Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

Rory’s family were the runner up winners of my Awkward Family Photo Contest earlier this year with their head to toe in denim Sears photo from the 90s. Lucky Rory didn’t have to wear any denim at all! We did very heavily guitar themed newborn photos since her mom and much of her extended family are all musicians. Rory spent much of her time before being born listening to her mom play guitar and it immediately calms her down to feel the vibration of the strings.

Her mom and dad are also big Disney fans, frequently travelling to the theme parks for marathons. Rory’s room has a fun Pixar blue sky wall and we included all kinds of Disney items in her newborn session.

Maybe one day she’ll think it was awkward she had to wear Mickey Mouse ears on her bum while she was naked. ;)

Lochlan’s newborn photos were very special to his parents. He was their rainbow baby, a term many families know all too well. (A rainbow baby is a baby born to a couple who has experienced a previous pregnancy loss.) We celebrated this adorable boy by including a rainbow cloth in a few photos, as well as a special bear in honour of his sister.

This adorable red head had his newborn session at his grandparent’s house in a beautiful bright room with sunlight streaming in. The warmth from the sun had him peacefully sleeping the entire time! Big brother Bodhi helped grandma and grandpa make dinner during the photos, taking a few breaks to come hold his new brother and get some special photos together.

Lochlan notoriously never kept his eyes open during his first few weeks home from the hospital. His grandma lamented that she never gets to see his beautiful eyes! At the end of the session we had a big surprise when he opened his eyes long enough to get a few different photos! We were still using the rainbow cloth at that point, and the colours really made the blue in his eyes vibrant.

This year was a time of huge change for Erin and Ross. At the same time they welcomed their new baby girl into their home, their beloved dog Lazer received a disappointing diagnosis from his vet. Lazer has been with them for years so he was like their first child before the kids arrived. They wanted to make sure their kids would remember what an important part of the family he was, so he became the centre point of their newborn family photos.

Newborn Mae was, of course, the other focus! Mae had arrived home only a few days before and had quickly settled in. She calmly slept through all of the noise and commotion of photos, including a very curious cat (we tried to get the kitty in the family photos, but she was not having it!) and her older brother loudly watching the Lion King. Big brother Kieran did great through photos and loved posing with his sister. This was his first time getting to hold her because he had just gotten over his cold. The Lion King was a great reward for his awesome modelling!

Lazer also did fantastic and loved snuggling with his family, though he was confused as to why he was suddenly allowed on the couch!

Zach’s family celebrated his arrival with an outdoor newborn session in Indian Battle Park. As soon as I met his family, the first words out of big brother Joseph’s mouth were, “This is my baby!” That love for his new brother came out in every photo. Joseph may be one of the most excited big brothers I’ve ever met! Even when we spent a few photos focusing on Zach, Joseph would jump back in for a moment to give his baby brother a quick hug.

Their family session was full of huge smiles and lots of action shots (including the hilarious gross variety when Zach spit up mid-photo!).

Mathias was surrounded by family and love for his Lethbridge newborn photoshoot. Not only did he get to snuggle his mom in photos, but all of his extended family was there! Mathias is the second grandson in the family (after his cousin) and his abuelos radiated happiness around the two boys.

He started out his session a little sleepy (minus many snack breaks) and then woke up to make the most adorable faces! I especially had a weak spot for this family being Disney fans and including that in the photos :)

Jessica and Jaedon’s emotional moments with their new baby girl

When Jessica and Jaeden gave me the address for their in-home family photo session, I was surprised because I had no idea where it was! I’ve shot a lot of newborn photography around Lethbridge but I’d never seen this address before, or anything close to it.

When I arrived (with the help of Google Maps), their property took my breath away. The family lives at a prairie resort, with sweeping vistas and a gorgeous reservoir – a little slice of paradise they get to enjoy with their new baby girl, Clarke.

As we set up for the photoshoot, the newborn of the hour was sleeping like a lamb. Little Clarke looked like a china doll – and never made a peep!