2023 Ottawa May Flower Photo Sessions: are you ready?! Every year one of the most requested sessions we offer is my May Flower Sessions.
If you want to book a May Flower Session (Tulips, Blossom), please read all the details carefully. While beautiful, May Flowers are notoriously fickle.
We are entirely dependent on Mother Nature’s cooperation, which means:
- Your session date and time are tentative. As we get closer to your session date, we’ll be able to confirm that the flowers will bloom as expected. With the warm temperatures in mid-April, we are hopeful that the flowers will bloom on their usual schedule.
- Your exact session location (e.g., address) will be sent to you the day before the session. These sessions require that I scout well over a dozen different locations to determine where the best blooms and light are. I also need locations that are safe, accessible, and have nearby parking. We want to make sure we have beautiful blooms and not wilted petals! Last year the derecho storm blew away almost all of the blossom trees so we only give the general area for sessions to help prepare clients for where it will be.
One more thing:
- There is a small possibility that we might have to move your session up or back by a week, depending on Mother Nature. Sometimes the flowers bloom much earlier or later than anticipated. In the past we’ve been able to find alternate locations when this happens but we always give clients a ‘heads up’ that this is a possibility.
If you love flowers and don’t mind the possibility of “no guarantees”, read on for more details!
How do I book a 2023 Ottawa May Flower Photo Session?
Booking is available online in the boutique.
If your plans change, can we change our session time?
Before booking your session, please ensure your partner and family members are all available for the date and time you have selected as well as the back-up date. Unlike other service appointments (e.g., spa, hair salon, massage), we require several hours of planning prior to your session taking place. As a result, changing your session date and time once it has been booked is not possible.
Do I have to pay for my session fee in full?
To secure your session, you must provide a session deposit. You are responsible for paying the balance of your session the week it is scheduled to take place.
What are the session options?
All May Flower Sessions are Limited Edition Sessions that are 15 minutes in length ($375+HST). These sessions include 5 edited and retouched digital images of your choice in colour and 3 complimentary gift prints.
What types of May Flower Sessions are you offering?
Tulip Sessions
- Last year was my first year offering sessions with Ottawa’s iconic tulips and the sessions were so incredible that I’m offering them again this year by popular request.
- Let’s set ourselves up for session success! The locations near the tulip flowerbeds are often busy and near paths and the QE parkway. If your child is easily distracted or has difficulty staying close to you, this may not be the best choice for your family. As always, I do my best to choose quiet locations.
- The session are scheduled on a weeknight to avoid the busiest times at the flower beds.
- As the flowers are close to the ground, most of the poses will be seated (not standing).
- Scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th (back up May 11th). You must be available on both dates.
- Sessions will take place at a location in Central Ottawa (not Dow’s Lake).
- You may be required to pay for parking to access the location, depending on where the most beautiful flower beds are.
Blossom Sessions
- Apple and cherry blossoms are the perfect pink and white floral backdrop!
- Let’s set ourselves up for session success! There are often many bees in the blossoms while we are shooting. If your child is scared of insects or bees, this may not be the best session choice for your family.
- Since the flowers are up in the trees, we primarily use standing poses (we will hold small children closer to the flowers).
- Scheduled for Wednesday, May 17th (back up May 18th). You must be available on both dates.
- Scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th (back up May 25th). You must be available on both dates.
- Sessions will take place in central or East Ottawa. We will provide the specific location (e.g., address) the day before your session, to ensure the blossoms haven’t wilted. Not all trees bloom every year, or at the same time, which is why choosing a location for these sessions is so tricky.
Who can come to our session?
May Flower Sessions are for immediate family members only (parents and their children).
What happens if it’s raining on the day of our session?
Each date of sessions has a corresponding back up date. Clients must be available for both dates.
What is your session illness and cancelation policy?
We have made several changes to our studio policies and practices since 2020. We have recently updated them for 2023, and you can see the updated policies here.
