Toronto Archives | Jen Short Photography

Mounter Family Session

March 29, 2017

I’ve never had a family session with these guys until now, but worked with Oreon on a number of projects both in photography and in the event industry. When I started this little business (on the side), I would shoot events mostly, and quite a few were with him. Such a sweet guy and so glad he finally booked with me for his personal session. I’ve seen his family grow through Facebook and and images we’ve shared with each other over the past couple years. There are so many photographers out there that every time someone chooses me it makes my heart just a little bit happier especially when those people are in the same industry!

Family sessions are an honour because clients are trusting me to capture the most important thing in their lives. Their families. I get to leave my mark in a families history and capture them in the moment. Looking back at my own family photos, the ones where I was 4 and had that nasty bowl cut my mom said was ‘So cute’, I see how much I have grown, my old toys and friends, pets, houses, family members and so on. Guess I’m a sucker for memories. So to be given the honour is kind of a big deal for me.

These guys were a total dream, sweetest, well behaved kids ever! And ya, FREAKING adorable!!!! Parents aren’t too bad either. This session is one of my favourites to date and really glad I could be a part of capturing this time for them.

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!

Little Sophia

July 15, 2013

Children’s photography is never easy. Yes Sophia is ridiculously cute, yes she’s well behaved, but man alive she has a mind of her own. We tried everything to get her to wear the hat. “Trust us you will look sooooo cute” we said but no….she knew it was a trick to get her to wear it. I’m pretty sure she threw that thing off her head 20 or 30 times before we got enough shots. You have to admit it was really adorable and totally worth the fuss.

When I initially talked to Laura I knew that she would be game for something really out there. A little less traditional and a lot more unique. In comes the tea party suggestion. This is something I had seen on Pinterest in which a photographer took two little girls, dressed them up, put them in a field on some vintage furniture and captured their little tea party. It’s still on my bucket list of things to shoot but I had an idea for Laura, Stefan and Sophia. With agreement from Laura, we volunteered Stefan as Sophias tea party guest of honour. Him and the stuffed pig that is.

Donned in tattoos, a boa and pearls this tea party was like no other. A sweet cup of tea turned into banging tea cups and tossing cakes around. This was not your typical ‘High Tea’!

Take a peek at what might be my favorite shoot to date!

Lorysa and Sean

April 24, 2013

I ran into Lorysa at a charity event called Fifty Shades of Skin, which helps raise money for prostate cancer. It was an amazing evening at Revival Lounge in downtown Toronto, in which details stay between the hundreds of women who attended…Kind of like what happens in Vegas. We started chatting and she mentioned doing a photo shoot with her boyfriend Sean. This is something I wish I had done more of. Moving forward my goal is to do one every year with my husband around the time of our anniversary.

Lorysa and I tossed ideas around for the session as it was winter and quite frankly…neither of us are winter people. Snow just seemed like the worst possible fit. I would say it was about a month later that I saw an email in my inbox and I swear it had a light bulb above it. Why not do the session in their home and incorporate some of the things that make them such a perfect couple. Baking, playing games, watching movies and working on their dance moves are all a part of what makes them happy.

It was such a fun session from start to finish and I would love to do more like this. Happy couples make for some fun times!

Rosenberg Bar-Mitzvah

March 18, 2013

Something about an intimate Bar-Mitzvah caught my attention. I guess because when you think of Bar-Mitzvahs you think of events similar to a wedding but for a 13 year old. They usually invite the entire class and then some. When David called and said he wanted to do something small with just a few family and friends for his twins, I couldn’t wait to see what he had planned. I love when things are unexpected. It terrifies me from a professional stand point but on a personal level I love when things fall outside the box.

Carens in Yorkville was the perfect little venue. Wine and Cheese, who could complain! Guess it’s not a 13 year olds preference but I will take a doggy bag please and thank you!

Baye and Matia are two lucky kids and whether they realize it now or not, their father loves them more than words can say. I’m actually tearing up thinking back to his speech. He spoke so highly of the two and with so much emotion it made my heart melt. Even though I don’t do emotional events (I’m a cryer with the inability to turn the waterworks off, so why start?!?!) I’m glad I took the time to listen. A fathers love for his kids and all that they have accomplished can move just about anyone.

Full Bloom In High Park

April 15, 2012

It’s pretty much common knowledge that High Park is the best park in Toronto. It has everything a person could want. In the summer it has ice cream trucks, dogs, and laughter. In the winter it has some of the best tobogganing hills in the city. Ok…so maybe when I was only 2 feet tall they were some of the best and biggest…..

With the nice weather we’ve been having, it was no wonder the park was flooded with all types of people….dog lovers, runners, kids, speed walking old ladies and everyone that owns a camera. Normally April showers bring May flowers but we have been having some crazy weather lately. With that comes April flowers.

If you haven’t been to the park yet I think you should make the trip as the Cherry Blossoms won’t last forever.

Happy Spring!

Harrys Bar Mitzvah

August 7, 2011

I get asked what a Bar Mitzvah is all the time. As if I am a specialist…..the dictionary defines it as a coming-of-age ceremony in the Jewish religion. When a boy turns thirteen, he is considered a man and reads a torah portion in front of friends, family and his shul.

Pretty good summary if you ask me. Wish I could claim it as my own.

This time it was Harry who was becoming a man. I’m game for any reason to have a big party and invite all my friends…… anyone that says otherwise is nuts or delusional. It was clear Harry felt the same way!

Back to Harrys day…. Or party I should say!

The Warehouse in Toronto set the scene for one epic party. As always, The Magen Boys rocked the party. There were dancers, acrobats, giant balloons hanging from the ceiling, a rapper, and tons and tons of yummy treats. What else could anyone ask for! The one thing that stood out the most for me was the love of his family and friends. The speeches and smiling faces told me they were and amazing group of people and he was one lucky ‘man’!

Congrats Harry!

Search

FOLLOW ALONG