As 2023 draws to a close, I can’t help but take a minute to reflect on this year in my business. I started Rachael Little Photography in 2012 because of my passion for creating heirloom portrait artwork with a stress-free portrait process. At the time, I didn’t know much about what goes into running a business. I had no idea the ups and downs that were ahead of me, but working with my families makes it all worth it.

Please enjoy a peek into my 2023 year in review!

For many, a gallery wall with family photos is the ultimate home decor. Not only do you get to add beautiful artwork to your walls, but you get to show off your amazing family as well. Each wall gallery I design is totally custom to each of my families. No two clients are the same, so no wall gallery turns out the same. It’s all about each client’s preferences and, well, their story! Some clients come to me with a clear vision of what they want in their artwork, and sometimes, they come to me as a blank canvas. Both are totally fine.

I’ve had this article on my mind for a while.

Let me start by saying there is never any judgment here!

We think all parents are doing an amazing job. Bringing a baby into this world is such a beautiful and crazy time in our lives. Every parent is doing the best that they can, and that’s pretty amazing.

When I received Chantal’s inquiry, I was seriously swooning! This beautiful mama-to-be shared that she was expecting twins and was interested in newborn photos. I was only too excited to chat with her and get to know this amazing person.

I’m a mom of two big kids, so I look back on their first years of life with a sweet fondness. It’s also a bit of a blur, to be honest. If I didn’t have photos, I swear I would have a difficult time remembering everything. Yes, there were sleepless nights and circles on circles under my eyes, but I’ll never forget the best newborn snuggles.

Everyone deserves to feel their best. Sometimes in order to feel our best, we need a guide to walk alongside us on that journey. The challenge is that finding the right guide for what we need is hard.

This blog post is for all my moms who like to do their research before they jump into anything! The Rachael Little Photography Woodstock studio does things differently than you might be used to, so I wanted to pull back on the curtain on how the portrait booking process works before we even chat on the phone!

Did I tell you about the time I wallpapered my bathroom? I thought it would be a super fun DIY project to brighten up the space. Well, it was way harder than I thought! It took my husband and I HOURS and several trips to the hardware store to finish what was supposed to be an easy project. I was better off hiring an expert who could have done the job in two hours!

If you’re researching newborn photography in Woodstock, you may wonder if this is all worth it. You probably want lots of images of your sweet baby, but you are curious if you really need to invest in a professional newborn photography session. As a busy mom of two, I totally get it! Normally, planning the newborn photo session falls on the mom, who already has a LOT on her plate. My process is different and takes care of all the planning and details for you and your family.

There are a million reasons why you might want to put off taking family photos near Woodstock, ON. Fall becomes busy for families, there’s already too much on your plate, etc. I get it! Of course, as a Woodstock family photographer, I want to encourage you to take family photos. But the reasons might surprise you. Here are six reasons why you shouldn’t wait to take fall family photos.

I absolutely love toddlers! The goofier, the better. I just love their happy little spirits and how they feel everything BIG. All big feelings are very welcome in the studio. In fact, I adore including your older children in your Woodstock newborn photography session. They add such a special touch to an already precious session, and I love being able to document the new sibling bond for you.

Our family is the most important part of our lives! Your family portraits deserve to be lovingly and prominently displayed in your home where you and everyone who enters your home can see them. Imagine being able to show off your amazing family with your dream family portrait gallery wall. If you want a family portrait wall but feel overwhelmed even thinking about how to make it happen, I’m here to help.

Sadly, Rachael lost her dad in July 2022. Through a conversation catching up on business and life, Rachael shared how much she treasures every image she has of her dad, but that she really wished she had more with him. During this conversation, I realized how important it was for Rachael to share this story with others. She agreed to let me interview her for her own blog!

Our family photos are the most treasured items in our lives. Long after we’re gone, our photos will tell our stories and keep our memories alive. Taking the time for family portraits is one of the best things you can do for your family. However, if you tend to shy away from being in photos because you’re worried about how you look, you are far from alone.

Every pregnancy is so special and so different. I know my pregnancies were quite different! I noticed that my second pregnancy felt much faster than my first… probably because I was chasing around a toddler at the same time! There’s so much to prepare with your second (or third, or fourth). You still need to get everything ready for the baby and guide your older children through this major life transition. There’s a lot to do.

Soon your sweet baby will be here! Taking the time to document and celebrate your pregnancy is something you won’t regret. You’ll look back on these photos in awe of what your body accomplished. But now, what to wear? Deciding what to wear for your Woodstock maternity photoshoot doesn’t have to be complicated! Read my top five tips on what to wear for your maternity photos, plus what your partner and kids should wear!

Family photography is wonderful for your family! Sound too good to be true? I’m more than happy to back up my claim while showing off this amazing Woodstock area family. This sweet family of four was so fun to photograph at my favourite meadow location. With so much silliness and giggles, it’s no wonder we got such lovely candid shots.

The Woodstock area had a huge need for prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care. The WOMB fills this need and serves so many in our community. It’s so much more than pregnancy care. The WOMB wraps its arms around its clients and supports them through feeling their absolute best. When I first heard about The WOMB, I knew I had to feature them on my blog.

You and your partner are so excited about welcoming your new baby. A maternity photoshoot is is the perfect way to document this special moment in your lives. Is your partner worried about taking maternity photos? Maybe he’s camera-shy, or maybe he’s unsure of what to expect. Your partner is far from alone! It’s totally normal for one (or even both) of the parents to have some concerns or questions about their maternity photoshoot. These are my best tips to help your partner feel ready and excited about your session!

Displaying your family photos is so much more than simply putting a photo on the wall. You’ve worked hard to achieve a successful career and start a beautiful family. You’re proud of the life you’ve built, and you fiercely love your growing family. Lovingly displaying your portrait artwork on the walls of your home creates a timeless representation of the beautiful life that you’ve built and allows you to soak in these busy years with your loved ones.