Kristin + Jamie Married // Peterborough ON Wedding Photographer

 A schedule was made and every minute was accounted for, but like most wedding's the timing wasn't perfect... The hair appointments took longer and the groomsmen were running a little late after golfing. The boutonniere's had the wrong flowers, and the limo got stuck at the drive in. But none of these 'little things' as Kristin called them mattered.

Because this was their wedding day. It was finally here, after the months of planning and preparation and excitement. Today was the day that Kristin and Jamie would promise a lifetime of love to one another and they didn't let anything stop them from laughing, loving and having an amazing time.

 

the below shot is Matt's

Kristin and Jamie, you are one of my favourite couples! Thank you both for being so easy going and awesome. We had an incredible time with you and your family and friends, you guys definitely know how to have a good time! You made us feel so welcome and I'm honored to have shared in your love. I wish you nothing but the best as you start your journey as Mr. and Mrs.

 Kristin... beyond gorgeous!

 amazing wedding party!

  Arthur Family, Thank you for being so welcoming and fun to hang with!

 I'll end with this because I think it shows how in love you both are :)

* jad

Olivia Ruby Evelyn Smith

June 6th, 2011 my life changed forever.
As we drove to the hospital that morning to be induced I was nervous, but after being a week overdue I was ready. I was ready for the pain (or so I thought). I was ready to finally lay eyes on my gorgeous little girl. I was ready to be a mother.

My labour was just over 4 hours, it was short but painful (I took the drugs lol) but at 4:18 when this little bundle was put into my arms, I could have done it all again in a heartbeat. Words cannot describe the feeling. The instant love that took place was incredible.

As I sit here and write this post,  a week and two days later I can't believe how fast time has gone by. It feels like yesterday that Matt and I found out we were expecting, and at the same time as we're getting into the swing of life with baby Olivia I can't seem to remember what our house smelled like before this sweet baby smell that now fills it, or how we filled our time before ogling over this little piece of perfection.

I am beyond blessed.

Here's a few images we've captured over the last week in our daily photoshoots (I couldn't ask for a better model :)

 *jad

secret keeper. // Peterborough, ON Photographer

He's such a bad secret keeper, he'll say its not true so i'll clarify - not secrets that others confide in him about, but his own secrets. He just wears the truth on his face. He's forgetful too so when he slips up and needs a quick cover, he just can't do it - everything's written there in that little smile and then his dash to the nearest exit.

When Matt proposed, it was all I imagined it to be. We went to a spot that was special to us, he said all these sweet and wonderful things, he even gave me this beautiful ring in an origami box he made the previous summer and saved for something as special as that day. It was all I imagined - perfection.

The not-so-perfect part? It wasn't exactly a surprise that our engagement was impending. Matt and I lived in a teeny tiny apartment, so teeny that our pantry was my shoe closet, and his dresser was the tv stand in our living room. One evening he was cleaning up after dinner and I was putting some of his laundry away when I noticed a shirt shoved into his short drawer. Now I'm a little bit of an organization and neat freak so naturally I yanked the shirt right out of that drawer and was about to give him a piece of my mind because I spent soo long colour co-ordinating his closet and organizing his dresser that he couldn't just take 1 second and hang his shirt up (of course in the correct colour quadrant of his closet -lol) When a wad of cash dropped to the floor. I was stunned, and as he turned around his face just dropped. I'm all like "whatttttt is thisss" he was speechless for a second, half smiling... then went into ridiculous story telling mode, telling me about his friend who had to remain nameless was in trouble and he had to hold the money and I think there was a biker gang involved in there somewhere, until he eventually grabbed the dog and ran outside.
He calls our moms and both tell him to just fill me in because really, what other ridiculous story could he tell me now. He comes back all sheepish and tells me his plans to get engaged and 3 months later I'm wearing his motorcycle on my finger and it has never been sooo sparkly.

Like I said he just can't keep the secret.
Last week he brings his lunch bag home from work and when I go to empty it, there's like a zillion magazines inside ... I ask what they are for, and his eyes dart to the door and he mumbles something about a work project, snatches the bag out of my hand and practically runs outside. He comes back inside a while later and was all "youuuu ruined my supriseee" and then tells me that he asked a colleague at work to give him copies of his company magazine (Ontario Out of Doors - which has hired me on few occasions to shoot for them) and he bookmarked every single photo of mine that was featured. He was going to surprise me with a scrapbook of all the photos that have been published.
But I haddddd to go and ruin it because I tried to unpack his lunch...

I love that you can't keep secrets like this, they make for funny stories and sweet memories :)

*jad

Besties - Emma, Jacob and Tessa // Peteborough ON Photographer

 This past long weekend I had the opportunity to photograph my neighbor Jacob again, but this time with his two besties - Emma and Tessa. The three have been friends since they were born, all just a few months apart. We started in the studio and then headed outside to grab a few shots while the weather held up.

 Nicole, Malissa and Stefanie -- I had so much fun hanging out with your little darlings, and I hope you all enjoy these images. I loved capturing them!

 I really love photographing kiddies around this age because they are so FULL of personality. You never know what kind of expression your going to get, which can cause a little anxiety but I enjoy images that aren't 'perfect'. I love when a little sassss and a lot of personality is in the photo, which you for sureee get in these shots :)

 I'll end with this because I just think it is the sweetest. Tessa's mom says shes like a mother hen, and I think this photo is just precious with her leading the way :)

**jad

Jacob // Peterborough Family Photographer

 

Let me first start by saying that Jacob is one of the cutest little boys EVER. Seriously, EVER! Nicole and Adam are my neighbors and Jacob is their sweet sweet son! Since moving into our house in November Nicole and Adam have been such a help to us and so welcoming that I decided to surprise them with some photos of Jacob. 

 

I loveeee little toesiesss

 looook at all the facess I got :)

 

Now I tried to be super sneaky and consult with Adams mom Kathy, who is also a neighbor and lives just across the road. Kathy and I set up a date and her and Jacob came over for some fun! I thought we were pretty stealth, but i think our cover was blown when Adam came home early and spotted Jacob in my backyard! It was a great time and I had a ton of fun with Jacob - he certainly kept me on my toes and I learned lots about tractors :)

 We moved inside to do a couple studio type shots, and boy was he the model!

 And I will end with this quick shot I got of Jacob and Grandma Kathy, I love how in the moment they are :)

Adam and Nicole (and Kathy) I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed capturing them :)
*jad

Jamie + Kristin Engaged // Peterborough Wedding Photographer

Jamie and Kristin are to be married June 18th (yes, THIS June 18th) So when they contacted me to be their wedding photographer I knew we had to hussle and get their engagement photos done like yesterday!

I met them first at their home on Rice Lake to discuss details and then on Sunday at one of my new favourite spots - Needlers Mill in Millbrook for their engagement photos. Let me just say that I adore both of them! Kristin and Jamie you are sooo down to earth and easy going, I had such a great morning photographing you! and you both are totally gorg!

eat your hearttts out kinda gorgeous!!!

When I asked how they met, both started giggling... They said friends set them up at party at Jamies place 4 years ago. After that initial meeting they went on a first 'real' date... Kristin giggles some more and asks Jamie if he remembers where they went, he says yes and then told me they went mini golfing. Cute, right?

Well, Kristin then describes how Jamie was getting frustrated and ended up throwing his little putter ... and hitting Kristin. Kristin saw past this moment and realized her forever was beginning with this passionate man.

 i cant get enough of youu twooo!

On June 18th, I have the honor of documenting their love on their wedding day. I have no doubt that this day will not only be filled with many laughs but also an enormous amount of love. Thank you so much for inviting me into your lives Kristin and Jamie, but for choosing me to be a part of this amazing day.

*jad

Four Weeks...

 

 These nine months have certainly been an experience of ups and downs for Matt and I, and I am so happy that he is the person starting this lifelong journey with me. We have both changed so much since finding out we were expecting and have gone through every emotion you can think of. I can admit that I  have definitely not gone easy on him.  I wouldn’t say I was ‘crazyyyy’ per say - and I’m sure Matt wouldn’t either -- if he knows whats good for him ;) but I have been known to be a little bossy and maybe(that’s a biggg MAYBE) a little demanding and he has taken it all with a smile (sometimes forced, I’m sure) and ice cream in hand.

It’s surprising how much life can change in just 4 weeks. I’m reminded of this daily as I wake up to see a basinet beside my bed, or when I walk downstairs and glance inside the pink nursery that will soon hold a tiny and perfect little girl. Our little girl…
When I found out I was pregnant, I was just four weeks along and now in just four weeks I will be a mother. I don’t know how to take on that role, but I know I have so much love and I hope that my love will be enough in those times when I struggle and don’t know what’s right or where my next steps leads.

 

 *jad

write the book you want to read.

As I was perusing through twitter today, I found this article and found it soooo interesting and funny that I decided to retweet and share it with you!

The author is a write but I think his lecture translate into most self employed businesses. I loved the slide, "write the book you want to read" this really speaks to me as I build my business because I want to capture images that tell a story and that put huge smiles onto my clients faces, but I also want to capture images that I love, and would love them if they were MY own wedding photos. I don't want to give a client images that I'm not satisfied with, I want to achieve not only a satisfaction from my clients but I want to fall in love with the images just as much as my clients have.

I think this also relates to having the right 'fit' and relationship with your clients. As much as the bride ( or groom!) chooses you as their photographer, you have to be comfortable with the relationship as well otherwise, both of you will be uncomfortable and chances are you won't deliver the images the client wants.

"We make art because we like art [so] Write the kind of story you like best."

(ps. this is a little fav from one of my weddings last summer! amazing couple!!)
*jad