Brand New Baby Girl | A Berkeley Fresh 48 Documentary Photo Session

Meet the Meakins Family; Andy, Brook, and brand new baby girl, Coral:

I had the pleasure of working with the Meakins Family after the birth of their first child, Pacific, where we did an in-home newborn session. For the arrival of their sweet baby girl, Coral Valentine, the family opted to do a Fresh 48 session instead. One thing I am in awe of from this session was just how SUPER CHILL the parents were! Classic second kid, no worries vibes. No worries over every little sound or movement the baby is making, because it's familiar territory. Coral was definitely already a real mama's girl, too. She was the calmest anytime she was in mama's arms. So sweet.

Fresh 48 sessions take place within 48 hours of your baby's birth, and they might be my favorite type of session. There's something so special, so real and so priceless about these very first moments of life. 

“From the moment they placed you in my arms you snuggled right into my heart.”

— Unknown

When Siblings Meet for the First Time | A San Francisco Fresh 48 and Baby Naming Documentary Photo Session

Meet mom, dad, big brother and their brand new baby girl:

Anytime a special activity can be incorporated into a session, something that goes above and beyond the everyday, makes me SO EXCITED! For this family, it was big brother meeting little sister for the very first time in the hospital, and it was an incredibly sweet moment. Big brother was very curious at first, and then like a typical older sibling, he got a little confused and upset. Mom and dad were super laid back, though, big brother was very happy when mom let him have her big water bottle! It's truly the small things that can bring on the biggest smiles for kiddos, huh?

Fresh 48 sessions take place within 48 hours of your baby's birth, and they might be my favorite type of session. There's something so special, so real and so priceless about these very first moments of parenthood. 

I also had the honor of documenting the baby naming ceremony, which is a beautiful and vibrant Jewish tradition, where Dad shared the meaning behind the baby girl's name. The ceremony was full of love and family - and nobody knew what the new baby girl's name would be until it was announced! How fun is that? Can't wait to work with this sweet family again over the summer! 

An Endangered Species | A San Francisco Newborn Family Documentary Photo Session

Meet the Bellona-Wong Family: Dad, Mom, and new baby, Remy:

Okay, this new family of three is SO CHILL. If I just met them at a park, I would definitely think they were second-time parents. But alas, adorable baby Remy is their first, easily making them an endangered species!  

During our session, Dad, David, busted out incredible documentation genealogy logs from his family. How incredible of a gift to have this for their son?! But what touched my documentary heart the most was when he showed me journals his mom wrote during her pregnancy. Such beautiful memories to have! 

“What good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is usually best after all.”

— Benjamin Spock

New Bundle of Joy | A San Francisco Newborn Family Documentary Photo Session

Meet the Gagliardi Family; Dominic, Lauren, and new baby, Elena:

Back in early December, I had the honor of photographing Dominic and Lauren's maternity session. Even then, I could sense these first-time parents' profound anticipation of wanting to hold their baby girl so badly. So I was beyond delighted to see them and their sweet new bundle of joy, Elena, in their loving embrace.

Two-week-old Elena was the sweetest thing ever, wrapped up in her swaddle and wearing her little headband. And with two weeks of parenthood under their belt, it was a blessing to see some of the new routines Dominic and Lauren developed; enjoying a cup of coffee together, sorting through some of Ms. Elena's adorable outfits, milk-coma snuggles, and the timeless new parent ritual of watching baby's every movement, hiccup, blink or yawn in sheer amazement.

“The littlest feet make the biggest footprints in our hearts.”

— Uknown

22 Hours New | A San Francisco Fresh 48 Documentary Photo Session

Meet the Figueroa-Mills Family; Jason, Illeana, and their brand new baby:

Welcome to the world! Sweet baby boy made his grand entrance on January 22nd at 3:01pm, and is already so very loved. Jason and Illeana decided to keep the gender of their baby a surprise until the birth, but they were so sure they were going to have a girl. What a wonderful surprise this baby boy was! I had the honor of meeting him when he was only 22-hours-old. So fresh, so tiny, so new! He was very calm, and only really fussed when he was not in the comfort of his swaddle. 

Fresh 48 sessions take place within 48 hours of your baby's birth, and they might be my favorite type of session. There's something so special, so real and so priceless about these very first moments of parenthood. 

Jason and Illeana, congratulations on your new bundle of Joy! Thank you for inviting me into your hospital room to document your very first moments as a family of three. It was such an honor.

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things...hope, a dream of possibilities.”

— Eda LaShan

When Three Becomes Four | An Alameda Newborn Family Documentary Photo Session

Meet the Wu Family:

I had the pleasure of capturing these beautiful human beings when they were a family of three, soon-to-be a family four. And to get the opportunity to connect with this family again, with a precious newborn babe in the mix? How lucky am I?! 

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! 

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

— A.A. Milne