And my youngest is only 11 months!

Laurie contacted me about doing a “First Blush” session for her son’s arrival.

As with all things in life (especially birth), other things came up that nixed that session.

Instead we opted to do a “Welcome Home” session, which is quickly becoming one of my favourite types of baby sessions.
Mom and Dad settle in for some one on one time with baby, and as they bask in that “babymoon” glow, I photograph the new family in all their splendour.

There’s nothing like seeing a father look at his partner and baby with just pure love and adoration, and Mike wasn’t shy in showing his affection for his new little family.

Laurie and Mike, thanks for inviting me into this little slice of your life!

He was 3 weeks old, a little older than the average newborn I photograph.
Still, we got some great photos and had some good laughs.
Including a few out-takes like this one:

I was so pleased to come back and see this little guy for his 6-month session.

When I first showed up he was all smiles, although you might not be able to tell by the photos. What can I say, he’s a ladies man, all smiles when he could see my eyes, but stone-cold serious once I got the camera in front of my face.

Six months is such a great time for little ones to show off their mad tummy time skills, sitting skills and to really capture their interaction with mom and dad.

Enjoy the next few months! I can’t wait to see the little guy when he’s taking his first steps!

Calm. I didn’t think birth could be so calm.

Doula gently stroking mama’s skin.

Dad whispering words of encouragement to the mother of his second child.

Midwives smiling as they greeted this new life.

Birth photographer loving every second.

Awesome.

Congratulations little family.

The doula seen in the slideshow is Kristi Clement from Helping Hands Doula.

Birthdays when they are real, live, right as it happens birthdays are pure magic. They are what birth photography is all about

I was lucky enough to be here for this little girl’s birthday.

After a relatively short but intense labour, baby C was ushered into mama’s arms.

Do you remember looking into your baby’s eyes the first time. This mama might not remember this moment, but now she has it captured, forever.

“Thank you Carrie for being there and being so great I can’t wait to see more pics…I am more than positive they are going to be awesome.
As much as I knew you were there, I didn’t (which is great when you hate having your picture taken). You’re awesome! Thanks again.”

S. Labelle

With my first baby, I was so overwhelmed by the prospect of first-time motherhood that I missed out on this precious period of time where babies are still sleepy and poseable. The idea of doing anything other than eating, sleeping and taking care of baby seemed unlikely, if not impossible. The most incredible photos are captured at this time. Babies between birth and 12 days old are soft, squishy and generally don’t flinch at the sound of a camera shutter. They’re still pretty curled up too when they’re that new.
Now if even I, with all the equipment and the skills to do it without leaving home can forget to do it, then we certainly can’t expect all you new moms out there to remember. Book your newborn session ahead of time. That way, not only will you make sure the photographer of your choice is available, but you’ll make sure that you don’t miss out simply because you were so caught up in watching their eyelashes uncurl.