Brittany VanRuymbeke is a Chatham-Kent Family Photographer specializing in fun, lifestyle family, maternity and newborn sessions. Check out this recent Brander Park Family Session with Elle & Co.

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This sweet little family came to me with the famous opening line “we are awkward and only need a few shots together”. No matter how awkward you feel, I promise you as long as you are interacting with someone you care for and have been around for a while, you will look just fine. No need to be a model or rock Blue Steel, just be yourself and show your love like you always do. Leave the light and angles to me and go for it!

This turned out to be one of my favourite sessions of the year. Brander Park is always a great location for photos. Some people think it is overdone, but honestly, there are so few locations around Wallaceburg where I can always count on the light and the background, and Brander Park is one of them. Elle and her crew rocked the session and we had a lot of fun together! That girl is definitely loved!

Interested in booking a lifestyle family session? Contact me today!

There is nothing that makes me more grateful for this job than when families continue to come back! Seeing families year after year is the greatest compliment. I always have so much fun with this family – scrolling through you can see how much they genuinely love spending time together!

Extended family sessions can be more rigid than normal lifestyle sessions because I make sure to spend time with each individual family and capture the specific groups that everyone wants. Especially when blended families (my favourite!) are involved, the levels of groups greatly increases. That being said, I love when we get time to just hang after. As you will see in this session, as things progressed the defined “family groups” split up and there are images of natural groupings and interactions. Not only is this awesome because it is natural, but it also highlights some pretty great connections within a family that might not be obvious – like that favourite aunt or uncle!

Grandparents are often the reason why we are all there – because, duh, they are the best things ever – so I always make sure to grab those giggles that only Gma and Pops can get.

A fun, creative and timeless group shot is where I start and end. I make sure to get one off the pop (see above) just in case there are any meltdowns along the way. Near the end I grab another one – everyone has relaxed and at this point we are having fun!

And then we do what these deBakker’s do best – we have fun together! This family is the best possible example because you can tell they spend a lot of time together and value each others company. Every time I get to hang out with this group I leave with a huge smile on my face!

Thank you again and again deBakker’s for having me join you for a fun evening! I will never tire of sessions like this!

If you are looking for a London Ontario Family Photographer and are interested in booking a lifestyle family session or extended family session get in touch today!

So you have welcomed a new baby home, and now you’re wondering how to prepare for your in home session. Here are my favourite pieces of advise:

Tip #1: Dress Comfortably

Usually within the first few weeks after having a baby, looking stylish is the last thing you are worried about. Comfort should be your number one priority. Choose something that fits well – not something you have to squeeze into – and you can lounge in. A lot of what we do in a newborns session is snuggle, so you don’t want to be restricted. Neutral colours and denim will never go out of style, and something that complements the decor in your home is an added bonus!

Tip #2: Pick up little bit – but don’t stress!

Decluttering helps the focus of your images stay on you. Generally the nursery is a clean space we can use because it isn’t used much in those first few weeks. If the light is best in your master bedroom or living room then I suggest clearing off your nightstands or coffee table. Most people don’t notice little things like that, but if your favourite water bottle that always sits at your bedside is bright pink it might be a bit of a distraction! Don’t worry too much though, I am always moving little objects out of the way for the shot and I do not judge!

Tip # 3: Have a bottle ready or be prepared to nurse

At almost every single newborn session the baby needs to be fed – even if you have just done so! I suggest feeding them right before I arrive, but mentally preparing yourself to do it again is helpful. Babies just want to eat and snuggle. If baby is hungry we take a break and I get to chat with Dad for a few minutes or give your fur baby some loving!

Tip # 4: Take a deep breath

Sometimes this is the first time in a few days that you get to just chill with the little one and talk to another mom. You are doing great and that baby is so loved! Take a deep breath and soak up their perfection because that look on your face is the best photograph. Breathe in that little blessing!

Interested in an in-home newborn session or looking for a Sarnia newborn photographer? Get in touch today! I would love to hear from you and get started on planning your relaxing and loving newborn session!

Brittany VanRuymbeke is a Sarnia Newborn Photographer specializing in in-home lifestyle sessions that are easy, relaxing and family-centred. See more newborn sessions here.

Brittany VanRuymbeke is a photographer specializing in Chatham Family Photography

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One of my favourite parts of being a family photographer is getting to observe how people display their affection differently. Some people are more open, enjoy more contact and are happy to get up close and personal. Others you can see it more in a glance or smaller contacts like a hand on the back. Either way, I have never left a session questioning the love between a family. During my family sessions I try to get a feel for how people display their own affection for one another and capture it as naturally as I can. Of course I give my clients directions and lightly pose them, but once those poses start to “fall out” as I say, that is where you see natural body movements and interactions that are the true testaments of their love.

I met Heather & Craig out in Mitchell’s Bay for their family session in the Spring. Brodie was just about to turn one and Heather was heading back to work soon, so they wanted to document their family before the big transition began. They were so much fun to work with and very obviously happy to be spending time together, as evident in their images! Thanks again Craig & Heather!

If you are interested in booking a session and looking for Chatham Family Photography, contact me today!

Lifestyle Photographer Chatham Ontario | Brittany VanRuymbeke Photos + Films

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In home sessions are generally my favourite. You don’t need to have a perfectly designed space by any means, but Megan and Mike’s style is so much fun it was awesome to photograph them in their home (anytime you want to come help me out Meg, I will provide the wine!). The wall colours and decor were the perfect backdrop for their in home family session. They were blessed with Sullivan in the Spring and miss Evie is the best big sister. She was so helpful with everything and so eager to hold Sully. I just love seeing those little bonds forming right away.

Thank you so much Burnett family for inviting me into your beautiful space! Until next time…

If you are looking for a Lifestyle Photographer in Chatham Kent, contact me today! I would love to document your beautiful family in your own home.

Family Photography Chatham ON | Brittany VanRuymbeke Photos + Films

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I love when families ask me to photograph them at a special time – sometimes it is a birthday or anniversary, but with the Crowell’s they were celebrating a number of changes in their family that they wanted to remember. Not only was their son officially taking over the family business, but he and his wife were also building a home where their grandparents house had stood for many years. It was so fun to be there for the “handing off” of the greenhouse (an excellent location for photos, by the way!) – we had a lot of laughs as they shared some stories. Thank you Crowell’s for inviting me to your home and jumping right into this session – your hearts were in it and is shows! Families that aren’t afraid to show their love for each other are my kind of people. Thank you for trusting me with this special time.

Check out Crowell’s Greenhouses on Facebook! I love being able to use this medium to support family-owned small town businesses, and their greenhouse in Bothwell is no exception.

 

Interested in Family Photography in Chatham ON? Contact me today!

Brittany VanRuymbeke Photos + Films | Sarnia Lifestyle Newborn Photography

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Sometimes at sessions moms get anxious about how their toddler is behaving and whether they are going to get any good images. I am here today to assure you that even the busiest, sassiest or most tired toddlers will be just fine at your session. The beauty of lifestyle photography is finding those moments between poses, or instead of poses! When toddlers are adjusting to a new baby, things are bound to get a little questionable, but don’t worry about how it will photograph. Mama, just relax and let me do the hard work!

Now, I am not saying this because this family was difficult – because they weren’t! I just know that Jess was apprehensive about how both kids were and whether there would be any good images that resulted from the session. I have to say that 90% of my clients feel this way about their session no matter the age of the kids! Need any more proof? Those real moments between poses are where the best shots come from, so just relax and do your parenting thing! I’ve got this!

 

Are you pregnant and interested in Sarnia Lifestyle Newborn Photography? Get in touch today to book your session!