At the end of December, I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful baby girl. Fast forward a couple of months later, and I was able to have her and her mommy at Park Studios for a less posey/lifestyle shoot. It was perfect! I love the idea of waiting a month or so to do the lifestyle shoot SO much that I am now offering Fresh 48 (hospital sessions) for a special rate when booked with a lifestyle shoot that will take place a month or two into your baby’s life. I understand that you want your baby documented in all of their newness, and I also understand that you maaay not want a camera in your face a week or two after giving birth. With me doing Sage’s pictures a little later, she actually slept peacefully (clothed in her little white onesie), mom had enough time with her to know exactly what she needed to be soothed, and mom had time to find clothing that she felt comfortable and beautiful in, and she was able to have a hair and makeup appointment scheduled for her shoot. It just made for a great experience! We were missing Sage’s dad in this shoot due to scheduling conflict, but even with just mommy and baby – it was totally manageable and a great shoot! Enjoy the photos below!
Sage at her 2 week old session – She preferred not to sleep or be naked back then

What a beautiful pair!Thank you for looking! Please share and/or like!

*blows dust off of blog*

Hello there, friends! Guess what one of my 2018 goals is?! YEP, you guessed it – blog more!

If you’re expecting and wondering if we’d be a good fit for your newborn shoot – please read below. If you’re just here to see the beautiful family photos below – scroll pass my words to jump right to the good stuff!

I’ve been thinking A TON about my business – things that I want to remain the same and things that I want to change. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at my work over the years. There are photos that I REALLY connect with and some that honestly no longer match the direction that I want to move toward. I started this business wanting to document very special moments for people – in a beautiful and authentic way. I have always wanted to help people savor the moments that truly ZOOM by. I’ve called myself a lifestyle photographer, but I don’t think I’ve REALLY been consistent with it when it comes to some of my shoots. You see, lifestyle shoots (excluding mini sessions) aren’t supposed to be so posed that they’re stressful. I think they’re supposed to show connections and what your real life looks like! Sure, I definitely percent think you should get a little more dolled up than your everyday look, and I think I should give you some direction during your shoot, BUT I don’t think you should be throwing me out of your house after a shoot. LOL! This has literally happened with a few of my newborn shoots. I mean, none of my clients have been cold enough to aggressively toss me (and ALL of the TONS of props that I’d bring) out, but they’ve called it a wrap with sheer exhaustion written all over their faces. I guess that’s life with a newborn, however, I don’t want the shoot to be another exhausting thing. I no longer want to have my families waiting hours for a baby to settle into an unnatural position.

I’ve decided that in 2018 and beyond – I’m going to create the work that I LOVE! If you’re looking for a particular style that isn’t mine, I have several photographers to recommend you to. There are SO many photographers and people looking for different things out there. There is someone for everyone in terms of photography…and with that said, I will only be offering lifestyle newborn sessions. I’m no longer dragging a bean bag and a TON of props. I’ll bring hats, headbands, bow, and wraps for swaddling – THAT’S IT. I’ll give your family soft direction and capture you in the most flattering angles, but I won’t wait 4 hours to get one position of your baby naked. In fact, the shoot will not last longer than 2-3 hours. Gone are the 4-5 hour exhausting shoots. I’ll get all of the little detail shots of those tiny little lips and baby toes. I’ll get you snuggling with your precious little one. I’ll ask you to hold your baby in a way that is comfortable and how YOU usually hold them. I’ll take shots to help you remember how tiny your baby once was in your arms. If you choose to do a shoot in your home, I’ll get shots of that nursery that you spent SO MUCH TIME prepping. We’ll welcome siblings (and pets) because they honestly are PERFECT for lifestyle shoots!

Please take a look at an example of a lifestyle shoot that took place in Park Studios – a natural light studio located in Buckhead. This is another new option for my newborn shoots. If you don’t think there’s enough natural light in your home, Park Studios may be an option. If you just don’t want to do the shoot in your home for various reasons, Park Studios may be an option! Another change is that the shoot doesn’t have to take place within the first 14 days. Instead, the shoot can take place within the baby’s first 2-4 weeks. This will give your family a little time to settle into your new life while still capturing it early on. Take a look at the beautiful family below to get an idea of the direction I’ve gone in. & SWOOOOOON!

Such a sweet big brother! “Kiss your sister” – Haha! Some day they’ll both laugh SO hard at this!

Big brother in all of his two year old glory!

When babies are a little older than 2 weeks, they have better control over their eyes AND sometimes you may actually get great expression -like a sweet smile!

Smirks and Baby Yawns 🙂Awake baby? NO PROBLEM! I love them!

 

If you’re ever in need of a lifestyle photographer – I hope to work with you! Thanks for looking!

This little guy is just soooo cute! We were supposed to meet up for a newborn shoot, but we ended up waiting until he was about 3 months or so, and I am sooo glad that it worked out that way. Some photographers genuinely fear the 3 month age because they are past the bendy-sleepy phase, and they not quiiite able to sit up alone, but the more I do this age, the more I truly love it. I mean he tried to carry on a conversation with me THE ENTIRE shoot. He gave me so much emotion that it didn’t take us too long to wrap up the shoot. It’s always a great shoot when it ends before the little one is sick and tired of the lady with the black box in their face. LOL!

Loved his little bow tie onesie, hence me calling him a little baby-man! *melts*

A signature 3-month pose/shot that pics all parents love.

Just sitting here, enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

He was talking to me here. Lol!

Yay for convincing his mommy to jump in at least a shot or two with him. 😉

Thanks for looking!

It’s pretty interesting how this year worked out. Jessica happens to be the teacher who’s second grade class I ended up taking over. All I’d heard prior to getting the position was that she was an amazing teacher, and that she would soon be an amazing mother. Of course, none of us knew just how soon it would all come to be. I think  KNOW that everyone was right, and I have SO much respect for her because in spite of welcoming a baby earlier than expected, she managed to find the time to help me settle into the classroom.

After a 3 month stay in the hospital, I was sooo excited to get the text that this sweet little one was home and ready for her newborn shoot! I knew Jessica from the elementary school, and hearing that she had her baby girl early broke my heart, but working at the school kept me in the loop of things. The Epstein parents are so fortunate and blessed to have such a little fighter, but she’s also blessed to have such supportive, faithful, and dedicated parents. Even during her  shoot they were working hard to make sure she had exactly what she needed, when she needed it. I’ve seen first hand how hard it is to care for a newborn baby, and these parents are doing an amazing job! I hope that this will  be the first of many family shoots with you all! 🙂

I almost melted when Baby P gave me this smile.

She’s a natural.

Resting in her daddy’s arms.

I just love this one.

Beautiful family!

You know, there are just some people that you meet and INSTANTLY connect with. This family was just so warm and inviting when I arrived for Baby Gabrielle’s session. I could have sat and chatted with Sakinah ALLLL day! I also love that she’d done a bit of her own research and had the place nice and toasty when I got there (although I might have been a sweaty little mess, I loved that it was warm). Baby G slept like a champ for majority of her session, and I just adore all of the beautiful shots I was able to capture for her.

Thanks to Unchong & Craig for connecting us! 🙂

Lifestyle shots that include the parents are the best! *swoons*