Photographer interacting with toddler in a bright room, holding a camera, next to a potted plant and wooden toys.

WELCOME TO THE REFLECTIONS BLOG

Practical tips, stories, and more to simplify your motherhood journey

As a mom of 4 and family photographer of 20+ years, I’m here to help with tips, tricks, and specific recommendations for parents in the Niagara Falls, Ontario region.

Whether you’re expecting, a new mom, or a parent of young children, pour yourself a cup of tea and relax while you read.

Baby, Family, Mama Care, Local Niagara Businesses Karen Byker Baby, Family, Mama Care, Local Niagara Businesses Karen Byker

Top 10 Baby-Friendly Cafes in Niagara: A Guide for New Moms

Hello, new moms! Embracing the journey of motherhood is a beautiful and transformative experience, though it certainly comes with its unique set of challenges. Amid the whirlwind of diaper duties and sleep-deprived nights, you deserve a peaceful retreat. A place where you can relax, enjoy a warm drink, and bond with other mothers sharing…

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Mama Care, Maternity, Local Niagara Businesses Karen Byker Mama Care, Maternity, Local Niagara Businesses Karen Byker

The Ultimate Guide to Maternity Clothing Stores in Niagara

Embrace the beauty of motherhood with style and comfort! If you're an expecting mother, congratulations on embarking upon this incredible journey. As your body and life transform, so too should your wardrobe. In Niagara, you're in luck – we've curated a list of 7 fantastic maternity clothing stores where you can find everything to suit your evolving style and needs.

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Family Reflections Family Reflections

Invest in Your Happiness with 6-Month Baby Photography

Throughout life, we often encounter the term "investment." We're encouraged to invest in our education, homeownership, career development, stocks and bonds, and various other endeavors. The list could go on indefinitely. However, what's seldom emphasized is the importance of investing in our own happiness, which can be equally, if not more, crucial than all the investments mentioned combined.

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Family Reflections Family Reflections

Why Having Aphantasia Makes Me a Better Family Photographer

Have you ever realized you were different? This summer, I discovered something about myself that changed my life and altered my worldview (literally).  Let me explain. My husband, Phil, and three of our children went on a fun, memorable RV road trip to Halifax. We had a great time and made lots of memories. Of course, I took lots of photos…

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Newborn Reflections Newborn Reflections

How to Display Your Newborn Portraits

As an expecting mama, have you heard, “It goes so fast!” or worse, “Don’t blink, they’ll grow before your eyes”? While there is truth to those statements, it’s not exactly inspiring for a new parent to hear. Yes, bringing home a newborn baby is very busy and sometimes, well, chaotic. There will be moments where you feel incredibly exhausted and…

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Baby Reflections Baby Reflections

Perks of Outdoor 6-Month Baby Photography

I don’t think it’s a secret that I just adore the six-month baby milestone sessions. This milestone is so precious because your sweet, snuggly, sleepy newborn is now a chubby, mobile, and smiling baby

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Baby Reflections Baby Reflections

Your Stress-Free Cake Smash Session

Many Niagara families want to celebrate their baby’s first birthday with a cake smash session. These are so much fun to plan and capture. If you think planning your baby’s cake smash session will be a lot of work, I have good news for you. I’d love to share how my full-service photography process handles all the details of this special session for you.

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Maternity Reflections Maternity Reflections

What Should Your Family Wear for Your Maternity Photos

Your Niagara maternity photos should be an experience that you look forward to and not one that creates a million things to do. I hear from many mamas who are stressed over finding what to wear for their portrait session. Not only do they need to find something they can wear, they need to find outfits for their entire family. I’d love to share how…

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