North Bay Baby Photographer
It is with a heavy heart that I’ve made the decision to temporarily close the newborn portion of my business until the pandemic is over. I’ve thought long and hard about officially doing this for a while, and right now with the number of cases and hospitalizations increasing, as well as news of new mutated strains, I just don’t personally feel comfortable handling brand new babies, even with precautions.
I know that there are still plenty of other photographers who will continue to offer this service (once lockdown measures are lifted) during the pandemic, and that’s perfectly okay too. If they feel that they are calm and confident enough to move forward safely, then I’m happy that new parents will still have options to choose from. Unfortunately, I am too nervous, and I’m a huge believer in the transfer of energy and emotions, and I know that there’s a good likelihood that my own situational nervous energy would change the environment, process, and end result of my newborn sessions at this time. It breaks my heart, but for me, this is the most responsible decision I can make at this time to protect my littlest clients. 
Anyone who knows me, knows that newborns are my speciality. They’re my most loved genre of photography that I could ever do, and so this closure is TEMPORARY, until the pandemic is declared over. Who knows when that will be. All I know, is that one day in the future, you will see images of beautiful wee squishy newborns again, I promise! 
Once lockdowns are lifted, my doors will still be open for any session where I can physically distance myself from my clients as much as possible, and I can’t wait to start seeing you all again!
Thank you all for your understanding and support. 
Much love,
Stephanie
Tree Farm Sessions Now Booking! | North Bay & Callander Family & Child Photographer
Time seems to just be flying by too fast for me to keep up! My mind is still stuck somewhere in August, but the calendar reminds me that we’re mid-way through October, so I thought I’d better open up the bookings for the Tree Farm Mini Event this year! There are only FIVE timeslots available this year, so if you’re interested, please contact me soon!
WHEN IS THE EVENT?
Saturday November 7, 2020. Rain date will be Sunday November 8th, so please hold both dates, just in case. Timeslots run for up to 30 minutes every half hour from 1:30pm-4pm for best light (There are 5 timeslots, total).
WHERE?
North Bay, Ontario. Full location details will be given on booking.
WHAT’S THE DEAL?
$140+hst – Up to 30 minute session (immediate families only, or just your children, or pets… Whatever you need beautiful portraits of! Extended Families will need to book 2 timeslots so that we have enough time).
8 digital files of your choice in colour and black and white, in both print quality and web-format, which you choose from a private online ordering gallery. Upgrade options are available for anyone wishing to have more than the 8 images that come with the package. Files are then delivered via online download gallery as soon as full retouching is complete.
READY TO BOOK?
Great! I can’t wait to work with you! Please contact me to begin the booking process. I will send you a booking contract and styling questionnaire to get to know you and your family better, to help your session go as smoothly as possible. 
If you contact me and do not hear back, please check your junk folders. 
Fall Minis NOW BOOKING | North Bay & Callander Family & Child Photographer
I can’t even believe it’s that time of year again already! I thought I had so much time left before I needed to open bookings for my Fall Family Mini Event this year, but then the crisp weather snuck up on me and reminded me that NOW is the time!
I don’t even need to mention that this year is different than other years for so many reasons… We will be homeschooling our kiddos this year, and as a result, my availability has changed drastically, reducing the number of sessions that I can accept each month. These Fall Mini Timeslots will be offered at a discounted price over my regular minis, as they will all be happening on two days when I have availability. If you require a date that is different from what is offered here, it is possible, but regular rates will apply.
So, WHEN IS THE EVENT?
Friday October 9th and Saturday October 10th. Timeslots run for 20 minutes every half hour from 9am-11am AND 3pm-5:30pm (There are 9 timeslots each day, total).
WHERE?
Callander, Ontario. Full location details will be given on booking.
WHAT’S THE DEAL?
20 minute session (immediate families only, or just your children, or pets… Whatever you need beautiful portraits of! Extended Families will need to book 2 timeslots so that we have enough time).
8 digital files of your choice in colour and black and white, in both print quality and web-format, which you choose from a private online ordering gallery. Upgrade options are available for anyone wishing to have more than the 8 images that come with the package. Files are then delivered via online download gallery as soon as full retouching is complete.
READY TO BOOK?
Great! I can’t wait to work with you! Please contact me to begin the booking process. I will send you a booking contract and styling questionnaire to get to know you and your family better, to help your session go as smoothly as possible. 🙂 If you contact me and do not hear back, please check your junk folders. 😛
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!? 😀
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
Studio Cleaning/Sick Policy Update – IPAC | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Well folks, it’s been a week, hasn’t it? Last weekend, I saw a meme floating around on Facebook that mentioned daylight savings time, a full moon, and Friday the 13th happening all in the same week. I laughed, and then sat back and watched madness unfold in front of my eyes over the next 5 days.
I’m not the type that gets caught up in mass hysteria. Heck, I don’t even generally watch the news. This week though, I’ve been following the development of Covid-19 and its impact on the world very closely. As a mom and a small business owner, I am left with some very important responsibilities: 1. Ensure the safety of my family (which includes 2 individuals with chronic lung conditions) as well as my most vulnerable clients; and 2: Continue providing a quality service and product to clients who need it, while also ensuring a clean and safe environment for all.
As a result of growing concerns, in order to protect both my own family and all of my clients, I am taking the following precautions in my studio:
- Disinfecting all surfaces between clients. Hard surfaces are washed with disinfecting cleaners. Soft fabrics and surfaces will be limited to newborn sessions only, and will be sanitized between each session. Fabrics (such as furs) that cannot go through the washer’s sanitizing cycle will be steam cleaned.
- Liberal ongoing hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during sessions, when needed. Proper hand hygiene is something I’ve always done and will continue to practice (especially with a previous background working in a hospital environment).
- I am also limiting access to my studio to healthy individuals only, and asking anyone who is exhibiting any symptoms at all (especially cough, sore throat, runny nose, respiratory difficulty or fever) to reschedule their session until they have been symptom free for at least 14 days.
- I am also asking anyone who’s travelled out of the country in the last month, or has had access to anyone who’s been in contact with infected individuals to reschedule to a later date.
- I am also committed to rescheduling sessions in the event that myself or anyone in my family exhibit symptoms of any kind.
- I am booking down at this time, only accepting one booking per day.
- I have temporarily placed all volume mini events on hold, so that clients are not arriving back-to-back.
- I will continue to stay up to date and informed through reputable news sources.
I understand that this is a trying time for everyone, and photographs are probably at the bottom of anyone’s list of priorities right now. However, if you do wish to book a session, but are unsure about the current climate and are afraid to put down a deposit to secure your space, I am waiving my Deposit/Retainer Policy for the next 12 weeks. Typically, in order to book a session, a client is required to put down a deposit to secure their time-slot. Due to uncertainty at this time, I will waive this requirement with the request that you give me at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule in the event of illness. Full payment will be due at the time of your session, but my hope is to eliminate any booking anxiety.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to book a session for yourself, please contact me via this website or by emailing info@raindancephoto.ca If you don’t receive a response from me within 48 hours, please check your junk folders. 🙂
Much love,
Stephanie
Owner/Photographer
Raindance Photography
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! 😀
Personality Portraits Mini Event | North Bay & Callander Photographer
Door Crasher Event Number 2 is now available! These sessions are a great opportunity for you to come and see my beautiful new space in Callander, Ontario, and get some amazingly fun portraits at a fabulous price point!
Personality Portraits are a child’s portrait series that has been designed to celebrate their individuality! Each child’s personality is unique and different – quiet, contemplative, shy, outgoing, wild or crazy, this series is meant to capture THEM! These sessions take place on your child’s choice of backdrop colour, so feel free to include them in the decision making process when planning this session.
Only $99+hst, this package comes with a 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: March Break! Sunday March 15 – Friday March 20, 2020, timeslots available between 10am-3pm.
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=65934
The Regular Annual Portrait events schedule (think Easter/Spring Minis, Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me, Pure & Simple Baby Minis, Pet Minis, Halloween, Christmas, and MORE) 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
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