CHAMPAGNE ENGAGEMENT AT FISH CREEK PARK

Now that the snow is on the ground, I’m really missing the fall season we had here in Calgary and shooting with these two love birds in Fish Creek Park, to celebrate their engagement. I love engagement sessions, because they are a great way to break the “wedding day ice” when it come to photography. In my opinion, getting engagement photos is essential in developing a relationship with your photographer, understanding how to feel comfortable in front of the camera and see how you will photograph together as a couple for your big day. After all, you only get married once, so I’d say nailing the photos is pretty important!

GERRITS FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT IN ASSINIBOINE PARK, WINNIPEG

Do you ever meet people you instantly click with, and you just know that you’d be close if distance didn't separate you? This is how I feel about this family! I loved their energy and willingness to literally roll around on the forest floor with me as I photographed them this last October. Thank you Chantal for organizing this session on my last trip to Manitoba! I love how the pictures turned out and can’t wait to photograph your boys again soon! Max xo

FALL FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT AT LINDSAY PARK

I just love fall family sessions! The window to shoot during the Calgary fall season is so short lived, sometimes it means snow, rain or less than warm temperatures, and a second location is always a great backup plan to ensure your clients get a good range and assortment of photos. Thank you Melissa and Ryan for sharing your Saturday evening with me so we could make some beautiful memories.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

It was my absolute pleasure photographing Kendra and Krasen for the third time this season, to welcome their beautiful baby into this world. Check out their jungle themed nursery and elephant knit baby swag. Welcome to the jungle little one. With parents like these, you’ll have all the love, kindness, encouragement and support in this world to be as wild and as free as your spirit wills it.

FALL BABY

Fish creek Park is one of may favourite locations for family photos in Calgary, especially in the fall season. There are son many beautiful colours poping up everywhere you look, and the longer you get into the fall season, the more golden yellows and deep burgundies will start to appear as the vibrant greens slowly fade away. We really lucked out with warm weather in this fall session, baby was warm and toasty throughout… Thank you Erika and Conrad for trusting me to take these photos of your beautiful family.

ROMANTIC, MID CENTURY MODERN ENGAGEMENT WITH SHARE AND ZAC

Congrats Sharilyn and Zac on your engagement! It was a treat photographing you guys on your gorgeous property in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We did two looks on two different evenings for these two cats, and in-between sessions, the farmers actually plowed the fields so we were stuck with no wheat for the second session!! They looked great either way. Check them out!

ASSINABOINE PARK ENGAGEMENT

I love love! But seriously, I love when you can see how much a couple really loves one and another, just by looking at their photos. Thank you Dan and Alysha for allowing to photograph you guys while I was visiting my family in Winnipeg last month! Congrats on the announcement of your wedding. Alysha, I can't wait to see all the photos of you in your beautiful wedding gown!

MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN N . Y . C.

NYC is one of my absolute favourite cities, along side Toyko and Melbourne. It's where my husband Theo took us on our honeymoon two years ago and it the place that inspires me the most in north america, when it comes to fashion and lifestyle photography. The culture, fashion and energy is infectious, making it perfect for a weekend getaway, to escape and just be. Check out my favourite things to do in NYC.

Favourite restaurant: La Esquina (Mexican) / Beauty and Essex (Modern American) -Both of these spots require you enter through another restaurant or pawn shop to get inside- they aren't trying to be found, which is what makes them both so cool. 

Favourite touristy things to do: Brooklyn Bridge, Flynyon helicopter ride. Brooklyn bridge is just amazing. It's crowded and hot in the summer months but I love it for the photos. Flynyon is a cool experience if you're into pictures or not, it's especially cool at sunset or sunrise. Prepare to give yourself lots of time to get there, because it's in Jersey City.

Favourite part of town to stay in: Soho is posh, East Village has all the great restaurants and bars and China Town is close to everything... 

 

DREAM NURSERY

When I entered Stephanie's nursery, my jaw literally dropped. The combination of the white crown molding and vintage white dresser and crib complimented each other perfectly. But I have to say, I wasn't surprised. She is, in fact, a super successful interior designer and owns her own design company with her best friend.  Then she told me that she had purchased the dresser, crib and art for the nursery at the age of 16, knowing that she would one day appreciate the beautiful vintage pieces.  My heart just melted! Stephanie, I had so much fun photographing you and your beautiful family. Thank you for inviting me into your hominid trusting me with this responsibility. xx 

NOVA COFFEE HOUSE ENGAGEMENT SESSION

When Brent and Lauren told me they hadn't officially booked a photographer for their engagement photos, I jumped at the opportunity to photograph them to created some special memories. Then Lauren suggested we take photos at Nova Coffee House in Marda Loop, and I'm so happy we did. They turned out even better than I had expected. Thank you Natalie for lending us the space for this project!

If you haven't checked Nova Coffee House, you're missing out! The large mural on the back wall is breathtaking, and artisan coffee, sandwiches, toasties and salads are definitely worth raving about. But I'll be honest, when I first discovered the Nova brand, it wasn't for the food or coffee, but rather because I attended a yoga class at Yoga Nova, which is located at the back of the coffee house. Nova Yoga features the Barron Baptist method of practising yoga, and offers a variety of Yin and Yang practises to encourage and foster the connection between mind and body that lives in all yogis. Whether you're a beginner, or seasoned practitioner, Nova Yoga has something for everyone. Being a " type A" personality and a perfectionist myself, my favourite class is the Crucible, taught by the owner Natalie. Yup, you guessed it, it's not an easy class but the energy in this practice is authentic and the challenge won't disappoint. So go get your downward dog-on, then head over to the coffee shop for a snack, you won't regret it.