​I was doing a little research on the Internet to see what kind of baby gear is out there now.  Wow!  I wish these were around when I had my baby, ..ahem, several years ago.  It just amazes me all the coolest, funkiest baby items there are from which to choose.

According to Parents, here are some of my top five favorites that I would choose were I having a baby this year.

All photos and descriptions are from Parents.

I have seen some of these products up close and personal because they have been used by my grandchildren.  So, I do speak from some experience with these products and can vouch very highly for them, i.e.  Aden + Anais swaddle blankets, Graco car seat and Dr. Brown's bottles.  The bassinet and travel crib just looked pretty cool to me.

So, there's that.

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Let's Start A Conversation" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Since I mainly photograph newborns, safety has always been my number one concern when handling babies.

Now, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19, safety is upfront and center right now.  As your photographer, I just wanted to let you know the extra steps and precautions I will be taking when photographing you, your baby and/or family.  


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• We will reschedule your shoot, if necessary, if myself, you or anyone in your family has a fever or respiratory illness.  
• I have the benefit of working from home, so I am not frequently out in public.  Especially now, I will limit my exposure to crowds.  When I am out in a store, using a public restroom, etc. I always use a sanitizing wipe to wipe the cart and use a paper towel to grab the handle of the bathroom door when leaving.  I've done this for years, but it is very important now.
• I will always wash my hands thoroughly before I pick up my camera.  If we are doing the photoshoot in your home, I will wash my hands as soon as I enter your home.  If the photoshoot is outdoors, I will wash my hands thoroughly before I leave the house.  I will use hand sanitizer in front of you and again when I leave.  Upon arriving home, I will wash my hands again.  As you have read and heard, washing hands for at least 20 seconds is the number one defense against this virus.  
• As I only do lifestyle sessions, the only equipment I bring inside your home is my camera equipment.  My camera and lenses are wiped down before I walk into your home and when I return back home after the photo shoot.
• When we first greet each other, I will fist bump or bump elbows instead of shaking hands.  I will resist the urge to hug anyone.
• Instead of using my hands to handle or position a baby, children or adults, I will be very conscious to not touch any of my subjects.  I will do my best to guide you with my words.  If necessary, I may show you pictures of how I would like you to position yourself.  

Until this outbreak has passed, I want to err on the side of caution and be extra vigilant in protecting you, my clients, as well as myself.

May we all take the extra precautions as necessary and pray a vaccine will be developed sooner than later and the virus will be eradicated soon.

​Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands!

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Lifestyle newborn photography is a beautiful way to commemorate the birth of your new addition to the family.  As you are searching for a professional photographer, there may be some questions you are asking yourself.  If you are already in the midst of researching, you have, no doubt, found hundreds of newborn photographers.  Each have their own unique style and specialty.  It's probably becoming overwhelming for you to choose.

To help you narrow it down, ask yourself...

Should these first photos of your brand new baby be taken at home or in a studio?

Having photos taken in the comfort and security of your own home is safer for your new baby.

With the photographer coming to your home, you are not taking your baby out into the public and risking him or her catching something.

Safety is my number one concern when photographing newborns and by being in your home, the risk is minimal.

Being in the home is more comfortable for everyone, especially if there are siblings.
 
With a new baby in the house, everything changes.  It gets crazy, whether this is your first child or fifth child.  By staying home for the photo session, you won't have to worry about packing up everything you would need for the baby.  Being home, relaxing, makes for a more enjoyable time together as a family.  Your baby will also be more comfortable being surrounded by familiar sounds and smells.  This allows the lifestyle photographer to capture more relaxed, natural and connected images, which brings me to my last point...

Having in-home newborn photographs portrays you and your family's true emotions.

I let the baby lead the posing, which means I don't stiffly pose them by putting them in awkward positions.  I will "pose" them naturally.  I love capturing the natural, raw emotion of the moment.  No "perfect" posing.  I like to show real life, connecting and loving with one another.  The home is the best place to showcase your baby in their own environment, whether it be in your bedroom, their nursery or the living room.  

Therefore, having your newborn photographed in your own home is safer, more comfortable and more natural.  It's a fantastic way to begin this new journey that goes by oh, too fast.

DreamWorld Photography is currently running a model call to help build our portfolio for Fresh 48 sessions!

Fresh 48 sessions are a fantastic way to let others know about the newest addition to your family.  It is such a special moment capturing your baby at the hospital, birthing center or home within the first 24 - 48 hours of their birth.  These sessions are relaxed and unposed with just a little direction and guidance from me.

You will never regret having it done.  Babies change so fast.  Having professional, high quality images capturing your newborn in the first day or two of welcoming them this side of earth will be something you will always cherish and be reminded of how tiny they really were with that little squishy face, those tiny feet and hands and their cute little button nose.

I absolutely love capturing those special moments when the parents are focused on nothing but their new little one, getting acquainted with every little bit of their new creation.

Are you expecting or know someone who is ready to give birth soon?  If so, please click "Apply Here" on the button below.

Feel free to share this with all your pregnant friends or family members who would love a complimentary Fresh 48 session.

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

I love deep eye contact as well as natural smiles.

Besides my lifestyle newborn and family sessions, I also offer boutique school photography at local schools in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, Florida for preschool up to elementary age students.  

I never force "say cheese" smiles.  I talk to them, listen and ask questions that will capture their personality in that moment.  That's real connection.  I love to capture natural smiles, silly faces, not looking at the camera at all faces.  These are the true, raw emotions I love to capture.  If they don't smile, they don't smile.  Sometimes, those are the best photographs.  I photograph who they are, at that particular moment frozen in time.

Having their portraits hung on your wall (especially showing their unique personality) is a fantastic way to show them you love the different individuals they are.

Preschools, Elementary Schools, Homeschools - I offer very affordable unique school photos.  Easy online ordering and I donate 10% of net proceeds back to the school!

If you are a parent or guardian reading this blog and are interested in this type of unique school photography service for your child’s school, please direct your school administrator to my web page here or click the button below for more information.  I would be happy to meet or chat with them about my unique approach to school photography.

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​I am looking to create a team of photographers and grow my business in my newly formed The DreamWorld Group under my already established DreamWorld Photography business.
 
I am currently looking for at least three freelance contract photographers specializing in each of the following:   maternity/newborn, weddings and families in the lifestyle genre using a light and airy editing style.  Bonus points if you also have marketing experience, but not required.
 
This would be great for recent local photography grads as well as being perfect for photographers just getting started or just love to photograph without having the burden and responsibilities of owning their own photography business.  Do what you love to do without being bogged down.
 
Candidates must live in Manatee or Sarasota County, Florida.

​Click here to fill out a short questionnaire so I can get to know you as a photographer.

Happy 2020!  

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

It’s also leap year!  Here are a few fun facts.

DreamWorld Photography will be closed from December 21, 2019 - January 1, 2020.  We will re-open on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Enjoy this time with your loved ones.

​Looking forward to a bigger and better year in 2020!

Have you ever wondered how you can take better photographs using your iPhone?  Wonder no more.  Emil Pakarklis is the owner and creator of the iPhone Photography School.  Emil posts free videos with iPhone tips and hacks that will enable you to take fantastic iPhone photographs.

We don't always have our DSLR's with us or have time to grab it when one of our children is doing something extraordinary, but we always,  most likely, have our phones on us.  

Even though the below video was created in 2017, a lot of these same hidden features can be found on today's version of the iPhone.  Take a look and go from boring iPhone photos to incredible iPhone photos.  

Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

When my husband and I were on vacation the end of August visiting family and friends, I took advantage of taking photos of our daughter and our two granddaughters.  

We took some indoors and then went for a little walk to the area around the old Rockville Courthouse for our outdoor shots.  I loved all the natural connection photos as well as the gentile guidance poses.

Whenever I visit family or they visit us, photographs are always my number one priority.  I absolutely love capturing moments frozen in time that I and others can look at years from now and remember those precious moments.

Are you getting those precious moments of your little ones frozen in time?  If not, hurry before they grow up, because they will not be little for long.  

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.