Creative Portraiture
Boxing Week Deals! | Callander & North Bay Baby, Child, Family & Pet Photographer
Happy Holidays everyone! I’m popping in today to bring you some Boxing Week Specials – everyone who has followed me for some time knows that I NEVER offer deals like this, but it’s been a fantastic year for my business, and I wanted to be able to say “Thanks!” in some small way.
If you reserve your session this week (December 26-31, 2022) for one of the months listed, you will receive $75 off ANY package of your choosing. There are a very limited quantity of packages and timeslots available and they will be offered first come, first served. In order for your booking to be considered confirmed, you must have submitted the booking form (listed below) and submitted your $50 deposit. Scroll down for more details. 🙂
CREATIVE PORTRAIT SESSIONS (In-studio family sessions, maternity, baby milestone sessions for babies 3+ months, pets, children, and birthday portraits.) Outdoor sessions can be arranged in Callander only for this deal, Monday-Friday 1-2 hours before sunset. Studio session availability – Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm (we will work together to find a mutually suitable time).
Creative Portrait Packages available | January, 2023 (4); February, 2023 (4); March, 2023 (4); April, 2023 (4).
Studio Milestone Mini – REG $175 SALE $100
The Deluxe – REG $350 SALE $275
Deluxe Cake Smash – REG $450 SALE $375 (Add $100 to make this package All Inclusive)
The All Inclusive – REG $500 SALE $425
NEWBORN SESSION PACKAGES (These take place in my Callander, ON Studio Monday-Friday at 10am. Best suited to babies 5-21 days of age. We reserve your timeslot based on your due date (I typically give you a timeslot 7-10 days after your due date to reserve space in my calendar). If baby hasn’t been born by 4 days before our scheduled session, we will reschedule to the next week. Likewise, if baby arrives early, just contact me as soon as you can and we may be able to move the session sooner to an earlier date.
Newborn Packages available |February, 2023 (4); March, 2023 (4); April, 2023 (4).
Newborn Wrapped Mini BASIC – REG $200 SALE $125
Newborn Wrapped Mini DELUXE – REG $330 SALE $255
Newborn Raindance Classic – REG $480 SALE $405
Newborn All Inclusive – REG $650 SALE $575
Full package details can be found in the booking form.
If you’d like to snag this deal and reserve your booking, please fill out this booking form:
BOXING WEEK SPECIALS – BOOKING FORM <–Click here, fill out the form, and submit electronically. Make sure to double check your email address, as this is where I will contact you to arrange your session details. If you don’t receive a response from me within 24-48 hours, please check your junk folders and if you still haven’t received anything, follow up with me at info@raindancephoto.ca
Thanks everyone!
Stephanie
Fall Session Booking Update | North Bay & Callander Child & Family Photographer
Raindance Photography is Callander’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in studio newborn photography and outdoor portrait sessions and servicing clients from Callander, North Bay, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Midland, and Penetanguishene since 2011. To book your in-studio or outdoor photo session with Raindance Photography, please contact info@raindancephoto.ca
Barrie Sessions in October Now Booking! | Child & Family Photographer
Barrie! I’m on my way back to see you and I have some time slots still available for my event in October!
WHEN? Sunday October 2 @ 4:15pm; Monday October 3 @ 7:30am, 4:15pm, 5:00pm, 5:45pm; and Tuesday October 4 @ 7:30am, 4:15pm, 5:00pm, 5:45pm. Rain date Wednesday October 5th.
*I do finally have an option available for you more adventurous types to go ahead and shoot in the rain (my equipment got a rain coat, and I bought a bunch of clear umbrellas for clients to be photographed with!) 
WHERE? Barrie! Morning sunrise sessions will happen in The Field (near Essa Road). Evening sessions will be held at the Sunnidale Arboretum for backdrop versatility.
HOW CAN YOU REGISTER? CLICK HERE! Fill out that registration form, hit submit, and I will be in touch over the next day or so to start making arrangements!
I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Stephanie
Raindance Photography is Callander’s exclusive newborn, baby, child, family, maternity and pet photographer. Specializing in lifestyle newborn 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
Studio Re-Opening Announcement | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Anyone who actually reads my posts is about to be saying “What!? Steph, make up your MIND already!” and I’ll be over here nodding along with you, because you’re right. I’ve flip flopped and just about committed business suicide for the last year or more, and it’s been an annoying, nauseating ride.
I’m about to get real & vulnerable, so bear with me. When I moved North, I couldn’t WAIT for my studio to be built so that I could begin to rebuild my business. I was so excited when it was completed in February, 2020 – I couldn’t wait to open my doors to meet all kinds of new people who might become part of my new client base. When the world flipped upside down in March, 2020, and made that impossible, I entered a downward spiral that I didn’t even recognize for a long time.
Not being allowed to work, I felt like I lost my identity. By the time the roller coaster had been going on for nearly two years, I’d completely forgotten who I was, what I loved, what made me happy; and had no bloody clue what I wanted to do with my life. I kept trying to fall in love with my job again – photography has always been one of the biggest loves of my life, but I just couldn’t find the passion. By January of this year, I had decided that I was going to close my business for good. Give it up forever. Walk away from everything that I’ve worked so hard for over the past decade. I cleared my calendar, turned away bookings, retreated inward in a way that I’ve never done before. It did not feel good.
Finally, one day this Winter, after suffering far too long, I picked up the phone and called my doctor. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and was prescribed meds and CBT. I felt like a failure. I felt ridiculous that I needed to ask for help from someone else. I especially hated the idea of antidepressants. Part of me is embarrassed to admit all of this, but another part knows that if this story can help even ONE other person to recognize this in themselves and seek out the help they need, then putting myself out there is worth it. My doctor tells me that mental health struggles are on the rise in an incredible way these days, and there is no shame in asking for help.
Looking back now that I’m feeling better, I can’t believe I thought that asking for help meant that I’d failed myself somehow. I can’t believe that I spent so long spiraling downwards that I just about threw everything away. This week, I stood in my studio, which I’ve recently announced that I was closing and felt my passion creeping back in, renewed like fire, like I haven’t felt in a long time. I have all kinds of new ideas that I can’t wait to try, and more than anything I feel EXCITED about the idea of REOPENING MY STUDIO DOORS again, and that feels pretty damn good. 🙂
If you’ve read this far, thank you! Thank you for your continued support, love, and understanding. If you’ve been following me on this roller coaster, I cannot thank you enough for always having my back even when my decisions didn’t make a lot of sense. The Studio will be reopening in May, and I will FINALLY be able to release those Grand Opening Specials that I never had the opportunity to launch two years ago!
Stay with me peeps, this is going to be good!
Much love,
Stephanie
Muah!
Baby Portraits | North Bay & Area Baby Photography Studio
As a newborn photographer, there is a certain “window” of time in which we prefer to work with newborn babies for portraits. The typical sleepy, squishy, posed studio images that you see in my portfolio are captured (ideally) between 5-21 days of age. When babies are older than that, if parents want those same sleepy photos, it can take much longer to settle and pose the baby as they become more alert as time goes on. In order for those poses to be achieved safely, baby must be deeply asleep, which for many older babies, doesn’t always happen. In “normal” times, when parents had the choice, if they missed the “sleepy” window, they tended to choose to wait until baby was older (like 6-8 months) when they reached their first milestone of sitting unassisted, to have them photographed instead.
What we’re noticing as an industry in THESE pandemic times, is that parents who missed their newborn window because of lockdowns are choosing to have their baby photographed as soon as possible, no matter what. Which honestly, is AMAZING because there is a whole period of babies life in that 2-5 month window where baby’s little personality is just beginning to shine through – first smiles, first giggles, bubbles, cooing, and all kinds of adorable cheekiness is starting to emerge.
This is amazing news for you if you’re a parent who was upset about not being able to access professional newborn baby photography after your baby was born during a lockdown. Not only are beautiful portraits still possible, but I have all kinds of availability for you in my Callander Photography Studio in July and August and onwards once I am allowed to reopen! Since these sessions take less time than a typical newborn session, I can fit more into my schedule (on weekdays, one session in the morning, and one in the afternoon with enough time for disinfecting the studio top to bottom in between).
The little doll in this blog post is 4ish months old. We wrapped him up and photographed him on the same sets that I use for newborns (without the strict posing) and the results DID NOT disappoint. The price point for these is lower than newborn portraits as well, because they take less time. You can choose to have just your new baby photographed, or incorporate siblings and family portraits in there too, the price point is the same no matter what you choose.
If you’re interested in grabbing one of these sessions once I’m allowed to open again in July, check out my packages and contact me!
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
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!? 😀
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
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! 😀
Fine Art Mini Portrait Event | North Bay & Callander Photographer
I’ve been waiting 9 long months for my studio to be complete enough to launch my Grand Opening Mini Events! The day has FINALLY come and I’m so excited for you to all come and see my beautiful new space in Callander, Ontario! This event is available at Door Crasher pricing, in my classic fine art style, on the backdrop shown in the images below.
Fine Art portraits are clean, classic, and timeless and are perfect for immediate families, children, babies 3+ months of age, maternity sessions, and pets.
Package comes with 20 minute in-studio mini session, private online ordering gallery, and 8 digital files of your choice to be fully retouched in both colour and black and white and delivered via online download. Upgrade options are available.
AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: Saturday March 21st and Monday March 23rd, 2020, between 10am-5pm.
Ready to book? Awesome! I can’t wait to meet you! Please click here and fill out the booking form to snag one of these timeslots: http://raindancephoto.ca/mach/view.php?id=66898
Don’t worry, if you’re not feeling this particular style, Kids Personality Portraits will be another door crasher deal, and booking will open TOMORROW! The Regular Annual Portrait events schedule will be released this Friday and booking will open for select events at that time.
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
Nova – A Maternity & Newborn Blog | North Bay & Callander Photographer
A while back, I had the opportunity to meeting a glowing mom, expecting her second baby, and her beautiful little family. I am always super excited to work with clients for both a maternity and a newborn session, as it gives me the opportunity for some awesome Before/After Maternity/Newborn portraits! They arrived for their maternity session at my studio (now located in Callander) with a very typical, busy two year old son, who was full of energy AND smiles for me! A few weeks later, baby Nova arrived, and they returned for their newborn session, which turned out BEAUTIFULLY! Big brother was still wired for beans, and his sibling portraits actually turned out pretty funny, but since we got them even remotely close to one another, looking in the direction of the camera, and smiling, we just rolled with it! Sometimes we have to throw our expectations out the window when it comes to posing toddlers with their new siblings! lol!
A little update that my new studio in Callander is now nearly complete! Just a few finishing touches to complete and I will be in there shooting up a storm! I’ll be ready for newborn sessions as early as next week. If you’re interested in securing your newborn session, I have a special promo coming for the next FIVE people who book! Until I’m ready to release those details to the public, feel free to Contact Me to find out! 🙂
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