One Week Old ▌Fort Huachuca Photographer, Arizona


We have officially survived week number one with our new little Bundle. He has gained 6oz on top of his birth weight and grown a 1/2 inch! One of the occupational hazards of being a photographer and a new mother is the self imposed pressure to capture every moment in detail and I frequently find myself on the itouch during those late night feedings, scrolling through newborn images for inspiration. I have made similar portraits for a dozen clients, so why wouldn't I try for the same with my own family?! Easier said than done. The scene: 5pm. Our front porch, a black backdrop and a wall full of windows. (Sorry, forgot the shot of the studio set-up.)The two big brothers, one who has napped and woke up grumpy, one who has had a full day of play and preschool, armed with Nerf croquet mallets, a gift received earlier that morning from a well-meaning visitor, fighting over who has the better "cheese maker" built from the family erector set... My husband and I on the other end of the porch, cluster nursing The Bundle to get him good and sleepy, attempting as many shots as possible with the naked bottom before The Bundle does his business. The screaming of the two boys escalates, we ignore them, we plead with them, we referee briefly. Then my husband takes the camera and I take The Bundle, after a quick nip he's asleep again, and my husband goes to work like a pro! He's half pressing and re-composing like the best of them, I am beaming with pride, maybe not over the fact that I have just given birth to this amazing little person, but because my husband has been watching me work and he makes a handful of amazing captures. I am seldom in front of the camera, so when he gets a good one, I swoon! And here are my favorites:

The Boy & The Bundle: The Boy wasn't interested in a photo shoot until he found out he was going to get to lay on the dining room table... The Bundle is showing some serious "Pirate Eye"...


Big strong Daddy arms holding The Bundle...


The Bundle's expression says it all... And Daddy is laughing because he's nervous about me having instructed him to take off the diaper...


Oh, that little mouth just melts me to pieces!


The husband gets all the credit on these two images of me...


Maybe we should change his web name from The Bundle to Little Budha? I can't believe the double chin at one week old, this kiddo is going to plump up like a brined turkey!


And, the non-participant, who couldn't give a flying hoot about the chance to get on top of the dining table...

2 comments:

Merrie said... at March 24, 2010 at 6:50 AM

WE can't pick a favorite here! They are all so awesome. Although my heart goes out to the Babe,waitin' for his dinner and some clothes (wink).Sweet,sweet,sweet. Glad you have that huge warm porch with lots of natural light. Your hubby did a great job catching the moment and getting you on the other side of the lens.Love the Boy and Bundle shot, it's so vibrant.

Julie Rivera said... at March 24, 2010 at 10:07 AM

The B&W with Dad are the best! I didn't get any of those shots with my baby...fatigue won the day. :) Glad you persisted, despite the dueling boys in the corner. And those two of you are reminiscent of our very first shoot together...remember that long ago when we were young, spry things? :) Your husband did a fabulous job and you look so lovely!