exciting new venture!

Love is in the air!!

I am thrilled to announce that I will now be offering complete wedding photography services to lovebirds across Renfrew County, Ottawa and surrounding area!

My passion for telling stories through photographs has spilled over to help you preserve the beginning of a new chapter for two families as they join into one.  I am excited to offer unique, professional photos featuring all of the wonderful people in your lives and the special touches you've included in the celebration of your love and committment to each other.

Limited bookings for 2013 will be available which will allow me to focus my attention on each couple's needs and vision for their wedding memories.  As a special introductory offer, anyone who books with me by March 31, 2013 will receive a complimentary engagement session and customized guest book featuring the images from your session!

For further information and availability, let's chat by sending a note to photos (at) preciousgems (dot) ca.

our Toronto fire service graduate | Event Photography

Last Friday I had the privilege of attending the graduation of the 40 newest recruits to the Toronto Fire Services - one of the handsome graduates was my brother.  To say it was a proud moment for his big sister, mom and his fiancee is an understatement - our pride, emotion and excitement could not be contained as we watched this kid walk on stage and shake the hands of the Fire Chief and Mayor and place the spiffy cap proudly on his head.  He has trained hard, has been waiting for this day for more than two years and will now serve on the largest and busiest fire department in the country.

Mom got teary-eyed seeing him in his uniform for the first time.  <3

Big congratulations from his childhood neighbour, best friend and fellow Fire Fighter.

His buddy has recieved the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery.

Practicing up for the 2014 Firefighter's Calendar.  :)

My "baby brother."

All women love a man in uniform...

We are all overjoyed for you, little bro.  And I know your biggest fan was looking from above at his courageous son and will be by your side protecting you as you help the citizens of Toronto.  He always told you that if you believed it you could achieved it.  And you will always be one of our dad's greatest achievements.

a splash of colour

Our yard has exploded into an autumn colour wonderland.  The little fella walked down the trail with me yesterday collecting the prettiest leaves we could find and his big brothers followed behind on their bikes.  On feet or wheels, fall is certainly here - you can smell it in the air and see it blazing in the trees.

Time to head back.  I'm not sure why the big boys opted for their snowmobile helmets instead of the bike helmets?!

Taking a short rest... those little legs get tired after all of that running!

summer mode

July has come and gone in a blink ... practically every single day was filled with some place to go or something fun to do.  I am a summer girl to the core and have been basking in the summer heat in between working, celebrating birthdays, roadtrips, camping, celebrating our anniversary, a wedding, and keeping my little guys busy.  As a result, there's been very little time to blog.

I'm excited to see where the second half of Summer 2012 takes us...

together at sunset | Engagement Session

This is my best friend's little sister and her hubby-to-be who I will be seeing again in a few weeks as their wedding photographer! We had a fun evening along the tracks with a gorgeous sunset for their engagement shoot in beautiful Beeton, Ontario. These two lovebirds are so silly and the fact that they completely adore each other shines right through these photos.  I'm looking forward to seeing you both again on your big day!!

It's not very often I get the opportunity to capture a silhouette here among the tall pines and towering poplars, yet Beeton is the perfect spot for the creativity to flow at the end of a session.  :)

NOTE: train tracks are normally a dangerous location to photograph clients, but this particular line is completely safe -- the local steam train only rumbles into Beeton on Sunday mornings, much to the delight of my three boys! ;)

little sis has a new house | Ottawa Valley Child Photographer

And a big yard for peeking through the grass.  :)

Or running around... that works too.  Either way, their new home is lovely and the property is equally beautiful!!   (Not nearly as beautiful as my niece though!)

saturday night after sunset | Children Lifestyle Photos

It's been rainy all weekend which is a very welcomed thing for the dried out flower beds and gardens, even better for my avid fishermen.  We had won an awesome Fishing-themed gift basket at the kids' school fun event on Thursday and the boys have been begging to go down to the river ever since and test out some of the new gear.  It cleared up late in the day and made for a perfect evening with my boys at the water's edge.

These images also go to show that if you want great photos of your kiddies, get them involved with something they love to do. I'm all about letting life happen and capturing genuine moments; plus, I figured out long ago that my boys are much more cooperative when I have the camera out when I just let them do their own thing.  They were overly cooperative last night ... and I did happen to hear 'take my picture mom' a few times too.  Sometimes waiting around to catch fish isn't so bad!!  :)

Little Dude can't get there fast enough!

Loading up the lines.

Who's going to catch the big one??

Wilderness Chic (and one of the prize items).  Now I need to find at least two more of these stylish chapeaus because he was the only one who wasn't batting away the mosquitoes all night.  I wonder if they make them in pink?

My sweetie is in his happy place.  :)

R had caught a big sucker fish before his dad got this one, but we were able to reel this guy in pretty close to the shore and then let him back into the Madawaska.

Some of us get bored of fishing really quickly.

But everyone had a really fun night and a great sleep after all of that fresh air!!!  

just one.

One little guy with many different expressions... and I treasure images of my youngest's silly grins along with the more serious, soulful gazes.  Mr. Personality will turn five years old just over a month, so I'm trying to savour every moment with my little dude before he's a real 'big boy.'  

Radiant mom-to-be | Ottawa & Ottawa Valley Maternity Photographer

A very close friend of my sister-in-law and I spent a bit of time together last Sunday to capture her in all of her belly bump glory. I am fortunate to know the current owners of the farm where she grew up, so we were able to stop by and use the fields, barns, and beautiful country landscape where she used to play as a young girl as the backdrop for most of our session.  Thank you to the R family for being so kind and inviting A back to her 'home' for these special images.  :)

There happened to be some baby chicks (just born that morning!) that we got to cuddle... practicing up for the little one who arrives in a couple of weeks!