Why these 10 family photos are my favorites of 2019

What pops into your mind when you think about family photography? Everyone dressed in their best looking into the camera? Loads of smiling and hugging? Everything is beautiful and amazing? Right?

Well, if you've been following me for any length of time you already know that I'm just not into that. And of course, these images are gorgeous and there is a place and a time for this type of photography! But there is also so much beauty in our everyday lives and I'm here to make amazing photographs of it. Which also happens to be way easier on the kids, and by proxy, on you.

In 2019, I had the pleasure of being invited into the lives and homes of some incredible families where I was given the opportunity to photograph the beauty of their everyday lives. Here are my top ten photos from 2019 that prove family photography can be so much more interesting and unique than the color-coordinated portrait perfection you're used to seeing.

Literally my favourite family portrait of all time. This dad could not have been captured any better in a photo. He was so animated and engaged. And mom was just always so adorable looking in on the babe’s reactions. They were the sweetest family to work with and I love this beautiful carefree moment - which is now printed and hanging on their living room wall.

I made this photo during a motherhood session with the Fishgear family. Mama had just finished feeding the babe and dad was trying to get a bit of rest in where he could. I so remember rubbing my eyes like this dad is during those first few months of parenthood. It’s like exhaustion personified. I also love that we can feel a connection between them, but they’re not physically touching.

This was happening when I arrived for this family’s photo session. The mom had told me on the phone that this is how they start every day, but nothing could have prepared me for how beautiful the scene would be. There was gorgeous light coming in from the window and both of them were just so peaceful. I tiptoed to the corner of the open bedroom door. Dad opened one of his eyes ever so slightly. We exchanged a brief look and communicated in an instant “you stay right where you are and I’m going to make a beautiful photo for you.” Mission accomplished.

There is something incredibly special about the bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. These two were no exception. You could feel their connection from the moment they were in the same room. This family’s session was on a Friday, late afternoon. We headed to their local park, a place they spend a lot of time. The sun was beaming stunning golden light on us, and as grandma used all her strength to swing her granddaughter around in circles I sat on the ground and snapped until I made the perfect shot.

When this little one did not want to come inside, mom used her super magic counting powers to try and persuade her to change her mind. It didn’t work. I love making photos of real life parenting moments - you know - the ones full of tension and frustration that reflect what life is really like when you have a toddler trying to call the shots. They are incredible memories to have. Our future selves will thank us.

I made this photo as the family was trying to get themselves organized to go outside. I get lost in this image. I love the symbolism and storytelling that only this family would truly understand - which is partly what makes it incredibly special.

I made this photo of my friend who was in Israel visiting her family. She is elegant, brilliant and beautiful and I have always felt so much strength when I look at this photo. It will always be one of my favorites.

This is a photo of a mama nursing her one-week-old baby. I chose this composition because sometimes motherhood is lonely, sometimes we feel lost and fade into the background of our surroundings. This photo makes me feel the way I felt when I was a new mom - overwhelmed and lost. We were tiny and the world was big and often scary. It's one of the first images I ever made with very specific intention.

Photographing details is one of my favorite things. I just love those fresh baby skin folds, those wrinkles and the way his neck is leaning backwards ever so slightly but still being supported by mama’s hands.

I made this photo of my grandma when we went home for Christmas. She is a painter and lover of tiny water bottles, which she carries everywhere. Everything about this photo makes me feel like she is right here beside me and not living an ocean away. This was also my first attempt at making an environmental portrait - which is a portrait of a person in an environment that they have a connection to.

Family photography is more than just about what you looked like, it's about your relationships and your daily routines; it's about your home and places you love to go; it's the way your son twirls his hair when you're reading him a book and the "I want to do it by myself" phase your daughter is going through that means her pants are perpetually on backward.

Your everyday life is beautiful, document it. You can hire me or make amazing photos yourself using your smartphone. You may think you're living room is a mess now, but in ten years, you'll be thankful to have the memory.

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