Our Baby Girl is Here | Newport Beach Family Photographer

Cue all the tears, tissues, and happy laughter: our rainbow baby girl is here! Shiloh Calise made her appearance earth side December 27th, making all our Christmas dreams come true. She is absolutely perfect and we are just a little bit obsessed with her. The kids hold and cuddle her constantly and watching their love for her is better than anything I could have ever imagined. The reality that I am a mom of four is such a dream come true.

I wanted so badly to get individual pics of each kid with their new sister and one morning all the stars just seemed to align with these moments that took my breath away. I can feel their love for her, and the warmth and safety she already knows in their arms.

This next one was Shiloh at less 24 hours old. I’m so happy to have this photo from that most beautiful day.

These are the words I wrote to her about this next photo, taken on day 3: “I’m bleeding, sore, and tired: I wouldn’t trade it for all the world. To finally be here in this moment, wrapping you in my arms; like a dream, much too good to be true. But then I do dream, for that short time before I hear your little cry again—and there you still are, taking my breath away with the reality of it all… thank you for letting me be your mom. Thank you for healing the cracks of my heart with your love.”

And a sweet hand knitted gift from our neighbor, at 9 days new. In just this short time our sweet girl has already started to act so much older, looking around and making eye contact. Time please slow down now! Shiloh Calise, you are a real life dream come true.

The Beauty of In Home Newborn Photos | Orange County Family Photographer

I have no words for how much I absolutely love in home newborn photo sessions! There is just something so intimate and and beautiful about capturing those first memories right where they are happening. I mean, let’s be real, where do you spend 95% of those first few weeks at? And what day is it even? ;-)

When you look back at your photos five, ten, twenty years from now, what better way to bring back all those sweet memories than looking at those real moments captured? <3 And what better way to capture real memories than to let your baby simply be real? In home means 100% baby led. If she is awake, we capture her eyes, if she’s sleeping we allow her to do so comfortably.

And my gosh the interactions captured!! This little doll was only one week old and already making eye contact and even following my camera around! I’m just five weeks away now from my own due date of baby girl so this session was very extra special to me and turned my baby fever to a whole new high. :)

Fresh 48: Newborn Photos Right at the Hospital | Orange County Family Photographer

Hospital sessions are usually referred to as “Fresh 48” since we schedule them within those first 48 hours of life, before you head home. This sweet babe was literally only 6 hours into this world and his big brothers were meeting their newest member of the pack for the very first time. My very favorite was when one of them excitedly shouted out, “We get to take him home with us?!”

In home newborn shoots are also beautiful and I adore them with my heart. But there is something so unmatched and emotional about capturing those true firsts. Those moments that will be forever etched into your heart, also now documented on film for you to have and look back on in the years to come. Newly born in every literal sense of the word. <3

Why I Love Awake Babies Too | Orange County Newborn Photographer

I’ll start by being totally transparent here and admitting that sleeping newborns are in fact much more easy to photograph than awake ones. When they sleep you simply place them as you want them and snap away. You can bunch up their arms and legs, reposition the angle of their head, and move about grabbing different angles from the same position. Awake babies are a much different story. They get much more irritated with us, they make faces, and often become crossed eyed. They often move their head in positions not facing the good light and get upset before you have a chance to grab more than a couple snaps in one place. BUT regardless of all that, I still love those wide eyes. Yes, it is more work. Yes, you have to overshoot each scene. But yes, that eye contact and little expressions are everything!

It’s one of the main things I love so much about lifestyle newborn photography. Because we don’t have to spend hours getting them to fall into a deep slumber. We just go with what they give us, and capture all those real life moments that can’t be replaced.

This doll rotated between awake and catnapping, and omgoodness she gave me all the baby fever too!

Newborn Photographer of the Year Award!!! | Orange County Family Photography

Omgeeee you guys!!!!! Out of only 29 images this one was included and put me in Looks Like Film’s best newborn photographers of 2018!!!!!!! I really have no words for how surreal this is! The insane talent in this photography group is top of the top. I scroll through it way too often and simply drool over all the beauty and creativity. And to somehow be a part of it... no words. 🤯 Big thanks to this baby boy for smiling on cue too-I think he knew how much it would mean to me. 😆🙌💃🏼😭

I’m often known as the beach photographer here in Orange County, and I have no complaints there either! But, I also LOVE photographing new babies and their families, both in the comforts of their home or right at the hospital too! Those first weeks with my own “babies",” now 6 and 7, will forever be etched into my soul as the most life changing moments I will ever know. Love that can never be put into words right there in front of you. And those photos that I have from that time, all the way from the big camera to iphone snaps, still bring tears to my eyes when I look at them today. I remember this every time someone invites me into their own new life together. I don’t take it lightly and I try with everything in me to capture those newborn memories I know they will never want to forget.

You can see the full link of newborn cuteness overload here too! https://www.lookslikefilm.com/2019/01/30/newborn-photos/

It Takes A Village | Orange County Newborn Photographer

Getting to watch new parents care for their newborn baby has to be one of my favorite parts of being a photographer. The mutual love and care that overflows from them without a second thought. The way they immediately team up in diaper changes, feedings, soothing and cuddling shows first hand how beautiful family really is. One helpless babe, two head over heels in love adults, and I get to capture it unfolding in front of my lens. It may not yet take a village in the terms we often think of things. But it takes their little village together, learning one another's rhythms, adjusting to their forever life together. And my goodness what an amazing village it is. <3

Camera Ready | Orange County Newborn Photographer

This little guy was probably the most laid back baby I have ever met. So content just hanging out and flashing me his oh so melt my heart grins! There is just something so raw and unmatched about the newborn days. And the bond between this dad and his son was the best. I have a feeling they are going to be good friends. ;-) 

E is for Ella | Orange County Newborn Photographer

E is most definitely for Ella, and I think her name should mean "happiest baby in the history of ever." And the interaction and connection between this family was so strong it totally melted me. In home sessions are some of my all time favorites. Don't get me wrong, I do love my beaches, but there is just something so raw and pure about shooting in your own home. The place you spend so many intimate hours. The rooms that are all tied together with a million sweet memories. This was their first home as a family of three. This room the first she will call her own... Ok, I will stop of all the sappy writing now, but for real, there really is no place like home. 

Fresh 48 | Orange County Newborn Photographer

Can I please just do a million and one hospital sessions this year?? I really don't even have the words to express how much I loved this morning with this fresh little bundle and her sweetest fam. Less than a day old there is really nothing so pure and beautiful as capturing all this new. And talking about firsts, this big brother meeting her for the very first time! I have never before felt so emotion taking photos as witnessing those first moments of him running into the room, proudly showing off his "big brother" sticker, and then spending the rest of his time with little sis either right in his arms or very close by. It was almost impossible to get a shot of mom or dad alone with sister, which was 100% ok by me! 

I love lifestyle newborn photography, but this is a whole new level of love for me. The light may not be perfect and nurses may interrupt you mid shot to do their thing. But it doesn't get any more real life than this. And nothing makes me happier. 

Skipping the Studio | Orange County Newborn Photographer

In home newborn sessions are one of my very favorite things to be a part of. The love and joy is so raw in those first few weeks as everyone is adjusting to this new life together. My favorite though is the way baby just seems to fit right in, like he was always meant to be there. And all mom and dad have to do is look at him for you to see how intensely they cherish his every last detail. 

These kinds of photos are quite different from a studio session. They are not polished and porcelain, posed and perfect. But they are real, and to me they are everything. Little moments that cannot be forced. Little faces and expressions all their own. Memories forgotten now there to look back at and remember years from now. Have I mentioned how much I love these yet? ;-) 

And so without further due, meet the C family: 

Why You May Not Want to Rush the Newborn Pics | Irvine Family Photographer

I will start by stating I absolutely love newborn sessions. I love the newness, the rawness, the quiet (or sometimes loud) beauty of those first few days as a new family. BUT after this evening I now know that I equally love it when baby is a few months old too! Still so little, so dependent on her momma for her every need, but at the same time so alert and aware, following the sounds of voices and fully enjoying her time outside. Those two month old faces she gave me were pure sweetness. 

The second thing that I just loved about our time was watching her momma. Those first few weeks with a newborn are a blur of emotions, little sleep, and trying to remember what day it even is. Although still so new, this mom had already learned her girl's rhythms and was able breathe in and really enjoy herself. 

My last thought is shown in the pics themselves--we were outside! Mom had the choice to leave her bed unmade, dishes in the sink, and the laundry basket piled high. Not saying she did, just that she could. ;-) She was able to capture these beautiful moments with her baby washed in deep greens and golden lights. 

In conclusion I love both newborn and a few months old pictures the same. But its something else to consider, and decide what may be the better fit for you. <3 And also, how sweet is this Christmas theme mom chose for the two of them?! 

Welcome Home | Orange County Newborn Photographer

Where to even start with this perfect bundle of newborn goodness? I was able to capture some of her very first moments in this world a few weeks back. As you can see here she was already so alert in wide eyed wonder. Two weeks later she slept for a good part of our time, but once awake brought all that alertness right back with her.

It's amazing the way you can live so many years without someone, and in just two weeks time wonder how you ever managed without her. Like she was always supposed to be there. That this room had been waiting, just for her. The way she has snuggled right into her parents hearts is such a joy to witness. She is so very loved, and already returning that love right back.