May 5, 2014
A girl! A little girl to adorn in pink and ribbons! No one was more shocked than her own parents! I grew up in a family of all girls and had finally accepted that I would be raising and living in a foreign world of boys and blue but Kathleen arrived and thrilled my girly soul. We had decided NOT to find out her gender and when Josh stuttered, ‘I think it is a girl!’ I felt my heart burst with joy.
Bringing her home, we realized we were out numbered. Taking three to a store required serious strategy. I also realized I was facing some major challenges. I had a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old…all three had binkies, all three in diapers… there was a feeling that we finally acknowledged out loud that Peter may be a bit behind…’young for his age’… But we kept going.
Owning my own business meant no maternity leave and back to work when Kathleen was three weeks old, on a limited schedule. I relied more and more on my family, who was awesome in helping me out. Looking back those first days started to fly by. We were so busy with our careers, so busy renovating our house, raising these blue eyes babies.
A girl! A little girl to adorn in pink and ribbons! No one was more shocked than her own parents! I grew up in a family of all girls and had finally accepted that I would be raising and living in a foreign world of boys and blue but Kathleen arrived and thrilled my girly soul. We had decided NOT to find out her gender and when Josh stuttered, ‘I think it is a girl!’ I felt my heart burst with joy.
Bringing her home, we realized we were out numbered. Taking three to a store required serious strategy. I also realized I was facing some major challenges. I had a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old…all three had binkies, all three in diapers… there was a feeling that we finally acknowledged out loud that Peter may be a bit behind…’young for his age’… But we kept going.
Owning my own business meant no maternity leave and back to work when Kathleen was three weeks old, on a limited schedule. I relied more and more on my family, who was awesome in helping me out. Looking back those first days started to fly by. We were so busy with our careers, so busy renovating our house, raising these blue eyes babies.
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
A girl! A little girl to adorn in pink and ribbons! No one was more shocked than her own parents! I grew up in a family of all girls and had finally accepted that I would be raising and living in a foreign world of boys and blue but Kathleen arrived and thrilled my girly soul. We had decided NOT to find out her gender and when Josh stuttered, ‘I think it is a girl!’ I felt my heart burst with joy.
Bringing her home, we realized we were out numbered. Taking three to a store required serious strategy. I also realized I was facing some major challenges. I had a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old…all three had binkies, all three in diapers… there was a feeling that we finally acknowledged out loud that Peter may be a bit behind…’young for his age’… But we kept going.
Owning my own business meant no maternity leave and back to work when Kathleen was three weeks old, on a limited schedule. I relied more and more on my family, who was awesome in helping me out. Looking back those first days started to fly by. We were so busy with our careers, so busy renovating our house, raising these blue eyes babies.
May 5, 2014
The fourth year of motherhood brought few changes, Charlie was getting bigger. Almost as big as big brother! I was steadily building my little business. Our house was slowly being renovated.
I had so many different ideas of how I would parent before my children arrived but I was learning that none of this matters, you never will what kind of a parent you will be until your little ones arrive and put you to the test. On the surface we looked like a great little family but at home things were not easy. Peter was not easy. It was little things like his obsessions with the colour green, his obsessive manner he played with certain toys. The tantrums that filled and ruled his days. He was easily panicked. Soon Charlie started passing him in speech and we sought help and he was placed in speech therapy.
Speech therapy opened some new doors for him, they explained the tantrums were from his struggle with language. Those girls who worked with him weekly were miracle workers as we watched him learn to effectively communicate with us, now we knew how he felt! And what he needed!
He still had some quirks and was set on his routines but he smiled easily, laughed and danced. Nothing made my heart swell more then to watch those two little boys play with their trains and cars together.
We soon learned that another little one would be joining our family and once again we were expanding.
The fourth year of motherhood brought few changes, Charlie was getting bigger. Almost as big as big brother! I was steadily building my little business. Our house was slowly being renovated.
I had so many different ideas of how I would parent before my children arrived but I was learning that none of this matters, you never will what kind of a parent you will be until your little ones arrive and put you to the test. On the surface we looked like a great little family but at home things were not easy. Peter was not easy. It was little things like his obsessions with the colour green, his obsessive manner he played with certain toys. The tantrums that filled and ruled his days. He was easily panicked. Soon Charlie started passing him in speech and we sought help and he was placed in speech therapy.
Speech therapy opened some new doors for him, they explained the tantrums were from his struggle with language. Those girls who worked with him weekly were miracle workers as we watched him learn to effectively communicate with us, now we knew how he felt! And what he needed!
He still had some quirks and was set on his routines but he smiled easily, laughed and danced. Nothing made my heart swell more then to watch those two little boys play with their trains and cars together.
We soon learned that another little one would be joining our family and once again we were expanding.
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
The fourth year of motherhood brought few changes, Charlie was getting bigger. Almost as big as big brother! I was steadily building my little business. Our house was slowly being renovated.
I had so many different ideas of how I would parent before my children arrived but I was learning that none of this matters, you never will what kind of a parent you will be until your little ones arrive and put you to the test. On the surface we looked like a great little family but at home things were not easy. Peter was not easy. It was little things like his obsessions with the colour green, his obsessive manner he played with certain toys. The tantrums that filled and ruled his days. He was easily panicked. Soon Charlie started passing him in speech and we sought help and he was placed in speech therapy.
Speech therapy opened some new doors for him, they explained the tantrums were from his struggle with language. Those girls who worked with him weekly were miracle workers as we watched him learn to effectively communicate with us, now we knew how he felt! And what he needed!
He still had some quirks and was set on his routines but he smiled easily, laughed and danced. Nothing made my heart swell more then to watch those two little boys play with their trains and cars together.
We soon learned that another little one would be joining our family and once again we were expanding.
May 5, 2014
My third year of motherhood brought another home…a fixer upper. Next door to family (aka lots of help). Two little boys now occupied all of my time. Charles was the typical baby…that easy dream baby that Peter was? Well Charles taught me a lesson. he taught me the meaning of sleep deprivation, he taught me that nursing is HARD. He also taught me that love does expand.
Learning to divide my time between a needy toddler and a baby was not as easy as it sounded before Charles arrived. Learning to get ready to go out with both boys meant getting ready earlier, being more prepared (things that were not my strong suit!).
Raising two boys and renovating was also more expensive then we had anticipated. I missed working, having interest outside my littles and I knew that I needed to do something about our future, we when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance and went back to work when Charles was only 14 weeks old. The weeks went by in a blue as we prepared for our day at 5am and not returning till nearly 7 pm, weekends were spent cuddling and doing laundry. But once graduation had arrived I was able to take deep breath. I had embarked in a new career of pet grooming.
I would rerun home from work ear lie, but just as physically tired, I was my own boss! We owned our first business!
Owning my own business meant I could make it work for our family, I was able to spend more time with my boys, be there when they needed me to be there. I was still sleepy and doing laundry till midnight but I felt like I could be there for my children.
My third year of motherhood brought another home…a fixer upper. Next door to family (aka lots of help). Two little boys now occupied all of my time. Charles was the typical baby…that easy dream baby that Peter was? Well Charles taught me a lesson. he taught me the meaning of sleep deprivation, he taught me that nursing is HARD. He also taught me that love does expand.
Learning to divide my time between a needy toddler and a baby was not as easy as it sounded before Charles arrived. Learning to get ready to go out with both boys meant getting ready earlier, being more prepared (things that were not my strong suit!).
Raising two boys and renovating was also more expensive then we had anticipated. I missed working, having interest outside my littles and I knew that I needed to do something about our future, we when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance and went back to work when Charles was only 14 weeks old. The weeks went by in a blue as we prepared for our day at 5am and not returning till nearly 7 pm, weekends were spent cuddling and doing laundry. But once graduation had arrived I was able to take deep breath. I had embarked in a new career of pet grooming.
I would rerun home from work ear lie, but just as physically tired, I was my own boss! We owned our first business!
Owning my own business meant I could make it work for our family, I was able to spend more time with my boys, be there when they needed me to be there. I was still sleepy and doing laundry till midnight but I felt like I could be there for my children.
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
My third year of motherhood brought another home…a fixer upper. Next door to family (aka lots of help). Two little boys now occupied all of my time. Charles was the typical baby…that easy dream baby that Peter was? Well Charles taught me a lesson. he taught me the meaning of sleep deprivation, he taught me that nursing is HARD. He also taught me that love does expand.
Learning to divide my time between a needy toddler and a baby was not as easy as it sounded before Charles arrived. Learning to get ready to go out with both boys meant getting ready earlier, being more prepared (things that were not my strong suit!).
Raising two boys and renovating was also more expensive then we had anticipated. I missed working, having interest outside my littles and I knew that I needed to do something about our future, we when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance and went back to work when Charles was only 14 weeks old. The weeks went by in a blue as we prepared for our day at 5am and not returning till nearly 7 pm, weekends were spent cuddling and doing laundry. But once graduation had arrived I was able to take deep breath. I had embarked in a new career of pet grooming.
I would rerun home from work ear lie, but just as physically tired, I was my own boss! We owned our first business!
Owning my own business meant I could make it work for our family, I was able to spend more time with my boys, be there when they needed me to be there. I was still sleepy and doing laundry till midnight but I felt like I could be there for my children.
May 5, 2014
The second year of motherhood began with a new home, new community, new dog and I was back to work and Josh had graduated and he had re-entered the workforce too. Balancing the few hours a day between my 2+ hour commute, housework, Peter and work began to show its toll.
Where the first year had felt like a breeze, this year began and I felt torn. Torn between the office job I liked and daily adult conversations, and the busy little toddler. We wanted more children and I finally decided to embark on being a stay at home mother.
Staying at home with Peter meant routine. I had learned that Peter’s mercurial moods were better when we had a strict routine that involved Sesame Street, strict nap times, and the same snacks each day. Life with my little toddler was proving to test my patience daily, his sunshiny face would disappear in an instant and these dreaded toddler tantrums began! I did miss having the chance to chat with adults daily and dealing with the isolation was a new challenge.
I suddenly had understanding and sympathy for every mother in a grocery store with a screaming child! Trips to stores could often mean the walk of shame from a filled cart and back to the car, while a little boy screamed his little heart out.
Toddlerhood made me realize for the first time in my life how fast time was going, his babyhood was going and replaced with new found independence….I missed the baby desperately and was elated when we found out that our family would be growing again and that dear baby stage would be returning to our home.
The second year of motherhood began with a new home, new community, new dog and I was back to work and Josh had graduated and he had re-entered the workforce too. Balancing the few hours a day between my 2+ hour commute, housework, Peter and work began to show its toll.
Where the first year had felt like a breeze, this year began and I felt torn. Torn between the office job I liked and daily adult conversations, and the busy little toddler. We wanted more children and I finally decided to embark on being a stay at home mother.
Staying at home with Peter meant routine. I had learned that Peter’s mercurial moods were better when we had a strict routine that involved Sesame Street, strict nap times, and the same snacks each day. Life with my little toddler was proving to test my patience daily, his sunshiny face would disappear in an instant and these dreaded toddler tantrums began! I did miss having the chance to chat with adults daily and dealing with the isolation was a new challenge.
I suddenly had understanding and sympathy for every mother in a grocery store with a screaming child! Trips to stores could often mean the walk of shame from a filled cart and back to the car, while a little boy screamed his little heart out.
Toddlerhood made me realize for the first time in my life how fast time was going, his babyhood was going and replaced with new found independence….I missed the baby desperately and was elated when we found out that our family would be growing again and that dear baby stage would be returning to our home.
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
The second year of motherhood began with a new home, new community, new dog and I was back to work and Josh had graduated and he had re-entered the workforce too. Balancing the few hours a day between my 2+ hour commute, housework, Peter and work began to show its toll.
Where the first year had felt like a breeze, this year began and I felt torn. Torn between the office job I liked and daily adult conversations, and the busy little toddler. We wanted more children and I finally decided to embark on being a stay at home mother.
Staying at home with Peter meant routine. I had learned that Peter’s mercurial moods were better when we had a strict routine that involved Sesame Street, strict nap times, and the same snacks each day. Life with my little toddler was proving to test my patience daily, his sunshiny face would disappear in an instant and these dreaded toddler tantrums began! I did miss having the chance to chat with adults daily and dealing with the isolation was a new challenge.
I suddenly had understanding and sympathy for every mother in a grocery store with a screaming child! Trips to stores could often mean the walk of shame from a filled cart and back to the car, while a little boy screamed his little heart out.
Toddlerhood made me realize for the first time in my life how fast time was going, his babyhood was going and replaced with new found independence….I missed the baby desperately and was elated when we found out that our family would be growing again and that dear baby stage would be returning to our home.
May 5, 2014
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, on the 11th this month and I realize this is my 10th Mother’s Day as a Mother myself. I was 23 years old, when I had my first child, Peter. My husband and I were so excited to be parents. We had been married for three years and his little addition was a little piece of heaven in our world. We were the first of our friends to have a child, it was a little lonely when I realized I was taking this next step in my life without my girlfriends.
We had so many plans, I think I read every book I could get my hands on for pregnancy, labor and raising a child. I knew exactly how many days till my due date, spent hours searching through catalogues looking for the perfect crib, stroller, etc…we decorated the little nursery in our rented house with Winnie the Pooh.
And then the floor fell from under us, Josh was laid off 2 weeks before our son was born, the labor and birth were physically traumatic. But he was perfect. Motherhood was actually easy for me and came naturally. I revelled in being a mother. I remember a dear friend of my Mother’s looking me in the eyes and said, ‘Welcome to the club.’. Even though we were poor as church mice and unsure of our future we stayed positive because how could things go wrong with such a perfect little baby?
My husband went back to school, we packed up our little rental house and humbled ourselves and accepted the offer to live with my parents while Josh re-entered the student life of papers, studying late into the night, while I raised our son.
That first year with Peter was fun. Everything he did was a small miracle to us, every milestone he hit we were sure he was pure genius. Holidays had a new meaning to us, Halloween was once again fun, Christmas magic was restored…
As new parents we made mistakes, we learned and worshipped our little man. Peter was a text book baby in so many ways, so easy going and happy.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, on the 11th this month and I realize this is my 10th Mother’s Day as a Mother myself. I was 23 years old, when I had my first child, Peter. My husband and I were so excited to be parents. We had been married for three years and his little addition was a little piece of heaven in our world. We were the first of our friends to have a child, it was a little lonely when I realized I was taking this next step in my life without my girlfriends.
We had so many plans, I think I read every book I could get my hands on for pregnancy, labor and raising a child. I knew exactly how many days till my due date, spent hours searching through catalogues looking for the perfect crib, stroller, etc…we decorated the little nursery in our rented house with Winnie the Pooh.
And then the floor fell from under us, Josh was laid off 2 weeks before our son was born, the labor and birth were physically traumatic. But he was perfect. Motherhood was actually easy for me and came naturally. I revelled in being a mother. I remember a dear friend of my Mother’s looking me in the eyes and said, ‘Welcome to the club.’. Even though we were poor as church mice and unsure of our future we stayed positive because how could things go wrong with such a perfect little baby?
My husband went back to school, we packed up our little rental house and humbled ourselves and accepted the offer to live with my parents while Josh re-entered the student life of papers, studying late into the night, while I raised our son.
That first year with Peter was fun. Everything he did was a small miracle to us, every milestone he hit we were sure he was pure genius. Holidays had a new meaning to us, Halloween was once again fun, Christmas magic was restored…
As new parents we made mistakes, we learned and worshipped our little man. Peter was a text book baby in so many ways, so easy going and happy.
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, on the 11th this month and I realize this is my 10th Mother’s Day as a Mother myself. I was 23 years old, when I had my first child, Peter. My husband and I were so excited to be parents. We had been married for three years and his little addition was a little piece of heaven in our world. We were the first of our friends to have a child, it was a little lonely when I realized I was taking this next step in my life without my girlfriends.
We had so many plans, I think I read every book I could get my hands on for pregnancy, labor and raising a child. I knew exactly how many days till my due date, spent hours searching through catalogues looking for the perfect crib, stroller, etc…we decorated the little nursery in our rented house with Winnie the Pooh.
And then the floor fell from under us, Josh was laid off 2 weeks before our son was born, the labor and birth were physically traumatic. But he was perfect. Motherhood was actually easy for me and came naturally. I revelled in being a mother. I remember a dear friend of my Mother’s looking me in the eyes and said, ‘Welcome to the club.’. Even though we were poor as church mice and unsure of our future we stayed positive because how could things go wrong with such a perfect little baby?
My husband went back to school, we packed up our little rental house and humbled ourselves and accepted the offer to live with my parents while Josh re-entered the student life of papers, studying late into the night, while I raised our son.
That first year with Peter was fun. Everything he did was a small miracle to us, every milestone he hit we were sure he was pure genius. Holidays had a new meaning to us, Halloween was once again fun, Christmas magic was restored…
As new parents we made mistakes, we learned and worshipped our little man. Peter was a text book baby in so many ways, so easy going and happy.
April 23, 2014
I love chatting with soon to be moms and new moms, I always want to rest any fears or concerns they have about their newborn session and I love giving little tips that will help make their newborn session go much easier and smoother! Here are my top ten tips
#1. Have Realistic Expectations
Not every baby will do every pose. Some babies will only do a few poses, some babies want to be wrapped nice and tight for the entire session, some babies will do anything we want except the easy poses… Sometimes a client will really want a certain prop only to find out their baby HATES the props! Some babies will not settle deep enough for certain poses and props and safety is an issue and that limits what we can do. Each session is different because we just go with the flow and see what baby will do and not do. Don’t be disappointed because your baby didn’t want to do the froggie pose, know you will be walking away with a beautiful gallery!
#2. Don ‘t Stress If Baby is Cranky
Baby is fussy? No worries! Baby a terrible sleeper? No worries! Once baby has a nice full belly and still a bit fussy let me try a few techniques I have up my sleeve:) I have done countless newborn sessions, I have had 4 little ones of my own and I read every baby book I can get my hands on because I have learned that all babies can be soothed but all babies like to be soothed differently, sometimes it takes few different tries of different techniques.
#3. Be Flexible
Sometimes parents arrive and baby is on a tight schedule…I am asking for parents to be REALLY flexible with your baby’s schedule for one morning…if baby is fussing and rooting we want baby to fill up and eat! Even if it is not on the schedule. And if baby is sleeping through their scheduled feeding time, please allow us to continue. Sometimes by waking baby and disrupting the sleep, we may not be able to get baby back to sleep to continue the session…so if things are going good I can promise you that one morning of a disruptive schedule will not affect baby.
#4. Bring a Snack and Some Water
Newborn sessions are long, you are recovering…eat, drink!!! Bring something with you just in case baby needs lots of a breaks and soothing. Being hungry isn’t fun for anyone
#5. Safety Rules
I like all my babies within arms reach, I use a special lens that allows me to be very close to your baby. Some babies are a little ‘twitchy’, they wake suddenly and flail and I will ask for help. Just an extra hand to keep baby safe (and erased in photoshop). I will not put your baby in anything that can break (glass or ceramic), I don’t care how cute it would look, it won’t happen. You trust me with your brand new baby and I ask you trust my judgement. There are hundreds of super cute prop and posing ideas on Pinterest but if I feel it is not safe, I will break your heart and tell you no (I will say is nicely though). Glass and ceramic bowls were not meant to hold a seven pound object, let alone a delicate baby, I will not take the chance that one could or might break. Props can tip over, babies can roll (even at 4 days old). Not all babies can do all poses, I have handled over 100 newborns in my career and I have spent thousands on courses and mentoring. I can feel when I baby cannot do a pose, I can feel when a baby is nice and comfy. I can safely transition babies from one pose to the next and into props, so that they little necks, are well supported. Call me over protective but I prefer to explain I am well educated, your baby’s safety is the number one concern. I want you to sit back and relax and know your baby is safe and in good hands.
#6. Get in the Picture!
You just had a baby, you are sleep deprived, your world is a little upside down and someone is asking you to get cleaned up and jump in the picture? Yup. I want you to BADLY! Why? Because you will look back on these pictures in twenty years and see that ‘glow’ of new motherhood. Your baby will NEVER fit in your hands like this again. Your baby will grow up and these pictures will be treasured and become heirlooms. And the greatest reason is you will not always be here. This baby is your legacy and these portraits will become invaluable to your family. These images are almost always my parents favourite images too. I love seeing how surprised they are at how sweet and lovely their portraits are with their new baby. Your baby doesn’t want to sleep? No worries! This is a great chance to have your picture taken.
#7. Have a Toddler? Bring Reinforcements
I have a toddler. She is wild, she is crazy, loud, and temperamental because she is a toddler. I get toddlers, I also understand that the new baby is not the greatest thing that has happened in their life. This can be confusing and now we want them to cuddle with baby? But they want to run around! With toddlers I need parents to be on board with a game plan and strategies. Newborn session are 2-3 hours long…and a toddlers attention space is 12 seconds. Make sure they come well rested, well fed, and let’s pay TONS of attention to them. If that doesn’t work we might switch to ignoring them (which seems to bring toddlers out of their shell pretty quick). Like the baby we go with the flow, we will meet their needs, give them space when they need space and give them attention when they need it too. If I need to take pictures of the toddler alone and do some photoshop magic and add the baby later, I will. And when we are done, it helps immensely, if there is someone to take the older sibling out of the studio while baby finishes their session. The session is hot…it is boring…it is all about the little baby who took their place of attention. Sometime’s babies cannot get into a deep sleep with an older sibling bouncing around. With great planning, adding a toddler is no trouble.
#8. Remember That Baby Runs the Session
I have had ONE session when baby sleep like a rock and I was done lickety split…I have had one 5.5 hour session…and the rest were in the middle. You never know. Every session depends on the baby, from props to poses. Sometimes I have a champion sleeper…who liked to poop and pee on everything…so I am constantly changing the backdrops. Sometimes I have a baby who needs to eat every 20-30 mins…so come prepared to stay for a while, make sir baby will have lots to eat. I never know how long a long a session will be. I never know what we will be doing. Everything is up to the baby. They are not being bad when they cry or fuss, they are just being babies:) Don’t worry, just know this is normal.
#9. You Will Be Tired
Timing is crucial with newborn photography. 4-10 days is preferable and after that time frame the chances of baby still curling into those sweet poses becomes less and less because their brains are developing, they are now curious about this strange new world, more sensitive to sound and touch. I have had a few Moms who want to cancel because they are SOOOO tired. I know. I really do. Those first few days are almost numbing from the sheer exhaustion. Call someone to drive you. Bring your makeup and hair supplies and you can use our makeup and hair station to get ready while I am doing your baby’s pictures. But don’t cancel because you are bone tired, you will feel worse in a few weeks realizing you cannot capture those moments. If you fall asleep on the couch in the studio…you are not the first and I will only wake you if I need you:) Don’t be embarrassed because I am a mother too and I know how much effort it takes. I also know how much I regret not going to a my own newborn’s session!
#10. Remember You are Celebrating
There is nothing can compare with a the arrival of a new baby, not even your wedding day. Ask any parents which day was more life changing and significant to them and they will all answer the same way, after the baby came. You will never remember what you did with your spare time, you will marvel at their flaky skin, their tiny toes and the way they smell. Your session is about celebrating this new life, this change in your family whether it is the first or the fifth baby. Don’t worry or stress about the little details about this session, sit back and enjoy this time to just watch and marvel at your child.
I love chatting with soon to be moms and new moms, I always want to rest any fears or concerns they have about their newborn session and I love giving little tips that will help make their newborn session go much easier and smoother! Here are my top ten tips
#1. Have Realistic Expectations
Not every baby will do every pose. Some babies will only do a few poses, some babies want to be wrapped nice and tight for the entire session, some babies will do anything we want except the easy poses… Sometimes a client will really want a certain prop only to find out their baby HATES the props! Some babies will not settle deep enough for certain poses and props and safety is an issue and that limits what we can do. Each session is different because we just go with the flow and see what baby will do and not do. Don’t be disappointed because your baby didn’t want to do the froggie pose, know you will be walking away with a beautiful gallery!
#2. Don ‘t Stress If Baby is Cranky
Baby is fussy? No worries! Baby a terrible sleeper? No worries! Once baby has a nice full belly and still a bit fussy let me try a few techniques I have up my sleeve:) I have done countless newborn sessions, I have had 4 little ones of my own and I read every baby book I can get my hands on because I have learned that all babies can be soothed but all babies like to be soothed differently, sometimes it takes few different tries of different techniques.
#3. Be Flexible
Sometimes parents arrive and baby is on a tight schedule…I am asking for parents to be REALLY flexible with your baby’s schedule for one morning…if baby is fussing and rooting we want baby to fill up and eat! Even if it is not on the schedule. And if baby is sleeping through their scheduled feeding time, please allow us to continue. Sometimes by waking baby and disrupting the sleep, we may not be able to get baby back to sleep to continue the session…so if things are going good I can promise you that one morning of a disruptive schedule will not affect baby.
#4. Bring a Snack and Some Water
Newborn sessions are long, you are recovering…eat, drink!!! Bring something with you just in case baby needs lots of a breaks and soothing. Being hungry isn’t fun for anyone
#5. Safety Rules
I like all my babies within arms reach, I use a special lens that allows me to be very close to your baby. Some babies are a little ‘twitchy’, they wake suddenly and flail and I will ask for help. Just an extra hand to keep baby safe (and erased in photoshop). I will not put your baby in anything that can break (glass or ceramic), I don’t care how cute it would look, it won’t happen. You trust me with your brand new baby and I ask you trust my judgement. There are hundreds of super cute prop and posing ideas on Pinterest but if I feel it is not safe, I will break your heart and tell you no (I will say is nicely though). Glass and ceramic bowls were not meant to hold a seven pound object, let alone a delicate baby, I will not take the chance that one could or might break. Props can tip over, babies can roll (even at 4 days old). Not all babies can do all poses, I have handled over 100 newborns in my career and I have spent thousands on courses and mentoring. I can feel when I baby cannot do a pose, I can feel when a baby is nice and comfy. I can safely transition babies from one pose to the next and into props, so that they little necks, are well supported. Call me over protective but I prefer to explain I am well educated, your baby’s safety is the number one concern. I want you to sit back and relax and know your baby is safe and in good hands.
#6. Get in the Picture!
You just had a baby, you are sleep deprived, your world is a little upside down and someone is asking you to get cleaned up and jump in the picture? Yup. I want you to BADLY! Why? Because you will look back on these pictures in twenty years and see that ‘glow’ of new motherhood. Your baby will NEVER fit in your hands like this again. Your baby will grow up and these pictures will be treasured and become heirlooms. And the greatest reason is you will not always be here. This baby is your legacy and these portraits will become invaluable to your family. These images are almost always my parents favourite images too. I love seeing how surprised they are at how sweet and lovely their portraits are with their new baby. Your baby doesn’t want to sleep? No worries! This is a great chance to have your picture taken.
#7. Have a Toddler? Bring Reinforcements
I have a toddler. She is wild, she is crazy, loud, and temperamental because she is a toddler. I get toddlers, I also understand that the new baby is not the greatest thing that has happened in their life. This can be confusing and now we want them to cuddle with baby? But they want to run around! With toddlers I need parents to be on board with a game plan and strategies. Newborn session are 2-3 hours long…and a toddlers attention space is 12 seconds. Make sure they come well rested, well fed, and let’s pay TONS of attention to them. If that doesn’t work we might switch to ignoring them (which seems to bring toddlers out of their shell pretty quick). Like the baby we go with the flow, we will meet their needs, give them space when they need space and give them attention when they need it too. If I need to take pictures of the toddler alone and do some photoshop magic and add the baby later, I will. And when we are done, it helps immensely, if there is someone to take the older sibling out of the studio while baby finishes their session. The session is hot…it is boring…it is all about the little baby who took their place of attention. Sometime’s babies cannot get into a deep sleep with an older sibling bouncing around. With great planning, adding a toddler is no trouble.
#8. Remember That Baby Runs the Session
I have had ONE session when baby sleep like a rock and I was done lickety split…I have had one 5.5 hour session…and the rest were in the middle. You never know. Every session depends on the baby, from props to poses. Sometimes I have a champion sleeper…who liked to poop and pee on everything…so I am constantly changing the backdrops. Sometimes I have a baby who needs to eat every 20-30 mins…so come prepared to stay for a while, make sir baby will have lots to eat. I never know how long a long a session will be. I never know what we will be doing. Everything is up to the baby. They are not being bad when they cry or fuss, they are just being babies:) Don’t worry, just know this is normal.
#9. You Will Be Tired
Timing is crucial with newborn photography. 4-10 days is preferable and after that time frame the chances of baby still curling into those sweet poses becomes less and less because their brains are developing, they are now curious about this strange new world, more sensitive to sound and touch. I have had a few Moms who want to cancel because they are SOOOO tired. I know. I really do. Those first few days are almost numbing from the sheer exhaustion. Call someone to drive you. Bring your makeup and hair supplies and you can use our makeup and hair station to get ready while I am doing your baby’s pictures. But don’t cancel because you are bone tired, you will feel worse in a few weeks realizing you cannot capture those moments. If you fall asleep on the couch in the studio…you are not the first and I will only wake you if I need you:) Don’t be embarrassed because I am a mother too and I know how much effort it takes. I also know how much I regret not going to a my own newborn’s session!
#10. Remember You are Celebrating
There is nothing can compare with a the arrival of a new baby, not even your wedding day. Ask any parents which day was more life changing and significant to them and they will all answer the same way, after the baby came. You will never remember what you did with your spare time, you will marvel at their flaky skin, their tiny toes and the way they smell. Your session is about celebrating this new life, this change in your family whether it is the first or the fifth baby. Don’t worry or stress about the little details about this session, sit back and enjoy this time to just watch and marvel at your child.
April 23, 2014
April 23, 2014
I love chatting with soon to be moms and new moms, I always want to rest any fears or concerns they have about their newborn session and I love giving little tips that will help make their newborn session go much easier and smoother! Here are my top ten tips
#1. Have Realistic Expectations
Not every baby will do every pose. Some babies will only do a few poses, some babies want to be wrapped nice and tight for the entire session, some babies will do anything we want except the easy poses… Sometimes a client will really want a certain prop only to find out their baby HATES the props! Some babies will not settle deep enough for certain poses and props and safety is an issue and that limits what we can do. Each session is different because we just go with the flow and see what baby will do and not do. Don’t be disappointed because your baby didn’t want to do the froggie pose, know you will be walking away with a beautiful gallery!
#2. Don ‘t Stress If Baby is Cranky
Baby is fussy? No worries! Baby a terrible sleeper? No worries! Once baby has a nice full belly and still a bit fussy let me try a few techniques I have up my sleeve:) I have done countless newborn sessions, I have had 4 little ones of my own and I read every baby book I can get my hands on because I have learned that all babies can be soothed but all babies like to be soothed differently, sometimes it takes few different tries of different techniques.
#3. Be Flexible
Sometimes parents arrive and baby is on a tight schedule…I am asking for parents to be REALLY flexible with your baby’s schedule for one morning…if baby is fussing and rooting we want baby to fill up and eat! Even if it is not on the schedule. And if baby is sleeping through their scheduled feeding time, please allow us to continue. Sometimes by waking baby and disrupting the sleep, we may not be able to get baby back to sleep to continue the session…so if things are going good I can promise you that one morning of a disruptive schedule will not affect baby.
#4. Bring a Snack and Some Water
Newborn sessions are long, you are recovering…eat, drink!!! Bring something with you just in case baby needs lots of a breaks and soothing. Being hungry isn’t fun for anyone
#5. Safety Rules
I like all my babies within arms reach, I use a special lens that allows me to be very close to your baby. Some babies are a little ‘twitchy’, they wake suddenly and flail and I will ask for help. Just an extra hand to keep baby safe (and erased in photoshop). I will not put your baby in anything that can break (glass or ceramic), I don’t care how cute it would look, it won’t happen. You trust me with your brand new baby and I ask you trust my judgement. There are hundreds of super cute prop and posing ideas on Pinterest but if I feel it is not safe, I will break your heart and tell you no (I will say is nicely though). Glass and ceramic bowls were not meant to hold a seven pound object, let alone a delicate baby, I will not take the chance that one could or might break. Props can tip over, babies can roll (even at 4 days old). Not all babies can do all poses, I have handled over 100 newborns in my career and I have spent thousands on courses and mentoring. I can feel when I baby cannot do a pose, I can feel when a baby is nice and comfy. I can safely transition babies from one pose to the next and into props, so that they little necks, are well supported. Call me over protective but I prefer to explain I am well educated, your baby’s safety is the number one concern. I want you to sit back and relax and know your baby is safe and in good hands.
#6. Get in the Picture!
You just had a baby, you are sleep deprived, your world is a little upside down and someone is asking you to get cleaned up and jump in the picture? Yup. I want you to BADLY! Why? Because you will look back on these pictures in twenty years and see that ‘glow’ of new motherhood. Your baby will NEVER fit in your hands like this again. Your baby will grow up and these pictures will be treasured and become heirlooms. And the greatest reason is you will not always be here. This baby is your legacy and these portraits will become invaluable to your family. These images are almost always my parents favourite images too. I love seeing how surprised they are at how sweet and lovely their portraits are with their new baby. Your baby doesn’t want to sleep? No worries! This is a great chance to have your picture taken.
#7. Have a Toddler? Bring Reinforcements
I have a toddler. She is wild, she is crazy, loud, and temperamental because she is a toddler. I get toddlers, I also understand that the new baby is not the greatest thing that has happened in their life. This can be confusing and now we want them to cuddle with baby? But they want to run around! With toddlers I need parents to be on board with a game plan and strategies. Newborn session are 2-3 hours long…and a toddlers attention space is 12 seconds. Make sure they come well rested, well fed, and let’s pay TONS of attention to them. If that doesn’t work we might switch to ignoring them (which seems to bring toddlers out of their shell pretty quick). Like the baby we go with the flow, we will meet their needs, give them space when they need space and give them attention when they need it too. If I need to take pictures of the toddler alone and do some photoshop magic and add the baby later, I will. And when we are done, it helps immensely, if there is someone to take the older sibling out of the studio while baby finishes their session. The session is hot…it is boring…it is all about the little baby who took their place of attention. Sometime’s babies cannot get into a deep sleep with an older sibling bouncing around. With great planning, adding a toddler is no trouble.
#8. Remember That Baby Runs the Session
I have had ONE session when baby sleep like a rock and I was done lickety split…I have had one 5.5 hour session…and the rest were in the middle. You never know. Every session depends on the baby, from props to poses. Sometimes I have a champion sleeper…who liked to poop and pee on everything…so I am constantly changing the backdrops. Sometimes I have a baby who needs to eat every 20-30 mins…so come prepared to stay for a while, make sir baby will have lots to eat. I never know how long a long a session will be. I never know what we will be doing. Everything is up to the baby. They are not being bad when they cry or fuss, they are just being babies:) Don’t worry, just know this is normal.
#9. You Will Be Tired
Timing is crucial with newborn photography. 4-10 days is preferable and after that time frame the chances of baby still curling into those sweet poses becomes less and less because their brains are developing, they are now curious about this strange new world, more sensitive to sound and touch. I have had a few Moms who want to cancel because they are SOOOO tired. I know. I really do. Those first few days are almost numbing from the sheer exhaustion. Call someone to drive you. Bring your makeup and hair supplies and you can use our makeup and hair station to get ready while I am doing your baby’s pictures. But don’t cancel because you are bone tired, you will feel worse in a few weeks realizing you cannot capture those moments. If you fall asleep on the couch in the studio…you are not the first and I will only wake you if I need you:) Don’t be embarrassed because I am a mother too and I know how much effort it takes. I also know how much I regret not going to a my own newborn’s session!
#10. Remember You are Celebrating
There is nothing can compare with a the arrival of a new baby, not even your wedding day. Ask any parents which day was more life changing and significant to them and they will all answer the same way, after the baby came. You will never remember what you did with your spare time, you will marvel at their flaky skin, their tiny toes and the way they smell. Your session is about celebrating this new life, this change in your family whether it is the first or the fifth baby. Don’t worry or stress about the little details about this session, sit back and enjoy this time to just watch and marvel at your child.
