San Jose, CA Newborn Photographer: A baby brother
I can’t believe it’s already been over a month since E was born! Man time flies.
He already looks so different from the day he came into the world. I can’t wait to see what he’ll look like in just a few months. Will he have his big brother’s dimples? Will he have his mom’s brown eyes (like she hopes)?
As our own boys grow, it’s easy to forget life with a newborn. I forget just how little and light they are. Feathers in comparison to the 30+ pounders that ask me to pick them up. I forget how their eyes move as they study the room around then where everything is so, so new. I’m glad I have newborn photography to remind me of these moments.
Foster City, CA Newborn Photographer: Contrasts
A month ago, these guys braved one of our wettest storms, and we still met for N’s maternity session. There were snuggles, belly rubs, and an awesome ending jumping in some huge puddles in the end. I got home that day and ordered myself a pair of Hunter Rain boots because I wanted some of that puddle jumping fun for my home too.
Well, N’s belly passenger has arrived. Little R was two weeks old when we met for his newborn portraits. He was alert for part of our meeting and asleep for another. He even gave his daddy a nice grin while he was asleep. I’m sure he was working out a nice surprise for him for later 🙂
Big Bro N was also ready for the day. He brought on his snuggles and kisses for his baby brother. It was really sweet to watch N try to comfort Baby R when he was upset by putting his head on his baby brother’s chest… or giving him a kiss. Of course, being two, N was happy to engage in some high-energy jumping. Last time was in puddles; this time it was the bed. It was great!
I find the contrast of a newborn session with a toddler really amusing– you have a ball of energy on one side of the room, and the other a peaceful newborn. I remember as a new, first time parent how frazzled those first few weeks were. It was only after our second was born that I realized how serene that time was. You don’t see it until the blur of the toddler Tazmanian Devils around. Since becoming a photographer, and entering the homes of my clients, it’s actually kind of fun to see the same pattern in their home. It’s like the hazing ritual everyone goes through.
Welcome, Little R. You have a wonderful family to grow into.
Bay Area, CA Photographer: Updated USB packaging
You should know by now that photographers quickly get bored with their toys, and are always on the hunt for something new, better… (prettier)? I’m no different! I’ve loved my USB packaging (hope you have too), but have been feeling it was time for another face-lift… mostly to simplify.
When I initially set out to create my mailers, I looked for the smallest box I could find to fit my Print Release, cad and USB drive. Yet, the only thing I could find, that came close to the presentation I wanted to do, I was still sending out an 8″ long corrugated box… all for a tiny little USB no bigger than a paperclip. Overkill? Admittedly, yes!
My USB drives aren’t changing — I love the little paper-clip drives, and how crisp my logo is.
But… did my clients email my occasionally asking where their USB drive was? Yes 🙂 The little drive simply got lost in it’s mansion of packing.
So I set on a mission to make things better. I realized that everything I send to my clients, would easily fit on a 5×7 card, and an envelope set for the same. I adjusted my mailer card — my little note to clients on one side, and their Print Release on the other. My USB drive sits comfortably in a slit made on the card itself. It all fits in a 5×7 card envelope.
Simple. Clean. To the point. And hopefully my little drive won’t get lost in all the packaging now too 🙂
Enjoy!
Palo Alto, CA Maternity & Family Photographer: A second adventure
April is baby month! After I announced that I will be taking a break after April, I took inventory of all my upcoming photo sessions. I found it interesting that all my March bookings were about expecting moms and April transitioned into meeting their little ones. It’s exciting, and I’m glad to be hitting the pause button on this kind of high note. So prepare – lots of new person love is coming your way over the next few weeks.
You’ve seen C quite a bit before. I’m really excited I get to be part of this baby journey with them this time around. Right when (soon-to-be big brother) Q was born, C reached out to me to inquire about newborn portraits. I remember that conversation so well. They were so excited about how cute he was and they wanted to capture every aspect of him. Unfortunately my calendar was all booked up, and I didn’t get a chance to meet with them until Q was three months old. We continued to meet every 3 months following, and it’s been so wonderful watching him reach so many milestones along the way. Now I get to see this little person join their family from the start. I’m happy for this second chance to photograph this growing belly, and soon enough the little resident inside it.
We met in the afternoon at San Francisquito creek. C really wanted something outdoors, preferably in bloom. It rained non-stop every day that week, but just in time for our session we hit a beautiful, dry day. I was so worried about how wet and soggy the ground could be after such hard rain, but even that too worked in our favor. I told C to keep her high heels at home, just in case. San Francisquito is a beautiful spot right across from Stanford Shopping Center. It has gorgeous mustard flowers in the spring and fantastic light in the afternoon. Sadly, my favorite part of the grounds is being developed. I love the cause for building (Ronald McDonald House is expanding their housing facilities), but will still miss my favorite patches of that space. Still, there’s lots of this space to love, and I’m glad we got to hold this maternity session there. It forces me to make new favorite spots.
See you soon, guys!
San Jose, CA Birth Photography: A new person
On Friday night, just as my husband and I came home from a date night, I got a message from C. They were heading into Labor and Delivery because she thought her water had broken. I packed my gear and headed out. Even at the risk this might not be THE day, it was at least a good practice driving run for me 🙂 The doctors didn’t quite see what they were looking for and we were sent home. I left my bag by the door that night, because her story was TOO similar to my own delivery of our youngest for this not to be IT.
I got some great sleep that night night, and as I was getting ready to head to the South Bay to spend some time with friends, I received a second text — C was on her way back to the hospital. Thus so was I. Today really was THE day.
Since C was having a c-section, we were waiting on a confirmation of surgery time. Her planned appointment was next Friday, but clearly this little man wanted to be a March baby.
We waited, joking around and generally killing time on Facebook. Although C was contracting, luckily her only discomfort came from the IV tethered to her arm, and the little boy that was still doing flips in her belly.
Since I wasn’t allowed in the operating room, dad-to-be, D took the photographer responsibility while in surgery. He really did a great job, and I’m so impressed and proud of him. While I understand hospital practices for limiting the number of support people in the OR, I have to admit it makes me sad. For D. Whenever you put a camera to your face, you assume the role of documentarian and step away from experiencing the moment. You’re in it, and you feel it, but removed. It’s just not the same.
Photographing a birth is such an indescribable experience. There are unanticipated moments that bear so much emotion. I dare any person that describes themselves as staunch to witness and not feel their heart swell up and release through tears. When C and D told her family their son’s name for the very first time, and the meaning behind it: that was powerful. It’s a moment I won’t forget.
I am very grateful to have been asked to be here for C and D as they welcomed their newest little guy to our world. Please enjoy the images ahead.
Note, that since I did not photograph the images in the operating room, I cannot include them in my post. However, they are in the slideshow video, so be sure to watch it through. It’s really, really special.
