Working with What You Have

When planning family sessions, location questions inevitably arise. But we're not always seeking sunshine—especially harsh overhead light. Often the soft, diffused light in the shade of a tree or building provides that editorial-quality illumination magazines favor. And the space doesn't need to be grand or picturesque to work beautifully.

The Professional Difference

This portrait was captured in an overgrown strip beside the hockey rink—hardly larger than what appears in the frame. My lens choice and camera settings isolated the subjects, making them stand out against an otherwise unremarkable background. Strategic cropping eliminated the layer of discarded Tim Hortons cups littering the ground. My shooting angle and perspective made the small area appear expansive.

Technical Expertise Matters

This is why hiring an experienced professional photographer yields dramatically different results than smartphone snapshots. Knowledge of optics, composition, lighting, and post-production transforms challenging conditions into beautiful, editorial-style imagery. The subjects brought natural warmth and connection; professional technique elevated it to publication quality.

Overcast Days, Outstanding Results

Even on overcast days beside hockey rinks, skilled photography creates portraits families treasure and publications would happily feature.