MARYAM AND KRIS — BABY SHOWER

I've been photographing Maryam for a long time now.

We started with portraits, back when she was single, and Hamilton felt like a different place. Then came the wedding. Then her first pregnancy, the newborn, and the family sessions as her boy grew. We did her maternity shoot for this new baby and the gender reveal. And now this, a room full of the people who love her, gathered to celebrate the son who's almost here.

There's something quietly significant about photographing someone across that many chapters. You stop being a photographer they hired and start being someone who just shows up for the important days. I'm glad to be that for Maryam and Kris.

Photography is Kris's favourite thing to do, he'll tell you that himself. But he shows up, every time, for the things that matter. That counts for a lot.

The Iranian community celebrates properly. The food table alone takes your breath away, layers of colour and detail that would take most people a week to put together. The decorations, the thought behind every element of the room, the way three generations move around each other like they've been doing this their whole lives. Because they have.

The kids had their own table on the deck, completely absorbed in craft activities while the adults filled the room with noise and warmth. The sign said "here comes the son." The whole day felt like a community leaning forward, ready to welcome him.

I've watched Maryam build this life. It's a good one.

— Tony