Newborn Photographer on the Saanich Peninsula
Gentle outdoor newborn sessions by the sea or in the forest, close to home and easy on new parents.
Most people picture newborn photos indoors, and in-home sessions are wonderful. But there’s something special about a brand new baby wrapped in a soft blanket with the ocean or a quiet forest behind them. On the Saanich Peninsula, those places are only minutes from home.
I’m Alyssa, a lifestyle newborn photographer based in North Saanich. Outdoor newborn sessions are a favourite of mine, depending on the time of year, and I love helping Peninsula families find a spot that’s beautiful without being a big outing.
Here’s what I consider when planning an outdoor newborn session, and the places I tend to suggest.
What makes a good outdoor newborn location
New parents are tired, and newborns are delicate. So the best outdoor newborn spot isn’t necessarily the most dramatic one. It’s the one with a short, smooth walk from the car, somewhere comfortable to sit, a bit of shelter from the wind and a washroom nearby for everyone else.
Season matters a lot too. Late spring through early fall usually gives the mildest days. In colder or wetter months, I’ll often suggest an in-home session instead, and we can still capture the natural light pouring through your windows.
Outdoor newborn sessions stay short and calm. We’ll pick a mild part of the day, bring lots of layers and blankets, and pause any time baby needs to feed, be changed or warm up in your arms.
- A short, firm path from parking
- Benches, a picnic table or a spot to lay a blanket
- Shelter from wind and sun
- Washrooms close by
Peninsula spots that check those boxes
Patricia Bay Park in North Saanich has paved, wheelchair-accessible trails, picnic tables, washrooms and a grassy area sloping down to a gentle beach. It looks west over Patricia Bay and Saanich Inlet, so evening light is soft and warm. It’s one of the easiest seaside settings on the Peninsula for new parents.
Island View Beach Regional Park in Central Saanich has a wide, packed-gravel trail of about 1 km along the beachfront, with benches, accessible parking and accessible pit toilets. Dune grasses and open sky make a light, airy backdrop for a newborn in a neutral wrap.
Coles Bay Regional Park in North Saanich offers forest instead. It has accessible parking, picnic tables near the lot and toilets, and a roughly 10 minute trail through old-growth trees to a pebble beach. The forest near the parking area can be enough for a few quiet photos under the trees. You can see more in my Coles Bay guide.
What to bring and wear
For baby, simple is best. A soft knit wrap, a plain swaddle or a little romper in cream, oatmeal or soft grey looks timeless outdoors and won’t compete with the scenery. Bring a second blanket for warmth between photos, and a hat if there’s any breeze.
For parents, choose comfortable clothes you can sit and feed in. Flowing dresses, soft knits and relaxed button-up shirts all work beautifully. Your prep guide and Pinterest style board will arrive after booking, and I’m always happy to look at options with you. Most of all, bring patience and snacks. We have all the time we need.
I had a maternity and brand new baby photo shoot and before that I hadn’t had my pictures taken much, so I was pretty nervous because I didn’t know how to pose or how to really get my picture taken. But Alyssa was so amazing and made me feel so comfortable and pretty and told me what to do which was great! She even let me do some things I thought were cute and was very kind and flexible and the pictures came out so magical. She captured so many beautiful moments and I couldn’t be happier!
Lizzie P.
Questions families ask
How old should my baby be for an outdoor newborn session?
Newborn sessions are best at 5 to 10 days old, while babies are very sleepy, and can be done up to about 3 weeks. We’ll pick a date once baby arrives.
What if the weather is bad on our date?
With a newborn, flexibility is key. We can shift the date within the newborn window or switch to an in-home session.
Will you include family photos?
Yes. Most often I love to include a few family photos in every newborn session. Siblings are very welcome.
Where can I learn more about newborn sessions?
My newborn photography page covers both in-home and outdoor sessions, and my Saanich Peninsula photographer page lists everything I offer locally.
Is there a travel fee on the Peninsula?
The Peninsula is my home turf, and travel fees only apply to locations more than 25 km from North Saanich.
Let’s connect
Tell me a little about your family and the session you have in mind, and I’ll get back to you with dates and ideas.