The love this mom and dad have for their little 10 month old guy...can't handle it! Here's a few from my session with the sweetest little family up at High Park. Poor little dude wasn't feeling well before the shoot but I think some fresh air did him good. That smile! <3
Weeks after giving birth to my baby boy, I still found it difficult to get outside or get things done. Between constant feedings and diaper changes, I wondered how any mom could ever go anywhere! When I decided it was time to venture out, one of the first places River and I went, without my partner, was the College Montrose Children's Place. I was nervous. I pictured River, who was at the time only two months old, screaming in the middle of the "circle time" songs. But he LOVED it. I saw him look around attentively with wide eyes at the other babies, and new singing faces... and he was quiet!
#RiverMichael loves circle time with all the babies #ontarioearlyyears
A photo posted by Danielle Petti (@imagesby_dee) on
But it wasn't just good for him. It was really refreshing for me to get out with him. Being a fairly young mom with almost no other mom friends, even the shortest of conversations with another mom or dad was reassuring and made me feel like I was less alone. THIS is what I love about the centre.
If you don't know already, Ontario Early Years Centres and the College Montrose Children's Place (CMCP) offer free early learning and family support. You can pretty much drop in at any time during open hours with your little one, whenever you feel the need to get out of the house. There are scheduled infant and toddler circles where parents, along with the awesome staff and volunteers, will sing songs (which will no doubt get stuck in your head on your way home, and with which you will eventually annoy your partner) as all the adorable babies crawl around .
When one of the program staff members at the CMCP told me they were hosting a fundraiser for the centre, and were looking for a photographer to take portraits of the families who attend, I gladly volunteered my services! It will be a fun event and a good opportunity to meet others in the community. A Taste of CMCP will take place on Sunday, April 26, from 11am to 4pm. There will be food, children's entertainment, a silent auction and family portraits done by ME. Tickets are $10 and are for a good cause, I hope to see you there!
It's sad to say goodbye to my clients for a while as I go on maternity leave. I will definitely miss photographing the cutest and littlest residents of the GTA, but I won't be gone for long! On my last day of work, I held fall mini sessions at Claireville Ranch in Claireville Conservation Area. The seasonal timing was perfect and so colourful.
Unfortunately, two families couldn't make it on the day because their poor little ones were under the weather but all the families that came out were a joy to photograph and the day turned out great nonetheless.
First up: the most adorable twins ever!
I photographed this pair when they were just a few days old and now look at them sitting up on their own! How precious are these little faces:
Next up was a beautiful bright eyed little girl and her awesome parents:
Love this one:
Then came another familiar face who I photographed when he was a tiny newborn...
A perfect little family!
The weather held up for most of the day, but this next family's session had a little bit of rain. Good thing the three of them braved it out!
Fun with the leaves :) ...
I also met some new friendly faces that day, like these adorable girls and their families:
Sisterly love!
And last but not least, as the sun started to set, this super cute family came along to finish the day!
THE END :)
Enjoy the rest of the year everyone!
