bundle

Photographing newborns is one of the best things about my job. I absolutely adore babies and always get excited when I hear from an expectant parent asking me to capture their little ones' first moments. The sessions themselves are hard work and I rarely even have time to hold the babies as much as I would like. But I get just as much satisfaction out of editing the photos later and 'ooohing' and 'aaahing' over the tiny toes and sweet little faces.

The last newborn session was even more special than usual because now I am expecting my own little bundle of joy. Being around such a brand new baby really made me realize how soon I will become a mother.

Since I was 4 years old I have known one thing for certain: someday I will be a mommy and have a babies of my own. I spent the majority of my childhood taking care of Cabbage Patch Dolls and babysitting neighborhood kids, dreaming about my future family. But at the time, I didn't know that reaching those dreams would be more difficult than expected. Like so many other couples, my husband and I struggled through years of infertility, heartbreak and disappointment. And even when we finally got the good news that we were expecting, it took some time before we felt confident enough to celebrate. By now though, enough time has passed and we are overjoyed to meet our baby this spring.

Being pregnant and becoming a mother will undoubtedly give me a new perspective when it comes to photographing babies in the future because I will know first-hand how important those moments truly are to a parent.

Today, please share your own photos of babies so we can all 'oooh' and 'aaah' together.

ooh baby!

It's true, sisters! My baby girl is finally here and I am completely in love! But let's be honest: I am also more than ready to kiss her with my brand new 50mm 1.4 lens :) I cannot tell you how long I've dreamed of taking baby photos with shallow depth of field and loads of softness...

But lens aside, since I know so many of you are total pros when it comes to photographing babies and children in general, I'd love for you to share with me some of your favorite kiddo shots, as well as tips for photographing them. I need loads of inspiration to get through these nursing days, so don't be shy now. Share your most delicious baby shots and tricks with us today.

at home

There's something special about photographing a baby in their home environment. It's nice to know that these photos will be around for them to see when they are all grown up. Those early days of babyhood will eventually fade from their memories, but the photos will be present to spark some recognition of a toy or room in their house. Images like these are as important to parents as they are to the kids who will someday flip through albums and reminisce.

These lucky little ones will have a wonderful record of their first loving homes. Have you taken any photos that will be a valuable addition to the family photo album?

kids life

"Shoot what you know" is what they say.

And I know these two.

Yet it isn't until very recently that I realized that my sons, now almost 8, have been a constant source of inspiration whether I was holding a pen or my camera. And though I am now able to create a routine that revolves a little more around my work rather than school schedules, and I no longer feel the compulsive urge to squeeze and kiss their cheeks all the time, documenting my children's daily life is still one of the greatest joys of mine.

It's little surprise then that some of my favorite photographers like Hitoshi Ishihara, Jenifer Altman, Bob Smith and Alison Garnett are also parents. And parents who photograph their kids. A lot. There's just something heartbreakingly beautiful and touching when we are faced with such innocence, curiosity and unrestrained joy of life.

What about you? Do you photograph children a lot (yours or otherwise)? Please share your images of kids life with us today.

As Sweet a Child As This

I remember one Christmas when my son was still a baby, we decided to go to a Christmas Eve service with friends who were out of town.  At the time, I wasn't exactly thrilled about going to church, but it seemed like the thing to do.  I'll never forget standing in the aisle in the standing room only crowd, my baby in my arms and thinking, "Surely Jesus Christ himself was not as sweet a child as this."

I'm sure it didn't hurt that my ear-piercing screamer was also completely and totally asleep. 

Now my sweet boy is eight years old, and while he's completely disabused me of any notion I might have about his divinity, he can still melt me just like butter.  Especially when I remember him as a baby dozing, so many Christmases ago.

If a sweet child in your life is making your heart beat a little bit faster this Christmas, go ahead and share.  Show us your angels sound asleep (like this sweet Josephine above) or in your arms or full of wonder under the tree.  Merry Christmas, everyone!