A few weeks ago, my friends came down for a visit and we headed over to Princeton to shoot their last family pictures before their sweet baby arrived. At 10 days new, I headed up to CT to meet sweet baby B. Fortunately, I headed up on an early Sunday morning because although I had plans to avoid the George Washington Bridge, I was thinking about different shots and missed my route. Thankfully, there was no traffic on the bridge (a rarity!) and I made record time up there, despite the rain. And what a treat after the drive to hold this sweet baby boy! I wish I could have stayed longer! I miss you all!

It’s amazing how the week I am scheduled to come back from sabbatical and had three newborn and baby sessions, the dreaded summer cold hit. Really, it couldn’t have come all the other weeks that I was just working on personal projects? Thankfully, it didn’t last long and I was able to schedule everyone within a reasonable amount of time. So even though we typically schedule newborns before 2 weeks, sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen and we just roll with it.

The one thing you often hear from people who are not familiar with this style of newborn portraiture is “don’t you have any pictures of him with his eyes open?” Well, he didn’t disappoint. He had those beautiful big blue eyes open nice and wide for the first half hour. But I think the warmth and the rhythmic white noise was just too hard to fight and he fell fast asleep. He was a champ and did some great poses.

With first time parents, I just love to capture the complete love and adoration they have for their sweet baby. It is so heartwarming to see how enamored they are. Of course, all parents, whether first-time or many-times over, completely love their children. But when it’s the first, they have no one else to divide their attention and their entire focus is on this new little baby that has just entered their lives and turned it all around.

Maybe not snips and snails, but when this baby boy comes home in a few weeks, he’ll be coming home to one loving pup! As a fellow dog owner, I know how it felt to have a furbaby first and then bring home a human one. It can be a bit chaotic, but it is heartwarming to see your little one grow up with a little best bud of his own. One that is always at his side and let’s him pull on ears and tail without a care in the world.

These first-time parents brought their first baby, Gizmo, along for their maternity session. It’s the last few weeks before this family grows and a great opportunity to give him a bit of extra loving! And he was all smiles! Such a perfect doggie model!

Normally I don’t share a whole session on the blog, but I think it’s nice to see what a full session can look like. I have known Mom for years since we were pregnant with our first babies, both due the same month. Mom is pregnant with #2 (yay!) and we finally got a chance to get together and capture this family time before their family became a family of 4.

We headed into Princeton for an urban, casual session. The campus and town are so beautiful and rich with textures and light. It was a great day with great friends! You’ll be seeing them again soon since the baby made his debut this morning! Check back for the newborn session soon!

I love these shots. J’s first day at Princeton.

I think he heard his little brother say something funny in there…

He started out pensive, thinking about whether Princeton is the right school for him, but then he realized how fun it is!

And no day in Princeton is complete without a little ice cream from Thomas Sweet!

Doesn’t she look gorgeous??

I love J’s expression! haha!

If you follow my blog, you know this family quite well. Seems like yesterday when I was shooting big sister’s 18 month portraits and now little sister has turned one. It’s amazing how fast life passes by in a blink of an eye. Every moment is so precious when your kids grow up so fast. Big sister V has some serious health issues and was about to go into the hospital for a major surgery. Although I was on sabbatical, when mom contacted me and asked if I could do a family session for them, I just had to do them. What better way to recuperate than will lots of pictures of your loving family all around you. I don’t normally share this many images, but the story of the session is best told in full…

The weather was not particularly cooperating, but thankfully the rain held off. Little sister I was now 1 yr old and walking like a fiend. You know what that means. She did not want to slow down! She just wanted to walk and move everywhere. Even big sister could not stop her…

I love this stroll down the brick sidewalk…

And while little Miss I didn’t want to take pictures, she loved being entertained by Mom’s singing. Miss I even started dancing and doing the hand movements to one of the songs. So cute!

It’s not easy getting sibling shots when walking and independence is such a novelty for the younger one! They are so cute together singing and dancing!

My favorite shots of the session are of the girls’ one-on-one time with Mom and Dad.

We finished up at the park so they could just have fun on the swings. You can’t take the kids to the park on swings and not get fun pictures! I adore the sisterly love here.

Thank you for a challenging, but fun session! Even better, Miss V didn’t have to have the surgery after all, so we just continue to hope for good health!