MATHONY FAMILY PHOTOS | BEACH SESSION, TSAWWASSEN

Being a photographer who lives just outside of Vancouver, even if our town nickname is 'sunny Tsawwassen', I still have to deal with the fact that it rains. All. The. Time. Especially as a family photographer, I have to be uber flexible with rain checks because what little kid will last more than 10 minutes in a rainy photoshoot? None! The Mathony Family originally had their family photo session scheduled for October, which was rained out. We moved it to November and it was rained out again. At that point we decided to move it to the spring, and hoped the third time would be a charm.

We didn't completely escape the elements for their photo shoot, for it was the most WINDY day I've ever shot it. A day when all of the kite boarders were out in Boundary Bay. A day too windy for people to set up camp at the beach. Like seriously windy. 

I met the Mathony family in the parking lot and I noticed two things right away. Their amazing outfit choices. This year I'm seeing so much more color than past years and they had amazing bright color combinations that fit together beautifully. Second, they all have the most striking eyes! All bright and icy blue. 

When we started to shoot their family photos, I was amazed at how natural the whole family was in front of the camera. Both kids took direction beautifully and both mom and dad were hands on and super fun; the kids just totally followed suit. We shot in a field for the first while (because it was protected from the wind) before we went down to the beach. The second we were exposed on the sand, holy smokes, the wind just took over! To keep warm we had to keep moving. I felt more like a drill sergeant than a photographer as the wind was so powerful I literally had to yell directions to the family to be heard. Even with the crazy wind, both kids kept smiles on their face and laughed the whole time. By the end of the shoot, the sun peeked through the clouds to make for some beautiful lighting for our last set of photos. Right before both kids ran off the beach and back to the shelter of the car. 

To the Mathony family, thank you for meeting with me on the windiest night ever down at Centennial Beach. You guys were the ultimate troopers for battling the elements and keeping smiles on your face the whole time. I'd love to do it again sometime. Maybe in the heat of July or August on a night when there isn't a cloud in the sky and zero wind lol. But seriously, you guys are the best. Thank you!

JERICHO BEACH FAMILY PHOTOS | KITSILANO, VANCOUVER

As a Tsawwassen family photographer who lived in Vancouver for the good part of my 20s, I love any excuse to some back into the city. Especially when I can go to my old stomping ground of Kitsilano (beach volleyball anyone?!) to take family portraits. I’m in love with the white sand beaches, city landscape and the towering mountains. It makes me want to pinch myself that we get to call this gorgeous city our own!

I met up with the Morrison family for their family photos at Jericho this fall. Kate felt like an old friend after our correspondence back and forth organizing their photoshoot. I love a good !!!! in my e-mails and so does she! So I know we’d get along well :) Their son Luke was just over one year old. My favourite age to photograph. This age they are on the move and make me WORK for the shots, however, the result is always the most candid and genuine.

It was a crisp fall day for their family photos in Vancouver, which is always my favourite because it makes for a crisp and clear sunset. We had a blast taking photos on the beach and had the BEST sunset over the mountains.

Thank you Kate, Tim and Luke for coming to meet with me for your family portraits. I always love coming to Vancouver and it was especially made great because I met all of you! I hope we can do it again sometime soon :)

What To Wear: Winter Family Photo Sessions | Vancouver Family Photographer | Community Photographer

WHAT TO WEAR FOR WINTER FAMILY PHOTO SESSIONS

When winter arrives and temperatures cool, sometimes it’s just too cold for a dress and heels by themselves (no matter how warm your coverup overcoat is!). As a Vancouver family photographer, let’s face it, it’s chilly fifty percent of the year! Instead of only shooting in the warm summer months, I encourage clients to shoot year round! We are so lucky we live in a city where we have diverse seasons to make every family photo session unique! So I have some suggestions for the winter months that will still help you look amazing and keep your color tones camera friendly.

During winter, warm neutrals like camel, taupe, cream, champagne, and gray look amazing. If you’d like to incorporate color, choose jewel-toned versions of the primary colors. Here are some examples: mustard over yellow, crimson or burgundy over red, over orange, sage or emerald over green, and powder blue or navy over blue. These jewel tones will photograph beautifully in the winter when there is not much bright colors to contrast in nature. And don’t forget to layer up! Add a peacoat, tights, scarves and heeled booties to a form-fitting cocktail dress or skirt. Dress your little ones in wool hats, mittens and scarves to keep warm and add extra interest to the phot.

SNOW DAY SESSIONS:

A dress or skirt with a big peacoat can never go wrong! A neutral coloured coat with a touque, scarf and gloves or a warm, oversized, snuggly sweater with tall boots and a hat is a super fun look, perfect for the snow! The great thing about snow is it creates a beautiful white backdrop, so even though it might seem counterintuitive, soft pastel, muted colors like soft pinks and powder blues still look great! And, remember, regardless of the setting, you can never go wrong with neutrals with pops of colour!

Reid Family Photos | Centennial Beach, Tsawwassen | Community Photography South Delta

Mom Megan and I had been chatting about her family photo session for some time over e-mail. I had taken her friends family photos and that’s how she came across my name. I didnt know going into her session that I actually knew her from way back in the day. When I saw her familiar face at Centennial Beach, I was brought back to my first job as a phone girl in Tsawwassen at Mario’s Kitchen, circa 2003. Megan was a server and I remember her just being the absolute sweetest person, to everyone, including us phone girls lol.

The first two thing I noticed about her family was 1.) how beautiful and sweet they all were! and 2.) their perfect choice of cloths for a beach family photo session. Blue and white tones on a crystal clear evening was going to make for such dreamy photos.

The evening of their session was a warm summer night at Centennial Beach. We spent the hour of their family session hanging out, capturing the classic family portraits and the most beautiful in-between moments, which are always my favorite. I also LOVED capturing some special mom and dad portraits, it was the day after their anniversary after all :)

To the Reid family, thanks so much for allowing me to take your family portraits at Centennial Beach. It was such a nice night and loved the dynamic of your loving family.

Mom + Son Sunset Session | Centennial Beach, Tsawwassen | Community Photography South Delta

There are some photos that when I look at, there is so much love, raw emotion and joy it actually makes me smile to myself. Lauren and Cameron’s mother and son photo session at Centennial Beach had many of those moments.

I first met Lauren when I was 6 years old and she was my cool sisters cool friend. I haden’t seen her for year as she lives overseas but she reached out that she was coming back to Tsawwassen for a visit and wanted family photos done. We discussed location and the timing of her session. She was a little worried about a sunset session in July because it was pushing baby Cameron’s bedtime by a couple hours. With two babes of my own I know the importance of baby bed time. But here is a fun fact, in my experience of being a family photographer, if a kid is outside at the beach they are totally happy! And yes, they will be tired by the end of the session, and then we’ll get the cutest baby cuddle photos.

Our session was full of smiles and beautiful candid moments between mother and son. Cameron was a text book angel baby and was all smiles for the first half of our shoot, and then with a few rubs of his eyes near he fell fast asleep in him moms arms.

Lauren, it was so great to re-connect with you and meet your gorgeous baby boy! Thank you for allowing me to capture these moments for you!

Centennial Beach Family Photos | Tsawwassen, BC | Community Photography South Delta

I met up with Indy, Matt and there adorable son Adrian at Centennial Beach in sunny Tsawwassen for their family photos. I’m not sure if it was the time of day, the setting, Indy’s dress or ALL of the above, but the color tone of these photos are so magical. Well, almost as magical as Adrian’s smile throughout the shoot :)

Adrian honestly made me feel like the funniest person on the planet. He would laugh and smile at all my ‘jokes’, which included playing peek-a-boo, tickling him with a soft plant, making funny faces. As long as he was cuddling with his mom and dad he was a happy camper.

Indy and Matt, thanks for allowing me to capture your family photos. You guys have such a happy, fun little boy and you all were such a pleasure to photograph!

Motherhood Sunset Photo Session | Centennial Beach Tsawwassen | Community Photography South Delta

May was my month of the Motherhood Sunset Sessions at Centennial Beach. It was a month of me capturing Mothers with their children as they laugh, played and loved down at the water in Sunny Tsawwassen.

This session was a special one for me. As a photographer, the biggest compliment you can recieve (in my opinion) is when ANOTHER photographer asks you to take their family photos. This was the case with Sioban of Siobhan Deol Photography, another family photographer in Tsawwassen.

The evening at the beach was calm, bright and we had a beautiful sunset. It was the first night where it really started to feel like summer was here. Calm ocean with beautiful pastels.

You could tell her kids were used to being infront of the camera. There were so many special moments between her and her kids. One of my favorite was when her little dude had his ‘mommy and me’ moment of candid photos on the beach. He just embraced the moment and loved snuggling and playing with his momma.

Sioban, thank you for trusting me in capturing your Motherhood Session at Centennial Beach. I look forward to getting together and geeking out of everything photography over coffee..or wine..probably wine!

Welcome Baby Emmie | Newborn Photos | Community Photography South Delta

I first met the Camire family at Centennial Beach for their maternity photos in Tsawwassen a few months back. The day at the beach was sunny but windy, bringing in a cold ocean breeze. Sweet little Isla was such a trooper for their cold and windy photo session. So when I went to the Camire’s house for their newborn photos, I knew Isla must remember me as the lady who made her play at the beach when it was FREEZING! And when I saw her at their house on a sunny and hot May afternoon, I said to her, ‘Hi Isla! Do you remember me?! We took photos at the beach together!’ all she said back was ‘it was cold’. LOL!

I thought I would have to regain her trust and take some time with her to warm up in front of the camera. I was totally wrong! On a scale of 1-10 how well behaved little Isla is, she was a 12. She loved cuddling her new baby sister Emmie and was so proud when it was her turn to hold her. Isla absolutely shone at the end of the session when we had a family dance party in the living room. This is the way I like to end most of my newborn sessions (if there are young siblings), as it brings the energy back up and creates beautiful genuine moments.

The Camire family, you guys are such a pleasure to spend time with! Thank you for inviting me into your home to take your newborn photos :) It was such an enjoyable afternoon and I look forward to the next time we can take photos together. Congratulations on baby #2, you guys are totally rocking the two kid thing :)

Welcome Baby Monroe | Newborn Photos | Community Photography South Delta

If you’d like to see the most gorgeous at home newborn photos, scroll down!

Congratulations to the Bird family on welcoming baby #3 into their family! This sweet newborn, is baby Monroe (just LOVE that name). She was a dream to photograph (I don’t even think she woke up at any point during our photo shoot!) She was SO chill and just did what a third child does, went with the flow.

As a newborn photographer, I LOVE the dynamics when a third child is added in the mix. I’m not sure what it is, but it totally makes the family look complete. Speaking of complete, can we just take a moment to applaud Mom Nikki on her absolutely amazing job on color coordinating her troops!! Even the swaddle choice totally completes the package. Well done girl!

The Tsawwassen newborn session, was a quick and easy experience. I always allow up to three hours in case a kid needs a snack, diaper change or a cuddle. I think this may have been a record 1.5 hours and it was a wrap! Both older siblings were a 10/10 in behaviour and LOVED to cuddle their new little sister. Daddy Bird was just like baby Monroe and went with the flow of the shoot :) You can see three babies in, mom + dad were a super team, and you can tell from the pictures, really in love.

Thanks to the Bird family for spending the afternoon with me allowing me to capture your expanding family. It was truly a pleasure! You guys are just nailing the three kid thing, you may even trick the rest of us into the having another baby because you make it look so enjoyable!

Dueck Family Photos | Centennial Beach, Tsawwassen | Community Photography South Delta

One of the biggest compliments when your a family photographer is being asked to photograph a family whose mom, is a photographer herself! That was the case with the Dueck family. Mom Dayna has raised 6 kids (yes 6!) and is now pursuing her calling to become a midwife. And if you’ve met her, you’ll know she is going to make a pretty darn good midwife, that’s for sure!

The Dueck family photo session was at Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen. I love getting know local families, especially when they are as lovely as the Dueck family. The dynamic between them was kind, loving, respectful and fun. You could tell they really enjoyed each other’s company as they laughed and smiled through our photo shoot. Six kids later, you could tell mom Dayna and dad Stan were in love - just look at the way they look at each other in the photos! So much love, so much fun.

It was a perfect evening down at Centennial Beach for their family photos. Clear skies with enough clouds for a pastel sunset.

To the Dueck family, thank you for spending a wonderful evening at the beach with me! Your family is an absolute joy and I’m so happy to have connected with you!

Tsawwassen Newborn Photos | At Home Session | Community Photography South Delta

When my son Tom was born, it took about 6 weeks until I realized he was mine. To keep. Forever! I know this sounds so strange, and your probably thinking ‘yeah girl, that’s why you have kids, to raise them!’. I just found being a new mom, the love you experience with your baby is a new love, one you have never experienced before. The love is so intense I found it hard to get my head around. You just created this tiny human, you love it SO much, and the best part is, it’s yours to love forever!

When I was photographing first time mom Kritika, I could tell she was experiencing these same emotions that I was experiencing with Tom. The loving way she looked at her baby girl, and she even said a few times in our shoot ‘I just can’t believe I get to keep her’.

The only way I can describe our newborn shoot together was dreamy. We had a dream baby to photograph, she slept the most of the newborn photo session and when she was awake, she would look around the room with her big beautiful brown eyes. Kritika was such a cool mom. She allowed me to try my new baby wrapping techniques on her daughter (which turned out super adorable by the way), and was so photographic and natural in front of the camera it made my job so easy. They family cuddled, loved and enjoyed their time together for our 2 hour photo shoot.

I also had the pleasure of working with Elisha Sander of Haymaker makeup. She arrived at the house 45 minutes before the photoshoot with her mobile studio. Having a professional makeup artist makes for such beautiful photographs, and the big bonus, you can cuddle your sweet newborn as you get pampered! I’ve included some of the getting ready photos, so you can check them out below!

Tsawwassen Family Photo Session | Community Photography South Delta | Family Photographer

Last year, the Berglund family moved to BC. You would have never known this as you could tell they had a deep love for the beach, nature and the mountains. The perfect mix of a west coast family.

When I met the Berglund family at Centennial Beach, they were all very easy to talk to, good energy and very lovely to spend time with. We took some beautiful photos on a lovely evening. Everywhere we went that evening, the sun seemed to be following, making for beautiful backlighting. You could tell nine year old Kiera loved spending this quality time with her parents at the beach.

My favourite part of a family photo session, is when I give kids time to be themselves and show me a little of who they are. Kiera, totally just shone during this moment. As the sunset in Boundary Bay, she was doing cartwheels under a pastel sky with the mountains and city scape in the background.

To the Berlund family, thanks for spending the evening with me at Centennial Beach. Evenings like this, really make me love my job! Your family is a pleasure to spend time with, I hope you guys are loving BC and everything it has to offer :)

Diefenbaker Park Family Photos | Tsawwassen Family Photographer | Community Photography South Delta

From the moment I met the Malinek family in 2017 for a family photo session, I knew they were a special family. They are all kind and sweet and you can tell they all enjoy each other immensely. Fast forward a year and I was lucky enough to take their photos again.

When I arrived at Diefenbaker for their photo shoot, the first thing I noticed was Mom Ashili’s stunning red dress. I knew, at some point in the photoshoot, she would need to be twirling.

On every family photoshoot, I bring a white blanket for the families to cuddle on. I came to own the blanket after I noticed it at my moms house. The blanket is a unique white quilt and a perfect rectangle for families to sit on. The patch work is well made, it has served me well for the past couple years. My mom, who is an avid thrift store shopper, came across it a few years back at the Delta Hospice in Tsawwassen.

I pulled the white blanket out for the Malinek family to sit on during their family photoshoot. Ashli took one look at the blanket and noticed SHE was the one who made it! Ten years ago, she hand made that exact blanket, her initials were even hand sewn in the corner. Such a small world! She had given it to thrift years back. And here she was, with her family sitting on it.

To the Malinek family, thank you for spending the evening with me at Diefenbaker. You guys are always a pleasure to take photos for. I love seeing from year to year the way your boys grow into lovely little men. Ashli, thank you for making and passing along your beautiful blanket!

A Very Special Centennial Beach Family Session | Community Photography South Delta | Family Photos

“Tomorrow, they’ll be a little older than they were today. Today is a gift.”

I was first introduced to Sharon through my sister Briar. Briar and Sharon work together in the wedding industry. Sharon, however, for the past year has been on a leave from her job so she could be by her oldest sons side as he battled an aggressive form of brain cancer. 

Cameron, Sharon's seven year old son, in the past year has undergone numerous surgeries, along with chemo and radiation. When Sharon was with Cameron in the hospital, they made a list of things they wanted to do once they were out. For Sharon, family photos were at the top of her list.

I arrived to Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen 20 minutes before the session began and it was raining. It had actually been raining the past 2 weeks. The session was date sensitive as a key family member was only in town for a couple days. There was no rescheduling for weather. I pulled my umbrellas from my car, however, minutes before we began shooting the rain stopped.

The dynamic between the family was loving, kind and fun. Mom Sharon has an infectious smile and they all laughed super easily. Both boys, took to the water. Mid winter in Vancouver and they were jumping over the waves in their boots. The light broke through the clouds as we were finishing our session. It was a perfect afternoon.

To the Bulger family, your courage and love can be seen from miles away. Allowing me to capture your family photos has been a privilege. Thank you for allowing me to capture this special moment for you :)

If you would like to donate to help improve the lives of children living with childhood cancer, please visit:

Ronald McDonald House

BC Children’s Hospital oncology

BABY ISLA NEWBORN PHOTOS | TSAWWASSEN | COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY SOUTH DELTA

DREAM BABY ALERT!!! It was SUCH a pleasure taking newborn photos for the Sherry’s as they welcomed the newest member of their family baby Isla to their tribe. The family recently moved to South Surrey so as a Tsawwassen photographer it was a nice commute to meet up with this family in their new home.

At home newborn photos are oh so special. I love taking photos of families in their natural environment cuddling, loving and making memories together.

LADNER HARBOUR PARK FAMILY PHOTOS | COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY | SOUTH DELTA

Ladner Harbour Park in South Delta has always been my go to fall photos. When the inquiring family asked for suggestions for a 'woods' look in South Delta, Ladner Harbour Park immediately popped to mind. The light coming through the trees was oh so dreamy it is now one of my favourite summer locations to take photos in Delta!

The family gifted their Grandma a photo session of her 5 granddaughters for Christmas. 5 girls ages 7-16, a photographers dream! The cousin connection these girls had made for a breezy, easy and loving session. Melt. My. Heart.

CENTENNIAL BEACH FAMILY PHOTOS | TSAWWASSEN PHOTOGRAPHER

Another beautiful night in sunny Tsawwassen for a family portrait session! I feel like I say it all the time, but I LOVE living here! Centennial Beach never disappoints for dreamy sunsets and crystal water - perfect for family photos. It is also a photographer bonus when the family shows up and the family is super adorable! 

KOCH FAMILY PHOTO SESSION | BOUNDARY BAY | SOUTH DELTA PHOTOGRAPHER

I met this family in the dyke parking lot between Beach Grove and Boundary Bay in sunny Tsawwassen. This parking lot is full of bikers, joggers and birdwatchers. I immediately identified the family as they all looked way to good to be going for a casual dyke stroll :)

We took a walk down the Boundary Bay dyke to fields close by for their family pictures. We enjoyed the next hour playing, laughing and having the kids cuddle up on Mom and Dad. The family dynamic was sweet and relaxed. We had local bunnies hopping around to keep the kids entertained!

To the Koch family, thank you for allowing me to take your family photos! I had such a great time and I hope we can do it again soon!

AT HOME NEWBORN PHOTOS | BABY OSCAR | TSAWWASSEN NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

Oh the joys of being a newborn photographer in Tsawwassen! I love when I arrive at a house with amazing natural light and stunning family (including a newborn baby who slept most of the time and a momma with hair goal I could only dream of!). Only in South Delta can you have a blast taking photos of a family and then skip across the street to pick up something off of Varage sale - double win for the day!