Welcoming Baby Canaan | Raleigh Newborn Photographer
During my last conversation with Ariel before she gave birth, she told me that she was overdue and she was scheduled to be induced on September 24. Babies really do come when they’re ready. On September 20, 2022, I got the text. Baby Canaan had arrived. My first thought when I got the cell phone shot was that he looked just like his mom. I guess we’ll see if that changes over time. During the session, Canaan cycled through some fun facial expressions. Believe it or not, he was awake when I started. I think he just got comfortable once I wrapped him. I wonder what he was dreaming about.
Look at all this hair! I was shocked. He definitely had the most hair of any baby I’ve photographed — my girls included. I love close up looks like this where you can see his little details: his lips, his nose, his little chin, and his tiny fingers.
After I took Canaan’s first headshots, I took a few minutes to photograph him with his father. Photographing newborns with their parents is probably my favorite part of newborn photography. It’s only in Mommy and Daddy’s arms that we can see how tiny they are. Then, you blink and they’re too big to lay across your lap! When I capture these images, it’s for parents to look back through months and years later to remember how tiny they were. It’s for parents to pull an album off of their shelves to show their kindergarteners what they looked like as babies. These images only become more meaningful as the years go by. This is one of the many reasons I encourage parents to call me the day they are discharged and schedule the session when the baby is 5-10 days old. By the time Canaan is 1-2 months old, he’s going to look like a while new baby! I’m so glad we will be able to watch him grow in the months to come.
Ariel told me she was fighting back tears as I took these. There’s something so special about the bond between mother and baby in those first few days. Learning their cries, learning together about breastfeeding, and finally getting to hold your little one on the outside. The feeling is indescribable.
At the very end of the session, Ariel’s mom was able to join us. She is in town for 2 months from the Bahamas during the Parkers’ transition into parenthood. Now, even after she returns home, Baby Canaan will have a picture with his grandmother as he’s learning the faces of his family. I wish more people would ask grandparents to join their newborn sessions. These images are such gifts.
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As early as your second trimester, I can pencil in your due date on my calendar and reserve your spot for whenever your new little one makes his or her debut.