Hey there!
I’m Amelia, but you can call me Mia. I’m a wife and mom. A lover of pizza and fajitas, sour beer and Swedish berries. Sudoku and cards are my jam. My friendships are my rock. Taylor Swift plays on repeat in my world. I’m a breast cancer survivor and am constantly broadcasting the importance of self exams and knowing your body.
I also have a serious love for photographing people and relationships.
My belief is that everyone and their story is epic and I want to tell their stories through my camera. From the big, thrilling moments to the quiet in-betweens. The raw, authentic moments. The connection, honesty and imperfections of life.
My goal as your photographer is ensuring that you’re relaxed and comfortable in front of my camera, allowing your personality to shine. I want to see your true self, your goofy smile, your toddlers pout, your baby’s yawn, your kids’ giggles and silly faces. That’s my favourite thing. The imperfect, wild, funny portrait that truly shows you and your loved ones as they are right now.
It’s those moments that are the essence of your story. And capturing those human connections is what I love to do.
If you’re looking for someone laid-back and fun, who has a constant smile on her face, who loves connecting with people, and who seriously cares about you and your photos, you may have just found your photographer.
Let’s create some magic together!
Oh, and I’m totally social:
@youbymia
I donate a portion of each photography session to Rethink Breast Cancer.
Why Rethink? Read my story below.
I AM A BREAST CANCER REBEL
Photo by Danielle Arnold Photography
In August 2020, just two days after my 36th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a huge shock. I have no family history. I’m “too young”, as a lot of health care practitioners have told me. I didn’t know anything about this world I was thrust into. I had a successful surgery (a single mastectomy) and am currently, thankfully, N.E.D. (no evidence of disease).
But that doesn’t mean my journey is over. It has been years of hormone therapy and preventative surgeries - a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed), forcing me into menopause in my late thirties, and a second mastectomy, staying flat. Choosing aesthetic flat closure was the best decision for me and documenting my body has been the most healing experience.
A cancer diagnosis truly is a never-ending reality, but I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy and cancer-free.
When I was diagnosed, I joined a FB group for young women with breast cancer - The Rethink Network: Your Breast Cancer Community. It gave me strength and a place to turn when I felt lost. I knew these women would understand how I was feeling and what I was going through.
It’s because of this, I donate a portion of proceeds from each photo session to Rethink Breast Cancer. It’s my way of giving back to this community that welcomed me and shared their fears, stories, and life with me. A community none of us want to be a part of, but we’re all glad is available to us and there for us.
For more of my story, check my instagram or get in touch. I’m an open book and hope that sharing my story will help spread breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. You’re not too young. Check your tata’s guys!
SOME RESOURCES:
RETHINK BREAST CANCER
CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY
CURE FOUNDATION
AFTER BREAST CANCER
Photos (1+4+5) by @daniellearnoldphotography and (2+3+6) by @ralexandraphoto