Stella was my first baby to photograph since finding out I have a little baby of my own on the way. I asked the new parents lots of questions and soaked up all the info I could get. It also made me think more about how I photograph newborns. I photograph newborns in an extremely different style than I photograph kids/seniors/adults/engagements/weddings etc… Newborns are the only indoor portraits I take and they are the only extremely posed portraits I take. I do this because there is no way I am dragging a 10 day old baby out in the middle of a field under the sun in whatever weather condition it is just to get a cool photo. HOWEVER, the more I think about my own child…the more I am thinking my baby will go all kinds of crazy places for fun photos. I would never ask a brand new mom to take her newborn to deep ellum, and yet, I would totally do it. Or at least right now I am thinking I would… Inside is safe and cozy and I can turn on the heat and make it nice and toasty. You don’t have any of the controls outside which is why it makes me nervous to shoot newborns outdoors. However, after doing a bit of experimenting on my own….I might change my mind. I’ll give you an update in about 9 months or so.

Please do not think I am completely cruel. When I am a mom a picture like this might just drive me up the wall, but right now I think it’s really cute. I mean, babies (from what I hear) spend a lot of time doing this, so why not capture at least one picture of it. And in case you are wondering, no I did not pinch her!

This picture juxtapose next to the one above really brings a sigh of relief to me. There is something so peaceful about a sleeping baby.

There is nothing like your daddy’s arms.

Stella it was so nice to meet you, I can tell you have a very fun and loving future ahead of you.

Sophia spent a few minutes staring at me blankly. I wouldn’t say that she was being overly protective of Eli, she just wanted to check me out. I didn’t mind at all, look at her gorgeous big blue eyes–who could resist?!

Here he is, the man of the hour. Elijah’s grandmother and great-grandmother were both at the house when I went to photograph Elijah. There is something so sweet about great-grandparent’s hands. I think it is the generations of love that they have given out.

Elijah slept through most of his session. At least at the beginning…

I do not claim to be a newborn pro photographer. In fact, this is only the fifth newborn I have photographed and the first boy newborn! I am still learning quite a bit about newborns. I really enjoy being around the babies, but I am still learning that they do not always go into the positions that you want them to go into. These last two pictures make me laugh out loud. It was near the end of our session and if was if Elijah was actually saying, “Are you serious? You put me in a basket? Are we quite finished here, I could use some alone time. Thanks.”

Oh Elijah, thank you for your patience with me. I know I am still learning and you were a gracious host. Thank you for letting me visit with you!

This is her sweet pup, isn’t he cute.

Ava was awake for most of her session. Doesn’t she have the most beautiful blue eyes?

After a while, we wore her out.

Ava’s newborn photography session was held in my office (which is currently in the back of my home). I’m hoping to change this once we move, but for now it is working great for newborn sessions. Visit the main photography website for more information on newborn photo sessions, I am available to come to your home or you can come to me!

Announcing the launch of my new studio! I am now booking newborn sessions either in your home (as always) or in my studio. There are benefits to both, and I realize both will be appropriate for different families so I am just excited to offer it as an option!

Click here for more details about portrait sessions and info on booking.

Any who, what you are really waiting for is little Nyah, right? She has been a marvelous example of new life, what a fitting subject for Easter weekend. It has been such a blessing for me to sift through her pictures. Here are a few of my favorites from her shoot.

Jen painted this on her wall. Totally artsy fartsy. I love it.

Sweet little angel. I couldn’t decide which one I liked better.

That sweet scrunched up little face. Oh, how I love this picture. I think I’m turning into an Anne Geddes wanna-be.

Don’t forget to tell people about the mini-portrait sessions April 17! There are still a few spots left and I would LOVE to fill them all!

Thanks for listening to me ramble today, and thanks for visiting my blog! If you are looking for session info & pricing click here and then click the appropriate website (portraits on the left, weddings on the right).

Baby Nyah was born today! You may remember her appearance from the womb on this blog a couple of weeks ago. I’m so excited to tell you that all 9.4 pounds of her arrived safe and sound this afternoon! Aunt Cake and Uncle Dan were super excited to see her just a few hours after her arrival to this world. Josh, Jen, Lakoda & Nyah are in our small group at church and we are so thankful to walk out life with them.

When Lakoda saw little sis for the very first time.

Of course I get two photos posted with Nyah. I am, of course, Aunt Cake! (Lakoda started it, but I’m just rolling along with it. Couldn’t have thought of a better nickname for myself!)

Jen’s grace and patience has completely sold me on the home birth plan. It was such a beautiful and wonderful experience for them. The Lord’s hand was definitely in it all the way. Congrats Josh and Jen, we love you guys!

Are you dying to book a newborn or kid session? I was hoping so! Just in case you are wondering, newborn sessions are $250 and include ALL edited digital files from the session that you can post where-ever you want (facebook) and print up to 5×7. Even though the session will largely revolve around your infant, family involvement in the session is welcome and if you have other kids they will get some cute shots as well.  For more info about session check out my child, family & senior website. …and yes, I will bring the giant tea cup and other fun baby things with me.

So here is the teacup. My last post was it’s first time to make an appearance in one of my sessions, and I must admit it is a hit. I found this little guy at Hobby Lobby for those of you interested, and yes, it is a part of my newborn prop collection that I have started. I also have a few other amazingly cute items that you will see soon… I am ready to dive into newborn sessions!

These pictures are from my latest trip to Lubbock. I was only gone for 2 nights so I packed light taking only my camera gear, baby props, toothbrush, one change of underwear, one tshirt, toothbrush, glasses, contact case and this giant coffee mug. I didn’t check anything so my camera bag was my carry-on and this coffee mug was my allotted “one personal item”. I will just go ahead and tell you that if you are looking to strike up a conversation in the airport, carrying around a giant mug is the way to do it. The giant teacup and I made it safe and sound to Lubbock and had a wonderful shoot. However, on the way home we were put in a holding pattern for an hour and a half due to inclimate weather in Dallas.  This little holding pattern was in the air in a lot of turbulence. I am extremely prone to motion sickness, so needless to say things were not looking good for me and the cup. The cup was under the seat in front of me and I got close to needing to use it a couple of times…but I did NOT. Fear not those of you who were hoping to use this cup for future sessions, it was not contaminated. So, the cup and I get off the plane when it finally lands in Dallas and I am not doing too well. I stumble around flushed, dizzy and confused. I remembered that I had been dropped off by an Avis bus in front of the airport. I stumble outside the first door that I see and stand on the curb for approximately 10 minutes. It is at this time that I realize I am standing where the departures are being dropped off by taxi cabs and maybe I should ask someone where to go. I wandered back inside to the Avis counter, but it was closed, so I went to the counter next to it and asked the woman in very confused terms (because I was still not feeling well) where I could find “the Avis bus to take me back to where my car is because I did not park here I need a ride” yes…I think my words were somewhat close to that. She looked at me strange and I realized how out of it I was and began to formulate a way to rephrase my question when she said, “Avis?” I nodded, she said, “Do you mean Thrifty?” and I looked at her confused. “No, Avis” I said. She looked at me and said, “No, I’m pretty sure you parked at Thrifty. I remember you getting off the thrifty bus a couple of days ago. You need to go down the hall and take the stairs down and the Thrifty bus will pick you up.” Well, guess what. She was right. When I got to the place she was talking about an Avis bus was waiting but I didn’t get on it, I waited for the Thrifty bus and I’m glad I did because my car was indeed parked in the Thrifty parking lot. Thank goodness for my giant teacup which made me memorable! It was totally worth taking it all the way to Lubbock with me.

If you are thinking it was extremely easy for me to take these pictures, let me just say that it was a team effort:

More from Baby Eden & her big sister Avery in a wee bit.