Jack

I absolutely LOVE when people welcome me in to their home and their neighbourhood! Nothing personalizes your photos more then using your own home as the "studio"! Many people think that their place wouldn't look good, but that's not true at all. I can honestly find the perfect spots in any home, and know exactly how to take the picture so that your family stays the main focus, and not the dents in the wall, or the mess in the corner, or the dust on the shelves. Hey, I know what life with kids is like. Have you been following me on Instagram or Facebook? haha. 

Well check out these picture I took of Jack and his family! The one thing you may notice right away is the honesty in the pictures. Most children feel more comfortable and more like themselves in their own spaces, so they are able to let loose so we can grab those genuine smiles and those genuine moments shared between the family instead of dangling a rattle for eye contact and a smile. There's no faking here. Just real life moments. 

If you are interested in setting up a photo session, have a snoop around my site and contact me so I can send you my packages and prices. 

Welcome Zen Everest

Born at 11:59pm on February 11th 2015 at the Toronto Birth Centre.

Now this Mama did her homework and took full control of her birth! It was empowering! She found her control, her focus, and held on to it. As she focused on climbing Everest she had no idea that her baby would soon wear that name! Her support team was just incredible. SO much love. Look at her partner holding her, caring for her and then skin to skin with baby Zen while mum showers. It was a very powerful birth to be present for. I love how many people were in the room for this special moment! And that the baby's Aunt caught him as he came out, being the first person to place their hands on Zen. It was at the Toronto Birth Centre, where you have more freedom and choices, which means, she could have her whole support team with her and birth as she wanted! And she did! 

Please watch the full slideshow at the end of this post.

This moment was amazing. After getting over a big hurdle, this was the very moment the midwife said, "I feel his hair! It's time to push"! And I think it must have been 15 or 20 minutes later and baby was here! 

THAT moment!! Just seconds after birth! THE BEST!!

Just finished his medical checkup with the midwives and now he's thinking it's time for milk!

All tuckered out and snuggled with Dad.

Sooooooooo much love! 

If you are considering having your birth documented, please check out my gallery and contact me if you would like package options and prices along with my FAQ's about birth photography.
www.heatherbays.com/birth

Update: Check out, Life at Nine Days Old to see photos of Zen and his family a week and a half after his birth!

Adelaide's First Haircut

We finally did it! Adelaide had her first official haircut at the age of 4! Of course we had to document it!! We were able to cut enough to donate! She is so happy that she can pass along her hair to a child who has lost theirs. It really gives meaning to an emotional experience making it much easier to let that hair go! What an adorable experience it was! I brought her to The Loft on Queen St where she was treated like a little Queen. It was too cute. I'll let these (unedited) pictures tell the story! Just wait until you get to the bottom to see the results!! 

If you are thinking of donating your hair, stop thinking about it and DO IT!! It takes about 5 or 6 donations to make ONE wig. You will not regret it. And if your child is making this brave and amazing choice to donate their hair, contact me and I will come document their experience for FREE!! That's right, I will waive the session fee which is a $250 value! Now go make that appointment!! 'Tis the season after all!

Wanna know what happens after you donate your hair? Watch this video!!

We followed a hair donation through the Wigs For Kids process to find out. Wigs for Kids is an organization that has been building self-esteem in children for over 35 years by providing handmade hairpieces at no cost to the children's families. They rely on the hair donations and financial support of people like you.