Kim

Recently I had a chance to photograph stunning Kim, who is a wife, mommy of two boys and on top of that a successful professional! Here are some of her favourite photographs.

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Hair & Make-up Artist: Candace French

Family Photoshoot

The most wonderful day for a family with photos to cherish forever. I met Inez few months back when she was updating her business portraits. She was so pleased with the experience that she came back for with her beautiful family for timeless portraits. We had the most amazing time capturing memories that will survive generations.

Watch Behind The Scenes:

Melodie

Make-up Artist Melodie Fralick looking beautiful during her Personal Branding Session! Melodie is one of Toronto's top Make-up Artists, responsible for making CTV and Citytv hosts look flawless on a regular basis. She is your gal if you need amazing make-up and fantastic customer service!

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Make-up & Hair: Melodie Fralick

“Thank you Agnes for capturing “ME” - you are so truly gifted at what you do! You bring out the absolute best in everyone at the same time making them feel so comfortable. I can’t say enough good things about you!”

— Melodie Fralick

Coming Home

A photographic journey of a woman struggling with the idea of her body and her personal accounts of suffering, resistance, surrender, and change. It was truly magical to put this project together with Actress Jessie Arora.

Poetry: Jessie Arora/Atma Things

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Hair & Make-up Artist: Sara/Elegant Make-up

"On the precipice of ecstasy

My daemons will face me

On the edge of madness

My angels will call to me

This battle will consume you inside out

This battle will control you outside in"

" It might look like I'm crying but I'm not.

It might look like I'm sad, but I'm not.

It might look like I'm protecting myself, but I'm not.

I am watering my garden of lies.

I am smiling in disguise.

I am holding on for dear life"

" Untie these knots of shame and guilt. Untie these bands of disrespect.  Your hold on me is done and gone.  Your work on me has power none.  You've reigned in my head, you've ruled in my heart, you've stifled my light, and you've suffocated my life.

Silence

Stillness

I will unravel, I will be gentle, I will be kind, I will be tender, I will be soft,

I will be.  I will be.  I will be.

This is my promise to me"

" In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival. 

Part by choice and part by chance but equally with purpose.

In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by blindness and part by sight but equally with purpose.

In the darkness of my shadows

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by you and part by me but equally with purpose. 

In the lightness of my love

lies my ruin and revival.

Part by shadows and part by angels but equally with purpose"

" [...] I need to be washed, I need to be bathed. Of this idea of love and my love depraved. 

You cannot be my saviour, you cannot be my guide.  I only ask of you to witness this tide.  For as it began, it will be unearthed, and in it's place I will water new earth.  You will see me anew, you will see me to be taboo.  And that will be fine with me, because one day somebody will be washing you"

"If every day I said a prayer, it would be thank you. 

For your works I have seen and your words I have heard.

If every day I said a prayer, it would be thank you"

" Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Daughter,

I recognize your pain and feel it.  I'm sorry you had to experience it.  I recognise the injustice and I'm sorry.  My words do not make it any better.  I see what was done to you, I remember it.  I know what they said about you, I heard it.  I feel what they did to you, they did it to me too.  It will not end, it will not stop, until we learn to speak up.  Stand with me woman and help me speak up"

Inez

Beautiful Inez called me looking for business portraits, but then opened up about the fact that she really wants to exist in photographs for her husband and two boys. We had such a wonderful Session and she blew me away with her beauty, both inside and out!

Photography: Agnes Kiesz/Pure Studios
Make-up Artist: Sara/Elegant Make-up

... and here's a look Behind The Scenes of Inez's Session:

Decorating with Portraits - 3 Easy Ways

Seaside scenes, landscapes and abstract works all have their place, but nothing will ever be as meaningful and cherished as beautiful portraits of you and your family. Your portraits displayed proudly celebrate your family, fill the rooms with it's history and simply make you smile every single day you look at them. They add indescribable warmth and make your home truly Yours.

Today I want to share with you 3 of my favourite, creative ways of decorating with portraits that are easy, elegant and modern!

1. Gallery Wall

A Gallery Wall is such a creative way of displaying your portraits. It is always a big conversation-starter in our home. Sky is the limit here! You can mix different styles of frames to create a more eclectic look. To add a twist, I hanged the frames, but left the middle one leaning on the wall. You can add photographs to your wall as you create more memories and as your family grows!

1. Portrait Shelf

A Portrait Shelf gives you so much freedom - you can move your portraits around, try different combinations and easily add to it as you go!

3. Sideboard Portrait Display

This is a very traditional way of decorating. My tip to make it more contemporary is to not only use frames! Right here I mixed frames with beautiful bamboo blocks to add versatility and depth.

Few last tips:

1. Use mainly Black & White Photographs – they are timeless and will not create a messy look.

2. Use Matts – even a small photograph in a matt looks elegant and grand!

3. Choose Candid Photographs expressing emotion in addition to traditional portraits for Variety!

What are some of your favourite ways of decorating with portraits? How did you decorate your home? Do share - I would love to know!