HEATHER WILKINSON | Photographer

Abi and I played together some when we were little girls.  She came to my house for piano lessons with my mom for years, and then she even so so patiently attempted to give me violin lessons a few years ago.  I finally acknowledged that I didn’t have the gift, which may have been greatly due to my complete lack of commitment to practicing.  Huh.  Fast forward a few years and now she is who I am SO happy to say will be watching Levi a few days each week so that I can better run my business.  I have been wondering/worrying for months about finding the perfect person to leave Levi with, so when my mom mentioned that Abi would likely be interested, I was thrilled.  Well, actually I’m a little nervous.  You see, she’s the wholesome ‘makes her kids pancakes in the morning, plays like 8 instruments, makes homemade candles and actually sits on the couch and reads to her children’ kind of mom that I totally wish that I was.  He might end up liking her better.  Either way though, no matter who he likes better, I feel so happy and relieved to be able to leave him with such a wonderful substitute mama.

Now, it’s extremely rare that you’ll ever see me post about a family session here on the blog.  That’s largely due to the fact that I hardly ever photograph families because, well, I’ve just never really felt that it was my thing.  But when Abi asked me to come photograph their family candidly in and around their home to help them with their adoption application process, I was very interested.  One, because I have adored their rustic farmhouse for years and totally wanted to snoop see inside, and secondly because I completely love what they are doing and wanted to play a small part in it.

Oh Barnard family, you really are as adorable as I expected.  Here’s a few of my favourites…