A portrait of a baby boy with his wide open looking up by Nicole Hawkins Phtoography in New Jersey. baby boy with eyes open #NicoleHawkinsPhotography #NicoleHawkinsNewborns #Babyboy #studionewbornsNJ #studionewbonportraits #NYnewbornphotographers #NJ

Welcome, baby Isaiah! Mom and Dad are first-year collective members, so we already had their maternity session. We were all looking forward to baby’s arrival. I knew that we would be selecting images to add to their first-year album, so I was sure to create a beautiful variety of images that would help everyone remember this sweet time. It is an absolute pleasure and honor to document all of the love and hope that a newborn baby brings.

During our planning session, Mom mentioned that she really likes backlit images and would like some direction for posing in both her maternity and newborn sessions. My posing is very natural and focused on being present with your family, but I will always encourage connection with your partner and, of course, your baby, children, and family. For a newborn photography session this can look like snuggles with your little one, a sweet glance at your partner, a tickle fight with your toddler—the list goes on and on. I will also focus on those captivating baby expressions and tiny details, such as newborn fingers and toes, so that you can remember how cute and small they were, but the connection and love are what will give you and your little one that beautiful warm feeling as you look at your album together years from now.

Mom chose a gorgeous, flowy dress from the studio wardrobe, while Dad preferred to wear his own shirt. I helped him choose between shades of blue to go with Mom’s dress. These new parents live in Union County, NJ, which is just next to Essex County, where my studio is located. My preferred hair and makeup artist prepared Clarissa in her home the morning of the session. I had the dresses we had picked out steamed and ready for when she arrived. Since many clients aren’t sure how they will feel or how things will fit after giving birth, I often encourage them to pick out 2-3 dresses they love, and I'll prepare all of them. When we meet for the session, Mom can try them all on to see which one makes her feel most comfortable and beautiful.

I loved how simple and clean these newborn portraits are, and I cannot wait to meet up with this family again for our next session. Baby Isaiah's first-year album is going to be stunning.