"Your Children are so precious. Remember them forever as they grow up and change..."

"Remember the way they laugh and giggle and act silly... smile, run, play..."

Are you bringing your child in for a portrait session?
If so, here are some useful tips to help in creating the very best results from your child's portrait session:

- If your child is at all shy, be patient. We give them as much time as they (not you) need to warm up to me and my camera. It is very, very rare that even the most apprehensive child isn't my buddy after twenty or thirty minutes. Parents are eager to please by urging the child on, and this never, ever helps. Let me create a bond with your child at their pace, not yours. Please.
(Most parents know this, and agree, but almost always have to be reminded about four times during the first five minutes of the portrait session) Also, try to keep the 'variations' to a minimum, starting with the most important poses. What do I mean? Child alone, child with sibling, child with grandpa, child with a different outfit, etc etc...'you get the picture'. Children, especially younger ones, only give me so much time. When the say the sesison is over, it's over. I can't control that, so I try to get the key shots at first.

Watch a Babies First Year Slide Show (turn speakers up). Baby boy. Baby girl

Expecting a baby? Maybe a maternity session? How about 3D UltraSound from UC Baby (Medical Building on Larch ST). Or, get started on furniture for your babies room at Bambini's Nursery & Children's Furniture (Montrose Mall, Lasalle Blvd)

Tips continued......
- Please don't answer for your child when he or she is asked a question. I try to bond with them by getting them to talk to me. I sometimes will reach out and "test" them to see how they will respond (if they reach back to hold my hand/finger). It tells me if I'm gaining their trust yet.
- Never, ever say "smile". Forget it. That's my job. Besides "cheese" is usually a fake or forced smile. I try to get them smiling at other things that create "real smiles". Goofy faces, funny stories, slapstick, jelly beans etc.... you know, kid stuff!! Stuff I'm good at.(I'm a kid at heart)
- I encourage any ideas or props in your session. Many parents bring in one or two outfits. Remember changing younger kids usually changes their moods too. Try to keep it simple.

They grow up so fast!

CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR BABY PACKAGE. Three FREE GIFTS when you sign up! (limited time)
The Babies First Year Wall Panel. CLICK HERE FOR PDF FILE

Check out a proof show of 5 year old Mackenzie (turn speakers up)

"Tina & Rob!
Hi, just wanted to let you know that the portraits of Lara made it to Aurora safely…they are absolutely stunning! Both Curtis and I are so pleased with the final product and we look forward to sharing with them our family and friends. Thanks again for your time and your attention to detail.
Paula and Curtis Jorgensen"


The most asked questions at Westmount Photography regarding children’s portraits:

1-What should my child wear?
This is entirely up to you. We do encourage you to keep the clothing changes to a minimum, perhaps no more than three, especially with younger, more exuberant children. Remember that we want to focus on your child’s face.

2-How long will the session take?
We take all the time it will require to capture the best expressions and poses. We urge you not to rush your children, let them warm up at their own pace, not yours. Most sessions are done in 30 minutes. Some may take longer , so it’s important that you relax and enjoy.

3-My child won’t smile, what should I do?
The very best and most favorite expressions with many clients are always the more serious, contemplative looks. Especially with children. Notice all the classic works by master painters from years ago to modern artists and photographers today. You never see a big toothy smiles. The best way to get great smiles is by playing games, singing songs, anything they love to do. Never a “sit and say cheese” approach.

4-Should I be present during the session?
For older children we usually create the best results when Mom and Dad are not around. For younger babies it’s always best to have you help out in the studio. Only one parent is required. More can come if you wish.

5-Can we have our dog in the picture?
Pets are always welcomed

6-My child is very shy (or is very active), what should I do?
Nothing. You can’t control it and nor should you. They are coming into a strange place with people they don’t know and all kinds of strange equipment and lights. Your best approach is to be patient.

They will warm up to us, or settle down, in time. And this will happen at their own pace. It’s important not to make a big fuss about the studio beforehand. Act like nothing is out of the norm. Also, when we ask them
questions, let them answer themselves.

We have a jelly bean machine, a toy box to give them a toy to take home, coloring books to play with, fruit bars, etc.

Rob always greets you by talking with the parents first and ignoring the child for a minute or two. There is a reason for this. It sends the message to the child that you and Rob are friends and you talk with him just like all your other friends. It conveys safety.

Rob will then turn to the child and ask them a question. Please let them answer. He will also offer a hand to see if they are receptive.Never coach your child to smile or to say “say cheese”. Never rush them or urge them on.

My pictures didn’t turn out the way I expected them to, what now?
We promise you that you must absolutely love your pictures, or you don’t pay. It’s that simple. Although it doesn’t happen all that often, we will always offer to re-shoot any session that failed to meet your expectations.


"Dear Rob,
As usual, you did a fantastic job with the portraits of our children. The kids think "Mr. Rob" is wonderful and they love to smile for your camera. Everyone who visits my home and office comment on the great pictures of my children (and even my dogs). You are your staff are very pleasant and accommodating, and that extra attention you give the kids is outstanding. Keep up the great work!"
Karen Houtevenko

"Dear Rob,
We really wanted to personally thank you for the fantastic job you did on our daughters' photographs. You've given us memories that will truly last a lifetime. We left your studio with such a warm feeling. We felt genuinely proud of our little girl! You brought out her true beauty and we've been able to share these long lasting memories with our entire family as well. Already we are eagerly looking forward to our next session. I went to a baby shower today and I could not have bragged about you more. I showed off my proofs from Saturday and told them all how incredible a photographer you are. If only I had pamphlets to give everyone. I did mention your website though. In ending, we would simply like to say thank you and see you at nine months.
All the best,
Gilles, Seline & Gabrielle Lemieux"

Tips on taking better child portraits at home....
As a parent who was 6' tall long before our child was born, I'm reminded of the need to get down to "child level" before taking pictures of children. That's the way we do it in creating a portrait and it will help you get better pictures at home. Remember for most children under the age of 5, their world only exists from about your elbows down. To avoid pictures where the child's head looks huge and their body looks tiny, squat down or stand on your knees when taking pictures of your children. Other tips that will help you get great shots might include:

- Photographing your children while they play...this is when they do the cutest things and you get the best "story pictures"
- Avoid teaching your children to "smile and say cheese". They were born knowing how to smile, when you teach them, you teach them to use the wrong muscles in their face, resulting in 20 years of "monkey face smiles".
- Instead of having them look at the camera, have them look at you. It's easier to react to a person than it is to an object like the camera. Remember, the smile is in their eyes...not in their teeth.The mouth only accounts for 15% of the smile while the eyes account for 75-80%.
- Don't expect children to sit and hold still while you get ready...they're children...not tiny adults. Have everything ready to go before you call their attention and when they look up and react to you...take the shot.
- Finally if you play games with your child, laugh and have fun, the pictures and expressions will come naturally and you'll have some great shots to remember the day.

All images by Robert Provencher MPA
©Westmount Photography


Here's a couple tips on choosing the absolute best images from your portrait session.

First off, consider what you are going to do with the images. Are they as gifts?

An image for grandparents may not be the same pose that you and your family feel is the best pose that expresses who you are. (We don't always see eye-to-eye on all matters)

Where is the image going in your home? A favorite place is on the living room wall, over the sofa, as a decorative art piece. Is it going in the family room? Have a look in your home and give this some thought.

By far the absolute BEST way to choose your favorite pose is when you initially go through the images after the session is over. When you are looking at the images and you have a 'gut' reaction to one or more poses and expressions, and you instantly like it, well, that's your heart talking. Trust your instinct more than anything.

We tend to get analytical with images, trying too hard to narrow it down to the 'perfect' one. There is no such thing as perfection. When you choose an image from the heart, years, many years from now you will still love that image.

A mistake we often make is to listen to other people. People we love and trust. Opinions from well-meaning friends or relatives. They tend to analyze the images in a worst way. Only you know where your heart lies. Follow it! And just nod your head and smile when they give you too much advice.