Blog: Newborn, Maternity, & Milestone Photographer in Okotoks AB

Rainbow Baby: A rainbow baby is a name coined for a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The name “rainbow baby” comes from the idea of a rainbow appearing in the sky after a storm, or after a dark and turbulent time.

Little Ellis was a rainbow baby and he’s so loved!

Mom contacted me for a last minute session. Usually my newborn sessions are booked months in advance. But little Ellis was here and she was ready to capture this once in a lifetime moment. I wasn’t about to let her down!

Ellis slept like a champ and he had the cutest little faux hawk. Mom said she thought maybe she made a mistake by giving him a full bath before his session. Why? Because his hair was now sticking straight up, but I think it’s perfect!

When deciding on his pictures, Mom actually chose one in particular because it showed off his newborn hair – perfectly!

I would love to be your families Newborn Photographer! I specialize in creating memories for you and your family – based in Okotoks Alberta I service all areas including Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley

Aren’t they the perfect family? I was excited when they wanted to include Family Pictures to their Newborn Session!

Little Liam was a little nervous to hold his Baby Sister but he had no problem giving her some kisses!

We started Parker’s Newborn Session with Liam showing his little sister how much he loves her, then moved on to their Family Pictures! Once we were finished with the family pictures Liam was free to head home so we could continue with Parker’s pictures.

She was such an angle and slept the whole time! We were able to do so many different set ups. From the classic poses where she’s all curled up and sleeping, to the cute little prop pictures in those tiny little baskets!

All my clients have different needs and requests! So before your session we’ll talk about what style and colors you want to include during your newborn session. I want you to LOVE your photos!

Dana Menendez Photography is an award winning photographe! I specialize in creating memories for you and your family – based in Okotoks Alberta I service all areas including Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley

Oh little Luci was just that – OH SO LITTLE – for her newborn session!

She came in for her newborn session around the 3 week mark and was a tiny little 4lbs 11oz! To say she was a little peanut was an understatement considering the baby I had a day before her was almost 9lbs.

Mom came in totally ready and prepped for her session after reading my “what to expect, how to prepare” for your session email!

I get a lot of first time Moms and they never know how to prepare for a newborn session because this is their first go! So 2 days before your session I always send an email going over what to expect (it’s long, its hot) and how to prepare (bring extra milk, don’t forget a paci, let me do the hard work) for your session. If we’re taking family pictures, I also include a quick overview of what to wear (keep it simple, neutrals, no crazy hair or make up) along with the address to my studio.

At the end of the email I review what the next steps are and when you’ll hear from me next – of course you’re always welcome to reach out and ask any questions before that!

I love what I do and would love to be your newborn photographer!

I kind of love 2nd and 3rd time parents! They’re always so relaxed and ready to just hand their baby to me when they come in for their newborn session.

I often look over and see Mom and Dad enjoy some quality time together while I’m photographing their newest little baby. They’re snuggling on the couch, enjoying their latest show on Netflix and drinking a cup of coffee.

These are some of my favorite moments during a newborn session and a reason I love my job. These are memories they’re going to look back on when they see their pictures. They’ll talk about how awake their baby was, laugh about how their baby pooped all over the photographer, and remember just how little their baby was.

Sometimes I run a model call to test out new poses, or props, or.. in my case, a new camera. I just can’t make my mind up sometimes.

I’m a Nikon girl! It’s what I started with, it’s what all my glass and bodies are but for some reason I got it in my head that I needed a Canon camera, so I switched.

And switched back!

Yep – I switched from Canon to Nikon because I just couldn’t get my color profiles the way I wanted them to be so instead of it taking 5-10 mins to edit a newborn picture, it was taking me 30-40 minutes which is WAY TOO LONG!

I pride myself on my quick turn around times for my clients so I knew this wasn’t going to work and switched back to Nikon.

With all that said, I had this little lady come into the studio so I could practice with the new camera and make sure all my settings were correct.

I’m so glad she came in for a model session because she rocked it! She was the cutest little girl!

Take a look at this little girl! She looks just like a little doll. Her little features are just perfect and that head of hair! She was just perfect and slept her entire session. You know what was even better than her sleeping for her newborn session? Her parents also took a nap! I love when parents feel so relaxed (or just exhausted) that they trust me to look after their little baby while they get in a quick cat nap.

I can’t wait to deliver her final pictures to her parents!

Dana Menendez Photography is an award winning photographer in the Calgary Alberta. She provides excellent customer service and offers her clients a variety of photo collections that include prints and albums along with digital images. She services Calgary, Turner Valley, Okotoks, Diamond Valley and High River.

I think I get all the handsome little newborn boys! Everyone that comes to see me is just so stinking handsome! With their fuzzy little “old man” hair, right down to their wrinkly little arms. I really have the best job!

Luca slept like a champ during his session! We went from one pose to another with little interruption and he even gave us a little grin! I mean, who doesn’t love little baby grins?

Luca’s Mom booked last minute, which is great as I did have an opening but that’s not always the case. I highly suggest parents book their newborn session during their 2nd trimester (when you’re feeling great and full of energy – yes, you will get your energy back!)

This session was a little different. It was gifted to the Momma as a baby shower gift and she was one of my favorite newborn sessions to date!

Mom was super excited about her newborn session and came in ready and prepped! I send out an email 2 days before a session going over what to expect and how to prepare for your session. Mom read through it and you could tell when she brought me the sleepiest, happiest, little girl.

Little Joella slept through her entire session! She had the prettiest little features. I mean, look at her beautiful face and that head full of hair!

We started her session with some classic poses and them moved on to some prop shots. Mom didn’t have a color preference so I went with some of my favorites like purples and yellows and let me tell you – this little girl looked amazing in all the colors!

A year a go (almost to the date) one of my clients/friends came to the studio for their yearly christmas session and let me know that they were trying for ONE more baby!

A few months later I get a message on Facebook “You’re the first one we’re telling – we’re pregnant! It’s another GIRL!”

So this beautiful family (I’ve always called them “my pretty family” when talking to my studio partner) welcomes another baby girl to their family and she fits in perfectly with her 2 older sisters!

They decided to do a swaddle session and add on sibling pictures and I’m so glad they did. These girls were so well behaved and I loved having them into the studio that day. I really wished they could hang out with me all day because they’re just the sweetest little girls!

Ever since COVID started I’ve had to limit the number of people that can come to a newborn session. Pre COVID it was unusual for the grandparents or an aunt or two to come to a newborn session. It was always such a fun experience for a family to enjoy together but after covid, I’ve had to limit the sessions to the parents only (or really only to those living in the same household) and that makes me sad!

Well when this family showed up for their session, the Mom let me know that the Grandma and Aunt were also there, but would wait in the car but she also let me know that they all actually live together. Since that was the case, they were more than welcome to come into the studio! It actually felt a little like my pre-covid sessions – almost normal!

And the award for most awake baby goes to….. Dylan!

Ok, so he wasn’t the most awake newborn I’ve photographed but he really came in close as a top contender. At times it seemed the only one sleeping during this session was the Dad. hehe

Yes – this happens quite often! I can’t help it if my studio is the PERFECT spot for napping, even if I really want the baby to be the one sleeping. So there I was, taking little Dylans newborn pictures and all is quiet when I hear this faint snoring… I look over and Dad is completely passed out on the couch and Mom is also dozing and you know what? That’s exactly what I want my parents to do when they come in for their session.

I’m trained to handle all things newborn so when you’re in my studio I really do want my parents to sit back, relax and take a nap! These are at least 2 hours where you have some time to yourself. And during those 2 hours – sleep! Please nap and know that your baby is in good hands when they’re with me! 🙂

And now… not so sleepy baby who looks like their sleeping only because I waited until they blinked to take a picture.

The other day I received a phone call from a client who was in a bit of a panic! She had scheduled a newborn session with another photographer, but the photographer had cancelled on her at the last minute. The client had heard about me through a friend and was hoping I could fit her in.

Of course, I was more than happy to help! As a photographer who specializes in newborn photography, I understand the importance of capturing those precious moments in the first few weeks of a baby’s life. I was determined to make this session happen for the client and her baby, Miles.

Miles was already 3 weeks old! Typically, newborn sessions are scheduled within the first two weeks of a baby’s life because they are still very sleepy and curly. However, Miles was a champ! He slept the entire session, allowing me to capture some beautiful photos!

As a photographer, it is always my goal to make my clients happy and provide them with photos that they will treasure for a lifetime. This session was no exception.

Despite the last-minute nature of the session and the fact that Miles was slightly outside the ideal age range, we were able to capture some beautiful photos that the client will cherish forever!

In the end, I was grateful to have been able to help this client out in her time of need. It was a reminder of why I love what I do and the joy that comes from capturing those special moments for families!

You know which sessions are my favorite? 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time moms. You know why? Because the come in, hand me their baby and go sit on the couch for a nap! haha I know that sounds crazy, but those moms cherish any moment of silence they can get even if it’s during their newborn session.

And that’s what happened during this little guys newborn session – Mom came in, gave me her little baby and vegged out on the couch for a couple hours!