Jen Short Photography

Family & Newborn Photography

Family :: Parsons

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

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Family :: Braza

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.

 

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Family :: Stevenson

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

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Maternity Session :: Peony Farm

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

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Personal :: Just do it

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!

 

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Sitter Session :: Sklylar

Sitter session

This little lady made us work for it during her sitter session.  Sometimes kids think I’m hilarious and other times they look at me like I have 3 heads. This gal wasn’t having any of our tricks. Ok so maybe we got her to crack a smile or two, but talk about a workout!

As parents we want our kids to smile and do the cute things they do, but once you get into the studio they have other plans. Suddenly their favourite song isn’t. Suddenly mom’s crazy faces aren’t so hilarious. Suddenly they make their parents look like liars because they swore they have the happiest kid ever.  I’ve been on the other side. I have taken my kids to get their photos done and I know exactly what parents are feeling and what kids are going to do. Luckily we always get a few smiles and in the process capture some of the other faces and mannerisms that make each child unique.

Skylar may have made us work for it, but I’m pretty sure we won!

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Mommy and Me Mini Sessions

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

  • Mommy and Me Mini

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Jen Short is a family, newborn and maternity photographer in Toronto and York Region area including Markham, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora.