This sweet newborn session was done right at home. I love being able to get some pictures of a newborn in their crib, and mom in her element looking down at her new bundle of joy. But as families grow, we cannot forget our furry friends who also welcomed a new little bundle of joy into his home.
Confession: family portraits with little children used to frighten me! I didn’t gain the experience I have today as a family portrait photographer until I had my own family. My two busy boys have taught me a thing or two about setting reasonable expectations, keeping them engaged, and making photoshoots fun! Thank you boys! I’ll use a recent photo from our beach vacation as an illustration:
I picked out their outfits on a rare solo shopping trip months in advance. When we were getting them dressed, we had to bribe them to wear said clothing. We walked to the beach (this was our third day at the beach) and while I envisioned them sitting neatly together in the sand with the ocean behind them, they had other ideas. First, they HAD to frolic in the ocean and dig in the sand, so I photographed that instead. I had almost given up on my goal for that trip to the beach thinking we could just come back another day. But on the way home, I asked them to stop by this sand dune and with some silly charades from their daddy, this sweet photo is the result.
After having shared all of that, my goals for my own family are not the same for my client’s sessions. I spend time getting to know my clients’ desires and priorities for the photo shoot and am much more focused on making that happen within the time allowed. I just thought I’d share some background before getting into what I feel is most important when photographing sessions with little ones. Here’s a recent photo shoot with a family in Cranberry to give you a feel for what to expect.
Ok, tip #1: Keep moving. There’s nothing worse than to plop a kid down and expect them to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. I like to pick locations that are conducive to walking and offer variety in scenery.
Tip #2: Less is more when it comes to props. Other than a chair, a book, or bubbles, too much attention is given to managing props. We didn’t need anything for this mommy and me portrait, just mom and her daughter so that the focus is on their special relationship.
The same goes for this baby girl and her daddy.
Tip #3: Have fun. To keep this little sweetie interested, we told her we were going on a nature walk. So when she found this walking stick, we went with it. When I engage with kids and they have an idea to offer, I want them to experience the pleasure of this process!
If you’d like to talk more about scheduling a family photo shoot, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
2017 has been a blessed year for my family and my business and I’m so thankful to my clients for the opportunity to document so many wonderful memories from weddings, to babies, to high school seniors. Thank you so much for reviewing my business on Google, for referring your friends and family, and for liking my posts on Instagram and Facebook! I’m so grateful to get to work for people like you! I’m proud to share this recap of my work over this past year and blessed to note that I’ve been able to run this business from home on a part-time basis. Which compels me to say, God is good! Just wanted to give the Lord credit for all that is good in my life: my husband and children, my extended family, and friends. Thank you all for your support. Ok, onto the photos.
As we prepare for a new year with new beginnings, what better place to start than some brand new babies!
And it goes so fast…
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Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing some fantastic maternity and newborn sessions here in Pittsburgh. These sessions are a real treat as a photographer because it is amazing to work with expecting moms and their little bundles of joy. I love to witness the miracle of pregnancy and babies. So I’m excited to share this slide show with images from some of my favorite sessions. I will soon be updating my portfolio and packages pages with information about maternity and newborn sessions, but I didn’t want to wait until then to share this slide show. If you’re in the Pittsburgh area and interested in a maternity or newborn session, please send me a message!
If you’re interested in a maternity or newborn session, here are a few things to keep in mind. Timing is everything. The best time for a maternity session is in the third trimester, between week 32 and 36. The timing for newborn sessions is even more crucial because it’s better to photograph newborns while they are asleep. And you can only count on them to really sleep soundly during their first two weeks. I know that is a short time-frame, especially considering a mom needs time to recuperate from giving birth and adjusting to life with her baby. But if you can make it work, a newborn session within the first few days of life is so worth it! It’s best to contact me at the beginning of your third trimester so that we can start to talk about scheduling and preparing for your maternity and newborn sessions.
My introductory rate for each session is a $150 sitting fee. A web gallery with a minimum of 25 images will be available within two weeks of the session. There is a required purchase of $350 worth of prints or other products from the web gallery for each session.
I recently photographed the birth of my friends’ daughter. This couple wanted to have their story documented so that they could always remember what it was like the day they brought their baby girl into the world. I know that many moms would shudder at having a camera in the delivery room, but I have come to realize that a birth is such a miraculous experience that I begin to wonder why birth photography is not more common.
Ok, I know there are a few obvious reasons, but we’re talking about tasteful images of the first few moments of newborn’s life. The photos leading up to the birth show such strong and beautiful emotions, and they are all a very important part in telling the story of the birth.
Jen was in labor for a very long time, and while she needed a lot of privacy during the more painful parts of her labor, she was ready to be photographed after she was fully dialted and about to go into delivery. Here are just a few photos from the start of the delivery through the birth:
Jen looks amazing despite a long, hard day of contractions.
This is it! The baby is just about ready.
Sean just said a prayer before the midwives begin the delivery.
Jen is in between pushing in this photo when Sean said something to make her laugh.
The midwives were so professional and attentive.
They are looking into a mirror that is reflecting the first glimpse of the baby’s head.
This moment was so touching. Jen can finally see her little baby.
Little Imani has arrived and she is precious right out of the womb.
This is my favorite: their first family portrait.
Little Imani looks up at her mom. Their lives are forever changed. Congratulations to the new family! God bless little Imani.
Jen and Sean were recently featured on the cover of Expectant Mother Pittsburgh. The photo is one from their maternity session. I think it’s fitting that they are on the cover of this magazine as they are a couple that I really look up to as my husband and I begin to think about parenthood. Here’s the cover:
