Why I photograph newborns in a studio…

Though “lifestyle” newborn sessions in clients’ homes are absolutely lovely (and there are some amazing lifestyle photographers in San Antonio!) my favorite way to capture a newborn is by creating a beautiful classic and timeless portrait of their precious face- the face that will all-too-quickly grow and change.  I LOVE the details that you can only capture with a thoughtfully composed traditional portrait- both beautiful close-ups and peaceful, story-like pulled-back shots. Photos of their tiny little fingernails, pudgy little toes, squishy little rolls. Some with sweet little baskets, props, or lovely soft textures. Some just simple and minimal, with nothing but beautiful light.

In my NE San Antonio home studio, I have all of the posing and lighting equipment I need to create all of these kinds of images with ease.

My studio has EVERYTHING you need for beautiful portraits!

I have every piece of professional equipment that I need in my studio to create a gorgeous portrait of your newest addition and your growing family. I have professional studio lighting and modifiers, a backdrop system with dozens of backdrops and floor drops, multiple lenses, and countless curated fabrics, outfits, props, and wraps.  In short, I have EVERYTHING I need to create a variety of gorgeous images for my clients here in my home studio. If I shot sessions in my clients’ homes, I would never be able to bring along all of these essential items (my vehicle simply isn’t big enough!)

Shooting in a private studio space is the perfect way to create consistently beautiful galleries for each and every one of my sweet clients. You don’t have to worry about de-cluttering your house (which is often necessary to create well-shot lifestyle portraits at home), and if it’s gloomy outside, it won’t affect your session! My studio is my Always-Ready and Perfectly-Consistent place for making beautiful art for my families!  

Furthermore, having a studio in my home allows me time- even in my off hours- to begin prepping for your session (which I often excitedly do days before you arrive!)  I love custom styling beautiful sets for my clients- it’s when I get to be creative with colors and textures and design elements. And I often will think of an idea for styling a session at strange times (before I go to bed, or first thing in the morning) and I can pop into my studio whenever I want to, to try things out!

Though you have to drive here, consider it a little restful getaway!  

I get that leaving the house with a newborn can be a challenge- I’ve been there, too! (In fact, 8 years later, I’m still struggling to get out of house on time.) 😛 That’s why I’ve made certain that the studio is a perfect place for moms and dads (and siblings) to relax, put their feet up, and have a lovely morning of down time. So, the only work you really have to do is get in your car to drive here! Once you arrive, just relax. I’ll take care of the rest.

There is a private client lounge in the studio- complete with recliners, a changing table, Wi-Fi, and a TV with Netflix and Disney+ !) and a little spot for brothers and sisters to read, play with toys, draw, or color. Moms can also use the lounge if they’d like to nurse or pump in private- or just take a well-deserved nap!  

And in the shooting space, there is a couch to relax on if you’d like to watch your baby in his or her photo debut.  And I didn’t forget about the most important part of every morning: COFFEE.  I have a Keurig for fresh coffee and tea, along with snacks like granola bars, fruit leather, crackers, instant oatmeal… and a fridge with water, juice, and lunch-y snacks like cheese and nuts. Everything is here for you to enjoy! 

This is not only a way to create heirloom portraits of this fleeting, incredible time, it’s a well-deserved break for you!

If you have any specific questions about the studio experience, please get in touch! 

This past February, I was lucky enough to have some very special people fly to San Antonio to visit my family (and the studio!) My cousin and his sweet wife flew to TX from Michigan on a last-minute flight they booked during a crazy internet airfare sale. And I can’t believe their luck… 1: Because their airfare was an unbelievable steal- it’s the reason they actually decided to FLY to visit me in the studio! and 2: Because they safely made it back home literally just a couple of weeks before Covid-19 hit San Antonio. Lucky timing.

The real reason this was such a special trip, though, was they were bringing along their two sweet girls- Their 2 year old Elliot and her new baby sister Oaklynn- for Oaklynn’s newborn session in my studio! Anyone who’s travelled with a baby the first time knows how nerve-wracking it can be. But traveling with your second baby? Piece of cake. 😉 (Doesn’t everything seem easier the second time around??) They are such avid travelers, it was second nature to them to hop on a plane for a little adventure. And they’ve always wanted to visit Austin, which we’re only about an hour from. So it was the perfect reason to visit!

It really meant the world to me that they wanted me to be able to make Oaklynn’s newborn portraits- and that they flew across the country to do so. I grew up just a few couple houses away from my cousins, and I absolutely love getting together with them- even though with us being in two different states it’s rare.

When planning THIS newborn session, I knew immediately which special props and heirlooms I was going to incorporate in the images. One of my favorites, this wooden bowl, happens to have belonged to my Great-Grandma. It was, in fact, a butter bowl- and both my mom and my Aunt remember helping their Grandma make butter in it! Oaklynn won’t ever know her Great-Great Grandma, but both Ross and I remember her fondly. Having this connection for her is pretty cool.

The other people that is very special to me was made by my dad- just a few weeks before he passed away. He was an incredibly talented woodworker, and loved making special pieces to give as gifts for loved ones. For friends and loved ones getting married, it was often a handmade wood cross given as a wedding gift. For both me and my sister-in-law it was an absolutely beautiful handmade crib- given to us during our first baby showers! This was the last thing that he made for me… a little baby bed that I could use in my studio for newborns. There are a ton of newborn prop vendors out there, but this is far and away more special that anything I could ever buy.

I am overjoyed at the photos we made. Probably my favorites are of sweet Elliot and her baby sister- they absolutely take my breath away. I know these photos will become even more precious to their mom and dad each year that passes.