To work alongside dancers... seriously I feel so blessed.
Growing up a dancer, immersed in the dance world, it just fills my heart to capture what I love to call Art in Motion.
I feel so present, connected and grounded.
A dancer knows that... once a dancer, you are always a dancer! It is part of who I am and I feel that part of me come to the surface when I am immersed in a dance photography session. It feels like Home.
xoxo
Mandy

Thank you @lorenbattilanadance for trusting me with your artistry
Much love,
Mandy

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect summer morning as the mist still hung over the ocean in the
early daylight hours. Truly magical.

Those first moments where your family of 3 has now morphed to 4. Your body has carried, your birth dance is complete, he is here, held within your arms. His dark hair matted and perfect. His skin pink, his lips pouty, his eyes testing the light for the first time. You take a breath, he is here. As a mother, those first hours, days... can be almost surreal as your body is still in a bit of shock, your energy reserves are replenishing slowly as you nurture this new life now from the outside. Everything a bit of a blur, and again you breathe.

And here I am, honored and so very grateful that I get to capture and freeze-in-time these first moments for you and your family. Over the last couple of months, we have met for coffee/tea. We have chatted, I have met your daughter. We have built some comfort and connection for this very moment, this intimate moment where I walk into your hospital room, just hours after your precious baby boy has been welcomed into your arms, placed onto your chest... so new, so precious.

As I say congratulations and peer down at your new little bundle, I take out my gear and glance around the room. Each time similar, but each time a bit different... where is the window, how is the bed placed in the room, what color are the curtains this time... that blue, or is it the pink salmon color... no, this time it's the much preferred cream, so wonderful. All these things not in my control, yet each plays a part in how I will capture the next couple of hours.

A bit more conversation... how are you feeling, how was the birth... then I start taking my images, adjusting for the light, getting my close-ups of his sweet, sweet little face, those long fingers, those tiny toes. Mom and Dad sit together as they just observe their newest little person... kisses, gentle touches, smelling, just watching as his eyes flutter open... alert... 8 hours old. All of these moments I am documenting in imagery to have for always.

Knock, knock... grandma is here with big sister! She walks in with a beaming smile, her eyes sparkle with what is likely a mixture of excitement and curiosity... right to the bed she goes... to see, to touch. So curious, yet also not so sure. She has so much energy in this small room as she moves from her new baby brother, to her dad, to her grandmother, to her snack. This is the beginning of so much newness for her, for them... learning, frustration, patience. She is now a big sister and at this moment, that may not have truly registered, but this is the moment where they met for the very first time, a milestone so precious, so special... truly priceless.

Welcome sweet boy, into Welcome Arms, you are so loved.

These are the Moments... First Moments... Cherish Always

Please take a moment to leave a comment congratulating this lovely family!
xoxo

Much love from Welcome Arms,
Mandy

I am Mother
... prose by Mandy
Welcome Arms Photography

 I love early weekend morning walks with my daughter where we get away and get to enjoy some
quiet time absorbing the first sun rays of the day.

To see those first golden rays, to feel the warmth on your skin, it is so cleansing and awakening.

Being in the woods, even a small trail near the city does so much to energize my heart and soul.
Combine these ancient trees, with their winding roots, and canopy of color with a still calm lake,
and my daughter and I are in a state of peace.
A moment to reflect, to sit, to listen, to do absolutely nothing except be.

She with her ukulele and stuffy friend.
Me with my camera.

It's in the little moments that our hearts feel most content.

Embrace each day, live in the moment and do not dwell in the shadows.

Much love from Welcome Arms.
Mandy

Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows fall behind you ~Satin & Steel

It was one of those lovely evenings where I walked and explored along one of my favorite areas of the Nova Scotia coastline, and along with me, I enjoyed the company of these two creative, silly, beautiful girls and their stunning Momma. We hopped over rocks, crouched under trees, twirled, laid in the cool moss, watched the waves crash, smelled the fresh sea air... and amidst it all, captured a lovely evening in imagery for them to cherish always :)

My heart is full
xo
Mandy

A Mother's Love
My girls...
You are precious and amazing in every way.
Through our ups and downs, your light continues to shine,
bringing the sunshine into my every day.
Your creative energies and smiles
bring joy to my soul.
You are the loves of my life! xo

~prose by Mandy, Welcome Arms Photography

Follow your Dreams!
They know the way :)

The anticipation of this little girl's arrival was high, being a second pregnancy with the first moving quite quickly, the prediction was that this little sister-to-be would make a quick welcome into this world! The first call I received from this beautiful Momma was a false alarm, but with the history of a fast birth, myself and the midwives were not taking any chances!

The second call, things seemed to be progressing, but would end up being a lot of start-stopping over the day. During these quiet times, we enjoyed some amazing home-made lemon pie made by Mom-to-be.... and it was divine! When things started to intensify in the early hours of the morning, they ramped up quickly. Momma was amazing as she worked through her breaths, taking some time to work through intensifying contractions in the tub, working through hip rotations and opening up her pelvis, while breathing on her ball. Her husband was there every step of the way, having to remove his ring as his hands were being squeezed so tightly, making sure she stayed hydrated, asking what she needed, always close and oh so present. The birth team was patient and strong, giving Mom and Dad the space they needed, while at the same time offering undeniable support and love. Both grandmothers were present making the morning even more special.

When this precious little girl finally began to crown, Momma was sweating and fatigued, but the energy that comes over a birthing woman in those final moments is always mind-boggling to me. No matter how many times I witness this raw, birthing power, it always brings a warmth to my heart, skipping a beat every time as I aim to stay focused on capturing this much anticipated moment!

And there she was, Mom reached down to bring her to her chest... wrinkly, vernix covered, perfect.

Welcome Little One! You are so Loved!
xoxo

When I walked into the home of this lovely new family of three for my home visit and session planning meeting, it was so relaxed. I love these meetings as it gives me an opportunity to check out the rooms and natural light, but it also gives me a little peek into the family's life. Being a visual person, this allows ideas to start percolating in my mind on how the flow of the session may unfold. I enjoy chatting about wardrobe options and about what their goals are for the session.

My Newborn sessions are a lifestyle approach but this does not mean that I am not going to give some direction and guidance. I'll have my families sit or stand in the beautiful natural light locations within their home and I'll give them some suggestions, but as we work through the session, much of their movements and interactions become quite natural, as they respond to the needs, emotions, and expressions of their new babe. I think of myself as an "in the moment photographer" ... I do not walk into a session with a grand plan. I have a general framework in mind and then we "hang out" :) On this morning, we were not originally including the bedroom in the shoot, but then I thought it would be so nice to do some photos on the master bed, so we grabbed some big pillows from the nursery, used the sheet instead of the comforter for a more neutral look, and I am so glad we decided to capture these :)

I had such a wonderful morning with this family and am so in love with their gorgeous images!

If you have any questions about me Newborn Sessions or any of my other Sessions, I am always open to answering questions and would be happy to connect and chat over a coffee or tea :)

Much love from Welcome Arms,
Mandy