my 3 baby must-haves with our 3rd? | Personal

I knew with our third, he would have to be an on the go baby. We came home from the hospital in January and 3 days later Texas had an ice storm, so I was thrown into 3 kiddos all home very quickly. Thankfully my husband works from home so I did have extra hands, but those first few days of snuggles and laying in bed all day didn’t quite happen.

We also did not have a full nursery in our house which is fine since he slept in a bassinet in our room until about 2 months. Plus, let’s be honest it’s survival mode for the first little bit and sleep at any time is appreciated. I did have a few of my favorite things that kept me sane during the first few weeks plus I still use on the regular. Some of these I used with our second as well.

1. Boba Baby Wrap

   This swaddle has been my life safer! I wore Shepherd 90% of the time, and still use this some days. He LOVES to be worn and will fall right to sleep when he is in the wrap. I found this easier and more comfortable to wear around the house. I wore it when I had my weekly bible study and he’d sleep in it. He preferred this over sleeping in his carseat stroller.

2. Night Light

This was the perfect night light for diaper changes and feedings. I set it by the changing table or chair where I fed him and it has various settings to help with those middle of the night feeds. I do have the Hatch as well, but this simple light allowed you to turn it on and off without changing the sound. I also took it to the hospital to use. It is chargeable and can be used without the plug. You can grab it and go from one room to the next!

3. Portable Sound Machine

The best sound machine! I have people daily asking me what the noise is. I slept with this in the hospital and we take it on the go everywhere with us. He also uses it at nap time since he naps in a different room from the crib currently. It lasts for hours!

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Motherhood. The Why behind my business | Personal

I took a big leap in November of 2020, to go full time with photography and take a step away from the corporate world. One of my goals when doing this was to have more time to be mama to our two boys. Though launching a full time photography business is a big task in and of itself, I took 2021 to settle in as a full time photographer. I launched my Heirloom Portraits and worked to adjust my weekly and monthly schedule to see what worked best for our family.

As I began dreaming of 2022 and what aspects of my business worked in 2021, one of my biggest goals was to take more time for our family and be intentional with our boys during the week. As we enter April, my hope is to focus on our boys on Monday and Friday when they are home, and spend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on business specific tasks.

Our oldest begins Kindergarten in the Fall (cue all the mama tears) and I want to be present, make memories and be the mama I need to be. I mean I dreamed of the days I could do photography full time and be at home to chase these two little guys. Now is the time for me to cherish these days at home crazy as they can be, they don’t last long.

I may be slower to respond, but my hope is to focus on my clients and my business on the days the boys are in Mother’s Day Out. Scheduling will be a little more limited, and I will only be shooting one (maybe two) weekends a month. I will be scheduling sessions two days during the week, and have set business hours for emails, editing and all the behind the scenes things. Much of this is already in place, so you may not see much change from the outside.

If you are interested in booking a session, please reach out to me early to make sure your date is available, especially if you are hoping for a weekend option! You can contact me here for booking information.

Thank you for your patience as I work to balance this business and being mama!

How to Choose Your Newborn Photographer | Dallas, TX Newborn Photography

Congratulations! You recently found out you are pregnant! I know how exciting it is, and the joy that comes when you receive that positive pregnancy test! It can be a time full of so many emotions.

Joy. Anxiousness. Overwhelming.

Who do you tell first? When do you tell someone? All the “what ifs” that come in that first trimester. Believe me when I say, I have been there mama!

As an expecting mom, not only are you trying to wrap your arms around ALL. THE. THINGS. You are also trying to decide who will do your newborn photographs. When do you want them? Do you want maternity pictures? Milestones? The list goes on.

When choosing your newborn photographer there are several things to think about. First, what type of session are you wanting?

Lifestyle vs. Posed

There are two very distinct types of sessions: Lifestyle and Posed. A lifestyle photographer typically shoots in your home and incorporates elements of your home, creating a relaxed session. I am very much a lifestyle photographer. I come to you and you stay in the comfort of your home. While a posed session, typically takes place in a studio with props and other elements that the photographer may provide.

Reviews and Testimonials

You always want to look for review and testimonials on a photographer’s website. Hearing just a bit about someone else’s experience with a photographer can help you determine if that specific photographer would be a good fit for you and your family.

Experience

What type of experience does a photographer have? Do they specialize in newborn photography? You want to know how long a photographer has been doing sessions, how experienced they may be, and if they have had any sort of “training”.

Portfolio

Always look through a photographer’s portfolio. Take time to review their online galleries, maybe even read through some blogs they have posted of recent work. And did you know Instagram is a quick way to see a snip-it of a portfolio? Photographer’s usually have highlight reels that capture a variety of images from a session. Make sure to understand how a photographer captures a newborn session. Do you feel it is what you envision for your session?

Investment and Offerings

I know prices can range all over the board. Experienced photographer’s want to provide just that, an experience for their clients, while providing high quality images and products. You want to make sure what the investment includes. Is it just the session fee? Does it include digital images? Products? Ask the questions up front to make sure you know what the investment includes.

Remember: Quality photography is an investment.

These are images you will hold on to, look back through, and pass down to your children. You want to want invest in a photographer that is a good fit for you while providing high quality images for your family!