Hi, my name is Clarissa
I am your photographer
Let’s Be Friends
I started into the professional photography world in 2011 by going back to school. I had just had my second child and new this was the chance to follow my dreams. I began to learn about my camera, shooting in manual, understanding light, composition and editing. I officially started my business in 2013 with a focus more on newborns, children & weddings. As a mother of four children, I know how quickly life seems to roll by as they grow. I also know that as life rolls by, sometimes our memories of events and occurrences begin to fade and I take great pleasure in preserving these memories for generations to share.
I am blessed with four beautiful children here on earth, and 2 beautiful angels in the sky. As a mother, we tend to miss out on a lot while we focus on all the things we need to do. One of the greatest, strongest things we can do is bring new life into this world. During parenthood, we are so focused on this intense job, that we can forget or totally miss all of the details surrounding it. I give these feelings; the details, the emotions, a tangible memory to look back and cherish. Life changes…..FAST and sometimes hard. And there may come a time where a photograph is all we have to bring back the memory. Our photos may temporarily be for US, but TRULY, they’re for everyone we cherish in our hearts, our legacy to those we love. I’m so thankful to all the wonderful support I have encountered on my journey.
Photograph of my family by Sarah Ann Photography
I love Coca Cola (a little too much and I am trying to completely give it up). I am an extrovert. I’m an introvert. (Weird how it can be both ways!). I have 3 daughters on earth, a son in the skies and a bonus son on earth. I haven’t eaten red meat or pork since I was 11 years old. My favourite drink (aside from Coca Cola) is lemonade. I have never eaten a cheeseburger. Ever. (or a Big Mac, Whopper, Quarter Pounder…the list goes on). I love anything to do with science and medicine. I had my appendix out during an exploratory surgery because it had a stone in it (I sadly, did not get to see the stone!). I’m a retired Registered Veterinary Technician (16 years in the field!). I love being on a boat. I am afraid of going into water that I cannot see through. Most of my friends I’ve had since Kindergarten. I would love a dozen children! I am a huge believer in the Pay It Forward premise. I love doing random acts of kindness- I just wish I was able to do it all the time! But I do them as often as I can-I think what you put into this world is what you get out of it. I love weddings- I would attend one every weekend just to see the décor and style and feel the love and commitment. Newborn cries do not bother me, I love hearing their little voices. I love their smell and snuggling them. Family is everything to me, and my four children and fiance are the reason why I strive to lead a positive, loving, amazing life.
When you become a client of mine, especially if you are a birth client or a grow with me client, I get quite attached…but not in a creepy way! I just love being part of these amazing times in people’s lives! I love when clients message me randomly, even long after their session, to update me on their lives, their little one and their family. Just know, we’re probably going to become friends. So don’t feel weird, because I totally want to be your friend too!
Photograph of my beautiful children by Racheal Marie Fine Art Photography
Really, what is comes down to….
Truthfully, where my passion lies in the ability to give my clients the chance to feel the waves of emotions surrounding the incredible moments of their lives without struggling to remember them. I pride myself in connecting with my clients in a calming, genuine and fulfilling manner and I want my clients to feel
empowered by their choices and comfort knowing my support and decisions are based upon their wishes; in line with my core.
Let’s get to know one another more!
xo
Clarissa
Photograph by Racheal Marie Fine Art Photography
Let me tell you what excites me about Births
By now you might notice I LOVE birth, love and new life. Being invited into your world, during such an exciting time, humbles me every time. I want you to feel like I’m another close friend, sharing this experience with you. Documenting your birth story means we’re going to be spending some pretty intimate time together, and I want you to feel like you know me!
Being on call isn’t necessarily the easiest thing. My life begins to revolve around your due date and every action I take is with your big day in mind. I don’t schedule vacations or take on weddings, I make sure that I am ready to drive at any given moment and my gear is always ready to go.
However, the feeling of excitement as I wonder when your phone call will come, when your contractions will begin and when I will get to begin doing what fuels my soul is so intense! During your pregnancy I think about you a lot, and feel excitement as if we’ve been friends for a lifetime!
No matter how many births I’ve attended, watching a birthing person’s focus and determination makes me feel so much awe. The sheer fierce act of labour brings out a side of a labouring person that we might otherwise never see. And no matter what type of labour they have, at some point every person thinks they might not be doing a good job….but let me tell you, they ARE and you will too! I love being able to encourage and support you through this!
Watching the birthing person’s support be their support actually makes me feel so prideful. I’ve watched support partners endlessly rub, massage and touch, giving the birthing parent exactly what they need in the moment. I’ve watched tears of incredulous joy stream down faces; fathers, mothers, partners, parents, best friends and more, feeling the exact same amazement for the insane act of bringing life into this world. And I love congratulating them on their very needed support every time.