Coming back from maternity leave is always a little stressful. I worry that I’ll be rusty and I’ll forget something or forget how to direct families, but thankfully, this first session back was so easy and relaxed. This sweet family welcomed their first baby over Easter and it was such an honor to be invited into their home as they adjusted to their new roles as parents. They are doing such a beautiful job with sweet Lois and I hope they will cherish these photos for years to come.
Introducing Theo {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
It’s hard to believe little Theo joined us 7 weeks ago. The time has flown by. He still feels so new but it’s like he’s been a part of our family forever. I can’t imagine life without him. I love documenting babies in the hospital. It is such a special, but short time. I always try to keep these “Fresh 48” sessions as authentic as possible. I want my families to always remember what those first couple of days felt like. I try to include details you’ll only see in the hospital - hospital bracelets, hats, blankets. It was no different photographing my own sweet baby. I haven’t been able to do any Fresh 48 sessions due to Covid, so getting to do my own after a year of not doing any felt really special. I can’t wait to start offering these again! For now, here is my own little one, Theodore.
Welcoming a Special Little Girl {Seattle Newborn Photograper}
Sometimes someone contacts me and I know right away that I want to play a part in documenting their story. That’s exactly how I felt when this sweet mama contacted me for a newborn session. I was getting close to my own due date and had told myself that I was done taking on sessions until after my baby arrived, but her story spoke to me and I had a strong desire to do this session for them. This family went through many trials and waited many years to meet this sweet baby. The love in their home was palbable. Here is their love story.
A New Family of Three {Everett Newborn Photographer}
This session ranks up there as one of my very favorites. I love watching a couple become parents and these two seemed like they were made for the task. I hope to see their little family as it grows given that they live right in my neighborhood.
Welcome to the world baby Ellis!
A Peaceful Morning at Home with a Family of Four {Everett Newborn Photographer}
This has been a year for the newborns! While most of the world has stopped, babies are still arriving and they still deserved to be documented. Despite not being able to work for four months, this has been my busiest year for newborns to date. Some families had to wait and push their newborn sessions out a few weeks, meaning their newborns were more like 6 or 7 weeks before we could do their session, but that is the beauty of a lifestyle photo session. It doesn’t really matter how old the baby is as we don’t have to get them sleeping and curling up in unnatural poses. I can’t wait to see all the new babies in 2021!
Now onto this session! Little Ford was still one of those tiny newborns at only 11 days for his session. He was such a chill, easy baby and fits right in with his family. His big sister, Sloan was so adorable with him. I always try to start with family and sibling images so that the other kids can take off after that. Sloan was a champ and was so loving with her baby brother. The rest of the session went so smoothly. He hardly made a peep and was just content being in his parents’ arms. I love to focus on the mama and baby during all family and newborn sessions. Often the mom is the photographer in the family, even if she isn’t a photographer herself. Mamas deserve to be in the picture too, so I think it’s so important that I photograph those bonds as much as possible. It is so beautiful to witness the love between a growing family. This family was no exception. The love between them was so beautiful.
Little Ford, welcome to the world. You are so loved!
Holiday Traditions Sessions {Seattle Family Photographer}
I’m so excited to offer a limited number of holiday tradition sessions this November and December. How they work - think of your favorite holiday traditions. It may be you baking cookies with your family or decorating your house, or simply snuggling together and enjoying the season. Pick an activity or two and I will come and spend half an hour photographing your chosen activity (or activities if time allows). You will receive 15 images. Perfect for those holiday cards that you need to send out anyway! Sessions are $300 and you will be able to choose the 15 images that you want easily from my online gallery. Once you have chosen your images, you are welcome to print as you wish. You will also receive a discount code from my preferred holiday card vendor. Click here to book. Please write “Holiday Traditions Session” in the subject line and include your preferred date. Dates are as follows:
November 7th
November 8th
November 14th
November 21st
November 22nd
December 5th
December 6th
December 12th
December 13th
A Quarantine Picture Journal {Seattle Family Photographer}
This has been a year unlike any other. I have found it somewhat therapeutic to photograph my boys as we navigate 2020. Being at home has really made me aware of how important our living space is to me. I love our 110 year old home, even with its quirks, and there’s no other place I’d rather be than here. It’s made me realize how important in home photography is. Your home is the back drop for your lives. It’s where so many important things happen and it should be celebrated and photographed as it helps tell your story. I hope you enjoy seeing our journey through quarantine.
A Beautiful Golden Hour Family Session {Seattle Family Photographer}
The vast majority of my sessions take place at home, but every now and then, I get outdoors and do a family session. This session was part two of a newborn session. We did the first part at home, and the second part at a family farm. Everything came together perfectly and the results were magical. Washington, along with the rest of the west coast has been battling wildfires and the air had been too hazardous to be outside. Luckily, some rain cleared the smoke out and then the sun came out in time for our session. It really couldn’t have gone better and I’m thrilled with the results. I hope to do more outdoor newborn sessions next year when it warms up again. Welcome to the world sweet girl!
Tips for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Must Take Images Before Your Baby Leaves the Hospital
I think we can all agree that this year has been a tough one. While it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, missing out on a Fresh 48 session that you were excited about, can be a bit of a downer. I know it can vary by where you live, but in the Seattle area, photographers are still not able to photograph Fresh 48 sessions. Today, I’m going to share some tips for you to take those image yourself in the hospital while photographers aren’t allowed in. I hope these will help you with photographing those early days until we can have your at home newborn session.
Tip One for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Photograph the hospital items that you only see in those first couple of days. The little newborn hat and the hospital bracelets are only used for such a short time so make sure you get images of them while you can.
Tip Two for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Make sure you photograph them in the little plastic bassinet that they sleep in. This is so unique to your hospital stay so this is an image you’ll want to capture.
Tip Three for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
As most hospitals are only allowing one guest, take turns photographing them in each other’s arms.
Tip Four for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Use natural light. Turn off the hospital lights. They are never flattering and natural light will take your pictures to a different level. Shoot during the daylight and either shoot with the window behind your subject, or with the baby positioned so the light is hitting them from the side.
Tip Five for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Don’t forget a close up of that sweet face and other little details like the tiny flakey feet.
Tip Six for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48
Make sure you explore different angles. You don’t need to take a traditional portrait. Move all around the baby. You might surprise yourself with what you get.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help!
A Quiet Morning at Home with a New Little One {Seattle Newborn Photography}
Typically, moms contact me for newborn photos month before the baby arrives, but sometimes to do lists get overwhelming and not everything on them gets done. Other times, the parents don’t realize they want newborn photos until the baby arrives and they see how quickly they change within a few days and they know they want to photograph this time before they forget what it is like. Because I’d hate for anyone to miss out on newborn photos, I always try to fit families in even if they contact me after baby has arrived. I can’t guarantee it, but I will do my best. This family contacted me once baby had arrived and it occurred to them how quickly baby was growing. Luckily, I was able to get them in quickly and even better that they happen to live right around the corner from me. Their session was so calm and relaxed and little baby Ryan was so precious. Once she fell asleep, I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her! I hope this family will be able to look back at these images once Ryan is bigger and remember how tiny she was.
