Best Ontario Photographer
Myrtle the Alien Baby | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Guys, I’m dying. DYING inside because I can’t wait to share these! LOL! If you’ve read back two blog posts ago, you’ll have seen The Cherished Stuffy Session that I had with my daughter. In that post, I explained how she has always found real baby dolls absolutely terrifying. When I was growing up, baby dolls were my whole life. I played with those dolls until it was socially unacceptable not to anymore, so imagine my sadness when I proudly presented my daughter with her very first baby doll years ago and she recoiled in horror, bottom lip trembling and tears in her eyes.
Fast forward to Winter of this year, when we stumbled across this little alien baby doll online and she LOST.HER.EVERLOVING.MIND! She gushed and screeched and cried actual tears and begged and begged for me to bring this “baby” to our house so she could love it forever and ever. I said no. I mean, this thing was bloody expensive, guys. So then she marched to her room, unearthed all of her birthday money, threw it in my lap and said “Is that enough?” As it turns out, it was, and so 2 weeks into the pandemic, we adopted Myrtle. So regular baby dolls are apparently nightmare inducing, but this guy is what makes her heart sing. My girl, I tell you, she’s some kind of awesome! 😛
Now, Myrtle took so long to get here that the ongoing story was that he must actually be coming from Space! Eventually, after 3 months of waiting, we were actually starting to believe that maybe he ended up taking a wrong turn and was lost in another galaxy somewhere. But then, much to her delight, Myrtle arrived on our doorstep yesterday and I don’t think that Bill, our mailman, knew exactly what kind of awesomeness he was delivering when he dropped this guy off!
And, what does every proud new parent want when they welcome their new baby into their family? Newborn photos, of course! She asked if I could do a whole newborn session with him, just like I do with my clients. She wanted all the little details, right down to his 4 perfect fingers and 3 perfect toes. 😛 I was only too happy to oblige.
Without further ado, please enjoy these unique photos of my incredibly proud daughter and her new “baby”, Myrtle! I’ve got to say, I’m kind of smitten with him too – like seriously, how cute is he!? 😀
Re-Opening Plan Update | North Bay & Callander Photographer
As we near the end of May, I wanted to give you a bit of an update as to wear I stand on re-opening. At this time, photographers are not mentioned in any government documentation, and we have been pushing to be included so that we can be certain about the legalities of going back to work again, when the time comes. As of today, some wonderful colleagues have gotten an answer from the Canadian Government Agency for Essential Services that we may be able to begin taking clients again as long as we can adhere to strict physical distancing guidelines and wear proper PPE while doing so (newborn sessions excluded). No official green light has been given, and we have nothing in writing at this point, but this is very promising news!
Being that we are currently only in Stage 1 of the re-opening plan, I am not going to jump the gun and start having sessions immediately, but rather have decided that I will begin accepting bookings for outdoor sessions to take place after July 6, 2020 (obviously completely dependent on whether or not the numbers situation continues to stay stable or improve). I’m also keeping in mind that even though we may be granted permission to begin shooting again, many of my favourite locations (specifically beaches) are currently inaccessible to gather on, so I’m hoping that this restriction might be lifted by July.
In the meantime, I am working on developing updated studio policies, updated contracts, and acquiring the proper recommended PPE. I cannot WAIT to begin photographing your families again and will be offering a super awesome promotion that will be valid July-September, details will come soon!
To all of my Barrie clients who have sessions booked with me in June, I will be in touch within the next week to discuss options for rescheduling your session to July or August. If you would like to reach out and contact me about this sooner than that, please don’t hesitate to do so!
Thank you all for your continued understanding and support. I miss my clients so very much, and am so excited at the idea of being back at it (in some capacity) soon!
Take care,
Stephanie, Raindance Photography
Raindance Photography is Callander’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Callander, North Bay, 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
A Cherished Stuffy Session | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Remember a few months back, when I put out a model call looking for kiddos who had a cherished doll that they would love to be photographed with? I needed marketing material for a portrait series that I’ll be putting out (once this Covid craziness is over with). Why did I need a model, when I have two of my own in the house, you ask? Well, let me tell you. My boy child has no interest in dolls, and if he did, there’s no way he’d allow me to use pictures of him with it for marketing purposes. My girl child is (and always has been) TERRIFIED of actual baby dolls. So. I couldn’t get her to pose with a doll, but she WAS happy to pose with her beloved “Marcel”. A stuffed French Bulldog Beanie Boo that she purchased with her birthday money many, many years ago.
This kid always puts on a pretty good show for the camera, but she was seriously GLOWING with happiness to get to do a mock “newborn session” with Marcel. This beloved stuffy has been with her through 2 house moves, he’s been in the Operating Room with her (twice), has been to the top of the CN Tower with her (after having Starbucks Hot Chocolate spilled all over him, no less) and has accompanied her to every sleepover she’s ever been on. She’s even brought him to school for Show and Tell. THIS was the kind of “bond” that I was hoping to capture with kids and their dolls (or stuffies) and these images make my heart (and hers) happy!
Why I am sharing these with you now? Marcel is about to become a big brother! And guys, I CANNOT WAAAAAAIT for you to see what his little sibling looks like! This new “baby doll” hasn’t yet arrived in the mail, but when it does, we will be doing a whole “newborn session” just for it, and when I share it with you, I want you to keep in mind that my child finds regular baby dolls creepy… I’m dying inside with anticipation for this, it’s going to be like nothing we’ve ever seen before! LOL!
Anyhow, for now, here are some adorable images of my sweet girl and her cherished Marcel…
Have a great day!
Raindance Photography is Callander’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Callander, North Bay, 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
Hope – A Photo Series – Day 6 | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Hope – A Photo Series – Day 5 | North Bay & Callander Photographer
HOPE | A PHOTO SERIES
DAY 5
I suppose there are good days and bad days all the time, and now is no exception. I had a hard time finding hope today, for some reason. When it comes right down to it, the best cure for my anxiety has always been food. So, here we are. I turned the last of the bananas into comfort food. lol 😜🤦♀️
Have a wonderful day!
Stephanie, Raindance Photography
Hope – A Photo Series – Day 4
Hope – A Photo Series – Day 3 | North Bay & Callander Photographer
HOPE | A PHOTO SERIES
DAY 3
Funny post for today – I was told off by a pair of cantankerous squirrels this morning. In their defence, I was probably way too close to their nest and I probably would have done the same thing if I were them… I was actually looking at the moss on our woodpile in the backyard. Set against the backdrop of the heavy fog out there today, I had an idea for a neat photograph. As I knelt down though, little dude up in the tree started screaming at me, and then seconds later it’s mate hoofed it up on top the wood pile and assumed a position that looked like she meant to throat punch me. Maybe not all that “hopeful” of photographs, but it made me laugh, and we could all use some smiles right now, am I right!? 😛
As mentioned, feel free, every day on every “Hope” post that I make on Facebook, to share a photo that you’ve taken that inspires hope in you too.
We can find ways to lift each other up during this, and my way is to encourage you all to find the beauty in your lives at this crazy time.
❤️
Have a wonderful day!
Stephanie, Raindance Photography
Hope – A Photo Series Day 2 | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Spring/Easter Mini Sessions | North Bay & Callander Photographer
You’ve asked for mini sessions, and I’ve listened! I’m so excited to finally release the entire list of Mini Events for 2020 as well as their tentative dates for you to bookmark in your calendars. If you would like to make sure that you do not miss booking when it opens for each event, please “Like” and “Follow” my Facebook page. 🙂
Easter/Spring Mini Sessions open for booking TODAY! If you would like to book one of these sessions, please contact me and I will send you the booking form. If you do not receive a response within 24-48 hours, please check your junk folders. 🙂
What’s the Package? Easter Mini Sessions include your 20 minute in-studio mini session on the set shown below, private online ordering gallery, and 8 digital files of your choice delivered via online download in both colour and black and white. Upgrade options are available.
Cost? $140+hst
When? The Easter/Spring Mini Event will take place on March 27th and 28th, 2020, with timeslots from 10am-3pm available.
Where? Raindance Photography Studio, Callander (By Appointment Only)
2020 Mini Event List (with tentative dates)
Easter/Spring Minis – March 27/28
Celebrate Mom Minis – April 4/5
Pure & Simple Baby Minis (for babies 3-12 months) – April 16/17
Sweet & Simple Pet Minis – April 18
Celebrate Dad Minis – May 30
Tea Party Minis – June 6
Gone Fishin’ Minis – July 11
Pet Portrait Fundraiser (all $$ raised donated to local animal rescue) – September 19
Halloween Fundraiser (Free portrait event with donation of new unwrapped toy) – October 31
Christmas Baking Minis – October 10
North Bay Tree Farm Minis – November 7
Christmas Minis – Bed Set – November 13/14
Christmas Minis – Xmas in the Park Set – November 13/14
Santa Fundraiser – November 15
Celebrate Mom Minis will open for booking next week! Watch for it! 😀