Ottawa Newborn, Baby & Family Photographer. Calm, natural photography for families across Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville.
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Author: Mariana Arapov
Tips for photographing babies – Ottawa Newborn Photographer
Little Wagon Photography shares tips on photographing babies from the comfort of your home
Who doesn’t love taking photos of their baby?! Especially when they smile for you?? Sometimes parents try to capture the moment but the photo doesn’t turn out quite as they hoped. They have this vision in their mind but the outcome is a dark photo and a crying baby…
There are many little tips and tricks to photographing your sweet little baby. And for most you can use your own camera! Of course taking professional photos results in high quality, high resolution photos but those can be saved for special occasions (newborn photos, milestone photos, cake smash, etc). Follow the steps below and you will notice a big difference when photographing your sweet baby girl or baby boy.
1 – Get the lighting right. Lighting makes a big different when it comes to photography. While your camera flash may be of some help in certain situations, natural light usually works best for home photography. Place your baby by a window if indoors or choose a shaded area outdoors and Voila! You’ll notice a big different in the photo already. Just make sure to avoid the harsh sun rays by your child as sometimes those result in overexposed photos. Naturally sunlit areas without direct sun exposure are ideal.
2 – Take the photos at the right time. Don’t try to capture photos of your child just before nap time or when they’re hungry. That will only make things harder for both of you! Choose a time of day when your baby is happy, fed and rested. This will make those adorable baby smiles come out easily and effortlessly. 🙂
3 – Photograph growth by the month or milestones. Those are always fun to remember. Your baby will go through so many changes in the first year and photographing those little special moments will be fun to remember as time goes by. You can not only photograph by the month but you can also photograph milestones such as when they start sitting up, when a tooth comes in, when they start taking their first steps, etc.
4 – Keep the background neutral and simple, unless you are going for some type of theme. Removing clutter from around the area will help you focus the photos on your baby instead of everything else. Of course if you are planning for a styled photo session (let’s say for his/her first birthday) then by all means add the balloons and everything else that makes that date special.
5 – Play with them. That’s right! I find the best smiles come from playing with your baby while taking their photos. Playing peekaboo behind the camera is a baby’s favourite and there are many other ways to make your baby smile for some beautiful photography!
Photographing your child should be a fun experience for you and them. These 5 tips should help you achieve better photos and enjoy this precious moment with your baby. If you’re looking for professional baby photos in Ottawa, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
Have you ever wondered how newborn babies looks so peaceful and sleepy during their newborn session? A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to help the newborn photo session run swiftly. Here are some tips to help your newborn session go smoothly:
1) Feed your baby prior to leaving the house. Feeding baby prior to leaving the house will ensure baby is not hungry when they arrive to the session. This will help them fall asleep in the car and ensures they get to the session in a deep sleep. Photos of baby awake can be quite adorable. However, it’s really tricky to get them into some of those poses without them being in a deep sleep.
2) Bring a soother along. Sometimes we are told not to give our newborns a soothers in order to avoid nipple confusion. However, bringing a soother along will help transition your little one in between poses without waking them up. This is a one time thing that will help baby stay asleep if needed and will help us achieve as many poses as possible.
3) Be ready to feed your baby in the studio if needed. It doesn’t matter if you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed. Sometimes it is helpful to feed baby during the session to help him/her go back to sleep. It’s not always needed but I always recommend that parents come prepared.
4) If you choose to book a session with us, you will notice that the temperature in the studio will be warm in order to keep your baby happy. You will also notice there will be white noise in the background to mimic the sound your newborn baby was listening to while in mommy’s belly. We pay attention to all of these important details. 😉
5) Bring extra diapers, wipes and cloths. It’s always best to have more than less! Although baby can be nude for some photos, accidents do happen and it’s always good to make sure you have extras in order to keep your little one happy.
With over 10 years of experience, I am happy to talk further with you about how to make your newborn session successful and help you capture photos that will last a lifetime. 🙂
Ottawa Maternity Photographer – best maternity poses
Ottawa Maternity Photographer – best maternity poses. Happy 2021! As you know, many businesses remain closed due to Covid. This unfortunately includes us, Photographers. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the best maternity poses to do on your own since Photographers are unable to proceed with sessions until at least sometime in February. And let’s face it, many of these little babies will be born by then!
Pregnancy is such a beautiful time to capture and there are so many wonderful spots in Ottawa to take advantage of it! If it’s not too cold, I recommend finding some great trails and go at a time when the light is nice and soft. Even better, go on a cloudy day! Snow and sun don’t mix well together for photos. 😉 In case it’s too cold, taking photos in your own home can be lovely and give a very natural, organic look to them. Just make sure that you have enough natural light in the locations you’re planning to use.
Now that you have found a beautiful location in Ottawa to take some maternity photos, it’s time to focus on the poses!
1 – Photograph mom-to-be on her own! Posing yourself on a 45 degree angle from the camera will be the most flattering (so you’re not facing the camera straight-on). You can embrace your bump by putting your hands around your belly and doing full body photos as well as focusing on belly up! You can take some photos looking at the camera, looking away and looking at your belly.
2 – Close-up of belly. I personally love taking close-up photos of the belly! And there are so many things you can do to get a few different looks. You can face side-ways and put your hands around your belly. You can hold a little teddy bear or baby shoes close to the belly and you can also do a little heart shape with your hands around it. Many adorable and simple looks to choose from!
3 – Photograph dad and belly together – there’s something incredibly sweet about having dad on his knees snuggling the belly. All he has to do is kneel with both hands on each side while either resting his head on the belly or giving it a kiss. 🙂
4 – Time to snuggle dad! Have your partner go behind you and put his hands on each side of your belly while bringing his cheeks close to yours. You can do some photos looking at camera, looking at each other or giving each other a kiss.
Ottawa Maternity Photographer – best maternity poses
5 – Don’t be shy to try different poses that might work best for you! Laying down on the bed, cuddling on the couch, leaning against a tree (if outside) or simply walking towards the camera while outside at a trail. The sky is the limit! Let your creativity come out and have fun while doing it. At the end of the day, all that matters during this time is capturing this sweet moment in whatever way you can.
Hopefully this helped you get some ideas of how to capture this magical moment. For more inspirational poses, please visit my maternity gallery here. And please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!
Newborn Photography Safety Tips – Ottawa Photographer. When it comes to photographing newborns, there are some basic safety tips that should be used in every newborn photo shoot. Photographing newborns has become such a popular thing but it’s super important to hire someone who is trained in these safety techniques and has experience in the field. Here are some basic tips when photographing newborn babies:
1 – Back to the basics: wash your hands! For me, not only do I wash my hands but I usually also use clean gloves when handling baby. Having a hand sanitizer close by is also a great idea.
2 – Wash any blankets/wraps that have been used and clean any props. Every baby that comes in for a session should be using clean, sanitized props/fabrics. No germs allowed! 😉
3 – Having a set of extra hands: there are certain poses such as the froggy pose and the potato sack pose where it is always best and necessary to have an extra set of hands to help you with baby. Most of these poses are usually composites that are finalized in Photoshop. Baby’s safety should always come first and Photographers should never jeopardize safety for a specific pose.
4 – Posing: not every pose will work for every newborn baby. Don’t force baby into a pose he/she is not liking and move on to something that works best for him/her. Not only will it make baby happier, but it will also make it for a more natural photo.
5 – Siblings: personally, in my Ottawa studio, I usually do photos of siblings laying down with baby. This tends to be the safest, especially when siblings are still toddlers. Older kids can usually hold baby but you should once again have mom/dad close by to the child to ensure everyone’s safety.
6 – Illness: If anyone in your family or their family is sick, it might be a good idea to re-schedule that newborn photo session! Newborns are still so fragile that extra care should always be taken.
7 – Camera Strap: Always have your camera strap on and wear it around your neck when taking photos from above. That is a must for me!
While newborn photos are beautiful to capture and it’s something you can treasure forever, it’s important to take all the precautions to have a smooth, safe session. Newborns are tiny and fragile and their well-being should be the most important thing in every photo shoot.
I hope these help and thank you for stopping by! Please feel free to take a peek at some of my work here.
This year has been a little nuts, right? But we still want to celebrate Christmas and all the joys that come with it! That’s why I’ve decided to offer no-contact Photos with Santa. This gives you a chance of receiving a beautiful photo of your child/family with Santa all from the comfort of your home! All you need to do is send me the photo you would like to use and I’ll place it inside the frame Santa is holding. 🙂
For only $39+tax (or both for $65+tax), you will receive this beautiful digital photo and you can then print as many copies of it as you would like. This would make it for a wonderful keepsake for the grandparents and all of your loved ones.
You have the option of adding a small personal message and turn it into a Christmas Card (as seen on first photo) or not! The choice is yours. 😉
Here are the two options you can choose from (please note that my logo would not be included in your photo/card):
This keepsake will sure bring smiles for years to come. For more information on how to go about submitting your photo, please email me at info@littlewagonphotography.com or just send me a message by clicking here.
Fall Family Photography in Ottawa – Best locations
Fall Family Photography in Ottawa – Best locations. Fall is such a beautiful time of year. It’s my favourite time of year to do family photos in. The colours are just so pretty and I love being able to accessorize my outfits with scarves and other fun layers. We’re so very lucky to live in Ottawa as the colours here are spectacular this time of year. On top of that, we have so many beautiful places to take family photos in. Below is a list of some of my favourites:
1 – Gatineau Park – Gatineau park is by far one of the best spots to visit in Fall. There are so many beautiful backdrops to use for family photos and you can take advantage of many locations during Fall Rhapsody. The park is about 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa and you can visit trails, lakes and and many scenic lookouts.
2 – Eagle’s Nest Lookout – Located in Calabogie, Eagle’s Nest Lookout will amaze you with its beautiful view once you reach the top. You do need to hike to this spot so come prepared! And be prepared to take some beautiful photos as the Fall colours won’t disappoint.
3 – Arboretum – This is one of my favourite spots to photograph families all year round. Although the Arboretum doesn’t turn as colourful as some other parts of the city, the Arboretum is home to more than 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs that make for some beautiful backdrops no matter the time of the year.
4 – Mer Bleue Bog – There are about 20 kms of trails to enjoy at this spot. You can also stroll the 1-km boardwalk to take some lovely Fall family photos. There are so many rare plants and bird life at this location that it’s just another reason to visit this beautiful place.
5 – Hog’s Back Falls – One of the prettiest waterfalls in Ottawa… and how beautiful will those family photos look with charming waterfalls, rocks and trees behind you? Make sure you walk around the area to enjoy various vantage points.
If you’re looking for a Photographer to help you capture those beautiful family shots, make sure to take a peek at my packages. Every year I offer Fall Mini Sessions and this year is no different! Spots fill up quick so make sure you reserve your booking soon. 🙂
Whether you are looking to get some professional photos done or whether you’re just looking to enjoy the Fall season on your own, all of the locations above will be worth a visit and definitely won’t disappoint. 😉
Ever wander why it seems so hard to take photos of your little ones? I’ve heard many parents tell me that as soon as they get the camera out, their children flee the scene. There are lots of little tricks that I’ve learned over the years as a professional Photographer that have helped me capture beautiful photos of newborns, babies and kids. While I 100% recommend getting professional newborn photos for optimum results (trust me, it has taken me many years to get to where I am), I do think there are many ways to get great everyday photos of your kids while at home.
1 – Keep it fun! There is nothing worse for a toddler than having to smile while the parent is getting upset at them for not listening or not smiling. Keeping a fun, light-hearted atmosphere will keep your children in a good mood, making it more likely for them to smile and have fun with you.
2 – Pick the right time to photograph. You know your children’s schedule best! Make sure that you select a time time to take photos that won’t interfere with their meal or nap time. I usually find that babies and little ones are quite happy first thing in the morning or after their nap time.
3 – Get down to their level. That’s right! Get down to the floor and make sure you’re eye level with them. This will instantly help you connect with your child more and get some beautiful photographs.
3 – Lighting. Lighting is key when taking beautiful photos. When photographing babies indoors, use a large window as your source of light. Turn off indoor lights and try to use a room with light walls to give you a more even appearance.
4 – Go outdoors. One of the easiest places to photograph children is outside. Pick a beautiful park and try to avoid the time of day when the sun is very high in the sky (that usually creates harsh shadows and squinty eyes). Cloudy days are wonderful but if it’s a very bright day, look out for a shady spot.
5 – Let them play. Sometimes people get so fixated about having children look straight into the camera that they forget to photograph all those special little moments of them doing everyday things. Follow them around, ask them questions and just photograph the simplicity of everyday living and playing. By the way, bath-time and sleeping time are also wonderful times to capture some magical moments of your babies. 😉
6 – Be silly! Whenever I am photographing children, I completely forget about my ego. I use funny voices, make animal sounds, ask silly questions and definitely use some bathroom humor with boys. You name it… I’ll do it all for some laughter! And that should be the same for you. Peekaboo goes a long way when photographing babies but don’t be afraid to get ridiculous with your kids. They’ll give you real laughter, which turn out to be the best photos.
Although I personally love getting professional photos of my family done, I do think it’s super important to capture everyday photos of your little ones. As they grow older, those photos will help you remember those moments and put a smile on your face. I hope some of these tips help you! And for any questions, please feel free to contact me here. 🙂
The last few months have been very trying for many due to Covid-19. As businesses start to re-open, I want to assure you that Little Wagon Photography will be taking all possible measures to maintain the safety of your family (and ours) during your family photo session. While Photographers are once again open for business, here are some of the things that I’ll be doing on my end to prevent the spread of the virus:
1 – Maintaining social distance. At this time, Little Wagon Photography will only be offering outdoor photography sessions in the Ottawa area. This will help me ensure that I can keep a distance of of 6 feet (or 2 meters) from your family at all times.
2 – Choosing the location wisely. While there are many beautiful spots in Ottawa to photograph at, I will be choosing photo locations that offer plenty of space for us to photograph at without being crowded by people around us.
3 – Bringing a sanitizer. Yes, sanitizers are finally available again! And I will be bringing one along for myself and any clients that would like to use it before/after our session.
4 – Wearing a mask. I’m lucky that my mom made some very cute masks for my family to wear. So I’ll be wearing a fashionable pink mask when you see me for your family photo session. 🙂
5 – Making sure we’re all healthy prior to our photo session. Prior to our photography photo-shoot, I will contact all clients to make sure everyone is feeling healthy and have no symptoms of Coronavirus (cough, fever, cold-like symptoms, etc). I will definitely let you know the same about me.
6 – Following local guidelines. At this time, Photographers in Ottawa are allowed to photograph outdoors as long as we keep 6 feet away from our clients and as long as we don’t exceed a group of 10 people. If these guidelines change, I will be letting all of my clients know ahead of our photo session.
My goal is to provide a safe environment and fun experience for all who are entrusting me with their photo session. If you have any questions about the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m looking forward to helping your family capture some beautiful photos for you to cherish!
Tips on what to wear for an outdoor family photo session in Ottawa
Considering what to wear for an outdoor family photography session in Ottawa can be a stressful thing for some but it really doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips on how to make this part of the planning fun and stress-free.
Allow plenty of time to plan for this occasion. The more time you have, the less stressed you’ll feel.
Take some time to go through your Photographer’s website and Pinterest to get some ideas. This will give you lots of inspiration and samples of colours, textures, etc that could work for you. It will also help you decide the styles that you like and the styles that you don’t like to make it easier for you.
Consider the season you’ll be doing your family photos in. The time of year you take your family photos definitely affects what you wear, especially when living in a city with all four seasons such as Ottawa. For example: in Spring, skirts, dresses, bright colours are all great choices. For Fall, you’ll be looking at deeper tones as well as more texture; adding vests, scarves, etc to your look.
Choose colours that go well together but that are not matching. Long are the days where everyone wore a black shirt and jeans for their family photo shoot. By choosing a colour scheme that you like and adding hues that go well with one another you will achieve a more natural look. A good rule of thumb is to choose two main colours and add softer tones to compliment your colour choice.
Keep the location of your Ottawa photo session in mind. Are you going to be surrounded by green trees (if so, avoid wearing green)? Will you be surrounded by pink blossoms (softer tones such as white and blue might look beautiful here), will there be fall leaves all over the ground? Choose a colour scheme that will go well with your background and not compete with it. If you’re unsure of your location, contact your Photographer so she can give you some feedback.
Avoid large patterns or logos. Your 2 year-old might want to wear his favourite t-shirt that has a large dinosaur on it while your 18 year-old might want to wear his favourite sweater with a huge logo written across it. In both situations, those could be quite distracting and take the attention away from your faces.
Make sure you’re all comfortable with the outfits you choose for your photography session. If your toddler is unhappy, you’ll all be unhappy… 😉
Consider your home decor. Since you might want to print some of these photos and display them throughout your home, make sure that you select clothes that you think would look good with the colour and decor of your home.
Accessories, accessories, accessories… a vest, a scarf, a hat… those are all cute pieces that can be easily included in your family photography session. Want a different look for a couple of photos? Just remove that scarf/vest/hat. They’re fun and easy to bring along so why not try?
Lay each family member’s outfit together to see what they look like as a group. This will give you a great final look to see if they’re working well together or if something needs to be changed before the photo session.
Timeless portrait. If you’re short in time or if coordinating colours is not your thing, opt for soft, neutral tones. Staying classic will ensure that you have timeless photos, regardless of what is in style or not.
Enjoy the process! This should be fun and the most important thing is that everyone is comfortable with what they’re wearing so that they can enjoy their time during the photo shoot. Ottawa is a beautiful place with wonderful scenery and a great Photographer will guide you with any help that you might need with the process. 🙂
Photographing twins is a lot of fun but it can also be quite challenging. Here are some tips to make the process of photographing two babies a bit easier.
1 – Since most twin babies are born before 40 weeks, you will most likely photograph newborn twins when they are past 14 days. That is totally ok! Since they were born earlier, I personally prefer giving them that extra time to develop and fill out a bit more. Rest assured that they will still be nice and sleepy for their newborn session. At the end of the day, you want to make sure that they are out of the hospital and that mom is also feeling her best.
2 – Set up your session per usual (warm the studio, use white noise, etc) and send your information package to parents prior to the photo session so that they know how to prepare as well as what to bring for their newborn session. This will help their twin newborn photo session go as smoothly as possible. If both twin newborn babies are asleep when they arrive at the studio, start by posing both babies together.
3 – There are many ways you can pose twin siblings together. There are harder, more intricate poses (which takes quite a bit of practice and patience to achieve) and there are simpler, more natural poses. Personally, I like the simpler and natural poses when photographing twins. Using a basket to lay them both in, swaddling them or even using parents as “props” is a great way to achieve those cute poses.
4 – Make sure to take photos of each twin on their own! Although these babies are twins, they are each their own little person and it’s important to capture their individuality. Don’t forget to photograph babies from different angles and to include those little details such as hands, feet, and close up of their little faces.
5 – Having mom/dad or a helper close by can be quite helpful when photographing twin babies. Especially if you are planning to do the more intricate poses. Never put a newborn in any danger to achieve a pose.
6- Keep in mind that newborn twins can be a little more sensitive to touch if they were poked and moved around quite a bit while at the hospital. Take your time and make sure you make them feel comfortable and safe.
7 – Have fun! Photographing twin newborns is not that common so enjoy the moment and have a blast!
