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niagara escarpment

Fall Family Portraits – Kelso Conservation Area, Milton

May 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
genuine fall family photos milton

Autumn Leaves at Kelso Conservation Area Milton Autumn Family Portraits with stuffed dog

In October, I met the Sandau family at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, for a fall family portraits session, on the most gorgeous, unseasonably warm, evening. This was my first time visiting Kelso, so I excitedly arrived early to take a look around. I’d driven past the conservation/ski park a thousand times but never visited to see the beautiful views from the top of the Niagara Escarpment. With lots of vibrant orange and yellow leaves on the trees and ground, it was the perfect time of year to shoot family portraits high up at the top of the hill. Before you get to take in the breath-taking view, the hike up the trail will take the breath out of you – but it’s all worth it.

Autumn family portraits on cliff edge in Milton

Angela & Brian’s 7-year-old, Addis insisted on not leaving his stuffed dog, Barky, out of the family photos. Barky even got a new outfit to match for the occasion, so of course, he got his own solo portrait (which Angela noted made his day when he saw the resulting photos). The most perfect, golden, late-day sunlight made the beautiful fall colours pop and created a perfect atmosphere for a quiet evening hike.

Autumn family portraits on cliff edge in Milton Young boy family portraits on cliff edge in Milton Autumn family portraits in forest Young boy and mother laughing together Young boy laughing with parents during family portraits young boy with stick in forest in fall

After checking out the view, the four of us continued along the trail into the forest. There, Addis found a walking stick, which quickly became a stabbing stick. My favourite moment of the shoot was when I asked the trio to crouch down, along the trail, for a quick photo. Addis wrapped his arm around his mom, Angela’s neck and leaned into his dad, Brian. This motion pulled Angela off balance and the whole group would have toppled over if it weren’t for Brian swooping in to support the group. The near-disaster made for a shared hilarious, genuine moment of laughter and resulted in some of the best smiles of the day.

family portraits laughing with yellow leaves milton family portraits dabbing dance move young boy and father play rock paper scissors young boy get injured pulling wagon down hill

Addis beat Brian at rock-paper-scissors to get to be the one to retrieve their wagon from where it was abandoned earlier in the shoot. The small boy filled to the top with enthusiasm started down the hill with a bit too much speed, resulting in total loss of control of the vehicle and he had to bail before making it to the bottom. Thankfully, daredevil Addis made it out with nothing but a scratch on his leg and got to relax in the wagon all the way back down the trail.

It was such a pleasure to get to know the Sandau Family during their fall family portraits shoot and I’m looking forward to shooting an updated set of photos this year!

young boy relaxing in wagonAutumn Leaves at Kelso Conservation Area Milton

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Posted in: Family Portraits Tagged: autumn, kelso conservation area, milton, niagara escarpment

Granite Ridge Golf Club Wedding – Albatross Banquet Hall

April 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
mother of the bride helping bride with jewelry, wearing willow free robes
michele gomes and becky grimman make up artists getting bridesmaids ready

Marissa & Daniel’s beautiful wedding took place at Milton Ontario’s Granite Ridge Golf Club, which overlooks the hills of the Niagara Escarpment. Marissa & Daniel travelled from their home in Ottawa to say their vows closer to where their family and friends are. When I arrived at Marissa’s mother’s home, bridesmaid makeup was in full swing and the mood was incredibly calm, with a subtle undertone of nervous excitement. While the bridesmaids were given the final touches on their makeup, the mother of the bride helped her daughter complete her wedding day look. And, in turn, she helped her brother get his boutonnière attached.

mother of the bride helping with bride's veil
bride helping brother with his boutineer boutonnière

On my drive to Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, the skies opened up and an enormous amount of rain poured onto the streets. Knowing the couple had planned for an outdoor ceremony, I was upset that things hadn’t gone as Marissa & Daniel had planned. But as I entered the clubhouse, the reception hall had been set up beautifully for an indoor ceremony. By the time the ceremony was over, the sun had made an appearance and the ground managed to dry quickly, so thankfully we had the beautiful grounds of Granite Ridge to take formal photos, as planned.

guests before indoor wedding ceremony with seating sign
bride and groom walking down aisle with their mothers
indoor wedding ceremony at granite ridge golf club with sunflowers
best man gets wedding bands from pocket
bride during ceremony with blurry foreground
bride and groom's first kiss during ceremony and recessional at granite ridge golf club
granite ridge wedding party formal photos on golf course
bride and groom walking by pond with fountain at granite ridge golf club
wedding party formal group photo on golf course
bride and groom pond photo at granite ridge golf club pond
bride and groom casual photos
bride and groom stand by pond with fountain at granite ridge golf club
bride and groom walking by pond with fountain at granite ridge golf club
wedding party formal photos at front drive of granite ridge golf club

After Marissa & Daniel and I headed back inside, where their party had already started. The place settings and dessert table looked beautiful and before long, the guests of honour were announced into their reception, and began their first dance.

granite ridge golf club wedding reception table setting detail photo
wedding cake table detail photos with sunflowers
wedding reception guests candids
bride and groom's entrance into wedding reception
bride and groom's formal first dance during wedding reception
wedding party champagne toast during wedding reception
a guest steals the bride's shoe ukrainian tradition
bride laughs with wedding guests at reception
bride and groom romantic kiss by tree at sunset with lens flare

Between courses, I managed to sneak the newlyweds outside for a couple photos during golden hour, before the sun disappeared behind the escarpment. These were some of my favourite photos of the day. After speeches concluded, a couple more formal dances took place and the cake was cut, before the dance floor was officially opened, ready for the energetic party ahead. Congrats again to Marissa & Daniel, whose Granite Ridge Golf Club Wedding was truly beautiful!

Connect with me for more wedding photography information!

formal dances with bride's brother and groom's mother
bride and groom cake cutting at granite ridge golf club wedding
marissa & daniel's dance floor wedding reception
bride and groom kiss on granite ridge golf club dance floor

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Posted in: Wedding Tagged: albatross banquet hall, golf course wedding, granite ridge golf club, milton, niagara escarpment
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