Sophia Vaartstra|  2021 | Alberta, Canada | Sophia Bellissima Photography-2.jpg

Photography is so much more than the use of mirrors and light to capture an image. Photography is an art form. A photo is not anything special without an artist’s life breathed into it. Come, breath in my art and use it to fill your lungs and soul with inspiration.

— Soph

Hi! I’m Soph! Did we just become best friends?!

For as long as I can remember I’ve had an interest in photography. I would see photographers at weddings, hobby photographers, and adventure photographers out in the world capturing images and never thought that it would be achievable to do so myself. My parents gifted my sister and I each a little point and shoot, kodiak digital camera when I was about 10 years old. While my sister used her camera to take pictures of the flowers in our yard, the trees, and those early 2000s moody bedroom mirror portraits, my favourite thing was to photograph my friends; specifically my friends having fun. There was nothing that got me more excited than sitting in my bedroom flipping through photos of my friends laughing, hugging and goofing off together. I bought my first DSLR when I was 20 years old. I spent about a year and a half learning and playing with camera settings, editing, and posing subjects. I took a leap of faith and I started my business in October of 2019, and have loved watching my business take off. I have enjoyed shooting in many different environments including bridal showers, maternity and newborn photography and am just getting my feet wet in the area of marketing photography, but my absolute love and passion lies in engagement and wedding photography! Nothing makes my heart leap more than having a beautiful bride and the love of her life step in front of my lens!

I grew up playing classical piano and have always had a love and appreciation for the arts. When my parents moved cross country and I no longer had regular access to a piano, I felt as though I had lost my creative outlet. It is through photography that I have been able to create and explore art again, and I have enjoyed discovering new challenges and concepts.

Nothing gets me through the day like a strong, black cup of coffee and a quality glass of red wine. I love to sing, shop and have no issue sitting down for an entire day with a good role playing game. I am motivated by fun and love to bring that with me into my sessions! When I’m not shooting I have the privilege of being the Mama to the most beautiful baby boy in the whole world and wife to a loving and wonderful man.