Sweet Violet {Austin Newborn and Family Photographer}

As I sit here typing this with my 7 month old daughter sitting on my lap (how is she 7 months old already?!), I find that I am just such a sap for newborn sessions.  This one was no different.

Sweet Violet was ten days new when we did her portrait session, and let me tell you, her two big brothers were already so in love with her.  It was so sweet to watch.  It made me wonder if my two older brothers felt the same way when I entered the world way back when. 

What a lovely family of five they are, and what a pleasure it was to capture such sweet and special times for them to enjoy forever.  I have the best job in the world... freezing special moments like this in time and documenting the newborn tiny-ness that is over in a matter of mere days.  And then turning those sweet moments into artwork for my clients' homes.  I feel incredibly blessed to get to do what I love and work with such great people in the process.

Enjoy a little peek into our session.

Violet's mom had always wanted to have a portrait of her daughter laying on her wedding dress one day.  I love that we made that dream into something tangible that she can hang on her walls and something that will melt her heart for many years as she watches her sweet baby girl grow, and one day get married herself.

Newborn Session Options {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I LOVE photographing newborns.  Maybe because it is the only time that a human will ever be that tiny.  Maybe because I adore watching a family interact with the newest addition to their family that they've been waiting to meet for so long.  Maybe because those sleepy little angels melt my heart. 

It is hard to believe my first newborn shoot was in January 2011.  Whoa have I come a long way since then! Newborn photography and posing is certainly an art and a science.  And I enjoy all that I am learning and able to portray through my images along this journey. 

I've spent countless hours studying up on newborn photography, invested in a lot of great props and posing items as well as several educational workshops, and I always challenge myself to continue learning as I go.  And this spring, I even had my very own newborn model to work with when I had my baby girl!  I tell you what... when photographers say newborn shoots are best within the first 2 weeks of baby's life, they aren't kidding.  Newborns grow and change so quickly after that point, (not to mention wake up a lot more) so it's great capturing images of them in their true state of "tiny."

I offer my clients two different types of newborn sessions, depending on what they are wanting.  (Sessions are the same price, but allow you to customize it to fit what you are wanting.)  Some people want a lot of images of just their tiny new addition.  While others really want images of the whole family interacting with the new baby, mom and baby shots, dad and baby shots, baby with sibling(s), and several shots of just the baby.  I love doing both types of sessions, and wanted to display some samples of what each session offers. 

OPTION 1: NEWBORN FOCUS - IN STUDIO: This session is focused 90% on the baby and 10% on the baby + family (or siblings).  We create a comfortable and laid back environment where you get to relax.  

OPTION 2: NEWBORN and FAMILY FOCUS: This session is focused 50% on the baby and 50% on the family. Some shots will be done indoors and others outdoors (if the weather is fitting). 

Don't these just make your heart melt?  The love that a family already has for a brand new baby is overwhelming in the sweetest way possible.  If you have any questions about my newborn photography and/or options, please contact me.  

Austin Newborn Photographer {Sweet Baby Elsie}

This 6 pound 11 ounce little lady was absolute perfection to work with!  After a few minutes, she fell right asleep and got an A+ at her first portrait session.  I just love the tiny-ness here, because as I know well (my baby girl is already 3 months old!) it doesn't last long.  But photographs sure do!

So sweet...

Newborn Cuteness... {Austin Baby Photographer}

So sweet...

Before & After: Newborn Shot

My camera has been pretty busy the last almost two weeks since my daughter's arrival.  She is nothing short of amazing, and I am just in awe of her sweetness, and her older brother's sweetness toward her.

One unexpected (and welcome) surprise is how much time I've been able to spend editing her images.  A lot of people probably wonder where I find the time.  But if you've ever breastfed a newborn, you know how much time is spent doing so.  (If you want the math... 7-8 feedings a day x 30-40 minutes per feeding.)  And it just so happens (to my surprise) that the most comfortable nursing "station" in my home is my office chair!  And that allows me to edit while my sweet girl feeds.   (Once a multi-tasker, always a multi-tasker.)  :)

I wanted to show you something, just so no one thinks she has the most perfect, creamy, blemish-free skin like a little doll.  This is what photographers specialize in - in addition to creating your images... we spend a lot (a lot) of time editing them and making them perfect.  Enjoy this before and after...

Straight out of the Camera (SOOC)

After a little editing...

Newborn Goodness...

A little ray of sunshine has come into the world,
A little ray of sunshine in the shape of a girl.

Baby L: 9 Days New {Austin Baby Photographer}

When I found out I would be doing this sweet couple's session for their sweet baby boy,  I could hardly wait.  You see, I did their maternity shoot in October, and couldn't wait to meet the little man that made up that beautiful baby bump.  (Click here to see just how cute that bump was.)

I had everything ready... the posing bag, the blankets, the props, decaf coffee for his mama... You name it - we were ready to go.  Only thing was that Mr. L really preferred socializing and hanging out rather than getting sleepy.  But I have to say, I love awake shots, too!  And once we got him sleeping, we got some super sweet shots of the little guy.

Enjoy a few sneak peeks...

To the family: It has been such a joy working with you two (and now you three)!  Your love for one another and for your baby boy is so apparent.  Give L a little hug from me.  

It Happened. {Austin Baby Photographer}

It happened... this sweet, beautiful couple welcomed their baby boy into the world!  And he is amazingly handsome.  And curious.

So curious, in fact, that the little cutie really wanted to stay awake our entire session to interact with us and look around until the last five minutes.  You've gotta love an 8-day old newborn showing us adults who really wears the pants in the room.  :)

Here he is as a beautiful baby bump not so long ago...

And here is the sweet little man.  Welcome to the world! 

Family Portraits {Austin Family Photographer}

I was excited to do a newborn shoot in combination with family portraits last week at my clients' home.  These two older siblings were such big helpers to me!  Their baby brother is lucky to have them, as they love him so much.

Here are some family shots from our time together.  Click here for baby P's newborn shots.

Welcome to the World, Baby P! {Austin Newborn Photographer}

What a sweet baby "P" was.  So easy to work with!  I actually love that he was awake for a lot of our time together, as it allowed me to capture his beautiful blue eyes, and his interactions with his siblings and parents.  Enjoy!

By the end of the shoot, P was a tired little thing!

Love Little Toesies... {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I don't know what it is about a newborn's little feet and perfect little toes... but they get me every time.

Baby Ethan {Iowa Newborn Photographer}

I so enjoyed meeting baby Ethan in Iowa last week when I was home for several mini-sessions and to visit my sweet family.

Hard to believe in July, he was just this beautiful baby bump in his pretty mama's belly.

And now, he is 9 pounds of perfection.

Before and Afters

I love newborn photo sessions.  There is something so exciting about capturing the love of parents for their new, fresh, beautiful baby and baby's new life.  And even though they are a lot of work during the shoot and in editing, it is so rewarding knowing you have created masterpieces for the family to enjoy and cherish forever.  Photography really is an incredible way to freeze time.

Here are some examples of "SOOC" (straight out of the camera) shots vs. finished shots.   (Click on images to enlarge and better see details.)

Straight out of the camera:

After editing:

Straight out of the camera: (It was literally about 107 degrees that day... but you would never know by how cozy and comfy little Jonah looks in that basket!)

After editing:

Welcome to the World, Jonah! {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I was so excited when Jonah's mom emailed me a few weeks before her due date to schedule a newborn session with her soon-to-be baby boy.  But that due date came and went.  And then another week came and went.  And then several more days came and went.  Poor mama... to be almost 42 weeks pregnant in this awful Texas heat - she's a trooper! 

Finally, Baby Jonah arrived, and I got to meet both he and his family in person.  What a cutie he is!  I think those extra few weeks gave him a lot of strength, because he was wide awake and ready to play for about 95% of our session.  And thanks to his daddy's swaddling and rocking skills, we managed to capture the sleepy shots all in a matter of about 5-10 minutes.  Hey... when it's 105 degrees outside in Texas, you have to work quickly!  :)

Enjoy his cuteness...

The Making of a Portrait {Austin Newborn Photographer}

There are so many things that go into a photo session.  Preparation time, consulting with clients to get them the shots they are dreaming of, shooting the session, and then comes editing.  Hours are spent on editing and really taking those captured images and finalizing them in a way that goes with the vision I had during the shoot.

This month, I have done a lot of shopping for photography props.  And I have to say, it is SO much fun!  But I wanted to go into the story of one particular prop and the process of looking for it, buying it, and bringing a creative idea to life through a sweet new life.

I have been on the hunt for living room curtains for months.  I don't think I am that picky... other than price point.  So the fact that it took 3 times of buying (and then returning) curtains shocked me.  (I'm happy to say I finally found some in the right color that fit my budget!)

Anyways... a few weeks ago, little Miles and I headed to Garden Ridge to return curtains.  I thought it would be a quick in/out trip, so I didn't get a shopping cart to put him in.  (Mistake #1.)  When I walked in, I saw all of the beautiful pots, and thought, "I have several newborn shoots coming up... I should go check them out real quick."

Well, "real quick" turned into me finding a few pots, having to set them next to each other in order to pick "the one" - all while trying to keep an almost 2 year old in my arms.  (My fitness background certainly comes in handy with my photography business!)  I just couldn't do it anymore, so I had to set Miles down.  (Mistake #2!)  

That little man was OFF to the races, let me tell you!  He took off, and before I could catch him, he had covered about 3.5 aisles and was just laughing, laughing, laughing!  (I have to admit, although inconvenient, it was cute.)  I grabbed him, grabbed this pretty little pot, and lugged them to the counter thinking, "Oh, Sarah... how hard would it have been to have gotten a cart?!"  Live and learn, right?

Anyways... that is how the idea started... In my head.  Then in Garden Ridge.  And later in my backyard with this beautiful baby girl.  I love this job.

Sweetness Defined {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I'm not sure any words can sum up "sweet baby girl" more than this portrait does.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself and make sure I'm living in reality - where I get to do this as my job.  :)  Don't get me wrong - it is a lot of work... but the rewards (like working with angels like this) are too many to count. 

Isn't little Mary precious?!

Sweet M Family {Austin Newborn & Family Photographer}

I had such a lovely time this week doing newborn "W's" pictures, as well as portraits of Mr. J and Miss K.  And tieing it all together with pictures of the sweet kiddos with their pretty mama.  Are these beautiful kiddos or what?!

Check out their mama's web site.  She wrote an incredible book called "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby."  Click here, and enjoy all of her mama advice and wit.