Category: Blog

Family photography can be a great way to capture those precious moments between you and your family, but it can also be a little stressful without the right preparation. That’s why going into your next family photo session with a few helpful tips can make it much easier. As one of the area’s top family photography studios, Champagne Photography has helped plenty of families capture moments to cherish for a lifetime.

Below, they’ve gathered some tips to help ensure your next photoshoot is a complete success!

Choose Appropriate Clothing

If you’re shooting outdoors during the summer, you probably don’t want to dress the whole family in suits and ties or other clothing better suited to fall and winter. Conversely, during the colder months, you should dress accordingly. Remember, the right clothing will help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during your family photoshoot.

Come Well-Rested

Family photography sessions don’t have to be stressful. However, they do require a lot of energy and can take a significant amount of time, so be sure you and all your family arrive well-rested. This will make it easier to follow the directions of the camera crew and ensure that for every photo, you and your family members look alert and attentive.

Include the Pets!

Many consider their favorite four-legged friend part of the family, so why not include them in your next photoshoot as well? Bringing your pet or pets along can be a great way to do something a little different. Just be sure to try and train them a bit beforehand and bring along a few toys to keep them occupied when they’re not in front of the camera.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Rushing around and preparing last minute for a photoshoot can stress you out, and that stress can transfer to your partner and other family members. Before a shoot, give yourself plenty of time to prepare: lay out your clothes ahead of time, pack any necessities, and try to arrive at the location early to minimize stress and maximize smiles!

Have Fun!

Having fun during your family photoshoot is one of the best ways to capture those special moments. Try to be relaxed and think of playful poses or games you usually play as a family. Choosing a unique location is another great way to have fun while in front of the camera.

Contact us for your next family photography session! 

Champagne Photography can help make your next photo session one to remember for a lifetime. For more information about our family and newborn photography, contact us online today or call (416) 704-7653.

When it comes to spicing things up with your partner or showing them your more intimate side, boudoir photography can provide a great opportunity. However, there are also a lot of misconceptions about the art form, which is why the team from Champagne Photography is here to clear things up.

Below you’ll find answers to the four questions you’ve always wanted to ask about boudoir photography, so read on.

Do You Have to Get Naked? 

This is the first thing people assume who haven’t done much research about boudoir photography. It’s not the high-class equivalent of sending nudes! The goal of the boudoir photographer is to capture all the sultry mystique of the boudoir while also maintaining the client’s privacy, dignity, and most important of all, their boundaries. No clothes ever come off unless you communicate explicitly it’s something you want to do.

What Exactly Does “Boudoir” Mean Anyway? 

The word “boudoir” has quite the history. It’s a derivative of the French word “boudeur,” which means “sulky or in a pouty sort of mood.” However, this word eventually transformed into what became referred to as the boudoir, or bedroom, encompassing all the things that go on behind those closed doors. In this sense, it carries an attractive mystique and intimate sensuality today’s leading photographers try to subtly capture.

What About the Wardrobe? 

Are you worried that you won’t have anything exciting enough to wear for your boudoir photo shoot? Perhaps you want to try something different but aren’t quite sure what will look best on you. You’ll be glad to know that many of today’s leading boudoir photography studios also have extensive wardrobes to choose from, with some exquisitely sexy lingerie and outfits (which are dry-cleaned after each use). Of course, you’re also encouraged to bring along items from your own closet. This is because some familiar pieces of lingerie will make the pictures more personal both for you and your partner.

How Do You Make Clients Feel Comfortable? 

Being in a room with a camera crew you don’t know and stripping down to your undergarments can certainly seem intimidating. However, many photography teams will help you lighten the mood a bit by sharing a glass of champagne with you and finding some of your favorite tunes to listen to while the shoot is going on. This helps everyone feel a bit more comfortable and makes the photo shoot fun and a bit less serious.

Let us help you capture your sultry side! 

Want to capture what goes on in your boudoir? Champagne Photography can help, so give us a call at (416) 704-7653 or visit us online for a closer look at our portrait and baby photography services.

If you’ve just welcomed a new member into the family, you’re likely excited to capture some precious moments so the relatives can stop hounding you for baby photos. But photographing a newborn isn’t always a walk in the park, which is why it’s helpful to prepare and have some tips on hand.

As one of Mississauga’s leading newborn baby photography studios, Champagne Photography has helped many parents capture the smiles and laughs of their new family members. That’s why we wanted to share some insight into the process below.

Stick to a Feeding Schedule 

When photographing a newborn, it can be difficult if they’re not on a regular feeding schedule. Of course, sometimes, they might be hungry at a moment when you haven’t planned. But preparing a normal feeding schedule prior to your first baby photography appointment will make things go much smoother and help prevent them from being anxious and in tears because they’re hungry. For babies a week or two old, a good feeding schedule is every two hours.

The Best Time to Photograph Newborns 

The best time to schedule a newborn baby photography session is often a week after a mother’s due date. At this time, five to ten days after birth, the baby is more likely to offer poses reflective of the womb, curling up at times to sleep. Additionally, they also sleep more and stick to a steady schedule of eating every two hours. Newborn babies around a week old are also still used to being naked and less likely to protest when taking pictures of them without their clothes.

Baby Safety

When photographing your newborn, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Firstly, remove all jewelry and make sure your nails are filed smoothly to avoid scratching the baby. Keep your hands sanitized and never leave the baby unattended. You should also have a clear idea of the poses you want your photographer to shoot and help them prepare your child. All these safety rules go for both the photographer as well as the parent and anyone else present during the newborn photography shoot.

Let us capture your newborn’s precious moments! 

Want to make certain your newborn is photographed beautifully? The best way is to hire a professional newborn photography team, like Champagne Photography. Call us today at (416) 704-7653 to schedule a session and learn more or visit us online to learn about our additional portrait photography services.

Having a child is certainly no walk in the park and during your pregnancy, maternity photos might be the last thing on your mind. However, capturing your journey to bring your child into the world can also be a fun and exciting adventure, with the right tips of course.

As one of the leading photography companies in the area, Mississauga’s Champagne Photography wants to share some great ideas for your first maternity photography shoot.

Dare to Be Different

When it comes to maternity photography, there’s no shortage of unique ways you can highlight your pregnancy. Don’t be afraid to do something a little different, like having a body-painting professional paint your stomach then photographing it or taking a milk bath with ornamental flowers designed. You can also experiment with different clothes; try wearing something a little different and see what happens.

Include Important Family Members

Remember, you’re not the only one going through the journey of pregnancy; your whole family is going along with you. That’s why it can be a great idea to include the family in your maternity photos. Add your children to the mix or any pets to make it a more relaxed and familial atmosphere. You can also snap a few more intimate shots with only you and your spouse.

Outside Backgrounds

Rolling hills and long grasses recall an almost dreamlike, fairytale atmosphere, especially when taken at the right time of the day, like when the sun is setting; a time also known as “the magic hour.” Snap some maternity photos in a nearby park or field or consider taking a trip to a nearby waterfront for a unique maternity photography setting.

High Contrast & Reflections

Adding high-contrast photos and reflections can be a wonderful thing to do with the right photographer. A professional photographer will be able to create breathtaking artistic shots. For example, you could place your favorite items in the foreground of the photo and pose in the background; the photographer will focus on you in the background, creating a high sense of contrast. Using mirrors to your advantage and capturing your reflection can also be wonderful, creating an added sense of depth to photos.

Let us capture your journey through pregnancy!

Are you expecting? If so, Champagne Photography would love to hear from you. Give us a call today at (416) 704-7653 to talk about your maternity photography vision. You can also visit us online to learn more about our portrait photography and other services.

If you have a family, you’ve almost certainly been a part of family photography.  Whenever families get together, it’s natural for cameras to come out – whether capturing spontaneous moments as they happen or getting people together for posed group shots.

When you want truly great family photography, your best bet is to hire experienced professionals – but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some nice snapshots at any family get-together.  Here are some tips to help you take some nice family photos during the upcoming holidays, or any time you’re together!

Four Tips for Taking Better Family Photographs

1. Fun activities make for fun photos

One reason a lot of family pictures can feel boring and stale is that, often, the family members are uncomfortable.  They were herded into a room and told to smile, and it comes off as forced.  Get around this by encouraging fun activities that will make everyone feel more comfortable.

You’ll get some great action shots, and chances are, everyone having a good time will lead to much more natural smiles later.

2. Be engaging

If you’re doing staged photos, don’t rush things.  Chat with people as they line up.  Crack jokes.  Make them laugh.  The more you can do behind the camera to get people to loosen up, the better the pictures will look when you do start taking them.

3. Shoot fast, shoot plenty

Always have your camera (or phone) near at hand during family gatherings, because you never know when a great moment will happen.  You may only have seconds to grab your camera and start shooting.  When you do, don’t hold back.  Everyone uses digital cameras these days, so there is no reason to be stingy about snaps taken.

One of the secret tricks of great photographers is simply that we take a huge number of shots. We might take and discard dozens of pictures, just looking for that one perfect shot where everything looks amazing.  Do the same.

4. Get lots of different group shots

Undoubtedly, you have complicated dynamics in your family, where different groups of people bring out different aspects of each other’s personality.  Use this!  Shoot as many different combinations of family members as you can, looking to capture those unique group dynamics.

Or, if you want some amazing family photography that you can all treasure for years, contact Champagne Photography to schedule a full professional session.

When a woman wants to get a great ego boost and feel better about herself, boudoir photography is a great option!  A skilled photographer knows how to make anyone look beautiful, and the result will be a set of pictures you can treasure and enjoy for many years to come.

All types of photography have their unique challenges, and boudoir photos are no different.  Here are some of the ways master photographers can make you look amazing!

Five Tricks for Creating A Great Boudoir Photography Session

1. Focusing on the person, not the body

It’s a common misconception that boudoir photography is smutty.  Yes, the pictures can be described as intimate, but they are not about objectifying the subject(s).  Boudoir photos are about expressing inner beauty, as well as outward beauty, to create a series of pictures that make a person look their very best.  A skilled photographer knows how to keep the focus on the person, rather than any particular physical aspect.

2. Picking poses early on

Boudoir sessions are generally a bit less spontaneous than other photography sessions, with more pre-planning involved – particularly in the posing.  It’s very typical for a photographer to go through large selections of pictures with their client, looking for shots and poses which will look good for their client.  Making the client feel comfortable and supported is an important part of the job!

3. Mood lighting

Boudoir photos almost always have restricted lighting, which a good photographer knows how to control.  Often, light is used to highlight certain parts of the subject, while leaving others in shadow, for a very “noir” sort of feel.

4. Fascinating poses

Posing in boudoir photography must strike a careful balance because it is not naturalistic.  Rather, it’s hyper-realistic.  Every pose should create an interesting silhouette, and interesting shapes, ones which a person probably wouldn’t make in real life – but without being so over-the-top it becomes distracting.

5. A focus on the eyes

What’s the most important part of the body in boudoir photography?  The eyes!  As the saying goes, they are the mirror of the soul, and a smoldering look can say far more than any particular pose or costume.  A great boudoir photographer will always make the eyes a primary focal point.

Champagne Photography celebrates life in all its forms!  From birthdays to boudoir shots, contact us for masterful photographic sessions.

If you have a newborn in your family, you’re probably taking so many pictures of them already.  But the holidays are around the corner, and there will only be one Baby’s First Christmas.  So, you want the pictures to be as special as possible! Continue reading “Newborn Babies and Pets Make the Best Holiday Pictures”

There’s photography for celebrating events. There’s photography for sharing with friends and family. There’s photography for the holidays.

But there’s also photography that’s just for you, and making you feel as beautiful, as confident, and as wonderful as possible:  boudoir photography.  Why?  Because you deserve it!  Continue reading “Feel Like A Superstar with Boudoir Photography”

In many ways, the hardest thing about family photography is finding ways to keep it fresh.  After all, you can only see so many “everyone sit and stare at the camera” pictures before they all blur together.  Great family photography doesn’t simply mean having a having all the family members within the picture frame, it means capturing the unique essence of that particular family! Continue reading “Five Creative Family Photography Shot Ideas”

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to produce great couple photography… although it helps.  When trying to photograph couples, the big challenge is usually to make the shot feel naturalistic.  When a camera comes out, people will usually totally freeze up, or else totally ham it up.  Great couple photography tries to avoid either. Continue reading “Four Tips for Encouraging Great Couple Photography Sessions”