THE BLOG

Support, stories, and more for your motherhood journey.

Hey there! Welcome to our blog, your cozy corner where we dive into all things family, newborn, maternity, and baby photography. Being an experienced professional photographer in Ontario, I share practical tips, insights, and plenty of inspiration tailored for expecting mothers, new moms, and parents of Niagara Falls, Grimsby, and nearby areas. But wait, there’s more! My blog is not just about photography – it’s all about building a supportive community for new moms and parents, offering resources, encouragement, and a whole lot of virtual hugs. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and join us on this beautiful journey of family and community.

First Birthday Photo Sessions

What can you expect during your child’s one-year photo session? Here are a few of the adorable moments I can offer your little one during your time at the Reflections of Life studio: A cake smash, a bubble bath, standing, sitting and movement photos, sibling play photos, minimalist toys, family snuggle photos, beautiful wardrobe and naturally…

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How to Prepare for Motherhood During Your Pregnancy

Preparing for motherhood isn’t one neat and tidy transition. It’s the entire rearrangement of your life in stages, over weeks, months, and then years. But you can begin your preparation early. Having had four pregnancies myself, I found my maternity seasons an especially magical time to prepare my heart, body, and soul (and my house!) for…

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A Mother's Day Letter to You

It’s almost Mother’s Day again. After another year of COVID-19 where many mothers have felt pushed to their limits like never before, I want us all to promise each other we will celebrate it well this year. Celebrate each other, celebrate with each other, and most importantly, celebrate yourself. Why? Because Mama, we all need a hot minute to…

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Milestone Photo Sessions for Your Baby’s First Year

The first year of a child’s life is filled with incredible milestones of growth – so many “firsts” that you’ll want to make last. As your family’s memory keeper, I’m here to capture the continual unfolding of your family story. How? With milestone photoshoots and gorgeous heirloom photo albums to create throughout Baby’s first year…

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What is Your Maternity Story? Tell it in Photos

Every maternity story is unique, and you deserve a photo session that reflects your journey. Your maternity photo session is an opportunity to savour the moments of your pregnancy while preserving the memories for yourself and your child in the future. In over 15 years of being a Niagara family, maternity, and newborn photographer, I have had…

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Meltdown-Free Family Photos

Family photo albums are a living heirloom that you can treasure and enjoy for years to come. But what happens when the day of your scheduled shoot comes around and your kids are.not.having.it.? In this blog, you’ll see how we can proactively avoid meltdowns before they happen, and also encourage the quietest of your children to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

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What To Expect When Working Together

I say that I’m a photographer because that’s the easiest way to describe my work. But, really, I’m in the business of serving busy mamas while we create beautiful family memories you’ll cherish for generations. And that service starts from the very moment you reach out to me. When I start working with new clients, the process involves having a…

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What’s Your Enneagram Type?

Raise your hand if you are also obsessed with all things enneagram?! 🙋‍♀️ I’m a 3, otherwise known as the “Achiever”. I’m confident, ambitious, and goal-oriented. Being productive and meeting my goals is important to me. I LOVE it when people tell me I’m doing a good job. My biggest fear at work is failing, or not being successful…

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Redefining “Picture Perfect”

“There’s beauty in your chaos.” These are words from one of Grimsby’s talented photographers, Karen Byker. She is the founder of Reflections of Life Photography at 42 Debora Drive, Grimsby, specializing in newborn, maternity, and family photography. During our time together at Station 1 Coffeehouse, I learned how she has become a master of…

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Looking For The Perfect Fit

What's the number one thing you look for when you're searching for the perfect newborn photographer? Is it price, style, or location? If you've been looking for a professional photographer, you've probably realized that it can be a little overwhelming at times. I'm here to help you in your search with my 5 best tips on finding the perfect newborn…

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What I Love About My Job

I miss the days when I could photograph clients so much! Since we’re on lockdown here, I’ll keep myself busy creating systems and fixing up the studio until then. I couldn't be more excited for when we reopen because that means I get to do what I love most! Watching your children grow in photos is so exciting, and getting those portraits…

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I'm So Proud Of This!

My heart swelled to about double in size when a Google Review from this sweet family landed in my inbox. “Karen has photographed my family 6 times in the last 8 years. Since our very first experience with her, Karen has been warm and kind to all of us in a way that allows us to feel and then look comfortable and natural in our photographs…

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