Megan was referred to me by another long term client of mine. She is new to the area, and asked around for recommendations on a newborn photographer. When she initially contacted me, she let me know that she was waiting to find out if her baby was a boy or a girl. I love this, as I did this with my three children. It's a surprise no matter when you find out, but I always love meeting other moms who chose to wait like I did!

When I got the email from Megan telling me that baby CLARA (a girl!) had arrived, I was so excited! She asked to add on hair and makeup services as well since she knew she would be busy as a new mom of two. I sent over the newborn prep packet to her so she'd have all the information she needed. Our newborn packet also has helpful suggestions for what the other members of the family should wear. Most clients grab a few things from their wardrobe and bring them along, and I help select the final choices at the studio. We have a portable steamer on hand to help with any wrinkles, so no need to iron everything perfectly before you leave your home.

The morning of her session, Megan arrived with just Clara. When we have families who have an older child, we like to plan for dad and older kids to arrive later in the session. Babies do much better in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, and it's no fun for bigger kids to have to sit still for a long period of time. Splitting it up like this makes it so much more fun for everyone. Megan looked through the wardrobe and settled on a gorgeous textured lace dress. I always ask moms of baby girls if they would like me to use our studio headbands/bonnets for all/some/none of their newborn portraits, and she asked for a mix. I rarely use bonnets, but I think she looks absolutely adorable in it!

She hopped up into the makeup chair while I took Clara back into the newborn room. Clara was born at over eight pounds, so she was a hungry little thing. I took her back to Megan a couple of times during the session to nurse. This is never a problem, and most of our babies do need to eat at some point during sessions! We have a nursing pillow in the studio that fits perfectly on your lap in the makeup chair, and Margaret will keep working on you while you nurse or bottle feed your baby.

When we were finished with Clara's solo newborn portraits, dad and big brother Caleb arrived. It was perfect timing, as Megan still needed to get dressed in the dress she had chosen. I started out with sibling portraits and then moved on to dad with both kids and then daddy daughter images. Megan came back in and stepped in for family portraits. We then moved to parent and baby images, and send daddy and Caleb on their way and finished up with mommy and baby images.

My workflow is never the same when it comes to the family portion of my newborn sessions... we just go with the flow based on what's happening, who's available to be photographed, and who's in the mood to be photographed. Everyone needs a break sometimes, and I'm pretty good at reading who could use one.

Here's a few of my favorite images from this adorable family!

Image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, on her back, wrapped in a white blanket with her toes and hands sticking out and wearing a white lace headband on her head.

Up-close image of baby fingers laying on the baby's tummy.

Image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, with a white bow headband on her head, and lay on her back with one arm up by her head.

Image of a newborn, baby, girl, sleeping on her back, grinning, with one had on her tummy and one had by her head, wearing a white bow in her hair.

Up close image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, with a rosebud headband in her hair sleeping on her cheek.

image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, on her stomach, partially wrapped with a waffle weave, cream, blanket, with a rosebud headband in her hair.

Close up image of a newborn, baby, girl, grinning in her sleep, with her hands tucked under her chin.

Image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, in the egg pose.

Image of a newborn, baby, girl, with a white bonnet on her head, sleeping on her back, with her arms stretched out.

Image of a sleeping, newborn, baby, girl, on her back, with her hands tucked under her ears, wearing a cream rosebud tieback in her hair.

Image of a toddler boy wearing a white tee-shirt, smiling, laying beside his sleeping, baby, sister with his arm around her.

Image collage of a father sitting on a couch with his sleeping, newborn, baby, daughter, and his toddler son on his lap.

Image collage of a father, loving on his sleeping, newborn, baby, daughter.

Image of a father, holding his sleeping, newborn, baby, girl on his shoulder while his wife kisses her daughter's cheek.

Image of a mother, wearing a lace top dress, holding her sleeping, newborn, baby, daughter, on her shoulder and smiling.

Side by side images of a mother and father, holding their newborn, baby, sleeping daughter in their arms.

Image of a mother, holding her newborn, sleeping, baby, girl in her arms while her husband hugs her and touches their foreheads together.

Image of a mother, sitting on a couch, with her sleeping, newborn, baby, girl in one arm and her other arm around her toddler son while she kisses his head.

Image of a mother, wearing a lace dress, sitting on a couch, holding her sleeping, newborn, baby, girl on her lap, while her toddler son kisses his new sister's head.

Image of parents, sitting on a couch, holding their newborn daughter on their lap while their 3 year old son leans over and touches his nose to his sister's.

Image of a mother, sitting on a couch, holding her sleeping daughter on her lap while her husband holds their toddler son on his lap, and they all look down at the baby.

Image of a bother and baby sister interacting on their parent's lap.

Image collage of a mother, wearing a lace dress, holding her newborn, baby, daughter.

Image of a mother, holding her nebworn, baby, daughter in her arms and smiling down at her.

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!