Happy newborn? Check. Well-trained dogs? Check. South-facing windows? Check. Laid-back parents? Check. Shoot made in heaven? Check!!
As a lifestyle newborn photographer I cannot tell you how important it is for me to work with families who desire to capture authentic moments and are willing to be themselves in front of a camera. From our very first conversation, I became excited about working Darcy and Catherine because they wanted to tell their story in a natural and modern way. I love capturing families in the simplest way possible, so I immediately knew we were a good fit.
Ellyana was born on February 28, 2015 to two of the most fun, loving, and joyful parents I have met. During our session they laughed, snuggled, and mostly just stared at their sweet newborn baby girl. They were calm and comfortable even when Ellyana got a little fussy, which can be hard—especially for first-time parents who are sleep deprived. The biggest surprise for me during this newborn portrait session was their pups. I have photographed a lot of dogs, but none have ever been as obedient and well trained as Mia and Cali. They came when called, sat when asked, and stared straight into the camera when I made a high pitch squeal—all WITHOUT any treats. It was amazing! They were also very protective of the baby and made sure to keep their eyes on me at all times.
My approach to photographing families, particularly those with newborns, is to help them forget I am even there. I do this by having the primary focus be on the baby. Lets face it: newborns are adorable. Most of us could spend an entire day gazing into the eyes of the tiny new being that just entered our lives. We do silly things to try to make them smile, we can’t stop sniffing their heads, or we don’t want to put them down. People do this naturally and this is what I LOVE to photograph. For the most part, I give minimal direction and ask parents to just go about their business and forget about my camera and me. These seemingly mundane moments make the most extraordinary images—they capture the very first bonding experiences you ever share as a family. They illustrate the love you feel in a still frame. My goal as a lifestyle newborn photographer is to make sure that families can revisit these moments and always remember how incredible their journey has been.
