Located in Oshawa, Ontario CA
“I think with newborn photography it can be so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying allll the props. If you really want to have a successful business, treat it like a business and be strategic about your spending.”
Tell us about yourself. What do you love doing in your spare time? What inspired you to newborn photography and do you photograph other genre’s in your business?
I have a 6-year-old boy with my “husband” – we are not officially married, but we are high school sweethearts. This summer you can also find me on the baseball diamond helping coach my son’s team. I have always loved kids, and got into family and newborn photography long before becoming a mama myself. I started out as a wedding photographer and that naturally led to babies and families, and I found I enjoyed having more weekends free, especially after my son was born. I mainly photograph maternity, newborn, and family, though I also do a bit of headshot and personal branding work as well.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
I think with newborn photography it can be so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying allll the props. If you really want to have a successful business, treat it like a business and be strategic about your spending. You can do a lot with very little. Buy the bigger ticket items in one neutral colour, and incorporate other colours into your images with your less expensive wraps, bonnets and tiebacks.
Use some of that money you saved to invest in education. Check out the APNPI Academy, mentor with your favourite photographer, work with a business coach, whatever area will help you most for the place you’re at, and where you want to go.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I am currently using the Canon R6 mainly with these lenses, in order by favourites:
Canon 35mm 1.4
Canon 85mm 1.4
Canon 50mm 2.5 macro
Lensbaby Sol45
In my camera bag you will also find extra batteries and memory cards, my 5DM3 for backup, a 580EX speedlight, lip balm, SPF, a few crystals, beaded necklaces, and snacks.
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
I love my home studio, but my heart belongs to the outdoor sessions. Even for newborn! One of the best things to come from the pandemic for me, was taking my newborn sessions outside during the warmer weather. I love golden hour, and all the wonderful textures and colours found in nature. I try to bring some of that into my studio sessions as well. That said, I did do a studio revamp recently, and I love having fresh sample images up, a cute client seating area, and I especially love my limewash feature wall!
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
I feel like this is going to give away my age, but I actually went to school for photography, and I was there during the cross-over from film to digital, and got to experience both, which I think is pretty unique, and something I’m grateful for. I also worked in a high-end portrait studio in Toronto, a commercial studio, and a wedding studio, before getting the courage to branch out on my own. I have attended various conferences and watched lots of online courses, and done in-person workshops with Stephanie Robin, Twig and Olive, Erin Elizabeth, and Alli Peck.
Tell us about starting your business, and what played a key role in developing a profitable income.
I worked for a few different photography studios out of college, before going full-time on my own and telling my husband we were moving so I could have a home studio. For many years I feel like I coasted, making just enough to pay my share of the bills and buy a few props. It wasn’t until I started investing in personal development and taking responsibility for creating my own life that my business took a big leap. I have actually had my best years during the pandemic, despite being restricted on when we were allowed to work. I started working ON my business instead of in it, and really narrowed in on a style and worked towards a consistent and cohesive brand. I have actually had my best years during the pandemic, despite being restricted on when we were allowed to work.
One of my favourite colours, plus wood tones and textures.
I bring my plants down from my family room to use in my sessions sometimes.
Colours, textures, and tones! Finding a patch of flowers is always a nice touch for baby girls.
I always photography family images in every newborn session, whether in studio or outdoors. Nature is my favourite backdrop though!
