Professional pictures for your website are a must in today’s online world! And it’s great to have updated headshots.

“I needed professional pictures for my private practice and was referred to Kate. After a quick description of what I was looking for, she understood my vision and chose a convenient location. Our session was very warm, comfortable and felt natural. It really showed that she cared as she took the extra time choosing different backgrounds to get the pictures we wanted. After the photo shoot, Kate sent me various options to choose from and use. I am very pleased with the result.”

It always so nice to get feedback like this! And it’s always fun to do head shots because I get to know so many amazing women in different professions! Here’s a bit more about what Christine does as a counselling psychologist:

We all struggle with life’s challenges at times, whether it be a reoccurring difficulty, one we suddenly face and for which we were not prepared, or an overwhelming accumulation of stress. We sometimes need caring support and understanding to achieve insight and growth. It is my privilege to help and be part of your journey towards building the kind of healthy life and relationships you aspire to. As a counselling psychologist, I provide adult services to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

In therapy, I help clients develop new ways of responding to their obstacles to well-being, learn new skills, and discover how to use existing strengths in an effective manner. I strive to provide a structure in which each person feels safe, accepted, and supported.

I have experience with a broad range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, eating behaviours and body image issues, trauma and stress management. I use a combination of therapeutic approaches in order to best meet each person’s needs. My services are offered in both English and French.

Kate Daniel is a top brand & lifestyle photographer in Calgary, AB. Serving ambitious and creative, women entrepreneurs in YYC, Central Alberta and beyond.

Together, we’ll create authentic & scroll-stopping website and social media photos so you can save time, grow your business & get back to living the life you love!

Let’s connect! Sign up for the NEWSLETTER or book a FREE Clarity Call to chat about your photo needs.

There’s something about the first day of school that just tugs at a parent’s heart. A day to remember, for sure.

New beginnings. New adventures. Oh the excitement!

But it can also be a little stressful. Jumbled with nerves.

It’s an effort just to get out the door on time…as we try not to get into any arguments…or forget anything!

So when you throw First Day of School photos into the mix, it can often put things over the edge!

But with a little forethought & planning you can be sure to get what you want as a parent (documenting that important milestone!) while ensuring that it doesn’t stress your child out at the same time.

Here are my 5 tips for capturing the start of a new school year…in a simple & stress-free way. And to prove that it doesn’t have to be complicated, I took all of these photos with my iPhone.

1. Plan ahead

A lot of the stress can be removed if you do a bit of pre-planning. This is not typically my strong suit – haha! – but I’m also not one to pass up a stress-free morning…you know?!

Set out the clothes out the day before. Pack the lunch the night before. Get the backpack ready. Those are the obvious ones.

But you can also pre-plan your photos too!

I know this might seem like overkill. But if photos are important to you, it doesn’t hurt to write yourself  a note about the types of shots you want to be sure to get.

That way, when you get caught up in the morning chaos, you won’t forget.

2. The details

Take shots of all the things that don’t seem like a big deal right now but will help to tell the story later down the road.

These can include shoes, backpacks, lunch kits, hairdos…clothes.

If your son/daughter is into Paw Patrol or L.O.L. dolls right now I can pretty much guarantee that they won’t be when they are going into grade 12.

3. The front door

There’s something classic about school-aged children standing in front of the front door.

Nowadays, we don’t always live in the same house for our entire childhood.

Capturing a photo in front of the front door helps tell the story. Maybe next year it will be a different door.

If you end up living in the same house for your child’s entire childhood then it’s fun to see how they have changed over time. Which brings me to my next point.

4. Same pose, same place

If you can, think about a place that you could use every year to show the changes.

It could be the front door or it could be a special spot in the yard…or even someplace at school (like this brick wall).

It’s fun to see the changes over the years or even from day 1 of this school year to the last day of this school year.

I can’t wait to do a similar picture for the first day of Grade 1!

5. Take the focus off of them

If your child is anything like mine, they have been photographed a lot! We are constantly grabbing our phones and making them say, “cheeeese!”

So rather than creating those eye rolls or the awkward “Are you done yet, Mom?” looks, take the focus off of them.

Tell them that you’d like to take a picture of their necklace…or their shirt…or their lunch kit.

In this case, I told my daughter I wanted to take a picture of her fuzzy lunch kit keychain. This keychain has special meaning for us.

She’s a little nervous to start Grade 1 (and to eat lunch in the big gym) so I told her if she’s feeling lonely or scared then give the keychain a squeeze and we can pretend I’m giving her a hug.

I hope I’ve given you a couple things to think about when taking your Back to School pics!

We all know that things don’t always go as planned. So do your best, but don’t stress over it.

And don’t forget to have fun!

Kate Daniel is a Calgary, Alberta based natural light, lifestyle photographer focusing on family, children and baby photos.

Simple, real, natural – your life, my lens.

Contact me to book a session or sign up for the newsletter for special offers! 

Personal branding photos are fun to do in all sorts of locations in Calgary.

Have you checked out the The Mercantile at Avenida? It’s such a funky little spot, so I was pumped that Emma was game to do her Personal Branding session there. Here’s what Emma has to say:

“I have always had a desire to write and a drive to explore the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of chronic disease.

This year, I decided to (finally) combine these two passions and launch a website devoted to helping others adopt healthy lifestyles. It’s called Olive ‘n’ Well (a play on Alive and Well with a personal touch: my middle name is Olive), and I am anticipating a launch within the next few months.

I was so happy to find Kate, who completely understood my vision and was a great sport about making sure I got a combination of professional headshots and photos of produce at our shoot.” – Emma

Kate Daniel is a top brand & lifestyle photographer in Calgary, AB. Serving ambitious and creative, women entrepreneurs in YYC, Central Alberta and beyond.

Together, we’ll create authentic & scroll-stopping website and social media photos so you can save time, grow your business & get back to living the life you love!

Let’s connect! Sign up for the NEWSLETTER or book a FREE Clarity Call to chat about your photo needs.

Newborn photos – where do they take place?

I do all of my newborn photos at home. YOUR home, that is! After a baby comes, most people aren’t into doing much…except laying low and getting some baby cuddles in!

I love witnessing siblings around their new brother or sisters. And I find that they’re so relaxed in their own environment; their own home.

It’s so precious how gentle and loving they are with their new real-life doll! 🙂 And they’re always so amazed at how tiny their little toes are…amazing that they were once that size too!

When should photos take place?

Newborn photos are done in the comfort of your own home, about 7-10 days after your baby’s birth (if you want the “sleepy baby” pictures). Otherwise, they can be done within the first couple weeks. That’s the beauty of lifestyle newborn photography. You get to call the shots! Of course, babies will have more awake times the older they get…so it just depends on the look and feel that you’re going for.

Kate Daniel is a Calgary, Alberta based natural light, lifestyle photographer focusing on family, children and baby photos.

Simple, real, natural – your life, my lens.

Contact me to book a session or sign up for the newsletter for special offers!