South Bend Newborn Photographer - Leila's Fresh 48 Sneak Peek

st. joseph hospital
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I am excited about this baby girl for so many reasons. Firstly, because this family has gone through so many ups and downs and always come out the other end stronger. Secondly, this momma is just amazing; I can't wait for the full gallery post just so I can tell you about her. Lastly, this is my first "Chapter One" baby! Until the entire gallery is ready for viewing, here's a quick teaser:

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Birth, Fresh 48 and Family Photographer in Granger, Indiana - Baby Bodie's Fresh 48

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Fresh 48 newborn photography sessions are amazing. Period. Seeing people become parents, whether for the first time of the tenth time, is such an incredible experience. Seeing how they adjust, grow and learn to be everything their tiny new baby needs is beautiful. I really can't say enough about Fresh 48 sessions...

And this one in particular has my heart. Taeylor and Brant were first time parents but you would never guess that when you see them with their handsome baby, Bodie. These two were clearly head-over-heals in love with this little guy and that made everything feel completely natural. I can't wait to blog more about this session when I share the whole gallery! Until then, here's the sneak peek...

South Bend Birth, Newborn and Family Photographer - Fusion Film from "Boy Mom" Session

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In case you missed the announcement: In 2017 I will be offering fusion films to my product menu! In order to sharpen my skills, the next few bookings I get will have the option to add this to their session for free.

Fushion Video - Boy Mom

Granger Birth, Newborn and Family Photographer - Stanger "Boy Mom" Session

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While I love full family sessions, I also have a soft spot for mommy and mini's sessions! As moms, we are so frequently the ones behind the camera and rarely in the frame. Then, when we do get in the frame, we are so self critical that we instantly delete the images or let them be buried at the bottom of our hard drives, never to be seen again. What a shame that is! Think of our own mothers now that we are adults; don't you love seeing images of yourself as a child with your mom? Don't you want the chance to give that to your children down the road? Trust me, they won't notice your messy hair or extra holiday fluff, they will just notice how much you loved them and remember what a great mom you were (and are). Ok, rant over. 

So when Momma S scheduled this awesome session with her and her two adorable boys, I was thrilled! I was lucky enough to meet this sweet family through church and our kiddos ended up befriending each other (in fact, we decided to betroth them - we joke about this frequently). Anyway, Momma S is "that mom." The one that makes you want to be a better mom because she just rocks at momming so much. She balances her two boys, who are just over a year apart in age, with grace and poise and unlimited smiles. During this session, it was so fun to watch her interact with her sons and to see them absolutely adore her in return. Their bright, welcoming home was just the frosting on an already great cake. I am so excited to share this session with you and hope that this inspires any of you moms who have never considered a mom and minis session!  

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Michiana Birth, Fresh 48 and Family Documentary Photographer - Introducing a New Product for 2017!

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I fell in love with photography about two years ago. Having the ability to freeze moments in time and instantly bring back all the feels of that exact second is just an awesome power to have. During this time of falling in love, I joined about 101 online groups and forums so that I could learn from all of the amazing documentary photographers out there and that is when I stumbled across something so unique and special. It was a total accident that I found this amazing woman and her business but after reading a blog post she wrote and then spending entirely too long drooling over her work, I was hooked. Francesca Russell Photography opened my eyes to documentary films.

Since then, I have been toying around with video and films through "One Second a Day" personal projects and then secretly taking some footage during a few of my more recent family sessions. In 2017, I plan to add fusion films to my product list! 

"Huh?"

A fusion film is a compilation video that includes both stills and video to tell your story. I am head over heals in love with them and can't wait to offer them to my future families. For the first few months, upon a signed film model release, I will be working on building my video skills and so, if you book soon, you will essentially get a bonus fusion film for no extra cost. These films are truly priceless and both families that I presented fusion films to so far have ended up in happy tears and big smiles. Just check out this awesome tea party - 

Please note: Most videos presented to clients are approximately 2+ minutes. This film has been condensed for your viewing convenience. 

 

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Granger Newborn Baby and Family Documentary Photographer - Why Storytelling and Documentary Photography?

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HAPPY 2017 EVERYONE!!! I hope that you all had a safe and great end to 2016 and are looking forward to the new year as much as I am. So, lets start the year off right and answer the ever nagging question...

"Why documentary photography???"

This is a question that I am certain crosses just about everyone's mind. When we are surrounded by beautiful portraits and stylized lifestyle images, it is very hard, maybe even uncomfortable, to think about stepping away from this genre. Especially when most of it is so beautifully done! So let me share my own personal experience that flipped the switch for me:

When my daughter was about 7 months old, we decided to do a family shoot. The photographer picked a beautiful location at a state park and we headed out for our session. Right when we got there, while carrying Baby F to the woods, I tripped and we both fell. Thankfully, neither of us were hurt, but we were both REALLY shaken. My normally happy, never-cries baby would not stop crying and wanted nothing to do with anyone except me. I wanted to just reschedule and call it quits, but at the encouragement of our photographer, we pressed on. I was sure we wouldn't get any usable images through the sobs and tears!

But we did. The images turned out adorable. Because the photographer was just that good.

Not a single one of those photos hangs on my walls.

 Why? Because it was a horrible experience! It was unnatural. It was uncomfortable. It was, well, fake. None of those images represented what I wanted to remember about my daughter! Where was her sweet personality? Our REAL baby smiles? Where was OUR honest story?

I started to think back on previous sessions and while all of the images were great, they just weren't real. I mean, I don't know about you, but I rarely put my baby in a bucket with a bow as big as her head at home! I realized that what I loved about photography is the ability to freeze reality; in my mind, there was nothing more beautiful than our every day, messy hair, baby spit up, chaotic days. That is what I wanted on my walls. That is what I wanted on my social media. That is what I wanted for our albums. And THAT is why I decided to offer that to you. I want you to have the every day beauty at your fingertips, to look back on whenever your heart aches for those moments and milestones. Real is so much better than ideal.

Storytelling and documentary photography is so much more than just pictures. It is a direct representation of your story; of the steps you're taking to get where you're going. Whether that means a messy house, or a pony tail and no makeup, or a baby in a t-shirt and diaper, if that's your story then that is what I want to capture for you! 

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Granger Indiana Family Documentary Photographer - "Boy Mom" Sneak Peek

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When people see the beauty and value in the everyday, it turns a session into a memory making experience. When this "boy mom" (who also happens to be a close friend and amazing person), invited me into her home to capture a typical day with her boys, I was thrilled. Not only are her boys absolutely adorable but her house is just saturated with rich colors and lots of natural light. Basically, this session made my job easy! Can't wait to share the full gallery...

South Bend Newborn Fresh 48 Photography - Sneak Peek

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It has been WAY too long since my last Fresh 48 session! Every time I do one, I am reminded how much I love newborns in their first hours on this earth with their new families. It is such a humbling and blessed experience. 

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Goshen Birth, Newborn, and Fresh 48 Photographer - The How

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This is the last installment of my WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW of the Fresh 48. Describing the how is a little different than the other blog posts because rather than it being centered on what you, the parent, will get or choose, and focuses more on what I, the photographer, will do. So here we go...

HOW I conduct Fresh 48's

I want to start by saying that Fresh 48's and births are really where my photographer's heart lies. I adore family sessions and will always keep them in my session offerings, but there is just something special about a new life being brought into the world and the impact that has on the new parents and their family and friends. That being said, this pricelessness is what I try to convey in your images. 

For Fresh 48 newborn sessions, I send a questionnaire a couple of weeks prior to your due date where we will discuss all of the important elements of your session like what you want captured, important elements of your pregnancy, unique facts about your partner and family, etc. Again, this is YOUR special time as a bigger family and I want to capture exactly what you want to remember. This questionnaire allows me to come into the session well prepared to make this a unique and valuable session for your family.

I usually ask for a quick email or text when labor has started so I know that I will have a session within the next few days! Once I arrive upon your request, you can think of me as a fly on the wall who happens to have a camera (no distracting flash or awkward tripods). I will use the light that is available in the room (fingers crossed for at least one window) and capture the moments of bonding, family meetings, or whatever else was specified in the questionnaire responses. 

I want to get the details...

The newborn habits...

And the intense, undeniable feels...

Fresh 48 and newborn sessions should NOT be stressful or uncomfortable. This is your special family time that you can not get back and I want to give you the most calm, relaxed, real experience possible. Real over ideal.

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South Bend Indiana Newborn Fresh 48 Photography - The "When"

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So we have covered the WHAT and WHERE of the Fresh 48 which means today we cover the WHEN. Now this might seem obvious (during the first 48 hours, duh), but the truth is that there are a lot of options in those 48 hours!

The first hours - Choosing to capture the very first minutes or hours after birth is such an incredible option. It's a close second to actual birth photography yet still allows for the privacy of the actual labor and delivery while capturing those emotion filled minutes of meeting your baby. A lot happens in the first few hours after birth (skin-to-skin, first nurse, footprints, weighing and measurements, possibly the first bath) that will fly past and easily get lost in the flood of feelings and chaos. Choosing to have this time documented will enable you to look back and recall all of those beautiful moments.

The family meetings - Whether this is your first baby or your tenth, your family will undoubtedly be excited to meet this new member! There is hardly anything that comes across as beautifully on camera as tear and smile filled loved ones falling head over heals for your newborn. Choosing to have this first meeting captured will offer you and your loved ones a lifetime of memories; not to mention a humbling experience for your baby years down the road when they see how much they were loved immediately upon their arrival. 

The exit - This one gets passed over a lot but is one of my favorites! After the fastest / longest 48+ hours of your life, its finally time to go home! This is the most terrifying and exciting moment of your journey so far and it makes for such an amazing session. Between dressing baby in their going-home outfits, saying goodbye to the nurses (and begging them to come home with you), packing your bags and headed out the door, there are so many priceless moments happening that need to remembered. 

As you can see, just because it is a session that happens in the first 48 hours doesn't mean you are limited or that your images are going to be generic or look like anyone else's. That's the beauty in documentary storytelling photography; it is the tale of your newborn and therefore, completely unique and beautiful. 

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Osceola Indiana Family Photographer - The Watts Sneak Peek

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Saturday was the first in-home holiday family session of the season and it was everything I had hoped! This sweet family welcomed me into their home and their traditions and made me feel like I belonged there. Between their perfectly decorated home (seriously, I might be asking Momma Watts to come and give my house a face lift), their two gorgeous babes, and their obvious love for each other, I couldn't have asked for a better session. Full gallery to come...

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Granger Indiana Birth, Fresh 48, and Newborn Photographer - The WHERE of Fresh 48's

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Last week, I covered the WHAT of Fresh 48's. This week, lets talk about the WHERE...

The beauty of a Fresh 48 session is that it comes to you. Whatever type of birth you chose (or fate chose) to have, Fresh 48's can accommodate. Here are the three most common Fresh 48 locations and some details:

Hospitals - Many Fresh 48 sessions take place in the mother/baby unit of the hospital during visiting hours. This allows the photographer to capture many of those "firsts" that happen, like the first bath, first diaper change, first meeting of siblings or family. Don't think that because you are birthing in a hospital that the setting will somehow be cold or unappealing! They're actually almost always warm, welcoming, and comfortable for everyone involved.

Birth Centers - Some Fresh 48 sessions happen at a Birth Center. Somewhere between a hospital and a home birth, birth centers are usually low stress, calm and serene and offer a great setting for a Fresh 48. It also allows you to include the midwives or OB's who have played such a huge role in your pregnancy and now delivery since birth centers are focused on individualized care and relationships. Please remember though, many birth centers try and get you back to the comfort of your own home ASAP so plan accordingly for your photographer!

Home Births - For those who choose to have their babies at home, Fresh 48 sessions are absolutely still an option for you! You have the luxury of being in your own surroundings with your own comforts with a tiny newborn in your arms. This can make such a beautiful setting for your session and will absolutely melt your heart down the road.

Wherever your birth takes place, Fresh 48's are a great option to capture the memories that you are making with your brand new baby. 

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Check BBP out at:
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IG: bornebackphotography