2013 was quite the year at Chandra Lee Photography. We are now entering our 6th year of photographing newborn babies and families full-time. It’s hard to believe that a 10 year career as a law clerk was left behind to make a dream come true of being a professional photographer.
In my previous career, I started out working at Sotos, Karvanis, which is a boutique law firm in downtown Toronto. I then moved on to work as a legal assistant for Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson. Within two years of graduating from college, I found what I thought was my dream job working as a law clerk for Fasken, Martineau, DuMoulin. Since my commute took about one and one half hours each way each day from Mississauga and lots of delays on the Go Train, I found a job working as a law clerk close to home at RBC Insurance.
When I had my daughter 6 years ago (who just turned 6 this week 🙂 I never went back to work as a law clerk. I began my new career as a photographer and 6 years later, I have photographed over 600 newborn babies, maternity portraits, family and child sessions.
Running a business takes strength and perseverance. It’s a good thing that I’ve always been known for my tenacious personality. When setting my goals on something, I simply never give up.
My clients who have been to see me, probably have noticed this behaviour as I have the patience to wait many hours waiting patiently for baby to be ready to be posed perfectly. I will never rush through my sessions.
This past year came with heightened and unexpected challenges. Preservence got me through those times as well as good friends and family members. My mother passed on some words of wisdom to me, “there is always someone out there who is worse off than you are”. Although I would never wish for someone to be in a negative place or poor circumstance, my mother’s words gave me the advice I needed to keep working on things. Now, I am stronger for having gone through my circumstance.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
One very good thing that came out of the challenges encountered was that I found the strength to assist families in need.
6 years ago, I became a volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. I received a call many years ago to attend Lakeridge Hospital to photograph a baby whose time was much too short on this world. The call left me in tears and I was unable to find the strength to attend my first call. A fellow Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer took the call to assist the family.
In the fall of 2012 I took my first call to the Sick Children’s Hospital to photograph a baby boy. This baby boy was born full term and looked perfect and beautiful in every way. He was on life support and his time with us would also be too short.
Most of my clients are unaware that I am a member of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. In 2014, I plan on taking more calls to assist families in preserving the memory of their little ones.
Teaching
In 2011 I started teaching newborn photography. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences meeting and mentoring fellow photographers. So many of you have grown and succeeded in your endeavours.
In 2013, wonderful photographers came to see me for private instruction and one on one mentoring. I was very fortunate to meet wonderful photographers and teach them the art of newborn photography, workflow and business skills.
2013 was mainly dedicated to servicing the needs of my existing client base. Anyone who knows me (especially my newborn clients) know that I don’t like being rushed. Each pose must be carefully set-up so that baby looks perfectly posed, beautiful and peaceful.
I am the say way with my mentoring and teaching. The largest group workshop I had was in Perth, Australia with 8 attendees. The workshop sold out quickly so I offered a second workshop. I found 8 to be too many students to teach at one time.
When I first started my path to newborn photography, I attended workshops that had 15 attendees. I found the experience to be rushed and stressful and I walked away not learning very much.
There has been a lot of interest in a group newborn posing workshop for 2014 and I do have plans to release details very soon for a spring class. The class will be limited in size to a maximum of 6 attendees. If you have already emailed me and expressed interest, I promise to contact you with first opportunity to reserve a spot.
Studio Lighting
Studio lighting has become a large part of my photography. We no longer have to make due with low light or reschedule sessions on a bad weather day. It’s been 3 years since I purchased my studio lights and I must say that I’ve come to love them very much. They have not only given me the freedom to shoot in any type of weather, they have also opened up many new creative doors.
Plans for 2014
2014 brings a lot of change to Chandra Lee Photography. I have expanded my business to include engagement portrait sessions and commercial work.
6 years ago I made a commitment to continue to invest in my business on a continuing basis. Equipment is always being upgraded and new props arrive monthly. I have seen so much growth over the last 6 years which gives me a wonderful sense of pride and accomplishment.
New poses are always being added to my portfolio. I ask myself when I will run out of new ideas but it hasn’t happened yet.
Thank you
I had the privilege of photographing so many beautiful babies and families in 2013.
Thank you to everyone who frequents my page and for your continued support and friendship.
Most of all, thank you to my wonderful clients who make Chandra Lee Photography possible. It’s a pleasure to get to know all of you and your families.
