No special reasons are needed to take family photos.

Time will pass, and babies will grow.

Will you have memories to look back on?

Will you have photos with your children at different ages to treasure?
A family portrait on the wall makes both parents and kids smile daily. 
A moment in time, your family, your love documented. 

family

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse convallis tellus ut venenatis interdum. Integer ut elit sollicitudin, aliquam orci ac, malesuada nisi. Suspendisse fringilla dui enim, quis fringilla diam varius non. Mauris blandit finibus fermentum. Nam malesuada urna eu velit fermentum, a cursus ipsum imperdiet. Integer sit amet lacus sollicitudin, maximus lectus at, egestas enim. 

BEAUTIFUL &
PHOTOGENIC!"

"I'm never felt more

ELIJAH & LACY
A SANTA BARBARA ENGAGEMENT

I’ve done 3 sessions with Julia: outside maternity, family at home, and motherhood portrait at the studio. Every single session was such an amazing experience. She is simply outstanding!! So talented, professional, an incredible artist and kind-hearted! I usually feel uneasy in front of the camera. However, Julia provides you with directions, making the whole experience feel so comfortable and natural. Her photography style is so dreamy and full of light! I absolutely love the photographs and am so grateful to Julia for capturing these precious memories for us!

"So talented, professional, an incredible artist and kind-hearted!"

Anastasia - Maternity and motherhood 

I loved shooting my maternity photos with Julia! She made me feel super confident and comfortable. Her studio is absolutely gorgeous and she has an insane wardrobe to choose from so you literally don't need to pack anything! I highly recommend her for maternity photos!

"She has an insane wardrobe to choose from so you don't need to pack anything!"

Marlie - Maternity session 

My experience with Julia at The Giving Portrait was phenomenal. The entire morning was a relaxing, special treat. From her wonderful, sunlit Toronto studio to the hair/make-up and wardrobe styling,
I loved being able just to show up and have her take care of a tired momma. I've been on set for video and photo shoots before and Julia's professionalism, kindness and talent make her a stand-out.
 And of course, the photos. Oh my God, the photos. I've had a never-ending stream of compliments about the photography, saying that it looks like a magazine spread. I'm grateful she captured these memories and I'm proud to have her artful portraits in my home for the rest of our lives

OH MY GOD, THE PHOTOS.

Melissa + the family 
Maternity session

From start to finish, I absolutely loved my experience with Julia. She immediately made you feel comfortable as soon as you walked in the studio and took so well to my little boy ...
Her shoot props were gorgeous and I really appreciated the selection of beautiful and stylish gowns for both maternity and post-maternity shoots for moms. 
 This is a huge help, many times we shy away from photo sessions because we don't like our bodies, or have nothing to wear and don't want to go through the trouble of buying something - she has it all covered! She also has an amazing and talented makeup artist who makes you feel like a queen!
When we received the photos (very quickly I might add) we were blown away by the quality. They were crisp, bright and airy. I also love how she captured the candid moments of us too. 
I can't stress this enough, taking photos WITH your baby or family is something everyone needs. If you want the job done right and great quality photos you can have for the rest of your life, book a session with The Giving Portrait!

"She immediately made you feel comfortable as soon as you walked in the studio ..."

KAssandra
-  motherhood 

What you wear plays a huge role in how the final images turn out. The truth is, the things we wear in real life often aren’t the best options for photos.

My style is light, airy, romantic, and feminine, and we encourage our clients to wear clothing that matches that style. It’s the only way to guarantee you get photos just like the ones you see in my portfolio.

But guess what. We are not going to send you shopping! 

 I have a growing selection of dresses in various sizes available for all my moms to wear during their shoots. Some are more casual, and some are fancier. 

We also have small selection to dress your kids too! If not, we are always 
there to help you shop for the rest of the family or 
even do it for you! 

We got you, mama! 


Let us take care of that....

what to wear for
 your family session? 

Our Toronto Family studio is full of natural light and white everything. 

 I use minimal props, letting love and connection shine though. 

I love to create a bit of a home-like feel for photos that are lifestyle yet clean and curated. 

During the warmer month you can choose to have your session outside, but we always have the back up plan indoor! 

It's so easy to come to the space where you can get dressed using our client wardrobe, get hair and makeup done, and have your photoshoot! 

100% gorgeous
100% stress-free 

our studio

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse convallis tellus ut venenatis interdum. Integer ut elit sollicitudin, aliquam orci ac, malesuada nisi. Suspendisse fringilla dui enim, quis fringilla diam varius non. Mauris blandit finibus fermentum. Nam malesuada urna eu velit fermentum, a cursus ipsum imperdiet. Integer sit amet lacus sollicitudin, maximus lectus at, egestas enim. 

BEAUTIFUL &
PHOTOGENIC!"

"I'm never felt more

ELIJAH & LACY
A SANTA BARBARA ENGAGEMENT

wall art

Storybooks of your life.
Heirlooms to pass down.
Your family history. 
Your forever treasures.
Memories to be remembered.
The tangible luxury, yet every family’s necessity.
Because you wouldn’t want to just pass down your iCloud password to your kids.

Daily reminders of what’s important.
Art featuring your best creations yet
A reminder for the tiniest of how much they are loved here.
Your pride, your joy.
Custom made with your style and decor in mind.
Only highest-quality materials to last you for decades to come.

Albums and folio boxes

 Spring blossom time is one of our favourite times to shoot. It’s only here for a short week, but if you are lucky, we can get some magical blooms in your photos. In the city, we head out to High Park early in the morning to avoid crowds, but you are also welcome to make arrangements at private orchards and farms. 

Nothing beats a sunset session on a beach during those warm summer evenings. It’s always a great choice. Looking to skip the heat and stick to an early bedtime for kiddos? Our studio is always a great choice year-around! 

Spring



Summer



Fall


Fall might just be the most popular time for family photos, and it’s no wonder. Every single park becomes a great location when the trees start to change colour. It’s an explosion of yellows and oranges and a very special time indeed.
We are also big fans of the “aftermath.” November tones are more muted and neutral and work great for photos as well. It’s a great time to take your Christians card images. 
Minimalist-styled Christmas sessions are always available at our studio, too, starting in October. 

If you are up for it, an outdoor session in the snow can be absolutely magical. Of course, it’s not without its challenges—think red noses and cold feet. Also, you’ll have to be all bundled up, but it’ up to you to decide! 
Our studio is always warm and bright, and it’s my favourite place to shoot during freezing winter days. Choose dresses from our studio wardrobe or wear your favourite sweaters. Studio shoots are a comfortable option and can have an editorial or lifestyle feel depending on your preferences
Your Home
If your house is bright, clutter-free, and has lots of clean walls, it might make the perfect winter family session location if you are going for lifestyle feel

winter 

Where to Take Your Family Photos in Toronto

01

Most parents would agree that their babies grow and change way too fast! The only way to freeze a moment in time is to create images that remind you of every stage, milestone, and new year in your child’s life. Annual family photos are a wonderful tradition. 

1. A year or moree has passed since your last photoshoot

Five Reasons to Take Family Photos

02

Do you have family photos on the walls? If so, how old are they? Adding new images to gallery walls keeps the tradition alive and allows you to document your ever-changing family history for ages. If not, then we’d love to help you get started! We can help you design a wall of art to be added to over the years. 

Your Wall Gallery Needs Updating 

03

As you add new members to the family, your family changes. A new sibling is a great reason for a family session! We encourage all our family clients to include everyone in this session. A whole family portrait with a new addition is priceless

There Is a New Addition to the Family

02

We used it before the hipsters did.

film

03

Infinite battery life, no loading time, no data fees.

paper

04

Wouldn't it be awesome if these were wearable?

flowers

04

In this digital age, we have folders of photos on our laptops, in Dropbox, and on iCloud. Maybe you even have CDs lying around. (Those became obsolete pretty fast, don’t you think?) While all of those options are awesome, nothing beats a high-quality, well-made, and thoughtfully designed family album. Many of our family clients confirm that flipping through those books is not only theirs but also their kids' favourite activity. Building a collection of albums over the years is one of the best gifts you can give your growing family. They become priceless as the years go by. 

You Have No Family Albums

02

We used it before the hipsters did.

film

03

Infinite battery life, no loading time, no data fees.

paper

04

Wouldn't it be awesome if these were wearable?

flowers

05

Whether you’re travelling near or far, those special times are a great chance to document your family having fun. Be it a weekend gateway in Ontario or a trip across the world, we are available to be your family travel photographer. Inquire for more information! 

You Are Planning a Family Trip 

Thank you so much for your message.
We will be in touch soon!

contact