Welcome Baby Samson (8 days old)

This is a newborn session with a personal touch. I was excited when Kira and Lorenzo asked me to photograph their expectant child as I know the family. I like to think I bring TLC to every newborn session but with these awesome people, it was already built in!

It's so exciting to get the news that the baby boy is here so I can start prepping for the session that happens shortly after (in this case 8 days)....ensuring all the blankets, wraps and props are ready to be brought over, not to mention that all my equipment is ready. Then the fun begins. The first shots were taken before the baby was officially "ready" but I am always at the ready to capture sweet moments. I like to add a touch of artistic flare in between the images that we are posing.

Close up shots of fingers and toes are a MUST, as are photos of mom but notice how many shots showcase more of her presence. Kira doesn't physically overpower the visual as the focus is always on her baby. 

I also love to photograph over parent's shoulders. It literally gives you the parent's perspective.

Notice the natural light provided by nearby windows. The lighting matches the mood.

Onto the stylized shots. Once Baby S was peacefully snoozing, Kira and I got to have fun with the props she selected from my stash.

While he was sleeping, I shot tons. Different crops, varying camera angles....we posed him here and there. The shots with the cap have his legs out in back of him and then underneath, draping the cap in a few different ways. (Side note - I loved this hat so much, I ended up getting it in multiple colors!) The shot from above?  I. Just. Want. To. Eat. Him! 

There is a short window of time in life when you can fit into a basket, so you just have to do it. I love this hand woven wool braid...a simple yet striking texture.

The blue/grey colors with the textured fur in this itty bitty crib is so sweet. And we intentionally opted for no head covering to show off baby's full head of hair.

Once sleepy time was over, I squeezed in a few more shots with the props....I am actually glad his eyes were open because they are just awesome. So much depth already.

I love incorporating weddings rings into newborn shots. (Something dad probably wasn't thinking about when he was thinking of popping the question.) Symbolic and special.

Time for silhouettes. These dramatic images are intentionally dark to show the sweet lines of baby's closed eyes, soft mouth, nose. The shot with mom is has just enough light  to show her joy.

The trio silhouette is a favorite of the day as you don't have to see the smiles perfectly, but you can feel them perfectly fine.

Mom and dad form a little window for baby's image. 

Time for Dad to get in front of the camera. My series of dad/newborn images tend to evoke a combination of masculine strength and sweet tenderness. Lorenzo was a natural in both departments. Notice the images that show how particularly tiny baby is in dad's arms, hands and overall physique.  

One of my favorite ways to photograph only shows Lorenzo's arms, conveying his fatherly love and protection.

We also did some different poses - a low angle to add some drama while baby is perfectly lit by the window, as well as the same "parent perspective" shot we did with Kira.

This last set of images shows mom, dad and baby. Traditional, looking at the camera to provide a balanced collection of photos.

Photos like this make me smile as I envision baby as an older child seeing this and knowing how loved he was from the very beginning.

Stay tuned for more images from this lovely family, including the two big brothers!