welcome to the Blog 

I was sitting here trying to come up with a catchy and quirky title but decided to just lay it all out for the world to see, I am madly in love with my baby. Plain and simple. As it should be but let’s get real. Rosalie is my fifth baby and it is NOT easy. There are some days I am texting my sweet and patient husband that life back home is driving his wife nutty. My kids have moments when they are on a mission to see where the line really is…how far can we push Mama over the brink of sanity. I have a toddler who spends her days plotting about stuff to get into, break or smear (toddlers have that gift to find anything smearable and rubbing it into fabric). The dogs not wanting to be left out feel it necessary to decide that potty break should be during tantrums (or maybe they are just trying to get out of the chaos…I think I may join their next conveniently planned breaks).

All while I sit on the couch nursing, trying to keep my had from bobbing due to lack of sleep, and occasionally peering through the looking glass of Facebook on my iPad to see the outside world. Feeling a little jealous of people wearing nice clothes (not yoga pants and t-shirts that may possibly have baby spit up on the shoulder), getting nails done or haircuts…vacations, trips to the grocery store alone. Heck, I would settle for a trip to the bathroom where no one would call out my name for something!

She is my fifth so I know it will get better, and truthfully everyday I see glimmers of ‘normal’ and that beautiful word ‘routine’. Today when I felt my eye ticking from the solid hour of howling from my toddler a good friend messaged me with words of encouragement and wisdom that my toddler will calm down and find some joy in the baby (thank you Karen! Your message came at the moment I needed it!).

Today some normalcy happened, I left Rosalie with my mother so I could head over to the new house to help with renovations…I somewhat danced out that door! Not that I was ‘free’ but my arms were free;) I was out doing something productive, doing something that didn’t involved cleaning up a little person. As we worked I daydreamed  a tiny bit about the plans for the room (it was Rosalie’s and Cecilia’s room we worked on, removing ‘interesting’ wall paper from era’s gone by) but honestly I thought about my baby and when I could I jumped at a chance to go back home to scoop her up. I felt bad she was fussy but a tiny part of me smiled because she needed me and only me.

In a couple of weeks the older three kids will be back in school, Cecilia will be going back to her beloved daycare and I will be back to the studio working, we will be frantically finishing renovations and preparing to move to our new house…but until them my world is this sweet baby.

I was sitting here trying to come up with a catchy and quirky title but decided to just lay it all out for the world to see, I am madly in love with my baby. Plain and simple. As it should be but let’s get real. Rosalie is my fifth baby and it is NOT easy. There are some days I am texting my sweet and patient husband that life back home is driving his wife nutty. My kids have moments when they are on a mission to see where the line really is…how far can we push Mama over the brink of sanity. I have a toddler who spends her days plotting about stuff to get into, break or smear (toddlers have that gift to find anything smearable and rubbing it into fabric). The dogs not wanting to be left out feel it necessary to decide that potty break should be during tantrums (or maybe they are just trying to get out of the chaos…I think I may join their next conveniently planned breaks).

All while I sit on the couch nursing, trying to keep my had from bobbing due to lack of sleep, and occasionally peering through the looking glass of Facebook on my iPad to see the outside world. Feeling a little jealous of people wearing nice clothes (not yoga pants and t-shirts that may possibly have baby spit up on the shoulder), getting nails done or haircuts…vacations, trips to the grocery store alone. Heck, I would settle for a trip to the bathroom where no one would call out my name for something!

She is my fifth so I know it will get better, and truthfully everyday I see glimmers of ‘normal’ and that beautiful word ‘routine’. Today when I felt my eye ticking from the solid hour of howling from my toddler a good friend messaged me with words of encouragement and wisdom that my toddler will calm down and find some joy in the baby (thank you Karen! Your message came at the moment I needed it!).

Today some normalcy happened, I left Rosalie with my mother so I could head over to the new house to help with renovations…I somewhat danced out that door! Not that I was ‘free’ but my arms were free;) I was out doing something productive, doing something that didn’t involved cleaning up a little person. As we worked I daydreamed  a tiny bit about the plans for the room (it was Rosalie’s and Cecilia’s room we worked on, removing ‘interesting’ wall paper from era’s gone by) but honestly I thought about my baby and when I could I jumped at a chance to go back home to scoop her up. I felt bad she was fussy but a tiny part of me smiled because she needed me and only me.

In a couple of weeks the older three kids will be back in school, Cecilia will be going back to her beloved daycare and I will be back to the studio working, we will be frantically finishing renovations and preparing to move to our new house…but until them my world is this sweet baby.

I do have a favourite newborn picture…it was bound to happen. You see things have been a little hectic and busy behind the scenes at Enchanted Hill. We bought another house, we are renovating two houses (I don’t recommend that to anyone, unless you like chaos) and we added a new baby to our family!

Rosalie Vera Bagley was born July 27th, 2014 at 3:54am.

I should be doing laundry and sleeping when she sleeps and catch up on blogging and snapping thousands of pictures of her.  But instead I find myself staring at her, sitting on the couch cuddling her, watching movies with my kids when the sun is shining and we should be outside enjoying some vitamin D….but instead we are revelling in her newness. The kids and I take turns snuggling, cuddling, holding and smelling her newborn scent.

It hasn’t been all roses…my nearly two year old is lost. Not only is she hitting terrible twos but her position as ‘the baby’ has been usurped, the laps that cuddled her daily are now occupied, and the sweet little doll that everyone worships is too fragile for her to play with…so you could say that we are still trying to adjust and find the balance in the new normal.

At two weeks old we were back in the studio for an ordering session (yes Rosalie tagged along!) and I will be back to shooting in a few weeks. A few hours of shooting a week is all I am planning to do, so I am taking on a limited number of session this fall, all outdoor sessions will be held locally in the St George/New River area and I am taking on only 3-4 newborn sessions each month, until I can find this elusive ‘balance’ between life and work:)

Please be prepared for many, many images of Miss Rosalie to come…I won’t apologize only warn you;)

I saw this whimsical newborn moon prop from several other photographers online and knew it would be perfect to have in my studio, and it also went perfectly with my new logo. I contacted Little Blessings in Nova Scotia and talked to them about custom designing the prop to what I had envisioned…the specific shape I was looking for (yes there are quite a few variations to the moon shape and I was of course picky!), the cream colour on the outside and the stained wood on the inside. The coloured stars were a little surprise from them and can be removed and adjusted (which I love!). When it arrived I was so happy with the beautiful craftsmanship and was very excited to use it with my own little newborn:) Thank you for the terrific customer service and customized prop!

I do have a favourite newborn picture…it was bound to happen. You see things have been a little hectic and busy behind the scenes at Enchanted Hill. We bought another house, we are renovating two houses (I don’t recommend that to anyone, unless you like chaos) and we added a new baby to our family!

Rosalie Vera Bagley was born July 27th, 2014 at 3:54am.

I should be doing laundry and sleeping when she sleeps and catch up on blogging and snapping thousands of pictures of her.  But instead I find myself staring at her, sitting on the couch cuddling her, watching movies with my kids when the sun is shining and we should be outside enjoying some vitamin D….but instead we are revelling in her newness. The kids and I take turns snuggling, cuddling, holding and smelling her newborn scent.

It hasn’t been all roses…my nearly two year old is lost. Not only is she hitting terrible twos but her position as ‘the baby’ has been usurped, the laps that cuddled her daily are now occupied, and the sweet little doll that everyone worships is too fragile for her to play with…so you could say that we are still trying to adjust and find the balance in the new normal.

At two weeks old we were back in the studio for an ordering session (yes Rosalie tagged along!) and I will be back to shooting in a few weeks. A few hours of shooting a week is all I am planning to do, so I am taking on a limited number of session this fall, all outdoor sessions will be held locally in the St George/New River area and I am taking on only 3-4 newborn sessions each month, until I can find this elusive ‘balance’ between life and work:)

Please be prepared for many, many images of Miss Rosalie to come…I won’t apologize only warn you;)

I saw this whimsical newborn moon prop from several other photographers online and knew it would be perfect to have in my studio, and it also went perfectly with my new logo. I contacted Little Blessings in Nova Scotia and talked to them about custom designing the prop to what I had envisioned…the specific shape I was looking for (yes there are quite a few variations to the moon shape and I was of course picky!), the cream colour on the outside and the stained wood on the inside. The coloured stars were a little surprise from them and can be removed and adjusted (which I love!). When it arrived I was so happy with the beautiful craftsmanship and was very excited to use it with my own little newborn:) Thank you for the terrific customer service and customized prop!

Dear little Miss Mya,

You were so easy to work with, you completely rocked your newborn session. So relaxed, so cuddly, no pose was too hard and you made every picture incredible. And plus you had the good genes from your parents to be incredibly beautiful too.

You made my job soooooo easy and you are one of those babies that makes me love what I do even more.

So tiny and perfect, I am so glad your parents have captured this brief moment at the beginning of your life.

Dear little Miss Mya,

You were so easy to work with, you completely rocked your newborn session. So relaxed, so cuddly, no pose was too hard and you made every picture incredible. And plus you had the good genes from your parents to be incredibly beautiful too.

You made my job soooooo easy and you are one of those babies that makes me love what I do even more.

So tiny and perfect, I am so glad your parents have captured this brief moment at the beginning of your life.

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.

Babies have their own schedule and Master Jack of Hampton decided that he would be the perfect present and arrived on Christmas Eve.  Every baby’s arrival is memorable but he decided he wanted no one to forget his birthday:)

On New Years Day I had the the chance to meet him for his session and he was proved he was the perfect gift to his parents.

Babies have their own schedule and Master Jack of Hampton decided that he would be the perfect present and arrived on Christmas Eve.  Every baby’s arrival is memorable but he decided he wanted no one to forget his birthday:)

On New Years Day I had the the chance to meet him for his session and he was proved he was the perfect gift to his parents.

Tiny, feisty and worth every minute…that would sum up little Sofie’s session! Her Mom brought in the sweetest little hat that caused some serious prop envy (I’ll admit it I LOVE cute little homemade hats like that one!).

Thank you so much matt and Amanda for allowing me to capture this new beginning in your lives as a family!

Tiny, feisty and worth every minute…that would sum up little Sofie’s session! Her Mom brought in the sweetest little hat that caused some serious prop envy (I’ll admit it I LOVE cute little homemade hats like that one!).

Thank you so much matt and Amanda for allowing me to capture this new beginning in your lives as a family!