Each spring, I set aside time to create a space that honours care, connection, and family. While Mother’s Day often serves as the inspiration, these Ottawa mini sessions are ultimately about slowing down and celebrating the people who make a family feel like home.
Hosted last April at Skye Studio in Ottawa, these Mother’s Day mini sessions were thoughtfully designed to bring the feeling of spring indoors — offering families a calm, light-filled environment at a time of year when Ottawa is often still caught between seasons.
Who These Sessions Were Created For
These sessions were designed for parents and caregivers of young children, as well as couples who are growing their families. Some families booked in celebration of Mother’s Day, others came to mark a season of life, update their family photos, or simply spend a few meaningful minutes together in front of the camera.
Although Mother’s Day sits at the heart of this season, these sessions were designed to honour family connection in its many forms.
A Thoughtful, Stress-Free Session Experience
Each mini session was 15 minutes long — intentionally short to keep the experience relaxed and manageable, especially for families with young children. Rather than limiting families to a set number of images, I delivered all of the photographs that turned out, allowing them to fully enjoy the moments we captured together.
Ahead of the sessions, families received a style guide to help them prepare with confidence, without feeling boxed into specific outfit choices. The focus was always on comfort, ease, and showing up as themselves.
Bringing Spring Indoors: A Handcrafted Set Design
I wanted to create something different — something I hadn’t seen done in Ottawa before. I love crafting and creating by hand, and after coming across oversized paper flowers, a soft, garden-inspired vision began to take shape.
I designed and built five to six large-scale paper flowers to frame the seating area, creating a space that felt playful yet refined. Hosting these sessions indoors was a very intentional choice. April weather in Ottawa can still feel wintery, and I wanted families to arrive knowing they would be warm, comfortable, and surrounded by natural light.
The intention was for everyone to feel welcomed, calm, and quietly excited — like stepping into spring a little early.
A Local Collaboration with Nectar Flowers
To complement the handcrafted elements, I collaborated with Ottawa-based florist Nectar Flowers. Their floral displays and spring-inspired baskets added texture, softness, and life to the space, tying the entire design together beautifully.
Building relationships with local vendors is something I value deeply, and this collaboration felt like a natural fit. They were wonderful to work with, and their florals elevated the final result in a way that only thoughtful, professional design can.
Why Skye Studio Was the Perfect Setting
Skye Studio is one of my favourite studio spaces in Ottawa, and it was the perfect location for these Mother’s Day mini sessions. The welcoming waiting area allows families to settle in, hang up coats, and take a breath before their session begins. There are also change rooms and mirrors for last-minute checks, which makes the experience much smoother for parents juggling little ones.
The Daybreak room offers beautiful natural light no matter the weather outside, and the studio’s interior design aligns seamlessly with the timeless, soft aesthetic I strive for in my work.
The Experience on the Day
Families were genuinely surprised by the set design — especially when they learned that the oversized flowers were handmade. Some had followed along as I shared glimpses of the creative process on social media without seeing the final result.
Hearing reactions like, “So this is what you were working on,” was a reminder that these sessions are about more than photographs. They’re about care, intention, and creating an experience that feels special from the moment families walk through the door.
Looking Ahead to Future Ottawa Mother’s Day Mini Sessions
These sessions booked quickly and nearly sold out, reaffirming just how meaningful this time of year is for many families. I’ve hosted Mother’s Day mini sessions for the past few years, and they’ve become a spring tradition I truly look forward to.
While future designs may change, they will always remain rooted in a soft, spring-focused vision and a calm, welcoming approach to family photography.
Booking Ottawa Mother’s Day Mini Sessions
Mother’s Day mini sessions will be returning again, with booking opening in February. These sessions tend to fill quickly, and the best way to stay informed is by joining my mailing list. I’ll be sharing the sign-up link on my social channels closer to booking so families can receive early access.
If you’re looking for Ottawa Mother’s Day mini sessions, spring family photos, or a relaxed studio experience designed with care, I would be honoured to photograph your family.
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