What does a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse who also owns a photography company with her husband do on maternity leave? Well, she takes lots of pictures.  This is Sullyvan, born September 4th, 2012.

Occasionally, I am able to get my husband take pictures of the two of us. As with the images show in this post. Yes the adult is me. There is a reason why I am on the opposite side of the camera. I hate yes hate having my photograph taken. That being said I recognize that this time will never come again. And when I mean this time will never come again, this is our third and last child. I always joke that we never plan anything and well this includes our children. I am beginning to think though that we should start making plans. This works for us and me because we are “artists,” as a NICU nurse this does not work for me.

Back to the images. These images were all shot using only available light. Surprised? Honestly while we are minimalists in every way, shooting using only available light can be one of the most difficult ways to shot a subject in certain situations. But they can be some of the most beautiful.

You can also see that I am not wearing any makeup nor wearing anything great. I wanted these images to be raw and really unpolished. In fact the only retouching that I did was Sully’s eye discharge.

When I mean that this time will never come again it won’t. Newborn Photography is actually really tough. Sessions can be quick or take a really long time. We are asking a newborn to be cooperative and we must work around their schedule. Sometimes as with this day they can be cranky, ill or just plane old unhappy (poor Sully was very gassy). So here are some tips for you when scheduling a session.

1. I ask all portrait sessions with kids what time they nap, or their schedule. You should schedule it around them. Sometimes light is a factor but really you want them to be rested not cranky. That being said every child has a time of day that just doesn’t work so you need to be mindful of this.

2. Stuff your baby or child for that matter. Hungry kids are always cranky.

3. All kids, infants included,  have a time of the day that they are just cranky and unmanageable. Plan your photography session around this.

4. Bring extra clothes for your child and yourself. Especially if you are doing any naked baby photography. Both you and your child all need them.

Congratulations on your new baby and enjoy your photo session.