Hilary’s journey has always been guided by a passion for storytelling — first through the study of film and journalism, later through corporate relationships, and ultimately through the art of photography.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film from the University of Western Ontario in 1998 and a post-graduate diploma in Journalism from Sheridan College, Hilary began her career in corporate sales at Labatt Breweries of Canada. Her natural gift for communication and relationship-building quickly propelled her into the role of Territorial Manager for the Kitchener-Waterloo region, where she was named Ontario’s Top Sales Representative in 2007.

In 2008, inspired by her love of people and her lifelong creative instincts, Hilary left the corporate world to launch One for the Wall Photography. What began as a family portrait business quickly blossomed into a thriving full-time enterprise, earning her the trust of over 8,000 families in just 17 years. Known for her ability to capture both the intimacy of personal relationships and the confidence of professional presence, Hilary has become a sought-after photographer for families, businesses, artists, and executives alike.

Her reputation within the local business and arts community has made her the go-to photographer for professional portraits, corporate branding, and promotional campaigns. She is also the official photographer for Drayton Entertainment and a proud creative partner of Pop Nation Canada, capturing the energy of young performers both on and off the stage.

Beyond her commercial work, Hilary has dedicated much of her career to storytelling for social impact. Since 2014, she has collaborated with the Waterloo-Wellington Down Syndrome Society and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society on powerful national awareness campaigns. Over more than a decade, hundreds of images have been created to close the gap in authentic representation of those with Down syndrome in mainstream media. Previously, very little imagery existed in this space and that which did reflected a narrow and outdated perspective on those living with Down syndrome. Hilary is honoured to have had the opportunity to work with babies, children, teens and adults in Canada to better tell the stories of those with Down syndrome in all areas of life; home, school, work, hobbies; in friendship and in love in a more authentic and ethical way.

These projects, which have centered around messages of acceptance and advocacy, and have highlighted individuality and inclusion, have been featured by major media outlets including People Magazine, CBC Television and Breakfast Television. In 2024, Hilary celebrated 10 years of advocacy work in the DS space alongside the WWDSS. This milestone was marked with an 11-minute documentary produced by filmmakers, Digital Sabbath.

Hilary’s artistry and advocacy have earned her international recognition: In 2024, she was nominated for 2024 the KW Chamber of Commerce Community Builder of the Year, in 2018 was named Rogers K-W Oktoberfest Woman of the Year in the Arts and in 2014 she was named Photographer of the Year by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers, with one of her images displayed on a Times Square billboard. She has also been honored in prestigious competitions including the Rangefinder Portrait Awards and the VOICE Collection.

Today, Hilary continues to balance artistry, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. She offers business coaching to photographers across North America, as well as teaching children’s photography courses over the years. She is currently developing a program for children in the world of art therapy using photography as a medium.

Through every image she creates, Hilary stays true to her first love: telling stories that connect, inspire, and endure.