The P Family // A Toronto Lifestyle Family Session
/Okay do you know how I love gushing? I’m a huge fan of adjective. Like I really, really like them. Now you’ve been warned because I cannot help but gush about this family session.
First of all their house. I walked in to this stunning house in Toronto. From floor to ceiling I was already giddy. The natural light, the decor, it was all beautiful and I couldn’t wait to capture it all! Seriously… just wait until you scroll to the pictures of baby S’s nursery. Is it possible to be jealous of a baby? Well I am. Giving homage to her half Australian parentage, there are adorable pictures of baby animals hanging over her crib, and the cutest mobile I’ve ever seen. I loved it all. It almost makes me want to have another baby just so I can have this nursery… almost.
Second, their dog. Don’t hate me… I’m not a huge animal person. It takes me a long time to warm up to animals. But for some reason, Ocean had me at hello. She was the sweetest pup ever and baby S is so lucky to grow up with such an awesome best friend. Again, jealous of this baby.
And third, the family. Oh this family was so sweet! You could tell how in love and obsessed they were with baby S, and how could they not be? She was seriously the best behaved baby during any photo shoot I have ever done! I typically set aside 2-3 hourrs for a newborn/baby family session because sometimes the baby needs to eat, poop, pee, change, stop crying etc. But baby S was happy and content to be doted on by her parents and we were done in about 45 minutes. We had one little eating break but even then we got some great shots during that! Oh and mom and dad were so in love and so comfortable in front of the camera. Just before I would give a direction they would do exactly what I wanted them to, and that would be interact with each other and with baby S.
It’s hard sometimes to break the habit of the traditional family photo shoot where everyone is looking at the camera smiling in every picture. I love it when families just talk and laugh with each other. Those are the pictures worth having. Smiling ones are lovely too, but being a family is what you want to remember!
This family was a dream and I can’t stop staring at these photos!
In-home session tips:
Have the rooms that you want to take pictures in cleaned is great, having your whole house clean is even better. I know it’s difficult but trust me, your stress level will go way down!
Prepare for baby accidents and roll with them! Remember I have three children so you never need to apologize to me about messes and/or crying babies!
Interact with each other as much as possible, I’ll let you know when I want you to look at the camera.
Houses look different at different times of the day. When booking your session pay attention to your rooms and when they get the best light, it makes a world of difference!
Be comfortable! You’re in your home, a safe, cozy place, these pictures are not as “formal”
