A First Family Session at St. Norbert Monastery

October 3, 2026 · St. Norbert Monastery · Winnipeg, Manitoba

Charissa and her family joined me at St. Norbert Monastery in Winnipeg for their first family photo session. With five people, different ages, and plenty of personality, there was room for both family portraits and the smaller moments that make their relationships their own.

The stone ruins and autumn surroundings gave us a beautiful setting for a mix of photographs: everyone together, the older siblings, individual portraits, and time for each parent with their youngest child.

Family Portraits Among the Monastery Ruins

The monastery brings so much texture and shape to a photograph. Tall stone walls, arches, and window openings offered different ways to frame the family while keeping the people at the heart of the image.

I like a family gallery to include a sense of place alongside the closer portraits. These photographs show both the setting they chose and the connections within their family.

A Little Space for Each Personality

The all-together portrait matters, but there is more to a family story. A quiet individual portrait, siblings sitting together, and a child’s upward laugh each bring something different to the gallery.

Photographing those smaller combinations gives everyone a place in the story and leaves the family with more than one version of the same pose.

Time for Play and Connection

A ride on Dad’s shoulders, a child moving toward the camera, and a kiss from Mom added movement and affection to the session. Alongside the portraits where everyone looks at the camera, these are the photographs that show how it feels to be together.

A First Session Full of Fun

At the end of their first photo session, Charissa told me how much fun it had been. That was a lovely way to finish: a collection of family photographs, and a good experience making them.

There was space for the parents, too. This close moment together is a warm way to close their story.