From Stethoscopes to Shutter Clicks: Why I Became a Photographer

They say a picture is worth a thousand words… but I think the right picture can change a life.

If you told me ten years ago that I’d be running around with a camera instead of a stethoscope, I would have laughed (nervously, probably while checking your vital signs). Back then, I was a registered nurse with a big passion for helping kids. Today, I’m a professional photographer with an even bigger heart for capturing joy, innocence, and connection — especially in babies and rescue animals. How did I get from one to the other?

It’s quite the journey. But like any good story, it starts with a calling, a turning point, and a desire to make a difference.

Let me take you there.

The World Moves Fast — We Miss What Matters Most

We live in a world full of noise and hurry. Between errands, careers, and raising kids (or rescuing cats, in my case), it’s easy to lose track of the little things. The toothless grin of a baby discovering her toes. The way a scruffy mutt looks at the person who just gave him a second chance. These moments are small, but they matter. And too often, they’re gone before we even notice.

I didn’t realize how much they mattered until I started really seeing them.

A Nurse with a Passport, a Heart for Service, and a Camera

I started my professional life in medicine — working as a registered nurse in Edmonton and volunteering with a paediatric cardiac surgery team overseas. We traveled to countries across the globe, helping children in desperate need of life-saving surgery. It was incredible and humbling work, and it changed me forever.

But something unexpected happened on those trips.

I fell in love with the world through my lens.

Between long shifts in the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, I began taking photos of the people, the places, and eventually began to travel to see the world — the wild animals that called those places home. Lions in Tanzania. Gorillas in Rwanda. Tigers in India. Cheetahs in Namibia. I was completely captivated by the quiet dignity, the raw beauty, and the powerful stories unfolding right in front of me — without words.

For the first time, I understood the power of photography not just to document, but to honour life.

From Wildlife to Home Life — Why I Chose This Path

My nursing career has taken me through many types of nursing and provided amazing opportunities. I was craving a meaningful life.

That’s when I discovered SCARS — Second Chance Animal Rescue Society. I started volunteering as a photographer, helping showcase adoptable animals so they could find their forever homes. I quickly saw how the right photo could melt a heart or open a door. One expressive glance from a hopeful pup? One perfectly timed yawn from a sleepy kitten? Adoption applications poured in.

I had stumbled into something that combined everything I loved: heart-led service, animal welfare, and capturing fleeting, emotional moments that actually meant something.

Naturally, I wanted to learn more. So I started taking classes, attending workshops, and — eventually — joining a mentorship program focused on newborn photography. Because as it turns out, I also really, really love babies.

And not just “I’ll hold them at baby showers” love.

More like “I’ll build a photography business that celebrates their earliest days in the gentlest, most joy-filled way possible” kind of love. I am building skills to be able to volunteer with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep to provide meaningful portraits to grieving parents.

Creating Images That Make People Feel

Now, I specialize in lifestyle baby photography and pet portraiture — and honestly? I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Every photo session is a story waiting to be told. A nervous rescue dog seeing compassion for the first time. A brand-new parent staring at their newborn like they’ve just discovered magic. A goofy toddler feeding their baby sibling Cheerios during the shoot.

I’ve traded hospital scrubs for cozy knit wraps and fluffy blankets, IV poles for plush toys and pacifiers — and yet, I’m still doing what I set out to do: help people celebrate life in all its precious, fleeting beauty.

What This Means for You

If you’re reading this, maybe you’re a new parent. Or an animal lover. Or someone who understands how quickly life moves, and wants to hold onto the parts that matter most.

You’re not looking for stiff poses or studio-perfect smiles. You want real moments, real connection, and real joy. And you want a photographer who gets it.

I became a photographer because I saw how easy it is to overlook the everyday magic around us — and how powerful it is when someone helps you see it, and keep it.

When you work with me, you’re not just hiring someone to take pictures. You’re inviting someone into your story — someone who’s been halfway around the world, only to realize that the most meaningful moments are often the quietest ones. The ones closest to home. The ones we feel before we ever frame them.

Let’s Capture What Matters — Together

If you’re ready to slow down for a moment and hold onto the little things — the paw prints, the baby toes, the belly laughs, the tired smiles — I’d be honoured to help you do that.

Photography is more than a career for me. It’s a calling. One that started in faraway countries, in hospital wards and wildlife reserves, and led me right here: to your family, your rescue pet, your story.

Let’s tell it beautifully.

A Few Fun Facts About Me (Because Let’s Be Honest — You Probably Want to Know Who You’re Hiring):

I live in a cozy corner of rural Alberta with my husband and a very opinionated cat named Pandora.

I’m still a nurse at heart, which means I’m calm under pressure and very good with newborns (and nervous dads).

I believe that goldfish crackers are a perfectly acceptable form of bribery during toddler shoots.

I will absolutely cry if your dog gets adopted or your baby smiles in their sleep. Zero shame.

Ready to Book or Just Want to Chat?

Whether you're expecting a new baby, just brought home a new rescue, or simply want to freeze time for a little while — I'm here for it.

Let’s create something beautiful together.

📸 toesandbeansphotography@gmail.com

780-203-6875 (phone or text)

Because life doesn’t wait — but a great photo lets you hold onto it forever.

Want to keep up with adorable babies, silly pets, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my photography adventures? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @ToesAndBeansPhotography — we’re building a joyful little corner of the internet, one fuzzy photo at a time.

“Why Hire a Photographer When I Have an iPhone?”

You’re holding your baby in one arm, and your dog is zooming laps around the coffee table. You reach for your phone, hoping to catch the moment—the gummy baby grin, the wagging tail, the chaos and cuteness all rolled into one. You aim. You tap. And… oops. Your baby’s drooling, your dog’s sniffing the lens, and the best shot of the day is now a blurry photo of your feet.

You mutter to yourself: “Why is this so hard? I have a good phone!”

You’re not wrong. iPhones are amazing. They’re in our pockets, always ready, and their cameras are wildly impressive. So it’s a fair question:

Why should I hire a professional photographer when I have an iPhone?

Let’s get into it—because the answer might surprise you.

Spoiler: It’s not about the camera. It’s about the moments—and who's in them.

1. Your Whole Family Deserves to Be in the Photo (Yes, You Too!)

That includes the person behind the phone (hi, that’s you!), the baby, and the four-legged fluffball that thinks they’re the baby too.

Whether it’s a sleepy newborn session, a first-birthday cake smash, or a romp in the field with your rescue pup, you belong in the memory. Not awkwardly reaching in with a treat or hidden behind a stroller—in the frame, glowing with love and joy.

As your photographer, I make sure everyone gets to shine—baby toes, puppy paws, and proud, loving humans included.

2. An iPhone Sees What’s in Front of It. I See What Matters Most.

A phone camera doesn’t know that your senior rescue dog just learned how to play again. Or that your baby is about to let go of your finger and take their first step. Or that the way your kitten climbs into your arms at nap time makes you tear up a little.

But I do.

Before I ever lift a camera, I get to know you. What you love. What makes your family unique. What you *never* want to forget. I photograph with your heart in mind—not just your feed.

3. Hiring a Photographer Means More Snuggles, Less Stress

Wrangling a baby and a dog at the same time while trying to take a photo? That’s a level of multitasking no one warns you about.

When you hire me, you get to hand off the stress. I’ll help you prep your outfits, plan the time of day for the best light and moods (for both babies and pets!), and make sure we get the shots without the chaos.

Your only job? Show up, love your crew, and enjoy the ride. I’ll do the rest—even if we need to pause for snacks, zoomies, or diaper changes. With lifestyle photography, I come to you, which makes the whole process even easier!

4. Lighting, Timing, and the Trick of the Treat

It’s not just about pressing a button. It’s about knowing how to catch the exact millisecond when your baby squeals with delight or your pup cocks their head in that  “Did someone say walk?” way.

Professional photographers have tricks up our sleeves—how to use light, work with movement, and gently guide babies and animals to look their best, while keeping the vibe relaxed and real.

Your iPhone’s portrait mode can’t match that level of intuition, timing, and patience. (And I always bring extra treats.)

5. Because 4,732 Photos on Your Phone ≠ Memories You Can Hold

How many photos are on your phone right now? Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Chances are, it’s in the thousands. And finding that one sweet photo? Like a needle in a haystack—especially when you’re sleep-deprived or chasing a muddy dog around the yard.

When you hire me, you get more than a gallery. You get a collection of hand-edited, emotionally rich images designed to be framed, shared, and cherished—not lost in the scroll.

These are the kind of memories you’ll hold onto when your baby’s grown and your dog is snoozing a little more than zooming.

6. Your Photos Should Be More Than “Cute”—They Should Make You Feel

Phones can take a cute picture. That’s true.

But a professional photo? One where your baby is curled into your arms, your pup is resting their chin on your knee, and you’re fully present, fully loved?

That’s a photo that stops you in your tracks. That makes you feel the love, the silliness, the soul. That’s the difference between “aww” and actual goosebumps.

Those are the kinds of moments I live to capture.

7. Because This Moment—Messy, Magical, and Real—Matters

You don’t need to wait until you lose the baby weight or train the dog to sit still. (Spoiler: they’ll never sit still long enough. That’s kind of the point.)

This season of life—with the baby giggles, the fur on your black leggings, the way your dog gently watches over the crib—this is the good stuff. This is the magic you’ll miss later.

You’re not just hiring me to take a picture. You’re investing in a version of your story that you can revisit again and again.

And that’s something no iPhone can offer.

The Truth: Your Life Isn’t a Pinterest Board—It’s Better

You don’t need perfection. You need connection. The kind that shows up in baby yawns, puppy kisses, muddy paws, and sleepy snuggles.

Your iPhone is great for everyday snapshots. But when it comes to the moments that matter most, the ones that change too fast, the ones you want to feel years from now?

You deserve more.

You deserve to be seen, remembered, and celebrated—just as you are.

Let’s Make Something You’ll Never Forget

At Toes and Beans Photography, I specialize in capturing the sweet chaos of life with babies and pets. The tender, the goofy, the soulful moments you don’t want to miss.

Whether it’s your baby’s first year, your rescue dog’s gotcha day, or the glorious mess of it all—I’m here to help you turn today’s love into tomorrow’s treasure.

📸 Call or Text for a free consultation: 780-203-6875

🐾 Or let’s connect on Instagram @toesandbeansphotography

Email toesandbeansphotography@gmail.com

Let’s make something magic.

# TL;DR (Too Many Toes, Beans, and Not Enough Coffee? I’ve Got You):

* Your iPhone is handy, but it can’t capture *you* in the moment.

* I work with both babies and pets—and I love a little chaos.

* A professional photo is more than a snapshot. It’s a story.

* You deserve memories that feel like *you*—and last forever.

See you soon, with snacks, squeaky toys, and maybe a rubber ducky.

Because they aren’t just pets-they are family…

The Pet Parent With a Problem…

If you're like most devoted pet parents, your camera roll is overflowing with blurry pictures of your dog mid-zoomie or your cat giving you that perfect side-eye. You try to catch them in the right light, at the right angle, doing the adorable thing they always do, but no matter how many times you try, you’re left with photos that don’t quite capture who they really are.

Maybe your dog looks nervous around strangers. Maybe your rescue cat hides from new people. Maybe the idea of getting them to “pose” sounds like a total joke.

Still, you want something more than quick snapshots. You want real memories. The kind that tug at your heart long after the fur settles.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Our pets impact on us is lifelong. They are our comfort, our chaos, our comic relief. They teach us about love, loyalty, and the power of living in the moment. So when it comes time to capture their essence, you don’t want stiff poses or studio backdrops.

You want images that feel like them—rolling in the grass, chasing a leaf, dozing in their favourite sunbeam.

Unfortunately, many pet parents don’t know where to turn. Traditional photographers often treat pets as props instead of personalities. And for animals who are shy, reactive, or recently adopted, that kind of experience can be stressful.

You need a photographer who gets it.

Meet the Photographer Who Understands

Hi, I’m Tracy, and I’m the heart behind Toes and Beans Photography. I specialize in photographing rescue pets and beloved companions in a way that’s playful, patient, and deeply respectful of who they are.

Whether you’re honouring a senior dog, celebrating a quirky kitten, or documenting the early days with your newly adopted best friend, I create a space where your pet can be themselves, in their favourite space.

I’ve studied animal behaviour, taken courses in low-stress pet handling, and continuously invest in education so that both you and your furry friend feel safe, seen, and celebrated.

What It’s Like to Work With Me

Here’s how we make pet photo magic together:

1. Let’s Talk – You send a request for a consult and we chat about your pet’s quirks, comforts, and needs.

2. Custom Session Planning – I tailor our session to your pet’s energy level and personality. Nervous dog? We’ll meet in a quiet spot they know well. Feisty kitten? Let’s bring out their favourite toys.

3. Session Day – This is where the fun begins. There’s no pressure for perfect poses. We follow your pet’s lead and capture real, joyful moments.

4. Gallery Reveal – During a virtual or in-person session, you receive a curated collection of images that capture your pet’s unique soul.

Every session is relaxed, animal-first, and infused with love.

What You’ll Have in the End

Imagine flipping through an album one day. You see their goofy grin, their gentle eyes, their energy and essence frozen in time.

These aren’t just photos. They’re pieces of your heart, wrapped in fur (or hair, or scales, or feathers!).

They’ll remind you of the way your dog looked at you when you came home, how your cat curled up on your chest, the bond you built together.

With lifestyle pet photography, you walk away with more than images—you get emotional evidence of a love that changed your life.

Why Now Is the Time

It’s easy to think, “I’ll do it someday.”

But time passes quickly. The truth is, tomorrow isn’t promised—and that’s why today matters. There is no “perfect” time, so lets capture those cuddles today!

You don’t have to wait until they’re trained, thinner, calmer, or more photogenic.

They are perfect right now, just as they are. Let’s honour that.

Ready to Capture the Soul of Your Pet?

Whether you just brought home a new furry friend or you’re soaking in every moment with a senior companion, now is the time to preserve those memories.

📅 Let’s book your session today

📩 Reach out for a free consultation by email or phone.

Your pet isn’t just part of your story—they are the story.

Let’s create images that honour them. Celebrate them. And remind you, for years to come, of just how lucky you are to love them.

Toes and Beans Photography: Capturing the Cuddles

Pet Photography That Feels Like Home | Accessible • Loving • Authentic.