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Montage de La vie en un matin au Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine

Bien peu de personnes savent ce qui se passe dans les coulisses d’une exposition. Et, pour être honnête, ce n’est pas une question que je m’étais posée avant d’avoir à ...

Family

Quoi faire en mars à Lac-Etchemin

Mon exposition au Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine approche à grands pas! Le vernissage aura lieu le 15 mars à 13 h. Serez-vous des nôtres? Lac-Etchemin se trouve à environ 1 h 30 de Québec et 3 h 30 de Montré...

Family

This is not a pretty photo

This is not a pretty photo, but it says so much about that stage of my life. We often only think about taking photos of what we find pretty or what we love, but how ...

Family

Motherhood photography project

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’ve started a new personal photography project about motherhood. It doesn’t have a title yet, and I don’t expect it to for a ...

Family

2024 Year in review

Another year has flown by in the blink of an eye! Here’s a roundup of what kept me inspired and busy in 2024. From exciting exhibitions and awards to new projects and services, it’s ...

Family

La vie en un matin au Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine

Je suis ravie d’annoncer que La vie en un matin se déplacera une fois de plus, cette fois jusqu’à Lac-Etchemin, au Québec! De mars à septembre 2025, le Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine ...

Family

Life in a Morning at Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine

I’m excited to announce that Life in a Morning is on the move once more, this time all the way to Lac-Etchemin, Québec! From March to September 2025, Centre d’arts Moulin La Lorraine ...

Family

An alternative approach to fall family photos in Edmonton

Ah, fall family photos—the season of cosy plaid shirts, charming smiles, and... waiting for the leaves to fall just right in the background. Sound familiar? The popularity of fall family photos There’s a ...

Family

Visual narratives that evoke emotions

Over time, I’ve come to realize the profound importance of storytelling photos. Unlike simple portraits, they evoke emotions and allow us to relive and share our life experiences. While working on a personal project ...

Family

Photo session at the Leduc Library

Last December, I had the pleasure to document a family’s year-in-the-life monthly 1-hour photo session at the Leduc Library, just south of Edmonton. We arrived as soon as the library opened to make sure ...

Family

Choosing your Heartfelt Chapters plan

Choosing your Heartfelt Chapters plan can feel overwhelming without knowing what to expect. Here are 20 questions to help you make a decision: Child Development Do your children change rapidly, or have they reached an age ...

Family

A year of family photos in Edmonton

Introducing Heartfelt Chapters Have you heard about Heartfelt Chapters, the new year-in-the-life photography service I’ll soon be launching? What is Heartfelt Chapters? Heartfelt Chapters is a unique membership service for Edmonton families who want ...

Family

Why are family photos important to you?

When I was young, I used to think that if my house ever caught on fire, I’d need to grab my photo albums along with my favourite stuffed bear. Those were the most important ...

Family

10 Easter and spring-themed crafts to do with or for your kids

Can you believe this weather we’re having? It’s like Mother Nature can’t make up her mind. One minute people are breaking out the shorts and flip flops, and the next, we’re ...

Family

Parents: to take the photos or to be present?

Don’t you ever feel like trying to capture family memories through photos is a bit of a double-edged sword? As parents, we strive to document these fleeting moments, but it’s tricky to decide ...

Family

New photography exhibition in Sherwood Park

I’m delighted to announce the inauguration of my latest photography exhibition, Reflections, at the beautiful Gallery@501 in Sherwood Park. Beginning on January 23, this two-person showcase features the vibrant painted portraits by Carol Wylie alongside ...

Family

The story behind the photograph—building a snow volcano

In January 2022, Radio-Canada took a keen interest in my family photography style, particularly the documentary genre. They put together a video profile, capturing me in action. After doing a model call, I chose to work ...

Family

6 fun outdoor winter photo session ideas in various locations around Edmonton

As an Edmonton photographer, I often wonder why so many people limit their family photo sessions to the enchanting hues of fall. Sure, the autumn colours give a nice backdrop, but every season has its ...

Family

2023 Year in review

At the beginning of 2022, I gave you the inside scoop on all the cool things I’d been up to in my first-ever year in review. I’m here again, this time with the highlights ...

Family

Meaningful gift ideas your family will love

Are you a last minute holiday shopper? Not sure what to get your loved ones this year? Here are 6 meaningful gift ideas your family will love. 1. Print a photo book Deadlines are fast approaching to ...

Family

10 aesthetically pleasing and creative ways to display your family photos

If you’re familiar with me, you know I’m a big proponent of getting your photos printed. I love gallery walls and it’s about time I create a new photography display in my ...

Family

The importance of photo books

I recently decided to include a photo book with each of the artwork collections I offer. One of the main reasons why is that I want every single one of my clients to walk away ...

Family

5 reasons to print your photos

Our children are by far the most photographed of all generations. But how often do they see printed photos of themselves? With the ease and prevalence of digital photography, printed photos have almost become a ...

Family

Tips to capture candid moments in family photography

Candid family moments make unique, powerful and meaningful photos. Since they can be tricky to photograph, a few expert tips can help you up your game. Here, contributor Gary Sindell of Snap Director shares some ...

Mon métier de rêve—Photographe

In February 2023, I had the pleasure to participate in a radio segment produced by Radio Cité in partnership with Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord. The theme: Mon métier de rêve (My dream career). Axelle Lachance, ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—102 years old

Part 12 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—91 years old

Part 11 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—66 years old

Part 10 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—44 years old

Part 9 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—32 years old

Part 8 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—32 years old

Part 7 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—23 years old

Part 6 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—14 years old

Part 5 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—7 years old

Part 4 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—4 years old

Part 3 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—1 year old

Part 2 of 12 My bilingual Life in a Morning exhibition presents 104 black and white photographs with written blurbs about the morning routine of 12 girls and women aged 0 to 102 years old. It shows the differences and similarities ...

Family

Life in a Morning photography exhibition—0 year old

In my previous post, you read the behind-the-scenes story of my Life in a Morning photography project and exhibition. Now is the time to take you on the promised virtual tour! Dans mon article pré...

Family

Behind the scenes — Life in a Morning exhibition

Isn’t it funny how sometimes you don’t realize you have a dream until it comes true? In 2021, I was encouraged by my two photography mentors to start a personal project. I had done ...

Newborn

Sherwood Park pediatric chiropractor—meet Dr. Emily Devlin-Irving

Last summer, I photographed a family that was going to a pediatric chiropractor appointment right after their photo session. That got me thinking: why would a newborn need to see a chiropractor? I asked the ...

Family

Emotional opening for Life in a Morning photography exhibition in Edmonton

It’s 3 pm. I’m at home in Sherwood Park. I have to be at the CAVA art gallery in Edmonton before 4 pm to add a few finishing touches to my Life in a Morning ...

Family

2022 year in review

2022 was an incredible year of growth, recognition and inspiration for me as a photographer. I’m so grateful for all the people who’ve encouraged and supported me since the beginning, inspire me, push me ...

Family

Boost your child’s self-esteem with printed photos

Did you know that printed photos help boost your child’s self-esteem? Don’t just take my word for it, scientists have done research on the subject! What is self-esteem? I like how Tel-jeunes puts ...

Family

8 parenting Instagram accounts to follow to raise emotionally healthy kids

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—being a parent is tough. Thank goodness for the many psychologists and specialists who share parenting advice on Instagram to help you raise emotionally ...

Newborn

Baby carriers made in Edmonton: Babuebaby Carriers

Edmonton baby carrier designer and occupational therapist Busi of Babuebaby Carriers understands the benefits of babywearing, both for baby and caregiver. So do Tina, an Edmonton mother, and her baby Finley. I spent a fun ...

Family

Le Noël des campeurs

Have you ever heard of le Noël des campeurs, or Camper’s Christmas? This Quebec tradition traces back to many years ago when it was hard for big families to get together in the ...

Newborn

Edmonton postpartum doula—an interview with Lily and Oak

Are you familiar with the word doula? I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t until a friend of mine hired an Edmonton postpartum doula years ago. I had stopped by my friend’s ...

Family

FAMILY: (UN)EXPECTED—documentary family photography exhibit in Arles

Oh my! I just looked at photos of the city of Arles in France, and I so wish I could be there right now! Not only is it a beautiful Provençal city that inspired ...

Family

10 great locations for memorable family photos around Edmonton this summer

Not sure where to go for fun family photos around Edmonton this summer? Here are 10 great locations to explore or rediscover for a great family experience—with a few unconventional spots! 1. Your backyard I bet ...

Family

Camping at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park—a fun family photography experience

Have you ever been to Pigeon Lake Provincial Park in Alberta? I went for the first time last summer and was quite pleased with the campground. Lots of trees, 10 km of biking or hiking trails, ...

Newborn

Edmonton prenatal class with Labour Day Prenatals

Being a parent is one of the toughest jobs out there. It doesn’t come with a college or university degree, and no instruction manual could ever hold the solutions and answers to all of ...

Family

First group photography exhibit for Sherwood Park photographer

Guess what? From June 13 to July 16, 2022, your favourite Sherwood Park photographer (hehe, me!) is participating in her first group photography exhibit! Documentary Family Photographers Worldwide (DFP) presents its third virtual photography exhibition, Community, in the ...

Family

Weekly meal plan: a culinary family excursion at home

I love good food and travel. When I can combine both experiences, it’s a true delight! My husband and I visited quite a few countries before having kids. We saw many great places and ...

Family

How to like yourself more in photos

Many people don’t like having their photo taken because they don’t like their appearance in photos. So when it comes to documentary family photography, where you’re photographed just as you are, without ...

Family

My experience on the other side of the camera

Last summer, I got to be on the other side of the camera during my family’s first documentary photo session. It was about time I got to feel the way my clients feel! Although ...

Family

Celebrating the best of motherhood in Edmonton

To all you mothers out there, whether you live in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain or elsewhere in the world… I hope you know how awesome you are! Have you ...

Family

Why you don’t need to worry about feeling weird during your documentary family photography session

You have to be open-minded to let a photographer join you in the intimacy of your home. To let them witness the chaos, the love and the intricacies that make you and your family so ...

Family

Day-in-the-life family photography: what to do during your session?

If you’ve read the first two articles of this series about day-in-the-life family photography, you have a better idea of what it is and how long your photo session should be. But what if ...

Family

How long should your day-in-the-life family photo session be?

It’s called a day-in-the-life family photo session for a reason. But I’d say it’s not really a photo session. It’s more like a regular day in your life where you invite ...

Family

How to make a bouquet of paper roses with your kids

I used to do crafts with my kids at least once a week. We’d wake up on a Saturday or Sunday morning, quietly get the crafting supplies out and look for something fun to ...

Family

Day-in-the-life family photography

Did you know that day-in-the-life family photography is the best way for you and your kids to time travel? In just a day, you get to create an invaluable time capsule of what your life ...

Family

Sherwood Park photographer awarded first place in international photography competition

I cried. Not just once, but quite a few times that morning. It wasn’t because I, Marie-Pierre Castonguay, a Sherwood Park family photographer, had just found out I was awarded first place in an ...

Family

Edmonton parents: shop local this holiday season

The supply chain is disrupted, small businesses are struggling. What better reason to shop local and give back to your community this holiday season? Edmonton parents, I had the chance to discover many great vendors ...

Family

Enjoy this phase of your child’s life longer with photography

It’s the little things you want to hold onto. The ones you know won’t last forever, like the way they love being held, how they blow kisses, their sweet innocence, the funny things ...

Family

8 ice cream shops to visit with your family in and around Edmonton

Have you noticed the many ice cream shops and food trucks that have popped up in and around Edmonton in the last few years? The summer of 2021 was particularly hot so I decided to give ...

Family

Visiting the Reynolds-Alberta Museum with kids

You know when you go somewhere without expecting much and are pleasantly surprised? That’s exactly how I felt when we visited the Reynolds-Alberta Museum with our kids last weekend—I couldn’t stop saying ...

Family

Why dads love documentary family photo sessions

This is a true short story. A woman says, all excited, “Honey, we’re gonna have a family photo session in a few weeks!” Her better half responds, disgruntled, “Not another photo session…” That was ...

Family

Questions for kids to answer about dad

Version française à la fin de l’article Remember my printable Questions for kids to answer about mom? I’ve adapted them for dads because Father’s Day is coming up and they deserve the ...

Family

6 reasons to hire a documentary family photographer this summer

The cold winter days are finally behind us. Who would have thought we’d get snow in the middle of May this year in Edmonton? Craziness! Nonetheless, spring had sprung, the kids have changed, and ...

Family

How do you want to feel when you look back at your family photos?

Five to ten years from now, how do you want to feel when you look back at your family photos? I wish I could go back to 2015 and ask myself the same question. I don’...

Family

Lifestyle or documentary family photography—how to choose the right style for your family?

I know why you’ve landed here! You’re interested in a style of photography that looks and feels natural. You’ve heard of lifestyle and documentary family photography, but you don’t know how ...

Family

Why you need to be in your photos to remember this stage of your child’s life

As a parent, it’s tempting to photograph every single thing about your child—and I don’t blame you! You’re so in love with that little person! You just want to remember the ...

Family

Questions for kids to answer about mom

Version française à la fin de l’article Mother’s Day is coming up and I want to share the gift I like to receive the most from my children: Questions for kids to answer ...

Family

How to bottle up your memories with meaningful photography

Do you ever wish your photos had a little something… more? Something that would make you feel the way you felt when they were taken and allow you to relive the moment? The following story ...

Family

Non-toy gift ideas

2020 has been different on so many levels and will continue to be until the very end. What are the holidays going to be like for your family this year? Social gatherings are prohibited until further ...

Family

Backyard fun | Sherwood Park family photography

This Sherwood Park family spends a lot of time in their backyard. They thought it would be the perfect setting for their short family photography session—and with good reason! They have a nice outdoor ...

Family

Outdoor family session

I launched my new website with a giveaway to end the strange summer of 2020 on a light note. Along with the giveaway came a special offer—you can now book a one-hour outdoor family session. ...

Family

Physical distancing photo session in Edmonton

End of May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic had been going on for a little over two months in Alberta. I had stayed home and practiced social and physical distancing since the very beginning of the government ...

Family

They encourage their kids to be themselves

Jill and Natty have four kids ages 6 and under. Although their life must be crazy at times, they have a pretty laid back parenting style. They encourage their kids to be themselves and want them ...

Family

Tofield family photographer

Karine, Andy and their three kids live on an acreage in Beaver County, Alberta. One morning, I drove from Sherwood Park to their property to act as their Tofield family photographer. When I arrived, the ...

Family

A day in the life of a Southern Alberta family

It was a beautiful Monday morning in June. I woke up in my converted car-camper (a Honda Fit) after a nice weekend camping in Canmore with my own family. I was excited to go and ...

Newborn

Hospital newborn photo session

I hopped in Grandma’s vehicle and we were off to Edmonton’s Grey Nuns Hospital for a newborn photo session. It was very noisy in the vehicle and we adults could barely have a ...

Family

Remember the little things

Chelsey is a nurse and has a flexible work schedule, so she gets to spend a lot of time at home with her sweet girl. Watching her interact and experience the world with wonder and ...

Family

Escape to Canmore for a family photo session

Mallory and Jeff are from Edmonton and both share the same passion for fitness and the outdoors. A few years ago, they lucked out on a great condo deal in the Three Sisters development in ...

Newborn

Documentary newborn photography

Newborn photography in a studio usually happens within baby’s first two weeks of life. A young newborn is usually very sleepy, so it is much easier to achieve specific poses at that time. With ...

Newborn

Welcoming a new baby in the family

As a mother of twins, I often get to experience things only once, or twice in a short period of time. I find myself lucky to have two children without having undergone the toughest stages ...

Family

Baking Christmas cookies with the kids

The winter Holiday Season is magical for many families. It’s a time to get together, celebrate and honour family traditions. Baking Christmas cookies with the kids is a favourite for many families. Not only ...