Where Love Meets Landscape

There is a quiet confidence in the way Aynsley Coates approaches her work. A portrait photographer now based in Saint John, New Brunswick, she has built a reputation across Atlantic Canada for images that balance intimacy with a cinematic sense of scale. Coates first established herself in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she co-founded Wild & Heart Photography with Moya Blackwood. Together they formed the untamed landscape into both backdrop and character, transforming engagements, weddings, maternity sessions and family portraits into stories that felt as enduring as the rock and sea surrounding them.

Her approach is rooted in connection rather than performance. Clients often describe her calming presence, whether on a bustling wedding day or in the quiet rhythm of a session with a newborn, and the way she creates space for trust and authenticity. This sensitivity has allowed her to document the full arc of people’s lives, following couples from engagements to marriages through to the arrival of children, preserving not just photographs but the living narratives of joy, tenderness and resilience.

Now living in New Brunswick, Coates continues to refine her vision while embracing new landscapes and communities. Her portraits remain luminous and expansive, rich with colour and texture yet never contrived. More than images, they are reflections that capture fleeting moments with timeless clarity, offering families and couples across the Maritimes something rare: photographs that feel as honest as memory itself.

[EDIT]: When did you first realize you wanted to be a photographer?

AYNSLEY: I have always been fascinated by photography. My mom enrolled me in every photography workshop she could find between Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia. After university, I realized this wasn’t just a passion; it was the path I was truly meant to follow. In high school, I apprenticed with renowned Canadian photographer Martin Flewwelling. After earning an arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University, I attended the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. I was mentored by some of the top photography instructors and artists in the field. I also worked with John Beesley, an award-winning New Brunswick photographer. I’ve been lucky to learn from and collaborate with photographers I greatly admire, helping my technical skills and inspiring me to develop my own unique style in the fine art of photography.

[EDIT]: Your work is distinctive in that every image tells a story, and you have mastered many different styles. How have you developed such a wide range of creative skills, and do you have a favourite approach?

AYNSLEY: Practice, patience and play! Over the years, I’ve learned that every shoot is an opportunity to express my creativity and try new things. Being a mom of three has definitely influenced my approach: kids teach you to be adaptable, playful and present. That energy helps me foster an environment where real personalities and authentic emotion can shine. I approach each shoot with the same goal: to capture honesty, connection and meaningful moments. My favourite images are always the ones that feel genuine, unposed and full of life.

[EDIT]: What do you enjoy most about your work, and what is the best part of being a photographer on the East Coast? What are some of the biggest challenges?

AYNSLEY: I love being invited to people’s most significant moments. There’s something very special about earning that kind of trust. My work with the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation and Rothesay Netherwood School has opened many doors and introduced me to incredible people. Maritimers are naturally warm, welcoming and always ready for a good laugh; it makes every session rewarding. The biggest challenge has been rebuilding my client base after moving back home from Newfoundland and Labrador, but it’s been a truly rewarding journey reconnecting with my hometown community.

[EDIT]: Looking back, what moments or achievements stand out as career highlights?

AYNSLEY: There are so many, but photographing my longtime friends and their families when I returned home to New Brunswick after living in Newfoundland and Labrador for a decade was really meaningful. It felt like coming full circle. Watching my clients’ families grow through my lens is such a privilege. Some of my proudest moments have been growing alongside my clients: photographing their engagement, their wedding, their first newborn session and all the milestones that follow.

[EDIT]: In what ways did your upbringing shape your vision and photographic voice?

AYNSLEY: I was fortunate to grow up in a loving, supportive home. My parents always encouraged my creativity and helped make this dream a reality. That foundation of love and support taught me to approach my work with empathy and authenticity, qualities I try to bring to every image. Living in the Maritimes, we’re all connected. We care about each other, show up and cheer each other on. That’s how I approach my work: with care and respect for the people in the photos.

[EDIT]: What advice would you give to young photographers hoping to build a sustainable career in the Maritimes?

AYNSLEY: Network, collaborate and keep shooting! Take opportunities that help you grow, even if they’re not initially perfectly aligned with your long-term goals. Build your portfolio, practise regularly and never undervalue your work. Experience is priceless, but your time and creativity have worth too. Build relationships; they’re everything here. People remember how you made them feel and the experience they had on shoot day. You’re now part of their story.

[EDIT]: How do you decide whether or not to take on a commission?

AYNSLEY: For me, it’s simple: I love working with people who value photography and trust the creative process. Every person and story is unique, and I genuinely love capturing them all. So I rarely turn anyone away!

[EDIT]: Outside of your work, what are some of your favourite restaurants, bars, shops or activities?

AYNSLEY: Our family loves to explore the Maritimes in search of the best places to eat. We never miss a trip to Richard’s, the Landmark Oyster House or the Inn at Bay Fortune in PEI. We love to go to the Kingston Peninsula to Yip Cider. I’m excited about the boardwalk development in Saint John’s new Fundy Quay; it’s going to be spectacular. You can’t beat the vibes in uptown Saint John, popping into all the shops, galleries and cafés. This was the first year we got to take in all the excitement at Moonlight Bazaar, so fun and we already can’t wait for next year.

[EDIT]: What excites you about what is coming next in your career?

AYNSLEY: My career goal remains the same: to be the photographer of choice, capturing people of all ages, families and experiences against stunning backdrops in the Maritimes. I want my photos to evoke an emotional response because I pour a lot of myself into creating them. I love my work, and I want to share it with as many people as possible.

By James Mullinger

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