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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm

http://www.ratchfordphotographic.com/

Ratchford Studio, 208 Commercial Street, North Sydney, NS (2026)

06/13/2026

🌄 Day 2 began with a little adventure before we ever took a photograph.

Valley of Fire State Park sits in the Mojave Desert of southeastern Nevada, and it was our destination for the second day of shooting.

The sun was already blazing ☀️ and we had quite the drive getting there. At one point, we hit a section of highway where flooding had washed out the shoulder. We dropped deep into what felt like a crater before climbing back out.

To this day, I still don't know how there wasn't any damage to the vehicle. It was one of those moments where everyone just looked at each other afterward and said, "Well... that could have been much worse." 😅

Once we arrived, it was time for the first look of the day.

❤️ This beautiful red dress was a complete departure from what we had photographed the evening before. Credit goes to Wren for helping create something entirely different. The styling, makeup, and overall vision transformed Courtney into something that looked as though she belonged among the ancient sandstone formations.

The red fabric against the desert landscape was absolutely stunning.

✨ What I love most about these photographs is how they show another side of Courtney. The previous day gave us rugged desert cowgirl vibes. This look felt elegant, dramatic, and almost timeless.

A pretty incredible way to start Day 2.

🏆 And for those wondering what winning RNTM looks like, this is it.

📍 New places.
📸 New experiences.
💄 Professional styling.
🌟 Professional photography.
❤️ Lifelong memories.

As I write this, we're already photographing this year's RNTM participants, and I can't wait to see who will be standing in these same shoes a year from now.

Who knows? Maybe we're photographing the next Valley of Fire adventure right now. 🔥

06/13/2026

Prayers tonight to Saint Anthony of Padua

06/13/2026

RATCHFORD NEXT TOP MODEL 2023 WINNER
Courtney Neilson | Part 2

There is something magical about a ghost town.

The buildings are weathered. The paint is faded. The people who once filled the streets are long gone.

Yet somehow the stories remain.

That was the feeling we found wandering through Nelson, Nevada.

Every old storefront, rocking chair, rusted sign and forgotten building felt like a movie set frozen in time. It was the perfect backdrop for Courtney's second look of the trip.

I loved the contrast.

A young woman standing confidently among pieces of history.

Soft boho fabrics.

Vintage western boots.

Desert light spilling across weathered wood.

And Courtney bringing every bit of it to life.

One of the things that impressed me most about her throughout this experience was how naturally she adapted to every look and every location. Whether she was leaning against an old jail cell door, sitting on a dusty porch, or standing in the middle of a deserted street, she seemed to belong there.

Special thanks once again to Wren Fraser for the beautiful makeup artistry that helped bring this vision together.

This is only Part 2.

There are still more looks, more locations, and more photographs from Courtney's winner's trip to come.

✨ LAST CALL FOR THE 2026 Ratchford Next Top Model search.

If you've been thinking about entering, now is the time.

The winner receives an unforgettable experience, incredible photographs, and the opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime.

Message us today or call 902-794-8880 before registration closes.

Who will be standing in the winner's circle next? 👑✨

06/12/2026

🔥 RATCHFORD NEXT TOP MODEL WINNERS SERIES
Part 1: Courtney Neilson | 2023 Winner

Every year, one young woman earns the title of Ratchford Next Top Model and the adventure that comes with it.

In 2023, that young woman was Courtney Neilson.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.

Shortly after winning, Courtney suffered a couple of strokes. Needless to say, travel was off the table for a while, and the trip that was supposed to happen that year had to be postponed.

But if there's one thing I've learned about Courtney, it's that she's resilient.

Last fall, she was finally well enough to travel, and we headed to one of the most incredible locations I've ever photographed: a ghost town in Nelson, Nevada.

The place looked like a movie set. Rusted gas pumps. Weathered wooden buildings. Old buses. Desert mountains glowing at sunset. Everywhere you looked there was texture, history, and character.

For this particular series, I wanted something completely different from the traditional western look. We leaned into a boho-desert vibe with flowing fabrics, vintage pieces, cowboy hats, and earthy tones that felt right at home among the abandoned buildings and dusty roads.

As always, the amazing Wren Fraser worked her magic with hair and makeup, helping bring the entire vision together.

What I love most about these photographs is that they aren't really about the clothes or the location.

They're about a young woman who refused to let a setback define her story.

And this is only the beginning.

Over the next several days, I'll be sharing more images from Courtney's winning trip, along with the stories of other RNTM winners who have stood in front of my camera over the years.

⭐ LAST CALL FOR 2026 RATCHFORD NEXT TOP MODEL ⭐

We're still accepting a few final entries for the 2026 program.

Regular Price: $399
Last Call Special: $299

If you've ever dreamed of being part of the experience, now is the time.

Travel. Fashion. Professional hair and makeup. Creative photo shoots. Confidence-building. Lifelong memories.

Message us today or call 902-794-8880 before the final spots disappear. 📸✨

06/12/2026

When Veronica told me that Nicole and her brother had come to the studio years ago dressed as a wizard and a fairy, I couldn't help but smile.

That would have been around 2002, back when those themed children's portraits were all the rage around here.

Now here we are all these years later, and Nicole is 27 years old, graduating from nursing.

It wasn't a straight line getting here, but she did it.

You can tell she is a wonderful nurse and she loves it.

And if you want to see what pride looks like, just look at her mother.

Before the photo shoot, I suggested that Veronica have her makeup done too. After all, she was already here. Why not?

The smile on her face afterward said everything. She felt like a million bucks.

At one point she even asked, "Can you take a few extra photos of me?"

"Of course," I said.

Funny thing is, the longer the session went, the more Veronica wanted captured.

I see this all the time.

We convince ourselves that the photos are for the kids. That they don't need pictures of us. That family portraits can wait for another day.

But I've never met a child, whether they're 7 or 27, who didn't value having photographs with the people they love.

That's why I gently encourage families to step into the frame.

Because life moves quickly.

One day those portraits won't just be pictures.

They'll be memories of a day when everyone was together.

And those are always worth preserving. ❤️

06/11/2026

Brooklyn doesn't know this, but I first met her when her aunt Katie was carrying her around on her hip.

(Even back then, I remember thinking Katie was going to make a wonderful mom.)

Katie and I have been good friends for many years, and still are today.

This past year hasn't been an easy one for Brooklyn. She lost her father, Jonathan, something no young person should have to face, especially during their graduating year.

I haven't experienced that kind of loss at that age myself, but I watched several friends go through it. Life is already moving at full speed. You're making plans, looking ahead, excited for what's next, and then grief settles over everything like a heavy blanket.

What struck me about Brooklyn is that you wouldn't necessarily know it from the outside.

She carries herself with a quiet strength, determination, and work ethic that speaks volumes.

One thing she knew she wanted to bring to her session was a photograph of her and her dad. It was taken during her preschool graduation. There was something incredibly fitting about that. One graduation marking the beginning of her school journey, and another marking its end.

Sweet. Simple. Meaningful.

She also brought her cat, Ginny, who may or may not have stolen a little bit of the spotlight that day. As most cat owners know, cats tend to believe every event is organized specifically for them.

Another familiar face who joined us was Kyle Moore. At the time, Brooklyn introduced him as her "friend."

Well... apparently that description has expired.

Since the photo shoot, the two have officially become boyfriend and girlfriend, so I guess we accidentally documented the beginning of that chapter too.

If you've ever been to Hotel North, chances are you've seen Brooklyn. She works there as a waitress, while her mother Heather manages the restaurant.

Now before you think she gets special treatment because of that, I got the impression it's probably the opposite.

From the conversations we had, it sounds like Heather may be a tougher boss on her daughter than anyone else. And honestly, that's probably not a bad thing. Nobody likes to feel someone else is getting favoured, and learning to earn your place builds character.

Her mother told me Brooklyn rarely misses work, never calls in sick unless she absolutely has to, and can always be counted on.

That's a pretty remarkable quality these days.

Next year she'll be studying Early Childhood Education because she genuinely loves working with children.

And she's not slowing down.

She's keeping her job at Hotel North and also working part-time at George's Ice Cream.

In other words, there's no stopping this girl.

Brooklyn has already proven she's stronger than most people realize, and I have a feeling she's going to do just fine wherever life takes her next.

06/10/2026

I've watched Angelina grow up from the pew in front of me at St. Joseph's for a number of years now.

Last summer, I had the chance to photograph her for our Next Top Model program. It was between her Grade 11 and Grade 12 years, and like many young people her age, she was a little nervous and fairly quiet. You could tell she was still figuring things out and finding her place in the world.

Fast forward nine months.

This was a different young woman.

Not different in who she was, but different in how she carried herself.

This was a young lady who knew herself. A young lady with confidence. A young lady who seemed to have discovered something important about who she wanted to become.

I was so happy to see her blossom.

As we talked about her plans after graduation from the French school, she told me about a placement she had at an elementary school. She was helping in a Grade 4 and Grade 5 classroom, and somewhere along the way, her heart opened up to those children.

I think she realized that adults can have a tremendous influence on young lives. Sometimes a kind word, encouragement, or simply being present can change the direction of someone's day, and sometimes even their future.

Don't we all need that sense of purpose?

Don't we all want to feel useful, needed, and capable of making a difference?

Once we discover our "why," it gives us the fuel to move forward and pursue what we feel called to do.

I suspect that has something to do with the confidence I saw in Angelina this year.

That, and the fact that she is surrounded by so many people who love her.

Her mom and older sister were there for the photo shoot. Her little niece insisted on having her picture taken too, which was absolutely adorable. Mom, Dad, her best friend Jolina, and so many others have clearly poured into her life over the years.

And now she's ready to pour into the lives of others.

That's a beautiful thing to witness.

So what's your story? What "why" are you searching for?

Those are the conversations we love having at the studio.

And if you haven't had your grad session done yet and you're worried you're too late, don't be. We always find a way to fit people in.

Call us at 902-794-8880 or send us a message here on Facebook.

Have the best day, everyone.

06/10/2026

Ultimate prom session still going tonight‘s shoot was beautiful with Jailyn and Nadara!

06/09/2026

Grounded.

That's the word that comes to mind when I think about Johanna and Vaughn's kids.

A few years ago, I photographed their oldest daughter, Arrissa, before she headed off to St. FX. This year it was Leila's turn, and I found myself thinking the exact same thing.

Grounded.

It says a lot about how these girls were raised and how they move through the world.

Johanna and Vaughn run a busy family business, and Johanna also works outside of that. Life is demanding, yet one thing they have never neglected is their family.

I always enjoy seeing them because they understand the value of family portraits. Their first family portrait with us was in 2019. Then another in 2023. Now here we are again in 2026.

I love that commitment.

There have actually been studies showing that children who grow up seeing family photographs displayed in their homes often develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. Whether it's science or simply common sense, I think there's something beautiful about that.

The moment that really confirmed my impression of this family happened during their reveal appointment.

Johanna had a lot on her plate that week, so she sent the girls, ages 21 and 17, to choose the photographs and place the order. She had already explained what she wanted, but what struck me was how they approached the process.

Neither was focused on herself.

Each sister was making sure the family portrait worked for everyone else.

That's who they are.

I also love the way they dote on their little brother, Rogan. The girls are close, full of mutual respect, and next year they'll be roommates at university. Watching them together, I couldn't help but think they're going to do just fine. Mom has nothing to worry about.

And Leila?

She has such a distinctive look and a wonderful presence. She has a Swedish look about her that I love!

I've been trying to convince her to enter our Next Top Model before she heads off to study Health Sciences. I think she'd be a natural.

(let's cheer her on with this!)

As for Rogan, he'll be back in front of my camera before we know it.

Three years goes by fast.

Something tells me I'll be stretching a little farther to look up at him by then.

06/09/2026

Exciting Posts coming this week of Sophie Forrest and Courtney Neilson's RNTM Shoot in Las Vegas!!!!

Ratchford Studio

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

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06/09/2026

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Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm