Golden Hour Maternity Session with a Very Special Family

This family holds a special place in my heart. I first met them a couple years ago for another golden hour maternity session. We roamed the hills in San Mateo and captured some beautiful images…even though little lady (who was around 2 then) was a bit shy and reserved.

Right around then is when I opened my studio in Burlingame. Soon after their sweet baby girl, Makenna, was born. She was the very first baby in my new studio! She was the tiniest baby I’d ever photographed, just under 5 pounds. But she was the sweetest little baby and we captured some adorable photos. Makenna would later develop some health issues. She fought bravely but sadly pass away several months later.

When I heard the news that the family was expecting another little miracle I was so thrilled and excited for them! Their “rainbow” baby (baby following a loss) was on its way. We decided on these gorgeous rolling hills for their session and to do it at “golden hour”. There really is nothing else like golden hour lighting! Big sis had grown and come out of her shell since I’d last seen her. This time she was all smiles and giggles the whole session.

Mom wanted to incorporate a couple meaningful items to represent Makenna in the photos. Since Makenna’s passing, her family has seen several rainbows reflected in their pictures. Big sis held a rainbow-dyed bunny tail bouquet with Makenna’s name on it and Mom brought a special butterfly that was gifted to her by the hospital when Makenna passed.

It was the perfect evening for a photoshoot- not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. The time flew by and we captured some amazing photos. When we were all done and parted ways, I got a message from Mom saying that they heard Makenna’s song on the radio just after leaving the session. What are the chances?? She was there with us that night- watching over her family and sibling to be :)

Baby Girl Newborn Session

Little lady came to my studio for her newborn session with Mom, Dad, and big brother. She slept like a champ and we were even able to get some cute eyes open shots. My studio in Burlingame has everything you need for a customized, fully-styled newborn session. Bowls, baskets, fluff layers, baby wraps, bonnets, headbands, and the like! Here are a few faves from her session :)

Fall Mini Session at the Beach

Sometimes I can't believe we are here already... summer adventures are now memories and photos, mornings are for packing lunches- afternoons are for homework, and Fall Mini Sessions have begun! Each year I start the Mini Session season earlier and earlier to make sure there are enough spots for everyone and to get the finished galleries back in plenty of time for Holiday cards. So here we are with the very first Fall Mini day (in August!) already in the books :)

I couldn't have picked a better family to kick off the season. I've known the Fry family for about 8 years. Claire and I met in a Mommy meetup group when our oldest kiddos were just babies. We'd spend those meetups hanging out on blankets in the grass at local parks, swapping survival tips and recipes, and chasing after our new crawlers. If you are a new mom (or dad!), I highly recommend joining a similar group! They can be such a great source of support and friendship. Since then, Claire and I have made great use of the amazingness that is Mollieland (free childcare at Mollie Stone’s while you are at the store…which also has a Starbucks!) and bonded over balancing the trials and tribulations of being small business owners and Moms of 3 :)

Claire’s been a supporter and cheerleader of Tree Swing Photography from the get go. From family session to Maternity session to annual Mini sessions, I've loved seeing the Fry family change and grow. And I love that I can think back to each of our sessions and remember the variety of locations we've been to (beautiful grassy park with backlit oak tree, wooden stairs winding along a hillside, a leaf-filled forest with morning light peeking through, a blooming rose garden) ...and now the beach! I have to say this one might be my very favorite session we've done together! There's just something so majestic and awe inspiring about being at the beach, hearing the crashing waves, the soaring seagulls overhead, and feeling the sand beneath your feet. It’s one of the most beautiful settings for a photo shoot and one of my favorite to have printed and hung in my own home. Beach sessions can add a tranquil feel to a room when hanging on the wall as a large print or canvas and bring you right back to that serene moment. It also seems that families are just a bit more relaxed, fun, and free to frolic at a beach session:)

Mini Session dates are selling out quickly! There are a few more spots available and can be booked HERE. Or if you’d like to schedule a 1 hour Signature Session with your family at the beach, please email: info@treeswingphotography.com

Lifestyle Newborn (ish) Session

When Bodhi’s mom first contacted me she was still in her 3rd trimester, awaiting her little guy’s arrival. When he arrived they settled in as a family for the first couple weeks, then we scheduled their Lifestyle session. And then… life interfered! They experienced a family emergency which had them traveling out of state, which was quickly followed by a cold that swept through their house.

Everything settled down and we were able to do the session when Bodhi was around 9 weeks old. He was past the sleepy newborn phase, but how adorable to get so many eyes wide open shots! It always amazes me just how quickly newborns grow and change. Each week they get less and less sleepy and more aware of their surroundings.

With my last born, I tried to make an effort to photograph her every couple months. And I’m so glad I did. I look back now at those photos and I remember how it felt to hold her when she was 2 months old and just starting to fill out her rolls, how she had one long whispy clump of hair in the back that really stood out when she was 4 months old, how she loved to smile and coo at my goofiness at 6 months old, and so on and so on.

I’m often asked, “When is the best time for a newborn session?”. Usually for a Posed newborn session, I recommend between 5-14 days, when they are still sleepy and easily posed. But for the Lifestyle Newborn session, there is a little more flexibility. Bodhi is a great example that even though you may be outside the traditional newborn stage, it’s not too late. Babyhood is oh so fleeting but worth capturing at every turn :)