This session was supposed to be the day before, at the beach. The weather wasn't looking great so I talked with Katie and we went through the options. We moved it a day and switched to McLaren Falls Park instead, which ended up suiting their family better anyway. That's the kind of thing I'm happy to adjust, there's no point pushing ahead if it's going to affect the photos or the experience.


I had a plan for the session, but the girls had a better one. About fifteen minutes in I realised they loved little scenarios more than posing, so I leaned into that. Run up to mum and give her a love ambush. Tell her she's pretty. Squeeze her until she laughs. That kind of thing. The results were so much better than anything I could have directed.


Katie is a photographer herself, so she had a strong eye for what she liked and I made sure to include her input as we went. She knew how she wanted the girls to stand, what felt right, what didn't. It's always good when a client knows what they want, it makes the session sharper.


Ben was great. He showed up, he tried hard, and by the end I could tell he had put his full effort in. We went about 75 minutes and in hindsight 45 would have been the sweet spot. That's a lesson I took from the day. The girls could have gone all afternoon though, they were laughing and hugging and running around the whole time.


Katie told me afterwards that going through the photos made her cry. That's the best feedback I can get.


Because Katie edits her own work, I gave her a set of the raw files alongside the edited gallery so she could process them in her own darker style if she wanted to. It's not something I'd normally do, but when someone speaks the language, it makes sense.


— Tony

Family of four walking hand-in-hand on a park path surrounded by autumn trees near a pond.
Family of four walking hand-in-hand on a scenic park path surrounded by autumn foliage near a pond.
Three girls pose together outdoors in a black and white photo, smiling warmly in a park setting.
Black and white portrait of a smiling young girl with long hair wearing a fleece jacket outdoors.
Two girls pose on a tree stump in a park, wearing autumn outfits, surrounded by green and yellow foliage.
Black and white photo of a smiling girl having her face gently held by caring hands.
Three young women share a warm embrace outdoors in a black and white portrait photo.
Three girls smiling and hugging on a picnic table surrounded by lush green trees in a park setting.
Family of four posing on a park bench surrounded by lush green trees in a forest setting.
Family of four smiling and embracing on a wooden bench surrounded by lush green trees in an outdoor setting.
A couple sits together on a picnic table bench outdoors, surrounded by autumn foliage, smiling warmly.
Couple smiling together on a wooden bench outdoors in a black and white engagement photo among autumn trees.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple sitting together outdoors among winter trees.
Couple sitting on a wooden bench in a lush green forest, smiling and holding hands in a romantic outdoor setting.
Black and white portrait of two young sisters smiling together outdoors, older girl in striped sweater hugging younger sibling.
Two young girls with long brown hair pose together outdoors, the older girl embracing the younger in a tender sibling portrait.
A tender close-up of a baby's small hand gently clasping an adult's finger, wrapped in soft white fabric.
Black and white portrait of two young girls, older sister embracing younger child outdoors.
Two young girls share a sweet embrace outdoors in a black and white portrait photo.
Two girls hugging and smiling on a blanket outdoors, surrounded by lush green trees in a candid family portrait.
Two young girls sit outdoors on a blanket, one whispering in the other's ear, wearing striped sweater.
Black and white photo of a mother and young daughter laughing and embracing outdoors in a joyful candid moment.
Two girls sit on a blanket outdoors, laughing and pointing at each other in a park setting.
Young girl twirling in white long-sleeve scalloped dress with ruffles, playing outdoors in autumn park.
Couple sitting together outdoors in fall, woman in green sweater leaning back against man in plaid shirt, smiling warmly.
Black and white photo of a couple holding hands and smiling near a large tree outdoors.
Couple holding hands walking along a scenic autumn lakeside path surrounded by colorful fall foliage.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a romantic kiss against a large tree in a natural outdoor setting.
A young woman hand-feeding corn to a group of geese and ducks outdoors on the ground.
Children feeding ducks by a pond in an autumn park with fallen leaves and green trees.
Couple walking hand in hand along a scenic autumn lake path surrounded by colorful fall foliage and geese.
Family of four smiling outdoors by a pond surrounded by autumn foliage.
Two young girls smile outdoors in autumn, one giving the other a piggyback ride among colorful fallen leaves.
Two girls laughing outdoors, one giving the other a piggyback ride in a black and white photo.
A smiling couple in green outfits share a piggyback ride outdoors among autumn trees.
Couple enjoying a piggyback ride in an autumn park with colorful fallen leaves and trees by a lake.
Black and white photo of a couple dancing and spinning outdoors near a lake with blossoming trees.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing and kissing near a lake with blooming trees in background.
A man and young girl smile together outdoors in autumn, wearing casual clothing with colorful foliage behind them.
Black and white photo of a mother and two daughters sharing a tender embrace near a tree.
A father poses with two young daughters under a tree in an autumn park setting.