Woman in Santa hat and sequin jacket holds DSLR camera, smiling against red background.

YOUR PHOtographer


Over 20 years

of experience shooting everything from WEDDINGS to SUSHI to clowns.

Yes, really.

I love a list.


 So here are some

random Emily facts:


  • I'm the eldest of four kids.
  • My first job was picking strawberries.
  • Loving wife to Todd and devoted mom to Oscar.
  • Our long path to parenthood was the biggest challenge and proudest success of my life.
  • I'm usually wearing either black or the whole rainbow. Depends on the day.
  • I have both a degree in Applied Media Studies and a diploma in Creative Photography from the early 2000s.
  • (I'm older than I look.)
  • I am constantly discovering life lessons in my gardens.
  • I love pickling things. (Mostly cucumbers.)
  • I crave authenticity and simplicity.
  • In my spare time, I help my mom with her floral business, A'Daylia Gardens.
  • I love cottage weekends and floating in a lake and stargazing around campfires with friends.
  • I'm pretty sentimental and sometimes overly sensitive. A true Pisces.
  • I believe in magic at least a little bit.





“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”


– Edward Steichen





“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”


– Robert Frank

The REAL Deal:


I love how photography can make a person feel seen. Not just documented, but truly seen. That's why I do it. That's why it feels important to me.


To have your portrait taken is an act of creation. It has power. It creates agency. When we consciously choose how we want to be represented, we are telling the world, "I'm here! See me as I am." Or perhaps, as I wish to be.


Who will you be photographed with? What will you wear? What location feels meaningful? What colours will add dimension? What activities or props can we incorporate to make your session unique? All of these choices are carefully calculated to tell a story about a life that matters. Yours.


I make art that tells stories. It takes time and effort. I work with free-spirited individuals who want to FEEL something when they see their portraits hanging on the wall. People who still appreciate the sentimental sensation of holding a Polaroid in your hands, and of sunshine warming your face after a rainstorm. I become deeply invested in every client I work with. I pour hours into thinking up settings, colour palettes, props and poses and collecting just the right items to compliment your vibe.


I'm endlessly fascinated by the many faces of humanity. So similar and so different all at once. What lights you up? Where do you feel most at home? Who is your world? How can we translate that into photographs?


So whether you're looking to make memories with your family or document a personal journey, or bring awareness to your business, brand or art, I'm here for it. All of it. I'm easy going and up for anything, with a camera in hand. Let's get creative together. Let's try new things, and play, and share, and laugh, and express our true selves, and help you make your mark on this beautiful world.


Colorful spring flower bouquet with peonies and ranunculus in glass vase beside vintage camera on blue background.

Amie & ADAM

 

 

"Emily is endlessly patient and never rushes a session, allowing each one to

unfold naturally, which makes the entire experience feel easy and enjoyable."

 

 

FAQ

HOw would you describe your photography and  editing style?

Bold, vivid, joyful, and just a little bit brighter and shinier and more colourful than real life. Just like your favourite memories. Sure, life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. But your portraits can bring a bright pop of joy to your living and working space every single day. I always brighten skin tones and edit out any temporary imperfections like blemishes or bruises. But don't worry, I won't mess with your laugh lines or that crinkle above your nose that your family knows and loves. You earned those. The goal is to make my clients look exactly like themselves... on a day where they got a great night's sleep and are feeling their best.

Do you have a favourite location for sessions?

I do! It is A'Daylia Gardens Floral & Creative Design, located just outside of Maryhill, Ontario. I helped my mom start up a cut flower and design business in 2020 on the property where I grew up. If you've ever followed along with our annual witchy photo shoot in October, you'll recognize the property. I love having privacy to shoot out in the countryside so my clients feel totally at ease. We get to choose from gardens, forests, lawns and fields for backgrounds. It is available for my photo sessions year round at no extra cost to you. Just ask! I'm always happy to help you find the perfect location for your photo shoot.

Can you help me print my pictures and make wall art?

Certainly! There has been an interesting shift in the past few years with photography sessions. For awhile there, DIY printing and letting the customer have maximum flexibility with their art was touted as the way forward. But honestly, nowadays I see busy people overwhelmed by a plethora of printing options. I'm getting more and more inquiries from people that really appreciate having that particular task taken off their plate. You've decided to do photos, gotten everyone organized, showed up, smiled, did the thing, followed the process and picked out your favourites shots to have edited... and now you've got to figure out how to get them printed and hanging up on your walls too?! If making your own prints feels like too much, I'm happy to help out with that all important final step toward enjoying your portraits in real life and not just on a tiny screen.

DO you shoot weddings?

I'm more or less retired from weddings. After more than a decade spending wedding season partying with strangers, I want to spend my precious summer weekends tending my garden and my relationships with friends and family at the cottage. So you can me ask me if I can shoot your wedding. I'd be honoured. Just know that I might say no.

Do you have any tips for a great portrait session?

#1 tip: take care of yourself beforehand! Seriously, planning ahead to reduce your stress on the day of, committing to an early bedtime the night before, and making sure you are well hydrated and fed with light but nourishing foods before your shoot goes a long way. If you really want to have a good time, plan a playlist, some snacks, and a treat to reward yourselves afterward. When it comes to actually taking photos, try to relax and trust your photographer to show off your best assets. Sometimes we will ask you to say or do something that seems really silly, but know that we have the big picture in mind. No experience with posing? No problem! This is so common and you'll have plenty of guidance and encouragement every step of the way.  Oh, and parents? Don't worry about a little (or a lot) of chaos. Let me take charge of wrangling the little ones. You'd be surprised how often those wild in-between moments yield the most honest and meaningful pictures. Go with the flow and see where it takes you!

Woman in floral dress holding colorful bouquet and camera, smiling against bright yellow background.

 

Contact information

 

Home Studio:

Sixth Avenue, Kitchener,

Ontario, Canada

Send me a message and I'll reach out.

 

 

emily@emilybeatty.com

+1 519 568 9819