This was one of our last lifestyle sessions for the year and we were blessed to hang out with an amazing couple.  Afshan and Ali are two people who in and out of their careers are so devoted to helping others, always putting others first and we love that about them.  We couldn't be happier to shoot their 2-day wedding celebration and later, their "engagement" session.  They wanted something different than on their wedding day, and we were thrilled that they came to us for an extra session to capture them in their element: relaxed, carefree and so in love.

Here is one favourite image that really connects with us and stirs us each time we see it.  This is always a good sign for us - when it hits close to our hearts.   As photographers, we never want to let it just be about the image - but we hope that through it, you see the people in it, who they are, and in some strange way feel a connectedness to the love and life they share.  

Click below for more teaser images from their lifestyle session:

A&A: Thank you for your trust that allows us to capture the beautiful people you are.  We hope you enjoy these and can't wait to show you more. :)

Much love always,
Mary (& Sam)

The fall is a time we really look forward to, not only for its colours, but it is also a favourite because it is the time of year for many of our client's family sessions!  We are truly blessed to meet warm loving families whom we are able to share a connection with and always learn so much from each of them. 

Here is a session we did of Lili who just turned one!  Despite the uncertain weather (yes, we had everything from a burst of freezing rain/hail, to wind, clouds and finally sun --typical of Sam and Mary weather!), Lili was a star!  She gave us her biggest warmest smiles, quirkiest looks and although running around trying to capture a 1 yr old kid never is, she made our session look too easy!   And, as all professions comes with its' own set of occupational hazards, we thought we'd share one of ours with you.

Occupational Hazard #142: Falling in love with other people's kids.

For more awesome cuteness, click on the image below!

It's Friday night and while most of our non photographer/non wedding industry friends are winding down for the weekend, we are typically either gearing up for a wedding or lifestyle session, editing, processing or like tonight, building a client's first family album.  

This process is always exciting for us as we know this will be enjoyed by the family for years to come -- which is also why it takes time, thought, and requires both our eyes and attention.  There is no set formula, but just like an artist, we are not satisfied until it we are both completely happy with the final finished product. 

We recently photographed a 1yr old baby girl from a past wedding client and it's always such a pleasure to be asked to capture their family's photos!  It just hit us what an awesome privilege we have to build relationships with our couples and not only to get see them grow as a family, but to continue to photograph them.

Here is a spread from their family album that we wanted to share: sort of a sneak peek to their session.  We don't always work with a theme for a lifestyle or family session, but in this case, when her parents told us that Alyssa loves to shop for clothes, we knew we had to include shopping as part of her session!

This moment was too cute not to have it's own page! :)

Happy friday, everyone!

Much love,
Mary (& Sam)

It's finally here!  Yes, we've been anticipating updating our Lifestyle website for some time now and after many (bazillion!) tweaks and working on our new site for the past few months, we are so excited and proud to announce the birth of Sam and Mary Photography | Lifestyle. 

It's everything we've envisioned, with updated new galleries being the most important, larger photos (go big or go home, right? :), and clean, modern and classy - all of which we love!  Sam and Mary Photography | Lifestyle features our work with families, baby, kids, college, models, couples, and bands.  We look forward to capturing fun and stylish Lifestyle sessions with you, whether it be for a pregnancy, pets, portraits, special occasion, birthdays or other events, we'd love to be there this year, so contact us - the skies the limit!

We are the ones blessed by the friendships, lives and laughs shared, and we wanted a site that gives tribute to the super awesome clients that have given us that ultimate trust that we don't take for granted.  We take our work with conscientiousness and passion - nothing less.

We sincerely want to thank all our wonderful clients for sharing your life and love with us. It is truly our gift to offer the very best that is possible in a photography experience.  We approach our photography in a way that is fun and natural, yet fresh and honest -- all the while not sacrificing capturing the essence of who you are, whom and how you love. 

Feel free to check out our portfolio and galleries at our new Sam and Mary Photography | Lifestyle website. We will be adding and updating this site as we go, but please feel free to drop us a line or add a comment to let us know what you think! 

If you are looking to book a session with us, please email us and share your ideas!  We'd love to hear from you and can't wait to share the experience.

Much love,
Mary ( & Sam)

We're kind of behind on blogging these, but just wanted to share these fun photos we took during Kelsey's mini session.

I love these ones of Kelsey and her dog, Angus, just hangin' out. They are such a perfectly matched pair!

This is her bear that she's had since birth, so it is well loved!

She doesn't normally jump on her bed, but when we gave her permission (with her dad's approval, of course!), she was a natural!

Definitely something every kid ought to do!

Kelsey, thanks for allowing us to capture you being yourself. We love your calm and sweet personality and glad we can have some fun hanging out in your world. Keep that sense of wonder and fun!

Much love,

Mary (& Sam)