One of my favourite hidden gems isn’t so hidden after all - Arboretum Park often gets overlooked by the rest of the riverside parks, but it sure has some of the best summer sun in town. If there’s one thing Stratford has an abundance of, it’s green space! These three had an absolute blast at their maternity session, families and little ones are always welcome here. Documenting pregnancy doesn’t need to be stressful or complicated, sometimes it can be just sitting in the grass with your toddler. It’s often the most simple images that turn out to be the favourites!

Just outside of both Stratford and St. Mary’s, The Garden in Harrington is the best kept secret in Oxford County! Offering bouquet subscriptions, wedding decor and an adorable roadside stand, their fresh flowers are bound to brighten up any space. During the warmer months, their terrace overlooking the flower fields serves as a gathering space to catch up with friends over tea - free of charge and available for reservations.

When I got message from H about planning this day, I was beyond excited! I had met these two at my Christmas mini sessions the year prior and could not believe I would be a part of the next step of their journey. This may have set a record for the earliest I’ve gotten on the road for a shoot, but it was so worth it! I left Stratford to be in Elora before the tubing launch opened, which is where the proposal was to take place - it was the most stunning spot with the morning sunlight. The weather was perfect at the gorge and we had the place to ourselves! As I took photos of my friend to look inconspicuous with my giant camera lens, we waited patiently for the right moment - check out the photos to see how it went!

While every generation like to brag about how much they went through, the class of 2021 might just have us all beat. Forget walking uphill both ways in the snow, the constant back and forth of online school, rules changing and life during a pandemic is a lot to handle on top of being a teenager just trying to graduate. Completing your schooling is an accomplishment in itself, but these kids did it with every possible obstacle in their way - congratulations doesn’t even begin to cover it! Celebrating their hometown felt only natural as they all head off to different cities for post secondary, the Stratford Festival and Avon River made the perfect golden hour backdrop to wrap up their year.

No packing up a diaper bag or running out the door, newborn photos from the comfort of your own home are the way to go! For those who think they may have missed their opportunity for a newborn session, there’s no such thing as being too late. At 8 weeks old, this little one was content to stay awake and observe the whole session, it’s so sweet to document her interacting with her parents! Newborn sessions are always booked with some extra time built in - no need to worry about losing time for a feed or outfit change, babies don’t usually stick to our schedules. These lifestyle laid-back sessions are perfect for any time of year, keeping baby out of the hot sun and cozy inside from the cold!

Who would have thought a chilly November day would have brought such a witchy vibe? A & J were fully committed to this session, bare feet on the frozen ground and all. Being from Stratford, I wasn’t familiar with any potential photo locations in Aylmer, but by chance I discovered the Archie Coulter Conservation Area - quiet and covered, exactly what I was looking for. With some parking lot outfit changes and sheer willpower, we made it through this session without getting frostbite and it was worth every second!