Nov
18
2016Sweet baby Caroline was prayed for, hoped for, and dreamed of for 10 long years.
She was every bit worth the wait.
Caroline’s mom requested a session with no headband focused just on the joy of having her here.
I think we may have succeeded.
Aug
31
2016Sawyer’s mama contacted me panicked and begging me to take her “older newborn” for photos in Greenville, SC.
Sawyer had arrived a little unexpectedly. Her birth experience had been difficult and had included an extended hospital stay.
When she finally settled in at home and realized she had not booked a newborn photographer she called a few local photographers.
Almost without exception she was told that newborn photos were only done in the first 10 days of life and that she should wait until 6 months to book a session.
Sawyer was just shy of three weeks old.
I was so sad for his mama. Here all she wanted was beautiful images of her sweet little one (asleep or awake) while he was still little and she was being told it wasn’t possible.
Obviously we were able to capture beautiful images of Sawyer even the sleepy and posed images that other photographers said were not possible at his old age.
Photographers: let me take a second to point at you and implore: please take on older newborns. Please take beautiful images of these sweet older newborns. Give up your ideal of sleeping infants in perfectly posed set up and accept the reality of perfectly imperfect art that gives a mama a memory for life. A memory she treasures and wants to pay you for.
And, mamas, if you’re not finding that all the photographers are saying your baby is too old for newborn pictures: contact me. And I will either see if I can fit you in my calendar or refer you to someone willing to create art for you.
Aug
12
2016
I may have had a little too much for this session. Mama and daddy requested images of Gentry (see the rest of Gentry’s session by clicking here) with this fox.
Due to an illness in my family, we photographed the family and individual portion of Gentry’s session at different times.
I asked to keep the fox between the two sessions to see what props I had that would fit them both.
And then I thought:
“I should do a twin session.”
And then hilariousness ensued. Mama and daddy didn’t know about any of my shenanigans until I released their gallery.
I really couldn’t stop giggling.
I can’t stop giggling now either.
I hope we tickled your funny bone too 🙂
Aug
04
2016Sometimes a dream baby is carried into my studio.
The greater newborn photographer world refers to these as unicorn babies. When a unicorn baby comes to the studio, I rarely see their eyes. And if I do see their eyes, they are content while awake.
Gentry was a unicorn baby. The mythical newborn creature that allows me to pose to my heart’s content (and makes mama’s gallery HUGE)! I especially love Photoblocks Wall No. 13 and was so glad to fill it with lovely images of Gentry.
A unicorn baby always smiles at least once.
And most of the time, a unicorn baby smiles more than once.
It’s almost as if Gentry is amused at how the above pose (called Froggy) fooled you into thinking that he did it all on his own. But he didn’t: safety is so important to me! A little work in Photoshop creates this magic pose.
Did I mention that sweet unicorn babies LOVE being in images with their mama and daddy? Gentry even smiled every time his daddy kissed him!
One of the ways to create unicorn baby behavior is to follow my prep package for making sure your little one is perfect for photos. I recommend a purposeful awake period of about one hour before the session and a full tummy right before you leave to come to the studio (if you live closer) or right when you arrive if you live farther away. Gentry’s mama followed prep to the letter and was spoiled with this full gallery of lovelies.
Sweet Gentry, thank you so much for spoiling me with all of these beautiful images. I’m sure your mama loved them too!
And one more Photoblock Wall because I can’t resist!!!
Jul
28
2016
As a newborn baby boy photographer in Greenville SC, there are two types of babies: Dreamy babies who I never see their eyes. Or average babies who fuss a little, nurse a lot, and give me a very good workout from rocking and soothing. I adore both kinds of babies.
Sweet Asher was an average baby. Sometimes the fussiness comes from gas or a growth spurt, but either way the day of Asher’s session wasn’t the best day for him.
I hear a lot of parents worry about these things when hiring a newborn photographer.
Questions like this race through their minds:
“What if my baby doesn’t sleep?”
“What if they are fussy?”
“What if while they’re naked the poop all over the props or photographer?”
Let me assure you, I have had all of these things happen. Sometimes even in the same session.
If your baby is having a really rough and out of characteristic fussy day, I will reschedule. But that has rarely happened for me.
With some good rocking and shushing and full tummies most babies will sleep.
As for the poop or pee: well, it’s a job hazard and I’m quite used to it. Everything in the studio (including my clothing) can be washed.
Other ways I help your newborn to be extra sleepy is heat, swaddling, and white noise.
The studio is super warm (75-80 degrees!) to simulate the womb environment. Swaddling also simulates the cramped quarters of the womb and prevents startle reflex. And the white noise helps with startling from noises.
So with some patience and extra love, Asher’s parents had a set of beautiful images to remember these early days.
