Richmond Hill Photographer Archives | Jen Short Photography

Family :: Stevenson

August 4, 2022

GTA photographer specializing in family photography – Reserve your date

I haven’t seen this family in years. Actually since these two were 6 months old and it was so cool to see how both have grown. They say kids grow fast and they do. Especially when you haven’t seen them in a while. I know with my own, just a weekend away and it seems like years of growth. Personality and hight.

Over the years I have gotten away from driving to the GTA. York Region seems so much safer to drive in (I hate crowds including crowds of cars lol) and I made a decision to limit my sessions to my area. To my surprise many of my Toronto and GTA clients are happy to make the trip up north. I mean, getting out of the ‘crowds’ is always a nice treat and to come to such a beautiful wonderland makes the experience that much better.

There are a lot of images I wish I had of my own family. Images I took of others and can’t do with a tripod. I keep saying I will try again, but it really tests my family’s relationships lol. Like really puts our patience to the test. Every year I have another photographer do our session and I get stunning images I plaster all over my walls, but it’s hard to see other sessions and not want what they have. It’s hard as a photographer to have a vision and capture it yourself. Maybe if I had those magical kids (and husband) that knew just how to pose and behave when I’m in control.

That being said, I have so many wonderful images from friends that I will cherish forever. And as I tell my clients, just let your family be your family and your true selves will show in the photos. No two families are alike and no two sessions will be either!

Ready to book? Message me HERE

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

Flower Farm Mini Sessions 2022 – Now Booking!

August 4, 2022

Mini Session – York Region Flower Farm

This year’s Flower Farm Mini’s are half sold out! Don’t wait to book your spot as they are limited. Due to popular demand for golden hour I have limited each night to just three spots. If you are hoping for a little earlier please contact me HERE for more info. The barn has the cutest corner with vines, flowers and obviously old stone and wood. It’s super pretty and you don’t need to worry as much about the sun.

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!

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

Family :: Marshall

September 6, 2021

York Region Photographer – specializing in family, maternity and newborn

There is a season between summer and fall that I love. Technically it’s fall, but it’s early fall when leaves haven’t changed yet. I agree the fall colours are gorgeous, but I love my greens. Like really love them. So during this brief change of seasons, I try to book as many sessions as possible. The golden glow, the soft breeze, the perfect combo of everything that makes families happy.

There is a spot I found one day when I was wandering. No I’m not one to hike or even go for walks, but when I’m out, my head is on a swivel. Just ask my husband about my rubber necking when we drive. There are so many potential spots for sessions, just requires some imagination and a little trust. This location is just that. Off the beaten path, but totally worth the extra effort. These logs, the sun poking through behind, the dirt path and the tree lined road that takes you there. I’m dying to go back.

Love this location? Book your session now! Click HERE

Newborn :: Ava

February 12, 2021

Newborn photographer Richmond Hill

I have been photographing this family forever it feels like. I’ve been there to capture their newborns, milestones and holidays. These are my people! The bonds I have with my clients are really important to me and it’s always an honour when we work together. Being there for these special moments is honestly the best feeling.

I love snuggling babies and even more so when I have a connection to the family. When I found out mom was pregnant I was just about as excited when I found out I was having my own. Besides the fact that they make cute kids, they are the sweetest and trust my vision. When a client knows your work and says to do whatever you want, it is the best feeling. No pressure lol, but being creative and having so many ideas, it is a really great thing to hear. I’ve been dying to play with fruit and a newborn session and so glad we did. Super obsessed with these!

I’d love to try lemons or blueberries. Maybe this year….Who wants join me?!

Check out more newborn sessions HERE.

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

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

Personal :: Just do it

January 18, 2020

Just do it I told myself before letting everyone else know my plan. I said we were just going to take ‘a couple pictures’. Really, all I wanted to do was update the two long picture frames in the kitchen. ‘It’ll be quick. Promise’ are my famous words when it comes to our personal photos. I’m pretty sure I’ve used that line too many times, but as long as it works, I’ll keep using it!

So off we went with a tripod and my strict instructions to cooperate. Just like everyone else, I go through the same getting ready, struggling with what everyone should wear, trying to time the sessions and cranky hour (kids and husband), getting everyone in the car and hoping no one ruins their outfits on the way, and begging for smiles. I go through it all too. And just like every other time, my kids want to run and give me one smile before deciding I have had enough cooperation.

So, I wait. I stalk them from afar with my zoom lens and just take candids. Every so often I make a crazy sound from behind a bush (like a total nut job) and get that smile I was waiting for. Stalkerazzi. But I want what I want and that’s gorgeous photos for my walls.

I knew I got what I needed in the first 5 minutes. But like every other mom, I like to torture myself and keep going.

This is where it get’s hairy.

I don’t know why men are incapable of taking a good photo, but they are strugglers.

In all fairness, he’d been handed a fancy camera with the auto settings turned off. Anyway, he was given the job of taking pictures of me, making me not look ‘well fed’ and getting the kids to smile at the same time, while trying not to jiggle the camera and take blurry photos. I should mention the camera is like 15lbs and holding it still is kind of important.

‘Watch the angles’, ‘how do I look’, ‘did she smile?’, ‘how’s my hair?’, ‘make sure I don’t have a double chin’, ‘get ready, I’m going to bounce her and then pop up and smile. Make sure to catch it when I’m standing straight, my hair stops flying in the wind, and she has a giant smile. Got it?’.

I did get my two photos we set out for and a few more. I left as one happy mama and grateful for luck and the great people around me. Sometimes, I’m jealous of my clients and their beautiful sessions. This time, I did something about it. Like I said, Just do it!

Big thanks to Janet at Country Cut Flowers for letting my girls run wild in the fields and allowing me to capture these memories. It’s honestly one of my favourite places to be.

Check out more personal blog posts HERE!

Newborn :: Riley

April 23, 2019

Newmarket Newborn Photographer

Sometimes we make friends when we least expect it. Sometimes they come into our lives and it seems like we’ve known each other forever. I love my clients and have met some awesome people over the years, but these guys just feel like old friends. It was at their first newborn session a couple years ago that I fell in love with them and so glad they chose me to to capture so many important moments in their lives.

When I found out they were having another baby it just made me so happy. When I heard it’s a girl I was over the moon happy. There’s been a bunch boys in the studio so this was a welcome change!

I really do love what I do and feel like a part of many families because of the trust they put in me to capture these types of moments. So excited to see this little lady grow.

Search

FOLLOW ALONG