Courtenay family photographer - let them be little - Bellaphoto

This session took place in a pretty dark time in the children's photography community. while I was planning my yearly Back To School sessions, there was an outcry about sexualization of children in the industry. Having children as young as 2 or 3 in a smokey eye and hot pants. soon unnecessary. I wanted this session to be as pure and simple as childhood can be. I allowed my daughter to dress and style this children's photo session. And.. of course, the biggest part about being the child of a photographer.. the bribery. She was promised a trip to our favourite place in Black creek, the Mini golf course for ice cream! I think the sweetness and simplicity of this session made if one of my favourites of the summer.

Courtenay children's photographer- Back to School session - Bellaphoto

Every time I do this gorgeous girl's photos, I have no idea why I include any color images? Her momma and Dad are HUGE fans of Black and white children's portraiture! The images covering their walls are all crisp back and white image, and this Back to school session was no different. 

"When you photograph people in colour you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and White, you photograph their soul"

Courtenay baby photography - Pretty in Pink - Bellaphoto

Milestone session <3 Also known (by me) as "tiny session" capturing your little one, as they are.

Until about the age of two babies faces, expressions, personality is constantly changing, monthly! But about 2 you can kind of see the person they are becoming, but before that, its a constant surprise! (this is my professional theory lol)

I love when parents bring their babies in for these simple baby photography sessions.

This little muffin was looking especially adorable in a gorgeous tutu from her grandma. 

Courtenay maternity photographer - B family session - Bellaphoto

So the worst thing that could happen to a photographer.. okay ONE of the worst things that could happen to a photographer happened to me... That panic inducing, heart pounding, worst thing. My freaking hard drive failed. okay TWO harddrives failed.  I lost EVERYTHING.. Or did I? THANK SWEET BABY JESUS. I have Backblaze. This probably sounds like an ad for Backblaze and you know what. It basically is. My hard drive and externals were mirrored on a cloud back. Within a week I had an new external with ALL my old files!!  So of course, what do I do? Take a stroll down memory lane, and come across this STUNNING studio maternity session. 

Love these faces.

Comox valley newborn photographer - Smiley baby - Bellaphoto

 As a professional newborn photography in the Comox Valley, I KNOW that smiles in newborn usually mean gas, why? Okay I don't know that lol, but I know it does. But does that mean it means any less to an adoring parent to see their tiny newborn with a big smile on it's face. NOPE! This babe gave us so many smiled. And it melted mine, and her parents hearts.

 

Courtney newborn photographer -my favourite newborn photo of 2018 - bellaphoto

Client privacy is totally important to me. I have heard of photographers charging a fee to keep the images private, which to me is completely redix, When these lovely momma's mentioned they didn't want their photos shared, I had no problem with that whatsoever.... Then I saw this image.
I am completely in love with the simplicity. Safe in momma's arms, slight smile. LOVE LOVE!
And i was even more excited when I mentioned this to the momma's and they said it was fine if i shared this image!!! <3 This is my favourite photo of 2018 and I am SO glad I can share it with you.

Couple photography - Comox Valley - Bellaphoto.

I think this was possibly a first... A husband that booked the session. He had recently seen my images after losing a work colleague  and asked me to capture his soon to growing family. I have to admit when I saw his GORGEOUS wife. My brain went YES! she is Beautiful!!!

but then after talking to her for only a few minutes I realized the true depth of her beauty. Her inside is just as gorgeous as her outside. We talked about their life together as a military family at CFB comox, I met their adorable rescue dogs. Saved from a medical testing facility. and the most exciting we talked about their journey through the adoption process..

And as of last week.. that dream became a reality, as they met their new daughter. 

Basically it's all awesome. 

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Como Valley Newborn Photographer - floral session - Bellaphoto

I don't know if it's the season or what, but for the first time EVER every store I went to was sold out of babies breath! But I had a vision, I love flowers and babies... the freshness and softness they give.

Finally after begging and pleading, I finally found a shop that had some squirrelled away in the back, and was able to help me out.. and I have to say it created one of my favourite images ever! The great thing about babies breath is that hung for a few days it creates a dry flower that can be used over and over again, as long as you are careful (it basically turns to dust when handled roughly).

Loving these perfect newborn baby session<3 

Courtenay Newborn photographer 

Mom and baby poses are my favourite 

safe in dad's arms 

The Hardest Blog I have ever written - Bellaphoto

It's taken me months to write this... It still doesn't feel real, and if someone had told me this story I would call bullshit.. but it happened to me. and I know the realness.
SOMETHING put me in this spot. Something made this session happen.

My heart broke.

Prepare the tissues.

Last summer  I was booked for a family session in Cumberland. I showed up at the beautiful location, the lighting was great, it was perfect.

Then as the client was supposed to arrive I got a text saying she couldn’t make it.

I was sitting there on this log, not a person in sight. Then something popped in my mind. The next people to walk by this remote spot we’re getting a free family session... why not turn this situation in to something good.
I could have gone home, I could have gone out for coffee  with a friend while I was in town...

But as I say and talked to my photography bestie Jennifer Traylor Photography, and I said "that's it, if someone walks by in the few minutes they are getting a family session!"

Suddenly this couple and their daughter appeared. Like this spot is off a weird trail, in kinda the middle of nowhere.

“Helooooo” I said, and explained who I was and that my client was unable to come and would they like family photos. The mom looked a little confused and the dad was like YES! It was funny, and awkward, and they were so so cute. They had recently relocated to town as the dad was stationed here in the military.

I came home and edited a bunch. Y’all the dad and the baby were the cutest ever. Their connection was undeniable. I kept saying "these are going to be at her wedding".

About a month later I  got a msg from her.
He passed away last week... he was involved in a fatal car accident.
These are the last photos they have of him.
This is how they will remember him.

I read her message over and over again. How was this possible? He was so young, so healthy.. he had a family.  It was first thing in the morning when I read the message.. Maybe "fatal" doesn't mean what I think it means...

What WEIRD acts of fate had to happen for me to be there, and the stars to align.

She told me I am her angel 😭😭

I can't even begin to articulate how heartbroken I am for this family, but how at awe I am.. that SOMETHING put my there, to capture this for them ❤
If you have it in your heart to help this beautiful baby and her momma out ❤️
https://www.gofundme.com/kalend-rocheleau-family-fund

Courtenay maternity photographer - mountain session - Bellaphoto

Mountain maternity session

An outdoor session in January is pretty hit or miss. This gorgeous momma to be and I were texting and emailing all day, "should we or shouldn't we" the clouds were dark but it was showing a dry day. Finally we decided, lets roll the dice and see how the weather pans out. I Couldn't be happier, as I pulled up to their amazing Merville Property, the clouds parted, and the sun snuck out behind Mount Washington. It was magical. It doesn't hurt when you have an amazing 50 acre farm property in the Comox Valley. This maternity session was magical.