The Family That Laughs Together... | Kitchener Family Photographer

I am not sure I have ever laughed quite so much as I did with this awesome family.  We met through our kids, who go to the same school, and many shared times of fun and laughter have followed.  We met up on an absolutely perfect Thursday evening in nearby West Montrose, at the property of their dear friend and made our way into the patches of light that seemed to filter through the trees everywhere in the most glorious way.  Woodpiles, a pond for fishing and a cozy hammock all added to the spectacular backdrop to capture the love of this family. The thing I love most about photographing families is finding the unique dynamic and vibe that each family brings in front of my camera.  This family definitely brings silliness, fun and a relaxed mojo to everything they do together and don't take life too seriously, which is exactly how I roll too.  And can I just say, they executed a tickle fight better than anyone else I have yet met.  Future families, the bar is HIGH. We ended the night with an epic dance party, with a 5-year-old dabbing and a lot of booty-shaking.  AWESOME.

Thank you all for braving the mosquitos, dodging the thistles and basically putting up with me for two hours.  I loved every minute and I am pretty sure we need to do this again.  Same time next year?

M xo

Carri + Graham | Doon Wedding Chapel | Kitchener Elopement Photographer

Carri & Graham had the most simple and lovely elopement at Doon Wedding Chapel in Kitchener on what happened to be the HOTTEST day of the year so far.  You would never know though, the way these two smiled, snuggled and loved their way through our time together.  The best part about a really small wedding like this is the chance to really focus on photographing the couple and their connection, which is absolutely my favourite part of any wedding day. The bride had the most beautiful knee-length dress that showed off her hourglass figure and killer pink pumps.  The groom looked dapper in his deep blue suit and brown wing-tips, with a matching watch and a white rose boutonniere.  We hit the trails along nearby Schneider's Creek to make the most of the lush green trees, trailing vines and blooming phlox.  We even found a cool, rusty, arched gateway and serene bench, which was much needed to get off our feet and out of the sun for a few moments.

Thank you Carri + Graham for asking me to be there to capture all of the moments of your day, enjoy your time in Texas!

M xo

Matt + Lauren | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

Matt + Lauren had the most perfect summer day for their wedding.  Not too hot but not cold either, a miracle for early August.  I started out at Matt's parents' house to capture him getting ready, his sweet Grandma helping him follow the directions for a tricky full Winsdor tie knot and him looking dapper in his custom suit.  I then made my way to Lauren's parents' house, where Lauren was getting into her seriously gorgeous blush princess dress.  With help from her sisters and mom (as well as a well-wishing neighbour), she strapped on her yellow pumps and she was ready to go! The ceremony and reception were held at the quaint and lovely Detwiler Meeting House just outside of Roseville. where we did their engagement photos the year before, but now it was surrounded by tall corn fields and streaming with summer light.  Their ceremony was simple, heartfelt and full of love.  After we worked our way around the property, capturing them in the bliss of newlywed love, playing some lawn Jenga along the way, they headed inside the tent to celebrate with their friends and family with a mashed potato bar and lots of other awesome nosh.  The selfie booth was a big hit and when the S'mores bar got set up, I knew it was going to be a great night.  I made my exit (mouth full of S'mores) and left them to dance the night away.

Thank you Matt + Lauren for making me a small part of your day and for being so welcoming and kind.

M xo

Carolyn & Craig | KW Wedding Photographer

Carolyn + Craig could not have chosen a better day to get married at the Elm Hurst Inn - blue skies, sunshine and temperatures that were not totally freezing all made for a beautiful backdrop for their union.  Having met at work, this sweet, loving couple chose to share their day with just their family in a small, really intimate ceremony full of love and emotion that had me tearing up. With lovely personal touches, from the simply beautiful flowers,  and the rings made by Carolyn's dad, it was all just perfect. We spent lots of time wandering the grounds, enjoying the sunshine and staying as warm as we could, and their quiet love and devotion to one another was evident as they cuddled and laughed together to ward off the chill.  These are the kinds of weddings that I just adore, where we get to spend time just photographing the love between the couple and focus on what brought them together.  If you haven't heard me say it before, I LOVE small weddings.  Like, the tinier the better.  I enjoy bigger weddings too, but there is something about a day with just a handful of guests and lots and lots of love and laughter that gets me every time.

Thank you both for laughing at my lame jokes and for braving the cool spring air to get these images with me.  Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and togetherness.

M xo

Pamela + James | Kitchener Couples Photographer

I met Pamela + James at their chic downtown Kitchener condo to take some images with their beloved pets, a Great Dane pup and blue-eyed Siamese cat, before we headed out to capture some of the two of them on their own.  It is always a fun and unique challenge to include pets in a session, as they each have their own quirks and personalities to show off! Once the pets had made it clear that they had had enough, the three of us headed out to explore the lanes and alleyways of downtown, where textures and colours abound.  That is one of my favourite things about urban sessions, the abaility to change up the entire look and mood just by turning a corner!

Thank you both for braving the cold with me, it was such a fun day.  Can't wait to see these images up in your new home!

At Home Together | Kitchener Family Photographer

There is something so magical about photographing a family in their home.  In their every day space, comfortable and relaxed, leaving room for them to just be themselves in front of the camera.  Of course, there are still those little awkward moments, when people aren't sure if they should DO something for me, but those mostly I get to just follow everyone around and capture the magic that happens.  The little details of their abode, the way they make coffee, the glasses left on a shelf all make the story full and fantastic too. This year I really want to do more of these kinds of sessions, to tell the story of a family in their home and space and a Saturday afternoon session on a mild March day with one of my fave families was the perfect way to get kick it off!  I have known Martina (a brilliant wedding photographer who rocks film!) for about 5 years and she is one of my dearest friends and biggest supporters.  Her kind and wonderful hubby and spunky little red-haired girl are such a welcoming, fun family that I knew they would make my job pretty easy.  Not to mention their seriously gorgeous home in Petersburg (talk about #house goals) and lovely country property and we had a winning formula from the start!

I am excited to share these image with you all - get ready to soak up all the love and light that is the Wendland family!  And if this looks like exactly what you want your family photos to look like, we need to chat.  At home sesions are filling fast for this year! :)

M xo

Carl + Carla | At-Home Wedding | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

Sometimes I book a wedding having never met the couple in person.  Though I had chatted on the phone with Carla prior to the day, I still wasn't sure exactly what to expect, besides a small wedding taking place at her sister and brother-in-law's home just outside of Guelph. What I walked into was a warm, exceptionally welcoming family who came together to pull off a spectacular, intimate and beautifully-detailed wedding.  I met Carl and Carla's handsome little men, who brought laughter and a touch of rambunctious energy to the proceedings. Both of their families were kind and full of love and support and I knew that this was going to be a really amazing day.  Boy, was I right!

First of all, it is pretty hard to go wrong in a stunning home like this.  A really cool, dark bar, a brand new and unoccupied horse barn as well as elegantly appointed rooms throught the home made my job pretty easy.  Even their carport woodpile made for a simple and cool backdrop!

Of course, the bride in her blush pink gown and the groom in his crushed velvet smoking jacket were blowing the place up with how damn good they looked and their boys in bow ties and skinny jeans with converse were beyond adorable.  I also loved that they asked their guests to wear black, lending a really elegant touch and giving the whole day a real feeling of togetherness.  Despite the frigid January temperatures, we got some really lovely images and everyone was happy to be wrapped up in their furs and blankets for the outdoor fireside ceremony.  I was laughing and crying behind the camera, always a sign of a truly beautiful day.

Thank you Carl, Carla and boys for welcoming me into your wedding day and into your hearts, I look forward to many years of photographing you all!  Cottage this summer?

M xo

Krista + Alex | Kitchener Engagement Photographer

I met Alex & Krista at the beautiful location for their wedding this summer, Ball's Falls Conservation Area.  Yes, we laughed every time we said it, but seriously, this is a gorgeous location!  With historical buildings and forested haunts, we had plenty of room to roam. Even though they were nervous that they would be awkward or shy in front of the camera, these two brought their A-game to this session, snuggling and laughing and not taking themselves too seriously.  The BEST.  I think they even surprised themselves by how damn hot they looked together, but I knew that their chemistry and love for one another was genuine and authentic and that always shows through on camera.  High school sweethearts, this fab couple are perfect for each other.

I am looking so forward to photographing their wedding in July, to celebrate their love and new life together as friends and loves.  I am so grateful to call them friends now and I hope they know they won;t get rid of me any time soon!

M xo

2015 Year in Review | Kitchener Family Photographer

I can hardly believe that 2015 is coming to an end. What a year! I don't know what else to say to you all but THANK YOU.  Truly, I feel so blessed to have been a part of so many beautiful moments of love, connection, laughter and fun.  Between simple, heartfelt weddings full of love and high-energy, laughter-filled family sessions, I hardly know how to count my blessings. This coming year promises to be another one full of great memories, moments of love and joy, and watching people let their happy shine.  The weddings I have this year make me giddy with excitement and I simply can't wait to see all of my favourite families, another year older but with the some love and laughter that holds them together. This year I want to explore those places and moments that make a family or a couple who they are.  You backyard, a favourite park, going for ice cream, a day at the beach - whatever it is that defines your life and love.  Because those every day moments are where some of the best memories lurk, just waiting to be captured.

So if you want to continue on this adventure with me, I can't wait to find adventure with you and those you love the most.  Let your happy shine and I will find a way to catch it for you.

See you all in 2016!

M xo

Leaves are Delicious | Kitchener Family Photography

Here is another on of my favourite families, supporters and cheerleaders who have my work in frames on nearly every wall of their home.  Family, engagement, wedding, maternity and now again as a bigger family, I have been fortunate enough to watch them build a wonderful life together, full of happiness, planning binders and lots of hugs. We met in Waterloo on what turned out to be a rather windy, chilly day, but we managed to get a few photos done between Jack's leaf-eating and "Mandy Face" scowl before heading home to thaw out and take a few more while they relaxed together for a bit.

I am so thankful to you all for continuing to trust me to capture your family memories, year after year.  I love you all and next time just make sure that Jack gets the memo that we LOVE Mandy!

M xo

Welcoming Kiaan | Kitchener Family Lifestyle Photographer

I have been photographing this lovely family (now dear friends) since their oldest was just 4 months old and now they have welcomed a new son!  I was thrilled to meet their new addition and to capture som images of them in their Waterloo home with their new little man as a family. I loved watching his big brother hold him and give him tender (well, mostly tender) kisses and seeing his parents eyes light up when he looked at them with his big brown eyes.  Sure, those first few weeks are trying, sleep-derived, hard-to-adjust, all-new learning curve times, but I think it is so wonderful to get in there and have those first days captured so that when he is growing bigger and no longer wants to be held, they can look back and remember the way it was. One day, the perfect swaddle or hair spike or outfit will all be a memory, except for these photos.  That is something to cherish.

Love you all to bits and I can't wait to keep watching your handsome boys grow and flourish.

M xo

Fall Fun on the Farm | Kitchener Lifestyle Documentary Photographer

Well this is just one of my very favourite families.  They came to me first as clients but have quickly blossomed into friends.  I feel so lucky to have them in my life and also so fortunate that they are kind enough to send their friends my way for sessions.  I am blessed. I also happen to love going out to their beautiful farm, where locations abound and fun is never far behind.  Of course, after we had to have a leaf fight with all of the gorgeous orange maple leaves lying about, a fight that poor Mom lost quickly against all of her enthusiastic boys.  We also headed to a nearby woodlot to take some more...er, tame? shots of them all together, but with boys you never know what is going to happen.

Thank you all for being my cheerleaders, supporters and above all, friends.  I am so happy I am able to photograph the love you all have as a family.  Such a priviledge.

M xo

Love + Laughter | Kitchener Family Photography

I met this family by way of the fact that our kiddos attend the same school.  Leila is a member of the school council and our mutual friend was the chair, so we ended up working alongside one another on the year-end fun fair and got to know each other.  We had been planning a session together for awhile but just hadn't made it happen yet, but after they put in the winning bid on the session I donated to the fun fair last spring, we got the push we needed! Even though it was an early-morning meet up and we were all still a little groggy, we quickly got into having some fun!  These kids were some of the best listeners I have ever photographed and were more than willing to throw leaves, give piggybacks and just be silly, but only when I asked them to.  So awesome.

We lucked on such a beautiful, colourful day with tons of leaves and lovely soft light.  And I am so glad we did.

Thank you all for being the BEST.  We definitely need to do this again!

M xo

Ben + Melissa | Engaged | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

I was so excited when Melissa connected with me about photographing her wedding next summer.  She is one of my former students, from back in the day when I was a massage therapist and taught at a local massage therapy college.  I love keeping in touch with my students as they build their careers and grow their families.  I knew Melissa especially well as she was once part of my "Mandy Monday" student clinic crew and always stood out as a diligent, hard-working student. When she and Ben let me in on their plans for their wedding, I knew it was going to be right in my wheelhouse - backyard, candlelight, relaxed and intimate.  YES PLEASE!  We decided to meet up on a brisk fall evening in Stratford to take some engagement photos so I cold meet Ben and we could catch up a little bit.

I absolutely love this couple's playful, loving connection - they joke around and laugh together constantly, and have a spark that will surely lead to the fire of a super awesome marriage.  And we were so lucky to catch the leaves right at the perfect time for beautiful colour and rich texture, a bonus for sure.

Thank you both for being so open, honest and full of laughter, I can't wait to photograph your wedding in August! And Ben - I will do my best to keep your head in most of the wedding photos... ;)

M xo

Energy Abounds | Kitchener Family Photography

One thing I feel so grateful for is clients who refer me to their friends and family and this awesome family came to me as a result of the kind words of my friend Julie.  Thank you thank you, thank you! I met this lovely little family on a sunny, warm night in Stratford and after being prepared by Mom that her son was full of energy, I got right down to the business of chasing him as he climbed trees, found sticks, cartwheeled, tossed leaves, climbed the play center and generally had a blast!  His mom and dad are so devoted to him and you can feel all of their love so completely when they are all together.  I love when a session just flows from one thing to the next and this one did just that.

Thank you all for being so willing to get silly, covered in leaves and just have fun. See you next year!

M xo

Fall Colours | Kitchener Family Photographer

It is always fun to photograph the family of another photographer, since I know how hard it can be to remember to get in front of the camera when you are so used to be being behind the lens.  I met Heather and her family in Cambridge on a lovely Friday evening for some fun and laughter.  They were dressed perfectly to coordinate with the dreamy fall colours and even with a bit of wind to battle, we managed to get some silly, playful photos for them to replace the ones on the walls from our session a couple of years ago! I love seeing how kids grow and mature from session to session and her adorable kiddos were no exception - they were so awesome and great listeners, which makes my task exponentially easier.  Sometimes being a "photographer's kid" has its perks!

Thank you Bakers for being so fun and for not laughing too hard when I managed to fall over instead of running towards you... ;)

M xo

Brittany + Elroy | iPhone Wedding Photography

You know I love my iPhone.  I take so many images on it and have such a blast breaking boundaries and trying new things with it, since it allows me to just be creative without a ton of technical settings to fiddle with each time.  I have been considering photographing a wedding with my iPhone for a little while and in September I decided to throw the idea out into the world to see what would fly back to me. What flew back to me were two of the sweetest, most fun and relaxed people I could have ever imagined.  Brittany connected with me over the Labour Day weekend in response to my call out, basically open to whatever I had in mind, including the wedding date! So we selected a date that worked for all of us, which happened to be about two weeks after our first chat and she and Elroy started planning the day.  For my part, I knew that I wanted to make the most of this for them, checking out different iPhone shooting techniques online and pre-scouting the location they chose for the best little spots to capture the moments.

Finally the big day arrived and I knew as soon as we all met in person that they were the perfect couple for this little whimsy of mine.  They laughed at my jokes, didn't take themselves too seriously and had a loving supportive family to witness their simple, lovely ceremony.

Once they were wed, they gave me free rein to take them wherever my heart desired, so we hit downtown Kitchener to check out various parking lots and back alleys and just have a damn good time.  They playfully ran together, let me flash them in the bushes and braved darkened warehouses.  In short, they were PHENOMENAL.

I asked them to tell their story for the blog, so that they could share in their own words why they decided to participate in this project with me.  Here is what they had to say:

"We have known each other through friends of friends for a long time. We started dating in 2010. Three months into our relationship we went to Cuba for a week.. something Elroy’s friends asked him if he was sure about it... they asked, “This soon?” That was a big step in our relationship.

After a year, we both knew we wanted to buy a house. After we had been in the house for a while, we knew we wanted a baby. Baby before marriage, not a route most people would prefer. At the time we weren’t too big on marriage, starting a family was our priority.

We eventually came around to the idea of tying the knot. We knew there can be a lot of stress surrounding a big wedding – that was what we wanted to avoid. Our families knew we wanted something small and simple. Not everyone was happy about it, but this was the way we wanted to celebrate our love.

We kept talking about getting married, we took a trip to Asia and even thought about doing it there, but we didn’t... (Brittany thinks Elroy was still nervous!)  Labour day weekend, Elroy says “I think we should get married in September”. Brittany’s priority was making sure she got her hair done. Luckily Brittany’s hair stylist, Hollie, is also her friend and was more than willing to squeeze her in for the special event. Hollie also happens to follow Mandy on social media and she put us in touch when Mandy’s status said she was looking for a laid-back wedding to shoot with her iPhone.

We checked out Mandy’s portfolio… we felt her work was so genuine and candid, like she was a professional at freezing special moments in time. We got in touch with Mandy and told her we were so laid back that we didn’t even have a date yet. She chose September 25 (good choice Mandy, the weather was great!). We had 2 weeks to make arrangements : get rings, a dress, a marriage licence and an officiant. We invited our parents.

By talking to Mandy on the phone, we got to know her sense of humor.  Brittany laughed the day of when everyone was there but Elroy & Mandy jokingly asked if the groom was coming. We had a beautiful and brief ceremony at Rockway Gardens in Kitchener. After that we went with Mandy to take pictures. She had us laughing the entire time! Elroy doesn’t usually like getting his picture taken, but he said everything with Mandy was so natural – it didn’t feel like a photoshoot!"

I felt the exact same way you guys - just like hanging out with firends and taking some pictures.  Pretty darn awesome.

Thank you so much Brittany + Elroy for being so open, genuine and willing to go on this adventure with me!

M xo

(All images taken with an iPhone 6 and edited using the VSCOcam app.)

Kim + James | Backyard Wedding | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

When I met Kim + James for the first time in person at their engagement session, I knew immediately that I was going to have a blast photographing their wedding.  And I was right. Held in their gorgoues country backyard in lovely Orillia, it was a laid-back but beautifully-detailed affair, with their amazing friends pitching in to get the last minute decorations and plans completed before the ceremony, scurrying in and out of the tent, watching the skies carefully, fingers-crossed against the rain.

I loved watching the tender moments of this day unfold, Kim's dad seeing her in her dress for the first time and her friends presenting a hilarious and touching scrapbook of their adventures together.  James arrived with his gang of groomsmen in tow, looking nervous but ready.  The boys quickly found themselves put to work, wiping damp seats and finding extra umbrellas, as the rain began to fall shortly before the ceremony was due to begin.

But right when Kim was going to make her walk down the forest aisle, the rain let up and the skies cleared.  After they exchanged their vows (sealed with a kiss and a high-five), we gathered for a group photo, a few family photos and a speech by Kim's bestie before driving just up the road to begin the bridal party photos.  Beer and canapes made this go smoothly, with their great group of friends joking and laughing and just having a blast.  It is always such a relief as a wedding photographer to have a group that is willing to be relaxed and go-with-the-flow, much easier than stiff and nervous.

After we finished with the big group, we took a few minutes to capture the bride & groom on the beautiful old farm property (directly across from the famous Webers, a popular stop on the way to the Muskokas).  We hit the reception for a little while and then snuck out quickly to get the sunset shots the bride was dying for and the string-lights shot that I wanted.  Overall, it was a simply phenomenal day. One that I smiled about all the way home to Kitchener.

Thank you, Goose & Gander for your trust, your warm welcome and for just being plain awesome.

M xo

One Year with Pigtails | Kitchener Family Photography

Miss Kate is ONE!  I met up with this family to photograph her in mama's tummy, just after her birth and now she celebrated her first year, all chubby cheeks and pigtails.  We had an absolutely gorgeous night romping around the Adamson Estate, after Mom proposed that we duplicate a few of their favourite wedding photos taken there a few year before (and now significantly different with two kiddos in the mix) as a neat comparison of their lives before and after their family grew. The light was gorgeous, the sun beamed down and the snacks were eaten with relish.  But when it gets down to it, we just plain had FUN.  We ran and laughed and acted silly, eliciting smiles and a few odd looks to be sure, but in the end the true love and happiness this family shares shines through.  And I am all about letting your happy shine. :)

Thank you all for your kindness, laughter and for trusting me to be there for the important moments in the life of your family.  And for the pumpkin "cakies" - they made the trip home delightful.

M xo

Built with Love | Kitchener Family Photography

What can I say about this wonderful family?  I have been welcomed into their home and hearts since I was eight years old, my friendship with Jaime spanning 28 years and the ups and downs of middle school, high school, university, marraige, babies and all that life has thrown us in between.  When she asked me to photograph her entire family in celebration of her parents being wed for forty years, I was so thrilled and excited.  There is something so special about photographing the family that two people have built with their love and commitment to one another over that period of time. Of course, photographing friends that you have known and loved for years comes with its own special set of challenges, namely that she and I can't keep ourselves from dissolving into fits of laughter at the drop of a pin, joking easily and slipping into our high school-selves at times.  Fortunately, her parents, sister, kids & nephews know me well enough to laugh along with us or roll their eyes at our silliness.

We met on a perfect, warm evening at nearby Rockway Gardens in Kitchener, a special location for Mr & Mrs B., who had their wedding photos taken in the same spot 40 years before.  As the sun dipped behind the beautifully-tended gardens and walls, we hugged and reminisced and played with the kids, all trying to make sure that we did what were there to do and not just visit.  We only had to take a couple of breaks, one specifically when Sam managed to get poked in the eye and Nana came to the rescue with a cold water bottle, and one when Jaime and I got laughing so hard at her foray into the leafy jungle that we couldn't breathe.

Thank you Brunens for always being a part of my life and for being another family to me.  And for paying for ice cream after the session.  That was a pretty awesome surprise.

Love you all,

M xo