Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown NJ is one of my favorite locations to bring families throughout the seasons because of its variety of beautiful flowers and plants. It is truly picturesque. I first met this family in the Summer of 2021 when they were brand new to the Monmouth County area and looking for updated family portraits with their 7 month old baby girl. We went to Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth on a very windy day in early September. Fast forward one year and we met up again in Little Silver to take Fall portraits. Mama was newly pregnant and let me in on the secret because she was excited to get booked in for a newborn session when baby boy arrived in the Spring. She decided to book both a maternity and newborn session so she could create an album with both sessions and tell their family’s story as they awaited their little boy and when he arrived.
Spring came a little early this year which was wonderful for us because we were able to catch some early blooms before baby arrived. It was a good thing we scheduled the pictures when we did because he decided to make an early arrival!! I usually recommend booking maternity sessions from about 30 weeks to about 36 weeks depending on mom’s comfort and any previous births. Mom borrowed one of my client dresses which is perfect for all phases of early motherhood from pregnancy to postpartum.
We did their newborn session in their home in his adorable nautical themed nursery. In home sessions are always really great with toddler siblings because they are in a familiar environment and can go off with another caregiver while we focus on parents and baby. It’s a big change for older siblings when a new baby arrives so sometimes having me come to you is a little easier on the big sibling than if they were brought to an unfamiliar environment during this already challenging time.
We took it slow in the beginning of the session to allow big sister to warm up a little bit before some more posed family portraits. We got the family on and around the glider in the nursery and read some books. We were able to capture more connection and authentic moments without pushing her to do something she wasn’t ready to do. That’s the beauty of lifestyle family photography. We can be flexible while also capturing the essence of their family. She still wanted to do her own thing by the time we moved onto another room but we never pushed her and made it fun for her until her time to go off and play with her grandparents.
Take a peak at our time together and see the sweet album we created from the two sessions!
