#yycmaternityphotographer – AdaLilly Photography

Mar

4 Reasons I stopped posing newborns…

At one point I had two posing bags (one for the studio & one for travel), an over abundance of props, little hats, headbands and all the accessories you can think of for my newborn shoots. I practiced often and even when I wasn’t shooting an actual newborn I’d grab my girls dolls or stuffies and practice some more just to get it right. But, I wasn’t ever ‘In Love’ with it. It didn’t ever feel like my style and never aligned with my ‘why’ or my overall values as a person. So I decided to follow my heart and switch to Baby Led Posing.

‘Baby Led Posing’

You’re likely asking yourself ‘what is baby led posing?’, well its everything it sounds like. I won’t ever put baby in any unnatural pose. I don’t spend countless hours calming or posing my babies, ultimately I don’t pose them really at all. Yes they get ‘placed’ for portraits, however I no longer pose in the way many traditional newborn photographers do.

4 Reasons I No Longer Pose Newborns

First: I’m a firm believer that newborns should remain in their parents arms as much as possible. I don’t have much of the medical expertise in newborns, but I have ‘being a mom’ experience and I can honestly say newborns need to be held, nurtured, and essentially with their parents and in their parents arms as much as possible.

Second: Newborns, they’re beautiful just as they are. The way they naturally unfold their arms when they stretch or the way they tuck their legs when they’re curling up on their belly for a moment. Or how about the cozy way they look when simply swaddled. These natural and simple aspects are the most beautiful things about these little ones. This is how I wanted to remember my babies and so I choose to capture my clients babies as such.

Third: Honestly, I don’t think that unnatural posing is the safest for these little ones. If a baby has to be molded into a position that isn’t natural, it stands to reason their safety is potentially at risk. To me this isn’t worth it in the name of a ‘pretty’ image.

Fourth: I know what it’s like to have a newborn(s), you’re already dealing with the stresses of a new baby, your photo sessions shouldn’t add any additional stress. Posing babies can take hours upon hours (I’m talking up to 3-4hrs) trying to get them calm enough to sleep and and get the poses ‘just right’. I want the families I work with to know that how perfect they think their babies are I agree with them 1000%. Be it wide awake, or sound asleep. I have no expectations and always follow baby’s lead. Be it in studio or in and out of clients homes, I don’t want to impose on their precious time any longer than necessary.

Babies Are PERFECT!

That’s it that’s all! My 4 reasons I no longer pose newborns. It’s because I believe they’re undoubtedly perfect!

Xo,

AdaLilly Photography

Thank you for supporting our small business!

Jan

PROS FOR HIRING A PRO

Our favourite major 5 points for hiring a professional photographer.

Experience
The right gear
Its about more than just the photos
We know what works
We have a trained eye

Some pictures just can’t be redone, so using a professional photographer is more than just a great way to preserve important memories, its about the experience.

Thanks for stopping by!

ALP Studio

Thank you for supporting our small local business!

Jan

REGULAR VS MINI SESSIONS

Mini Sessions, what are they and why are they different from a regular session?

These Sessions are NOT:

my regular photo session offered at a discount.
insanely good deals offered to anyone who wants them at any time.
customizable like a full session

They ARE:

Exactly as they sound, a mini session.
They consist of a shorter time frame (15 mins vs 1-2hrs)
They consist of a lower number of images than a regular session
While less expensive than a regular session they are a ‘pop-up’ flash like seasonal sale.
They are only offered on specific dates & times of the year
They are planned a year in advance
They are specific
They are a little taste of my style and service for those who’ve never worked with me before

Regardless of what session you choose, I can’t wait to meet and work with you!

AdaLilly Photography

Thank you for supporting our little local business!

Jan

TIP TUESDAY #13

Winter’s cold, sure, but it makes for some seriously stunning photographs. Snowflakes, snowmen, white canvases, glittering icy trees? It’s a photographer’s veritable wonderland! Here’s how to dress to take advantage of that winter wonderland.

There’s bound to be lots of white, so choosing pastel colours will bring a soft cool tone to your images. Think warm with cream tones and muted mocha’s to add some warmth. (Check out our favourite winter colour pallet below)
On that same note, don’t hesitate to play with chunky cable knits to make a bolder statement and add more texture.
Really bundle up and play up the winter factor. We love seeing fur-lined boots or hats, oversized chunky scarves, adorable gloves, etc.

Do wear a couple layers underneath to ensure you stay warm. Double up on those socks and throw on some long johns, if you must!

AdaLilly Photography

Thanks again for stopping by and supporting our small business!

Jan

PHOTOGRAPHY | A POWERFUL & COMPLEX LANGUAGE

In a world where mental health is prevalent but its vocabulary is excruciatingly poor, photography brings us a visually emotional narrative. – Andrea Marsh (AdaLilly Photography)

I have had a camera in my hand since I can remember, but I truly fell in love snapping shots in high school with my little point, click and hope for the best camera. Its therapeutic. It became more than just art but a way of self expression. A categorized piece of the legacy I will leave. In choosing this passion I now call my profession, I am leaving behind a powerful language in images that builds a story to bring joy, and will speak to the most generous part of our human nature. To know that my work will have an involvement in someones wonder and joy, that is why I love this very powerful and complex language.

Thank you for stopping by!

AdaLilly Photography

Aug

GIFTS THAT MAKE MEMORIES

Send someone a gift card, buy one for yourself or do both! ALP Studio gift cards are perfect for wedding and anniversary gifts, maternity, birth, newborn, dance & fine art portrait sessions or even use towards our line of fine art print products. Redeem them anytime!

Capture your special moments and let them grace your home with the perfect souvenir: priceless memories.

Easy to Use

Buy a gift card and it will immediately appear in their (or your) email inbox

Never Expires

Gift cards never expire, so they can be redeemed any time in any one of our studio locations.

Memorable

The perfect gift to capture memories to look back on for years to come!

To purchase simply click the image above.

Thank you for supporting our small business!

AdaLilly Photography

Jul

LIGHT – WRITING

If you break down the word ‘photography’, it literally means “light – writing.” While technological advances have changed since it was first named, the original meaning still gives me all of the feels.

Light absolutely matters! Its a topic often discussed in the photography world regardless of your level of expertise. I believe one of the most common hurdles to overcome is how to use your light. Be it natural light or studio light. While I may not be the most profound expert on the matter I do understand that it is a key factor for creating a successful image. Brightness and darkness are determinations of light, it helps set the mood of the image. Hence why it’s imperative to know correct control and manipulation of it, getting your image the best texture, colour vibrancy and luminosity.

Please note, Im not an instructor and don’t claim to be one but I do hope this helps my clients understand why I choose specific times of day particularly when shooting outdoors and then when shooting indoors in the studio for specifically styled genre’s.

Thank you for sticking with us and supporting our small business!

AdaLilly Photography

Jul

WHY FIT IN WHEN YOU WERE BORN TO STANDOUT!

We absolutely believe we have the best job providing a one of a kind experience!

We love making sure its easy! There shouldn’t be a question of what to wear so we not only provide our ALP Style Guide for our clients but we also provide a client wardrobe! I mean why not provide something a little more unique to your experience working with ALP Studios.

CLICK IMAGE TO BE LINKED TO OUR CLIENT WARDROBE ALBUM

Below we are sharing some of our favourite local shops that are part of our client wardrobe…

FRANCES BLACK DESIGNS

KARTAY PHOTOGRAPHY PROPS

RAE’S CLOSET

What makes us swoon?

We’re into knits, linen cotton blends, vintage threads and those oh so swoon worthy creamy whites! Tried and true to our ‘less is more’ modern minimalist approach.

Thank you for supporting our small locally owned business!

AdaLilly Photography

Jul

7 TIPS TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF PICTURE DAY

When it comes to family picture day, a lot of stress is typically associated with days leading up to the session. We’re here to help you relax and be prepared all at the same time. Here are some tips:

Find the outfits you want everyone to wear a month in advance and set them aside somewhere safe. Then try them on a week ahead of time to ensure everything still fits comfortably and that you didn’t miss any stains or holes that you couldn’t see until they were being worn.

As soon as your family changes out of their photo attire, make sure it is clean and pressed to be ready for the big day. Set the clothes together (sorted by person) and place them somewhere free from harm and dirt. Be sure to tell everyone that these are picture clothes and not to be worn until picture day. This will help to be sure that no articles of clothing go missing. Don’t forget about shoes, jewelry, belts, and other accessories.

About three to four days prior to the session, start talking with your husband and kids about the session and what will happen and how they should behave. If you plan to use a bribe, now is a good time to set that in place. Continue to talk to your children daily to prepare them for the session.

Two days prior to the session, pack a bag of everything you will need on picture day – snacks, props, bribery, etc. and put it somewhere you can grab it and go. Be sure to include wipes in case things get messy, an extra hairbrush, and other “emergency” items, such as bobby pins and a backup lipstick.

On the day of the session, make sure everyone is well fed, but not overfed. We don’t want sick little tummies from overeating, but we don’t want anyone getting “hangry” (angry because they are so hungry) either. Do not get your family dressed in their photo clothes until after they have eaten and brushed their teeth. This will prevent spills and other messy accidents.

If you have young children, avoid any colored drinks the day of the session until after we are finished. Also, get them to wear a bib or drop cloth if they drink anything on the way to the session to save their shirts from wet spots or stains.

Once you get to the session, try to relax. If you have set a bribe, please let me know so I can use that throughout the session if the children get restless. Trust your photographers – know that I will take care of things and will deliver amazing photos of your family.

Thank you for following and supporting our small business!

AdaLilly Photography

Jun

FAQ FRIDAY #2

Location Location Location

‘Where are we getting our portraits done?’

It’s almost time for your session and we’re trying to decide on a location. Below are some things you’ll want to think about.

Keep in mind the décor of your home. My personal photography style is more modern minimalistic or brighter and softer. My home is also more modern minimalist. I would never have us dressed in bright colors on a canvas in my wall because it doesn’t go with my minimalistic style. Make sure you coordinate your outfits and locations to match the décor style of your home. You also will need to coordinate the colors with the walls of your house so they don’t clash.

If you have a modern minimalistic space like mine, studio portraits look gorgeous and outdoor pastels will go with all modern minimal decor.

The above being said however, if you have a more modern home, studio photos will more than likely be your best option.

You can also choose to have a lifestyle session done inside your home. We will come to your house and take photos of your family in your own natural environment. These are beautiful and will look great in your house because they match perfectly.

Xo,

AdaLilly Photography

Thank you for supporting our small local business!

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