A Sunny Evening At The Water With The Richters | Courtice Beach

When Hannah first reached out and mentioned she used to be a wedding photographer, I won’t lie, I was a little nervous! Photographers see and notice everything, and I knew the bar would be high. More than anything, I wanted her to feel truly seen in this season with her family.

We met at Courtice Beach, one of my favourite gems in the Durham Region. It’s a quiet spot with open light, soft grasses, and just enough space for little ones to run and explore without distraction. The kind of place that makes everything feel more relaxed.

As a Durham Region family photographer, something I really try to hold space for in every session is honesty. I’ll never ask you to pose in a way that feels stiff or unnatural, because you can always see it in someone’s expression. Instead, I want families to relax into their own rhythm — to move, to play, to pause, to interact the way they do when no one is watching. That’s where the real magic is.

This evening with the Richters was exactly that: easy, natural, and full of real connection. I left with the kind of full heart that reminds me why I love doing this work. To be trusted with these in-between moments — the ones that will mean the most years from now — is the greatest gift.