Ellery's Sitter Session • Calgary Baby Photographer

NW Calgary Newborn & Family Photographer 

I swear. My life is zipping by faster and faster these days. I could have sworn that little Ellery was JUST in my studio for her NEWBORN SESSION just last week but here I am, sitting in my squeaky computer chair, blogging about her Sitter Session and already planning out her Cake Smash that will be here before I know it. 

What a scrumptious snack this baby is! She reminds me so much of her old brother & sister (twins, of whom I also had the pleasure of photographing for their newborn, sitter and cake smash sessions!) She has the best smile. Her older brother smiles much the same way - with her whole face! Scrunched up nose and all. I couldn't get enough of her. She was perfectly happy to giggle and coo away while I snapped away. We did so many different setups and outfit changes! 

At one point, Ellery had caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror that I have hanging in my studio. She started smiling and giggling at herself - how cute! When Mom and I realized that she was admiring her own reflection in the mirror we burst out laughing.

If I were to choose my favourite stage, apart from newborn, in that first year it would definitely be around this age. 8-9 months. I remember when my own babies were this age. Able to sit up on their own and amuse themselves with their surroundings, mostly happy and giggling away as the drool trickles out of their half-gummy smiles. I think I appreciate it most because I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to having to carry my baby around everywhere I went (doing everything with one hand gets old after a while!) but they weren't mobile yet, so I could trust that they wouldn't be getting into anything beyond their reach from where I put them. This stage is short-lived though. Very soon after comes the crawling and walking... which is a complete and total game changer. If you know, you know.

I also love this stage because baby's personality really starts to shine. You learn what they like, and don't like. They start interacting with you... and your relationship starts to change due to these new and adorable interactions. For me, I had to fight the urge to nibble at my baby's thighs and toes constantly. Motherhood is such a strange thing... you are so proud and excited about each new milestone your baby accomplishes. Watching them grow into healthy humans makes your heart nearly burst. Simultaneously, we scream on the inside because our babies, very soon, won't be babies anymore and that part is sad. But, as a Mom to three girls who are far past the baby stage, let me assure you that the days to come over the coming years are very much worth looking forward to. 

Gone are the car seats, the strollers, the wagons, and the bottles...

...Now are the board games, bikes, and skateboards. Watching movies and being able to laugh together, and sharing fun stories of what happened during the day over dinner. Yes, my children are not babies. They are growing quickly into beautiful little ladies. My oldest turns 10 this year. Am I ready? Yes and no. I am excited for her. I remember turning 10 myself and how excited I was. I know that big changes are coming. And while my heart sobs over videos and photos of them as tiny wee babes, I get excited for them as they start to experience new things (like Summer Camp this year, for example, which is new and exciting!) 

At the end of the day, as I walk through my home with their portraits on the wall and noticing how they've changed over the years, I just come to appreciate my craft more. I started Newborn & Baby Photography because it was something I could relate to currently. I've fallen more and more in love with it over the years as the "having babies" stage of my life is over, and now I continue my passion in this niche because I know so well just how precious these photos are. If you know, you know. And I know!

The photos are still alive, and the memories are fond.