I’m A Stealthy Newborn Photographer

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"When I was leaving the hospital with a 2 day old baby I started to get some anxiety because I hadn't slept in 3 days, my apartment was a mess, and I had already made plans to have baby pictures taken once we arrived back to our apt. I texted Jenna asking her what I should wear and she reassured me that these pictures were going to focus on our new baby and not to fret about how I looked. So I took her advice, threw my hair up in a bun, put on my glasses and I was done. When Jenna arrived and started taking pictures she let us do our thing. We fed, changed and cuddled with our newborn baby. Now that my baby is almost 6 months old and sleeping through the night, I often find myself looking back at those newborn photos because he was just so little and adorable." -KristinWhen that little bundle of curled up chubby limbs is keeping you awake through the night, a photo session might feel like too much work. You are exhausted. There are bottles, diapers, and pacifiers strewn across all previously-empty surfaces. The thought of packing it all up to head to a studio, or cleaning your home for a lifestyle photo session seems daunting, at the least.This is were a documentary in-home newborn session comes in.

"What I loved about the session is that it really is 'a day in the life'.  I was nervous about having a clean house or how the dogs would react to Jenna or even just how do you act 'natural' with a photographer in your house! But seriously, Jenna got along great, she brought incredible energy, and we were able to easily function with another person in the room which surprised me! I didn't have to have her 'work around' our schedule; I breastfed, I changed [the baby], etc. and those pics are actually some of my favorites!! It's just day to day images caught in a beautiful way!" -Michelle

Everly's in-home session | San Jose San Francisco Bay Area documentary newborn and family photographer

The documentary baby session approach is meant to be as non-interfering as possible. Whether you are truly spellbound , sleeplessly exhausted, or juggling the parenting of four kids, you will have pictures that show what your life was at this very moment with a new baby.If your baby is fussy – that's ok! Usually they calm down fairly quickly because you are available to soothe them. The scrunched up angry faces make for some of the cutest pictures anyway.If your baby is awake for the entire session – that's ok! For documentary photos there is no need to have baby be asleep (which is crucial for posed sessions).If your baby sleeps through the whole session – that's ok! You might want to hold them though, so you get to be in the photos with your swaddled up baby.If you need to breastfeed, change diapers, change your clothes – that's ok! You'll have everything at your fingertips since you are at home.If you need to take a nap, have something to eat, or pump – that's ok!You do what you would normally do, and I'll work my way around you to get images of your quality time together. The important thing is to support a photo session atmosphere where the parents are able to relax.

"It was so nice to have photographs in the comfort of our home ... She had us go about our regular day (which we were still figuring out!!) and took beautiful photos of moments I didn't even know would be photo worthy." -Rachel

Bodhi in-home session | San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area documentary newborn and family photographer

That is not to say that I am a 100% silent observer – I love getting to know my clients so depending on the vibe I may ask a lot of questions. Funnily enough, his helps me become more invisible as a photographer. My goal is to be a stealthy newborn photographer, so that you can enjoy quality time with your family without worrying about the photo session itself.

"The best part about the session was that we didn't have to do anything other than love our son." -Matt

Jayce's In-Home Newborn Session | San Jose And San Francisco Bay Area Documentary Newborn Photographer

Read more about 

what to expect from my newborn sessions

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how the documentary approach differs from lifestyle sessions

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