Best Ontario Photographer
2018 Client Appreciation Contest WINNERS! | Ontario Baby, Child & Family Photographer
The only thing I love more than holding the Client Appreciation Contest each year is ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS! This year, the participation was PHENOMENAL! It’s been a little emotional for me, celebrating all of the clients that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years in the Barrie area and knowing that next year when I run this contest, I will be celebrating NEW clients up in North Bay as well as the lovely folks that I will still travel back here to serve. Thank you to EVERYONE for your support through the years and to all of my clients last year who made this contest possible – without further delay, THE WINNERS! 🙂
GRAND PRIZE WINNER – Contestant No. 15 – Donna Lamore
Drawn by random.org, Donna has won an All Inclusive Creative Portrait session (worth $932.25), which includes her portrait session, all high resolution digital files (between 35-60) on USB with print release in both colour and black and white as well as 5×7 colour reference prints. Congratulations Donna!!!
SECONDARY Prize 1 – Contestant No. 006 – Katie Robinson
This prize was chosen by our Grand Prize winner. Donna chose Katie’s amazing little man, who I’ve had the pleasure of watching grow since he was just a little bitty newborn. Katie has won a $200 Gift Certificate to use towards her next portrait session. Congratulations Katie!
Secondary Prize 2 – Contestant No. 001– Danielle Barranger
This prize was determined by the number of Facebook votes received on their entry. Danielle’s beautifully moving image received a grand total of 411 votes! She has won a 16×20” Gallery Wrap Canvas of her entry. Congratulations Danielle!
Secondary Prize 3 – Contestant No. 002 – Jennifer Huyhn
This prize was also determined by the number of Facebook votes received on their entry. Jennifer’s photo of her beautiful new baby girl received 345 votes. She has won a 16×20” Mounted Wall print of her entry. Congratulations Jennifer!
Secondary Prize 4 – Contestant No. 014 – Ryan Shevalier
This prize was also determined by the number of Facebook votes received on their entry. Ryan’s photo of his beautiful, bright-eyed and totally squishably cute little man received 134 votes. He has won a $100 gift card to use towards his next session in 2019. Congratulations Ryan!
Thanks again everyone! Congrats to all the winners! Looking forward to a great 2019! And remember, if you know someone who lives in North Bay, or surrounding areas, it would make me SO happy for you to give them a heads up that I’m coming their way (hopefully by this summer!) 🙂
Sincerely,
Stephanie
Sweet & Simple Pet Portraits | Ontario Pet Photographer
Pure & Simple Baby Minis | Baby and Child Photographer
I have TWO Mini Event announcements today! Here is the first! Sessions available any time (Monday to Friday between 10am-2pm) in February, 2019!
PURE & SIMPLE BABY MINIS
for Babies between 3 months-11 months of age
Your choice of dark or white wood set
20 minute session, 3 digital files of your choice
Online ordering gallery (or in person if you’d like, just let me know)
Access to promotional pricing menu for any print products or upgrades on digital file packages
$150+hst due in full on booking
Click here to book: http://raindancephoto.ca/mach/view.php?id=53324
2nd Annual “In the Clouds” Mini Event | Baby and Child Photographer
Booking is NOW OPEN for this themed Mini Event! If you have a little dreamer – a whimsical little being who would love to sit in the clouds and gaze at the stars and maybe even throw some glitter around, then these are for you!
When? Sunday January 20, 2019 AND Monday January 21, 2019
Where? Raindance Photography’s Home Studio in Barrie, Ontario
What’s Included? Each package includes your 20 minute session, private in-person ordering appointment (2-3 weeks after your session), and 3 digital files of your choice via digital download. Options to purchase additional digital files or product are available to those who would like to do so.
How Much? $150+HST (169.50 total) due on booking via Square (credit card), Email Money Transfer, or PayPal.
Are there any restrictions? These sessions are perfect for babies who are sitting unassisted as well as children up to 10 years of age (if you think your older kiddo would be into it though, then please don’t hesitate to sign up!) Each session fee covers siblings from ONE IMMEDIATE FAMILY ONLY. If more than one family would like portraits of their children together, each family is required to submit $150+hst. This is to ensure that there is enough time available to capture group, sibling, and individual portraits of each child from each family.
How to Book? Please fill out this booking form to sign up for the event: http://raindancephoto.ca/mach/view.php?id=54803
Spaces are limited and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Timeslots will be held for 24 hours – if payment is not received within that timeframe, then the spot will be released to the next individual on the wait list.
Any questions? Shoot me an email! info@raindancephoto.ca (check your junk folders if you don’t get a response within 48 business hours).
Thanks everyone! This set was a HUGE HIT with all of my little clients last year, and none of them wanted to leave a the end of their sessions – I can’t wait to meet your little ones!
2018 Client Appreciation Contest | Baby, Child & Family Photographer
I look forward to this moment from the very beginning of the year each year! There is nothing I love more than being able to host the Client Appreciation Contest as a big huge “Thank You” to every one of the clients who chooses to hire me each year. You could have chosen any one of a massive quantity of other photographers in this area, but you didn’t. You chose me, and for that, I am truly thankful!
So, in appreciation, each year I host this end of the year contest where you have an opportunity to win everything from an entirely free session to gift cards, canvas, and a mounted print!
So, What Are These Prizes!?
Grand Prize (Winner selected via random.org) – Complimentary All Inclusive Portrait Session ($960 Value)
Secondary Prize 1 – $200 Gift Certificate to use towards any Raindance Photography service in 2019. I’m always really excited about Secondary Prize 1, as it is chosen by the Grand prize winner! The Grand Prize winner will be required to go through the entries and select which one they think most deserves this prize!
Secondary Prize 2 (Winner calculated by number of Facebook Votes Received) – 16×20 Gallery Wrap Canvas (1″) of the entry submitted.
Secondary Prize 3 (Winner calculated by number of Facebook Votes Received) – 16×20 Mounted Wall Print of the entry submitted.
Secondary Prize 4 (Winner calculated by number of Facebook Votes Received) – $100 Gift Certificate to use towards any Raindance Service.
How Do We Enter?
- Choose 1 favourite image from your session with me in 2018. **New this year! If you had more than one session with me, choose one image from EACH session!**
- Tell me WHY it is your favourite image! (In one paragraph or less)
Entering this year couldn’t be easier. Just CLICK HERE and fill out the form, upload your image, and press “submit!”
Deadline for submissions is January 18, 2019, at midnight.
When Will Voting Begin?
The Contest Album will be uploaded to Facebook on Monday January 7, 2019, as soon as entries begin rolling in. Voting will run until January 21, 2019, at midnight. Winners will be announced on Tuesday January 22nd, via the Raindance Photography Blog.
“Christmas in the Park” Mini Event | Barrie Baby, Child, & Family Photographer
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
- 20 minute session
- 3 digital files via digital download
- 50% off Holiday Cards
ALL INCLUSIVE | $350+hst
- 20 minute session
- ALL digital files via digital download (minimum of 20)
- 50% off Holiday Cards
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
Welcome Lily | Barrie Newborn Baby Photographer
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
Mitchell | Barrie Newborn Baby, Child, and Family Photographer
I love when I get to photograph an expectant Mama, and then get to meet her newborn baby just a few short weeks later! I still find it so amazing… new life. During the maternity session, there’s this anticipation and excitement, waiting for the unknown; and it’s so amazing to get to meet that new tiny human for the first time and help their parents to document every little thing about them. All of those fleeting little features that will soon begin to grow and change, in what seems like the blink of an eye. Those tiny little fingers and toes, the little milk bubbles on their lips, and the layer of hair that’s usually still on the tops of their ears. After those first few weeks, that teeny little face starts to fill out, and those little legs and arms start to get stronger, and too soon, we forget just how little they were when they were freshly Earth-side.
That’s why I’m here. That’s why I take my job so seriously – I know, first hand, how the new-parent-fog and fatigue makes it so difficult to really appreciate and remember these tiny details, and so it is my mission to freeze all of them in time for you. So that when you look back on these images that were captured in those first 14 days of life, you will be able to see and remember just how sweet this time really was.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Mitchell and his beautiful family. This gallery has since been one of my favourites, and I love that his parents received every single image you see, so that they can treasure them for a lifetime.
I am now booking newborns with due dates January-April, 2019. If you are interested in finding out more about a session, please CONTACT ME! I’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have. 🙂
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
3rd Annual Pet Charity Photo Event | Raindance Photography
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:
- Kitty Litter, clumping
- Food (kibble and canned)
- Cat Carrying Cages
- Paper towels
- Javex, dish soap, laundry soap, garbage bags, white vinegar
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
Best Friends Forever | Barrie Child Photographer
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