The Globe and Mail | Baby Photography Toronto

Photographer Captures Niche with Newborns: A Look Back at the Moment It All Began

Every business has an origin story, but some beginnings are so deeply personal that they shape not only the work that follows, but the heart behind it.  For me, that moment was captured in 2010, when The Globe and Mail published an article titled “Photographer Captures Niche with Newborns.” Written by Philippe Devos, the piece chronicled the earliest days of my photography journey—before the awards, before the hundreds of newborns I would eventually photograph, before the fully mobile studio experience I now bring to families across Durham Region and Toronto. It was a time defined by passion, uncertainty, and a mother’s desire to create something meaningful.

The article featured an image of me with my first daughter, Madison, who was just a year old at the time. That photograph still brings me back to the moment everything changed. I was a new mother, navigating the beautiful chaos of early parenthood, and I had no idea that the tiny person in my arms would inspire an entirely new path for my life.

The Spark That Started It All

When Madison was born, I did what so many new parents do—I booked professional newborn portraits. I envisioned soft, serene images that captured her delicate features and the fleeting magic of those early days. But when the photos arrived, they didn’t reflect what I had imagined. They were sweet, of course, but they lacked the artistry, intention, and gentle posing I had hoped for. As I looked at the images, I felt a pang of disappointment—not in the photographer, but in the realization that I had missed the chance to capture my daughter the way I saw her.

That feeling stayed with me. It nudged me. It whispered, You could do this differently.

At the time, I wasn’t a photographer. I was a law clerk on maternity leave, contemplating what the next chapter of my life might look like. But the idea of creating the kind of newborn portraits I had longed for—images filled with softness, artistry, and emotional truth—took hold of me. And once it did, I couldn’t let it go.

Learning From the Ground Up

As the Globe and Mail article described, I entered the world of photography with no business experience and only a basic understanding of my camera. I had used it almost exclusively on automatic mode. But I was determined. I read my camera manual cover to cover. I practiced during nap times. I posed my daughter’s Cabbage Patch doll because Madison was already too big for newborn-style images. I took more than 30 photography classes and workshops across Southern Ontario and even traveled to the United States to learn from photographers I admired.

I also enrolled in the Ontario Self-Employment Benefit program, which provided business training and support that accelerated my growth by years. I invested tens of thousands of dollars into equipment, props, education, and studio supplies. Every step felt like a leap, but each leap brought me closer to the vision I held so clearly in my mind.

Finding My Niche

Newborn photography was still a developing specialty in 2008 when I launched Chandra Lee Photography. Many portrait photographers focused on weddings, families, or older babies. Few were dedicated exclusively to newborns, and even fewer specialized in photographing babies under 10 days old—the window when they are sleepiest, curliest, and most naturally posed.

I saw an opportunity to create something unique: fine art newborn portraits that celebrated the beauty, fragility, and wonder of a baby’s earliest days. I wanted parents to have what I didn’t—images that felt timeless, intentional, and deeply personal.

The early years were filled with long sessions, warm studios, and a lot of patience. I learned soothing techniques, perfected posing safety, and developed a workflow that allowed me to create consistent, high-quality images while keeping babies comfortable and secure. Slowly, word spread. Free sessions for friends turned into referrals. My blog gained traction. My website climbed to the top of search results. And before long, I was photographing hundreds of newborns, each one a reminder of why I started.

Growing Into a New Era

Fast forward to today—2026. My daughters are now 18 and 8, and the tiny baby who inspired this journey is nearly an adult. My business has grown, evolved, and transformed in ways I could never have imagined back in 2010.

One of the biggest changes has been the shift to fully mobile newborn photography. While I once welcomed families into my Bowmanville studio, I now bring the entire experience directly to their homes across Whitby, Durham Region, Toronto, and the GTA. This change has been transformative—not just for my clients, but for me.

Bringing the studio to my clients allows new parents to relax in their own space, without the stress of packing diaper bags, navigating traffic, or worrying about feeding schedules. I arrive with professional lighting, props, wraps, outfits, and my curated collection of high-end accessories. Sessions are slow, calm, and baby-led, typically lasting three to four hours to allow time for soothing, feeding, and bonding. It’s a luxury experience designed around comfort, safety, and artistry.

Over the years, I’ve photographed more than 1,000 newborns and earned multiple industry awards, but the heart of my work remains the same: capturing the fleeting beauty of new life with care, patience, and intention.

Looking Back With Gratitude

Revisiting the Globe and Mail article today feels like opening a time capsule. I see a young mother with a dream, a camera, and a determination to build something meaningful. I see the roots of a business that has grown far beyond what I imagined. I see the beginning of a journey that has brought me into the homes—and hearts—of so many families.

Most of all, I see the power of following a spark, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

That 2010 article captured a moment in time, but it also captured the essence of why I do what I do. Every newborn I photograph reminds me of Madison. Every family I meet reminds me of my own beginnings. And every session is an opportunity to create the kind of images I once wished for—images that become heirlooms, memories, and treasures.

As I continue offering travelling newborn sessions throughout Durham Region and Toronto, I carry that history with me. It’s woven into every pose, every detail, every quiet moment spent soothing a baby into peaceful sleep. My roots are in that Globe and Mail story, in that photograph of me holding my daughter, and in the belief that beauty can grow from the simplest spark of inspiration.

Learn more about travelling newborn sessions with Chandra Lee.