The last trimester: that time when the last few weeks are counting down, and soon you’re going from two to three. There’s a certain excitement, anticipation and wonder that comes with this time. It’s such a joy to capture!
With Kim and Nic, there’s no hiding their absolute love for each other. They are so connected to each other and it’s so beautiful to see their love growing into a new chapter in their life. Their story is building and being there to preserve the feelings and memories for them is such a delight.
We met up at The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, and it is my absolute favourite location to visit in Winnipeg in the middle of the winter! Not only for the warmth, the live plants, and all the lush greenery, but also for the gorgeous backdrops for photo shoots.
We started off in the Tropical Biome then we went to the Mediterranean Biome and Babs Asper Display House. I was so happy to see the sunlight poke through the overcast skies to get that warm, humid glowing light that only a tropical setting can give you. My lenses were fogging up – and for a few shots, I intentionally left the fog on my lens for that extra “mood”. Why not? đ
When Behie approached me to take their headshots, we came up with a shoot plan that would cover two locations in under 90 minutes to get different background options for their photos.
Our first location was in downtown Winnipeg at Millennium Library Park. This location has greenery, architecture and water – perfect for capturing a variety of photos in one efficient stop.
We finished the session in their office where I set up my mobile headshot photo studio: a simple white backdrop with studio lights.
A quality headshot photo will build trust, communicate authenticity and grow a bond with your audience online. When Sabrina explained the importance of updating her portraits, I started the session by making sure we used flattering natural light and poses that showed her approachability and professionalism. I also used backgrounds that communicated warmth and openness, knowing that these photos will give a look and feel that will set the tone for how she is perceived by her followers online.
All these elements are crucial parts that communicate not only Sabrina’s personality and kindness, but also her professionalism and trustworthiness. This is the power of a good headshot: it shows more than just your smiling face, it tells a story and builds trust.
We took the photos at the Forks Market on a weekday when the crowds weren’t so busy and the natural window light was gorgeous. Here are some highlights from our session:
Are your favourite memories stuck on your phone? Here’s how you can turn your digital photos into 4 different beautiful, tangible keepsakes you and your family can enjoy every day.
#1 GREETING CARDS
5×7 holiday cards fill my fridge, and I love it! And if you’re looking for strong, simple magnets – I love my rare-earth magnets from Lee Valley Tools.
– Giving out annual Christmas and Holiday cards is a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family and showing them you care. I love receiving these cards as much as I love gifting them! These double sided cards are printed on thick card stock paper and can be custom designed with a greeting or caption. To get access to your own online card editor and order gallery, please contact me.
Double sided high quality holiday cards with envelopes – these ones are printed with quality and care. And they far surpass Shutterfly and Vistaprint! They can be ordered through my photography account. Just e-mail me for more info.
#2 LAY FLAT PHOTO BOOKS
Lay Flat Photo Books from PosterJack – I love choosing the photo cover and adding the year for easy reference.
– Make a family photo album! I print my family photos once a year in a photo book I design and print at PosterJack. I include my family photos that were professionally taken but also my iPhone photos that I take throughout the year. You can upload your photos to https://posterjack.ca/products/layflat-photo-books?snowball=GABRIELLE68191 and start your album design right away.
Please note: I donât often share affiliate links, but when I do itâs for products that I love and use often.
11×8.5 inches Lay Flat Photo Book from PosterJack – I love printing one once a year.
Need help with the process? Click here to request my step-by-step guide.
11×8.5 inches Lay Flat Photo Book from PosterJack
#3 TRADITIONAL PHOTO ALBUMS
Traditional photo albums with 4×6 clear sleeves.
– If you love printing photos a bit at a time throughout the year, traditional photo albums with 4×6 clear sleeves on each page are a good fit for you. This flexible way of displaying your photos allows you to slowly fill an album over the course of a year. Print a handful of photos at a time, and fill the album as you go. I recommend Photo Central in Winnipeg or London Drugs for low-cost/high-quality 4×6 prints. Just upload your high-res jpgs to their website and pick up your prints in store.
#4 FRAMED PHOTOS FOR YOUR WALLS
This is a 16×24 Gallery Box from PosterJack. The photo is printed on a solid surface and perfectly floated inside the white frame.
– Print and frame your photos. Thereâs always that one stunning photo from a photo shoot that you know is âthe oneâ. Decide which size youâd like and have it printed and framed to hang on your wall at home. Again, PosterJack is a great place for ready-to-hang prints. Framed products from PosterJack are found in their Shop > Wall Art section: Framed Prints and Gallery Boxes are my favourites!
If youâre looking for something a bit more fun, Peel & Stick prints in their Photo Prints section are awesome. Whatâs a Peel & Stick? The name says it all.
This is a 12×18 Peel & Stick print from PosterJack. You can stick it on a wall, remove it and stick it somewhere else. Repositionable up to fifty times!
â $10 flat shipping fee, no matter how big your order is
â convenient ready-to-display products. No more buying frames from IKEA and fiddling with the DIY framing process (which I hate with a passion!)
Another Peel & Stick print from PosterJack. I seriously have these all over my house. I can’t get enough of them!
Why Iâm an affiliate partner with them:
I was printing so much from them and recommending them to all my friends, family and clients⊠when it dawned on me: I should get an affiliate link!
So in case youâre wondering – they didnât approach me to give me free products in exchange for being their promoter. Years ago, I found them myself first, fell in love with their products, and naturally started promoting them to everyone I knew!
At first they had quality issues (10 years ago). A few times I had to ask them to re-print their errors, which they did for free. For a while I was not recommending them to clients. But after some time, I noticed their products were being consistently delivered beautifully and with zero flaws. Thatâs when I started recommending them to my clients.
They have been a trusted printer for me ever since.
HAVE A PRINTING PLAN
So if youâre like me, and you donât like that your digital photos just sit on the computer for years and years, make sure to have a printing plan. Hopefully the print recommendations above will give you the motivation to start printing your photos more regularly.
If the task feels huge and overwhelming or if youâre behind in years of unprinted photos, donât worry about it.
Start small.
Start by printing one photo album or even just one framed print. Go through your photos from the last 12 months.
Print just one thing to start.
The excitement of receiving that first physical print will feel like a small win. I promise!
And small wins will motivate you to keep going, and print even more.
You’ll learn how I stay on top of my photos, how I make sure to print a family photo book once a year, and how to store your digital photos so you never lose them.
NEED UPDATED FAMILY PHOTOS?
Contact me to book your next family photo session in Winnipeg!
I send out e-mails that show you how to make the most of your phone camera to take better photos.
I hope this has inspired you to bring your memories to lifeâbecause thereâs nothing quite like holding a beautiful photo in your hands. It’s a feeling no screen can ever replace!
I always look forward to my annual photos with Jill and her family! They share such a genuine love, connection and closeness and I’m always so inspired to capture every moment of it. And their three daughters are so adorable – they always make me feel like I’m their best buddy by the end of the session! Taking photos for another photographer can be a bit intimidating, but Jill is so down to earth that taking her family photos is a breeze. I’ve grown to really appreciate the connection that we’ve made through are mutual love of photography. You should check out her work too – she does newborn photography in her studio and her photos are outstanding. One of the best in Winnipeg!
Here is a preview of our time at Henteleff Park, in South St. Vital. A beautiful park that has been quite a popular location this fall season for family photography!
