2018 was a magical year.

I witnessed the beginning of life, and the end.

I documented happy tears, sad tears, a 3 year-old’s accidentally-bit-my-own-finger tears.

I witnessed motherhood in the deep, quiet content of bonding during baby feeding, the it’s-not-quite-working very newborn breastfeeding, and the tumultuous toddlers doing yoga while eating feeding.

I observed dads kissing-better said bitten finger, and various other upsets. And granddads. And grandmothers!

I photographed best friends getting married, not getting married, making out, not making out, supporting one another, scream-laughing, chugging, doing the limbo, crying together, and just being present.

I could go on.

But instead, here are some photographs I made.

I can’t wait to post each of these sessions in full, but in the meantime please contact me if you want to see more.

It’s been a while since I posted a Year in Review, but here are some old ones, if you want to see:
2014 - the year of San Francisco
2013 - the year I started Sweetheart Empire!

And Happy New Year!

- Kate
xo

For Mika & Paul's engagement photos, we returned to McMaster University, where they spent their undergrad together. Not only was this a walk down memory lane, but it was just a romantic, beautiful, quiet day for them to connect and celebrate their love, just the two of them... (and me)

Congratulations on your engagement, Paul & Mika! I'm so excited for your wedding day! xo

I met the Chans when shooting Diana's brother's wedding, and doing portraits for her parents' 40th wedding anniversary (yesss!). Both times we hit it off and everyone had a fantastic time, so it only made sense when Diana & Phil's 10 year wedding anniversary came up, that we connected again to commemorate the occasion. 

It was a gorgeous August day and we met for a couple's photo session (complete with story-telling games that had these two reminiscing into fits of giggles), followed by candids of the family enjoying the gardens and grounds at Langdon Hall. After the photo shoot, everyone gathered in a pretty conservatory of this stately country manor for cocktails followed by a family dinner in their own private dining room.

Check out Diana's memories of the day here.

Click through to see the photos: 

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“Kate spent the afternoon with us for our anniversary celebration at Langdon Hall; she took photos of our family, including two small children and our dog.

We are extremely pleased with the photos — I think Kate’s photography speaks for itself in terms of the outstanding quality — but it is also great working with Kate, both before, during and after the event.

Kate does a tremendous job from beginning to end: she takes the time to discuss what the plan for the shoot is, but she also comes up with great ideas on the day, to take advantage of the location, modify the plans to accommodate everyone’s needs (particularly the moods/attention spans of the children and the dog). She is able to take fantastic photos while being relaxed, easy-going and patient with everyone. She always makes herself available, both before and after the event to answer questions and make sure that the photos turn out exactly as you want. Her pricing is fair and transparent and she makes the photos available shortly after the event.

I should also mention that Kate does a superb job with the photo books. The final product is such a wonderful keepsake that the whole family keeps coming back to it.

I highly recommend Kate and personally look forward to having Kate take photos of our family again in the future.”

– Diana & Phil

Click here to see more wedding photography reviews!
And click here to see the photos from Diana & Phil's 10 year wedding anniversary!