Clients always ask this question & the answer is…depends on your family! Each family is different, with different aged children, different family dynamics & different personalities. What works for one family might not necessarily work for yours!
For example, my husbands occupation gives us limited times & dates to plan for a family session..we generally schedule one for mid-August & after 6:00pm. As a general rule, the kids are ready & we have already started with photographing them first BEFORE my husband is ready to join us!
Summer & fall are always busy with family sessions, those are the most popular times of the year! For children under the age of 8 years, morning is generally the best time to schedule a session…between 8am to 11am. Children over the age of 8 years, you can generally get away with a early evening session…between 4pm to 6pm. Take into consideration your children usual nap times & when they are happiest during the day!
I always highly recommend scheduling your session up to two months before your hopeful date!
Why so early? You have access to the best date selection options, if you would like a weekend date they always are booked first, gives you plenty of time to schedule time off of work, clients have time to plan their family’s outfits, with teenagers they have advanced notice to add the session into their calendar (work or social events)!
Again this answer will depend on your own family! For a family with young children it might be beneficial to bring snacks, water, their favourite stuffy, an extra change of clothes (just in case) & patience!
For a family with older children there isn’t much you need to bring…mostly just your family! Some clients would like to bring their own blanket, picnic basket or a game to keep everyone busy….that is such a great idea!! If you have a child with special needs, please feel free to bring anything that will make your child comfortable.
As a mother to six children, I COMPLETELY understand how nerve racking a session CAN be…but I will let you in on a little secret! Children feed directly on our emotions….yes, they do! If we are nervous, stressed or snappy before or during our session, they will sense that & often will react differently than usual. Best advice? Take as many deep breaths as you need, engage with your family…laugh, tickle, make funny voices, tell a joke, play tag or make a silly face!!! Once your children see that you are relaxed & ready to have fun…they are more likely to do the same!
This question is asked every. single. time!! It can be SO overwhelming trying to figure out what to wear….I totally get that! But there is great news…in your welcome packet that each family receives, there is a whole section dedicated to that one question!! YAY!!
Best tip….wear something that is comfortable, that you love & base the colour choices on the overall tone of your home. If your a neutral lover like I am….blues, grey, white, beige & even greens work best! If your family loves bright colours…reds, purple, yellow or orange might work best for you!
Again, every family is SO different…go with your gut choices & you can’t go wrong!
This is a game day decision…meaning, I recommend waiting until the day of the session to decide if we need to reschedule because of weather. I would also have to say, it really depends on the location of your session….if we have planned on having your family come to my home for the session. I would have no problem still photographing your session in the rain or extreme wind! Why? Because we have SO many sheltered areas around our home, this image was taken in our barn on a rainy day! The images turned out beautiful & the biggest bonus is…with the plain background, the viewer really focuses on the connection within the family…not the pretty background!
If there are no options for an outdoor session, we could consider photographing your session within your home. If this option isn’t what you had your heart set on for your family session, we will reschedule your session at no charge!
That is an excellent question! I have been known to travel a distance for my client’s…downtown Ottawa, outside of Kingston, Ingleside, Hawkesbury, cottages, Pointe Claire & even Calabogie Peaks!! While I do LOVE going to new locations for sessions, sometimes they are a little bit of a trip from my home! If that is you, super cool…it’s all good!! A $50 travel fee applies to locations of a 100km radius from my home studio. That’s it…just a little extra for gas & to ensure we have good snacks for the ride home!

This is one of the most common questions I receive about maternity sessions! My response always is…the sooner the better! Why? I only schedule 2 maternity a month, this allows to me keep my calendar to stay flexible to accommodate my clients & to make sure each client receives a 5 star experience!
Typically, the best time to get in touch about a maternity session is 3 months prior to your expected due date. This time frame gives clients time to sign their contract, read through their Welcome Packet & are able to organize their outfit for their session.
Maternity sessions are generally scheduled during the 28th-30th week of pregnancy. During this time, you are still feeling comfortable, have energy & also have a beautiful bump to show off!
Sessions have been scheduled closer to the clients due date & have still been successful…. depends on each individual client!
Oh boy, that is always a tough question to answer!! My style of photography is all about natural connections! What makes it great focusing on the connection, is that every single family is different & that makes your session unique!
Sessions are done as simple as possible, no complicated posing, simple backgrounds usually found around your home, movement wherever possible, keeping you entertained & laughter…lots of laughter!!
Maternity sessions generally are photographed outdoors, there is plenty of options for us to wander, chat, photograph & chat some more! Clients also have the option of having their session photographed inside their home or in my home studio. My FAVE is the studio session with minimal clothing!! This really shows off your beautiful form in a extremely flattering way!!! Don’t worry, we take our time & slowly get you used to being photographed!
Very quickly…you don’t need to bring anything! Maternity sessions are fairly simple & casual but many clients do choose to bring a second outfit, baby boots (their favourite ones), ultrasound image, personalized items, balloons or flowers. I would recommend bringing along some water & possibly a snack…being photographed is hard work!
Absolutely!! I love it when clients have an original idea for their session!!
I have photographed clients that have a special location in mind, include some props that have significance to them, have a ‘paint’ night or have even brought the blow up T-Rex to wear!! It’s all awesome & these extra personal touches add your own personality to our session!
Absolutely!!! I understand adding a new addition to your family can be hard on a budget! Especially when one of you will be off work for 12 to 18 months, that is why I do offer payment plans. These can be tailored to each clients needs & budget but most sessions are made in two payments.
Good for you!! Not everyone is comfortable showing some skin in their maternity images!! Yes, you are totally able to show as much skin as you like!! When clients have a desire to show off baby bump, we wait till towards the end of our session & we possibly pop inside the studio. Some clients don’t mind outside either…completely up to you & your comfort level!!

This is one of the most common questions I receive about newborn sessions! My response always is…the sooner the better! Why? I only schedule 2 newborns a month, this allows to me keep my calendar to stay flexible to accommodate my clients & to make sure each client receives a 5 star experience!
Typically, the best time to get in touch about a newborn session is 3 months prior to your expected due date. This timeframe gives clients time to sign their contract, read through their Welcome Packet & are able to organize their outfit for their session.
In home sessions are little more relaxed on baby’s age, they can be within 7 days after birth or could be 2 months after birth! Since we are not posing them in props, as long a baby is happy & relaxed it’s a great time for a session!
Yes, for sure you can still book a session!! In home sessions are perfect for newborns up to 4 months of age! Our expectations might have to change a tiny bit, as older newborns are awake longer & are used to being able to stretch out their arms plus kick their legs as each day passes. Since In home sessions are more lifestyle & less posed, this is usually a better option for clients.
This is a personal choice for clients but I do help guide them to decide which session is best for them! My best piece of advice? Look through images from each session type & go with your gut feeling!
In home sessions are more relaxed & casual all while being photographed at home. Studio sessions are more posed with props, backgrounds & are at my home studio.
There is no right or wrong answer, but each session type has a certain “look” to the images & you really want to make sure the resulting images are what speaks to you the most!
The short answer…no, you don’t have to be in the photos. My long answer…it’s a thousand times yes!! Here is why….
Having been a mother for 21 years (good gosh!) I now realize how important photos are with our children! Children LOVE looking through images, they love hearing the story that goes along with the photo & they have a feeling of belonging…of being loved…being part of something big…a family!
Adults on the other hand, all we see is our flaws & we are our own worst critic! But…I will let you in on a little secret…years from now & I am not talking about 20 years but much sooner, you will look at your first family photo & be filled with awe!! How small your little one used to be, how young you all looked & be filled with gratitude for choosing to be present in your images!
This depends on which session you choose… in home sessions tend to be quicker, they are generally wrapped up within 60 minutes. Being that they are approached in a casual & relaxed manner, your little one doesn’t have to be asleep for our session. Just as long as they are comfortable we are good to go!
Absolutely!!! I understand adding a new addition to your family can be hard on a budget! Especially when one of you will be off work for 12 to 18 months, that is why I do offer payment plans. These can be tailored to each clients needs & budget but most sessions are made in two payments.
Yes, I do travel to clients homes within a 100km radius of my home studio! For homes outside of the radius there is a $50 travel fee..just to cover extra gas & possibly some snacks for the drive home!

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