Palm Beach Island Lifestyle Family Session

Well, it has been two months since I’ve graced the blog with client work but I am back and ready to share my first lifestyle family photo session of 2021 which was captured on Palm Beach Island’s gorgeous Worth Avenue on January 8th!

Palm Beach Island is known for its amazing architecture so anywhere you go is a perfect photo opportunity. We had a great time venturing all around the area and capturing photos on the grass, by the fountain, under an arch, next to columns, in a flowery garden area, by the famous clock tower & near the ocean.

This family session was originally scheduled as a newborn shoot but due to Covid & for other reasons it was pushed back for after that holiday season! I first captured this family two and a half years ago for their older daughter’s newborn session! I loved capturing them again but with their newest addition this time. The girls were incredibly sweet and well behaved considering we were scheduled for a two hour shoot! The baby was as darling as could be and at five-months-old would look up at me and sometimes smile and then the older two-year-old sister just loved being in front of the camera and smiling for me. I had a wonderful time working with this family!

Check out some of my favorite images from their session below <3

Family Photography at the Beach

Many families opt to capture “the kids” only for their family sessions. It’s always fun to capture siblings together! They usually love exploring locations and having a good time together! The beach is a great option for this type of photo session.

I have captured these adorable siblings for years! They are all two years apart and the best of friends. Every session has been an adventure and this one did not disappoint! We headed to our favorite Jupiter Beach (we’ve done a few sessions here already) and captured photos on the southern side of the park this time. They loved climbing everything, laughing and being silly! They loved running from the waves, climbing on the rocks and when the sky changed colors at the end I was super excited and kept telling them … “just one more photo”! They now know how much I love a gorgeous sunset sky <3

Check out some of my favorite photos below:

Family Session at the Little Yellow House in Jupiter, FL

The past few weeks we’ve been dealing with awful rainy weather and tropical storms which have caused many photo sessions to be postponed. Thankfully that was not the case for this family who traveled all the way from Orlando to do their family photo session here in Jupiter! We were able to complete the entire shoot before the rainy downfall at the end.

I first photographed this fun loving family about four years ago, in 2016. Then we were able to capture another session in 2017. They ended up moving away and trying out a few other photographers along the way but decided to drive down from Orlando (two and a half hours away) for a family session because they were in love with the sessions we did in the past and mentioned that I was the only one who was able to get their littlest guy to really smile <3 (see a few photos from those two sessions below) They have the cutest little boys with such unique looks and I remember their sessions always being a fun adventure!

Anyhow, this year’s session was amazing! We beat the rain which was great because they wouldn’t have been able to reschedule it! We moved fast and captured a bunch of great shots all around the historic yellow house in Jupiter. Everyone was happy and smiling but we also let the boys run around and have fun too. The littlest brother was a total superstar (they all were actually) … smiling for me non stop <3 I loved capturing their laughter and at the end they were dancing in the rain. It was wonderful! I’m truly honored that this family wanted to come back for another session <3

Scroll down to see a couple of photos from the 2016 & 2017 sessions, followed by the sneak peeks from this years 2020 session.

Check out the sneak peeks from their 2020 family session, scroll down <3

Is An Outdoor Newborn Photography Session Right For You?

Some potential clients struggle to decide if they would prefer to do their newborn photo session inside of their home or on-location at a local venue?

I will always recommend their home as the best newborn session location: Click Here to read why; however, I do believe that outdoor locations can and do work well too!

Here Are a Few Reasons Why You Might Want to Schedule An Outdoor Newborn Session:

1. You don’t want to do them in your home (point blank): Some clients prefer not to do them in their home for whatever reason and that is ok (maybe they are in transition with packing and/or just moved into a new home or maybe they are currently residing with in-laws), there can be a whole host of personal reasons and those reasons shouldn’t deter you from capturing your baby’s first moments of life as a newborn.

2. You live further away and would like to commute to your preferred photographer’s designated location: Many clients opt to commute when they prefer to work with a specific photographer who might be further away from their home and they opt to meet at one of the photographer’s designated and well photographed at areas.

3. You love the outdoors and prefer bright and vibrant colors and beautiful backgrounds: There are so many choices for outdoor scenes, especially in South Florida, where you can pretty much photography outdoors all year long. From luscious green grass and oak trees, to sandy beaches lined with palm trees, to mangroves, to bay or ocean water, the options are endless here.

4. You can have a little more fun with your wardrobe selection: You can select clothing styles and colors to compliment your location and look. Have fun with pretty options and accessories.

5. You can incorporate blankets & props easily: small throw blankets are a great item to bring to get those snuggly shots on the ground and small props/bassinets can be nice to get a few photos of the baby alone.

6. You can’t beat that outdoor light: whether is the direct sun at sunset or in the shade, the natural outdoor light is the most gorgeous! You can often find good light in the home by a window but you absolutely won’t be fighting for it outside.

7. You just want to get out of the house: you just had a baby and have been in your home every single day since and while it is more convenient to do a session at home, it will feel great to get out and enjoy a little time under the sun.

Family Photo Shoot with a City Feel in Jupiter

It’s that time of year again for Fall family photo shoots! <3 I am currently offering a Fall special of $25 off all sessions now through December of 2020. I do have a few spaces left.

Many prior and new clients reach out to schedule their family portraits so that they can design their annual Christmas and/or holiday cards and gifts. I just love getting to see new and familiar faces with the goal of capturing their special moments and memories together as a family at various locations around the beautiful town of Jupiter. Children grow up and change quickly so it is wonderful to get to document them in this way. I don’t set up themed shoots or bring Santa, my style errs more on the natural side. I aim for fun lifestyle photography with a touch of portrait photography because let’s be real … most Mama’s love to see their kiddos and families all smiling and happy :-) The goal is to capture their real smiles!

I have had the privilege of capturing this dear family for the past six years! It all started back when little Rayla was born (and big sis Natalia was two) and I photographed her newborn session and we’ve been going once or twice a year since <3 I have grown to absolutely love this family. They are some of the most tender hearted and gracious people I have met. This year, we tried a new location in the downtown Jupiter area, we wanted a little bit of a city look mixed with a park feel and a notable South Florida vibe with the water and docks off of the inlet. The girls were very excited to show me their cameras and we incorporated them into the session as well. We ended with some gorgeous sunset skies. I loved every moment spent with them.

See some of my favorites from the photo session below:

On-Location Maternity Photography

Pregnancy is a wonderful major life event worth capturing professionally. It’s a time filled with a growing belly, aches and pains, a glowing Mama and eager anticipation for that precious bundle of joy that grows by leaps and bounds each and every day <3

Having been pregnant six times, it’s no surprise that I absolutely love capturing pregnancy! It’s even more exciting when other children the older siblings are involved in the photo shoot.

I captured this new client family a few weeks back. It was a windy day but we were so grateful that we had some sunshine and no rain. We had an amazing location that highlighted the lighthouse. The little sisters were bubbly and fun, they were super loving with each other and their parents. We walked all around the area and captured their sweet smiles and cute moments. Fun photo session memories were made :-)

Check out some sneak peeks from our time together below <3

Photographing Children and Horses

“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom,” ~ Sharon Ralls Lemon.

Horses are beautiful and majestic animals; therefore, it’s no surprise that most children love them. Capturing horses in family sessions with children is a magical experience so when this family reached out about scheduling a session at the local Country Club, I was all about it.

I have been photographing this family since their girlies were newborns and have photographed several of their family sessions throughout the years. Since the girls are taking horseback riding lessons, the family decided to do their annual portraits at the horse stable. When we first started the session it was sunny but then the clouds quickly rolled in and it began to rain. Thankfully we had a covered area and continued our shoot underneath the pavilion. The girls were mostly mesmerized by the beautiful white horse but they also loved hugging her, watching her eat and walking her all around the area.

Check out the sneak peeks below :-)

Going with the Flow: Family Photography

In a perfect world, all of the babies and children we photograph would be cooperative and content; however, we know that is not always the case with little humans! They can be unpredictable and so we have to learn how to go with the flow!

Little ones might be shy, tired, hungry and a whole array of other emotions so it is up to us to work with what we get and strive to create something beautiful despite the challenges. So in other words, we have to go with the flow. Being a Mama of six, I get it! I truly do. I’ve photographed my own babies since birth and know all about their varying emotions. When I enter any photo shoot, I always have my Mama hat on, ready to problem solve and figure out how to handle difficult situations and scenarios and still capture a family authentically.

In this particular session, precious seven-month-old, Eliza, was all smiles at the beginning of our session but about five minutes in she started to get fussy. Little Mama was tired because she missed her nap. We captured as much as we could but she wasn’t having it. Rather than rescheduling, I decided to go with the flow and have patience. My initial thought was to just let her go to sleep. We headed over to the bench, sat down and baby girl peacefully laid in her mother’s arms, rubbing her sleepy eyes and started to dose off. This wasn’t planned at all but I decided to capture these moments and we did a got portion of our shoot with her sleeping in her parents arms. Once she was in a deep sleep, I positioned her like I would a newborn and we photographed all around the area with her asleep. It felt like a newborn session and even though she’s a bit older, she’s still a darling baby so it really just worked out. I was very happy with the results. After a little cat nap, she woke up and was happy again. We finished up the session with her smiling again.

Check out the sneak peeks below ~

Lifestyle Maternity Session at the Beach

South Florida is the perfect place to capture a lifestyle maternity session at the beach in the Fall. The weather is still warm but not as humid as in the summer.

This particular beach is one of my favorite spots to photograph families! It’s an extremely popular location and I almost always see other photographers there. I love that it has many different spots to photograph around the entire area. There’s a sea grape tunnel, a lifeguard station next to a cement walkway, a wooden walkway and staircase and the actual beach is stunning with its turquoise ocean water, rock formations that the kids love to climb, tall sea grass and palm trees. It’s a very beautiful and tropical location for my style of photography.

I have been photographing this darling family for years so I was excited to receive the news that they were expecting and looking to schedule a maternity and newborn session. I first photographed them when little Shawn was an adorable three-month-old baby boy and now he’s a super tall six-year-old. It’s been great getting to see and photograph them each year for their annual family photo sessions since he was a baby. The Mama decided on this beach location for her maternity session and we had a fun time exploring the area and little Shawn was all about the adventure. He was smiley & affectionate with his Mama but loved exploring and playing in the water too.

Check out their sneak peeks below ~

How To Capture a Great Newborn Photo Anywhere

To capture a great newborn photo just about anywhere, see a few tips below:

When my sister-in-law stopped by my house for a quick visit with my adorable nephew, only ten-days-old, I just had to grab a few photos of him with my camera while he was this tiny and new. I didn’t want to create a whole newborn session scene, I just wanted to document a few quick images of him. I used my professional Nikon Z6; however, you can get a great shot with just about any camera or phone if you follow these easy steps:

• Make sure the baby is fed and changed first: this will make for a smooth and stress free situation.

• Pick a cozy spot with great window light: for example, a couch, a chair, a bed, a shaggy rug, etc. (I chose my couch and the wooden floors next right next to our large living room window)

• Completely declutter the area: so there’s nothing unwanted in the background (we moved the baby bag, stroller & toys so there was nothing at all in the background, we also arranged and fluffed the couch cushions and pillows)

• Grab a few baby items that can be used as natural props: for example, baby blankets, swaddle cloths, knit hats, etc. (in our case, we used a tiny pillow, a blue and white swaddle cloth, a gray blanket, a white basket & a tiny gray and white knit hat)

• Position the baby so that they’re facing the window: this will create a bright and beautiful photo using natural light so you won’t need to use a flash. (my back was to the window but I didn’t block the light and baby boy was facing me and the window)

  • How to position the baby?

  • swaddle ~ using your favorite baby blanket or cloth, swaddle the baby nice and tight. This will give him or her a womb like effect and they will be calm & constrained whether awake or asleep it works wonders

  • sleeping ~ if you can manage to get them to sleep, use a little pillow or fabric and lay them down on their stomach.

Cake Smash and First Birthday Photo Shoot

The one year old photo shoot is a popular session that capture’s the sweet milestone of a baby’s first birthday! <3

This session aims to capture the baby sitting up strongly, crawling, standing & in some cases walking :-) Bright smiles, chubby cheeks & giggling babies usually grace the photos captured and what a delight to photograph their little blooming personalities too! I love incorporating the entire family into the session so no one feels left out and everyone has a blast.

Many families incorporate a “cake smash” portion of the shoot which is one of my favorite things to photograph. This involves a personal cake for the baby to taste, smash and make a huge mess too. In many cases, it’s the baby’s first time tasting cake so it’s adorable to witness and document their reaction to it.

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this dear family for an extended family/one year old session. They decided to book a longer shoot because they desired a 2-3 hour time slot. This included enough time to change locations & outfits three times. I’ve photographed this particular family since the maternity session of their second daughter. We always have a great and adventurous time! We were literally kicked out of our first park location (thank you Covid), headed to their home for some photos and then ended it at one of my favorite Jupiter locations.

Scroll down to see some of my favorites from their session, including some adorable cake smash photos!

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Mini Maternity Session

Mini sessions are a great way to quickly & affordably capture your lifetime milestones.

Maternity, baby, kids & family photo shoots can all work for this type of session. It moves fast but we’re able to get some great images in a short period of time (if you'd prefer a more relaxed experience, definitely opt for our regular session).

*A typical mini session with Athena Leila Photography includes:

-Travel to any South Tampa location only

-Photographer’s style & experience

-No props included

-30 minutes of time

-Private web gallery for viewing and selecting your favorite photos

-10 high resolution digital images included (add-on more for an extra fee)

*Session Highlight: In this family’s case, they opted to capture their pregnancy & highlight baby girl turning one! We headed over to one of my favorite locations and had a blast capturing all of these sweet moments. We were able to work the small area around the tall grasses, oak trees with Spanish moss & also incorporated the winding road. Scroll down to see some of our favorite images.

Adventurous Family Photography On Your Boat

Tampa Bay is a very popular place to own a boat! There are inlets with ocean access pretty much everywhere. So when this family had the idea to take their boat out on an adventure to a beautiful beach location for their newborn session, I was all in and ready for the adventure!

Why you should take your boat out for an adventurous family photo session?

• To create a joyful family experience (the kids love to go out on the boat so why not have them get all dressed up, jump on & head to one of your favorite spots?!)

• To capture the memories (you take your boat out on the weekends and for special occasions so why not capture it professionally?!)

• To choose a unique location (let’s face it, some of the more exotic spots aren’t exactly accessible by car so why not head over to that beautiful inlet, island, sandbar or lighthouse for that dreamy photo session vibe?!)

• To cherish the adventure (there’s always an exhilarating element about exploring a new place by boat so why not imagine photographing your family all around that cool boat only area?!)

I was supposed to capture this family’s maternity session at the beautiful Lighthouse Point location; however, the date we had scheduled back in March got postposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s statewide shutdown to non-essential businesses. They ended up having the baby and waiting a good three months to finally schedule his newborn session. It was honestly a perfect family photo shoot. The baby was super adorable, chunky, sat up in a basket, smiled for me, cooed, laughed at his family & even slept; meanwhile, big sister was just the cutest and loved running from spot to spot to capture more images. We really worked the entire area, from the lighthouse, to the rocks, to the sand and ocean, to the sea grape bushes. We even included grandma in on the fun!

Check out some of my favorites below:

Sunrise Family Photography Session

It is that time of year again for lifestyle family photography sessions!

In addition to our regular newborn and maternity sessions, we are also scheduling mini & regular lifestyle family sessions in Tampa!

The beach is a very popular location for family photo shoot! I have a few local beaches that I love! Here we are at my absolute favorite spot. I just love the rocks and all of the kids usually love to climb them and explore the area.

I absolutely enjoyed capturing this family one morning a few weeks back. We all arrived at an extremely early time of 6:45a to capture the sunrise. It was a bit cloudy that particular morning; however, the sun did end up coming out <3 The kids were all super cooperative and happy. The littlest sister loved every moment and stole the show.

Check out some of my favorites from their session below.

Lifestyle Newborn Session with an Older Newborn

I’m back on the blog! It has been a wild year to say the least! I started blogging again back in February and then … bam … Corona Virus hit in March and put a complete halt to everything! The new norm ~ lifestyle photography with older newborn babies is a thing!

All non-essential businesses were on lock down here in South Florida for a solid two months (between March & May) and sometime in between, I got really sick ~ Covid-19 maybe?! I still don’t know what I had but thankfully I am better than ever :-) I started back up with my photography at the end of May and have had a nice steady flow of newborn, family & maternity sessions ever since!

One of the things that somewhat changed through the photography process was photographing newborn sessions at a much later date! In the past, I typically photographed babies between 1-3 weeks; however, after Covid and because of precautions, some families were opting to wait until 2-3 months of age. I actually don’t mind waiting this long and discovered that the “older newborns” are much more fun to photograph!

*Here’s why?

-They are much more alert & awake and have wide open eyes that seem to stare right into the lens

-They have put on a few pounds so they have those adorable rosy & chunky cheeks :-)

-They are more interactive and react to Mama & Dada’s voice

-They are just starting to smile

Here is my most recent “older newborn” session. Handsome little guy, Nash, is two months old here. He was super alert, looked into the camera a ton with those beautiful pensive eyes & he just loved interacting with his parents. We met at a local park and enjoyed a little sunshine and lots of humidity before the rain came right after our photo shoot! It was great getting to meet and capture this adorable family for the first time <3 

How To Select Great Locations for Your Family Photo Sessions

How do you select location venues for your photo sessions?

Many clients and friends want to know how I go about deciding on locations for my lifestyle family portrait sessions. Well, aside from selecting between capturing a family in their home or yard, park, beach, countryside, forest area or city scene, there are certain factors that I take into consideration when deciding what I think will be best for the family shoot:

• The light is an important factor when determining a location. Being a natural light photographer, I’m constantly searching for the light. Prior to selecting a venue, I ask myself questions like: What direction does the sun face and set in relation to the designated spot? Is there shade? Will we be in the direct sun? Will we be struggling with harsh shadows? Is flattering sun flare a possibility? Using light to enhance the images is the goal. When photographing indoors, I look for light by windows or in rooms that are well lit and am sure to turn off any overhead lights because mixing natural light with artificial light produces an unnatural light.

• The time of day is crucial when deciding on a start time for your shoot. The best time to capture an outdoor session is the early morning at or just after sunrise OR one hour before the sun sets, when the light is soft and golden, hence the term, “the golden hour.” You could be at the most exotic location but if you decide to shoot at noon without any shade or light reflectors, then you would be disappointed by the effects of squinty eyed subjects, with raccoon eye shadows and speckles of shadows on them and in the background.

• The scenery surrounding the area is what give the session it’s own unique flair. At the right time of day, when the light is golden and less intense, the scenery becomes dreamy. I look for locations that feature pretty trees, short green grass or tall grasses for a country feel, flowers, rocks, a bridge, walkways, dirt roads, paths, columns, unique architecture, lakes, rivers, oceans, winding staircases, hills, or anything scenic and places that are secluded (or at least semi secluded) from people and/or large crowds unless of course you’re going for that busy city scene.

This family wanted a local park that would be great for the kids.

Using the criteria above, I selected a park in Jupiter because of its unique bridge over the lake and because I love the way the sun shines through the trees as the sun is setting. Since the sun sets in the west, I was able to position the family facing me in the east and create lovely backlit images with sun flair on the bridge. We were also able to capture more images on the grass and in the path. The light was soft and golden and flattering since we started one hour before sunset. Check out a preview from the session below.

Why You Should Select a Preferred Newborn Session

There are many benefits to choosing a two hour newborn session

I have decided to offer lifestyle newborn session options. This will allow clients to decide for themselves which photo shoot will work best for their family. I have a range of clients with completely different needs and I wanted to be able to offer various time frames, price points, prop options and digital collections.

Families have the choice of selecting between three different lifestyle newborn sessions:

• The Preferred Newborn Session

• The Petite Newborn Session

• The Miniature Newborn Session

* Why You Should Select a Preferred Newborn Session:

• If you would like extra time to allot for breaks to feed and change your baby because lets be real, newborns are unpredictable and might need a diaper change after that blowout or they might simply be wanting to eat every 30 minutes during that growth spurt.

• If you would like to include other family members (i.e. siblings, grandparents, pets) more time is needed to transition the baby into different situations; such as, being photographed with the whole family, with all of the siblings, with each sibling, with grandparents, etc. or incorporating a pet, the variations are endless and time flys by when you’re having fun.

• If you would like more prop and accessory options available you need time to change setups

• If you would like a more relaxed environment that doesn’t feel rushed, then more time is essential.

• If you would like to change up the scene and capture portraits in locations (i.e. the nursery, your older kids rooms, the living room, your backyard or local park) you definitely need more time.

• If you would like more digital images included in your session fee

• If you would like more digitals included in your session fee, more time means more opportunities to take a larger amount of photos

• If you would like ALL of the digital images included

This lovely family below opted for a preferred newborn session

It made sense because they are a family of six with four little ones seven and under! Little Baby Hope was a sweet little thing to capture but she did require a few feedings and diaper changes (don’t they all). We were able to capture their session in various rooms throughout their home (i.e. parents bedroom, nursery, family room and backyard! I was able to capture all four siblings together, the older kids holding the baby, the whole family, each parent holding the baby and the baby alone in various setups, I even captured each of the older children as well because they were all at different ages and stages so we wanted to capture them too <3

Finding the Best Location In Your Home for Your Newborn Session

When preparing for a newborn photo session at home, finding the best location is key to capturing beautiful and timeless images of your little one.

Look for a space with ample natural light, such as a room with large windows or a cozy corner bathed in sunlight.

Consider the nursery, your bedroom, or the living room as potential locations. Keep in mind that simplicity is often best, so choose a spot with minimal distractions in the background. A neutral-colored wall or a well-loved armchair can serve as the perfect backdrop for your baby's first portraits.

Take a few moments to observe how the light filters into different areas of your home at various times of the day. Early morning or late afternoon light tends to be softer and more flattering for photography. Positioning your baby near a window can create a beautifully lit setting for those precious moments you want to capture.

Ultimately, the best location for your newborn session is one where you and your baby feel comfortable and relaxed. Whether it's a sweet nursery nook or a cozy corner by the window, choose a space that reflects your style and allows your little one to shine. With a touch of natural light and a sprinkle of love, you'll create stunning images to cherish for years to come.

*Session Highlight: I first photographed this family at their Mini Maternity Session. During that session, the Mama happily exclaimed: “yes, I’m having another precious little guy!” So when she reached out a few months later inquiring about our “lifestyle newborn session,” I was excited to get to see and photograph them all again! The newborn session went very well. We captured the entire session in her bedroom utilizing the beautiful natural light that was coming from their window. The littlest “big brother” was a ham and stole the show on some of the photos. I loved the light that flooded into the room and the bright white blankets. These moments captured were such sweet memories for this family.

*Clink the link to check out their mini maternity session (they are 4th from the top):

https://athenaleilaphotography.com/athena-leila-photography-blog/fall-mini-sessions-day-2

Scroll down to check out some of my favorites from their newborn session below:

Photographing Multiples: Twins and Toddlers

Photographing multiples and toddlers can be both challenging and rewarding so when I received the inquiry for a newborn session with not only twins but also their two & three year old siblings I was up for the adventure of photographing four kiddos three and under!

Capturing the energy and spontaneity of toddlers requires patience and a flexible approach. When dealing with multiples, such as twins or siblings close in age, it's important to pay attention to their individual personalities while also aiming to create cohesive images that reflect their bond.

For toddlers, keep your sessions short and sweet, allowing them to explore and play while you capture genuine moments. Be prepared to move quickly and have a variety of props or toys on hand to keep their interest.

When photographing multiples, focus on creating compositions that highlight their connection and interactions. Encourage them to engage with each other naturally while also guiding them when needed to ensure you get the shots you envision.

Overall, photographing multiples and toddlers requires a balance of patience, creativity, and spontaneity. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the process, and let their personalities shine through your lens.

*Session Highlight: I arrived at this multiples session and it was probably one of the most peaceful settings, considering the fact that four little ones resided there. The twins were fast asleep so we swaddled them up with my soft cloth wraps and jumped right into it. The older two were as sweet as could be and did very well with cooperating for all of the photos :-) It was super smooth and we were able to get all of these shoots in about 2 hours. We ended our session with the twins swaddled together in a basket.

Check out a glimpse into the photo shoot below:

The Importance of Being In Your Newborn Session

Many times clients attempt to photograph their own newborn sessions but then quickly realize that they aren’t able to truly capture the beauty of this new season if they (or their partners) aren’t in the the photographs!

When I received the inquiry that this beautiful Mama was interested in a newborn photo session as soon as possible, I cleared space in my calendar to accommodate her family. She opted for an in-home lifestyle newborn session to capture the essence of her beautiful little girl and family. She had unsuccessfully attempted to photograph the baby by herself but ended up deciding to hire a professional at the last minute so that she and her husband could also be in the images.

The Importance of Parents Being Present in the Lifestyle Newborn Session

When it comes to capturing precious moments in a newborn session, having parents present plays a crucial role in not only creating beautiful images but also preserving memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Parents are an integral part of their baby's life from the very beginning. Including them in the newborn session allows for a natural and authentic representation of the family bond. The love, connection, and emotions shared between parents and their newborn can be beautifully captured in these sessions.

Moreover, parents bring a sense of comfort and familiarity to the newborn during the session. Their presence soothes the baby, making the environment more relaxed and conducive to capturing those tender moments. Parents can also provide valuable insights into their baby's routines, preferences, and personality, helping the photographer to tailor the session accordingly.

Being present in the newborn session enables parents to actively participate in creating timeless images that they will treasure as their child grows. It allows them to be part of the storytelling process and capture the essence of their family dynamics during this special time.

In essence, parents play a significant role in shaping the atmosphere and outcome of a lifestyle newborn session. Their presence adds depth, meaning, and authenticity to the photographs, making them more than just images but true reflections of love, connection, and family bonds.

This newborn session was so perfectly quaint and calm. We captured the majority of our photos in the nursery. I adored the natural colors and tones which consisted of white, cream/tan, and lots of greenery. We used all of the pretty blankets, sheets, headbands and all of the pretty items around the room to highlight the baby in the images. We captured the emotion and love that goes along with having a newborn, filled with lots of snuggles, kisses, hugs, and admiration of this tiny little person. The couple was so natural and the baby incredibly calm and sleepy. She woke up at the end so we were able to capture those bright eyed images as well. Check out the session below.