Ravenswood Newborn Session with Proud Big Sister

The world is so incredibly heavy right now and I think we could all use some joy in our lives so today I’m sharing one of the most fun sessions of 2025 I had. Big sister V was such a treat to photograph and she exudes such joy every moment of her existence. This family sure knows how to have fun, laugh, live well and most of all - enjoy each other’s company. I saw them again after Mr. W’s newborn session for my client appreciation event this fall and while Mr. W was even more skeptical of me, V was still just a giant ray of sunshine. I hope that never goes away. This world needs more sunshine and joy.

(I would of course like to add a caveat that I know children, or humans in general, are not always happy every moment, nor should they be expected to be. And this isn’t something to strive for, nor is it disappointing when they’re not. We’re all unique and our own individual. While I do enjoy photographing smiley, happy kiddos and wanted to share this joy today, I’m in no way discounting children (or people) who aren’t always happy & positive. This human experience is full of all of the emotions and some of us feel bigger than others, need more alone time, have emotions that we learned to suppress as small humans, etc. Life can truly beat us up. I say feel your emotions - all of them.)

Sweet Baby Camille - Chicago Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session

Ever want to know how to rock your newborn photo session? Just follow this family’s lead! Get the whole fam in, including both dogs! Give me a newborn and a dog & I’m in love. Two dogs and a newborn, though? I’m obsessed. All the heart eyes over here!

It took a while for me to actually get to meet sweet baby Camille but I was so glad when I did! I was supposed to photograph her birth, but wasn’t able to because she ended up being breach so her Mama had to have an unplanned C-section. Shortly after birth she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and it was a scary time for her mom and dad. After a NICU stay, this sweet girl was finally able to come home. Here, she is about a month old and doing fantastic - just ask her pup siblings! Welcome to the world, beautiful girl. You’re already such a fighter and a true inspiration!

Welcome, Camille, I can’t wait to see who you become. Much love!

When Should I Book My Lifestyle Newborn Session?

I get asked this question very often! Since I started focusing on lifestyle newborn photography sessions instead of sleepy-baby super-posed sessions, it's become a bit more relaxed in terms of how long we can wait to do photos after your baby has arrived. I still believe that the sooner we do your newborn photos the sleepier they tend to be, and the easier the session flows for mom and dad. However, I typically photograph newborns in their homes up to one month old. Every baby is different, of course, and it also depends on how early or late your baby made their debut. 

Newborns are best photographed between 4 and 14 days old.

Lifestyle Sessions -babies can be photographed up to one month old.

Pro tip: I recommend keeping the heat cranked in your home, or if it's summer turn the A/C off, during your in-home newborn session. 

As tempting as it may seem to be all about the baby at first, I believe it's not JUST about the baby! While I love nothing more than a super-adorable babe wrapped in a swaddle blanket with her hands on her cheeks, all cozy and cute, I think you must be in the photos too! This is a time that goes by SO fast and you're going to want to look back, when the moments may be a bit blurred. Your baby will love looking at the photos while growing up, and will greatly appreciate those photos when they are all grown up.