We were back in Ontario for a couple of weeks this summer and I was able to book a few sessions. This was one of them.

Picture this… I drive out to a little community just outside of where I grew up. I’ve photographed this family in the past but it has been years and their family has grown! I drive down the dirt road past trees, farms, open fields, a horse drawn carriage… it’s all quite serene. I spot their house, drive up the gravel driveway and within seconds my rental car is surrounded by boys with nerf guns pointed at me (where’s my camera when I need it?). Another couple of seconds and they’re in my car – these boys are not shy! I answer about 30 questions, they test out all the buttons/gadgets in the car and then mom and dad come out. The location we’re shooting at is just down the road so the oldest three boys opt to ride with me. I answer another 20 questions or so and they have me laughing non stop until we arrive.

We’re at another farm. We get out of the car, go through the gate and start walking. There’s a creek that runs through the property, we hop that. About 20 or so cows and a few horses then start following us, curious as to what we’re doing. I start shooting with cows at my back, one even sniffing my lens bag… I don’t get this at home in the city so I’m kind of loving every minute of it.

We walk, shoot, laugh. The boys run, one ends up in the creek, others in mud (despite their fancy clothes)… perfect boy stuff and such a fun night!