Recently, I had the honor of photographing a newborn session for someone very close to my heart, my old friend and sorority sister, Steph. Steph’s welcome to motherhood has been a whirl as her husband has been working overseas for much of it. Luckily she was able to have her husband Charles with her when MJ was born but after only a few short newborn weeks he had to go back abroad. I have such empathy for her, those newborn days are tough and to have to do it solo without a break takes a strong person. And let me tell you – she is killin” it! Steph has always been strong, independent, and hard working and while hard, she’s taking every moment in stride! Despite the physical distance separating the family, the session was a beautifully intimate affair, brimming with tenderness and love. It was a moment of pure connection between Steph and her newborn MJ, a bond that radiated warmth throughout the room.

Recently, I’ve had a trend of awake newborn sessions and I am here for it! It’s sweet to get to see a baby taking in their world. As MJ engaged with his surroundings, his wide, beautiful brown eyes became a focal point, drawing us all into his world with a sense of wonder and curiosity that’s hard to resist. I love the way you could see him listening for Steph’s voice and taking me in as a new person in his world. The result is a collection of photographs that not only capture the physical features of the newborn but also hint at the emerging personality within. These pictures are like a love letter to those precious early days, full of wonder, discovery, and all that pure joy! They’re like little reminders of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments that make being a parent so special. You know, those moments that are both fleeting and super precious at the same time.

This session is so special to me. Not only because it’s with a sweet and dear friend but also because it shows just how families can stay close even when they’re apart. It was a sweet reminder of the simple beauty in loving and being loved, a theme that ran through every single photo we captured together.