Stephanie Canada Photography
Bridge St E Kitchener, ON, Canada

I’ve been sitting on this post for a few days because, like most of you, 2020 really did not go as any of us had hoped, but I didn’t want to just wallow in my post here. I’m a firm believer that despite the hardships of life, we can always find things to be thankful for, and see the good that has happened - not just the awful. 2020 saw our family first diagnosed with Covid-19 in March, and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. Obviously this year was difficult. Her...e’s what we’ve learned as a family over the last year that we wouldn’t have learned if not for a pandemic and cancer: - patience for one another (most of the time) - the value of good friendships - getting over my phobia of doctors and needles - my value and worth as just a mom in my home - to listen and respect the leading of God in our lives - to truly take each day one at a time (because that’s really, truly, all we have). Goodbye 2020. You were not kind to us. But you have taught us much that we will take forward into 2021. And for that, we thank you.

Happy birthday to Kid 1! 15 years ago they placed all 7 pounds 1 ounce of you in my arms and I had no idea what to do as a 22 year old mom. We’ve both learned as we’ve went along and I am so proud of who you’ve become! Thanks for letting me experiment my parenting skills on you and not hating me for it . : @melissaweberphotography

It’s official... after 16 rounds of chemo (and 4 long months) I am done this stage! You can watch a video of me hitting the gong over on Instagram if you have it (FB won’t let me post a video here for some reason). Thank you to everyone who has cheered for me, prayed for us, fed us, and encouraged us. We still have a very long road ahead - I will be having surgery in the new year plus radiation - but this marks the end of one huge part of my cancer journey. Grateful.

He’s going to hate that I did this, but The Husband doesn’t get enough credit sometimes. Here’s to the guy who steps up and steps in the gaps when I can’t. Who learned how to braid hair and knit just so he could have something in common with his girls. Who works so hard and selflessly for the good of his family. This year has been anything but kind to us, and yet he has handled it with more grace and compassion than I ever could.

Life with cancer is... different than I expected. It’s like being invited into a club that you never wanted to be a part of in the first place - a club which leaves you facing your own mortality and you can’t hide from it. I feel like our society in general is really good at ignoring the finiteness of life (hello first world problems!). Those of us in this cancer club know differently and very, very intimately. But. There is a simplicity of life when dealing with cancer that ...you just can’t find any other way. When the birds are chirping they are just that much more musical. When the leaves change colour it’s even more magical. When your kids laugh it makes you realize that it’s the tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that are actually blessings of life in disguise. How am I? Well, on a physical level I am doing as well as I can be. We have seen some improvement in my condition with the first rounds of chemo, which is always reassuring (although I am deeply sensitive to the fact that this may not be the case for other cancer patients). I have a long road ahead, but I am learning I can do hard things and face my fears. Emotionally, I am learning to take things literally one day at a time because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Being thankful for the blessings of each day. Enjoying the good days and muddling through the bad. It’s a process. So. On that note: What are you thankful for today?

If you’ve been following along with me for any length of time, you know that I’ve been battling breast cancer for the last number of months. The outpouring of support and the generosity of our family, friends, clients and our church have been nothing short of amazing. It’s also through this time that I’ve been learning a lot about what my future might hold and what might need to change. It’s not just a physical journey here, but a deeply spiritual and emotional one too. And s...o, this is something that has been a long time on my heart but I’ve been too chicken to say: Stephanie Canada Photography is officially shutting its doors effective December 31st. It’s the end of an era around here. For the past 10.5 years I have enjoyed this career of mine, served countless families and couples, and loved what I did to help those around me. I will miss my clients, my industry peers, and the community of people that I have loved connecting with. They say the only two things for certain in life is death and taxes. Well, I’d like to add change to that list. This profile is going to move back to one of a personal nature rather than client-focused. I will still be sharing about my faith, my journey with cancer, and my family. I’d love to have you stay and follow along - and I promise not to be such a stranger with my posts. Thanks for 10 amazing years and to all of you who trusted me to capture your weddings and your families. I’m looking forward to what God has in store for this new season of my life - stick around for updates! ~Stephanie

This sweet little hat is being auctioned off over on my Instagram - to raise money for our Run for the Cure fundraiser! Go check it out over there and place your bid! https://www.instagram.com/p/CFaFpQgAVMl/

Run for the Cure is happening October 4, 2020... and guys, people are running for me! I am beyond humbled to see so many support me by walking, running, and even biking - and raising money for breast cancer research at the same time. I can tell you that treatment for breast cancer has changed dramatically in the last decade, and it’s because of research fundraising like this that this is a possibility. I would love if you would consider joining Team Canada (has a nice ring to... it, don’t you think?) and walk/run with us. If not, would you consider donating a few dollars to the cause? You can join the team or donate here: https://support.cancer.ca/site//RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_odd_ Thank you for supporting Team Canada!

Cancer. With one little word your entire life changes. Suddenly, your to-do list doesn’t seem as important, and family photos are at the very top of the list. Last month, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. ... I will spare you the details, but this diagnosis does come as a surprise to all of us, myself especially. I’m young, fairly healthy, and I stay active. In an instant, my life has changed from planning fun summer activities for my kids, to doctors appointments, blood draws, and making plans for the immediate future. It’s not fair. But it’s also the road I’ve been called on. While some things feel very uncertain, there is one thing I know I must do. I am closing the doors to my photography business. It’s hard to make this choice, because I have loved all my clients and so thoroughly enjoyed working for them. It was a wonderful creative outlet for me, and challenged me in many ways. But it is time. Although I have hope of beating this cancer, the length of the treatment plan makes it impossible to determine what the next few years hold for me. Thank you for the 9 years of memories, friends. I don’t know what this means now for my online social media accounts (do people even want to see this stuff?) but know that I leave this industry knowing I did all I could for every client I had the pleasure of serving. ~ Stephanie Melissa Weber Photography (For those of you who may have seen this before and then it disappeared, your grace is appreciated as the timing was not quite right to share the message the first time. Thanks friends )

Did you know: I also offer small business branding photo sessions through my sister company, The Small Business Branding Company? Alex, a holistic nutritionist, recently took the leap to invest in her business branding - and we spent a fun morning making a beautiful salad. She is super knowledgeable at what she does, and if you love good food that’s good for you, you’ll love her recipes too! Go check her out at @alexmuirhead_rhn on Instagram and give her a follow