This family had posed newborn photos taken with their first baby, but ended up liking the more natural approach of lifestyle newborn photography much better! I don’t blame them – they got to hang out on their bed for a large part of the session! Bonus! We started with this awesome family’s Fresh 48 session, and it was great to catch up 2 weeks later.
When I arrived for our session, I found a very excited big sister. She was SO excited for me to take photos of her in her room. And it’s so important to acknowledge siblings in their own environment during this time where so much of the focus is on the newborn baby. I asked her what she likes doing in her room.

“Reading … and jumping on the bed!”

No problem, girl, go for it!

Then it was time for some cuddling on Mom and Dad’s bed. The beauty of a lifestyle newborn photography session is that you don’t need to tell anyone what to do when a little baby is around. Cuddling, kissing, and frankly, just marveling at this little human all come naturally to everyone in the family. I just needed to stand back and observe the warmth and love shared in this special family.

Being a big sister is an important job. You’ve gotta have your sibling’s back at all times, which in turn gives you the right to be just a little bit bossy for the rest of your life, lol. But you also get to show them everything that you have already learned, like eskimo kisses, and how to get an extra snack from Mom.

Cutest shot alert…

At only 2 weeks old, this little guy was still very much a newborn baby. But he had already changed in so many ways from the day he was born. A lot of the newborn fuzziness was gone, his little feet wasn’t all wrinkled anymore, and he filled out his skin quite a bit. But here’s the thing – I delivered these photos just 2 weeks after our session, and Mom and Dad said that he had AGAIN changed since our session. And when I delivered the album 3 weeks after that, their breath was taken away that their now 2-month old was almost like a different kid from what we saw in these photos.

That’s why we do newborn sessions. Because although their whole childhood will be over before you know it, this newborn time is especially fleeting. And as sleep-deprived parents, the first couple of months are usually such a blur that we need to hold on to the memories captured by the camera.

Eye contact … whoa!

Even though Mom and Dad aren’t first time parents, I love the individual bonds that they form together with each child. And that’s not all – seeing both Mom and Dad interact individually with their newborn son is a lovely indication of the relationship that they are building with this new child of theirs.

Lifestyle newborn photography is all about recording the moments that, in just a small amount of time, are no more. Dad loves holding his son high up against his chest, and Mom’s favourite way to hold him is under her chin, where she can smell the top of his head. I always remind the parents that this is the last time their little baby will fit in their hands just like this.

Not only do I absolutely adore this photo because of that eye contact, it also shows off a muslin wrap from one of my favourite vendors: Lulujo. They make a variety of quality baby products, but nothing beats these swaddles available in so many cute (and unisex) patterns. This one has little hippos and blossoms on it.

I said before that this Big Sister will have her brother’s back. Turns out I was right – he was crying in his crib, and out she came, climbed on the step stool, and started waving her lovey around above him. Before we knew it, he was mesmerized … and quiet. What a blessing she is for her brother.

Oh my goodness … how much longer will Dad be able to toss her in the air like this? Mom pointed out that these photos in the living room show the framed toddler paintings in the background, and that made these extra special. That’s just another reason to love lifestyle newborn photography … imagine these kids pointing out parts of their childhood home when these photos are handed down the generations to come!

What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

A newborn lifestyle session lets parents and families look back on this sweet and intimate time with their newborn baby and relive all the first cuddles, the teeny tiny baby parts, and the newly unfolding relationships and family dynamics. It is a time filled with so much adoration and love and absolute wonder at the miracle that has entered your lives, but these fleeting memories fade so easily after months of little sleep and growth spurts and new milestones. I will tell your story of this memorable time in your life. Let’s chat about your session!