Markham 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

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

Cake Smash :: Chloe

July 18, 2021

Cake smash sessions bring out all sorts of emotions in us moms. They are freaking cute, a sign your little one is a year old, messy and even a tad stressful. They are always fun and even more so when your little one dives right in. You would be shocked how many kids don’t jump at the chance to fill their faces with cake. Maybe the texture, maybe the audience….maybe the sugar. BUT when a little one sees it as the opportunity of a lifetime there is nothing like it!

First birthdays are always fun. Whether you choose to do a family session or cake smash session, they are always special. The first year goes by so fast and is the perfect time to capture this time in your little ones life. I think that’s the one thing we never get until we are in the moment. How fast they grow and change. You see them every day and it doesn’t hit you until there is a milestone like this. Whether you choose to do a cake smash or something more traditional, don’t miss this epic time in your little ones life!

Thanks to The Flower Merchant for the florals and Sweet B’s for the cake!

Now booking outdoor and indoor cake smash sessions!

Newborn :: Viann

February 12, 2021

Richmond Hill Newborn boy

Newborn boys know how to steal the ladies hearts. This little guy was no different. When I met his parents at their maternity session, I knew they would have a perfect little sweet heart. The whole family is soft spoken and calm. Something I don’t have enough of in my life lol. Anyone with small kids can agree! You can see their maternity session HERE.

He totally rocked his session and we were able to get sleepy and awake images. Not always the easiest thing to do. His little eyes are the cutest and really glad we were able to capture them! I think it’s one thing I regret not getting when I did my own. That and the tiny feet!

I’m not having baby fever (or at least I keep telling myself that), but I am really looking forward to having some more newborns in the studio. At least I can get my baby cuddles out of the way! Know anyone excepting? Send them my way!

Now booking for 2021 – Contact me HERE.

Maternity Session :: Peony Farm

June 29, 2020

York Region Maternity Photographer

I’m obsessed with nature. Maybe not so much the bug aspect, but the greens and florals. I love when the sun sneaks through the trees and gives that golden glow. The way the darks are brightened in just the right way to highlight features. I literally can’t handle a beautiful sundown without my camera in my hand. I also can’t handle not knowing what my maternity clients are having! Boy or Girl? I’m such a Pinterest mom I had to know lol.

With all the covid stuff happening and being trapped indoors for so long I had a lot of time to look for creative inspiration. No chance to put it to use…until now. I bought this peacock chair for Mother’s Day Mini’s and didn’t get to use it. As upset as I am about missing out on that, I embraced the extra time to make the idea that much better. Turns out it all worked out and I have an amazing set for families.

A huge thank you to Janet at Country Cut Flowers for letting me use her gorgeous property. The peony field was the perfect spot for this mama and for my new baby (aka the Peacock). This chair will be available for mini’s this summer and fall and as an add on to your regular session. So excited!

Looking to book a mini or full session – Contact me HERE

Mommy and Me Mini Sessions

March 29, 2019

Mommy and Me Mini Sessions are back again! Sessions will take place on April 13th and 28th in Richmond Hill/Aurora. These are for those wicked moms that we owe so much too!

Sessions are for one parent and their children, including pets. Limited to 4 time slots per day to ensure everyone gets a piece of golden hour light.

Contact jen@jenshortphotography.com for more information or to book your session.

Also, check out the Spring Mini’s now available if you are looking for something for the whole family! Works great as a Mother’s Day present too!

Book HERE

Newborn :: Evan

February 22, 2019

Newborn Photographer Richmond Hill

I have been photographing this family since they got engaged. Seems like forever ago now that we met for coffee and talked about their big day. I even did their winter engagement session while I was pregnant. Nothing like trying to squeeze into snow pants with a baby belly!

Fast forward two kids later and we still stay in touch. It’s families like these that I grow with. We share similar experience around the same time and it means the world to me that they keep coming back.

Every so often I get requests for themed sessions. I secretly love them (and fear them) as there is a lot more thought that has to go into them. There is a creative element that makes my job interesting. It’s no secret these guys are Harry Potter fans and as with their first session, they requested incorporating it into their session. After a lot of back and forth, we decided to do something similar to their first newborn session, but with a different Howarts House. Last time we did the Gryffindor and this time it was Ravenclaw. You can check out their first session here and the most recent below. Love comparing the two! Now these guys need to have two more kids lol.

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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