Eastern North Carolina Photographer {Newborns: Ember Luella}

Last Monday, my adorable friend Ally welcomed her 4th child and 2nd daughter into the world.  Usually, when I shoot newborns, I like to do it within a 10 day window after birth.  Prior to this shoot, the youngest baby I had photographed was about 7 days old and I was amazed at how much sleepier and “curlier” this little princess was, being only 4 days old instead of the usual 7-10.  She was conked out the whole time and didnt open her eyes once.  I am so glad that Ally was game for shooting this session outdoors.  I have wanted to do an outdoor newborn session for quite some time, but, understandably so, not many mammas are up for taking their few day old baby outdoors and letting them lay in the grass or on a fallen tree.  Maybe because it’s her 4th child, but probably more so because Ally is just awesome like that, she was totally up for doing these pictures outside.  I actually tried to talk her into doing a more “lifestyle” type session indoors, but she wouldn’t have it.  I’m so glad she was set on doing it this way, because I just adore how the shots came out.

Originally, we had intended to get some pictures of all of the kids together, but for obvious reasons which you will see, it just didn’t happen.  Since Ember was so sleepy right from the start, I went ahead and shot the stuff with her first.  By the time I was finished with the newborn stuff, Ally’s three older children were already waist deep in the river.  Thankfully, Ally and Nate are about as low keys as it comes when parenting is concerned, and instead of freaking out that they wouldn’t get “perfect” posed pictures of the kids together, they just let them play and rolled with it.

Sometimes, as a photographer, I will go into a session with a certain idea in mind with how I want things to turn out.  Whether it’s specific shots and poses I hope to capture or just a “feel” i’m going for in regards to lighting and location, I often approach a session with a good idea of what I want to accomplish.  This session was a much needed and great reminder that sometimes the best plans are made to be broken and that the sweetest shots often come when things go array.  Kinda like writing a birth plan before having a baby, having a photography plan can sometimes be nothing more than dust in the wind.

I am so happy overall, though, with the outcome of this session, and it is such a blessing and treat to spend time with this beautiful young family.  I come from a large family myself, and I so enjoy watching the love and dynamic that happens where there are more than 1 or 2 kids in the mix.  I’m sure that God has a special reward for Mommys and Daddys who deal with the fun, chaos, noise, mess, and laughter that comes along with raising so many young children at once.  Nate and Ally do a great job at it!