Leading Ottawa Newborn Photographer. Specializing in newborn, maternity, family and baby photography in the Ottawa area.
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Precious Moments: The Best Newborn Photography Tips from Little Wagon
Welcome to Little Wagon Photography, your trusted partner in preserving the most precious moments of your little one’s life. As a premier newborn photography studio based in Ottawa, Canada, we understand the importance of capturing the magic of your baby’s first month and have some great newborn photography tips to share. From tiny toes to adorable yawns, every moment is worth cherishing.
Navigating the first month with your newborn can be both exhilarating and challenging for new parents. To help you make the most of this special time, here are some newborn photography tips:
Embrace the Natural Beauty: Newborns are at their most angelic state during the first few weeks of life. Embrace their natural beauty by opting for simple, timeless setups that highlight their innocence. At Little Wagon Photography, we specialize in creating heartwarming setups that focus on your baby’s delicate features.
Timing is Key: The ideal time to schedule your newborn photo session is within the first 7-21 days of birth. During this period, babies are more likely to sleep soundly and curl up into those adorable poses that make for stunning photographs. Don’t worry if your little one is older; we can still capture beautiful moments at any age.
Comfort is Essential: Your baby’s comfort and safety are our top priorities. Our studio is equipped with cozy props and a warm environment to ensure your little one feels relaxed throughout the session. We take the time to soothe and settle your baby, allowing for a stress-free experience for both parents and baby.
Personalize Your Session: Every family is unique, and we believe your newborn photos should reflect that. Whether you prefer classic black and white portraits or vibrant, playful setups, we tailor each session to suit your style and preferences. Let us know your vision, and we’ll bring it to life.
Capture Milestone Moments: The first month of your baby’s life is filled with milestone moments worth capturing. From their first smile to those adorable yawns and stretches, we’ll preserve these precious memories for you to treasure for years to come.
Now, you might be wondering, why choose Little Wagon Photography for your newborn photos?
Expertise and Experience: With 14 years of experience in newborn photography, we have perfected the art of capturing timeless portraits that melt hearts.
Attention to Detail: We pay attention to every little detail, from the placement of tiny fingers to the angle of each shot, ensuring that every photograph is a work of art.
Safety First: As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of safety when handling newborns. Rest assured, your baby is in good hands with us.
State-of-the-Art Studio: Our studio is equipped with top-of-the-line equipment and props to ensure stunning results every time.
Unmatched Customer Service: From the initial consultation to the final delivery of your photos, we strive to provide unparalleled customer service and a memorable experience.
Ready to capture the fleeting moments of your baby’s first month? Contact Little Wagon Photography today to schedule your newborn photo session. Don’t let these precious moments slip away—let us preserve them for a lifetime of cherished memories.
Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding a new member to your growing family, let Little Wagon Photography be your partner in creating beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.
Essential Tips for Navigating Your Baby’s First Month: Advice from Little Wagon Photography
Congratulations on the arrival of your little bundle of joy! The first month with your newborn baby is a whirlwind of emotions, adjustments, and sleepless nights. As parents ourselves and experts in newborn photography serving Ottawa, we understand the importance of supporting families during this special time. Here are some helpful tips to help you navigate your baby’s first month:
Tips for navigating your baby’s first month.
Don’t forget about self-care:
It’s easy to get caught up in caring for your newborn, but remember to take care of yourself as well. Take short breaks when you need, nap when your baby naps, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and friends around you.
Create a Routine:
While newborns don’t follow a strict schedule, establishing a basic routine can create a sense of structure for both you and your baby. Try to create regular feeding times, nap schedules, and bedtime routines to help your little one feel content and safe.
Capture the Moment:
The first month with your newborn is filled with precious moments that you’ll want to remember forever. Don’t forget to capture these special moments through photos and videos. As experts in newborn photography, we recommend scheduling a professional photo session to help capture these memories for a lifetime.
Create an Enjoyable Environment:
A cozy and comfortable environment can help soothe your newborn and promote better sleep for everyone. Keep the nursery dimly lit for nighttime feedings, keep the ambience calm, and swaddle your baby to mimic the feeling of being in the womb.
Trust Your Feelings:
As a new parent, you’ll receive plenty of advice from well-meaning family, friends, and even strangers. While it’s important to listen to others, it’s also important to trust your instincts and do what feels right for you and your baby. You know your baby better than anyone else!
Celebrate all the Milestones:
From your baby’s first bath to their first smile, every milestone is worth celebrating. Take plenty of photos and write down notes to commemorate these special moments. Consider scheduling a milestone photo session with Little Wagon Photography to capture these milestones with our help.
Talk with Other Parents:
Parenthood can feel isolating at times, especially during the first few months. Connect with other parents in your community through mommy-and-me groups, online forums, or social media. Sharing experiences and tips with other parents can provide much-needed support and camaraderie.
Seek Help When Needed:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with postpartum emotions, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional healthcare provider. Your mental and emotional well-being are just as important as your baby’s.
By following these tips and enjoying every moment, you’ll navigate your baby’s first month with confidence and ease. And when you’re ready to capture these precious moments through professional newborn photography, remember that Little Wagon Photography is here to help.
Great items to start with your newborn photography business
It’s hard not to fall in love with newborn photography. Who doesn’t want to take photos of squishy little newborn babies for a living? And yet, starting your own business can seem like a daunting task. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to start your own photography business.
Of course you will need to learn how to operate a camera and how to pose a baby safely (that is the most important part of your job!) But once you’re familiar with your camera, lighting and have some experience handling newborn babies and posing them safely, there are just a few essential items to get you started.
A posing beanbag or something similar to lay baby on. You will need somewhere soft and safe to put baby on. There are specific beanbags out there that are made for photographers. These are easy to clean and easy to stuff to your liking. I have been photographing babies for almost 14 years and have had the same beanbag for all these years. It’s an investment into your photography business that will serve you well. Unfortunately I don’t remember where I purchased mine (it was so long ago!) but it looks something like this link.
2. A posing fabric or blanket. There are many lovely photography vendors out there that sell posing fabrics. But if that’s out of your budget, all you need is to go to a fabric store and get 2 yards of a stretchy, soft fabric for baby to lay on. You can even cut a piece of it to use as a matching wrap! Another option is to use a soft blanket that is long enough to cover the space. Just keep in mind that you want something soft that won’t be prickly on baby’s skin.
3. A backdrop stand. You will need something to clip your fabric to. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a stand. When I photograph newborns in client’s homes, a lot of time I will use the back of their chairs to clamp the fabric so it looks nice and smooth. There are photographers that will skip this step and fix it in Photoshop later. But if you’re new at photography, this step will help you save time when editing.
4. A basket or two! Just like with posing fabrics, there are many vendors that sell beautiful baskets/bowls to pose baby in. The good thing about buying through a vendor is that you know it will be the perfect size to pose a newborn baby safely in. That being said, you can also find some cute boxes/bowls in local stores that will work. The main thing is to make sure that these are safe and that they don’t have any sharp edges that could harm baby.
5. Wraps. As I mentioned above, if you purchase fabric at your local fabric store you can always cut a piece of that fabric to wrap baby in. Newborn babies love being swaddled. It makes them feel safe and comforted and it’s always my go to when babies are awake or not very content. Once you have a few wraps, there are many ways to wrap baby in order to get a large variety of photos.
Besides your camera, lighting (natural or not) and knowing how to pose babies safely, these are some of the basic items that will help you get started. If you’d like to learn more, we offer newborn photography classes that you can find here. As always, feel free 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.
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. 🙂
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!
Newborn Photography – Ottawa’s best newborn photographer shares tips on how to sooth a baby
Many parents ask me how I am able to get their baby back to sleep so quickly during a newborn photography session. To be honest with you, I wish I had known half of what I know now back when I had my babies (who are 9 and 11 years-old now!). The truth is, it takes time and practice to get the swing of things. Just like it took me time to learn how to pose newborn babies for photos, it also takes time to adjust and get to know what works and what doesn’t for your little one. For first time parents, everything is so new and overwhelming to them. At times, it may seem that you just don’t know what you’re doing. I know that was certainly the case for me and my husband back when we had our first son. But the truth is that everything is new for baby too! They have just spent the last 9 months enjoying the warmth and cuddle of being all snuggled up in mommy’s belly and suddenly everything changed for them. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make this transition for both of you a little easier. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have learned over the years while photographing little ones:
1) The first thing I recommend is to make sure baby is clean (diaper change), fed and comfortable. Sometimes all baby needs is to be fed or to have a clean diaper! Babies usually start turning their heads, opening their mouths and putting their hands in their mouth when they start getting hungry. Although we’re told babies usually feed about every 3 hours, every baby is different and watching for these signs will help you keep baby happy and content.
2) Swaddle. For my kids, I was convinced that they did not like being swaddled. They would cry and get their arms out and I was certain they did not want to have their arms in. But the truth is that most babies looove being swaddled. If you think about it, they had just spent the last 9 months not really being able to move in mom’s belly; at least for the last couple of months before they came out. Being swaddled gives them a sense of security and comfort. At my Ottawa studio I swaddle them quite tightly for newborn photos but I always tell parents that’s not how you want to swaddle them at home. Click here to find some instructions on how to swaddle a baby at home.
3) Make sure baby is not cold. The truth is nobody likes being cold… at the studio I keep the temperature nice and toasty since the newborn baby will be naked while I photograph him/her throughout the newborn session. For my kids, before I changed them, I would always run the wipe or cloth under hot water so that I wouldn’t startle them with a cold cloth on their warm skin. Making sure baby is not cold at my sessions always helps them sleep and be comfortable.
4) White noise. Here is a link for the white noise I use throughout my newborn photography sessions. Back when I had my boys, which really wasn’t that long ago, there was no YouTube or apps that we could use. So we resorted to the vacuum cleaner, the hair dryer and things of that nature. Nowadays there are so many ways get these white noises and they really help! These sounds help mimic the sounds that babies heard while in momma’s belly and it’s yet another technique to help sooth your baby. 🙂
5) Rocking the baby. I always tell my clients that if their baby is moving, I’m moving with them! Sometimes when they’re laying on the beanbag while I do their newborn photos, they will start moving a bit and wanting to wake up. If I just put my hand lightly on them and start moving it slightly from side to side, they usually go right back to sleep. At home, you can rock your baby, put them in a swing and even go for a car drive. Moving and rocking them lightly is a great way to put them back to sleep.
6) Giving them a soother. I know, I know… we are told not to give them soothers. And I totally agree that if your baby doesn’t need one, then you shouldn’t give it to them. However, there are some babies that really have that need to soothe by suckling. It’s their instinct. And in that case, I recommend a soother. During my newborn photo sessions, I always tell parents to bring a soother along. In case baby starts waking up while I transition them in between poses, I put the soother in their mouth and they usually go right back to sleep.
I hope the tips above can help you a bit! Please note that these are just my opinion and you should always talk to an expert in case your baby is still having a hard time settling after you try all of the tips above. I know it can be tough in the beginning to find out what works for your little one and what doesn’t but this time truly flies by and soon they will be giggling and playing with you! Enjoy this time with them and make sure you get to rest as well. Thanks for stopping by! 😀
Another sweet baby girl is on the blog! Baby Aria came to the studio at a few days new and it was so fun to meet her and see her family again. She’s got one of the sweetest families out there. 🙂
Did you know that newborn photo sessions will last anywhere between 1-3 hours depending on which package you choose to go with? It may seem like newborn photos are effortless but it can take quite a bit of time to transition baby from on pose to the other. I really take my time transitioning baby in a soothing and gentle manner so that she/he stays sleepy and comfy through the whole thing.
Throughout my newborn photography sessions, I do a variety of poses in the beanbag as well as newborn photos in props. Usually, there are about 5-6 poses that I do of the newborn baby on the beanbag. It may seem a like a lot more but the great thing about newborn photography is that you can take such a variety of photos from just one pose by just switching the angle you photograph baby from and adding a few props in between! When parents receive their gallery, there are usually around 70 photos to choose from (with the newborn mini session there are usually about 30-40 photos or so). The gallery is filled with the best of the best photos of your newborn baby session, including family and sibling photos. Many times, parents end up purchasing extra photos or upgrading to the bigger package. I think it’s always a great problem to have when you have too many beautiful photos to choose from. 😉
Please visit the rest of our website and make sure to browse through our galleries! Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Thanks for stopping by!
Newborn Photography – serving Ottawa and surrounding areas
It’s been so nice taking some time to enjoy this beautiful Summer weather with my boys! The sun is shining, the heat is real and thank goodness for swimming pools and ice cream. 🙂
I met this family a few years back and it was so nice seeing them again as they welcomed their new baby girl! Their kids were seriously the sweetest and most well behaved kids ever. And this baby girl… I could have kept her all day here with me. 😀
Most newborn sessions last somewhere between 2-3 hours. What you see here are just a few photos to give you a tiny sample of the goodness that we captured. Newborn photography sessions are usually a mix of photos of baby on his/her own (on the beanbag as well as props such as baskets), family photos, photos of each parent with baby as well as sibling photos. We take time to feed and sooth baby whenever needed. Sessions are never rushed, so you can be assured that you will leave with some beautiful memories that will last you a lifetime (because all of our packages include high resolution digital photos!).
There are lots of tips on how to prepare for a newborn photo session beforehand. I always send clients some guidelines prior to their baby session with suggestions on how to prepare, what to bring, when to feed their newborn baby, what to avoid, etc. That way we can work towards having the newborn photo session go as smooth as possible.
Please feel free to browse through our galleries and take a peek at the different packages that we offer. Thanks for stopping by!
Newborn Photographers – Ottawa Little Wagon Photography
It’s been a while since I sat down to do some blogging and some social media posting! With this beautiful weather and the business that comes with Spring photo sessions, it’s been hard to find a time to sit and do “computer” work for a bit. 😉
This adorable family recently came in to capture some photos of their sweet new baby boy. It is so much fun to include older siblings in these newborn photo sessions. Although it is not always easy to capture those newborn and sibling photos (and I always warn parents that they may not happen if older sibling doesn’t want to cooperate), it is so priceless when we get photos like these.
There are three different packages that I offer for newborn sessions. The first one is a mini session and includes photos of baby only. The other two both includes family photos as well as sibling photos. Some parents choose to have the main focus of the session be on newborn photos and just want to capture a few of the family ones. Some parents prefer capturing mostly photos of the family with just a few of the baby on his/her own. However, the far majority of my clients end up with exactly half and half! Even when parents come to the session with the focus being mainly on one or the other, they end up loving them all. And that makes me so happy… 🙂
After just giving birth, there are many moms who don’t feel their best and feel they should skip any photos with them. With a little encouragement I usually get them to take at least a few photos with their babies. They are sooo precious to have and to keep! Knowing how to angle the camera to capture the best look for momma and baby is key. I absolutely love capturing those sweet tender moments between a mom or a dad and their newborn baby. And the three or four of them is even better!
Please feel free to visit my gallery page and contact me with any questions that you may have. I hope you enjoy scrolling through the blog to see more samples of my work!
