Maternity sessions and family portraits are not very different to me. There’s a belly, that is fun to show off, and makes for some beautiful images. Mostly it is still about documenting a time in the family’s life.

Shelby, Tim, and Sidney invited me to their home for portraits last weekend. They were so much fun to work with, and it’s always great to see my wedding clients again. It was raining hard outside so we decided to stay indoors for the session. I think the intimacy of their home really adds to the photos.

Newborn sessions are a bit different than other portraits.  While toddlers can generally be convinced (or as the case be with my daughter, bribed with ice cream) to cooperate for photos, and older babies seem to like the attention, newborns are these little tiny beings that do not know what is going on.

How do you prepare for a newborn photo session?

1.  Schedule the session for less than two weeks after birth.  Usually, it is best to find a photographer during pregnancy, and book a tentative date.  I have my clients tell me when their due date is, and then send me a quick email or text within a day or so after the birth.  We aim for scheduling when the baby is between 5 and 10 days old.

2. Newborn sleeping and eating schedules are usually unpredictable and pretty much around the clock.  I suggest choosing a time of day that works best for you.  If you have other children, after their breakfast or after nap-time may be ideal.

3.  A couple hours before the session, start putting your baby’s diaper on loosely, to avoid any red marks.

4.  Think about location.  Outdoor photos can be beautiful but with the Portland climate this isn’t possible for many of our seasons.  I suggest doing the portraits in your home.  This is usually the most relaxed for both you and your little one.

5.  Mom and Dad are usually part of newborn photos, so give yourself some time to take a shower, blow dry your hair, and put on something besides your most comfie sweats, unless you really want those in the photos. (Yes, I realize these are not easy tasks to find time for when you have a newborn.)

6.  Be sure to feed your baby right before the session, milk makes them good and sleepy, and sleepy newborns are best for photos.

7.  During the session, feel free to take breaks whenever you think your baby needs one.

I love books.  I grew up going to bookstores with my dad, usually just the typical mall bookstore but it was enough that I could get lost in.  If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d be a writer.  In college, as I sat in Creative Writing 3, I realized that most of the English department thought I was an English major.  When I moved to Seattle, I discovered used books stores.  Twice Sold Tales, in Capitol Hill, being my favorite one.  Books should be passed on, and not always pristine.

Friends tell me about the wonders of the Kindle.  I can not imagine.  I want to touch it, smell it, and immerse myself not just in the words but the luxury of the pages.  I have a favorite book at home, not because of the content, but because of the torn style edges to the page.  Taking off book jackets is like a little surprise gift inside.

As a photographer, books are an important aspect to what I do.  I can not stand that I am a year behind on my personal photo album.  I want to feel my photos and have them in a book, not just on my computer.  I am usually adamant about having true photographs in your book, and not inkjet printing.  This new fine art book has finally shown me that an inkjet print, can be beautiful too.

This new book is coffee table style, with lay-flat pages.  There are a plentiful selection of cover options.  The one I just designed is green sea silk.  The pages are made of an indulgent textured felt paper.  The printing is beyond my expectations, and rich.  With the paper, it is completely different looking than a traditional photograph, but still retains true color.  The books come in sizes from 3×3 to 10×10.

These fine art books would make a great addition to any portrait collection, and brides could use them for a little pocket version of their large wedding album, or to give to their bridal party.

Shelby and Tim were my wedding clients last year.  A few months ago, Shelby told me she was pregnant, and now the new baby is almost here!  A little teaser for now, with more photos to come soon.

As I am enjoying a Sunday off, I thought I’d share a fun photo from our trip to Baggestos Farm in Sherwood, Oregon.  My toddler has certainly visited more than her share of pumpkin patches this fall.  It started during our trip east to New Jersey.  Our friends treated us to a big day at a farm in Chester, complete with a bouncy house, train, farm animals, and a hay ride to the pumpkins, of course.  Then we had to do it again with Daddy back home, so we went to Baggestos.  Then we just needed more little pumpkins so we went back to pick up some more from the farm store.  Before I knew it, we were on a hay ride again!  Happy Halloween!