NYC is one of my absolute favourite cities, along side Toyko and Melbourne. It's where my husband Theo took us on our honeymoon two years ago and it the place that inspires me the most in north america, when it comes to fashion and lifestyle photography. The culture, fashion and energy is infectious, making it perfect for a weekend getaway, to escape and just be. Check out my favourite things to do in NYC.
Favourite restaurant: La Esquina (Mexican) / Beauty and Essex (Modern American) -Both of these spots require you enter through another restaurant or pawn shop to get inside- they aren't trying to be found, which is what makes them both so cool.
Favourite touristy things to do: Brooklyn Bridge, Flynyon helicopter ride. Brooklyn bridge is just amazing. It's crowded and hot in the summer months but I love it for the photos. Flynyon is a cool experience if you're into pictures or not, it's especially cool at sunset or sunrise. Prepare to give yourself lots of time to get there, because it's in Jersey City.
Favourite part of town to stay in: Soho is posh, East Village has all the great restaurants and bars and China Town is close to everything...
Thank you Mae and James for inviting me into your home to photograph your beautiful family. Can you guys tell how excited Tai was to welcome his baby sister into this world? Although he wouldn't take his band-aid off, I would say he was the best behaved toddler I've ever had the pleasure pf working with!
When I entered Stephanie's nursery, my jaw literally dropped. The combination of the white crown molding and vintage white dresser and crib complimented each other perfectly. But I have to say, I wasn't surprised. She is, in fact, a super successful interior designer and owns her own design company with her best friend. Then she told me that she had purchased the dresser, crib and art for the nursery at the age of 16, knowing that she would one day appreciate the beautiful vintage pieces. My heart just melted! Stephanie, I had so much fun photographing you and your beautiful family. Thank you for inviting me into your hominid trusting me with this responsibility. xx
When Brent and Lauren told me they hadn't officially booked a photographer for their engagement photos, I jumped at the opportunity to photograph them to created some special memories. Then Lauren suggested we take photos at Nova Coffee House in Marda Loop, and I'm so happy we did. They turned out even better than I had expected. Thank you Natalie for lending us the space for this project!
If you haven't checked Nova Coffee House, you're missing out! The large mural on the back wall is breathtaking, and artisan coffee, sandwiches, toasties and salads are definitely worth raving about. But I'll be honest, when I first discovered the Nova brand, it wasn't for the food or coffee, but rather because I attended a yoga class at Yoga Nova, which is located at the back of the coffee house. Nova Yoga features the Barron Baptist method of practising yoga, and offers a variety of Yin and Yang practises to encourage and foster the connection between mind and body that lives in all yogis. Whether you're a beginner, or seasoned practitioner, Nova Yoga has something for everyone. Being a " type A" personality and a perfectionist myself, my favourite class is the Crucible, taught by the owner Natalie. Yup, you guessed it, it's not an easy class but the energy in this practice is authentic and the challenge won't disappoint. So go get your downward dog-on, then head over to the coffee shop for a snack, you won't regret it.
I loved photographing Heather and Calvin with their little princess last month in their beautiful Killarney home. Needless to say, after giving birth to my own daughter last spring I'm happy that she will now have a little girlfriend to play house with soon! Can't wait to photographer more special moments like these as their family continues to grow. xo
This family photoshoot was so entertaining. Every single one of these three girls had a unique and distinct personality, even the new born! If you have multiple children, nieces, nephews, or even siblings, you know that no two children are alike, even if they have all been raised with the same values and teachings. When I photograph families, I love getting to know each child and always try to capture their character through the lens. This one turned out even better than I had anticipated!
Congratulations! You're pregnant and you've made the decision to have your portrait taken by a professional photographer, because let's be honest, every woman wants to document this amazing time in life! But you aren't sure what to wear and how you want the photos to look. I'm here to help! Styling your photography session isn't just about the clothing, hair and makeup. For me, it's about creating a specific setting that will evoke authentic emotion and will create a lasting impact.
Maternity portraits are one of my favourite types of sessions, because you can really feel the joy and anticipation in the subjects. The emotions are raw and authentic and it's an opportunity for the mother to be to feel and look beautiful during this special time in her life. Most importantly, the portraits will create memories that will last a lifetime.
So lets get started. For best portrait results, follow these 6 tips.
Choose a photographer you LOVE and communicate your ideas clearly. Pregnancy is a gift and is an experience that is so short lived, so choose your photographer wisely and make sure you relate to their style. Once you've chosen a photographer, communicate your ideas for the portraits. I recommend creating a very small Pinterest board (maybe 5 images) that you can easily send to your photographer, along with a short explanation as to why you like each image. This will help your photographer create a clear vision for your portrait session. Finally, decide how many looks your photographer will photograph for you, so you have enough time to capture all the photos you want during the session.
What to wear: Chances are, you will have the opportunity and time for 2 looks in your photography session. I recommend a white, cream or floral dress in the first look (anything with lace is great to add texture) and a tasteful underwear set with a chunky knit or a kimono, in the second. Stick to lighter colours, creams, blushes and pinks and leave the heavy patterns and bright colours at home. You want the photos to be as timeless as possible. Colours fall "in and out" of trend all the time, so white and creams make for pure, simplistic and classic choices. If you aren't comfortable wearing underwear, I suggest a bodysuit accompanied by an open sweater to soften the look.
Get a spray tan. This one is simple, I recommend a spray tan to all my clients because it really can help convey a desired warmth in maternity photos, especially in winter. This being said, make sure you read up about the kind of tan you are applying to your skin. In Calgary, I recommend Marin from Faux Spray Tan or Organic Tan for a natural look that doesn't deviate too much from your natural skin tone. However, do not get a spray tan if you aren't comfortable with the idea or the products, it's simply a recommendation.
Small details: A simple manicure and pedicure adds polish and style to the look of your photos. The same goes or doing your hair and makeup. I always say, if I feel beautiful I will look beautiful. Sometimes, getting your hair and makeup done professionally is really worth it. I love soft curls and light natural looking makeup. Remember that this photoshoot might be a "once in a lifetime" experience, so don't skimp out on these details. For professional makeup, I love to Miranda Youssef, a Calgary based makeup artist who will come to your home for the service.
Accessories are key: OK, again, keep it simple. Less is more. I love to add in a hat, or a flower crown, or a simple piece of jewelry, but not all at once. Accessories should not distract from the best accessory you already have, the baby bump!!
Choose your environment: Choose a brightly lit space in your home for photos. A nursery, bedroom or even a kitchen can be great as long as there is plenty of natural light. If possible, choose an outdoor location if the weather permits. Nothing beats the light you get from dusk. If you decide to opt for an indoor session, clear the space completely from all the unnecessary clutter as this will help create clean lines in your images and the photographer can focus on you!
I hope this helps! For styling inquiries or questions, please visit my contact page.
-ML
