Best Moments Of 2021

2021, like many other years, was full of challenges. From lockdowns to no photo-taking at times, it certainly had its downs. However, it was also jam-packed with ups. Too many to count, actually.

Scroll through to see the top eight moments of Emily VanderBeek Photography from 2021.

1. The Naar Family Session

In March of 2021, I was lucky enough to photograph the Naar family. This was a pivotal session because, after dealing with so many guidelines and restrictions early on, it was my first in-person shoot of the year. It was special for me because it was the breath of fresh air that I needed to continue, and it was special for the Naar Family because it was the first time they had family photos taken in nearly 20 years. I absolutely love what we were able to create together, and I would photograph them all again in a heartbeat.

Family photo with dog by the water, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white photo of three siblings by the water, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of two sisters hugging each other and smiling while looking at the camera, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of two sisters kissing their mom on the cheek, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Family photo of dad, two daughters, and son by the water, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of husband and wife, husband kissing wife on forehead, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white portrait of husband and wife, husband telling wife a secret to make her laugh, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait of girl smiling away from the camera while playing with her hair, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait of girl smiling away from the camera, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait beige dog sitting in long grass, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

2. Pet Portrait Mini Sessions

At the beginning of June, I collaborated with the Lincoln County Humane Society in St. Catharines to offer my first ever Pet Portrait Mini Sessions; with a portion of the costs being donated to them. Any day that involves animals is a good day in my books. I met so many sweet dogs, and then photographed a group of puppies from the Bahamas that the LCHS had rescued. I think Pet Portrait Mini Sessions will now be an annual occurrence.

Portrait of woman holding puppy and kissing it on the cheek on a sunny day, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of beagle dog in front of a white backdrop, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a golden retriever smiling on a sunny day, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of dog in front of a white backdrop smiling, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a small puppy on a sunny day, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of dog and owner in front of a white backdrop, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a small puppy on a sunny day, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of pug in front of a white backdrop, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of dog and owners on a sunny day, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Niagara family photographer, family photography, pet photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

3. Orchard Mini Sessions

These minis were originally supposed to be Fruit Blossom Mini Sessions, but we had to reschedule so many times due to lockdowns and weather changes that we missed the fruit trees in full bloom! Thankfully, I have the best clients who are so understanding. We were able to make them work, and I’m so glad we did. The moments we captured are priceless.

Black and white photo of mother hugging her son and daughter in a fruit orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of father kissing his son on the forehead in orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of young girl laughing while standing in fruit orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of woman laughing in fruit orchard while playing with her hair, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of family of three hugging and laughing in fruit orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of little girl smiling and laughing in fruit orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white portrait of mother holding two daughters smiling in orchard, Niagara family photographer, Niagara portrait photographer, family photography, portrait photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

4. Beach Mini Sessions

My Beach Mini Sessions were another memorable event of 2021! So many families joined me on the beach in the middle of August, and it was a fun-filled afternoon of creating memories. The lighting was perfect, the weather was more than ideal, and the families were so sweet. 

Portrait of little girl playing in the sand on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of family of three looking at each other standing on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black & white portrait of husband and wife looking at each other touching noses, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of siblings hugging each other on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of family of five standing on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white portrait of mother and daughter on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of little boy smiling at the camera while standing on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of mother and two kids smiling at each other on the beach, Niagara portrait photographer, Niagara family photographer, portrait photography, family photography, candid photography, authentic photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

5. Miranda’s Branding Session

The branding session I did with Miranda in late August did not go as planned, but somehow went perfectly. Makes sense, right? Let me explain. Miranda reached out to me about a portrait session because she wanted updated headshots to promote the books she’s been writing. Well, I took her to one of my favourite locations down by the lake. The winds were not in our favour that morning, as we would get hit hard with them every few seconds. I quickly proposed the idea that we just do the session over at my in-laws house, just two minutes down the road. She was up for it, and followed me there. 

Why I never thought to do any session there before that moment is beyond me. The property is beautiful, and there were so many background options when it came to shooting.

A week after this session is when I moved to L’Orignal. Miranda couldn’t be more pleased with her new portraits, and I was grateful to have the memories of that house. It was a win, win.

Outdoor portrait of older woman with glasses, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of older woman with glasses sitting in a greenhouse, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Outdoor portrait of older woman with glasses smiling away from camera, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Outdoor portrait of older woman with glasses, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

6. My Parents’ Sunflower Session

A few days before the move is when I did a Sunflower Session with my parents. Surprisingly, my very first Sunflower Session of all time. It was while I was capturing them amongst the beautiful flowers that I was reminded of the fact that they’ve always supported me and my career. It was definitely a bittersweet session, but I loved every minute of it. It’s known that the sunflower has many symbols to it, one of which being fortune and good luck. It can be viewed as having positive career opportunities, and that’s exactly what I needed moving forward in a brand new area.

Portrait of woman holding flowers in a sunflower field, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white portrait of couple hugging each other in a sunflower field, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of couple hugging each other in a sunflower field, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of man posing with his hat in a sunflower field, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait of a woman playing with flowers in a sunflower field, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

7. Fall Mini Sessions - Niagara

After moving to L’Orignal at the end of August and getting settled in, I knew I wanted to come back to Niagara in October for Fall Mini Sessions. And thank goodness I did. Two full days of Fall Minis, a dozen memory cards, and countless precious moments. I’ve been doing Fall Minis for the last few years now, and each time they’re better than the last. Here’s just a few of the amazing families I captured that weekend.

Portrait of baby boy being held by father, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white candid photo of a dog on a trail, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait woman hugging son, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Maternity portrait of man and woman laughing, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait of little girl making silly faces at mother, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white candid portrait of mother hugging two sons, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a family of four with parents holding kids and kissing them on the cheeks, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white portrait of family of three with little boy laughing at mother, Fall photos, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

8. Christmas Mini Sessions - Champlain

These are the first sessions I did that really showed off the beautiful Champlain winter and scenery. The progression of falling snow was breathtaking, and the moments captured were equal parts fun, playful, and romantic. 

Portrait of young couple touching noses on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a young woman smiling at the camera on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black & white portrait of young couple  man kissing woman on the cheek, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Candid portrait of young women playing with her hair on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of young couple touching noses on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of young couple hugging each other on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Black and white candid portrait of a young woman playing with her hair, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of young couple holding hands and kissing on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.
Portrait of a woman playing with her hair and smiling on a winter trail, Niagara family photographer, family photography, Niagara portrait photographer, portrait photography, Champlain photographer, Hawkesbury photographer, Emily VanderBeek Photography.

Now, there you have it! My top eight moments from 2021. I’m feeling optimistic for the future and I can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store. I’m thankful for every opportunity to get to do what I love and wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

Emily VanderBeek is a Niagara, Ontario; Champlain, Ontario; and Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Quebec Photographer who specializes in timeless & candid family, portrait, maternity, and branding photography.

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