Ratchford Studio

02/05/2026

40\40 is for anyone over 40!

Take this lovely lady

She turned 85 this year

Her name is Mary MacCormick!

She lives in one of the Breton Ability Homes in Sydney

She grew up in Sydney Mines and when she was going to the school for the deaf, she lived in Halifax for a brief time!

She is well-known at her residence where we hear she is the queen

She always wanted a photo shoot so this was something we did for her today

She had the best time and I don’t think I saw anyone so excited. She even teared up when she saw her make up done by Wren.

She came with four different outfits and we even put her red dress back on and posted her in a throne since she is a queen!

She loves to do crossword puzzles, color, and apparently she is a great baker. She even has her own chefs, hat, and apron.

This was a beautiful day for her and on Monday she is coming back for her big reveal!!!

We can’t wait to post these and she will be part of the many women who will join us on our special 40/40 Gala night next January-times to be announced!!!

Claralynn and Brittany brought her over today for this amazing experience

She spread so much joy through our studio today!

God bless everyone!

02/04/2026

Just when you thought it was safe to open your computer…
another cuteness overload from our 2025–2026 Cutest Little Caper contest.

Meet Ryan (2) and his baby sister Aurora, better known as Rory (6 months).

This session was supposed to be all about Ryan.

Ryan is an “all-in” kind of kid.

If he’s doing something, he’s doing it fully.

The first few frames? Let’s just say he looked like he was being interrogated 😄

Those didn’t survive.

What followed was a short round of negotiations.

The compromise: tractors everywhere.

Now, tractors and a fishing dock don’t exactly belong in the same universe…

so I quietly removed them afterward and told everyone not to worry about it.

If tractors are the price of peace, that’s an easy day at the office.

Little Rory, on the other hand, was a dream.

Curious. Calm. Watching everything.

There were plenty of smiles, but this image, pearls and all, is the one that stopped us.

That’s the one that captured our hearts.

So… which one do they enter?

That decision is still up in the air.

A little history is in order.

I photographed their mom Danielle and her sister over 20 years ago.

I even remembered the exact shoot when she showed me the photo.

I’ve known Danielle’s mom Leah since 1985–86, back when we shared a stockroom at the Mayflower Mall.

She worked at Fairweather, I worked at Big Steel Man.

Some of the best days of my early working life.

Leah always dressed like a lady.
Soft. Sweet. Graceful.
The kind of person you never forget.

Danielle has that same gentle spirit.

She married Michael, who might be the most patient, playful, kid-loving dad I’ve ever met.

The kind of dad who could honestly hire himself out to entertain kids… and enjoy every minute of it.

They’re a lovely family, and I had the best time with them.

✨ Cutest Little Caper is still booking!
• $149.95 to enter
• $50 donated directly to the Hospital Foundation
• Amazing prizes from Mayflower Mall, Heavenly Sweet Creations & A&K Lick A Chick

We’re working toward $40,000 raised for the hospital.
Help us help the kids… and help you create memories of your own beautiful little critters 💛

Call the studio to book.
We absolutely love this fundraiser.

02/03/2026

01/30/2026

We understand that some people missed out on the grad sale because the phones were so busy today. If you didn’t get through call and leave a message on our voicemail and we will extend the sale for you.!

01/30/2026

ATT: FINAL DAY FOR THE GRAD SALE!

Darlene didn’t get to have Kaylee’s portraits done here. COVID took that moment away.
So this session with Carter mattered. It felt like a small reclaiming of time.

Carter was a strong athlete through high school, but what stands out most is how easy-going he is. The kind of young man who knows how to enjoy life. His mom laughs that she sometimes has to worry for him, because he doesn’t worry enough. He’s laid-back in the best sense.

Carter describes his mother as having a strong, relentless personality. And honestly, that sounds like exactly the influence that shaped him.

Because make no mistake…
You don’t earn scholarships, graduate with honours, and get accepted into a nursing program by being too laid-back.

There’s a balance there.
Enjoying your friends. Your sports. Your school years.
While still doing the work, even if it’s not always done the way our parents would prefer.

Carter seems like someone who simply deals with what’s in front of him. No spiraling. No overthinking. Just handling the task at hand.

That quality reminds me a lot of my dad. He wasn’t a worrier either. He didn’t borrow stress from the future. He just showed up and did what needed doing.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Carter will blossom at university, and become an excellent nurse. Physically capable, emotionally steady, and with a strong mom keeping him grounded. A pretty perfect blend.

I photographed Darlene when she was a teenager herself, back in the fall of 1989. Hard to believe.

Time moves quickly.
But good character has a way of carrying forward.

And she’s clearly passed plenty of that along.

01/30/2026

LAST DAY FOR GRAD SALE 2026!!! Purchase your grad package before the sale is over!! Buy now, use anytime this year!! $100 OFF regular price. (902) 794-8880.