Summertime Relaxing! Ottawa Lifestyle Photographer

I've thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace in my work this last year to have more time at home with baby.  I've been just busy enough and will have a lot more coming soon, with family sessions, babies, 1st, 3rd and 90th birthday parties, baptisms, burlesque, and maybe even some mini-sessions.  I love photographing weddings, which we'll get back to after the summer, but for now I’m so glad to have more weekends and more time with family.  

Hope you have many moments full of your favourite summer pleasures, just like this!

I Love Summer Campfires!  Especially in Northwestern Ontario.
 

Summer Heat & Beautiful Ontario Lakes

This heat is almost putting a damper on my summer fun! (I mean, really. 46 degrees?!, C'mon!) 

One of my favourite places on earth.  And favourite people, too.

Right after a fantastic few days with our favourite houseguests over Canada Day, Bluesfest was on and the heat didn't let up.  Darcy and I were very busy between work and volunteering with Bluesfest for two weeks and all I could think about was being in a lake!

 

 

 

The fun and the heat are making this a pretty memorable July so far.  It's been nice to be home working with the AC on, but kind of wish I was back home.  Especially if it would mean time with friends, family and these little kiddos that are little fish, just like I was, constantly in the water.

We had a shoot at Carnival Diablo on Friday, then it will be yoga in the park and a wedding on Saturday, and we'll see how the rest of our plans come together.  There will be some great photos to share with you as soon as we can!  I hope you are enjoying your long weekend, whatever you may get up to with this crazy summer weather !  

Those daddy moments...

Enjoy your day, you deserve it.

Exciting news!

I've been back in Northwestern Ontario now for almost a week.  I love that I sometimes travel working as a full-time photographer, and that I can go to my hometown for a semi-vacation and meet great new clients or meet again with others, but this trip home is especially exciting.  My brother and his wife were expecting a baby girl!  They had her 2 days before I arrived, so I was just in time for some photos of her first day at home.

I couldn't resist posting a photo, even an unedited quick one.  Check out the facebook page for a few more!

This is the first grandchild for my mom.  She's adorable and I can't wait to spend more time with her.  While the new parents get used to their routines I came to Dryden for some time with family and friends and also some sessions with new faces, and with one of my favourite clients.  It's been a great time so far, even the time spent moving plywood and painting and somehow managing to get a sunburn on a super cloudy, rainy week.  It's been great being back home but I will be off to see my niece for some cuddle time very soon! 

Here's another quick one of that sweet little newborn niece of mine!

While back in Northwestern Ontario I'm offering a special rate of $125 for my brief visit.  My lifestyle sessions are usually about an hour and a half, which gives us some room for locations, and fun activities for little ones. I will be heading to Thunder Bay on Saturday and making time for only a few more sessions while I'm there next week.  Send me an email at natalielyle@me.com to inquire about a session.

Baby Love ......

I love working with babies, but especially with this one.  Imogen is the sweet little 6 month old of my dear friends Shari & Michael.  We've made time for photoshoots whenever we can, so while I was in Thunder Bay in January they drove up from Dryden for some play time (for us grownups and for the baby) and a session, of course.  

Showing off her Holiday Dress before it's been outgrown

Daddy walking her around to soothe the teething and crying 

The morning of our shoot was day 2 of her cutting her first 2 teeth, so there was plenty of cuddling time after what had been a very rough night for her.  Aside from Mom & Dad, her Giraffe pal Bette Davis brought her back to her usual happy self.  I love that Bette is so similar to her with the big eyes and lots of hair.

I can't wait for my next chance for a playdate and photosession!

Happy Anniversary

Here's a more personal post sending a little love to one of our favourite couples.  Shari & Michael were married in Cuba 2 years ago on the same day they started dating 11 years ago.  As very close friends of ours, their wedding was one of our favourites, and Shari has become my unofficial 'poster girl' (you've seen her in our wedbyhand post, or our facebook profile photo, or the site,the list goes on).

Another Happy Note:  Their wonderful daughter Imogen, who lights up rooms wherever she goes with her beautiful smiling face, was 6 months old yesterday.  We met with them for a session while in Thunder Bay and I will be able to share a little more of that with you next week.    Can I just say how sad it is that I'm all the way across the province and don't get to be around this little one more often?  She is pure joy!

Immy at 7 weeks visiting Ottawa

Being cute at Norma Jean's Diner

Sending love to the two of you (with kisses for Imogen).  Nat and Darcy

Family & Maternity Photography, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Here I am catching up on some blogging...  there is more to come soon, but first I thought I could share some photos of Denae, since she was the Birthday Girl this week!  I got together with her and her family while in Thunder Bay for some very special photos.  Looking for some better-than-school-photos, and also some of the new baby sister or brother on the way we had a lot of fun in a slightly extended session.  

It was freezing out.....

So we found somewhere to take our minds off the cold...

And more of the sweet Birthday Girl...

I've been honoured to photograph Denae's Aunty's Wedding, Maternity and Family sessions, and working with Denae and her parents was just as great.  Such a lovely family, every one!  

Some more photos of her little cousin Imogen will be showing up here soon.

The Newlyweds, One Week Later

Our New Year's Eve was spent in the company of Sandra and Enzo, a very special way to end 2010 and usher in the coming year.  It was a lovely wedding, and even the chaos leading up to the ceremony was light and fun (the wedding party included 5 grandchildren).

The evening came, with the light fading just as the solarium was filled with the couple's friends and family, soft twinkle lights and candles lighting the ceremony.  The evening was informal, without a head table or speeches, only table after table of old friends and new, celebrating with comfort food, wine and laughter. There were loads of treats (the kids made a few good recommendations as to which were the favourites, and which cupcake they thought best), and then warm hugs and smiles all around at the countdown to 2011.  

They were beaming and joyful, laughing, talking and dancing with their guests all through the evening.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate what's to come, especially for Sandra & Enzo.  

More photos will follow, but here is a quick one of the newlyweds before the ceremony.  Sandra was such a gorgeous, beaming bride that she was able to keep Enzo out for nearly 10 minutes instead of 2, for some Winter Wedding Photos.  No small feat with icy winds in -20 weather!

And I couldn't resist posting another shot from the evening:

Waiting for baby...

As we are heading off to Dryden, Ontario this morning, I just have to send out a photo of two of some of my all time favourite people.  As you can tell, they've got a little one on the way, who I'm sure will make that all-time favourite people list fairly quickly!  Today, in fact, is that little one's due date. (Yay!)  I am so excited.  

I don't make it to my hometown often, especially not with the timing that allows me to meet these little ones when they're so brand new.  So, this is great, right?  Well, we'll see if this is what she has planned.  I'm sure she'll have her own timeline, and we'll find out if I do in fact get to meet her, but if I do?  You can bet there will be some photos taken.  

Her momma-to-be has already been used as my official 'pinup girl', with much appreciation (see our facebook page profile photo, if you haven't seen last years Wedding Bells ad or some of our business cards), so I'm sure it will be hard to resist sharing some very special newborn photos.

Cross your fingers, I know her parents are very eager to meet her soon as well!