We’ve Moved!

Moving ended up being a monumental task, but it’s all done now. I never had any idea how much “stuff” I had  until I had to pack it all and bring it over here.  But we are moved now and I’m ready to use my new space for some newborn and baby pictures. At this time of the year, most people want family pictures outdoors and I will do those as well in any of the parks in the city. I prefer parks that are closer to me,  like Kildonan Park, Bird’s Hill Park and Kilcona Park but I’m open to going to other parks as well.

I took some quick cell phone pictures of the studio space.

There are also some beautiful trees in the yard that I’m itching to use as backdrops. We have a lot of work to do in the yard: pruning, weeding and mowing, but we both love gardening, so it’s a labour of love.

Free Newborn Session

I’m excited to do my first newborn session in the studio shown above, so I’m offering a free session. I realize that babies don’t come on command and I can be flexible on the dates, but the newborn does need to be under 2 weeks old. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be having a baby soon.

How Family Portraits Boost your

Child’s Self Esteem!

I recently read an article from a site called Design Aglow (https://designaglow.com/blogs/design-aglow/17493452-how-family-portraits-boost-your-child-s-self-esteemand) and I  wanted to pass along some of the insights that the author offered.

 This image is borrowed from the website listed above.

The author, Chris Cummins, writes about how displaying your family photos on the wall for all to see can help children be more confidence in their own worth and abilities.

He cites the words of some psychologists and social workers as follows:

David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio says, “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit.”

“It lets children learn who they are and where they fit,” says Judy Weiser. a psychologist, art therapist and author based in Vancouver. “They learn their genealogy and the uniqueness of their own family and its story. When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.” 

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced,“ says Cathy Lander-Goldberg, a licensed clinical social worker and a professional photographer in St. Louis, Missouri.

Additionally, Krauss recommends having photographs of that child with their family placed in the child’s bedroom so it can be among the last things they see before sleep and the first thing they may see before beginning their day.

I love the idea of having a child seeing their family picture as the last thing before they go to sleep and the first thing in the morning. What a powerful message of belonging that would send to a child!

Do you have family portraits up on your walls? Or does your child need to turn on a computer to see them? Maybe it’s time to do some wall art! Give me a call if you would like to book a session for family pictures. There is no better time than the fall, when the leaves have changed colours and the heat of the summer is gone.

And Finally

I have challenged myself to do 100 Days of Gratitude on Instagram. You can follow me here @chris_mcwill_photog. I’m on Day 13 today and I think it has made a difference in my perspective. I am feeling more positive and I am more focused on the positive things in my life, instead of dwelling on the difficult “stuff.”  We all have difficulties in life but the difference is not on how many difficulties we have, but on how we handle them.  It’s like whether you see your glass as half full or half empty. Mine is definitely more than half full and I feel truly blessed. This challenge is making me realize that. Just 87 days to go!

Have you ever tried a gratitude journal? Let me know if it made a difference to you.

Christina