A mother and her two girls. Ah these girls! I can totally hear their giggles through these photos. Isn’t that funny how photos can do that?

I’m imagining a collective chorus of giggles running across the playgrounds.

Because of the 2020 pandemic, I didn’t get a chance to capture sweet moments like this as I did at last year’s Mom & Me sessions….but I’m sure they still happened at home!

“If love is as sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder⁠⠀

A heartfelt thanks to everyone that came out for Mom & Me photos this year at Cspace. Mother and child pics have a special place in my heart. Family photos are great, but it’s always nice to have photos of each parent with their children, too. If you’re like me, you never regret having photos done. We often don’t see the little changes before our eyes, but looking back on the images allows us to remember our kids when they were wee little ones.

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! 

It was such a treat to be able to capture these intergenerational photos for some amazing women.

“People will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou ⠀
⠀
If you’ve been lucky enough to have been in the presence of any (or all) of these ladies, you’ve no doubt walked away feeling treasured, seen & loved. ⠀
⠀
Thank you for participating in these sessions at last year’s Mom & Me’s at cSPACE. ⠀

You’re beautiful inside & out – it was an honour to capture your love!

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! 

I was pretty bummed that I had to cancel Mom and Me photos this year because of the pandemic. I even had a cute little photography studio all lined up! Oh well – it’s fun to look back on last year’s sessions instead.

Mom and Me photos – outdoors or in-studio

I’ve been playing around with different formats for Mom & Me sessions over the past few years. Typically, I love doing outdoor sessions (especially since I don’t have my own studio) but the weather in Calgary can be pretty unpredictable. We are lucky if we get leaves on our trees before Mother’s Day hits…so that doesn’t bode well for Mom and Me photos!

Last year I hosted my Mom & Me’s at C Space. Have you been there? It’s an arts hub, innovative venue and coworking space for Calgary to experiment, explore and spark change. I was able to rent an art studio to set up my backdrop.

Anyway, yes it was disappointing to cancel this year…but nothing that the memory of baby giggles won’t cure!

Babies change so fast

This baby’s giggles are now turning into toddler giggles for this one, though. The difference of a year at this age is crazy. Chunky babies turn to fast running legs in no time!

Don’t you just want to eat her? LOL! Is it weird that I always want to eat babies?! I remember laughing so hard during this Mom & Me session last year cause of that adorable tongue. Scroll down to see what I’m talking about. 🙂

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! 

I remember our baby’s first birthday. It seemed like such a monumental occasion.

Looking back on it, I realize it was probably more meaningful for us – the parents – than it was for our daughter. I mean, after all, we made it through the year as first-time parents, lol!

But yes, turning 1 is a big step for everyone. So I love documenting this stage for other families too.

Baby Milestone Sessions

Baby Milestone Sessions are a great way to remember a little piece of your child’s first year.

Not only is it important to capture that first birthday, but all the stages up until that point are so special too…from sitting, to crawling, to walking…

This little one is actually celebrating their second birthday now. Her birthday reminded me that I hadn’t posted these pics of her from a year ago! (Oops!) What a little sweetie she was and is still!

I’m not currently booking Baby Milestones due to the pandemic, but I hope to in the near future! If you’d like to be in the know when I’m up and running, be sure to sign up for my newsletter (link below). First Birthday and Baby Milestone sessions can be indoors or outdoors, weather permitting. – Kate

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! 

It’s only 1 week until Mother’s Day!

I’d normally be delivering Mom & Me galleries at this time of year…but…you know…

FIRST – let me just say that my heart goes out to each and every person that’s been affected by this global pandemic (so, essentially everyone!).

True – we probably haven’t all been affected the same way. While some have lost their jobs, others are now working from home or home schooling. Perhaps some have even witnessed loved ones fall ill.

Regardless of the situation, we’ve likely all experienced some sadness/grief and a disruption to our lives.

In an effort to bring a bit of normalcy back to mine (and perhaps distract myself from the weight of it all!) I’m trying to focus on what I love.

I love taking photos and I love serving you!

As a little Mother’s Day Gift for you, I put together a quick tutorial so that you can take your own Mom & Me photos at home, using the camera on your phone!

A couple things to note:

• This was a spur of the moment thing – otherwise I might have done my hair, makeup…and put on cute clothes!
• My daughter is 6 years old – you will need to modify these instructions a bit depending on the age(s) of your child(ren)
• The phone I’m using is an iPhone XR – check your phone manual and/or capabilities & alter for your needs
• I didn’t edit these photos – maybe I’ll save editing for another tutorial!

Choose a photo spot

• Find a spot in your house that has good natural light.
• Basically, that means nice and bright without direct sunlight streaming in.
• Turn off all other lights.
• The less cluttered your background is, the better.
• I would have preferred to shoot against a plain white wall but our house is pretty dark.
• The best lighting is found in our front entranceway, with the stairs as a background.

Setup your camera/phone & do a test shot

• Place your phone on a chair or something in front of you.
• Prop it against a book or other heavy object. (Tripods are handy but not necessary.)
• It’s best to have your phone at eye level or slightly higher (not below you).
• Make sure it is close enough so that you can touch the screen (unless you have a remote).
• With the screen facing you, set up the self-timer. Start with 10 sec. and switch to 3 if you like that better.
• PRO TIPS – turn off the flash, turn off HDR, turn off the Live setting (if you have this)

Grab your child/children & shoot away!

• Getting them to smile will be different depending on the age – so use your creativity with this!
• You can try saying “cheeeese” or
• Ask them a question about something that makes them smile.
• Tell them a joke (or have them tell you one).
• Tell them a secret (or ask them to tell you one).
• Tickle them.
• Ask them to make a funny face.
• Take a million pictures!! (You can always go back & delete.)
• Have fun and good luck!!

Show me your pics!

I’d love to see your Mom & Me photos!! And I’d love to know what tricks & tactics you tried to make your kids smile. 🙂

Tag me on Instagram @katedanielphotography 

And don’t forget the outtakes – lol! They are the best. In fact, I think all of mine here are considered outtakes.

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!