Rebecca Connolly

Micheline’s 50th Birthday Celebration

Stephanie de Montigny August 19, 2026

What a milestone to have the honour of celebrating! She really did have to do some convincing when I first heard she wanted to schedule a fun portrait session to document her 50th birthday. And NOT because I wasn’t totally psyched to adventure downtown Almonte for a champagne toast! Micheline has been a good friend of mine since shortly after I moved to town. She was in a volunteer role leading the local business & tourism association, running her interior

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Ways to Minimize Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

Stephanie de Montigny March 10, 2026

I had the opportunity to chat with a chiropractor friend of mine, Dr. Elizabeth Carter, about minimizing low back pain that often accompanies pregnancy. I’ve experienced it twice myself, and many of my clients often speak of the discomfort, so I set out to find some actionable tips for the next time it comes up in conversation. Luckily, we were also able to touch on some of the underlying causes to avoid them, because we all know the best “cure”

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Do Good, Look Good | Business Portraits for Charity 2026

Stephanie de Montigny February 9, 2026

Are you ready to look great while helping support your community? count me in! Pure Natural Portraits, owned & operated by Stephanie de Montigny, is an inclusive business & safe space for everyone. All individuals are welcome to participate in fundraising efforts and everyday service offering, including but not limited to the Neurodivergent, BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities. While the studio building itself may not be fully accessible, the business is and I strive to accommodate whenever possible for those with

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Newborn Baby Isla – 4 weeks new

Stephanie de Montigny February 6, 2026

Baby Isla came to visit the portrait studio for her newborn photography session at just under 4 weeks new, 26 days old to be exact. This beautiful girl is the youngest of three, with two older brothers who love her dearly, and it has been an honour to watch this family grow. I still cannot believe our first session together was almost seven years ago! World, meet Isla. Here are a few favourites from the session. And what a pleasure it was

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Meet the Hearts of Lanark County

Stephanie de Montigny February 1, 2026

the artist Hi, I’m Stephanie. I am a neutral-loving work-from-home parent raising babies & businesses at the same time. I enjoy relaxing with a frozen margarita or snuggling up on the couch for a romcom.  I believe thrifting could be considered a sport, going on adventures with my family is all the exercise I need, and collecting hobbies & new skills IS my favourite pastime. The story I moved to Almonte a few months before my second child was born,

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The Matthews Siblings | Ottawa Photographer

Stephanie de Montigny November 26, 2025

As much as I love photographing newborns, helping capture the unique personalities of young children holds an even bigger piece of my heart. Creating pieces of art for the walls for them to see themselves on a daily basis and know that they are loved and celebrated for exactly who they are. They’ve even conducted studies that show seeing oneself on the wall offers a boost in confidence and self-worth. I wholeheartedly believe that every child deserves every step up

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The Boland Family | Blakeney Photographer

Stephanie de Montigny November 20, 2025

Did you know that I very much enjoy giving the big kids the same attention as I would any other child? Capturing them as they are and celebrating their unique personality, no matter how grown they are, offers the same confidence boost and reassurance of love. And THAT is why I do what I do: the joy the art brings to my clients.   World, meet the Boland family   Here are a few favourites from the sessions.  Reach out

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Fall in Love with Almonte

Stephanie de Montigny November 17, 2025

If you’ve ever been to Almonte, you know just how beautiful the community is: the landscape, the buildings, the people. This year, Fall has been extra amazing! Between the night market to kick off the season, all of the lovely leaves and changing colours, and the month-long activities in October for the Highland Haunt, it’s been jam-packed with goodness. What has been YOUR favourite part of Fall this year? If you’ve got a fun event coming up and want to

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The Gift of Saying ‘Not Yet’ to Visitors After Birth | Ottawa Newborn Photographer

Stephanie de Montigny November 12, 2025

In those final weeks of pregnancy, it can feel like the rest of the world is impatiently waiting to rush in and meet your baby as soon as they arrive. But what if that’s not what you want? What if, instead, you’re yearning for some quiet, private time with your newborn? It’s okay to want that, and it’s okay to say ‘no’ to visitors. You don’t owe anyone access to your baby, and it’s not selfish to keep your postpartum

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The Laughlin Family | Carp Photographer

Stephanie de Montigny October 14, 2025

I have my favourite locations across Ottawa, Lanark County and the Valley, but it is even more exciting when I get the honour of photographing a family on their own land. Whether it be a lakeside property, a forested area, or a full-fledged farm like this one, it presents a beautiful opportunity to create even more meaningful portraits.  World, meet the Laughlin family Here are a few favourites from the sessions.  Reach out online or call 613-371-4594 to schedule your

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5 Key Elements of Safe Newborn Posing

Stephanie de Montigny September 16, 2025

Behind the Lens: What Safe Newborn Photography Really Looks Like Did you know that safety knowledge is just as important as artistic talent in your newborn photographer? As a nationally accredited newborn photographer, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of combining the art of photography with the utmost care for our littlest subjects. I have been honoured with the privilege of photographing preemies, NICU graduates, twins, and many other tiny humans who rely on me to keep them safe during their

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Excuse The Mess, We Live Here

Stephanie de Montigny August 12, 2025

Somewhere along the way, society made us feel like we need to have magazine-cover-worthy decor and pinterest-perfect houses to have the luxury of enjoying wall artwork. I don’t know about you, but I have two children, so my house is cluttered, messy, and lived in. And I still get to enjoy the artwork hanging in my home. I may not post about it on social media for all to see because I am still working on the mindset part of

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The Neilly Family | Ottawa Photographer

Stephanie de Montigny July 15, 2025

I have my favourite locations across Ottawa, Lanark County and the Valley, but it is even more exciting when I get the honour of photographing a family on their own land. Whether it be a lakeside property, a forested area like this one, or a full-fledged farm, it presents a beautiful opportunity to create even more meaningful portraits.    Speaking of meaningful, it’s an even bigger honour when I am graced with the honour of photographing a family before their

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Summer Solstice in Almonte

Stephanie de Montigny June 27, 2025

I don’t think I’ve seen Mill Street this busy since Light Up The Night! The community really pulled together for the night market this season to celebrate the Summer solstice in Almonte. The music, the food, the art, the local shops and visiting vendors; it really all made for such a beautiful event. See for yourself! What are your next plans for this summer? If you want a family portrait session to be a part of it, I would love

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Statement Piece vs. Gallery Wall

Stephanie de Montigny May 13, 2025

Choosing the Right Display for Your Family Portraits The Gallery Wall A gallery wall is a curated collection of portraits displayed together, typically featuring different frame styles and print mediums, different sizes, orientations, & sizes, and sometimes even incorporating other artistic renditions (paintings, drawings, etc.). This artistic route offers several distinct advantages: Gallery walls excel at telling a story, like an album for your walls. You can showcase different moments from the same session—close-ups of individual children, candid interactions between

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