What parents thought about their documentary newborn sessions

Most of the time, the families who work with me have picked me because they feel uncomfortable posing for pictures, or they simply prefer pictures of what their life actually looks like.

But, documentary family photography comes with a minor hitch:

You can never quite guarantee how the photos will turn out, *because* they’re not posed and controlled like usual portraits are.

So if you’re curious about what the experience has been like for other parents who have worked with me for the first time, here are experiences from families that I’ve worked with in the past – some of who I’ve been photographing regularly ever since:

Nora’s Fresh 48 newborn session at the hospital

“We loved our experiences with Jenna, and the photos that came from them. It was very nice to be told to just relax and be ourselves, to go about our business as normal, and to see in her artistic images a reflection of our life as we really know it in a beautiful way. It's so important for us to capture these moments, to remember feelings and details from her pictures as it really was. And to have the whole family included in them. Posed photos can be sweet too, but these evoke a different kind of emotion in me. We're so grateful to Jenna and her work.” - Sarah and Matt

Anahita's in-home family session in San Jose

“When your fourth baby is a newborn, there is so much to juggle–different school schedules and projects, the needs of each child, careers, and time for yourselves as a couple. On top of this, of course, there are the challenges of a newborn: learning the new baby’s needs and personality, and dealing with exhaustion. Yet cherishing the sleep smiles and the moments in your arms  is easier than it ever was, simply because now you know that infancy is fleeting and that this time will pass too quickly.” – Mary Anne

Charlie's Fresh 48 Session in San Francisco

"We love to watch him sleep and watch his little face cycle through his many cute facial expressions while he’s having his baby dreams. And we love the way he stretches and yawns like an old man when he wakes up from his nap." - Brandi&Charles

Cecilia’s newborn pictures at the hospital in San Jose

“What was really nice for me was that I knew that during that time I didn't need to make sure that we were getting a photo of every possible moment because we were going to have you come in and take care of that for us. That was really liberating for me – I feel like it took a lot of pressure off of what I felt like I had to do during that time." - Paul

Lauriel’s at-home newborn photos in San Jose

“The pictures turned out to be a true depiction of how we want our kids to remember their early days -- steady, spontaneous and playful (with some dreadful notes of dad having to work from home, in true Silicon Valley fashion haha). These early days with a newborn are truly stressful and emotional but Jenna's photos captures the joyful, fleeting moments they are. I'm reminded how beautiful motherhood is just by looking at the pics everyday -- Jenna's photos are the best baby push present you can ever give yourself!” – Lauren

Elliott’s Fresh 48 newborn session at the hospital in Palo Alto and at home in San Jose

“It was very relaxed, I love that you were just capturing us in our natural environment. And it wasn't uncomfortable at all. Those photos are everything to me. They're probably my favorite photos I've ever had in my possession." - Olivia

Jay’s hospital newborn photos in Mountain View

“My husband and I were lucky enough to have Jenna do some birth and newborn photography for us. Jenna is so incredibly talented. She has an amazing ability to blend into the background and capture the true essence of the family that she is photographing. I love that we have photos from the day after my son was born; Jenna was really able to capture how excited, in love, and exhausted we were. I really cherish the photos that Jenna took of our family and am looking forward to enjoying them for the rest of our lives.” - Katie

Julia’s at-home newborn photos in San Jose

“As a first time mom, I wanted to capture our first moments at home with our baby.  As cool as the posed pictures are, I wanted to be able to look back at some "real" moments.  I wanted our baby to be able to look back at the pictures when she's older and be able to almost feel what those first days were like as a new family of three. You will hardly notice Jenna in your home...she won't tell you to do anything in particular.  Her artwork is second to none, and we are so incredibly happy with the finished product.  We hope to use her again for future photos!” - Erin

Blair's Fresh 48 hospital newborn session in San Jose

"During the session, I felt comfortable and thankful that these moments were being captured. Now I have them, I know I would regret not having them and it's my biggest recommendation to other soon-to-be moms." - Julie