Taylor + Dylan’s celebration at their beautiful Pictou County venue had all the autumn vibes! From the florals, decor to the dresses and amazing details, this was a perfect October setting. Decor by Country Mamma’s Rentals is always a delight, she can add magic to your day no matter your vision! Ahead of Hair and Randi Cotter MUA had the ladies looking stunning and Taco Bros had everyone’s bellies feeling warm and happy! What an amazing day celebrating these two newlyweds! Congrats!
Pictou County has got to have some of the best beaches! Caribou / Munro’s Island Provincial Park, also known locally as Simpson’s Beach is a stellar spot to dip your toes in the sand and cool off in the Atlantic Ocean. I’m happy to be your local Pictou Photographer for anything coastal. My favourite place to be is anywhere near the water!
K + D tied the knot amongst family and friends at Parker’s Barn in Hopewell Nova Scotia. What a gorgeous county setting for the ceremony and reception! Pictou County Wedding Venues are all unique and Parker’s boasts a lovely hillside field behind their large red barn that hosts the best kind of party! Check out a sneak peek at this couple’s wedding gallery below.
-Maggie
@maggiemclarenphoto
Parker’s Barn Wedding Venue - beautiful rustic setting in Pictou County Nova Scotia!
Some of my favourite mini sessions I offer are at the beautiful Seafoam Lavender Farm, River John Nova Scotia. Take a peek at a few images from this year! Lavender photo sessions are perfect for kids, couples and families! Have you visited the farm?
-Maggie (Your local Pictou county photographer and Truro photographer!)
Each year I like to host limited mini session on the beach. Northern Nova Scotia has such stunning beaches and although it’s hard to choose just one, Caribou/Munro’s Island Provincial beach was the perfect spot for hosting these minis this year. We had a blast in the beach grass and splashing in the Atlantic Ocean. Mini Sessions are perfect for families with little ones. Often, you may think that your little one(s) may have a hard time sitting still or lasting for a full hour photo session. You know your kid(s) best, so a mini session being only 15 minutes long could be the perfect time to catch some smiles and move on! If you’re at all nervous about your kid(s) with photos, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m more than happy to ease your worries and rest assured, there’s always cuteness to be captured no matter what. These sessions are not only for those with little ones though, it’s geared towards literally anyone who’d like some updated photos. If you’d like to stay up-to-date with any mini promotions please be sure to follow me on Instagram @maggiemclarenphoto
Your friendly Pictou County and Truro photographer!
-Maggie
Thinker’s Lodge, a historic property in Pugwash was the beautiful backdrop for Chelsea and Patrick’s wedding celebration. This venue boasts a classic feel and coastal views. C + P have a wonderful love story, including their 3 daughters. You could truly feel the love. Their friends and family showered them with love on this sunny summer day! Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness!
A dreamy sunset maternity session for N + F on the beautiful beach of Waterside Provincial Beach/Park, in Caribou Nova Scotia! The featured outfits are available in my client wardrobe, please inquire.
A lifestyle newborn session is the perfect way to savour the sweet memory of your new arrival! Having the session in the comfort of your own home, avoids the stress of traveling with a newborn. Don’t let those moments fade away, let me help you capture those little details you will never want to forget!
Pictou County has so many beautiful beaches to offer as a stunning backdrop for any session. Let me help you find the perfect spot and let’s make memories with our toes in the sand!
Fox Harb’r Resort is such a lovely setting for all things wedding! M prepped for the day with her girls in a suite on the golf course. Surrounded by your besties is a fun way to get your day started! Followed by a first look at their covered bridge. We carted across the stunning property for various photo locations, ending with the resort’s vineyard! As a venue, Fox Harb’r is the hostess with the mostest!
The Northumberland Strait offers stunning views for this seaside ceremony in Pictou, Nova Scotia. I absolutely love when the locations chosen are sentimental in nature. P + M were showered with love and support by family and friends during their special day on family property. What a magical day for everyone who attended!
When you ask for her hand in marriage at a a beautiful lighthouse, you take her back for your engagement session six years later! What a pleasure to capture these two on Caribou Island, Nova Scotia. To be their wedding photographer was such a wonderful honour. A sneak peek into their vows on the blog to come!
Pictou County Wedding photographer / Pictou Wedding Photographer / Pictou Photographer
Young kids often love the beach, and maybe more importantly - love the beach more than getting their photos taken! This is totally fine! It’s more important to me that we find some fun for your kids while we capture some really sweet moments. They can have fun and interact with their grown ups without being forced to sit still, and we can take it at their pace. Although, as a little incentive, I often hear chats about ice cream and I can certainly agree that ice cream after a session at the beach sounds worthy of a smile or two :)
If you’re not barefoot, then you’re overdressed! 👣
This expression couldn’t be more true. To run your feet through the warm sand and dip your toes in the Atlantic ocean, that’s what summer in the maritimes is. We’re lucky enough to have some amazing beaches within our reach! What’s your favourite beach to visit in Nova Scotia?
In early June I photographed the most magical newborn lifestyle session, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. We caught the end of apple blossom season, just as the lilac bushes flourished. The setting was picture perfect! A lifestyle newborn photo session can take place in or outside your home, when baby is brand new or a couple of months old. It’s always a great opportunity to capture your new or growing family dynamic with a lifestyle session.
But what should we wear!?
It is sometimes tough to decide what you should wear for your portrait session, and when you have a whole family to take into consideration, it can be hard to know where to begin! Let me help you with a few tips and tricks, if you’re seeking guidance, and then just add your personal touch!
Often, it’s best to work around an outfit you love or have been dying to buy. This outfit may be for you (or anyone in your family) and can work as the foundation to build upon.
First, consider if you’d like to be more casual or more formal, and have all those involved have outfits in the same vein. Choose complimentary colours to coordinate with one another, but play with textures and movement! Patterns can be used in moderation however, you’ll want to avoid mixing/matching too many patterns, as they can be distracting and we want the main focus to be YOU! For more specific guidance, please check out the tips and photo examples below, and never hesitate to reach out with questions leading up to your session!
Lightweight and/or flowy fabrics can add playful movement.
Long sleeve button up shirts can also be layered open with a t-shirt underneath, and/or rolled sleeves.
Accessories can add style and personality to a look: hats, hair accessories and jewelry. Hats can be removed for variety in your gallery of images.
Consider your comfort first! Hesitate from styles or fabrics that are uncomfortable or clingy, to avoid having to fidget or readjust during your session. There are many fabrics and styles that will skim the body and flatter every shape and size, which will keep you feeling confident and carefree throughout the session.
If your session is at the beach this summer, kick off those sandals and walk barefoot during the session - no need to worry or coordinate your outfits to include footwear.
Ultimately, just wear what makes you happy!
The following outfits/items are available* at the following online retailers:
Zara, Banana Republic, H&M, Aritzia, Gap
*availability subject to change, but gives you a jumping off point for current items and styles!
Stay tuned for a dedicated post about dresses, and I will be sure to link more size inclusive retailers!
-Maggie
Maggie McLaren Photography, Nova Scotia Canada
