i'm back, and ready to party.


And by party, I actually mean I'm just super excited about reducing barriers to photography for all humans...specifically, humans in the Barrie & Collingwood areas. Look out, feeling wild here.


I’m excited to be blogging again! For now, I just wanted to introduce myself and share a bit of my personal story…my why?


In 2018 I started my own photography business, after years working for other photographers, doing family and children’s portraits. I was a new Mom, and so keen to be chasing my dream! Umm, 2020 though…what was that? (Did that really happen?) We’d been waiting for the “right” time to have a 2nd child. A worldwide pandemic? Sure, party time.


‘Stay at Home Mom: Hard-Mode’


Second child, I love you so! But this is when I really started to fall apart, y’all. 2021 with a new baby, and a 3yo who simply isn’t able to share the spotlight was ‘Stay at Home Mom: Hard-Mode’. The following 2 years were all kinds of whoa.


Those were some of the hardest years of my life. Survival mode means everything that is not required for survival gets cut, including photography. It’s pretty ironic, really. Even as a professional photographer, I was not able to access photography during this time. The support needs for myself and my family grew, and so, the habit of capturing my own magical moments grew more and more distant.


negativity bias gremlin:

Photography for me, is like putting a positivity and beauty filter on my brain. You see, I’ve noticed that there is an all-or-nothing, black and white thinking, negativity bias gremlin. It’s waiting for me to spiral, and ready to pounce on my brain, any time I’m stressed or tired. It can be exhausting battling this gremlin. It follows me, lurking around corners, on the twists and turns of my life unfolding before me.


Taking a break from photography was a bummer for me, the gremlin was winning. But, taking a break from photography gave some incredible insight. When I was out of the habit of photographing my kids often, I was out of the habit of slowing down and soaking in their everyday beauty. Life carried on, mundane, day to day, average life. I’d still see and appreciate the same moments that I’ve always loved to capture, but they were little, quick, and then they’d be gone. Gremlin-1, Heart-0.


Now, back in the habit of photographing our life often, has me again romanticizing the everyday moments. Even if I don’t run for my camera every time, those quick moments don’t feel so fleeting. Again, I pause and watch moments unfold, waiting for beautiful moments to reveal themselves. This is the gremlin’s kryptonite! (Gremlin has had me literally watching, waiting for shit to hit the fan at times!) I think photography actually rewires my brain to watch and wait for patterns of real, raw everyday beauty. This is pure joy in my heart. Capturing details, telling the story of everything we are.


2024 though? YES! A thousand times, yes. This year has brought clarity that I’ve spent a lifetime searching for. Thank you, endlessly my child, for revealing the truth that was there all along. I am eternally grateful for your wisdom, and the gift it is to be your mother.


I have lived my entire life with unnamed support needs. Known, but not named until now. Slowly and surely, I am learning about the impact this has had on my life, and the types of things that were “just not something I do” because I did not have access to the necessary support to make them possible. Extra-curriculars? Not really something I often had the capacity for. Team sports? Not a chance. Photography for myself…that’s been a tough one - BUT with the right person, incredibly important, emotive family storytelling IS possible for us! Thank you, Katie Lintern, for helping us feel comfortable in front of your lens. The photos of myself and my family below were captured by the talented Katie Lintern Photographer, and edited by me.


It’s my passion to support all humans, in whatever way they need, to make family storytelling photography accessible to them. Please let me know your support needs. You deserve to have your story told. Your real, beautiful life. 


Wonderfully yours,

Hillary West

Family sharing joyful moments together while sitting in a wildflower meadow at sunset.
Parent and toddler share a tender moment in a sunlit field of wildflowers.
Happy family of four enjoying quality time together outdoors in a summer meadow.
Intimate close-up of parent and child sharing an affectionate moment in golden sunlight.
Tender close-up moment between parent and child against white lace background.
Parent and child laughing together in a sunny wildflower field.
Playful embrace between parent and child in a field of yellow wildflowers.
Parent guiding child through tall wildflowers in a summer meadow.
Romantic couple embracing in a wildflower field at sunset.
Intimate moment between couple in floral dress and casual shirt at golden hour.
A tender moment shared between parent and child outdoors among wildflowers at sunset.
Two young children playing and hugging while standing in a field of wildflowers.