I was so excited to photograph this family in their home earlier in the Spring. Little baby boy had recently made his arrival and while the weather was cold outside, this house was fill of warmth and love. Big sister had a ton of energy and was ready to be my new best friend the second I walked in the door. This lifestyle session had a perfect mix of energy and calm. There was jumping on the beds, but also plenty of cuddles. It was such an honor to photograph you all in your own space.
Mama, get in the picture {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}
This one is for the mamas. The memory keepers. The family historians.
You are the one who is behind the camera, capturing every milestone. The first step. The first time trying solid foods. The first day of school. The holidays. The birthdays. The first dance. Sports games. Big events. Little events. You capture it all. All but you. You’re so busy focusing on capturing them, that you forget to get in the frame too.
Pass the camera to Dad, set up a self timer, take a selfie on your phone, hire a professional, but please get in the frame, because you were there too. One day it’s all they’re going to have left. One day, your presence will be a memory. Give them something tangible. Something they can hold in their hands and look at while they remember your smell, your gentle hands, your soft spoken words. Show them how much you love them so they never forget.
YOU WERE THERE.
A Cozy At Home Photo Session {Seattle Family Photographer}
This is one of my favorite families! I photographed them in their home exactly one year before this latest session, when little Moses was a tiny newborn. There’s been a lot of change since then. He’s now one, the house has gone through a major remodel, and there may be an extra pet or two.
Ten Must-Take Photos in the First Month {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
The first month of a new baby’s life goes by so fast and before you know it, they’ve changed from a squishy newborn, to a real baby. You never get this time back so it’s so important that you capture it while they’re still so new. Here are some must take images for that first month.
1. Photograph them in the hospital hat/blanket.
2. Photograph them in the bassinet in the hospital.
3. Capture hospital bracelets.
4. Photograph them through the rails of their crib.
5. Photograph their belly button (or umbilical cord stump before it falls off).
6. Take a close up of that perfect little face.
7. Photograph teeny tiny feet.
8. Capture their tininess by photographing them on the master bed.
9. Don’t forget the siblings.
10. Capture them in the arms of Dad. They always look so little this way
Baby Girl Number Three {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
It’s so amazing how quickly babies change. I photographed little Amelia in the hospital (you can see that session here), and just a few days later, I visited her in her family’s home for a newborn session. In that time, she had changed already. Still tiny and newborn like, but she definitely looked more alert and not quite as new as she did a few days earlier. She was one of my more awake babies, but the beauty of lifestyle photography is that they don’t have to be soundly sleeping so you can pose them. With a lifestyle session, the baby leads it. Whether they want to be swaddled, in their crib, or in their parents arms, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get beautiful images whether they’re awake or asleep.
Dad was an expert swaddler and the one time Amelia did close her eyes, was just after he had wrapped her up. I’ve seriously never seen such a perfect swaddle! I think I need to up my game.
Little Amelia has two big sisters who are clearly so proud of their baby, and both of them took turns holding her. Some of my favorite images are of the three of them snuggled up on their parents’ bed. There is so much pride on their faces!
Towards the end of the session, the big girls had taken off with their Grandma, and it was just Mom, Dad & Baby. I adore these images. It really doesn’t matter how many kids you have, each time you welcome a new one, your heart expands again. By baby number three, these two were complete naturals and it’s always so lovely to just observe parents with their new little love.
Amelia's Fresh 48 {Seattle Newborn Photographer}
I find Fresh 48 sessions to be so beautiful. I love that time in the hospital when the whole world seems to be focused on you and your baby, and I love being able to capture those moments for families. I met Amelia the morning after she was born, in the same hospital my third baby was born in just a few months earlier. She was so chill, which I think comes with the territory when you’re baby number three. One thing I love to include during Fresh 48 sessions is the hospital blankets, bracelets and hats. Sure, they’re not personal, but these couple of days in the hospital is the only time they’re going to use these things, so I think it’s important to capture them with these items. Welcome to the world sweet Amelia!
A Quiet & Love Filled Session {Seattle Family Photographer}
There are so many things I love about in home lifestyle sessions, but one of my favorites is getting to know the families and seeing how different they all are. One thing’s for sure, there is so much love in each family I photograph, but the way they go about their daily lives, the way they interact witnh one another, the level of energy, and the mood is always so different from family to family. This family was so calm, so loving, and if I had to choose only one word to describe them, it would be “peaceful.” The way they interacted with each other was so beautiful. Big sister adores her baby brother, and you can tell, he’s just as enamored of her.
A Cozy Winter Family Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}
One of the reasons why I love at home photography so much is because we don't need to worry about the weather. It can be the middle of winter, freezing cold, snow on the ground, thunderstorms, or pouring rain and our session can go right ahead as planned. We all know that the Seattle rain is coming soon, so you might as well stay home and stay warm and cosy.
This was my first family session of 2018. It was a chilly January morning when I arrived at their house. The little boys were so quiet, sweet and calm. The family read books together, snuggled on the couch, and played on their bed. One thing I thought was so beautiful was that the boys would often stop what they were doing and just cuddle with their parents. They know their safe place and whenever they needed it, they returned there. I am in love with how their session turned out. A beautiful family + a gorgeous house + a whole lot of love. What's not to love? And I've noticed, a funny thing happens when you shoot from the heart. You create images that move you, art that speaks to who you are. This session is evertything that sets my heart on fire.
Enjoy!
Maternity Model Call {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}
CLOSED - THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING
I am searching for a fun and relaxed couple or small family (one other child) for a maternity session. Ideally, you would be around 26-34 weeks and live in an old character filled home with lots of natural light. A dog would be a bonus :) You will get a complimentary session, plus ten digital images. Additional images may be purchased. If you feel you may be a good fit for this please contact me and include your full name, your general location, how far along you are, and a picture of the room you feel has the best light. I can't wait to meet you!
Hospital Pictures and Why They're so Important {Newborn Photographer Seattle}
I know it's not for everyone, but I personally love the time in hospital following the birth of a baby. It's like the whole world stops and everything is centered around you and this new little being. You can forget about the outside world and focus on bonding with your baby. No cooking meals, no cleaning, no laundry. Before you know it, you're heading out into the real world and it feels like baby's first milestone is reached. It is so important that this time is documented. Whether you hire a professional, or do it yourself, make sure you get images of this very special time. You will never get this moment again. Some important images to take include, baby in the bassinet, baby in the hospital blanket and/or hat, foot bracelets, and close ups of face, feet, and hands. The benefit of hiring a professional is that you can sit back and relax while your photographer does it all, plus you can be in the images too. However, I did my own so it is doable. If you're interested in having me document this fleeting time for you, let's chat.
