Newborn Teagan at Home with her Family in Atlanta

They call her Teeny

Newborn looking up at mother from at home newborn documentary session

It's no secret that I love babies, but I ADORED this baby. Teagan was sleeping when I got there, but she quickly stretched herself awake and peeked her eyes open towards me. I was a new voice, a stranger in her sanctuary, and the look she gave me indicated her awareness of the situation. It's hard to believe how much personality this girl had at only 3 weeks old. It's as if she knew she would have to compete with their dog Henry, who is also full of personality. I just loved watching as she explored her mom and dad's faces and connected with them so deeply, and I loved watching how Kelly and Matt shared their joy and caregiving. I'm always amazed when new parents are so relaxed and seem well rested. Matt and Kelly were at ease with their new baby, and with each other, and with themselves in their new roles as mother and father. Thanks for inviting me into your gorgeous home. I know Teagan is going to continue to amaze you as she grows.

newborn baby looking at camera from at home newborn documentary session
image of newborn baby smiling at mother from at home newborn documentary session
image of mother kissing newborn baby from at home newborn documentary session
image of dog sitting on bed in front of family with newborn from at home newborn documentary session
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image of family on bed with dog from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of father giving baby a bottle with dog nearby from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of mother watching father give baby a bottle from at home newborn documentary photography session
image through window of father holding baby with dog nearby and reflection from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of dog and father and baby in house through window with reflection from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of baby resting on father's shoulder from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn looking up at father in his arms from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of baby looking out through crib slats while sucking on hand from at home newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn on mother's shoulder while mother looks down from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of father reaching down towards newborn in mother's arms from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of mother kissing newborn from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography
image of newborn looking at father from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn holding onto father's finger from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn holding father's finger while in mother's arms from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography
image of mother holding newborn and smiling on steps from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of mother holding newborn from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of family sitting on steps from above with newborn sleeping from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image from above of newborn baby yawning
image of newborn resting head on mother's shoulder from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography
image of newborn face from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of father rocking and looking at newborn through mother's arms from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn feet from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of newborn swaddled and sleeping on bed with parents out of focus in the background from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of mother touching newborn's forehead while on the bed with father from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session
image of family on bed with city through window in focus in background from at home atlanta newborn documentary photography session

Newborn Judah's first morning at Home with his Family

In stillness and chaos

I woke up in Iowa at my parent's house the morning after my sister gave birth to her second son.  My sister and I sent a few texts back and forth, and then I drove a few miles down some country roads to document this family's first morning as a family of four. Judah was sweet and new and sleepy and hungry, and big brother Jethro was engaging and funny and not-so-interested in his new brother for the time being. My sister and brother-in-law were as they always are; calm, collected, unphased. They were also tired, of course.  It wasn't long before others came over and then others still. While there were 4 extra kids playing, there were also naps being taken on the couches nearby. A kitchen packed with relatives and FaceTime conversations could not be heard in the upstairs bedroom where I spent some time with my sister and Judah as they nursed. He napped, and she watched him nap. Time with a newborn passes differently, seconds become hours, a month seems like a week. In that time, there is a stillness that even the chaos of a large extended family can not steal. 

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A Morning with Monica and her Family, Atlanta Documentary Photographer

Azaleas, swings, hugs, and kisses

Image of mother holding son and daughter while smiling and looking up

I spent a Saturday morning with this sweet family in and around their home in Atlanta. There was a genuine affection and natural tenderness present in all of their interactions, from caregiving to play. I had so much fun documenting them as they finished breakfast, played around in the backyard, and explored a nearby park. Outside, the azaleas were in their full glory, and almost an hour passed unnoticeably in and around their blossoms. The kids smelled the flowers and picked them for their mama, and I was melting in the sweetness of it all. Azaleas symbolize love, passion, and fragility. They are flowers that are meant to be a reminder to take care of oneself; an appropriate blossom for this time in this family's story. This season marks the beginning of a challenging year for the family as Monica was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I like to think of the azaleas blooming again next year as bookends to this unpleasant time, marking the beginning and end of a year of treatments, financial stress, and physical changes. The year ahead will be hard, but Monica is as badass as she is gorgeous, and I get the feeling that she's going to be even more radiant after this battle. I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity to document this family because the love that is present in the tough times is just as beautiful to remember as it is in the good times.

You can read more about Monica's story here.

Image of young girl eating breakfast at the table in the morning
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Image of boy holding hat and smiling in front of an azalea bush
image from family documentary session of girl smiling and looking at camera in front of azaleas
image from family documentary session of mother smiling and looking at the camera while holding daughter as dad plays with her
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Image from family documentary session of girl holding flowers and looking at camera while her parents look at her
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Image from family documentary session of boy swinging
Image from family documentary session of mother pushing daughter on a swing
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Image from family documentary session of husband and wife