Morning Session with the Beaton Family – Family Photos in Okotoks

Some families just become part of the fabric of your life — the kind you grow up with, laugh with, and feel lucky to know. The Beatons are 100% that kind of family for me. I’ve had the absolute joy of photographing them through every season of life: marriage, babies, milestones, growing kids, and now this beautiful stage of life where everyone is just so them. It’s always an honour, but this session in June of 2024 felt extra special.

We took these photos earlier in the day rather than in the evening, in Okotoks for a relaxed session that was equal parts laughter, chaos (the good kind), and connection — everything I love in a family shoot. The light was soft and dreamy, and there was a kind of ease in the air that only comes from years of knowing each other. Honestly, it felt less like a photoshoot and more like catching up with friends, with a camera in my hand.

Melissa (aka Supermom) looked stunning in one of the dresses from my client closet — a soft, flowy Reclamation Dress that caught the breeze just right and complemented the natural tones around us. One of my favorite parts of offering a curated client closet is seeing how each piece comes to life on different people. Melissa’s dress fit her style perfectly — beautiful, effortless, classic, and warm.

The kids were absolute champs — full of personality and not afraid to show it. That’s one of the things I love most about family photography: capturing real moments, not just the perfectly posed ones. Whether it’s a spontaneous sibling hug, a shared joke, or a wild burst of energy, it all tells the story of who a family is right now. And for the Beatons, the story is full of love, playfulness, and deep-rooted connection.

One thing I always say is that family sessions don’t need to be stiff or stressful. The best photos come from just being yourselves. The Beatons are pros at this — maybe because we’ve done this a few times, or maybe because they know I’ll always catch the magic even in the in-between moments.

Scroll through below to see a few of my favourite frames from this session — the joy, the connection, and the genuine love these five share just radiates.

Thinking about booking your own family session? Whether you’re a longtime client or new to the idea of professional family photos, I’d love to connect. My sessions are relaxed, playful, and centred around telling your story — wrinkles, giggles, snack breaks and all.