Sometimes, I’m lucky to encounter one of my own, someone who like me left their small town to move to the big city. They get me, and it’s kinda like coming home.
I felt this way, with this little lady’s mama.
She too is from my hometown.
And her daughters are just gorgeous!

And my youngest is only 11 months!

Laurie contacted me about doing a “First Blush” session for her son’s arrival.

As with all things in life (especially birth), other things came up that nixed that session.

Instead we opted to do a “Welcome Home” session, which is quickly becoming one of my favourite types of baby sessions.
Mom and Dad settle in for some one on one time with baby, and as they bask in that “babymoon” glow, I photograph the new family in all their splendour.

There’s nothing like seeing a father look at his partner and baby with just pure love and adoration, and Mike wasn’t shy in showing his affection for his new little family.

Laurie and Mike, thanks for inviting me into this little slice of your life!

He was 3 weeks old, a little older than the average newborn I photograph.
Still, we got some great photos and had some good laughs.
Including a few out-takes like this one:

I was so pleased to come back and see this little guy for his 6-month session.

When I first showed up he was all smiles, although you might not be able to tell by the photos. What can I say, he’s a ladies man, all smiles when he could see my eyes, but stone-cold serious once I got the camera in front of my face.

Six months is such a great time for little ones to show off their mad tummy time skills, sitting skills and to really capture their interaction with mom and dad.

Enjoy the next few months! I can’t wait to see the little guy when he’s taking his first steps!

This kid has imagination to spare!

Nearing the end of the session, the words “Mars bar” came up, as Miss C had been promised some candy for cooperating. She made sure her parents didn’t forget the deal. She smiled, but this whole deal was wearing thin. Make with the chocolate!

Even when I returned to do their viewing session a week later, she made sure to point out in a particular photo when she was looking quite serious that “that was when I wanted my Mars bar”.

Well the results speak for themselves. I think I might start carrying a stash in my camera bag.

Calm. I didn’t think birth could be so calm.

Doula gently stroking mama’s skin.

Dad whispering words of encouragement to the mother of his second child.

Midwives smiling as they greeted this new life.

Birth photographer loving every second.

Awesome.

Congratulations little family.

The doula seen in the slideshow is Kristi Clement from Helping Hands Doula.

Birthdays when they are real, live, right as it happens birthdays are pure magic. They are what birth photography is all about

I was lucky enough to be here for this little girl’s birthday.

After a relatively short but intense labour, baby C was ushered into mama’s arms.

Do you remember looking into your baby’s eyes the first time. This mama might not remember this moment, but now she has it captured, forever.

“Thank you Carrie for being there and being so great I can’t wait to see more pics…I am more than positive they are going to be awesome.
As much as I knew you were there, I didn’t (which is great when you hate having your picture taken). You’re awesome! Thanks again.”

S. Labelle

“Carrie easily captured the love we have for one another and our joie-de-vivre. She made us feel comfortable to be ourselves, this to laugh and relax – this combined with her expert eye and talent made for some wonderful photoshoots,”– S. Roy

I truly believe that comfort and confidence are the two basic ingredients to any successful photoshoot.

Why is that? Because if clients have confidence in the process and comfort in being themselves in front of my lens, then everything else just comes together.

The best sessions I have had, have come from times when the clients have expressed a certain kinship with me. I strive to get to know all my clients in a way that will allow us to capture them at their best– nothing forced, nothing contrived, just their naturally beautiful selves.

P.S. this beautiful mama is NOT me, but she is my first breastfeeding portrait client. Every time I look at the photos from her session, I am struck by how gorgeous she and her baby are together.

With my first baby, I was so overwhelmed by the prospect of first-time motherhood that I missed out on this precious period of time where babies are still sleepy and poseable. The idea of doing anything other than eating, sleeping and taking care of baby seemed unlikely, if not impossible. The most incredible photos are captured at this time. Babies between birth and 12 days old are soft, squishy and generally don’t flinch at the sound of a camera shutter. They’re still pretty curled up too when they’re that new.
Now if even I, with all the equipment and the skills to do it without leaving home can forget to do it, then we certainly can’t expect all you new moms out there to remember. Book your newborn session ahead of time. That way, not only will you make sure the photographer of your choice is available, but you’ll make sure that you don’t miss out simply because you were so caught up in watching their eyelashes uncurl.