: The Walls

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how much more a film is worth.

As moms, we often question ourselves, struggle with feelings of inadequacy and we easily fall into believing we aren’t doing the best for our children. Motherhood is exhausting, chaotic and stressful. However, there are so many nuggets of beauty, indescribable love and incredibly deep connection. It’s just that often, the negative worries seem to weigh heavier and it steals our confidence.

Having been through 7+ years of the “early days” with kids at home myself, I can attest that although it’s hard and it feels like you’ll never be able to swim above water, before you know it, the phase is over. You start wondering if you read them enough books, cuddled them long enough, spoke enough words of affirmation, breastfed them long enough, played on the floor with them enough, laughed with them enough. Even though you may have, often the chaos of the early years blinds you from seeing that you did well.

This is why creating Family Films is so important to me. I want parents to be able to see their relationships with their kids from an outside view, so that they can see and believe in the beautiful riches of love that they are fostering in their home.

I also want their children to have tangible memories captured for them to look back on, to hold on to, and to treasure. I want them to remember the good moments, just as much as I want to affirm the parents in those good moments.

They’re there, and they’re beautiful. It may not be a grandiose thing, but it’s the little moments that kids are nurtured through, and I want to be there to document it before that stage in the parenting journey is over.

Last week I spent a morning with the Wall family in their quaint home on a quiet street in South-East Winnipeg. Chelsea wanted to make sure we captured the moments they cherish the most: reading books in bed, cuddling her toddler with his bottle, playing outside, and capturing their children’s beautiful eyes, blond curls and curious hearts. The moments were so sweet, especially when Iver whispered a secret into his dad’s ear. (you have to watch that part!) Every time I saw that clip during the editing, my heart just melted.

They are a sweet family with big hearts and strong love. It was an absolute delight capturing the “early years” for them. I hope that this film will forever be a reminder to them of the richness they are pouring into their kids on a daily basis.


I also took a few photos throughout the film shoot so that the family would have images they can print and put up on their walls.

Leo: Winnipeg Baby Photography

After having Duncan second shoot weddings with me for 13 years, he FINALLY now has the perfect excuse to be in front of the camera: his adorable baby daughter Leo! Ginny & Duncan are raising an incredibly sweet and energetic little girl, full of curiosity and wonder. They chose their family garden patch as their photo shoot location and it was PERFECT. You are so loved Leo! (and sooooo cute!)

Family Film: The Robins

Last Thursday, while drinking my morning cappuccino, inspiration struck in an unexpected way. The idea of creating short films for families caught my attention. While finishing my coffee and browsing online, I found an online videography course which I followed over the next 2 days. By the following morning I had booked shoot dates with two families willing to be my guinea pigs for this new endeavour, and by Saturday morning I was at the Robin’s home, the first of the two families.

You may know Jenni from @jennirobins and @mykateandnorah on Instagram. I met her a few years ago through Emily Janzen, while styling one of my Spring mini photo sessions. She is the sweetest, most creative and endearing person ever. What I love most about Jenni is her deep love for her family and the amount of intention she puts into raising her two young daughters. Her home is a place of comfort and love with careful attention on growth, learning and building each other up. I didn’t know to what extent I would discover all these treasures in her family until I spent the morning there. It was so lovely.

She and her husband Chris share a beautiful dynamic and it was such a joy to create this family film for them. My goal was to capture the feelings and emotions of this time in their life so that they will forever hold these memories for themselves, but also for their girls when they grow up. To preserve these tiny details is so important and somehow they don’t quite get recorded in the same way when it’s just photos.

Enjoy the film!

If you’d like to book a family film, I’m offering introductory pricing (50% off) for a limited time.

Please contact me for more info.

Danielle & Sven's Wedding at Stonewall Quarry Park, Manitoba

My second wedding shoot during the Covid-19 pandemic happened as beautifully and wonderfully as ever! Although the bride and groom’s plans had greatly been downsized, they still put together a gorgeous outdoor celebration that incorporated all the delightful feels of the truest summertime wedding in Manitoba. Overlooking a pond and under a super hot June sun, Danielle & Sven tied the knot with 50 of their closest family and friends with what was a super lovely ceremony. The photography coverage for their wedding was only 3 hours from start to finish but it encapsulated some of the richest moments of their day: couple portraits throughout Stonewall Quarry Park, a heart-felt ceremony commissioned by their friend, followed by cake and cold refreshments as they mingled with their guests. It was such a joy to capture these moments for them and I’m so happy that not even a pandemic could put a damper on their plans. Congratulations Danielle & Sven!

Nicholas (Baby Photography)

Just when Chelsea was about to give birth to her third child, a pandemic hit the world and photographers in Winnipeg, including me, had to shut down temporarily. This meant she missed her newborn photo session for her littlest one, Nicholas. Although it was devastating to miss that milestone in photos, we were able to reschedule to a family portrait session a couple of months later. The 3 month baby stage is also just as cute in its own way, and I was so happy to be able to meet up with this sweet family that I have known for years. From their engagement photos, to their wedding, to multiple newborn and family photo shoots since, it’s always a pleasure seeing them and taking photos for their lovely family. I always enjoy my time with their kids, and last night was no exception! Félicitations Chelsea et Justin, Nicholas est adorable!!

Spring Mini Photo Sessions 2020: Preview!

This past weekend I was delighted to host another round of Spring Mini Photo Sessions here in Winnipeg, and what a gorgeous evening it was! All the families, kiddos and dogs were super fun to work with and I had a blast taking all these photos. There were a LOT of frames to cull through, but I narrowed it down to a few for the sneak peek, featured here, and I can’t wait to share more with all the families! Thanks everyone for making this mini session so successful, despite our social distancing restrictions! You have made it all so beautiful and lovely to be back at work. Enjoy!

Gabrielle Touchette Photography

Kastiro Family Photos at Birds Hill Park

It was such a glorious evening at Birds Hill Park with the super adorable Kastiro family! I can’t tell you how much this makes me happy, to be taking photos for my clients again. It’s been a long time coming – not just the warm weather, but the ability to be with my clients to capture these memories. Being shut down earlier this Spring really put things into perspective, and now I have a much deeper appreciation for my ability to work as a photographer and every single chance I get to document the beauty of family with storytelling photography. There’s nothing more precious.

Lighting and Portrait Photography Workshop

This year I’ll be hosting a few photography workshops in Winnipeg for beginner to intermediate photographers who are looking to learn some new techniques. I hosted the first workshop last month and I’m excited to be adding a new date in March for the next one.

Have you ever found yourself in your clients’ homes where the windows weren’t letting in enough natural light? Or have you ever been frustrated with not being able to take bright, crisp and engaging family portraits because of tough lighting conditions or your lack of inspiration for directing and posing people?

In this next workshop, I’ll be covering what you need to know about directing families with confidence and engaging your subjects so that you get authentic and natural portraits. I’ll be talking about natural light and what you can do in camera to ensure that your photos are properly exposed, crisp and sharp, without compromising true colour or skin tone.

We’ll have a real family in studio so that we can apply the techniques I’ll be teaching and so that you can practice on the spot.

I’ll also be teaching on how to introduce artificial light in your natural light portraits so that you get better exposure and tonal range. It’s super important to me that artificial light looks natural, and undetectable as much as possible, so I’ll also be sharing some tips and tricks on how to manage your off-camera flash for best results.

The workshop will be held on Saturday March 21st from 1pm – 3pm at a studio in downtown Winnipeg. Spots are limited – please e-mail me to book your spot or to get more information.

Hannah & Richard: Wedding Photography at Hawthorn Estates

When I first met Hannah at Richard’s sibling’s wedding a few years back, I immediately knew these two had something very special and that one day I would likely hear of their engagement. And my guess was not wrong. She was the right girl for him, and he for her, and before I knew it, I received an e-mail from them announcing their engagement! (cue in the happy dance!) Richard later told me that he knew within just a few days after they started dating that he would marry her one day. It’s one of those you-just-know-that-you-know love stories. And when you see them together, you can’t imagine that there was ever a day that they were not together! These two have a connection beyond words and to see their love for each other and their two hearts intertwined into one is incredibly beautiful. The ceremony was so moving (you can see all the emotions on their faces, and let me tell you, there was not a dry eye in that church!) and the rest of the day and evening had such a fun, celebratory mood. Their families are very near and dear to them and it was absolutely beautiful to see them so closely involved with everything. Even Hannah’s dad had the great honour of marrying them. I must also say that I absolutely love the venue they chose – Hawthorn Estates is such a great wedding venue, it’s just a short drive from Winnipeg, and best of all, they are fully equipped to accommodate photos in case of rain. (which we definitely took advantage of, as we did get a bit of rain throughout the time we had allocated for outdoor photos – it was perfect!). Here’s a preview of the photos from their wedding day!

Aly & Mario: Wedding Photography in Manitoba

The rain was coming down pretty hard as I was driving out to the getting ready location, and I wasn’t sure if we were going to rely on our indoor locations and umbrellas to get through the day. Fortunately, the sun started making an appearance just before the first look and then I knew that we were going to be able to photograph the story of their wedding day in the locations that were near and dear to them, and that made me so happy! We started at Bois-des-esprits for their first look – a gorgeous forest in the middle of the city and the second outdoor location that we were so looking forward to using was Mario’s family property in Île-des-chênes. The best part of the sun coming out was that the ceremony could actually take place outside as well, with a gorgeous Manitoba cornfield in the background, surrounded by friends and family and the history of their family all around. Not only for the locations, but the words that were exchanged, the looks they gave each other and the chemistry these two share, everything about their togetherness held so much strength and meaning and it was absolutely beautiful to witness! And the only time it’s ok to upstage the bride is when you’re the daughter of the happy couple and you are as adorable and cute as Cadence was! It was such a delight to document their story, their festivities and all the touching moments in between. I think my favourite was the first look – Mario’s face says it all, and the tears rolling down Aly’s cheeks hide nothing of her emotions. It was truly heart-warming! Félicitations vous deux!!

8 Tips for Better Family Photos

Can you relate?: You spent the last two days figuring out which outfits to wear, practicing in the mirror how to smile so that crooked tooth doesn’t show too much, next thing you know it’s the day of the session and you’re fretting over whether your kids got enough sleep to last the evening shoot, you’re rushing to hairspray every last strand in perfect place and as you head out the door, you hope everyone looks good and that your toddler doesn’t have remnants of dinner on her face.

But that’s not where it ends. You show up at the park, meet your photographer and suddenly that shirt you decided to wear just doesn’t fit well, you get flooded with a wave of insecurity and panic… and lo-and-behold, your kiddo has dinner all over their white shirt!

Preparing for your family photo session can be difficult to say the least, and all that stress often happens in the days and hours leading up to the start of the session. Your photographer hasn’t even taken one photo yet and you’re already wishing you could cancel.

This may sound like an exaggeration, but often, parents will feel some or all of these emotions before a session.

But I’m here to tell you that it shouldn’t be that way!

There are ways to alleviate some of that stress, if not all, with a few simple tips.

1. Decide what to wear several weeks before your session. This means that if you want your family photos done in September, start planning outfits in July. Choose a colour theme, then find the outfits (add a simple pattern or floral in the mix) and lay them out on your bed to see how they look together. If something doesn’t look quite right, adjust it, and if you need to buy new clothes, you’ve got lots of time to do that. Also don’t be afraid of sending the photo of your outfits to your photographer and getting their advice. Your photographer has lots of experience with what looks good on camera, what looks good in the location you’re using, and what looks good together. Also, look at what other families are wearing in photos and get inspiration from it.

2. Make sure your outfit feels good as much as it looks good. If you’re going to be wearing something new, make sure to wear it for at least half a day to see how it moves, fits and sits on you. If it’s too tight, too loose, or just bunches in a funny way, you’ll be able to know ahead of time whether it feels good, as opposed to just knowing that it looks good. How you feel in your clothes can show on your face in the photos.

3. Make sure you pick a time of day that has the best light. Your photographer should know this, and will consider that sunrise and sunset times vary greatly throughout the year. I personally love the second hour after sunrise and the second last hour before sunset. It can vary from location to location – some locations are darker, so you might want to aim for the 3rd hour, and some locations are brighter, so you might even be able to shoot in the last hour before sunset.

4. Prioritize your kids’ happy hour. The light may look GORGEOUS at 9:00pm in June in Winnipeg, but that doesn’t mean you should delay your toddler’s 7pm bedtime just to capture that sunset glow. This almost goes without saying, but for those who are hoping to push bedtime a bit late, be careful to not push it too much. A happy kid makes for way better photos than a cranky kid in gorgeous evening light. A professional photographer knows how to take good photos in challenging light as well.

5. Bring a blanket or wear clothes you’re ok to sit down in. Some of my favourite moments are with families sitting down, snuggling together and sharing laughs and hugs. If you’re wearing an outfit that makes it hard for you to sit on the ground, consider changing into a comfortable pair of jeans or bringing your favourite picnic blanket (check with your photographer first to make sure the blanket doesn’t clash with your outfits).

6. Check your pockets. And your zippers. And your buttons. Trust me, it’s easy to overlook tiny details when you’re having fun at a photo shoot. That’s why it’s imperative that you do a thorough check before you start the shoot. Are your keys and phone in your pockets? Is your fly down? (Trust me, this happens a lot!) Is your shirt buttoned properly? Is that bra strap you don’t want showing still showing? Are those little shoulder ribbon loops sticking out of your top? Is your hair elastic still on your wrist? Get your spouse to check you over and tell you if something looks awry.

7. Be open to new ideas and direction. Your photographer will be ready with suggestions for setting up moments/poses for photos. You may think a suggestion is too staged or out of the ordinary, but try and go with it. You might be surprised by how an awkwardly put together moment can actually turn into a fun, authentic interaction with everyone. And when in doubt as to what to do, smile, hug your spouse or play with your kids! You’ll never go wrong with expressing joy!

8. These photos are about the beauty of relationships and family love. So let go of your physical insecurities. I know, we could spend years working on attempting to succeed at this, we’re human and we all have insecurities about our body image. So I’m not saying this lightly, but I am still hoping to encourage you in this. If you can, try and forget about that crooked tooth you hate, that funny smile you dislike when you laugh, or that eye that squints funny… etc… because, you know what? The most photogenic people aren’t the ones who look the most perfect. The most photogenic people are the ones who let go of trying to control their “flaws” and enjoy the moment with their loved ones. Trust that your photographer is capturing the authenticity of your relationships in the most beautiful way. Don’t try and hide your flaws from the camera, instead let loose and enjoy everything good that comes from loving others and being loved. Show up with confidence because no one’s bothered by any of your so-called “flaws”. These photos aren’t about looking perfect, they’re about capturing the love and togetherness that you share with your family. 

Gabrielle Touchette is a Winnipeg photographer and has been specializing in family photography for over 12 years. She is known for her playful and carefree approach in creating bright and colourful images. Photo sessions can be booked in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba. Please enquire for more information or to book a family photo session.

Multi-Family Photography at St. Vital Park, Winnipeg

I love multi-generational family photo sessions! When you have grandparents, their grown children, and each of their own little families come together for a photo shoot, it’s so special being able to create images to remember this wonderful time in their life. I met up with the Malone family at St. Vital Park one early summer morning and what a fun time we had capturing all these moments!

Robyn & Bernie’s Wedding at Cercle Molière, St. Boniface

If there’s one thing that I retained from this day was Robyn & Bernie’s deep admiration for each other and profound devotion to one another. From the moment they saw each other at the first look, their love was clearly evident in every look, touch and exchange they shared. It truly was an honour to be present at their wedding, not only as a photographer but as a witness to their commitment. What a truly delightful couple!

Francine & Aron: Family Photography in Winnipeg

Francine has been a dear friend of mine for several years with our friendship dating back to the early 2000’s before photography was even a big thing in my life. However, when I first switched to digital photography in 2005, she was one of the first to be in my photos when I started dabbling in portrait photography. Always happy to be a part of my shoots, Francine was so much fun to work with and to photograph. And as my photography career took off, she never stopped being in my photos. From styled portrait shoots, to extended family photos, to her own engagement and wedding photography, then on to newborn photos and now to her own family photos, she’s been a staple in my catalog of photos over the years, and I love it! This week we scheduled family photos to finally capture their newest (and incredibly cute) addition: sweet little Florence. It was a huge pleasure spending an hour with them, running around, catching candid moments and funny poses from their little guy who’s full of personality and fun energy! These four have a beautiful dynamic together and seeing them together makes my heart full. I’m so very honoured to continue taking photos for them and I’m thankful for every moment I get to spend with them. Je vous aime gros! ❤️

Kastiro Family Photos in Winnipeg

I met up with Jill and Harry at HarbourView park this week to take their family photos and there were sooooooo many smiles from this adorable little crew! Their two girls were just the cutest little kids ever and with a third on the way, this family is about to get a whole lot cuter! Thanks Jill & Harry for such a beautiful session with your family, I had such a lovely time with you!

Reid Family Photos at Birds Hill Park

I first met Lindsay and her family two years ago to take their photos when the fall colours were out at Birds Hill Park and I remember having so much fun with their 3 kids and dog. So this year, when they asked if I could do their photos again, I was excited for a new session, this time at two of my favourite locations: the shower house at Birds Hill Park and on the big hill at HarbourView Park in Winnipeg. It’s not everyone that chooses the shower house, maybe because of its modern lines, cold concrete walls and angular shapes, but it’s one of my absolute favourite structures to shoot in and around of, and there was an extra special meaning for them to include it in their session. Jon, who’s an architect, designed the building several years ago. I had no idea, so now knowing whose creative mind was behind this structure, made it all the more fun and meaningful for this portrait session! Although angular lines and cool grey tones make for fun artsy, unconventional photos, we also wanted to mix in a bit of bright greenery into their collection of photos, to keep things classic and natural as well. It was a beautiful late summer evening with a golden sun, and those kids make even a big old hill look like such a fun time! This crew and these photos make me so happy!

Dunsire Family Photos at Sturgeon Creek, Winnipeg

Summertime family photos are some of my favourites to shoot. When Candace asked me if we could schedule something in August, and that they had a perfect location for their family of seven, I was all in. Their kids are so adorable, each with their own distinct personality, and being able to round them up to capture these memories in their family journey brings me immeasurable joy. We hiked down to Sturgeon Creek (I can’t believe no one fell in the creek, including my big camera bag!) and we got to exploring the fish in the creek, watched the kids play with rocks and tall reeds, and also had fun taking photos of them wrestling (and piling on!) their dad. It was so sweet to finally meet their newest addition, the cute little red-fluffy-haired Sylvie, who brings such a light and glow to their crew. Here are some photos from our evening out by the creek last week:

Summer Family Photography at Birds Hill Park

Once a year I get to see these guys – they’re always so smiley, bouncy and full of energy (that is, particularly the 3 girls!). I’ve been taking their family photos ever since their youngest was barely walking, and every year it’s such a delight to catch up with them, run around and capture all of the love & antics that this family share together. This year for their family photos we decided to head to Birds Hill Park and get some of the forest vibes mixed in with the beach vibe. There are such diverse landscapes in that park, and being able to capture all these different images in about one hour is something that I love! Even the sun poked out through the clouds a few times and the girls loved playing in the sand and water. We took a few headshots of each of the girls too, so that their parents don’t need to order any of those boring school photos to put on their walls. Getting those real smiles in a fun environment is 100 times better for getting portraits of your kids on your walls at home!

Here’s a preview from our evening at the park – complete with all the smiles, hugs and kisses! Until next time F-B Family!

                 

Andrée-Anne and Cam: Family Photography in Winnipeg

This is the story of Andrée-Anne and Cam, a passionate and spirited Québécoise who married a mild-mannered Winnipegger and whose family unexpectedly blossomed into what it is today: a delightful collection of 5 lively and energetic sisters, whose personalities and characters each differ in their own unique and beautiful ways.

My family and I are fortunate to call them friends, and every moment spent with them is like a good dose of bright, happy sunshine. I have deep respect for them as parents, having welcomed identical triplets into their family when they already had a 2 and 3 year old at home, and now three years later, their affection and energy with their kids never ceases to amaze me. They’re super chill yet super involved, knowing well how to have fun and go with the flow.

I brought them to one of my favourite summer locations in Winnipeg for family photos, and knowing that it was going to be a lively photo shoot, I went in hoping for a few of the photos I had envisioned, but also knowing full-well that their story would unfold in their own, perfect way before me. And that it did! I never did so much running, jumping, crouching and various other acrobatics to catch all these shots (hoping to not miss a beat!) and after the session was done, I was incredibly exhausted but equally as excited to start editing them. Here’s a preview from amongst the 1200 frames I shot last night in the 80 minutes I had with them!

(PS: those cute outfits the girls are wearing were all lovingly made by their mom. Check out her work on Instagram at: Triplets & Co.)

 

Derksen Family Photos at Assiniboine Park

I’ve been photographing Janice & Darrell’s family for a few years now, and every session with them brings me such joy. We took advantage of the beautiful evening sun and met up at the English Gardens at Assiniboine Park on a warm summer evening. They brought their cute dog as always and we just wandered around for some posed & candid photos. I love their kids’ energy and enthusiasm, each have their own unique personality and pizzazz and along with their active dog, we were never short on dynamic shots! Not only that, but add on their parents’ easy-going and playful attitude, and we got to create such a fun and lively collection of family photos! They know how to play!

Yes, I’m posting this almost a year late, but this past year has been so busy and I’ve fallen so behind on blogging. I’m going to be catching up, hopefully, and for now, here’s the Derksen Family, proof that family photo sessions are fun when you let go of expectations, and having tons of fun results in tons of candid, real family portraits! Love these guys!

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