Shay Frances Photography

Brown eyes appreciation post for all of my brown eyed beautiful clients

Time for ME to get in front of the camera becauseee Joe and I are going to be parents!! Little babe is coming May 2021 and we couldn’t be more excited! Thanks so much to my bestie @mariadenommephotos for capturing these photos for me!

Finally got to do a session with my bestie and it was a freakin’ blast! These two were giggling the entire time, it was the sweetest

Happy Halloween y’all

Aren’t they gourd-geous?! (My boyfriend used that one on me this morning and I HAD to steal it, I couldn’t be held back from using at least one fall pun this season!)

Reliving this day because it was full of pure joy, laughter and love

If you’re a bird, I’m a bird

It’s been a rough few days for me so I’ve been staying off socials lately, but I thought I would fill you guys in. I’m tremendously sad to say we lost our big boy Motley last week. Suddenly things went downhill for him and after taking him to emerg. we found out he had a tumour on his spleen that burst and he was bleeding into his belly, and he was in pain. He was about to be 14 next month. It was our third loss of the year so we have taken it pretty hard. Very grateful that @mariadenommephotos took these beautiful family photos with our babies just a few weeks back

Can we talk about how these two gave complete vogue vibes here? Like OKAYYYY!

This Thanksgiving, it’s easy to look back at all we’ve taken for granted over the years... This year definitely looks a little different, and things won’t look like how they’ve looked in the past, but I am taking a step back to be thankful for my family. Although I won’t be seeing family this thanksgiving, we have all realized how important family and friends are in these trying times this year. We have all desperately wanted to hug a loved one and couldn’t. If you are spendi...ng thanksgiving with your family, hold them close, tell them you love them. Cherish every moment you have. (And thank whoever is cooking... it’s a big job!) Today I am heading over to our Friendsgiving with my closest pals and I am ohhhh so grateful and excited.

Thanksgiving dinner is my favourite meal of the year

Howww freakin’ adorable is Gus?! This session was back in the summer when it was sooo hot outside and he was such an amazing little trooper during his family session!

Some elopement cuteness of Angela + Cale for you on this fineee Wednesday!

I am dying to photograph a surprise proposal!! COME ON GUYS!!

But I can see us lost in the memory, August slipped away into a moment in time @ Distillery District

Who doesn’t love a good Step Brothers reference?! This one is near and dear to my heart, because it is my best friend who just announced her pregnancy! I’ve (obviously) known for a while but I’ve been bursting with excitement about it and can’t wait to meet the newest edition to our tribe Want someone to photograph your pregnancy announcement? Message me! @ London, Ontario

T-minus ONE week until these two lovebirds are MARRIED! - I absolutely cannotttt wait to photograph a whole wedding day again. The last time I shot a normal wedding was mid March, right before everything shut down. All of my others from this summer moved to next year, so I’m SO excited to jump back into it next weekend and celebrate Lisa + Blake - a TRULY amazing, sweet, lovable couple!

Emelia’s hair + dark makeup look were really everythinggg on her wedding day... AND she did it all herself! I was in awe @ Distillery District

Loveeee this shot I took at E + T’s wedding right before the world shut down! I’m so happy to be back to [social distanced] shooting! Send me an email if you want to do a session or you are looking to book your 2021 wedding! (But hurry... spots are filling up fast!)

Reminiscing on shoots and was reminded of this day... Anyone else terrified of snakes? When I asked these two to go down this street for the photo, they came across a snake in the middle of the road. Then later when we were walking through the forest, we were talking, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking and came THIS CLOSE to stepping down on another snake! Bre and I screamed SO LOUD! It was hilarious and terrifying at the same time!

Let’s talk about loss. I’m always a very open and honest person, and I want to open up about something. I lost my fur baby I’ve had for 14 years, my birthday present when I was 12, about two weeks ago. After losing both my close friend Amanda and my kitty Brody in the last 2 months, I find the worst moments lately are the little ones. The ones where out of the corner of my eyes I think I see Brody sitting on the floor in the hallway or I get the habitual reminders to give him... food each morning, or when I think to go kiss him goodnight, and then a second later - I remember I can’t, because he’s gone. Or the moments where I have something I want to tell my friend, or i’m hearing a song I think she would like and I’ll go to text her and then in the same instant I remember I can’t, because she’s gone. It’s those thoughts that are so quick they flash by in a second out of habit - that hit me and that heartbreaking, sinking feeling reminds me all over again that they’re both gone. Any sort of loss is awful... and it’s those moments that are the worst part of grieving and living on after a loved ones passing. It’s those moments that make me feel so alone... but at the end of the day I remind myself I’m not. I know times have been hard lately in different ways for everyone... so if anyone is having a hard time with ANYTHING just know you’re not alone - my DMs are always open to chat

I loveee the palm tree shadow in this photo! This was the first shot we took after they finished their ceremony on the beach at 11am so the sun was BEATING down on us. It’s really the little things like working your environment in with your couple that add such cute details to a shot

Happy Mothers Day to all of the amazing mamas out there, and all of the amazing mamas in my life! . And to all of the women who are yearning to be a mother, to the women who have lost their mother or to the mothers who have lost a child, I am thinking about you today as well.

Stop expecting YOU from other people . I read this a while ago and it really resonated with me. Something I have ALWAYS struggled with the most is expecting exactly that - for people to give me back exactly what I give to them. The kind of caring and thoughtfulness that I give them, for people to simply ask how are you instead of me just being their sounding board to their problems. The person that would be there for me at 4 am when I need them like I was for them. .... I’ve learned that it is important to KNOW YOUR WORTH. No, this doesn’t just apply to relationships, but friendships too! All you can do is continue to be yourself and know your worth - eventually the crappy people will fall by the wayside and the real ones with genuine hearts will be the only ones left standing. . What is some advice you have seen online or gotten from someone that has really resonated with you? See more

Happy 3rd Birthday to this funny, smart, beautiful little gal. Your mommy is smiling at you from Heaven, wishing she could be here with you today and everyday. You are so loved Ava

How beautiful does Emelia look on her wedding day?! Luckily her and Taylor got to get married RIGHT before everyone had to quarantine in early March! Their wedding was in the Distillery District in Toronto which was my first time shooting there and I loved it! I am so grateful I got to be a part of this amazing day with them

Before all of this craziness went down I was fortunate enough to shoot 2 weddings in 2020, one being a destination wedding in Jamaica - that was for my dad and his stunning new wife! . The wedding was so beautiful, the weather was crazy hot and we were sweating... when I say sweating I mean SWEATING. But these two always make my job SO easy. The sun was shining so bright that day but their love was shining a hell of a lot brighter . I have so many more I want to post from this wedding and since I can’t shoot anything new ... you will most likely be seeing more soon!

Needing some new Netflix suggestions during this quarantine? Here’s some of my favs! - Instant Hotel - Virgin River - What If... - The Circle - Dead To Me - Dirty John - The Society - Nashville - Greys Anatomy (always) See more

I had so much fun taking these branding photos for @_mindmoves_ business a while back. Her idea behind this shoot was to show movement, dancing, and celebrating her body.

Today I had to say goodbye to somebody very close to me. I’ve been quiet on here lately because my personal life has been absolute hell. Earlier this week one of my best friends passed away and it’s been one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. I am absolutely broken. My heart keeps trying to make sense of it but nothing makes any sense at all anymore. Amanda was so beautiful, strong, so kind to everyone she met, caring and supportive. Her soul was pure gold. She w...as an amazing friend, mother to Ava, sister, daughter, and soon to be fiancé. A future proposal I was asked to photograph. In regards to these photos - she hated her photo being taken. I kept asking, she kept cancelling or saying no, until she finally allowed me to do it in December (I was taking family photos for her parents when I roped her and Ned into staying after the shoot to do a couples session). I can still picture her laughing hysterically throughout the entire thing. She ended up loving the photos. A few days ago someone said to me while looking at these portraits, Look at the beautiful thing you do for people and it made me look at my job a little differently. Please - hug the people you love a little tighter. Tell them how much you love them more often. Make sure they know how much you appreciate them. Life is so unpredictable.

Hope everyone is staying safe and having an amazing weekend! @ Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica

I had the pleasure of meeting Emelia when she worked with me a little bit ago. She told me she was engaged to this awesome guy and would talk about him all the time.... I mean these two are best friends and loverssss all wrapped up into one. . I just wrapped up their final consult, and at the end of this week is their wedding!!! I am SO excited! @ Downtown London

I’ve said this to a couple of my friends when it seems like they are needing it most. So I decided to share it for the people that need it most on here. . Think of the people you care about the most. Seriously, make a list of them in your head right now! . Now - visualize those amazing souls in your life, the people you want to see succeed and THRIVE, the people you want to be okay, safe, and happy. The people you put first.... . Now... where are you on that list? . We all know we think negative thoughts towards ourselves more often than we think positive ones. But don’t forget to tell YOURSELF the things you want to tell your friends and loved ones when they feel low or when they need it most. . YOU are awesome. YOU are safe. YOU are going to succeed. YOU are an amazing soul. . Now... Go give yourself a mirror-high five (yes I really do that sometimes, and you should too!) @ London, Ontario See more

Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos

When everything feels like it’s spinning out of control, remember what you are in control of: Your thoughts Your choices Your actions... Your kindness Your compassion ... YOU See more

Hey guys! I’ve made it home with a beautiful tan from Jamaica! The weather was GORGEOUS all week, and the wedding and resort were beautiful. There was an earthquake while we were there but everything else went according to plan! . Unfortunately on the way back I caught an awful sickness from the airplane/airport... so I’ve been in bed trying to recover ever since I got back . I can’t wait to post the beautiful photos from the wedding in Jamaica - those will be coming soooo...on! . . . . . Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos #wildhairandhappyhearts #adventurebrides #belovedstories #authenticlove #adventurouslovestories #justalittleloveinspo #intimateweddingphotographer #wildlifewildsouls #authenticlovemag #oarsandbeanies #muchlove_ig #goldenlovestories #radlovestories #wanderingweddings #rawandreallove #emotionoverperfection #everlastingluvstories #adventurousstorytellers #ldnont #londonontariophotography #londonontariophotographers #londonontario #supportlocal #couplesphotography #lovebirds #ontarioweddingphotographer #ontarioweddingphotography #destinationweddingphotographer #loveandwildhearts See more

Aaaaand I’m off to Jamaica! . I will be off the grid for the next week, I will be answering all of your emails on Feb 2nd when I’m back home! . Also, take a look at my beautiful clients

T-minus 18 hours until I leave to shoot my first destination wedding in JAMAICA ! - To be honest, at this moment... I’m a ball of stress. I have a to-do list that is taller than me which means running errands allllll over the place. - I hate feeling like I’m forgetting something when I go anywhere but I ALWAYS get that feeling without fail, even though I’m never forgetting anything ... - But at the end of the day, it’ll all be fine since I’ll be out of the snow and into the SUN doing my fav thing (shooting l o v e )... and that, well that makes me SO excited! See more

These two little cutie pies decided they wanted to run a marathon in the opposite direction of my camera for a little while in the beginning of this shoot so I decided to make the most of it - They did warm up to me though after me chasing them around and acting like an idiot to get them to like me LOL Eventually they gave me some of the sweetest smiles, and even some hugs too!

If you’re a Bachelor fan, read on, if not, ignore this rant I’m about to go on . What do you guys think about these theories that people have that Hannah Brown and Pilot Peter are together? HB coming back and saying that she made the wrong choice by not choosing Peter... so true. But I think since she’s still in contract with ABC, producers had her coming back to be on the show but she didn’t know what she was in for, and then once she saw Peter all of the feelings came rus...hing back. But my opinion is she definitely made the wrong choice asking Tyler on a date on ATFR. He was chasing the fast fame that came to him, where Peter has actually been looking for love the whole time. He’s like Ben Higgins personality but looks like Nick Viall, suchhh a catch! . Anyways, I’m just happy to have my Monday nights feeling like normal again with my wine + bachelor time @ Kitchener, Ontario See more

Yesterday Joe and I finally did it.... we bought a Nintendo Switch to play Mario Kart on together! . Our idea of a fun date night is staying in, drinking some wine, and playing games together, so we have had a lot of fun the last few days! . What he’s learned about me since we got it is I am VERY competitive. What I’ve learned about him is he is VERY good at Mario Kart.... I’m pretty sure the only times I win is because he lets me ... . I need recommendations! Do you have a Nintendo Switch? If so what games do you love?! @ London, Ontario See more

It was the end of a decade, but the start of an age.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on 2019 the last few days, and everything I have accomplished. . When I quit my job last year to put everything into pursuing my photography career, my boss straight up told me I would fail because there’s too many photographers out there already. I also heard that same sentiment when I would tell people what I was in school for. Nice, right? I chose to ignore those people’s opinions because I knew it was my dream. . At the beginning of this year, I... had never shot a wedding solo before, I had only ever second shot. In June, I shot the first solo one of many this summer for another company I work for. . Aaaand now walking into 2020...I have 7 weddings booked for my FIRST year officially taking wedding clients, which I’ve booked all within the last 4 months! (I thought I would have none ) I’m so happy with my progress. For a couple months near the end of summer I was feeling like maybe those people were right, maybe this wouldn’t work out for me. It’s amazing what patience and hard work can do! . All of the peaks and valleys in my personal life and with my business in the last 365 days... I’ve gotten through it all and I’m GRATEFUL that I have so many people that support me and root for me everyday. I’ve never been more excited to start a new year. . NOW LETS DO THIS 2020 ! See more

Have a safe and HAPPY New Year, y’all!

. . . .... . . captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

She’s the apple of his eye . . . .... . . . . . captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy your time with your loved ones

Holy crap guys!!!! It’s Christmas Eve Eve! I had my last shoot of the year on Saturday, and yesterday I finished all of my editing and sent out an engagement session and family session! I also went out and did all of my last minute Christmas shopping so today will be spent wrapping those presents and cleaning up the house before going to visit family

These beautiful humans are getting married in EXACTLY 365 DAYS! I can’t wait to hangout and photograph you both on your wedding day next year BUT in the meannnntime, enjoy your engagement session photos - they are in your inbox! @ Agate Tree Farm

Do you guys ever think about how cds are the last physical form of music there will be because everything is now online, and eventually they will probably even stop making CDs? - Don’t get me wrong, I like how accessible everything is by having it right at my fingertips in this digital age, it’s definitely convenient... but my fingertips also love to touch and hold and own real physical items!! I’ll admit... with albums I really love, I still buy the CDs! - I have so many mem...ories of when I was younger, closing my door and rocking out to my stereo, singing into my hairbrush pretending I was onstage - Maybe it’s just the fact that I wish we could go back to the early 2000’s when times were simpler. Does anyone else feel this way?! . . . . . Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

Quick little Friday reminder - You are doing amazing. Try not to get too caught up in comparing your progress to others. Instagram is everyone’s highlight reel of their life, and comparison is the thief of joy. Wherever you are striving to be, you will get there when you’re supposed to. Now go relax, and enjoy your weekend!

Today, I turn 26. Today I celebrate all that I’ve accomplished in the past year. How far I have come personally and professionally, my failures that helped steer me to my successes, and how lucky I am to have such supportive people around me. This is 26. And it’s good.

When I shoot new clients a lot of them have never had their photo taken professionally before, which means that they are nervous about getting photos done in the first place. They don’t know what to expect, don’t know if they will look awkward or not, and they get nervous for the unknown. Yes I’m there to guide you, but at the end of the day, real love is what shines through. Your photos will show you and your significant other being authentically yourselves, and being in LOV...E. And that... is beautiful. Gahhh I love my job! How lucky am I?!

This weekend was a BUSY one! Last night was Joes work Christmas party in Toronto... I got so much Christmas shopping done with Black Friday deals (yay!) ... I upgraded ALL of my equipment (yay x2!!) and I also have a desktop Mac now , so I converted my ‘Glam room’ that I have in my house to my official office! (yay x3!!!) I found that using my laptop to edit could get distracting because I would edit in my living room and my pets / Joe would all come around me and I couldn’t focus and get my work done as efficiently as I would like to. Having a space to escape to so I can shut the door behind me and get in the zone is going to make a MAJOR difference in my work flow and I’m soooo excited!

GUYS!! Is anyone else watching the @amas tonight? . Taylor Swift is receiving the Artist of the Decade award and I can’t wait to see her performance which is apparently going to be a mashup of her music over the last decade. . My late papa was the first one to introduce me to Taylor by showing me Teardrops On My Guitar... I remember him now. Have you heard that new song by that pretty little curly haired blonde girl?... . Taylor’s music has been with me ever since, through experiencing my first crush at 15, to my first gut wrenching heartbreak, through losing my papa, moving out on my own and trying to realize what life is all about, turning 22 (lol), through EVERYTHING! Which is why I’m so excited to watch this huge moment for someone who has had a huge impact on my life. . . . . . captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

This kind of wedding day excitement is so pure + adorable and I’m so grateful to be apart of so many different weddings to witness this L O V E . . . captured alongside @mariadenommephotos

Does anyone else constantly shop on websites and put a bunch of stuff into your cart and then not buy anything cause you realize you don’t actuallllyyy need any of it?

I see a LOT of rings. Each one different, and each one unique in its own way! These little detail shots are my favvvv.

That almost kiss magic . . . captured alongside @mariadenommephotos

Throwback to this shoot from the beginning of summer! This first snowfall has me reminiscinggg

These two were so much fun to photograph. I honestly was laughing almost the entire time! Congratulations on your engagement Breanne + Bradley!

Guys I know we are a few days in but I can’t believe it’s NOVEMBER already!!! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Halloween! Joe + I had our annual Halloween party at our house which was a KILLER time! Buuuut...Spooky Season is officially over which means next up is my birthday and then Christmas! It’s hard to believe this year is almost over, but let’s just hope the snow holds out for as long as possible! (I hate being cold )

I’m on my way to a bachelorette party in Niagara Falls this weekend (the very first bachelorette I’ve ever been to!!) for some wine tours and good ole’ girls night fun! If You are looking to get in touch with me this weekend, you’ll be hearing from me on Monday! :) Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend! - Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos

I'd spend ten thousand hours and ten thousand more Oh, if that's what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours And I might never get there, but I'm gonna try If it's ten thousand hours or the rest of my life I'm gonna love you... - Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

Hey! I think it’s time I finally show my face on here and help you guys get to know me a little bit better I’m Shannon, the face behind the camera of Shay Frances Photography! - I have been a photographer since around 2013, doing mostly portraiture and some fashion photography (you can check out that stuff on my old account @viewsfromthe60d ) but I only jumped into the wedding game about 2 years ago. I started out second shooting weddings, and then worked this summer for an...other wedding photography company shooting solo. After shooting weddings on my own and realizing how much I LOVE it, I decided to fully launch my business last fall and start accepting wedding clients under my own name! - This summer I have definitely made the most strides yet within my business, and I am always excited to learn, improve and GROW! - To try to be the best me within my business, I did some business/life coaching with @allietymo and she helped me tremendously to figure out who I am within my business, and she helped me face my fear of being MYSELF. Such a simple thing, right? Raise your hand if you have ever been afraid to show who you really are to your clients out of fear that you wouldn’t seem cool enough, or fun enough, and because of that you think no one will hire you? Everyone gets hit with insecurity, and I was helped to realize that if someone doesn’t like me for who I am, then maybe I’m not a good fit for that client! This helped me in such a big way to just let go, and allow myself to be weird, or to be playful with my clients without that fear hanging over me, and because of that I have become so much more confident! - If you want to know some fun facts about me to help you get to know me even better, check out my website

Hey guys! I announced it in an Instagram story a bit ago but I also wanted to mention it on my profile... that my new revamped WEBSITE IS LIVE! I literally put my heart and soul into making it myself and it definitely took longer than I thought... but the perfectionist in me couldn’t put something out there that I half-assed so I really made sure every detail was perfect lol! I’m so happy with how it turned out and I would love it if y’all could check it out! You can find my work, my pricing, and maybe some tidbits about little ol’ me on there Check it out! - www.shayfrancesphotography.com - Alsooooo I want to mention this beautiful couple in the photos below! I’m obsessed with these two. I love when a couples love for each other just RADIATES, and with these two it was shining like the sun that day

When you look like an actual fairytale princess on your wedding day . . . .... Captured alongside @mariadenommephotos See more

Anyone else have the hardest time choosing between a colour photo and black + white? I absolutely love colour... but b+w is so timeless! - On a side note... I’m obsessed with her freckles