Family Photographer Archives | Jen Short Photography

Family :: VanGyzen

May 11, 2023

Markham Family Photographer

Sometimes we chase the sun and sometimes we try to outrun the rain. This was one of those threatening forecasts we all dread.

Every year I meet tons of families and get the chance to share in making memories with their little ones. This family books me every year and it makes me so happy to see their name pop up on my screen. We share a lot in common and even though people start out as clients, they become friends. I fall in love with their kids and enjoy interacting with them at our session. It’s crazy how much easier a session can go when kids are into it. Or at least having fun.

Toogood Park in Markham is not where we planned to meet, but the drive there said we had to figure something out. As I was about to get to the park the sky opened up and I couldn’t even see the hood of my car. That feeling is the worst when you know your clients have spent time getting ready and prepping the kids. I’ve been on the other side, driving to our own session and seeing the sky turn dark grey. So I get it. Luckily we found a patch of clear sky and headed that way. I had forgotten about this park. Pretty sure it’s been 6 yrs since I had been there. But it worked. We avoided the rain, captured some adorable photos and got to catch up on life.

Curious about a session with me? Check out the behind the scenes video HERE

Family :: Parsons

May 11, 2023

Newmarket Family Photographer

Flower farms aren’t just in the movies. I thought they were for the longest time. How could something so pretty actually exist. But they do. Country Cut Flowers is obviously my fave and no matter where we are on the property, the images come out stunning.

I’ve been photographing this family for 7 years now. Closer to 8 I think. It feels like I started this career not so long ago, but clients like this remind me it’s been a while. Someone messaged me about their 2013 session and I’m still at a loss for words. It’s literally been at least 10 years since I started capturing families. How?!

As the summer approaches and my calendar starts to fill up, I am reminded of all the families I have been lucky enough to meet. How many I am about to get to know and watch grow. Not every client comes back every year, but those that do have a special place in my heart. It’s an honour to capture these memories for them and to be a part of it all year after year. It’s so amazing to see kids go from newborns to toddlers to little people with big personalities. I really do love what I do and think my clients are a huge part of it. Especially this family.

Love this farm too? Book your session HERE

Check out more sessions on the farm HERE

Family :: Braza

September 15, 2022

Oak Ridges Photographer

Oak Ridges has a few spots off the beaten path that are too pretty not to capture. This is one of my most photogenic families and the combo made for some stunning portraits. I loved this location so much I did my own family session here! I’m the odd one out and don’t love the traditional fall colours. All the gorgeous reds and oranges of fall take second place to these wild fall flowers.

Every family photographers dream is to have families with 4 plus kids. I can’t image as a parent, but as a photographer it’s a dream. So many new poses, so many ideas to try.

Family :: Reiter

August 4, 2022

GTA Family Photographer – Flower farm session

These are a few of my favourite things! Literally my bff and her family, the flower farm and a sunset. I could spend every night like this!

Country Cut Flowers is a hidden gem in York Region and this family made the trip all the way from the GTA (and made it on time) to capture some of the sweetest photos. As with every session, I want to ensue my families have images they want to blow up for their walls or print in albums. How stunning will these be in a collage on their living room walls?!

This summer our families went camping at the Pinery. If you know me, even just a little, you know that is not my jam. I wear 7 layers of bug spray to each session, freak out every time a critter rustles in the bushes and basically am a girly girl. I even stand on a stool in the long grass incase something slithers by. As much as it isn’t for me, my kids love it (and my husband – but I don’t do it for him). It was so nice to spend more time with these guys. It was amusing to see how much their kids are just like their parents. Mini versions. I know our kids are like us, I laugh several times daily when they do something and it’s ‘SOOOO Me’ or ‘totally’ my husband. But to see mini versions of my bff and her husband was well worth the mosquitos and racoons. It’s crazy to think back to when we met and where we are now in our lives. My heart is so happy to see our kids play together and being able to capture these gorgeous images for them is just a small gesture for all the years of friendship.

See more sessions at this beautiful farm HERE

Want to book a session for your own family? Click HERE

Family :: Van Gyzen

August 4, 2022

Flower Farm Family Session – York Region Photographer – Book Now!

How can you not love this place?! How can you not enjoy your session?! Even if the kids aren’t cooperating at least you are in a field of stunning flowers!

I have a few secret locations I love and this tops the list. Rolling hills, fields of flowers, beautiful big barn with old wood and stone and the freshest air around. After covid I have such an appreciation for fresh air and open spaces! I also have an appreciation for fellow small businesses that survived the last couple years and did it with a smile. Country Cut Flowers is honestly the cutest place on earth. It’s owned and run by a wonderful woman who has become a very close friend over the past couple years. I’m so lucky to be able to take clients to the farm and jump at the chance to capture stunning portraits like you see here.

If you haven’t booked your family session for 2022 shoot me a message and let’s get you booked in! Contact me HERE

Check out more sessions on the BLOG

Peony Patch Mini’s

August 4, 2022

Peony Patch Mini’s

They are back and even more limited with only a few spots available. After doing these sessions for a few years, I realize the importance of the light in an open field. Best light is always closer to sunset, but the way the Peony Patch is laid out, there is only few for a few families in a night. What’s crazier to me is that they only bloom for a couple weeks so booking your session is important. I was only able to secure one evening this year and it will fill up fast! Book early to avoid disappointment.

Country Cut Flowers is an adorable family run flower farm in York Region. It has more types of flowers than I can count (and certainly more than I can name). With rolling hills, sun setting in the background, and fields of mixed flowers, it’s like you’re in your own hallmark movie. Kind of unreal and totally stunning. Selfishly, this is my favourite place to photograph families! Looking for something a little different? Follow the link below to book the main field (mixed flowers) and the Sunflower Patch.

Book your Peony Patch Mini HERE

Fun little fact – You can book tickets to cut your own flowers! Check out how HERE

Want to see some previous sessions? You may need to dig a little on my blog, but it’s worth it – BLOG

Newborn :: Ava

November 28, 2020

York Region Newborn Photographer

It’s a small world. I had no clue when this family contacted me that we actually live behind each other. Close enough that they can hear my crazy kids splashing in the pool all summer. Probably heard me telling the kids no to scream so much too! Anyone with daughters know that high pitch screech they do randomly. I’m sure the whole neighbour hood has heard me begging them to stop making that ear piercing sound. Anyway, it was great to officially meet this family and their newest addition.

With Covid, I have limited the number of newborn and milestone sessions I offer. We have been taking it seriously and especially with little ones, I want to be able to air out the studio and clean the props as best as possible. I feel like I haven’t had baby snuggles in so long and could have just cuddled this little lady forever!

Check out more newborn sessions HERE

Personal :: I get it

August 30, 2019

I get it. I really do and I find myself laughing during sessions when I see parents getting frustrated. Not to be mean, but because I know all too well what it’s like. My little one won’t look at the camera. She’s happy to get ready and go to the session, but don’t ask her to look in any direction, stand still, or heaven forbid smile. My oldest loves the camera, but takes 73 years to get ready and then another 68 to warm up to the camera. Her socks are too bumpy, the dress has ruffles that make her arms feel weird, the dress is too short, top too tight, pants too stretchy, too long, too grey, too ‘textury’ and so on. Yes, ‘textury’ is a thing. Maybe not a grammatically correct thing, but a totally a thing. I get to sessions and want to cry or chug wine.

It always gets better and just like me, you have to trust your photographer. I choose mine (and I hope that when you choose yours, you do the same) and know that they will capture my family. The true people that we are. Even if one has a donut in hand and us parents are singing ridiculous songs to get our kids to crack a smile.

So I get it. Your toddler rather run then let you hug him. Or your husband keeps rolling his eyes when you tell your kids to ‘Just smile’. I get it. I know exactly how it feels after the session when you think you don’t have a single good photo. When you do the math on how much time and money you spent on getting everyone ready and looking presentable. I get it.

So my words of wisdom actually come from my daughter when she was 3.

I was using her as my model for some princess inspired sessions and she wouldn’t cooperate. Shocker. And when we were done she looked at me and said “You get what you get and you don’t get upset”. Then proceeded to frantically wave (with a giant grin on her face) to Belle (The princess) as we drove away. WTF. Literally. She’s right though. We need to let our family be our family. In one or even ten years from now, these images are going to mean the world to us. The glare your husband was giving as your oldest stuck their tongue out. The ridiculous smile your toddler gave because they are smiling ‘too hard’. (We all know the one). Or even if it’s something we don’t love about ourselves. I get it.

Here was my attempt to get a cute shot of my two holding pinwheels. And here is Ivy throwing the pinwheel and running away. Aria has that look on her face when you’ve been holding your smile too much and you cheeks hurt. Can’t win em’ all.

Check out some of the ‘better’ images from this session HERE. I love this place! Thanks to Country Cut Flowers for letting me use the fields!

Contest Time!!!

January 1, 2017

Everyone loves to win. Right?!?!?!

To celebrate the New Year I wanted to start it off on the right foot and give something away. I had some amazing clients last year and hope to meet a bunch of new ones this year. It’s going to be hard to top but a girl can hope!

Ready for it?

E-Blast Contest

Sign up for my blasts (don’t worry I plan on doing one a month, with maybe an odd one or two mixed in) and you will automatically be entered to win $150 in prints from your next session.

Click here to go to the mailing list. I promise not to spam. I’m a one woman show so literally don’t have time to be that annoying!

Facebook Contest

First be a fan of Jen Short Photography on Facebook. Then, tag your friends on the original post (click here), one friend per tag and if your number is drawn you win and so does you friend! Feel free to tag as many friends as you like (one tag per person). The more you tag, the better your chances of winning! Winner will receive $100 off any session and the friend tagged in that specific post will win $50 off any session.

Ready, Set, Go!!!!

And Happy New Year!

Jen

Official Rules:

Contests both will run from January 1, 2017 @ 5:00pm EST to January 15, 2017 @ 5:00pm EST. Winners will be drawn within 48 hrs after contest deadline and contacted by private message on FB, via a tag on FB contest post, or email. Whichever is provided based on contest. Winners will have 48hrs from initial notification to claim their prize. Contest sponsor reserves the rights to cancel or suspend the contest or prizes without further notice.

One winner will be randomly selected to win the E-Blast contest. All subscribers to Jen Short Photography mailing list will be automatically be entered. Must be subscribed at time of contest deadline. Prize consists of $150 in prints (Lustre Prints Only) on any single session taken by prize winner in 2017.

One winner will be randomly selected to win $100 off any session via FB contest post. The ‘friend’ they tagged in that specific post will win $50 off a session. Session must be in 2107. Sessions available are Family, Newborn, Milestone, Mini’s, Wedding and Maternity. All sessions require a signed contract and deposit, the prize value will be deducted from the final payment for the session due on the session date. All contract details apply as they would for a standard session.

Prizes are non-transferable.

Landon :: 6 Months Session

June 9, 2016

6 month milestone photography is bigger than you think. I met Landon when he was just a newborn. He still sort of looks the same but still sort of looks totally different! Kids really do grow fast and I try to stress to my clients how important capturing these moments are. The things they do and learn in just a short time frame are so easy to forget. You think you will remember when they started sitting but the second they can stand that memory gets bumped back. It’s true, I learn the hard way every day!

With that said, these sessions are perfect to capture their little personalities. The 6 month milestone is kind of a big deal. The facial expressions kill me! Gummy smiles, moments of annoyance with us for trying to pose them, and candid laughter of parents. These are the things we don’t alway notice every day let alone capture as a memory for an album or our walls. We all strive for the perfect family photo but if there is anything I have learned since having my daughter is those random photos that you didn’t think were all that great at the moment are actually the ones you look back on and smile at. The ones that captured your family naturally in the moment.

Looking forward to more smiles from this guy in years to come!

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