The PicTots blog! Featuring baby and child photographers.

Hip Hip Hooray, It’s time for another baby photographer spotlight! This time we are featuring Tanya Z Photography from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada!

Business/name: Tanya Z Photography

Location: I’m based in beautiful Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. This is a quiet and charming town in the prairies where I live with my devoted husband, and three amazing boys.

Time in the baby photography business: I have operated as Tanya Z Photography for two years. Yet, my love affair with photography business started during my teenage years (my father owns a photo lab and a studio).

Describe your photography style/philosophy:

My style is vivid, imaginative and original. My goal is creating stunning, custom and creative portraits that you can proudly keep on your home walls and pass through generations. I believe that, as Ansel Adams said, we don’t take photos, we make them. Everything is important. I’m a details freak. Light, mood, props – it should create unique atmosphere for every session. Of course the most important thing is to tune up a connection between the child and you. You have to switch your mind and think the same way as they do. Sometimes time doesn’t matter. Even with newborns I try to feel their breath and keep them as peaceful as possible.

What do you like best about your career?

Every professional photographer knows that being in this business is a lot less glamorous than it looks from aside. It’s definitely a hard work where you dedicate most of your time to practicing, learning, upgrading your skills etc. But it’s worth it when you finally see absolutely adorable objects in front of your camera and enjoy those priceless moments of interaction with kids when a feeling of magic is in the air.

Funniest (or most memorable) thing that happened during a baby photo session?

I remember one day when I finally decided to take my kids’ pictures (you know, it always happens that you never have time to shoot your own family). Everything was ready but at the last moment my oldest six-year-old son grabbed my camera and said that he was going to be a photographer. I wasn’t prepared for such a turn but there was no way to stop him. So, we started, I gave him a couple of recommendations how to handle the camera and surprisingly we got not only tons of positive emotions, but also a few absolutely great family pictures. So, I once again learned a good lesson for a child photographer – don’t take things too seriously and be prepared to change rules any moment.

Favourite prop(s) to use for a baby/newborn photo session?

For newborn photography I love to use wraps because babies look so sweet in them and feel cozy and comfortable. Headbands with small flowers are my favourite choice to add something special to baby and girl portraits.

Also I like to prepare props by myself. It’s kind of like creative scrap booking for me.

Any advice to parents considering a baby, newborn or child photo session?

Be sure to hire a professional newborn & child photographer. They know how to handle with child, what to do, and even more important – what NOT to do. Because in their first days of life newborns are most sensitive and fragile. Be sure your baby is in professional and skilled hands.

Another important thing to take into account is quality of the final product.

Sometimes even a snapshot taken by a mobile phone can capture a very important moment in your life. At the same time if you’re thinking about wall portrait that will decorate your house and can be transferred through generations, let a professional baby and child photographer do it for you. Only professional equipment, professional approach to a session and professional post processing will give
you quality final product.

Remember, the best time to do your newborn portrait session is first 12 days of life. Babies are sleepy enough, and easy to pose, so you can reach best result possible.

For kids session I would strongly recommend to hold pre-session consultation where you can discuss with your photographer such important details as what to wear, location, etc. Your ideas should be very welcome because nobody knows and feels your child better than you.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Never miss an opportunity to take pictures of your growing children. Every stage of baby/ child’s life is a perfect time to be captured and saved for the future. Don’t let it pass by without leaving great photos!

Tanya Z Photography’s profile on PicTots

How can you be contacted?

Phone: (204) 326 – 4206

E-mail: tanya@tanyazphotography.com

Website: http://tanyazphotography.com

Blog: http://tanyazphotography.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaZPhotography

Twitter: @tanyazphoto

Well there you have it, another talented PicTots.com photographer we had the privilege of featuring on our blog. Thanks Tanya for some awesome examples of your work as well as some great insight and advice!

-PicTots