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Category: Session Stories

Pregnant couple stands together gazing out a rain-speckled window, bathed in soft, moody light during their intimate in-home maternity session on a rainy day in Burlington, Ontario.

An Intimate In-Home Maternity Session in Burlington, Ontario

June 17, 2025 No Comments

Happy Mother’s Day 🤍 Words by @jessurlichs #moth

Happy Mother’s Day 🤍
Words by @jessurlichs

#motherclickersfeature #motherhood #burlingtonphotographer #motherhoodunplugged #belovedstories

Once Upon a Mother was one of the most special mot

Once Upon a Mother was one of the most special motherhood experiences I’ve had the privilege of hosting… and on April 18th, four incredible mamas got to step into something truly magical.

I didn’t want this Mother’s Day offering to feel like just another mini session… because moms deserve more than something mini. They deserve to be seen - REALLY SEEN - for the enormous love they carry for their babies. And they deserve to have that love artistically preserved into something tangible. Something you can hold in your hands, hang on your walls, and return to on the days you need a reminder of just how connected you are to these little humans … no matter how big they’re getting.

Every mom who came through walked away with their favourite image printed and ready to live in their home. Because a gallery sitting on a hard drive isn’t a memory. Wall art is.

Once Upon a Mother was inspired by the timeless world of Beatrix Potter, brought to life in the most enchanting forest cottage setting at @allwhowanderflowerfarm . Thoughtfully designed sets, wildflowers, golden light… and yes, baby bunnies. 🐰

Here’s a little glimpse into Allison’s session. 🤍

Special thanks to @thecreative.ca for joining me and capturing these sweet moments. 🤍

Mama wore @reclamationdesigncompany from my client closet.

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Bundling maternity + newborn sessions just makes s

Bundling maternity + newborn sessions just makes sense… and here’s why:

I get it. You’re already spending a small fortune on cribs, car seats, and approximately one million tiny onesies. Seeing the cost of two sessions side-by-side can feel like a gut punch. I hear you.

But here’s the thing - you will never be pregnant with THIS baby again. They will never be THIS small again. This season is fleeting in the most beautiful, bittersweet way, and it deserves to be documented.

When you bundle, you actually save money (yes, really) plus unlock extra bonuses. Most photographers - myself included - offer payment plans so it’s not all due at once.

And practically speaking? When you’re deep in the newborn haze, running on no sleep and pure adrenaline, the absolute last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to find a photographer with last-minute availability. Spoiler: the good ones are booked out months in advance.

Book the bundle early, your due date gets locked in, and when you’re ready - I’m ready. No stress. No scramble. Just a beautiful session on your schedule!

Oh, and your gallery? Cohesive edits, same vibe, same warmth throughout - so everything looks intentional and stunning when it’s hanging on your walls together.

This time is worth it. You are worth it. 🤍

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Cover photo: @alexaschopfer wearing @reclamationdesigncompany

#BurlingtonMaternityphotographer #NewbornPhotographyOntario #ignitedmotherhood #BurlingtonNewbornPhotographer

Photographers - scared of full sun sessions? 😅 Ho

Photographers - scared of full sun sessions? 😅

Honestly? Same. But I pushed through, practiced, and now? I don’t hate it. Promise.

There are really just two things that change when the sun is high and harsh - your settings and your posing.
If you’re someone who dials in your settings at the start of a session and kind of cruises from there, afternoon sun is going to humble you real quick. The light is constantly shifting, bouncing, and doing too much. You have to stay on your toes.

And posing? A one-foot shift in direction or a subtle chin adjustment can be the difference between gorgeous rim light and full raccoon eyes. The sun becomes something you’re working with - not just shooting in.

It’s a different way of thinking. But once it clicks? Full sun sessions go from scary to actually kind of fun.

Drop your biggest full sun struggle below 👇

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Taken during last summer’s nostalgic summer workshop hosted by @scarletoneill and @theresaouimet_ @the.embodied.artist.community

Welcome to the world, Baby Charlie - you are SO lo

I just needed to give this gorgeous photo of mama-

I just needed to give this gorgeous photo of mama-to-be @jennowji a permanent place on the grid - because I’ve been obsessed with this shot for MONTHS!

It was a dark winter day when we did this maternity session at @parkhillstudios - so it allowed us to get creative with different light sources. When I got this shot, I may or may not have literally squealed with delight!

PHOTOGRAPHERS: What do you do when conditions aren’t ideal? 🤔

#burlingtonmaternityphotographer #cambridgematernityphotographer #ignitedmotherhood #ontariophotographer #burlon

When should you book your maternity session? As

When should you book your maternity session?

As early as possible!

Reach out to photographers early in your 2nd trimester to secure your session between 28-34weeks.

Good photographers book up fast and you don’t want to just leave capturing your beautiful transformation to just anyone…

And pro money saving tip: ask about bundling your maternity and newborn sessions! Most photographers have special bundled rates and bonuses for booking both sessions together. My bundle is called The First Chapter and I only take on a limited number of them per month.

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Taken during the June 2025 content day I co-hosted with @allwhowanderflowerfarm and @luciayphotography
Makeup by @makeup.by.elisha

Bundling maternity + newborn sessions just makes s

Bundling maternity + newborn sessions just makes sense… and here’s why:

I get it. You’re already spending a small fortune on cribs, car seats, and approximately one million tiny onesies. Seeing the cost of two sessions side-by-side can feel like a gut punch. I hear you.

But here’s the thing - you will never be pregnant with THIS baby again. They will never be THIS small again. This season is fleeting in the most beautiful, bittersweet way, and it deserves to be documented.

When you bundle, you actually save money (yes, really) plus unlock extra bonuses. Most photographers - myself included - offer payment plans so it’s not all due at once.

And practically speaking? When you’re deep in the newborn haze, running on no sleep and pure adrenaline, the absolute last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to find a photographer with last-minute availability. Spoiler: the good ones are booked out months in advance.

Book the bundle early, your due date gets locked in, and when you’re ready - I’m ready. No stress. No scramble. Just a beautiful session on your schedule!

Oh, and your gallery? Cohesive edits, same vibe, same warmth throughout - so everything looks intentional and stunning when it’s hanging on your walls together.

This time is worth it. You are worth it. 🤍

maternity and newborn bundle, Burlington maternity photographer, newborn photography Burlington Ontario, maternity photography packages, newborn session booking, family photographer Burlington, fresh 48 photography, maternity photographer Ontario, newborn photographer Hamilton, pregnancy photography package

#BurlingtonMaternityphotographer #NewbornPhotographyOntario #ignitedmotherhood #BurlingtonNewbornPhotographer

CONFESSION TIME 👀 I walk into your session knowin

CONFESSION TIME 👀

I walk into your session knowing everything… your kids’ names, who’s shy, who’s wild, who needs snacks every 12 minutes…

…and then I look at you and suddenly it’s:

“Okay mom, snuggle in here… dad, pull them closer…”

I promise I do know your names 😂

My brain is just busy doing 47 other things at once… watching the light, adjusting camera settings on the fly, reading your kids’ energy, guiding you into moments that actually feel like you, not stiff poses.

So if I call you “mom” the whole session… just know it’s not personal.

It’s because I’m fully locked in on creating photos that feel like your real life… and making sure your kids think I’m their new bestie 👯‍♀️

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UNPOPULAR OPINION… but your clients aren’t walking

UNPOPULAR OPINION… but your clients aren’t walking away with JUST PHOTOS- they’re walking away with a memory of HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

And that part? It sticks way longer than anything in the gallery.

Because they won’t remember if everything was perfectly styled or if the kids “behaved.”
They’ll remember if they felt rushed… or relaxed.
If they felt awkward… or guided.
If they felt like just another booking… or actually seen.

This is the part so many photographers skip over while chasing “better” images.

But here’s the truth-
you can be technically incredible, and still leave a client with an experience they’d never want to repeat.

And on the flip side?
When the experience feels easy, intentional, and genuinely taken care of… your work hits differently.

They trust you more.
They show up more fully.
They connect more naturally.

That’s what creates the images you’re trying so hard to achieve in the first place.

So if you want better photos…stop focusing only on the photos.

Start building an experience your clients will never forget.

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Melissa Shearer is a Burlington-based maternity, birth, newborn, and family photographer and photography educator, offering inclusive, emotion-filled photography for modern families.

Serving Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford, Niagara, and beyond.

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