Coming Home to Nova Scotia



Every summer, I pack my bags and head back to Nova Scotia, the place that will always feel like home. It’s a trip I look forward to all year, not only for the ocean views and salty air, but for the chance to reconnect with some of the most important people in my life. My best friend Jessica is one of them. We met in the 7th grade, and here we are nearly twenty years later, still just as close. The best part is that no matter how much time passes between visits, it always feels like we pick up right where we left off.


This year’s trip was extra special because I had the chance to photograph Jessica and her beautiful family. Watching her step into the role of mom has been the most heartwarming thing, and being able to capture these moments for her is a gift I’ll treasure forever.

A series of joyful candid moments showing a parent playfully lifting a small child in the air against a bright sky.
Happy family spending time together on a sunset beach with young children enjoying a tender moment.
A baby wearing a light blue bow rests peacefully against someone with a beard in a tender outdoor sunset moment.
A bearded man in a blue shirt holds a young child while both enjoy a tender moment outdoors during sunset.

A Beautiful Evening at Cornwallis Beach


We decided on Cornwallis Park for the session, and it was the perfect choice. This stretch of beach has such a calming energy with its wide, open shoreline and soft sand that’s so easy to sink into barefoot. The Bay of Fundy stretched endlessly in front of us, and as the evening unfolded, the sky transformed into a painting. The sunset spilled golden light across the water, shifting into pinks and purples as it dipped lower. It was one of those evenings where the world feels still, and you can’t help but pause and soak it in.


The kids had space to play, and we weren’t rushed or crowded, it was just us, the sound of the waves, and the most peaceful golden glow. Cornwallis really is one of my favourite places for family photos in Nova Scotia because it gives the perfect balance of beauty and simplicity.


Jessica and her husband Tyler are raising two beautiful children together, and it was such a joy to capture them as a family. Their son Boyd, at four years old, is full of personality and wonder. He was happiest running barefoot through the sand, climbing around, and letting his imagination run wild by the water’s edge. Photographing kids at this age is always so much fun! They bring an energy and authenticity to every session that you just can’t plan for.


Then there was sweet baby Adley, just three months old, soaking up all the cuddles and quiet moments. The way Jessica held her close against the glow of the sunset was pure magic. You could see the love and tenderness radiating between them. Tyler was right there too, so gentle and steady, making sure both kids felt safe and loved. Capturing those small glances and in-between moments, the ones that tell the story of a family, is what I love most about my work.

A child with blonde hair wearing a beige t-shirt smiles joyfully in warm sunlight.
A romantic couple sits together on a beach at sunset sharing tender moments along the shore.
A bearded person wearing a blue shirt holds a sleeping baby with a bow headband outdoors.
Silhouettes of people walking and standing along a sunset beach with orange skies reflecting on the water.
Family enjoying a sunset beach photoshoot while sitting on a blanket near the ocean.
Candid family portraits taken at the beach during golden hour with ocean in background.
A family stands together on a beach at sunset with a serene ocean backdrop.
Series of casual beach family photos showing tender moments at sunset by the water.
A family plays together on a sandy beach during a seaside photoshoot at sunset.
A sequence of photos shows a person in jeans crouching down and squatting in a rustic outdoor setting.

Why I Love Family Sessions by the Water


There’s something uniquely special about family sessions at the beach. The ocean has this way of bringing out both joy and calm, giving kids the freedom to explore while parents can relax and just be in the moment. For families with little ones, the beach is like an instant playground, and the laughter that comes out of those candid moments is priceless.


While I’m based in Ottawa and not regularly available for photography sessions in Nova Scotia, I still love capturing families by the water. Here at home, the Saint Lawrence River and Rideau River offer the same beautiful, relaxed settings for beach-style family photos. If you’ve been dreaming of a playful, light-filled session with your family, I’d love to create those memories for you right here in Ontario.

A family walks together along a sandy beach at sunset with waves crashing on the shore.
A bearded adult holds a baby wearing a blue outfit at sunset on the beach.
Woman in floral dress lifts baby high into air at sunset on beach with ocean in background.
A happy family sitting together on a sandy beach at sunset with waves in the background.
Mother and child enjoying a walk on a wooded path during a sunny afternoon.
A child with blonde hair leans against an adult wearing a blue shirt on the beach at sunset.
Family walking together on a sandy beach, showcasing joyful interactions and candid moments in a series of photos.
A sweet moment captured at sunset with a bearded adult and small child sharing an embrace on the beach.
A tender moment between mother and baby at the beach during golden hour.
A family group sits together on a blanket at the beach during sunset.
Joyful playtime moments on the beach as someone swings a child while their feet dangle in the air.
A joyful child with blonde hair smiling at the camera while sitting outdoors.
Family enjoys sunset moment together on sandy beach during golden hour photography session.
A family plays together on a beach blanket at sunset near the ocean.
Parents sharing a loving kiss with their baby at sunset by the ocean.
Couple embraces while sitting on beach during sunset session with ocean waves in background.
Family enjoying a peaceful sunset walk together along a beautiful sandy beach at dusk.
A playful moment at the beach as someone lifts a baby up against the sunset sky over the water.
Tender seaside family moment captured at golden hour with gentle waves and sunset in the background.