Brynlee | Seattle Newborn Photography

If I had to describe what my newborn sessions feel like, I would say they feel like an easy Sunday morning. 

I always schedule my sessions around 10:00 am. The reason is that I have learned over the years from being a mama to three babies, from caring for hundreds of newborns in my former career  as a NICU nurse, and also from photographing hundreds of newborns, that they tend to be calmer in the morning. Also, light indoor is typically better in the am. 

So when I arrive the house is usually just getting going. Coffee is typically brewing, mama is getting ready perhaps for the first time since having her baby, if there are siblings they are usually running around in their undies or diapers, and dad is usually laid back and helping get things in order. It feels just as it should. 

I never ask my families to do any strange or uncomfortable poses and I allow the baby to lead the session 100%. Baby needs to nurse 10 times, great. Baby wants to be awake the whole time, beautiful. Baby is sleepy and allows me to unfold her in a beautiful and natural way, wonderful. 

When I leave, I feel like I just had a cup of coffee with an old friend who had just given birth. I don't feel stressed or like I just worked in the least. In fact, I feel invigorated and grateful that I get to do this for a living. 

So, easy like Sunday morning, is how I would describe my newborn sessions. :)

Oscar | Seattle Newborn Photographer

You guys, this session may want to make you have another baby. Just warning you. :)

I have known this family for about a year now. I had the honor of capturing them last spring. So I was thrilled to be invited into their home to help welcome their third beautiful baby boy. 

The love in this house was palpable. These big brothers didn't have a bit of jealousy for their little brother, only love and complete adoration. It literally made my heart melt. 

I have shared a ton here because as usual, I couldn't help myself. Enjoy. 

Austin | Seattle Newborn Baby Photographer

As I evolve as an artist I see many things change. My editing style, the way I approach angles and light. But one thing doesn't change and that is my undying love for newborns in the home. 

Often, I fantasize about a beautiful studio in a hip Seattle Neighborhood. Big windows and white floors. But at the end of the day, I think it would take away from the sweet intimacy that is an in home newborn photography session. 

I walk into a families home an feel nothing but gratitude. They have invited me into their most sacred space during a most tender time. You can literally feel the energy in the air. And then, I have the absolute privilege of capturing such a fleeting time. Brings me to my knees, it really does. 

This sweet newborn baby boy was wide awake the whole session. He never fussed or cried, just curious about the windows and his mama and daddy. He had the best head of hair and the sweetest dimple I have ever seen on a newborn. 

Enjoy this sweet little guy. 

Facebook Live Q & A With Me, Elena S Blair | Photography Tips and Education

Hey friends! I occasionally pop on to Facebook Live and answer some questions for ya! Here is the repay. :) Lots of marketing and business questions. If you aren't already part of my Lady Boss Workshops community, you should be. :)

www.ladybossworkshops.com 

I Believe In You | Photography Business Tips and Ideas

Hi Friend,

You know what starting your own photography business means? It means you are following your dreams. Yup, you heard me right. 

So many times I get messages from ladies just like you who tell me that they are afraid. That they feel like a fraud or that they feel they will never make it. It is because following your dreams takes courage. Breaking away from the norm takes guts. 

Let me tell you my #1 secret to success.

I believed in myself. You can't ever, in a trillion years, expect someone to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself. 

Seven years ago when I started this crazy ride that is photography, I never said I was a photographer. I honestly didn't believe it myself.

And it took years to get the courage to call myself that. A photographer. And it took even more years for me to take the plunge and quit my day job to pursue this crazy dream full time. 

Ever hear the phrase fake it till you make it? Well there is some truth to it.

You see, you have to be brave. You have to be bold. And you have to fail. You have to have the guts to say "yes, I am a photographer." And say it loud. 

I mean it, right now, yell "I am a photographer, damn it." Don't scare your kids or the lady next to you in line in the grocery store though. ;) 

Because here is the truth. I had to travel across the country to a photography conference to learn this. I heard many powerful women and men speak about photography and when I came home I said. "Screw it, I am just going to go for it!"

And I did. I started promoting myself like crazy and calling myself a photographer, an artist at that. And things changed for me. Because I was now attracting attention. I was beckoning it.

Because I FINALLY believed in myself. 

This is going to sound like a bad example but it's true. You know the "cool" kids in school? Who said they were cool? Nobody. They did. They decided that the would carry themselves that way, and BAM, everyone notices them. 

So today, believe in yourself. Be brave. Because I am here to tell you it is worth it. I have never been happier in work and life. I make my own schedule, photograph families just how I want to, and get to teach other budding artists how to do the same. It's amazing. 

And you can too! Believe in yourself friend, because I believe in you!