{sleeping like a baby} Barrington, IL Newborn Photographer

Some days, the newborn photography gods smile down on me. Today was one of those days... my babies were happy, my parents were friendly, my nurses were helpful, and even the lighting was great. I had a new basket to try out and these babies gave it a resounding thumbs up... tushies up? I'm getting more confident with these babies and find that I actually really love working with the itty bitty 5 pounders. So different from my Millie...

Anyway, we got some good ones today and I just have to share. Enjoy!

{The Greatest Gift} Elgin, IL Newborn Photographer

In my work with Bella Baby Photography, we usually photograph baby on her second day of life. For this sweet girl, I was called in just hours after she was born. Although Mom & Dad were concerned that she would be uncooperative after a stressful day, she was putty in my hands once I laid her in my super comfy cozy basket and let her have her pacifier for a few moments. Tears flowed in the room both during the photo shoot and while viewing the photo gallery. Moments like this make up for all the times the work of a photographer goes unappreciated...

Thank you {L family} for allowing me to photograph your sweet baby girl. It was an honor to be a part of such a special day!!

{Christmas Baby} Elgin, IL Newborn Photographer

You'll recognize this family from other posts on my blog(s)... The M family has done so much for me. They jumped in to give me practice when I was first starting to grow my own business. So, when I heard they were expecting a baby on Christmas Day, I was thrilled... when I learned that dad had moved to Florida for a new job and the family would follow when baby was a month old, I was heartbroken.

Baby A made his arrival on Christmas Eve. One day early, weighing in at almost eleven pounds! I met him 10 days later and boy, was he cute! He didn't really want to sleep - so alert! - but I was able to get some great images anyway...especially of the family!

Thank you Kim & John. Thank you to the kids, too. You've been great and you're already missed. Whenever you want me to come take some pictures in your new home, just let me know. ;)

{Miss A} ELGIN IL Newborn Photographer

After 9 months of imagining poses for my new baby, its quite disappointing that I couldn't shoot her newborn pictures with the creativity I had envisioned. But, she's still a beautiful baby and I am excited to show off her first official photos!!

A Beautiful Family...

More often than not in the hospital, moms don't want to be photographed... if I think they are really up to it, I might give them a little push ("Let me take the photos, and if you don't like them, we delete them!"). Sometimes, I just drop it. Luckily, this dad told his wife, "You look cute" and so she decided to take pictures with her baby. Face it, moms... although we are the ones who spend most of the time with the baby, no one is going to be following you with a professional photographer to take pictures of your moments with baby. So, let me take the pictures now. You may regret it later, when you have no pictures of you with your newborn.

Anyway, I love the photos I got of this little family. So, I thought I'd share!!!

The Best Of March '09 - Help me Choose!!

Every month, I submit my favorite photo for a contest held among the Bella Baby photographers. And each month, I am neither the first nor second place winner. In light of that fact, and now that we no longer have a monthly theme, I am having a heck of a time picking my potential winner... so I'm asking for help.

I have to submit my photo by midnight tomorrow, March 31. So, look through the pictures below and either email me or comment below... which would YOU submit?!

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7

Winter Returns... and {Mr. B}

Today I am working... a rare Sunday, a favor to someone who has covered a shift for me here & there (not to mention, has helped out with childcare for the last couple of months). I had no problem taking the shift...except that last night, we got 4" of snow!! I left my house 30 minutes earlier than normal and good thing I did... it took me longer than usual to get here, and I had to detour... thanks to this little mess...



In the end, it was worth it though. I had feared the worst... I'd drive all the way here and have no babies to photograph. Instead, I've photographed the cutest little bundle of joy and I'm waiting on another, and a set of twins.

So, while I wait...check out {Mr. B}. Mom & Dad were concerned he might not cooperate. But thanks to my magic basket, we did a little better than okay with his pictures.

Just because I have a moment... {Little Ladies}

I haven't shared any Bella pics in a while, so seeing as I'm sitting here waiting on a baby to photograph...

Introducing {Miss T}...


And introducing {Miss M}...


And finally, {Miss L}...

{Sisters}

You might think this is yet another post full of bug & lou pictures, but its not! Today, I got to photograph an adorable set of twin girls, and also a baby girl with her big sister! So, I wanted to share... Enjoy!

{Say Cheese}

So, do you think this little man is happy to be heading home with mom & dad?! I'd say YES!!!! And after he flashed me that smile, he stretched out his tiny arms and legs...as if to say, "Ahhhhh...let's get OUTTA here!"

Happy New Year! Ending 2008 on a high note...

I'm welcoming 2009, Bella Baby style. To me, today is just another Thursday. Sure, its New Year's Day...a new beginning...and all that, but I knew that today I'd be photographing the LAST babies of 2008, since we always shoot the day after they are born. And boy (or GIRL!), was today a treat.

I got to photograph one of the most beautiful babies I've seen. So alert and happy and posing for me just like a pro. Mom & Dad were great too (which really, really helps). I'm so in love with this little lady that I had to share immediately.

So, here's to 2008 - it was fun while it lasted - and to 2009... may it be a year of beautiful, happy and healthy babies (including my own, of course!).

{Miss C}

Double the fun!

I had my 3rd opportunity - in as many weeks! - to photograph newborn twins. These two - {Mr D} and {Miss N} were just a day and a half old! Hopefully, I will be assisting on a family sitting for this family in the near future - Mom, Dad, the twins and their 4 year old brother.

Are you jealous of my job yet?!

{Miss R} - Worth the wait

Although I had to wait until near the end of my day to photograph this little lady, it was totally worth my while. I looked at her with a little doubt that all 9 pounds would fit in my basket and then said, "Screw it! Let's try!" She fit. She filled my basket perfectly. And she was so happy to sleep in there. Mom & Dad joked that they would have to buy one, especially given the fact that her nursery furniture (ordered in July!) was not in yet!!!

Some cheeks are just begging to be smooched. This girl is gonna be smooched silly by her wonderful parents!!!!

While I'm waiting - {M} & {S}

Today is a better day. The baby gods are smiling down on me. So far, two happy and gorgeous little ones. One more to go (he's lunching now, hence the wait). So, I thought I'd share a couple more...

I actually set out to photograph {Miss S} yesterday, but she was NOT having it. So, I told mom & dad I'd return today and suggested wrapping her in a blanket from home and keeping her tee-shirt on. SCORE!

Once {Mr M} let out a baby belch, we were all systems go. He did wonderful, even catching my eye in a couple of the shots.