Families always ask what they need to bring to their newborn photoshoots.  There is no right or wrong answer to this question.  It's really just up to personal taste, but if you want a little inspiration, here are a few great ideas!

special stuffed animals and/or blankets

Maybe your baby was gifted a special blanket.  Or maybe you have the stuffed animal you bought the day you found out you were pregnant.  What every it is, if it is special and has sentimental value, or even if  you just like, you should totally bring it along!

I mean, how cute is this little guy all curled up with his stuffies! 

a calendar

I've had several clients bring calendars over the years and I always think it's a great idea!  These shots make for fun birth announcements and look adorable displayed in a nursery!

letter blocks

It's always fun to use letter blocks to spell out your baby's name!  Again, these makes for a super fun announcement or nurserary art!

I'm obsessed with these Japanese  character blocks that my client brought in!  So cute!!

you... the best prop around

No matter what you bring or what you don't bring, you should alway be prepared to be in the photos with your baby.  

I know you're tired.  

I know you just had a baby.  

But trust me... in five, ten, twenty years, these will be your most cherished images.  

I promise!  

And, they will mean the world to your children some day. 

I hope this was helpful!  But if you have more questions about your session, check this page on things what to expect at your photoshoot.

Have a great day!

I remember visiting my older brother in Seattle in January of 1995.  What I remember when I think of that visit was how sunny it was.  I was visiting from Pullman, WA (Go Cougs!) where we were still in the throws of a long hard winter.  That was the year I thought it would never stop snowing.

And then I came to Seattle... and it was sunny!!!  

That was when I decided to move.  I came to Seattle in July of 1995 and haven't looked back!

So, here's the thing about January in Seattle.  It seems like it's always sunny!  November and December are DARK.  But then, just when I think I can take it any more, January comes along, and the sun comes out.

This January was no exception.  Yes, it was COLD!!!  But the sun was out.  It warmed me through the window and filled my studio beautiful natural light to work with.

Thanks January!  See you next year!

I don't usually work with dogs.  Like, hardly ever.  But when this mom called up and explained how much her old lab love their new baby, I had to say yes.  And I'm so glad I did!

I mean, how adorable are these two?!!!  They just laid on my bed and snuggle for the majority of the session.  SO sweet!!

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Like everything, family photography has a season.  Things really pick up in the fall, and it stays very busy until about mid December.  

I understand.  Fall is a great time to refresh your family photos and turn those images into holiday gifts and cards.  But your photos are about more than just a great Holiday card.

Here is the truth.

They are only little once.

No matter what age your kids are.  Maybe they're a newborn.  Maybe they're five.  Maybe they're 15.  No matter their age, this is the only time they will ever be that.  So celebrate it!  

Now is the perfect time for photos!  No mater what now is.  

You don't need a reason to capture them now, as they are.  And believe me.  You'll be so glad you did.

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This little cutie came into the studio just before the Christmas holiday.  Her portrait session was to celebrate her fist birthday and her mom made her a beautiful flower crown in honor of the occasion.  None of us were sure if she'd keep it on, but to our surprise she loved it!  We were able to get many photos of her in the crown, and a few with out it as well.  A very fun one year portrait session!

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A couple weeks ago I mentioned on Instagram that the birth of a newborn baby comes with the birth of a newborn mother.  It's something that I think about all the time.  

We all go into labor, just us... and come out of it mothers; our lives completely changed forever. The same is true of men.  The transition to "father" is swift and powerful.   

Honestly, this is one of my favorite things about being a newborn photographer.  I LOVE babies! Like, crazy love.  But I also LOVE watching and photographing new families... when the emotion in the room is palpable.  

This time of year tends to make me sentimental.  The music and the lights and all the Christmasy stuff... but I woke up this morning feeling so grateful for all the families who walk through my doors all year long and allow me to be part of their delicious newness.  Not only do I get to see it and feel it, I get to capture in on film and save it for all time.

How amazing is that?

So thank you to all of my wonderful clients.  I hope you all have the happiest of Holidays!

xoxoxox,
Sandra

All images we shot on Fuji 400h film.  Processed and scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

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Something you probably don't know about me is that I love holiday decorations.  Like, LOVE them.  And I'm not ashamed to say it!

I'm also kind of a pack rat.  And I can not bring myself to throw away any of my holiday cards at the end of the year.  

For years I stored them all in a big box in the basement. But I never looked at them.  They just sat there.  Collecting dust. Then one day, about 9 years ago,  I decided to merge my two loves.  I took all those old cards and turn them into a decoration, a beautiful holiday card paper chain.

Ever since then, the making of the holiday card paper chain has become one of my family's favorite traditions.

Every year when I take down the decorations in January, I store all of the old cards in a box, and then, the next year, when the decorations come out, my family and I get to work turning last year's cards into a colorful festive chain.

We add the new links onto the old chain, and so every year it grows. And it's so fun to be able to look up and see faces of friends and holiday wishes from years past.

This is how its done.

Step one:  Cut your old cards into one inch(ish) strips.

Step two:  Make a loop and staple it together.  (In the beginning I used tape, but I have found that staples work best!)  Then make your next loop and start building your chain.

Step three:  Decorate and enjoy!   Isn't it pretty!!

Happy Holidays!

xoxo,
Sandra

The moment this adorable family walked into my  Seattle studio, I knew it was going to be a great photo shoot. 

This little lady was so much fun to work with.  And her parents could not have been any nicer!  

It was all made better when, after sending out their gallery, I received this email:  "Sandra.  I am dying.  Going to cry.  I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH.  You don't understand.  I'm such a critical person and usually always lean towards hate vs. like for any and all photos and I love these.  You are magic."  

Documenting families, creating images that will stand the test of time, really is my life's work. 

Freezing moments.

Stopping time.

Showing love and connection. 

That is why I became a photographer

Plus... can this baby be any cuter?!!!  I really do love my job!

All images captured using Fuji 400h film with a Hasselblad H2. 
Processed and scanned my Richard Photo Lab.

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You heard it here first: Santa is taking a small break from the North Pole to join us here in the studio on November 26th, so make sure the kids have their lists ready for him! So, you can dress your kids up in those cute holiday outfits you've been planning or come as is, Santa will be happy either way. Click here if you need some holiday outfit inspiration and you can also check out Santa's Seattle visit from last year!

This magical five-minute session with Santa is $95 for the sitting fee, online gallery, and digital files from your session or $65 for just the sitting fee and online gallery. You can find the sign-up page here!

I started my career back in 2000 as a maternity photographer.  Maternity photography eventually led to newborn and family work, and I’ve been pretty much doing that ever since.  

Over the years I’ve had the honor of photographing couples in their first pregnancy, with their first baby, then their second and sometimes third. 

I’ve watched children grow up.  

I’ve documented the changes and the milestones. I’ve been there for celebrations and sometimes even losses. I’m seeing my own boys change into pre-teens.  And I’m noticing adult children turning into the caregivers of their own parents.

Life is an amazing thing.  And I’m honored to be in a career that allows me to see it and document it for my clients, friends and family.

It is no secret that I love working with babies! I love capturing the connection and love of parents and their new son or daughter.

But as my own children grow and as I see the babies I once photographed walk through my studio doors as young adults, I find that the definition of what it means to be a family photographer has changed for me.  

It’s not just about little babies.  It’s not just about those first few years.  

It’s about all the years.

It’s all beautiful.  

It’s all important. 

So please, drag your teenager in.  Call up your mom or dad and make an appointment for just the two of you.  Get a portrait made of your pre-teen, braces and all. 

You’ll be so glad you did.