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

Dallas Newborn Photographer

Meet Henry. Henry’s Mom scheduled his newborn session as soon as she found out she was pregnant. This was her second baby and she was well versed on planning ahead to make sure I was available, so she was prepared!

What she wasn’t prepared for was for her little baby to arrive wayyyyy earlier than they had planned. Mom had high blood pressure with her first son, so they knew to be on the look out with this pregnancy and once she hit the 26 week mark, she went in for a regular check up and her doctor immediately sent her to L&D because it was time! She was on a verge of having a stroke, that’s how high her blood pressure was.

So off they go, not knowing what to expect, just that this was an emergency situation! Once they were at L&D they decided that little Henry was going to have to be delivered, ASAP!

Little Henry was born at 27 weeks, weighing 1lb 9oz. Yes – 1 POUND, 9 OUNCES! He was a tiny one. Even the doctor was surprised at how small he was!

But he’s a real Warrior! After spending 4.5 months in the hospital, he finally came home – just in time for Thanksgiving – and his Mom was so excited to finally have his newborn pictures taken (because she really wasn’t sure if this moment would ever come).

So here he is, at 5 months old and almost up to 9lbs! He was wide awake, wanting to check everything out and kept looking at me funny when I was trying to wrap him. It was like he was saying “hey lady – I’ve had my freedom for the last 5 months and you’re trying to wrapped me up again!? No Way!”

But we did get some amazing pictures, some great eye contact, and I know Mom absolutely loves these pictures.

You guys!

2020 Is going to be a great year for my clients because they’re getting the best of both worlds when it comes to your newborn pictures.

I know we’re so used to feeling like we NEED the digital files, but what are you really doing with them? Over the last couple months I’ve been thinking about my clients needs and how I can make things simple for them, but also giving them what they want.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that this generation will have thousands and thousands of pictures taken of them, but NO PRINTS! This makes me sad as a photographer – We have got to start getting those pictures printed!

Starting next year we are moving away from digital only collections. I’m excited to start offering high quality prints and albums for my clients but that’s not all, stay with me here! I know how much we all love to share our pictures on Facebook or Instagram, I have family all over the US and Canada that we don’t get to see all that often and they keep up with our busy lives online, so I do get how digital pictures are important to you. With any print you purchase, or picture you include in your album, you’ll receive a social media file of the same picture, perfect for sharing online! See – It’s the best of both worlds. You’ll get beautiful prints for your home, or a lovely album to sit and flip through with your family, but also something to share online!

Let’s take a look at 2 of my favorite products you’ll get to see for 2020:

Albums!

Amazing quality, lay flat design and available in a linen or leather cover, perfect for showing off your entire gallery!

Keepsake Folio + Prints

These might be my favorite product for 2020! Available in 2 sizes, you can frame them in groups as a wall gallery or show them off individually as a matted picture, change them out or even gift a couple to family. They come in a beautiful linen keepsake box!

See – it really is the best of both worlds. Beautiful prints and digital files, all in one!

Okotoks Newborn Photographer

“I have been following your work for years and was so excited to book a newborn session when I found out I was pregnant. I just knew I wanted you to be my newborn photographer way before I was ever pregnant!”

Those are the words my last client told me as I was wrapping her baby boy up, getting him ready for the next set I was going to shoot. What she didn’t know is that I really needed to hear those words that day.

As a photographer, in any field, but perhaps more so in the newborn industry you just have some hard days and some difficult babies. Babies who decide they’re going to stay awake and party for the entire 4 hours of their session, or babies who just won’t settle or who hate being wrapped, hate being naked, or just hate me in general (ok, I know they don’t actually hate me, but it sure feels like it sometimes!)

He was amazing! Mom brought Grandma along for the sessions and they both oo’d and aww’d over how beautiful their little boy was. And, he was a DREAM! He slept half way through his session, woke up, ate and went right back to sleep. He’s such a handsome little guy and the pictures from his session are definitely among my favorites!

So I thank his Mom for choosing me as his newborn photographer and also for bringing me a dream baby with the most adorable little face, the best lips and a full head of hair!

I would love to be your newborn photographer! I service the Calgary Alberta area with a studio dedicated to Newborn Portraits in Okotoks. My studio services Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Aldersyde, Black Diamond, Airdrie, Cochrane Alberta Canada

Okotoks Newborn Photographer

a·dop·tion/əˈdäpSH(ə)n/Learn to pronouncenounnoun: adoption; plural noun: adoptions

1. 1.the action or fact of legally taking another’s child and bringing it up as one’s own, or the fact of being adopted.”she gave up her children for adoption”

But what does adoption really mean to me? Adoption to me means the start of a new family. The start of sometime special, and something beautiful. The start of wanting and loving and the creation of something new. A new family. Not a family simply created because they can, but a family created because they want to.

Adoption holds a very special place in my heart. My own Mom was adopted as a baby. It was something she was always aware of, and something I was always aware of but it really wasn’t a ‘thing’. My Mom had a wonderful family, a wonderful Mother and Father who loved her dearly, and thus, loved me dearly. We never really noticed the differences in our appearances. The fact that my grandmother had dark brown hair, and brown eyes, and was only about 5’4 whereas my Mom and I are both tall with blond hair and blue eyes didn’t matter to us because that was our family. We were loved. My Mom was loved.

So when I received an inquiry from a Mom who was adopting a baby girl I really felt drawn to her and how wonderful this was for the family. How this little girl was chosen to be part of their family – to become a family together. To be loved. To be wanted.

I would love to be your newborn photographer! I service the Calgary Alberta area with a studio dedicated to Newborn Portraits in Okotoks. My studio services Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Aldersyde, Black Diamond, Airdrie, Cochrane Alberta Canada

Okotoks AB Newborn Photographer

I posted these pictures on my facebook page with a simple title – I’ll just leave these here.

I mean, they really need no explanation. Newborn baby, awake, making funny faces. And these are my absolute favorite part of every newborn session. Sometimes we end up with a very angry awake baby, sometimes we end up with a baby that’s so sleepy and refuses to wake up and other times we end up with the happiest, awake baby, ever and gives us the best facial expressions. We really have no idea what we’re going to get with babies!

Okotoks, AB Newborn Photographer

I’ve been friends with this little girls grandmother for about 6 years now. We met when I sent an email out to my neighborhood asking if anyone knew how to crochet . I’m totally into DIY projects and figured I could teach myself to crochet to make my own props for newborn photography (because us newborn photographers loveeeeeee crocheted outfits that are 3x’s too big – can you read my sarcasm here?)

So anyways, we connected and just really hit it off. She taught me to crochet, I never actually found time to make any outfits (whew!) but we stayed friends on Facebook and I’ve been watching her family grow ever since.

Where was I going with this? Oh right, her Granddaughter – I had just moved into my new studio and needed a model to come in so I can test my lighting, and really just the flow of the space. Luckily for me (and I guess her), she reached out to me and told me she was in the hospital, waiting for her newest granddaughter to arrive and asked if she could be part of my model call.

I was so excited! And just look at how cute her granddaughter is!

Newborn Photographer Dallas

You guys.. I can’t even with this cuteness! 

Meet Bailey – she’s a 9 week old Morkie (half Yorkie, half Maltese) and she’s the most adorable little puppy I’ve ever seen! She looks just like a little teddy bear and I can’t help but follow her around my Moms house when I’m over there. I mean, can you blame me? 

She weighs a whopping 3lbs right now, and is supposed to get between 7-9lbs so she’s going to be a little thing – and perfect for my Mom who travels all the time. She’s able to put Bailey in a carrier and away they go – off to Canada, or Seattle, or wherever! 

So as you can image, as soon as my Mom said she was bringing Bailey home, I had to set something up and take her picture while she’s so little. But man, that was a lot harder than it looks. She’s a spunky thing who basically does what she wants, and when she wants, so getting her to sit still was a feat for sure! 

But I managed to get a few pictures of her and I think my Mom is going to love them. 

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Newborn Photographer in Okotoks, AB

Love is Love, right? I mean, it’s pretty simple. 

And this little guy is loved by so, so many! When his Dad’s emailed me and asked if I was available for a newborn session as they were expecting the most perfect little boy through surrogacy I said Yes-Yes-Yes! It was such a pleasure to have this little guy and his 2 Dads into my studio a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t be more in love with how his session turned out. 

They let me know they were ‘beach’ people and so I brought out one of my favorite drops, along with a fun neutral which I thought would give them the look of the Ocean and Sand! 

Of course, I also through in a little extra set up with the Rainbow Hearts to show that Love Is Love! 

I would love to be your newborn photographer! I service the Calgary Alberta area with a studio dedicated to Newborn Portraits in Okotoks. My studio services Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Aldersyde, Black Diamond, Airdrie, Cochrane Alberta Canada

I really love swaddle sessions! I love how easy they are and how I can get through a lot of different set ups, in a short amount of time. They’re also perfect for ‘older’ babies. Did you forget to book your newborn session? Well, it’s not too late! While I love when my clients book their sessions 2-3 months in advance, I also realize that life happens and things slip through the crack and the next thing you know – your baby is here and you forgot to schedule pictures for your new baby! It’s Ok! 

Look how perfect this little guy is? I mean, how much more cuter can he get? 

Newborn Photographer Calgary

If you’re a first time Mom, or maybe this is your last baby, but the first time you’ve scheduled newborn pictures and you’re wondering what exactly you need to bring with you! 

The good news is… not a whole lot! 

No really! This isn’t like packing for the hospital. You can leave your favorite pillow, and PJs at home! 🙂 

I’m sure (or at least I’m hoping) you’ve had a chance to look over my portfolio and have seen all the cute wraps and blankets I pose those babies on. And the good news is, I provide ALL of those items! Those cute mini beds? Yep – I have a couple of those and those little sleepy caps? Oh yes – I provide those, too! All those adorable little headbands and bows you see the little girls wearing all all provided by me. My studio is fully stocked with different blanket colors (whether you’re looking for something neutral or bright) and other items such as buckets and baskets you see in my portfolio. 

So what do you need to bring? 

Really, it’s easy!

• Pack a few extra diapers in your diaper bag. While I mostly pose your baby naked, there are times when I’ll put a diaper on them for a little bit (especially after they’ve eaten) just in case. 
• Pacifier! Even if your baby isn’t taking one, please bring one. It really helps with a fussy baby to get them settled and into a pose.
• Are you bottle feeding? You’ll want to bring extra milk or formula. Your baby may become fussy and need a little extra milk to help calm him down before we can proceed with our session. 
• If you’re breastfeeding and pumping – don’t forget that pump! 4 hours can be a long time to go between feeding and pumping. 
• Snacks! You’re going to get hungry (especially if you’re breastfeeding). 
• Water – you need to stay hydrated and my studio is going to be warm! 
• Extra change of clothes, for yourself. If we’re doing family pictures during your session, there’s a good chance you may get peed on and I don’t want you to have to sit around for the next couple hours in wet clothes. 

See! there’s not too much you need to remember to bring. Don’t stress! Just think, for at least 2 hours you’ll get to relax, watch something on netflix, or maybe take a nap, while someone else (me!) gets to worry about your baby. 

Newborn Photographer Calgary

I love to share these before and after pictures! 

Originally I hadn’t planned on doing this pose for this session but after he was all wrapped up I couldn’t help but take out my purple flokati and get him into position. He was just so perfectly wrapped that I had to do this pose with him. But… All I had was my purple flokati and a blue wrapped baby boy. 

Thank goodness for Lightroom and Photoshop because he’s now perfectly blue and you wouldn’t know he had been placed on a purple flokati. 

BEFORE – straight out of camera, purple flokati, perfectly wrapped potato! 

Your baby is here! Yay! 

You forgot to book a newborn photographer and now you’re running into a lot of “I’m sorry – I’m already booked” or you’re being ghosted because your baby is past the ‘ideal’ newborn age. 

But what is the ‘ideal’ age for a newborn session? The industry standard is between 6-14 days old and I’ve seen a lot of newborn photographers even turn away a 14 day old newborn claiming they’re ‘too old’ at that point. 

I don’t agree with that! I actually prefer my babies to come in when they’re a little older for a couple reasons (now, I’m not saying you can bring me your 3 month old and expect me to perform a miracle and pose them as a sleepy newborn).  My ideal age is between 8 days and 21 days old! 

So why do I like an older newborn? Well, I know the first few days, even week, after you’re home with your new baby that life is chaotic! You and your baby are trying to adjust to a new ‘normal’. You’re probably not getting a whole lot of sleep and now you’re having to leave the house for a newborn session? I’m sure that’s the last thing on your mind. Giving you an extra week home, really helps you find your new normal and your body is starting to adjust to the lack of sleep. 

By two weeks your milk has come in and most of the ‘cluster feedings’ have passed. Your baby is becoming easier to feed and you’re finding your groove! Those late night feedings are no longer taking 45mins and you’re getting getting a little more sleep each night. I bet you’re even starting to feel human again! Heading out to your newborn session is easier when you’re feeling human again, so that’s why I also like an older baby. Happy Momma, Happy Baby! 

Older babies also seem to settle a little more easier. I’m not sure why exactly, but I find working with an older baby is easier to go from one pose to another and when they do wake up, feedings are easier and faster so we’re able to get back on track and continue with your session. 

So don’t fret that you haven’t booked your newborn session before your baby has arrived (yes, it’s best that you do book early) because I like my babies older. 

I would love to be your newborn photographer! I service the Calgary Alberta area with a studio dedicated to Newborn Portraits in Okotoks. My studio services Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Aldersyde, Black Diamond, Airdrie, Cochrane Alberta Canada

Calgary Newborn Photographer

Whew! This was a total last minute session. Little girl arrived a few weeks early and Mom hadn’t started her newborn photographer search yet and was afraid she wasn’t going to be able to have her baby girls pictures taken. Luckily for her, she caught me on a week when all the babies I had planned, were coming late so I had 1 day available and she quickly snatched it up. 

And I’m so glad she did because look how beautiful her daughter is! She was absolutely perfect and slept the entire session.