Honouring Time, Honouring Connection

There was a time when I called them "mini sessions." Fifteen minutes, a few quick smiles, and a neatly wrapped package. But if you’ve ever been in one of my sessions, you probably already know—they were never really mini.

They were handcrafted experiences—welcoming you into my world. Months of dreaming, planning, and curating every detail. I would collect props, design sets, and shape scenes that sparked wonder, not just for your children but for the child still alive in all of us. Each session was a doorway into something magical, built with care and intention.

Take my Lemonade Stand Sessions from summer 2022, for example. From the hand-painted signs to the real lemons, vintage scales, and vibrant sunflowers—I designed every inch of that scene to feel like a playful summer memory frozen in time. Babies curled up in baskets, toddlers exploring citrus-scented props... it was never just about the photos. It was about the atmosphere I created—the softness, the joy, the attention to every tiny detail.

And I’m so excited to share: the Lemonade Stand is being reimagined for this summer in the Little Joys style. A new take on an old favourite—infused with even more heart, whimsy, and intentional magic. Coming soon.

Somewhere in between a child’s shyness and the light catching just right, I always found myself giving more. More time, more patience, more space for real connection. I let kids climb, giggle, hesitate, and come back. I waited for real moments, not just good photos. And quietly, I stopped watching the clock.

For years, I didn’t charge for what I was actually giving. I under-valued the care, the flexibility, the depth I brought into each experience. I carried guilt for charging too much and pressure to fit into the fast-paced, volume-focused model many photographers use during seasonal rushes.

But I’ve grown.

I’ve learned that my value isn’t in how many families I can book in a day. It’s in how deeply I can connect with the ones I do. It’s in holding space for your toddler to warm up. It’s in noticing the way your partner looks at you when you’re not looking. It’s in the magic that happens when we slow down just enough to let joy unfold on its own.

This fall and winter, I’m letting go of rushed photography. I’m creating space for more intentional sessions—ones that reflect the heart of what I love most about this work: emotional honesty, quiet wonder, and true presence.

Fall Sessions will feel like storytelling. We’ll use the textures of the season—florals on the bridge, golden light, warm layers—and let your family move gently through the space. No countdowns. No pressure to perform. Just memory-making with meaning.

Winter Joy Sessions will feel like childhood wonder: sparkles, evergreens, twinkle lights, and magic—but without the chaos. We’ll plan with care, allow for warmth and comfort, and make space for little ones to just be.

So while you might still see special offers from me, know this: they won’t be rushed. They won’t be clock-bound. They’ll be thoughtfully crafted, just like the work I’ve always done—only now, I’m owning the value of what I give.

Thank you for growing with me.

—DeannaDeanna

Dunham Designs | Little Joys Studio