Occasionally, new parents ask me to include their dog in their newborn photography sessions. So, when I heard how important this family’s pug is to them, I was happy to offer some additional poses with their dog. Your dog its a part of the family, so go ahead and include them in your newborn pictures!
Tip: Mom held a dog treat near the camera to get this sweet smile from Winston.
“Our sweet Winston (our pug) announced the birth of his baby sister. We went to Japan in my first trimester and bought baby items to include in her basket. I then made a basket to announce baby A with Winston’s help of course! Winston’s instagram – @Winstogrampug – has 76,000 followers, so his pug community congratulated us also!”
Winston also got to help with the gender reveal by revealing the pink icing inside of their gender reveal cupcakes!
It’s important to not add stress by traveling somewhere new. So, I always come to your home for your baby photo sessions. That way, your family (including your pets) can feel more at ease.
Since we were at their home, it was easy to get some lifestyle shots on their bed in additional to more posed portraits.
We made sure to get plenty of photos of just sweet baby girl with her parents as well. Look at this sweet six week old giving such sweet smiles during her first family photoshoot!
“The profound love and joy we have for A is one of the best parts about being a parent. The connection we have with her that builds everyday is impossible to describe and an absolute pleasure to witness. She is our precious baby girl. My heart is so full seeing her grow, interact, and develop each day. She is our world. ” -Mama L
Mama L says, “She is definitely a combination of myself and my husband. However, I personally see a lot of dad’s attributes in A.”
I know I love being able to pick out which parts of my children came from me and which parts are so my husband. Whether it’s toes, ears, or noses, it’s fun to see who’s they got!
I also loved hearing that baby A has the same middle name as her Grandpa and her mom. It is a family name that they hope will continue.
My youngest also has the same middle name as his Grandpa. I think that’s a great family tradition!
I also thought it was sweet when I learned that baby A’s mom craved fresh cherries during her pregnancy. She had never eaten them before, but she says they are so delicious that she’ll continue to eat them!
Personally, I craved watermelon during my first pregnancy, and now it’s funny to watch how much watermelon that child can eat in a sitting. I wonder if this sweet girl is destined to love cherries?
E & L – thank you so much for trusting me to photograph baby A’s newborn session. You both make fantastic parents and it was an honor getting to know you. I’m so looking forward to seeing how baby A grows up!
Newborn photography with your dog can be done, so feel free to scroll through my Instagram account to see some more families who asked me if they could include their dog in some of their newborn pictures.
And in case you’re wondering what Baby Plan sessions can look like while including your dog, here are some of my favorites from this sweet girl’s sitter and one year sessions:
Although, I love being able to say that I’m an international award winning photographer, I think there’s something I’m even more proud of- being an accredited newborn photographer!
I was very proud to become Huntsville’s first Qualified Newborn Photographer through Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International, APNPI.
Now, I am extremely proud to announce that I am Huntsville, AL’s first photographer to receive a special accreditation from APNPI.
There are many areas that photographers can earn special accreditations from through APNPI. I chose my first accreditation to be in the category of babies with their family, because those portraits are some of the most important portraits I will ever do.
Part of why I started my business was that I believe everyone should have a portrait with their newborn, even if they’re not able to get out of their house just yet. (And that’s part of why I feel strongly about coming to my client instead of having them come to me.)
It is such an honor to have a body of my work judged by a panel of some of the best newborn photographers internationally, according to competition level standards, and to be found deserving of this accreditation.
About APNPI:
“APNPI is a Professional Newborn Photographer’s Association created by newborn photographers specifically for newborn photographers. APNPI formed out of a passion to give professional recognition to Newborn Photographers, and to connect photographers in a safe and respectful place that cultivates the growth of artistry and business acumen amongst its membership.
APNPI also connects parents with Accredited photographers in their area who are educated in newborn safety practices and have passed a rigorous Accreditation process before a panel of live judges. Additionally, the site offers parents valuable resources and tips for everything from choosing a photographer to taking better photographs at home.”
Accredited Newborn Photographer in Huntsville AL:
“The Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International (APNPI) is proud to announce Ellen Adams of Ellen Adams Photography, Huntsville, AL as a recipient of Accreditation in the category of Family and Baby. Ellen Adams’s successful submission was chosen along with a select number of others deserving of the designation of Accreditation placing them amongst an elite group of photographers world-wide who currently hold Accreditation titles with APNPI.”
Sweet baby George was an absolute angel during his newborn photo shoot. He even gave us a little smile with mommy and another one with big sister!
Big brother put a huge smile on my face when he was absolutely amazed by the large umbrella I use on my studio light.
They are such sweet siblings, and I know big brother and big sister are going to do an amazing job being there for George throughout his life.
George slept throughout his session. However, don’t fear if you’re planning a newborn session and your baby doesn’t sleep the whole time. We can still get some amazing awake newborn portraits.
I am a strong believer in including parents during newborn sessions. Your baby deserves to know just how little they were in your arms. Also, they will want to know what you looked like when they were a baby.
Don’t worry, I will do everything in my power to make you look your best. Also, remember, your baby will always look at you as his beautiful mama.
Don’t George’s parents look perfect?
And look at those precious little eye lashes!
This sweet mama would like other new moms to know that babies sleep through the night eventually.
Your baby won’t fit this tiny in your arms ever again. So, enjoy all of those baby snuggles during the late night feedings while you can mama.
Even his stretches are precious, and I just couldn’t help but capture one during his newborn photo shoot.
Mom and dad loved this image of baby George, and I tend to agree.
When a mom asks me to capture some of baby’s details, I can guarantee you I am going to include at least one picture of your baby’s precious little toes!
Here is their wall gallery they created from their maternity and newborn photo shoots. I can’t wait to see how baby George grows up!
One year is a milestone that needs to be celebrated! Not only has your baby changed in incredible ways, but you made it as well! So, to help you with your one year celebration planning, I made a list of some of my favorite One Year Photoshoot Ideas:
1. Classic Portrait
Think about what you want to put on the wall. There’s a good chance that somewhere in your home you have a wall that you either have already started to or plan to celebrate your family members. Perhaps it already has a picture from your wedding, and a picture from your newborn photoshoot.
It’s time to add on to your gallery wall, and a classic portrait is the perfect addition. I have a collection of little child-sized antique chairs you can pick from for the formal portion of your baby’s one year photoshoot.
2. Milestones
It’s also important to get some more candid shots that really show off your baby’s unique personality and milestones. If your baby can clap- show it off!
Your baby is probably standing by now, so let’s show that off, too! The picture above on the right is one of mom’s favorites, because it perfectly captures her daughter’s personality.
Whatever look instantly makes you say, “That’s my baby!” is the look we want to capture.
3. Cake Smash
Of course, my list of one year photoshoot ideas wouldn’t be complete without suggesting a cake smash. I have had families who weren’t quite sure if they wanted to include these images in their session, who absolutely have as much fun during the cake smash as their baby.
Cake smash pictures make for adorable portraits to add to the walls of your child’s room or in an album.
I’ll let you in on a secret: Not all cake smashes happen exactly as they appear in pictures. Sometimes they’re just a little bit staged.
Not all babies want to make a big mess and dig in. So, we have the parents help them out with a little bit of cake turning over and smashing.
Usually, babies are ready to dig in once they see that their parents think it’s a good idea.
It’s hard not to swoon when I have the honor of taking a family’s maternity pictures at the lake, and the sun sets with the perfect glow.
This sweet family is expecting baby number three very soon. They are about to have their second son, and I was so excited when I learned during their session that they are naming him the same name I named my second son!
Every maternity photoshoot is unique, and I always enjoy spending time with my clients, getting to know them better.
This sweet couple has been married for 8 years. It’s evident how much they love each other and how much they love their children.
They want their children to know:
“We love them with all our heart and we will do everything possible to give them the best life possible.”
I love that they have this hope for their baby:
“We hope that he will grow up knowing he’s loved unconditionally by all of us, and use that strength to stand on his own someday.”
Maternity pictures are a special time to celebrate your family as it is now, as well as revel in the excitement and anticipation of how your family is about to change.
I believe every newborn session should include newborn family pictures. It’s not an add-on; it’s simply part of the newborn experience.
Every mama deserves a picture with her baby.
Your baby will love seeing just how tiny they were in your arms ten years from now.
This sweet mama told me, “We are a family of constant change and constant reminders that God is in control of this journey! We plan and He laughs, which keeps us on our toes.”
There’s nothing quite as wonderful as a baby to be the source of change for your family!
I love that she wants her children to carry this piece of wisdom with them throughout their lives:
“Be yourself, and trust the plans that God has for you.”
Sometimes it’s hard to trust, especially when surprises are thrown your way. However, trusting will make your days so much more joyful!
She told me that her sweet baby girl is a huge blessing, and how could you not think so looking at her?
“You can be tough and soft at the same time and for the same reasons. This is something I try to balance daily, as a mom, as a wife, as a professional, and as a woman.”
-Sofia’s Mom
Newborn family pictures become an instant heirloom for your family.
I had the honor of photographing this beautiful ballerina’s first baby three years ago, and I was overjoyed when she asked me to photograph her new little one- her little ballet baby.
Her nursery is a gorgeous pink complete with a crystal chandelier and wreath made of mom’s pointe shoes. So, I knew I just had to include some ballet shoes in one of her portraits.
The shoes at the bottom of the picture are mom’s very first pair of pointe shoes.
The ripples of fabric remind me of ribbons on ballet slippers dancing in the wind.
A new baby is like a tulip who’s bud is just beginning to open. We are just beginning to learn her possibilities.
She can become whatever her heart desires and she dreams to be.
“Someday I’ll jump through puddles,
Take a stroll, or run a race.
Someday I’ll walk across the street,
or maybe walk in space.
Someday I’ll scale a mountain,
Or I’ll join a ballet corps.
Someday I’ll walk a tightrope,
Or explore the ocean floor.”
She was very curious during her session, so I have no doubt she has it in her to be a NASA engineer like her parents someday if she chooses.
She was also a very smiley baby, and her mama told me that she has been a very easy going baby so far.
“Ellen was great with our baby and did a fantastic job capturing creative, adorable photos! We love seeing the beautiful newborn photographs in our home every day.”
-Alex T.
It is always an honor for me to not only capture your little one, but to also capture you with your baby. Your children need to know who you were back when they were so little they could fit in your arms.
I was very excited to deliver their newest portrait of their oh so sweet ballet baby!
You think you will remember these newborn grunts and exactly how she looks for decades to come, because the days are so long right now.
However, time fades the past and the saying is true,
“The days are long, but the years are short.”
It is unfair how quickly babies grow up.
Hold onto this moment in a way you will cherish forever, and create heirlooms that you can share with your children both as they grow up as well as pass down to your children once they have grown up.
Every time a baby has their second Baby Plan Session, I think it’s the cutest 1 year photoshoot I’ve ever seen. All babies are simply Adorable! This One Year Photoshoot was no different.
(I was told that he looks just like his Granddaddy in this one.)
One year is a big milestone, and it’s time to celebrate both making it through the first year, as well as newfound skills like standing!
I have had the pleasure of photographing this sweetie since he was still in his mama’s belly. Ever since his newborn session, I have been in awe of his eyelashes. Baby eyelashes are simply the best!
This little man simply loved my little chair and wanted to have All of his pictures in it. However, we eventually convinced him to show off his standing skills, too.
When you join the Baby Plan Club you have access to exclusive products like this name collage. My son loves pointing out the letters in his name with the one that I made for him. It’s the perfect addition to your child’s bedroom- it is both a decorative heirloom, as well as educational.
If you would like to join the Baby Plan Club, or schedule a stand alone Cutest 1 Year Photoshoot for your own little cutie, tell me all about it here!
Babies don’t keep. Although most of my sessions are for Newborns and Baby Milestones, I make room to do a Huntsville family photoshoot for a few families each year. Babies change so much that first year, you need to document their changes on a regular basis. Then, as your babies become little kids, you stop noticing their changes so much- until you happen to see a photo of them from a year ago.
Even the way your kids interact and play with each other changes from year to year.
Most of my clients like a mix of posed and more natural shots, so that’s usually what I capture during a family session.
This amazing dad didn’t think anyone would want a picture of just the boys together- but I am certain his sweet mama and wife are going to absolutely adore this photo of the boys hanging onto dad for many years to come. It brings such a smile to my face, and they’re not even my family!
We chose to do a family photoshoot at this location because they already had happy memories of fishing here. (I love doing photoshoots in places that are both beautiful and meaningful to you.)
It had been a few years since this family had done family pictures, and these sweet little boys’ grand mom wanted some portraits of them. So, she gifted this session to her daughter last Christmas, and I’m so glad we were able to capture both the sweetness and playfulness of this stage in the boys’ lives.
If you want to learn more about having your own Huntsville family photoshoot, tell me your family’s story. And Grandparents- Gift Certificates make the perfect present for your kids (as well as a gift for yourself in a way)!
