WHICH TO CHOOSE: FRESH 48 OR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY? - South Bend, Indiana Newborn Baby Photographer

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Ah, the tricky question: do you choose a Fresh 48 or Newborn session? Which one is right for you? It's a great question and I hope that this post might lend some thought points that may help you make the best decision for your baby! Here are some questions to ponder:

1. DO PHOTOS OF YOUR NEW FAMILY DYNAMIC MATTER MORE THAN PHOTOS IN YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT?

When you think about what you want documented, one of the main things to consider is whether you want to remember those very first moments with your baby and as a parent to this tiny human or if you want to remember those first days in your home with the newest addition. It's a tough choice but one that is usually pretty clear in our minds when we stop to think about it.

2. WILL FRESH 48 "IMPERFECTIONS" BOTHER YOU?

As much as it pains me to put this one out here, it is worth considering. Some people prefer to give baby a few days to move beyond the brand-new-baby blemishes, head molding and their own appearance after having just brought a new life into the world. At the same time, many people love these factors and find them honest and endearing (this is me, just FYI). So stop and consider whether you find all of the tiny "imperfections," a beautiful and priceless thing to be remembered or something you'd prefer to skip and have the time to refresh and recover. 

3. DOES YOUR HOME AND BABY'S NURSERY HOLD SPECIAL MEANING TO YOU?

If you are one of those people who painstakingly choose every detail of their child's nursery (cough cough, me again) and strive to make it a place that they will immediately feel loved, cherished and calm, then a newborn session may be the best option for you. Hospitals and birth centers offer little to no control over your environment so you may end up with a bright orange wall in the background of your photos whether you like it or not. If this is something that gives you the shudders just thinking about that lack of control, a newborn session may be more fitting since you can document your own home and preferences that more accurately reflect you.

4. ARE THERE FIRST MEETINGS YOU WANT DOCUMENTED?

Often, there are specific family members or siblings who you can't wait to introduce to your new baby. If this is the case, a Fresh 48 session is the way to go. These are moments that you cannot recreate and are often so beautiful and priceless. Not to mention, documenting your own reactions as a parent seeing your other babies meeting their new sibling or to your parents holding their newest grandchild is a truly momentous moment that make a wonderful keepsake.

5. OR...JUST DO BOTH!

This is obviously my suggestion since I'm a crazy picture lady! It may not seem logical to have both Fresh 48 AND newborn photos taken because they usually take place within 10-14 days of each other. But hear me out first! If you have already had a baby, you know what I'm about to say is true and if you're a first time parent, take my word that this statement is accurate: your baby changes DAILY. In those first few months, you will wake up and smile down at your new baby and be amazed because somehow, they truly changed overnight. You blinked and they're a little bit bigger, a little bit more mature. It's uncanny (and slightly heartbreaking) but its true. Having both Fresh 48 and newborn photos allows you to see those changes and also lets you document those first sweet moments and also gives you the control of photographing your child in their own environment. It's a win win and totally worth it. 

 

Plymouth + South Bend Family Photographer - The H Family

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With documentary photography being a new style to the Michiana area, its always so amazing to meet a family that just "gets it." And that was the case with the H family! From our very first email, it was obvious that we were on the same page: we both value real, honest moments as a family. When we set up our session, I knew this would be a great one!

This family of three was so fun and light hearted and completely natural. We started the session with one of their favorite family activities which was a walk to the river from their home. During the walk, I was able to snag some fun moments and document some silly toddler habits. When we got to the water, they sat and played together in the grass and talked about the non-existent fish in the water.

When we got back to the house, the family decided to decorate pumpkins. They had everything from feathers to sequins to puff paint. It turned into one of those hilariously relatable endeavors where the toddler enjoys it but the parents REALLY enjoy it. After pumpkins came a quick snack before they headed out to a Halloween party. The sweet, quiet moments in the family room were a perfect representation of a normal day in their household. Hearing mom's rave reviews of her gallery and knowing that I was able to document her family just as it is in a way that will make her smile in the days and years to come is truly a joy. 

South Bend Family Photographer - Lyra's In-Home Newborn Session

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This family session had it all: amazing parents, adorable girl babies and the coolest house packed with character. I immediately felt comfortable when I walked in to Dad snuggling his newest daughter while big sister played in the living room. His love for his girls was so obvious that I knew it would transfer into photos that were fun and beautiful!

Throughout this session, both mom and dad were so relaxed and just reveling in parenthood and doting on their newborn that my job was suddenly quite easy. From nursing on the couch while reading to their toddler to cuddling with each other and bonding over baby Lyra, this session was what dreams are made of. Not only was the immediate family there and so incredibly welcoming, but two super supportive grandmas were also there to observe and add to the laughter. There was no shortage of love for these two beautiful girls, that's for sure. The new big sister (who was only one and a half) was so patient and kind towards the new baby and she definitely loved getting her snuggles in with mom and sister. I also loved how incredibly understanding and comfortable these parents were about keeping this session completely documentary. They were more than willing to let me capture the beauty of their family in a totally candid, unscripted way and the results speak for themselves.

I'm so grateful to this family for inviting me into their home and letting me capture these sweet memories of them as they adjust to life as a family of four.

In-home First Birthday Milestone Session - Niles, Michigan

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People don't alway associate lifestyle photography with milestone sessions but I'm SO glad that Momma K did! I had such a good time hanging out with this sweet little guy right before his first birthday to capture all of his fun milestones and silly habits. Baby S had a double ear infection but you'd never know it based on how happy and laid back he was the entire time I was there. I love capturing the simple things like his favorite toys, story time and bath time for his parents to look back on in the years to come so that they can remember everything about this fleeting moment in time. Happy Birthday big guy!

Notre Dame Family Photo Session - Go Irish!

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While I have my documentary style, I never mind dabbling into lifestyle, especially when it's for an amazing family like this in a nearly equally amazing setting! This sweet family is here in the area for Dad's job and as he finishes up his Notre Dame project and they get ready to move out of state (sob), they wanted some commemorative photos of their time living on Eddy Street Commons and frequenting the amazing university. It was a super hot day and we were fighting the midday sun, but when your family is this fantastic, your photos demonstrate it...

Before and After - South Bend Michiana Family & Wedding Photographer

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I have a confession: one of my guilty pleasures is before and after photos. It doesn't matter what of, I just love looking at them! I couldn't even begin to tell you why, but it's just satisfying. And I'm willing to bet that many folks out there feel the same way so I'm going to double dip here and give you the satisfaction of many before and afters as well as explaining why it is so important to hire a photographer who knows what they are doing beyond just pressing a shutter button...

Mixed Lighting. It happens.

One of the biggest challenges of being a photographer who shoots a good portion of their sessions indoors (no matter if it is a church, reception hall, hospital room or family room) is that you frequently have to deal with mixed lighting. This may not sound like a big deal; how hard is it to balance out warm lightbulb light and cool window light. Um, it's hard. Like super hard. Like lets-just-throw-everything-in-black-and-white-and-call-it-a-day hard. This is when having extensive knowledge in post processing becomes so immensely important! It can save an otherwise asethetically unappealing photo.

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Just look at the photo above. There is really soft, yellow light on the left and really hard, blue light on the right. There is no way I would provide a client with a photo that was so unbalanced as that left image! And so off to Lightroom and Photoshop we go and after some [really obsessive] editing, I felt comfortable and even pretty pleased with the outcome of this lovely family photo.

Its gives the photographer a voice and it lets you connect to specific style.

The fact of the matter is very simple: editing is a way for a photographer to stand out (or blend in) and give their work some personality. This also lets you as the consumer, find an editing style that you really connect with and then choose a photographer that most appeals to you.

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Some people like the matte and airy look and while I find those images truly beautiful and soft, I lean more towards the clear, vibrant and even sometimes moodier edits. It is just like a clothing style; what works for some doesn't work for others!

Sometimes, it changes just enough.

So many times, photographers take a photo that SOOC (straight out of camera) is barely sub par and it takes some post processing to give it that little bump into being interesting and artistic.

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Knowing how to manipulate a photo just enough that it still tells an honest story but looks even more powerful and beautiful is essential to great photos.

Sometimes, it changes everything.

And just like that, a lovely but very flat image suddenly jumps off the screen with it's breathtaking drama. The emotion is intensified with the colors and balance. The setting can truly be appreciated for its simplistic beauty. Everything suddenly comes together.

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So there you have it! Hopefully, even if you didn't read the text, the before and afters told the story well enough to convince you that photography is more than just the good camera and artistic eye. Its all about balance and understanding and patience (oh, so much patience). I encourage every reader and viewer out there to find a photographer whose style speaks to you and let them tell your story! 

Lifestyle Family Photos in South Bend, IN - Why You Should Consider Lifestyle Images for Your Fall Photos

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Its no secret that fall is a photographer's busiest season! And for good reason; the colors are gorgeous, the temperatures are cool and comfortable and the evening light is spectacular. Its the trifecta for a great family photo. But keep in mind that it takes more than a great environment to make an amazing photo, which is where you have to decide what style is most fitting of your family. I'd like to share my thoughts on why documentary and lifestyle photos might be a great fit for you and your family:

1). They're unique.

Every family is so different and so unique and your pictures should be, too. So often, you will see the traditional ad pop up for fall minis on a specific date in a specific location. These images are always gorgeous and well set-up...but they all look alike! Each family that comes through is getting the same setting and the same poses and while they are lovely outcomes, do they really tell your family's story? Your family is so beautiful and each person in it has their own personalities that deserve to shine through and make your images unique from the session before and after yours. This is where lifestyle family photos come in and ensure that no two sessions are alike. 

I love this fall favorite! This little guy was a mover so having a photo like this allows you to capture him exactly as he was (a rambunctious two year old) in a beautiful way.

I love this fall favorite! This little guy was a mover so having a photo like this allows you to capture him exactly as he was (a rambunctious two year old) in a beautiful way.

This beautiful family bought this farm house in order to totally renovate it and turn it into their forever home. This photo isn't just beautiful, it tells the story of their family's journey, too!

This beautiful family bought this farm house in order to totally renovate it and turn it into their forever home. This photo isn't just beautiful, it tells the story of their family's journey, too!

Who knew cows could be so entertaining? Lifestyle images let us relax and enjoy ourselves but still result in breathtaking photos. 

Who knew cows could be so entertaining? Lifestyle images let us relax and enjoy ourselves but still result in breathtaking photos. 

2). They capture the truth.

When you hang a family photo on the wall or send out your holiday card, do the images capture the sassy attitude of your youngest daughter? Or your oldest son's silly side? Or your husband's amazing genuine smile? Do they showcase how you interact as a family? These are all things that should immediately come to the surface when you look at your family photos. Lifestyle images tell your family's honest, candid story in a beautiful way.

This family was Silly with a capital "S" and it shows in this photo. Everyone's personality shined through and I don't doubt for a second that mom can't look at this image without smiling. 

This family was Silly with a capital "S" and it shows in this photo. Everyone's personality shined through and I don't doubt for a second that mom can't look at this image without smiling. 

This little girl had so much joy in her heart that all of her older siblings were drawn to her.

This little girl had so much joy in her heart that all of her older siblings were drawn to her.

In between the family photos, Baby G just couldn't resist her kitten and chickens. I loved that not only could we get some fabulous family portraits, but we could also capture this girl's amazing heart for animals and the obvious nurturing of that l…

In between the family photos, Baby G just couldn't resist her kitten and chickens. I loved that not only could we get some fabulous family portraits, but we could also capture this girl's amazing heart for animals and the obvious nurturing of that love from her momma. 

3). They can be fun - and therefore, beautiful.

Lets face it, when the topic of family photos comes up, some of your family members might not jump for joy. Rarely do people feel entirely comfortable in front of a camera and unfortunately, that often shows through in the images via uncomfortable poses and forced smiles. Lifestyle photography simply captures your family as it is; interacting with one another in a much more natural way. When I plan a family session, I always suggest having a few fun family activities planned (bubbles, a book, apple picking, pumpkin decorating, etc) so that everyone has something else to focus on besides the camera clicking in the background. The results speak for themselves:

For this session, we visited a local fall farm fair and it is safe to say that this may have been one of the most unforced, natural sessions I've had. Everyone had a great time! 

For this session, we visited a local fall farm fair and it is safe to say that this may have been one of the most unforced, natural sessions I've had. Everyone had a great time! 

When no one is telling you to "look here and smile," you get some pretty amazing candid moments. Can't you just see every personality in this one image?

When no one is telling you to "look here and smile," you get some pretty amazing candid moments. Can't you just see every personality in this one image?

First time carving pumpkins? What a fantastic idea for a session!

First time carving pumpkins? What a fantastic idea for a session!

BONUS: The outtakes are epic. 

I am TOO big enough to pick up this giant pumpkin!!!

I am TOO big enough to pick up this giant pumpkin!!!

Ok, so maybe not everyone in this one is happy, but its still one of my favorite photos because it tells such an honest story!

Ok, so maybe not everyone in this one is happy, but its still one of my favorite photos because it tells such an honest story!

That's a wrap, everyone!

That's a wrap, everyone!

So this fall, why don't you step outside the box and beyond the traditional. Let your family's candid beauty shine through. CONTACT BBP today to book your session. 

Michiana Newborn and Birth Photographer -

borne back photography
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It's sneak peek time again! Baby Leila's in-home newborn pictures turned out so gorgeous with all of the soft whites and lovely, bright window light. Once again, this family made my job easy because they were so willing to just hang out and be together in a totally effortless, beautiful way. These are the sneaks focused on Miss Leila but gosh, I can't wait to share the full gallery complete including the documentation of a well-earned chocolate milk party...

Granger Family Photographer - Getting in the Frame

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Since this is the LAST WEEK  to nominate someone for the 50 Beautiful Moms Campaign, today's post is for the moms! Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you are a mom. You are a mom who sees the value in documentary photography (or you're at least intrigued by it). You are a mom with kids who adore you. With kids who will one day crave photos that have you in them. Cringe.

I get it, moms! I really do. There are bad hair days, extra baby  or holiday fluff, haven't-seen-the-sun-in-months skin tones and 101 other reasons that you don't want to get in front of that camera. It is incredibly hard to look beyond the present and see that the beauty isn't in your appearance but in the moment. So let me put your mind at ease and break down some of these barriers for you:

Misconception: Extra "Fluff"

This is frequently a concern of moms who schedule sessions; it also hits home personally. Ever since having a baby, I haven't bothered to get myself back to those "before baby" days. I never blame this on the baby, I am completely to blame for the extra fluff. I love sugar and carbs, ok? I constantly have that conversation with myself about starting that diet next week, THEN I will feel better in my photos. But what about the moments that take place during that day? The day before the diet? Those moments count, too. Think about how you feel when you look at photos from high school or college. I remember taking those pictures and thinking ugh, I look so heavy/frumpy/insert any concern with vanity. Now I look at them and think, "Wow, what a fun moment that was." Chances are, our future self is not going to look and think, "If only I had lost those 10lbs before I took this picture." Nope, not going to happen. Take the picture. Forget the fluff.

Misconception: The Moment is About Your Kids, Not You

Wrong. Just wrong. You are MOM. You are like the sun of your family's solar system: you keep everyone alive and thriving. If your kiddos are having a great moment and making an awesome memory, it is most likely because you or Dad created it for them. You set the stage and made this moment possible! Get in there and live it with them. Hand the phone or camera to your significant other, set the self-timer, hire a documentary photographer (hint hint) and capture that memory with your kids. You will never regret that you did.

Misconception: You Can Get in the Frame Tomorrow

 Just like anything else you procrastinate doing, when you say, "I'll do it tomorrow," you rarely do it tomorrow. As hard as it is, take a deep breath and get in the picture today. Tomorrow is never a guarantee  and we all know that life can throw us unexpected curve balls. Make sure your children remember the good days, the laughs and the love - all of which include you. Documentary photography shows your future adult children how amazing you were when they were kids and how much you loved being their mom. They will always think you look beautiful and seeing you happy and joyful in pictures from the past are going to make their hearts happy one day.

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.