As a Rockwood Conservation family photographer, I had the pleasure of inviting my clients of 12 years to capture their family fun in a location known for its stunning scenery, wonderful experiences, and unforgettable memories. I have known the Mishara family for over a decade, and Farhana and Aashish have always placed their complete trust in me to preserve their most cherished moments.
The Journey with a Rockwood Conservation Family Photographer
When we met this time at one of my favourite locations, the Rockwood Conservation Area, Farhana reminisced about how our connection began more than a decade ago.
She recalled seeing a photo on her coworker Steven’s desk from a session I had done with his family back in 2012. What caught her attention was that, like her, Steven also had twin boys. Inspired by the photo, she reached out to me right away to book a session for her own young family.
Our first session together took place at Kelso when her boys were just two years old. It was a fantastic experience, and since then, we’ve had the opportunity to capture many more special moments. One of the most memorable was working with Farhana’s parents at Garloch Gardens for their Oakville family photos—it was truly a pleasure.
Capturing Growth and Change Through the Lens of a Rockwood Family Photographer
I introduced them to another beautiful location, Paletta Mansion, where we captured their Burlington family photos during a special Father’s Day portrait session with Aashish’s mother.
A couple of years later, Farhana organized a family session for her side of the family, bringing together her siblings and their families. Their Mississauga family photos, taken at their family home, were filled with laughter and fun.
During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to capture business portraits for Aashish in an in-home session, and a few months later, I did the same for Farhana’s headshots.
Before we wrapped up, Farhana asked me to remind her that we should meet the following Spring to finally update their long-planned family photos.
Exploring Rockwood Conservation’s Scenic Beauty
As we all know, time flies, and while we had originally planned to reconnect in the Spring, we ended up completing their family photos in the fall instead.
As a Rockwood Conservation family photographer, I invited them to visit a location close to me so they could experience its beauty firsthand. With their busy schedules filled with work and travel, we had only one available day that fit into my calendar—just two days before my scheduled hernia surgery.
The weather on the day of the session was perfect, and I was excited to see everyone again after such a long time. I was especially looking forward to seeing the boys, as I had recently photographed their parents for business portraits but hadn’t seen the boys in a while.
At every session we’ve done in the past, they’ve always brought something to keep the boys entertained—whether it was footballs, bicycles, or other activities to keep them engaged. I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d bring this time. If I had to guess based on my own son’s interests, I’d assume it might be their cell phones. But knowing Farhana and Aashish’s parenting style, which is quite similar to mine, I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case.
Candid Moments and Family Bonds
As I was guessing in my head, Farhana pulled into the parking lot at Rockwood Conservation Area. It was so wonderful to see them again. I felt such a close connection to them and greeted all four with warm hugs. The boys, now almost taller than me, had grown into confident young individuals. While I could still picture them as little kids in my memories, in reality, they were now teenagers, and I was excited to capture this stage of their lives.
As we walked toward the first photo location, I reflected on past sessions with Farhana and Aashish, drawing on my own sons’ behaviour and needs to guide my approach. Even though the boys weren’t actively listening, I knew they could hear how much I had been a part of their family’s photography journey.
Being a Rockwood Conservation family photographer, I knew which areas were the most visited and busiest, so I suggested we start with the most popular spot. The gorge opened up to reveal the lake behind them, creating a vibrant and breathtaking backdrop.
We followed our usual routine, capturing different combinations of the kids and parents. But now, with their teenage attention to hairstyles at an all-time high, I made sure to get their approval before taking any shots—earning the trust of teenage boys is essential!
From there, we made our way into the forest, stopping whenever inspiration struck, and the scenery offered incredible photo opportunities.
Wrapping Up a Beautiful Fall Session
Since they were already familiar with my photography style, they knew my approach—walking from one spot to another, keeping the boys engaged, and allowing them the freedom to just be themselves.
When we reached the lake at Rockwood Conservation Area, we paused for a few photos. That’s when I noticed the boys starting to slow down—tired and hungry from all the walking.
Having two teenage boys of my own, I understood completely. I reassured them that we had just three more locations left before heading back to the cars.
One of the spots I had in mind was the gorge, where an elevated viewpoint provided a breathtaking perspective. Along the way, we stopped in the forest to capture individual portraits of the boys, using the vibrant fall leaves as a soft, blurred background.
I’ve always loved these moments—focusing in on their faces, freezing their expressions in time, and creating portraits they can look back on for years to come.
Our final stop was the large cave opening, which added a completely different atmosphere and variety to the session. To wrap up, I led the family to a quiet spot by the riverbank, where I captured some intimate portraits of the parents—a perfect way to end the session.
I’ve always been amazed by Farhana and Aashish’s warm and positive personalities, and I wanted to capture some candid couple portraits that truly reflected their love and connection.
For these shots, I had the boys stand beside me while I directed their parents just as I would an engaged couple. It was incredibly fulfilling to witness the journey of their family—from pre-wedding photos to this beautiful moment.
Join the DA Photography Family
As we wrapped up our session, I asked the boys to join their parents, forget about posing, and simply hug each other while I captured the moment.
I felt so grateful that, as a Rockwood Conservation family photographer, I had the chance to freeze these memories in time for them.
Walking back to the cars, I reflected on how much joy it brings me to work with returning clients who share the same values as my own family. It reaffirmed why I do what I do—providing families with meaningful memories they can cherish for years to come.
We hugged once more before saying goodbye for now. Relieved that the photo session was finally over, the boys were excited to head to their favourite Thai restaurant, a well-earned reward for their hard work during our Rockwood Conservation family session!
Farhana and Aashish, thank you for your trust and support over the past 10+ years. I look forward to another decade of friendship and beautiful photography memories!
Would you like to become part of the DA Photography family? Get in touch—I’d love to capture your family’s joy, no matter where you are!
- Family Photos taken by Dragi Andovski, published ©2025 DA Photography
- Photo Location: Rockwood Conservation Area, Rockwood, ON
- Do you want yo know How to eliminate fake smiles during your family photo session? Check this blog post.
- See 7 tips to reduce stress on your picture day to make your photo session more enjoyable.
- Here you can see another family photo session with kids at Rockwood Conservation Area.
