I’m a sucker for baby boys all dressed up. I guess that comes from being a boy mom and wanting to have fun dressing my babies in tiny suspenders and wingtip shoes. So when this family dressed to match their little man, I felt a kinship and knew we’d have a lot of fun during their session.
While I spend most of my time as a photographer creating portraits of babies, kids and families, I do enjoy an occasional wedding or commercial job. And this personal branding session for a Cranberry dermatologist was an uplifting start to my day. Pittsburgh Skin’s motto is “keeping Pittsburgh skin healthy” and this session with Dr. Vélez’s early morning run on the North Shore reflects her positive approach to staying healthy.
When you’re expecting, it’s natural to shift your focus to all things baby. Lots of change comes with pregnancy or adoption. And when we step back, one of the biggest changes that gets overlooked is our roles in marriage. We simply adapt to all of the change that comes with this tiny new life. And it occurred to me recently that a maternity session is not just about the physical change that is taking place, but about the transformation of a couple. And this mom- and dad-to-be really bear witness to a beautiful beginning on their journey as parents.
Looking back on this newborn session from August, I’m recalling a lesson learned that seems very apt for this cold snowy day.
hello baby!
This tiny sweetheart was having a rough day. She was fussy, though I don’t think you’d know it from these photos, but I could tell this mama was feeling defeated because her baby girl just wasn’t feeling it.
snuggling in dad’s arms
mama’s burping baby after a feeding break
The session went long because we were trying everything. Toward the end of the session, I suggested going outside because I thought she’d like the fresh air and a change of atmosphere and we ended up discovering that this baby girl was probably cold! Immediately, she settled and went right to sleep. Even though her home was a comfortable temperature inside on this hot, summer day, with the outfit changes and bare skin, baby girl was cold!
big yawn!
With a snow storm in the forecast, it’s fun to look back at this family session in the peak of Fall foliage last year. The fall gets so busy that it’s easy for lovely sessions like this one to get lost in the shuffle. But now that the holidays are past, it’s time to catch up and reflect. And with these school-aged boys, I’m reminded that lifestyle sessions are great for families regardless of the age of their children.
My thought when I first received this session inquiry is, hmm, what can we do to keep the session fun for this 6- and 8-year old boy? Well, that answer came naturally when this mom asked about a woodsy location. There is so much to explore in this Cranberry location that the boys found their own fun! And when the whole family joins in and goes with the flow, the rest is magic!
This is my favorite picture of these two. I’m a mom of two boys too and I just love to see them play like this!
We walked along a path through the woods, stopping for family portraits here and there.
The session was fast-paced and the boys never lost interest.
Seeing our children enjoy each other’s company is one of the most rewarding moments as a parent. I know from my own experience, that photos of my two boys laughing together are some of my most prized possessions.
If you or someone you know is looking for family portraits with a fresh and fun approach, I’d love to hear from you! It’s not too early to start planning for spring sessions! Contact me here to get started with planning.
Captivating Imagery
Captivating Imagery