Marty + Shealynn - Ottawa Gatineau Maternity Photography

They say it's a small world.

Shealynn contacted me for a maternity session after being referred by a friend of hers, who I know through a mutual love of blogging and photography. Yet it turns out that Shealynn and I are both prairie girls, even working for the same company for a time back in Regina (your condolences were appreciated, Marty).

Marty and Shealynn are expecting a sweet baby girl just before Christmas... what a great gift that will be! It will be a crazy holiday season, but they'll be able to ring in the New Year as a family of three.

(And maybe... maybe?... the NHL season will be back in swing and sweet Emelia's first year won't be marred by this silly hockey lockout.)

It was a pleasure to meet you both and I'm looking forward to hearing about Emelia's arrival in a few weeks!

Pascal + Caroline + Lorik - Ottawa Gatineau Maternity Photographer

Meeting up with past photography clients is always fun. My morning spent with this family was no exception. Although I haven't seen them in person since Lorik's newborn session, I've been following them on Facebook for the past two years. And, let me tell you, this little guy does his hair justice! He's full of life and energy and knows exactly what he does and doesn't want... and I don't say that as a euphemism  for anything! He's simply a strong, confident, funny little boy.

And, at two years old, I think his vocabulary might rival my nine year olds!

It is clear that Lorik is a little boy who is unquestionably loved by his parents and has the confidence that only that kind of knowledge can give a child. It was truly fun to watch them together. I can't wait to see how he will react to the addition of new little person in his family.

My guess is that he'll happy accept his baby brother, as just one more person to love.

Caroline and Pascal, like I said on Facebook, enjoy these last few weeks... with just the two of you and your exceptional little Lorik. Soak in as much as you can of being a family of three before you welcome baby Eli.

Any bets on what colour the baby's hair will be??

Welcome, Mael! - Ottawa Gatineau Birth Photography

Ah. I'm so behind.

Little Mael is six weeks old now. How time flies.

His birth will stay with me for a very, very long time. Not only did I get to witness his first breaths and the beginning of a sweet new life, but it was such an honour to be with my friend, Élise, at such a special time.

She made it look easy.

She might've said a couple times that she was crazy for doing this (her first homebirth) for a fifth baby, that was about as dramatic as things got. From my point of view, she was all control and confidence and quiet power.

It was awesome.

Although the logistic of birth photography are tricky (especially when I have four little ones of my own at home, one of whom still nurses and isn't particularly fond of daddy in the middle of the night), I definitely see myself doing this again.

If you're in the Ottawa or Gatineau area and would like to discuss birth photography, please do get in touch. I'd love to talk with you.

Patrick + Élise - Ottawa Gatineau Maternity Photography

Most of my clients from this spring/summer (who had anything other than weekend sessions) would have heard how all four of MY kids were with a good friend and HER four kids... well this is that friend! 

Élise has been one of the main reasons I'm able to do what I do. She's been available to me and my kids without fail at sometimes less than a day's notice. There aren't too many people who I trust to care for my kids.

There aren't too many people that I adore as much as these six.

If you're thinking that Pat, Élise and their kids look familiar, it's because this isn't their first time on the blog. They're last maternity session features one of my favourite family images I've ever taken, and I can't help but smile when I look back at the newborn session with not-so-little Lévi and see how much he's changed. All that dark hair and now he's blond!

Last time, we wrote all the possible baby names on post-it notes that the kids stuck all over Élise's belly. This time they wrote them all on a chalkboard. You'll all have to wait to find out what name they chose. I was honoured to be there the night Élise gave birth. It was incredible. So even though these images are a month -and a birth!- old, I'm hoping that posting THIS session will give me the push I need to finish the birth photos so I can share them here too.

Élise... Pat... Jorik, Eduard, Lilou, Lévi... you guys are family. Love you.