Tag Archives: Waterloo portrait photographer

Announcing Incandescent Boudoir Sessions

Together, Cailey Brammer and I are pleased to offer you Incandescent Boudoir Sessions this Mother’s Day weekend. Let’s see what’s possible when two experienced creative professionals team up for light and airy styled boudoir photos at our home studio in Kitchener, Ontario.

Boudoir photography is one of the best gifts a woman can receive. Treat yourself, or surprise the lady in your life with a gift neither one of you will ever forget. These photo sessions promise to be a delightful experience for all involved.

Have you been hanging around the boudoir pool for awhile now? Maybe dipped your toes in once or twice? Well this is the perfect opportunity to dive in headlong. Let us transform you into the most lovely version of yourself while you enjoy a glass of Champagne and unwind. We’ll help you with styling and fashion and beauty advice every step of the way, so that by the time you get in front of the camera, you’ll already be glowing.

After an hour getting beautified, and unlimited access to our modern/vintage wardrobe, we’ll move on to the photography. Most of my clients come to me with absolutely no modeling experience. Sure it helps to know your angles, but its really not necessary to capture beautiful images and see yourself in a whole new light. Together, we’ll work through a variety of poses designed to flatter your particular shape. All body types welcome here! Wear as much or as little clothing as you like. We’ll have time for several outfit changes.

Our Incandescent sessions will involve lots of bright white light, simple backdrops and a focus on you. We will have a faux bed setup, window light, and satiny white sheets. To give these images a touch of personality, we’ll also use a turquoise ombre wall and oversize tropical leaves for some images. What to wear? Think cream, blush, pink, soft baby blue, lavender and turquoise.

Since these sessions are happening Mother’s Day weekend, smart participants will plan to make the most of their hair and makeup investment. After your session, why not wrap up your day with a nice dinner or a get together with your loved ones? Show them how good you look after spending a morning or an afternoon on self-love.

When you sign up for an Incandescent Session, Cailey will help you reveal your outer beauty, and I’ll help you capture your inner beauty. You’ll be amazed what the combination of professional styling, proper lighting and posing can do for your image, and for your self esteem.

By the way, Cailey has a GORGEOUS new website that just went live. Have you visited caileybrammer.com yet? You really must go check out her work so you can see exactly what kind of expertise Cailey will will bring to our Incandescent Sessions. Oh yes, and let’s not forget the handmade floral crowns we will have on hand. Because fresh florals make everything more lovely. For Incandescent Sessions, I’ll be turning to the experts at From the Potting Shed to put together these important finishing touches.

After your session is complete, you’ll have 30 days to pick your favourite photos from a private online proof gallery. You’ll receive 3 digital portraits, edited to your specific taste. Of course once you see your proofs, there’s always the option to purchase extra digital images, or create customized art like a wooden print or a personalized mini album. Keep it simple with digital files, or take this opportunity to create a keepsake you’ll treasure for decades to come.

Won’t you join us? Now booking May 13th and May 14th sessions. Visit our Facebook event page for available time slots and all the most up to date information on Incandescent Sessions.

E-mail emily@emilybeatty.com to reserve your spot today. Nine spaces remaining!

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Springtime Florals, From The Potting Shed

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On Sunday, it finally felt like spring was about to make her debut. For months now I’d been meaning to drop in and check out the floral experts at From The Potting Shed, and Sunday, at last, the stars aligned, the sun came out, and we we able to meet the team at their monthly open house. What a breath of fresh air! Visiting this stone cottage was the perfect way to start spring 2017. Finding the location in Galt, Cambridge was a bit of a challenge, but once my husband and I arrived it was easy to see why the business has chosen to call this spot home. The abundant natural lighting alone was enough to make me swoon. Add heaps and heaps of blossoms, and I felt like I’d found a little slice of heaven perched on a hilltop in Cambridge.

My mom is somewhat of an aspiring florist and I had hoped to bring her along for the tour, but that aspect of our plans didn’t work out. Luckily I had my camera bag with me, as we were en route to my grandmother’s birthday party. After our complimentary tour, I couldn’t help but ask the owners if I could snap a few shots, and they were gracious enough to allow me 10 minutes with my camera and their florals. I’m sharing these images because they are beautiful, but also so my mom can see what she missed while she was busy hosting her mother’s birthday party. Thankfully, I know there will be lots of other opportunities to visit FTPS with her in the future.

These folks do some great work, and I’m excited to have them make me up some floral crowns for our upcoming boudoir feature this May. Thank you very much to Elaine, Kathy, Nicole, Bill and the rest of the team for your hospitality, and especially for the little customized bouquet. My grandmother loved it.

The next open house for brides is April 8 & 9 if you want to check out this beautiful business for yourself.

http://www.fromthepottingshed.com/

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Vintage Glam Boudoir Minis

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Its (nearly) spring! A year ago I was busy celebrating International Women’s Day with some of my favourite clients and a series of soft and sensual boudoir sessions. Now we’ve had time to choose our favs, share them with loved ones, and revel in the secret of these beautiful images. Its time to share. Here’s a taste of the pastel perfection we captured last March.

The idea behind these Vintage Glam Minis was to give some devoted family photography clients an opportunity to sample a boudoir experience on a small scale. It just happened to work out that the soft pink and blue colour combo that inspired much of our 2015 wedding decor became Pantone’s first ever dual colours of the yea r in 2016, when our Vintage Glam sessions took place. You’ll find Rose Quartz and Serenity are both sprinkled liberally throughout this setup. I also used various strands of pearls, white satin bedding, and a vintage suitcase full of antique cameras and vintage lingerie from my collection to bring some mid-century charm to these sessions. And we must not forget Simon! One of our participants asked if she could include her handsome rabbit friend for some extra unique portraits. I was only too happy to oblige. Bunnies make everything better.

You won’t see this backdrop anywhere else by the way, I made it by hand myself to use at my own wedding, knowing I would eventually reuse it for portraits of some kind. Essentially it is huge piece of plywood covered with a giant layered collage of different scrapbook papers as well as old wallpaper and paper doilies from my grandmother’s house. There’s also a can or two of shiny spray paint and yes, of course, gold glitter.

Each of these remarkable women has endured a major health challenge in one form or another, and none had had so called boudoir photos taken before. These shoots truly felt like a celebration. For some of these individuals, having their portraits taken helped them to see themselves in a whole new light. Every one of the participants ordered additional images once they saw how amazing they looked with a little help from good lighting and proper posing techniques. The feedback I got from the ladies was just lovely. I’ll never get tired of photographing women in a boudoir setting. It can get surprisingly emotional. And silly. I see such honest beauty in these images. I hope you will too.

Thank you so so much to all these beautiful women. I’m happy we had the opportunity to take these portraits together, and I’m grateful you have allowed me to share them here on my blog. P.S. YES, I will be offering another spring boudoir feature in 2017. YES it is taking me longer than anticipated to work out the details, but it is happening, and here’s what I can confirm: White, bright light. Floral crowns. Professional hair and makeup. Brand new portrait display boxes.

Details coming late March.

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Hello 2017! EBI News and Photography Features

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Oh hello! Its February, the world feels a little crazy right now, and that means here at EBI we are celebrating LOVE. Todd and I have recently relocated to a house near Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener, and plans to construct an on site full time studio space are underway. There have been a lot of sleepless nights and pinching pennies, but at long last our dreams are taking shape! I want to thank you personally for helping me get to the point in my career where a full time studio space makes sense. It feels like high time to show some appreciation to the clients that have been with me from the start. That means its time to announce some new promotions. You’ve earned it.

First of all, all 2016 prices will be extended until March 1st 2017. Book a portrait session on location or at my temporary home studio this month for big savings.

Next up, take a peek at our VALENTINE’S PREPAID PORTRAIT DEAL. Maybe you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift for your love, or maybe you are just a smart shopper planning ahead for when you know you are going to want photos later this year. I designed this feature to give devoted customers an option to get the best possible value for 2017 portraits. The idea is you purchase a photo shoot voucher now at 2016 prices, and use it anytime in 2017.

If you’re a returning EBI client and you redeem your voucher before October 2017, you’ll also receive an extra 5 edited digital files with your package. That’s $125 worth of free photography to say thank you for your loyalty. If you know you’re going to want family portraits or maternity or newborn photographs this year, planning ahead and purchasing the prepaid portrait deal could save you hundreds of dollars!

Now technically, this is a Valentine’s Deal, but there’s definitely no rule against treating yourself this February 14th! Give a voucher as a gift, or hang on to it for your own family later this year. Choose from any of the six location or studio portrait packages listed on the investment page of the EBI website for your voucher value. Options range from $200 to $450 including tax.

You can contact me via Facebook or by e-mailing emily@emilybeatty.com to order a handmade voucher until February 14th. Book your photo shoot right away, or wait until summertime and be one of the first people to enjoy our newly constructed Kitchener photo studio.

Stay tuned for our next blog post, 2017 EBI BOUDOIR FEATURES!

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They’re Married! Meryl & Bill’s Photo Wall Teasers

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September 24th, 2016 was an idyllic day, one filled with love and sunshine and celebration. A week ago, Meryl and Bill said “I do”, and I was honoured to be there at the Toronto Hunt Club to capture the whole day, from early morning mimosas to late night toasts on the dance floor. You can bet that there are an awful lot more photos to come, but for those of you who just can’t wait, here’s a tiny taste of M & B’s big day and the custom photo wall I created just for the occasion. Congratulations, you two!!! xoxo

Dinosaur Mini Photo Shoots

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Dino Minis! What could be more fun? As a kid, there were exactly 2 types of library books that I would check out: big photographic volumes about whales, and illustrated books about dinosaurs. Apparently huge, mysterious creatures have always fascinated me. Its a love I share with my husband, and its a photographic theme that has been floating around my head for years now. In the spring of 2016, I decided this would be the year, and I set about imagining how I might construct a dinosaur themed mini photo event for my clients.

Eventually, I settled on a prehistoric tropical jungle themed dinosaur set, for families that wanted portraits with some extra pizazz. The botanical background is a paper background that I had already hand painted for some wedding clients earlier this year. The handmade green paper succulents had also been a part of the wedding wall, but this set needed something brand new to bring it to life. Inspiration struck when I saw a window display with large paper leaves on a most excellent crafting blog called Sew Yeah. The night before the first photo shoot, my devoted husband and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning cutting and shaping all of these green, orange, yellow and purple leaves that you see in the photos.

Quite the last minute plan, but I actually love the way all the paper components came together once I had them taped and tied in place. I added a rustic fall muslin backdrop for the “dirt” with pillows underneath to make “rocks” and added a few plants from our deck to fill out the lower portion of our jungle set. We had lots of toy dinos and unique props to keep the kids entertained during their photos, and there was no shortage of smiles as the kids explored our set and the dinos inhabiting it. It worked out that half of our participants were turning either 1 or 2, and these sessions gave their families a unique way to document their child’s milestone without doing the typical balloons and birthday cake smash type of photo session. I’m so glad I just went for it and forged ahead with a very random mini theme. How unique and fun are these images?!?

Thank you so much to the families that came out to help me realize my dino dreams with these mini photo sessions. Extra special thanks to Theodore for lending us some of his very most favourite toys for these photos, and to Melissa for her excellent assisting work and her sweet puppeteering skills. I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Until next time… roar!

Curious to know more? Visit the Facebook Event page for Dino Minis here.

May Flowers Mini Photo Shoots

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The flower wall. I had no idea how popular it would become when I started making these giant paper flowers in preparation for our wedding back in the winter of 2014. I experimented and played around and eventually ended up with the combination of white, blue, pink, turquoise, yellow and orange flowers that would be the colour scheme for most of my life for the past 2 years. After all the “I Dos” and hullabaloo, I was left with the wall. THE WALL.

Each individual flower represents at least $5 worth of paper and 1-2 hours of my life. This baby took me so long to make that I knew it had to get set up at least once more so that I could properly photograph it myself. Thus the idea for “May Flowers Minis” was born. I enlisted a handful of gorgeous young ladies for May Flowers portraits and we set out to create joyful photographs that would celebrate springtime 2016. Here is a handful of my favourite shots from our styled mini sessions. Thanks so much to all the lovely ladies that participated in this endeavour.

One Afternoon, Four Generations Of Summertime Portraits

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Church bells rang and the sun shone bright and warm the day I met this charming family. After finding each other online through some mutual friends, we met at the family home in the very most picturesque neighbourhood in Historic Kitchener to update four generations of family portraits. Sometimes organizing so many family members can be a real challenge, but this group was great to work with.

Our goal was to come up with 20 different portraits that would coordinate nicely with each other. All the participants would then have enough images to decorate their walls or make a customized photo album with the images. It had been quite some time since these folks got together to take family photos, and is often the case, it was a new baby in the family that set things in motion. After introductions, we flew through a few group shots, then split apart into little groups for some smaller couples portraits and individual family photos. Years from now, I hope this sweet little lady sees these images and knows how much love and joy she has brought this family.

Welcome, Grettah Grace

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The heatwave had been going strong for weeks on end when my little sister delivered her 4th perfect baby into the world. A sister for Lucy. What’s more, she was born en caul, which I understand only happens once in 80,000 births. An auspicious sign, if you believe the superstitions. This wee girl, the smallest and most dainty of the family was born at home, and was delivered swiftly, looking perfect with not a single scratch or blemish. Her name means pearl. A beachy theme for her very first photo shoot seemed appropriate for all kinds of reasons. Here’s a tiny taste of the sweetness that is my brand new niece.

Auntie Em is excited to watch you grow up. I have a feeling this is the first of many photo shoots we will share together. xoxo

Emily & Patrick’s Green Wedding Reception at Victoria Park Pavilion

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One hot July day in 2016, two souls were joined in marriage as a plethora of guests from all corners of the globe looked on. After Emily and Patrick’s heartfelt church ceremony, their friends, family, and small wedding party headed for Victoria Park Pavilion in Kitchener where a massive celebration would soon be underway. After the nuptials, the sky opened up for a terrific thunderstorm, but luckily by that point the party had been safely relocated to the Pavilion and dinner was underway.

With many of the groom’s Irish family in attendance, a very green theme made perfect sense for Emily and Pat’s wedding reception. There was plenty of good food and drink on hand as guests took in all the thoughtful little touches that reflected both Emily and Patrick and their mutual loves. From shamrock sugar cookies to family heirlooms and wee bunny rabbit decorations in honour of their pet, Simon, there were plenty of unique things to behold at this wedding.

Then there was the photo wall! After plenty of discussions over the past year, Emily and I agreed that I would attend their reception and photograph some key details of speeches and decor, but my main job would be to create a totally unique customized photo wall that would contribute to their green, green and more green theme. In the end I painted an abstract botanical pattern for the main backdrop, and accented it with handmade giant paper succulents. By setting up a freestanding photo wall on the stage at the Victoria Park Pavilion the day before, I was able to simply walk on set and start photographing the guests the evening of the wedding. As an added bonus for the happy couple, the custom photo backdrop provided extra ambiance to the venue throughout their whole reception.

As usual, the guests took to the photo wall like ducks to water and before long I found myself sorting through hundreds of hilarious group shots. Here are a bunch of my favourites. Emily and Patrick, I hope that as the years stretch on you and all of your friends and family get a real kick out of reliving your fantastic wedding celebration through these images.