As of Sunday, I can now say I am an Award-Winning Photographer! This has been a huge goal of mine for man years and to have finally achieved this first step has been amazing!

There are so many different competitions that a photographer can enter but I wanted to choose something that had a higher purpose and peer-reviewed. I choose to go through PPA (Professional Photography Associations ), the world’s largest trade organization for photographers. Their International Photography Competition was held and judged the past few days and I am excited to say 3 of my images were awarded merit!

I also had two images that the judges argued and discussed going to a higher level for the competition. Overall they did not score higher but I was given great information on what to do better next time and how close I came!

This process of learning has taken almost a decade of study and practice and the advice of good friends in the photography world. I loved learning a new technique of editing, I also love finding the ‘story’ and titling my images.

The competition bug has bitten me and now I cannot wait to enter my next competition.

This is where you book your 2020 Christmas Mini Sessions!

2020 Has been a doozy of a year! We have all realized the importance of our family. Being told to stay home, stay together has been challenging at times but home is where we were safe.

Celebrate what is important this season!

When the world shut down due to COVID-19, so did our studio. Re-opening only came after the New Brunswick photography community was given the green light from the Government of New Brunswick, specifically for photographers.

In conjunction with the Province of New Brunswick, WorkSafe NB, and Public Health we were given guidelines and required to fill out paperwork outlining our safety procedures. 

We are in a unique position that we work in close quarters with newborns, children and families who are unmasked. Safety is our top priority (one of the reasons I also work with an assistant for newborn sessions). 

Some of the procedures stay the same, whereas others have changed. We have also increased some of the precautions more than recommended for our own peace of mind. 

COVID Safety Plan

At Enchanted Hill Photography no one (photographer, assistant, and clients) who traveled outside the Atlantic bubble, had contact with someone outside the Atlantic bubble within 21 days may not enter the studio.

No one is permitted with cough, fever, sore throat, or other symptoms of COVID. 21 Days must pass after any illness before entering the studio. 

Hand sanitizer must be used upon entering the studio with an alcohol content of 60% or higher.

Photographer and assistant must wear masks covering mouth and nose while photographing clients. They must also wear latex-free gloves when touching a client. 

All loose fabrics touched by clients must be taken for washing after every session.

Cleaners with bacteria-killing ingredients are used to wipe down garbage, door handle, all surfaces clients touch after every session. Floors are mopped after every client as well.

How We Can Do More

Jen and I love what we do and have had serious conversations about what we could do to go the extra mile. Things like the toys have been removed from the studio, snacks and drinks are not longer available for clients at the current time.

We have both personally made the decision to avoid large gatherings where people may not take safety precautions. Wearing masks even when it is not necessary but we feel there is a risk. These were personal decisions based on a sense of responsibility for our tiny clients.

Good Job Saint John!

We are so proud of how Saint Johners have gone above and beyond by staying home during the quarantine, self-isolating when they were at possible risk, and all to keep friends and family safe.

Watching the small businesses come together to make sure we all get through this safe and healthy. I love seeing the steps some of the restaurants have made to make outdoor dining spaces and more shops having online options.

Choosing a photographer can feel daunting, there are over 100 in the Saint John and Quispamsis area! So many are extremely talented but I wanted to give some idea on how to choose a newborn photographer.

Of course, I want you to hire me! But my style may not be what you are looking for and there may be other photographers who better suit your needs. The window is so small for newborns, this is the shortest stage of human life. It is also the moment that everything changes in your life (even if baby number 4 or 5!).

Check Out Their Style

Every photographer has their own unique style. From big styling differences like Lifestyle or Posed. Lifestyle is typically held in your home. Lifestyle focuses more on the family environment, unposed, and how you interact as a family.

Posed newborn photography (which is our specialty) is carefully posed, to showcase the baby’s face and features. Props can be added and sessions color coordinated.

Look at the Editing

Every photographer has their own secret recipe for editing. We all have our own unique style in editing but it also depends on skill level. Over the past decade I know my own personal style has evolved but also my skills have highly advanced.

Some photographers only enhance the image a tiny bit leaving everything as they saw it through their lens and others will do extensive editing to give a prettier version of reality and some will fall in the middle.

Editing style can also vary in making the pictures look like they were processed with film and others are very sharp and the colors nice and crisp. What may be popular and trendy now may look out of date in 5-10 years.

Realize that every photographer has their own particular style, look at their website, and make sure everything is consistent, so there are no surprises when you receive your pictures. Also, realize that photographers will be unlikely to want to change their style of editing as well.

Experience and Safety

This is a big one. Brand new babies mean you have researched safety, from sleeping methods to cribs and learn how to safely buckle them into a car seat. Choosing a newborn photographer should also require research to make sure that they have safe practices.

I am also going to say I would not discount a brand new photographer as well, we all began our career somewhere. Feel free to ask about their safety practices. They have researched them as well.

Have they taken newborn courses? Safety courses? Do they work with a spotter or assistant for more difficult poses? Do they have limitations (there are certain poses I personally refuse to even do without a spotter due to safety reasons)? Do they have a Covid safety plan (all registered businesses are required to have one and photographers were given plans from WorkSafe NB and Public Health).

Ask how many newborns they have photographed. Some photographers have more experience and some only photograph a handful.

Digitals or Products?

How do you want to see your pictures in 10-20 years from now? Do you want them on your walls or in an album? How do you want to show them to your children when they become adults? Will Facebook still be a thing? Or will it go like the VCR and cassette tapes?

Back to finding a photographer, almost all will provide digitals but ask yourself the honest question, do you ever print? Or are you like the majority of families today; very busy and never get around to printing.

If you print yourself then digitals may be the way to go but if you are busy and time is valuable it would be beneficial to ask if your photographer offers prints, canvases, or wall art. Photographers have access to professional print labs that are superior to big box store labs.

Do Not Miss This Time

The newborn stage is such a short one and it is a time your can never get back. It is also a huge regret many people have looking back. They wish they had those first pictures, pictures of themselves and their new baby. (I know I do!!). Personally, I feel newborn pictures are more important than wedding pictures. We celebrate our love and commitment with. wedding party and pictures and a baby is bigger. They are the start of a new life, they are an entirely new journey and story in your life.

The baby crib, the stroller, the fancy swing and carriers…all will be packed away someday forever or sold on the local Buy and Sell. Your newborn pictures will be the only thing left from the beginning.

Whoever you hire, hire someone, do your research and enjoy the memories.

This is a question I get regularly asked. At what age should newborn photos be taken? My answer is usually between 4 to 12 days from birth but really it depends!

Preemie Babies

Sometime babies come extra early and need more time in the NICU. This happens not too often but when it does parents feel like their world has flipped upside down. All those plans and time lines are thrown out the window. When it comes to your baby pictures we wait until they are discharged from the hospital and come home. Typically this is close to their actual due date. When baby is discharged we ask that parents call us and we try to get baby in as soon as possible.

Overdue Babies

Some babies are born well over their due date (let me tell you about one of my own babies who leisurely arrived over 2 weeks late), these babies I like to get into the studio within 4-6 days. After 200+ babies I have found these babies are more alert, a little more sensitive, and waiting to the 12-day mark means they are less ‘womb-like’ compared to babies who arrive within a week of their due date.

When Complications Occur

No matter what we do during pregnancy and birth, things do not always go as planned and complications occur. Babies need more time in the hospital or procedures that need to occur. Again in my studio, we wait till the baby is discharged from the hospital and book them as soon as possible.

But Is 3 Weeks Too Old for a Newborn Session

This is something that were had to face after the Covid quarantine! Babies born while we were closed and still wanted those fresh little baby pictures. What were learned is some babies were not as bendy but some were still able to pose nice and curly. Some babies were much more alert and soothing them to sleep was NOT easy! Our sessions were much longer but we were still able to create beautiful pictures.

When Do You Prefer Photographing Newborns?

As a professional photographer I prefer photographing newborns between 5-10 days. Babies are still very sleepy and curly, nursing issues have been addressed, formulas have been figured out. Mom has had a little healing time. There are times I will stretch that time out till 14 days because behind the scenes I may have a busy schedule with my family, my assistant may not be available or we are slammed in the studio with sessions.

In conclusion with our experience and knowledge we feel confident we can create a beautiful session for your new little love and will tell you what days we have available and what works best for us and for your little one!

Seriously, these were the best newborn Pictures in Saint John when I was done. Just look at her??

She was unbelievably beautiful. Teeny tiny features, little button nose, lashes, and that hair??!!! As a maker of bald babies I am always in awe and jealous that mama’s had babies will full heads of hair.

The entire session was Jen and I oohing and awing over her sweetness!!

Soft delicate pinks, tiny fragile headbands and this session was as feminine as this sweet little girl! Mixed with cream and ivory s that the session flows beuatifull together.