Well, another year is coming to a close, and as I wrap up in preparation for a quick break over Christmas, I have decided that now is a good time to share some news with you all…
2019 will mark the year that I have spent half of my entire life living in Barrie. The first half of my life was spent living in a small town, with a small-town community feel to it (which I 100% took for granted at the time). I feel like this announcement will come as a huge shock to some of you that I haven’t had a chance to tell in person yet, but I can’t hide it forever… I have been sitting on this decision for the last 5 months, and I didn’t want to let the proverbial cat out of the bag until I was 10,000% sure that it was the right thing to do. It’s time.
The Raindance Photography family is relocating. Not just down the street this time, either. While Barrie is a beautiful City, rich in culture and entertainment, and perfect for so many people for so many reasons – our hearts belong to the North. We’ve decided, as a family, that we will be moving to the North Bay area by the Summer of 2019. We are so over the moon excited about this decision! We all know that it’s the right thing to do at this time in our lives. We look forward to everything the future holds for us, all of the new adventures, the new people we’ll meet, the new lives we’ll lead.
As a business, I will never forget my humble beginnings here in Barrie. I will always appreciate all of you who helped me learn and grow along the way. I want all of you to know that, while I’m moving, it’s not goodbye forever! I will be returning to Barrie for one weekend a month during the months of May-September each year. I will also continue to run my annual Tree Farm Mini event in this area too! If you know that you’d like to snag me while I’m here (I will see 3 families per weekend) then please sign up using this form. This isn’t a commitment to book, this is simply a form for you to let me know that you’re interested in having more information once I have concrete dates nailed down and you would like the opportunity for first dibs when that information is available.
Thanks to everyone who’s read this far! I’m encouraging everyone who might know someone who lives in North Bay or the surrounding areas to please tag those folks and share this news with them to help me begin to rebuild a brand new client base once we’ve moved. I’m also going to need all kinds of help and recommendations for services that my own family will need once we move. If any of you fabulous folks have recommendations for anything from dentists to doctors to hairstylists and recreational activities – please tag those businesses on Facebook or send me private messages to help connect us!
In other news – Clients of 2018, watch this page and your email for news of the 2018 Client Appreciation Contest, which will be launching the first few weeks of January! Don’t forget to fill out the information form to sign up for information on session dates when I will be back in this area after we’ve moved!
If you happen to be a resident of North Bay (or a surrounding area) and would like to sign up for information about when I will be available to book a session in your area, please sign up using the information form.
Thank you everyone! Wishing you all the best this Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!
Love,
Stephanie & The Raindance Family
Booking for the LAST Christmas Mini Event of the season is now open! This set will accommodate both children AND families!
SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2018 – 10AM-2PM (4 timeslots remaining!)
**SET IS PICTURED BELOW**
There are TWO package options to allow folks to choose just a few images for Christmas cards OR an All Inclusive Option to save money on the entire gallery of digital files:
BASIC | $150+hst
ALL INCLUSIVE | $350+hst
If you are interested in signing up for this event, please fill out this form: http://raindancephoto.ca/mach/view.php?id=56869
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
It’s been nearly a year since I did something that nobody ever wants to have to do for their best friend. One year ago this month, my best friend gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who wasn’t meant to stay Earthside for very long. Baby Isabelle lived for a few short hours, touching all of our hearts, before gaining her wings.
I have photographed every major event for this family – from their wedding, first pregnancy, two newborn sessions, cake smashes, family sessions, you name it… so when I wasn’t able to find them a volunteer photographer through Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in time, I jumped on the GO Train and made the trek from Union Station to Mount Sinai where I photographed their sweet girl before they had to say goodbye. It may have been the most heartbreaking and difficult thing I’ve ever done, and at the same time so fulfilling to be able to give them the gift of memories to cherish forever – so that when they couldn’t hold her, they could at least look back on her through these photographs.
When Mama told me that they were expecting again, we were all cautiously elated together. This is what happens with “Rainbow Babies” though…they are so very wanted, prayed for, hoped for, longed for… but because of the tragic loss parents have experienced before them, there is always that fear of the unknown…
Two weeks ago now, sweet little Lily Isabelle was born – perfect in every way. When her Mama asked me to create a “Rainbow Baby” set for her, I knew I wanted to keep it true to my style – simple, timeless, and classic. HUGE thank you to The Felted Pizza for coming up with the perfect little prop to pull off the job!
This morning, I had the enormous privilege of meeting and photographing Lily for the first time and she was amazing for me! I am so in love with her gallery, there was no way I was going to be able to choose just one sneak peek for her parents, so I decided to share the images that honour sweet Isabelle in this blog post.
Huge congratulations to Mom, Dad, Chloe and Hunter on the birth of your new baby girl!
In Loving Memory of Sweet Isabelle
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
If you’re a pet owner, you know that a pet is more than just a random animal roaming around your house. They are your friend and companion, they know when you’re feeling sad, upset, or scared; they motivate you and love you without judgment. Their mere presence is therapeutic.
My love for animals and intense desire to help other people prompted the launch of The Raindance Photography Pet Division, so that everyone can have beautiful heirloom portraits of their beloved fur babies too!
I’ve always been a pet owner, and as such, I spend enough time wandering around PetSmart… If you’ve ever been to PetSmart, you’ve probably seen those cages full of sweet kitties in the Adoption Room, who stare soulfully into your eyes, just tugging at the heart strings. Last year, I held this fundraiser in support of Street Cats (one of the amazing rescues that has cats for adoption at PetSmart.) I was so impressed with how they run their organization, how clean their facility is, how devoted all of their volunteers are, and how well-cared for their cats are.
I am excited to be holding the 3rd Annual all-day mini event devoted to Pets only! Every single penny raised will be donated to the Street Cats Rescue to help them care for all of the furry friends who are currently waiting for their forever homes.
If you have a pet who would love to have their photo taken on Saturday November 24th, 2018, between 10am-5pm here at the Raindance Studio, please CLICK HERE and fill out the form to book!
Cost is only $50 per pet (each pet receives their own 10 minute timeslot with digital file)
Sessions are 10 minutes in length
You will receive 1 digital file of your choice via digital download within 2 weeks of your session.
Street Cats Rescue is currently in need of financial donations as well as donations of the following items:
If you bring in one of these items in addition to your $50 Creative Fee, you will automatically receive an 8×10 deep matte print of your pet as well! Also, anyone who participates in this event can enter to win a mini family photo session of their family in the Spring! So come on out, support Street Cats Rescue, receive an awesome heirloom portrait of your fur-baby and be entered to win a family mini session! I can’t wait to work with your fur babies!
Why did I choose Street Cats again this year? Because they’re awesome, they work tirelessly for the benefit of these animals, and they deserve our help. Here’s why…
“Street Cats Rescue is a non- profit organization with registered charity status serving Simcoe County and surrounding areas. We are staffed 100% by volunteers, receive no government funding and rely solely on fundraising, donations and community support to continue our work. All money raised goes directly back to the care and comfort of the cats i.e. veterinary bills, rent, heat, hydro, food, supplies, etc.
Street Cats Rescue has a “no kill” policy. We advocate humane euthanasia only for terminally ill animals and/or animals where quality of life has been severely compromised with no hope of improvement.
Street Cats consists of physical shelter as well as a large network of foster homes. In both areas we utilize techniques and protocols that keep illness and stress levels to a minimum. We strive to get to know each cat’s unique personality which makes finding the right adoptive home that much easier. All cats are vet checked, treated for parasites and illness as needed. Prior to adoption each cat is vaccinated, fixed and microchipped. We advocate pediatric spay/neuter so even kittens are fixed prior to adoption.
Our adoption screening process consists of an application/interview. Our adoption protocols are designed to “put the right cat into the right home.” We are not driven by adoption numbers but rather we endeavour to ensure each adoption is a “good” one.
Street Cats also advocates and practices TNR (trap, neuter, return) rescue methods for feral cats.”
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StreetCatsAnimalRescue/
This years’ set is “Suede Grey” (pictured directly below), which is a nice neutral, warm grey that will work well with just about every fur colour!
2016 Charity Event:
2017 Charity Event:
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
I might get a little deep with this blog, so bear with me…
Every few years, I like to try and photograph my children with their best friends. My “why” for doing this probably isn’t what most people would expect… I mean, they’re beautiful and they look lovely in my portfolio, but that is not my “why”.
When I was the same age as my daughter is now (7), my then-BFF and I declared that we were best friends, and that we would be forever. It turned out, that her and I would be the kind of friends who could drift apart and together again over the years and fall back into pace with each other like there had never been any time apart. She was the sort of perfect friend that everybody always wishes for – she was always smiling, always listening, and she always just happened to turn up when I needed her the most.
17 years ago yesterday, I saw her for the last time, as she drove past me and asked if I needed a lift home from college. 17 years ago today, she left this Earth, far too soon. 17 years has gone by and STILL I expect to see her turn up every now and again, with that smile on her face that everyone loved so much.
I think about her often, and being the visual creative type that I am, I WISH that I had more photographs of her and of her and I together. She is my reason for photographing my children with their best friends. I know that these friendships and close bonds that they have formed at this time in their lives will live with them in their memories forever, no matter where in the world they all end up. I want them to be able to look back and remember that love and happiness that they all felt when they were together. I hope that they will be able to look at these images when they’ve had a falling out and remember why they loved each other in the first place.
Even if you don’t have professional images of your family, or children, or friends – for the love of everything, people, grab whatever camera you can find and just start snapping! Make sure you’re in those photographs too! You never realize how important photographs are until they’re all you have left. And if you’ve ever wanted professional photos of you and your best friend (or best group of friends!), I’m happy to help!
In Loving Memory of Ashley – You will never be forgotten!
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
Booking is NOW OPEN for the second Kids Christmas Mini event of the season, “Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star”! This is a perfect opportunity to capture some festive memories and create beautiful portraits of your children and/or pets just in time for you to create your holiday cards! This set features a a rustic holiday theme with Christmas trees, garland, glittery gold stars, and twinkling lights. Clients are encouraged to bring a favourite teddy bear or stuffy AND/OR a favourite Christmas book to incorporate into their session. Dress up in golds, creams, denim, reds, or greens to compliment this set OR wear some stylish Christmas jammies!
This is a FLASH FREE set! I wanted to do one set this season for kiddos who have sensitivity to the bright, flashing lights. If you have a little one who fits that description, then this set is for you!
Details:
When? Day 1: Sunday November 4th from 10am-2pm. Day 2: Monday November 5th from 10am-2pm.
Where? Raindance Photography Studio in Barrie
What’s Included? 20 minute session, 3 digital files of your choice via online download, your choice of Online Gallery or In Person Ordering, and access to the promotional pricing menu of products and Collections (think gifts for Grandparents!)
How much? $150+hst (Due in full on booking)
BONUS! 50% off all Holiday Cards! Receive 25 double-sided cards in a custom design of your choice with envelopes for only $62.50+hst!
Please click this link to fill out the booking form to snag your spot! TWINKLE, TWINKLE CHRISTMAS STAR MINI SESSION BOOKING FORM
Timeslots (will be updated as they are booked)
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4:
10:00am – A. Turner
10:30am – M. Allen
11am – J. Falco
11:30am –J. Michels
12pm – B. Harris
12:30pm – P. Mugford
1:00pm – T Kalimootoo
1:30pm – M. Hamilton
2:00pm – K. Van Berkel
MONDAY NOVEMBER 5:
10:00am – C. Cook
10:30am – K. Young
11am – AWAITING PAYMENT
11:30am –
12pm –A. Arnold
12:30pm –
1:00pm – D. Barranger
1:30pm – M. Surgenor
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
It’s about time I start sharing some of the many newborn galleries from sessions I did back in the Winter! I met with Pierce and his adorable family back in February in my studio when he was just days old. They were all amazing – I was especially thrilled with how excited his big brother was to give him snuggles while smiling for my camera!
Just a little booking update that I have VERY limited availability for this Fall season – with no availability in October. I am currently accepting the following due dates:
September – 2 (with possible arrivals no later than the week of September 17th) all sessions must happen before September 28th.
October – None.
November – 3
December – 1 due date, early to mid month only
It is best to book your session while you are still expecting so I can guarantee you space in my calendar. If you’d like to check out pricing, please click HERE. To book your session or inquire for more information, please click HERE.
And now, how cute are these guys!?
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
Last night, I was was on my way home with my dog from our usual evening walk, and the view of the sun setting behind my house took my breath away. The way it was filtering through the trees – I had just never looked at my very own back yard as a backdrop for portraits before… I ran into the house, told my daughter to get on her dress and grab the kitten because we were headed out back for photos, like, NOW. Thankfully, she complied and within 5 minutes, I had these images that I now want to wallpaper my house with!
I’d had this in my head since the day we brought Chloe home, but I didn’t know how I’d make it happen because I didn’t want to trek her out to the middle of my field and risk losing her. Who knew, I just had to open my eyes and see the beauty in my very own back yard… a pretty big lesson on so many levels…
Have a great weekend everyone! 🙂
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
As I gear up to meet this sweet family again next week for their annual family portraits, I realized that I never blogged little Ethan’s first birthday portraits! I mean, he just turned two last month so I’m only a LITTLE behind the ball on this one, right!? 😛
I’ve had the honour of working with this family since big brother was just a teeny little guy and was thrilled to be able to document Ethan’s maternity and newborn portraits (which you can see HERE) as well.
Last year, his Mama asked me for a super simple cake smash (my absolute FAVOURITE) and I was so thrilled with how it turned out! I’ve been helping so many little ones celebrate first birthdays lately – if you’re interested in a cake smash, donut smash, spaghetti smash, fruit smash, or ANYTHING ELSE you can dream up to help your little one celebrate their first birthday – send me an email, I’d love to help you create this awesomeness! 🙂
For now, here’s Ethan and his sweet little family! 🙂
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, North Bay, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
It has been 7 months since I met these two adorable little nuggets in my Barrie photography studio for their newborn session! They were born two whole months early, so when I got my hands on them, they were already 8 weeks old (I saw them on their original due date! How cool is that?) I typically see newborns for their sessions in the first 14 days of life (21 days is generally the oldest I like to take), but since these two still hadn’t reached their due date yet, my assistant and I were able to work them through an entire sessions worth of posing in an hour and a half! They were rockstars! Thanks to mom and dad for trusting me to capture such a special time in your lives. 🙂
We’re heading into what I like to call “busy season” in September-November, which coincidentally is when a HUGE amount of babies are also due… if you are currently expecting, the best time for you to book your session is while you’re still pregnant. Once baby arrives, during peak seasons, I can’t always guarantee that I will be able to fit you in (as much as I would love to!) I can only take 4 newborn sessions per month to guarantee timeslots to babies who arrive early or late. So, if you’ve been thinking about booking, but haven’t yet, click HERE and cross that one off your To-Do List today!!
Raindance Photography is Barrie’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your indoor or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
We have been having our photos taken with Steph at least once a year for the past few years! Every time I book an appointment, I am so excited. she is amazing with kids and always gets pictures when I don’t think we will. We are st… Read more
Stephanie, The pictures are absolutely beautiful! Everyone is so happy! You did an awesome job and made our bachelorette party very memorable. You are an extremely talented photographer. 🙂
I just loved doing our gender reveal photoshoot. It was so much fun and I just love the pictures. I can’t stop looking at the blog!! I can’t believe I am having another girl! It is so awesome to have that moment captured forever.… Read more
Absolutely fantastic! Stephanie was so great with our daughter, Ellie! She had beautiful props and backdrops and the pictures were stunning!!! Number one photo studio! We absolutely loved Ellie’s photos and couldn’t ask for anythin… Read more
Loved our family photo’s! Very accommodating and great with kids 🙂 Excellent Customer Service! Nothing but 5*’s for Raindance Photography!
Just wanted to say thank you for the GREAT experience! I was so disappointed at the hospital when the nurses were too busy to get a family picture of the 3 of us. After having our photo session with you, I felt a lot better. You … Read more
My husband and I have had the pleasure of working with Stephanie 3 times now and it was always a wonderful experience. She makes you feel very comfortable in front of the camera and she was also just amazing with my son when he was onl… Read more
We have had the pleasure of using Stephanie at Raindance Photography for at least 3 extended family photo shoots. Her work is lovely, she is friendly, great at communication and so adaptive when working with our family with ages baby t… Read more
Best photographer!! Stephanie is amazing with newborns and a phenomenal photographer!!! Definitely going back 🙂
Stephanie from Raindance Photography was very professional, and was able to capture the personalities of all three of our young boys. We were extremely happy with her friendiness, photography skill and editing talent. We absolutely… Read more
From boudoir to kids to family – this lady will amaze you with her ability to capture your moment! The kids photos are so life-like, real… showing the personality, the age, innocence, and mischievousness! Family portraits are fun, r… Read more
Great with my baby and offers lots of choice!
Stephanie is an amazing photographer who is very friendly and professional. We have always enjoyed ourselves and have felt comfortable and relaxed during our photo sessions with her. She is the type of person you feel like you’ve known… Read more
Steph is one of the most professional photographers I have worked with. Her patience especially with little ones is unmatched and the finished product is spectacular. I have never finished a family photo shoot with so many images to ch… Read more
I am a firm believer in the importance of recommendation. I think that when someone, or a company (big or small) goes above and beyond your expectations you should not only tell them, but tell others! My husband and I had such a diff… Read more
Words can’t express the amount of admiration I have for this photographer. She is capturing all of the biggest moments of my familys life. She has a natural talent that you cannot teach anyone. Her pictures are beautiful and she is so … Read more
The pictures you have captured have overjoyed me and brought me to tears. Words cannot describe this journey for my daughter and I and I cannot thank you enough. I am sincerely thankful that we have met you. You don’t just take phot… Read more
Stephanie did our Newborn and mommy and me photos this year and did such an amazing job! The way she handled our daughter during the newborn session had my husband and I in awe.. she was so calm/gentle and so professional. I Highly rec… Read more
Stephanie has been taking our family photos for years and they never disappoint! She’s amazing with the kids and always gets so many great shots that I have a hard time making decisions on which to get. Pro tip – get the package that i… Read more
Stephanie from Raindance Photography did our amazing family photos, she was absolutely fantastic. My family “may” have been at each other’s throats mere seconds before arriving at her studio, but with her friendly, easy-going nature, … Read more