Michiana Documentary Photographer - Personal Project: The Windy City

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I like to concentrate my website and blog on client photos and let me tell you...that can be hard. You see, photography isn't just a "job" for me. It is a passion. I have firmly been converted into a believer in the priceless value of documenting both major and minor moments of my family's life. I know that in the years to come, I am going to love sitting down with Baby F and sharing these adventures with her that she's too young to remember. I will get all of the feels from these days and she will see how loved she was by so many people in her life!

This project is especially special to me because it includes the one, the only, grandma. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow and being able to build memories with those around us is so, so invaluable. As a young girl, my mom and I would go to Chicago to look at the Christmas lights every year but as I got older and life happened, we stopped going. This year, I wanted to revive the tradition and throw in a third generation! And so, without further ado...I give you the first annual girl's only Chicago lights adventure:

Osceola Indiana Family Documentary Photographer - Reed Sister Session

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Being a girl mom always seems so sweet to me; maybe it's because I have a little girl or maybe its just the cute factor but no matter the reason, this session totally won me over! Normally, sessions include mom and dad so when Momma Reed decided to have a session primarily focused on her two daughters and her fur baby, I was nervous to make it work but excited for the challenge.

From the moment I walked through the door, Miss P was SO excited to be in front of the camera. I'm convinced this girl is going to be a star. She's got the spunk, the sweetness, the looks; she's pretty much the whole package. Where most kiddos like to ignore me or feel intimidated by the camera, Miss P had to be reminded NOT to say cheese! 

Miss H might be one of the most laid back, go-with-the-flow three year olds I've yet to meet. She was up for whatever big sister wanted to do and could make each situation fun and happy. Her idolization of her sister and her love for her fur baby was so apparent and heart warming it made me think MY Baby F might need a sister...(just kidding). But sereously, these girls were a total blast and between the dressing up, tea party and playing with babies, there was almost too much cute for one session! Thank you Reed girls for letting me into your sparkly little world. 

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.

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

South Bend Indiana Family Photographer - Fischer Holiday Documentary Gallery

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I have been so excited to reveal this gallery publicly! This family was my first official in-home session when I was first starting out and to say that I was grateful for them would be an understatement. When Momma Fischer contacted me to book a holiday session, I was SUPER excited! I mean, not only did this great family give me a chance when I was still building a portfolio, but they apparently liked me enough to come back. That's just flattering and humbling.

I loved their first session because it told the story of their new, still being renovated home. Where some people might be hesitant because all the trim wasn't up, or there was some clutter, Momma F saw the true value in all of that. It was all just part of their story along the way to a forever family home! 

This holiday session was no different. Baby G was all smiles and curiosity and just confirmed that I love sessions with toddlers. Momma Fischer had an old family cookie recipe that she wanted to bust out for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and Baby G and Daddy Fischer were very willing taste testers...even Puppy Ax got in on the taste testing! Throughout this session, the warmth and honest family interactions just radiated from all three of them and I know that years down the road, Momma, Daddy, and Baby G are going to love flipping through their holiday photo book and laugh together. 

South Bend Indiana Newborn Photographer - Fresh 48: The "Why"

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All right! Back to the WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW of the Fresh 48 sessions. Today, in case you missed the title, I'm hitting the "why." I could honestly go on and on about this so please, forgive my rambling!

The best way I can think to emphasize the importance of a Fresh 48 session is to share my own story. I went into pregnancy and birth with a solid plan. I felt prepared (as much one can be) and couldn't wait for those precious first days with my newborn. I went in wanting minimal interventions and my midwives were all in; then life happened. Hello induction, 12 hours of active labor, emergency c-section and a recovery I wasn't expecting. Between being stuck in bed, learning how to nurse my baby and the utter fear/amazement of being a new parent, I hardly picked up my phone for a photo. Suddenly, it was months later and I was longing for some evidence of the beauty and craziness of those first couple of days! I don't even have one of me holding my daughter until after we were home. How sad is that???

The first couple of days with a new baby are chaotic and stressful, yet they're completely beautiful and irreplaceable. Having photos scheduled isn't usually at the top of the parents'-to-be's to-do list but IT SHOULD BE! Those images of you in your first moments as parents (or parents of 2, 3, 10 kids) are so inexplicably priceless. Not only do you want to remember every tiny detail of your beautiful new baby, but you want to remember yourself in this new role and in this new chapter of your life. And what about your other kids or family members? Bringing a new baby into their lives is a monumental moment, too. Your other kids are now big brothers and/or sisters. Your parents are now grandparents. A new baby means new titles for everyone and it only happens once. Fresh 48 sessions are YOUR chance to make sure that you, your family and the future adult your baby will be can cherish this incredible point in time. 

South Bend Indiana Documentary Lifestyle Photographer - Reed Sisters Sneak Peek

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When I booked this session and found out this was going to be a sisters only session, the "girl mom" in me swooned a little. There is nothing with a cute factor higher than sisters! I am so anxious to share this full gallery but until then, here's the sneak peek:

Michiana Newborn and Family Photographer - Black Friday Deals (and Beyond)

The only way that I take part in Black Friday shopping is online...and this year, I get to be on the selling end! That's right, I am having a Black Friday and Beyond sale! Here's the details:

If you BOOK a Novel or Series session OR any package in 2016 (even if the session will take place in 2017), you get a free short story session of your choice! 

So, for example, if you book a Birth Novel session, you can add on a short story newborn in-home session for free. How simple and cost effective is that?! Happy shopping :)

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South Bend Indiana Family Documentary Photographer - Watts Holiday Gallery

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This was the first holiday in-home session of the season and if this doesn't put you in the mood for some holiday cheer, I don't know what will! J and J and their sweet babes (2 years old and 11 months - no, they don't have their hands full at all) were so welcoming and comfortable, it was hard to remember that I was "at work." 

We started this session with a typical Saturday morning family breakfast (with matching pajamas for the Christmas feel) in their super adorably decorated kitchen and dining room. Baby I was super excited about helping Mom out as well as checking in on her [empty] fish bowl - don't worry, they were stocking it later that day for her birthday! All the while, Dad and Baby C were contentedly chilling, sharing some guy time and devouring some waffles.

After breakfast, the family moved on to some tree decorating! Baby I was all about it and Baby C was totally cool with just chewing/licking/throwing the bulbs. Disclaimer: shatter proof bulbs are NOT shatter proof; proven by Baby C's hulk-like grip. Even the family pup got in on some tree decorating. 

The best part about holiday in-homes with young kids is that this time of year is actual magic to them. It's miracles and music and lights and sparkle. There is absolutely nothing more special than watching kids experience the holidays and all of the feels that go with it.

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

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South Bend Indiana Family Documentary Photographer - Fischer Holiday In-Home Sneak Peek

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This weekend was PACKED with sessions and I'm pretty sure this one might be one of my favorites to date! I'm super anxious to get the editing done and share this holiday in-home session for the Fischer family (I will save my sappy descriptions of how much I adore them all for the full gallery post - but seriously, they're like the best people). Until then, here is a quick snippet of their cookie baking endeavor...

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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. 

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

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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...

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

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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. 

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

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IG: bornebackphotography