Jeffery’s Lake Family Session: The Oattes

Autumn in Ontario is truly magical, and there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a family photo session surrounded by vibrant fall colours. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the Oattes family at the picturesque Jeffery’s Lake, just outside Renfrew. With its serene waters, rolling hills, and trees dressed in shades of gold, amber, and red, this location offered the perfect backdrop for a memorable family shoot.

The Oattes family arrived full of energy and excitement. Mom and dad, along with their two sons and their girlfriends, made for a dynamic and loving group. From the moment we began, it was clear that this family shares a special bond. The playful banter between the brothers, the affectionate moments between parents, and the warmth between the sons and their partners all contributed to making this session a joy to photograph.

We started with some classic family portraits by the lakeshore, where the golden light of the late afternoon cast a soft glow over everything. The surrounding trees, just beginning to lose their leaves, created a stunning backdrop of autumn hues that perfectly framed the family. It was such a natural, relaxed session, with lots of laughter and candid moments, like when one of the sons surprised his parents with a spontaneous twirl, and the whole family burst into giggles.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, we took advantage of the soft, golden hour light to capture more intimate portraits, including some sweet moments with the couples and close-ups of the parents, who were clearly beaming with pride at their growing family. The session ended with a walk along the water’s edge, where everyone enjoyed a few final shots surrounded by the beauty of nature.

The Oattes family’s session at Jeffery’s Lake was filled with love, laughter, and all the warmth that autumn brings. It was an honour to help them preserve these precious memories for years to come.