Boston’s Best Bump to Baby!
As Salt ‘N Peppa once said “Ohhh baby baby (ooh baby baby).”
Lets dive in to everyones favorite package- the good ole Bump to Baby! Nothing gets me more excited than coming along with families as they grow. Witnessing the the last few minutes as a family of two…or three or four as they anxiously await their new little person is such an amazing moment but then getting to loop back around and meet their sweet new one makes me so excited. This is my job? Such a pinch myself moment. I chose this particular portrait series because 1. it’s flipping gorgeous and 2. there’s a little wild man in the mix who is not only adorable but a truly hilarious little person. (IYKYK.) So if you’ve ever wondered what a Bump to Baby series would look like- I give you the fabulous Schifino family!
If you’ve worked with me and you have a toddler, you know that I am always looking for space that we can move. Toddlers are busy and curious little beings and the more space they have to explore the better. Growing up north of Boston we have the absolute pleasure of having so much coast line to work with. There is no shortage of gorgeous beaches from Boston to Salisbury. For the families maternity portraits we settled on the stunning Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester, MA. If you’ve been out to Wingaersheek Beach before you know these two things- number uno, it is a hike. There is no easy way to haul ass out there, it will take time. Numero dos, there are rocks. Lots and lots and lots of rocks. I am not one to typically check tide charts (it’s a character flaw for a photographer) but we happed to luck OUT!
Low tide, hooray!
The tide was way out, which definitely adds to the beauty of this beach. You can walk and walk along this gorgeous wave rippled sand and it looks like it stretches out for miles. This is great for said toddler because we have space to move! We have space to explore! We have space to have a meltdown and then rebound because: Toddlers! I would say the only drawback of toddler at the beach is you’re definitely going to get wet, but its to be expected, really. All in all, for a portrait session in the evening with a toddler, the beach is never a bad choice. Lot’s of fresh air and warm summer breeze (remember that?) and a new space to explore helps stretch out the last minutes of the day, pushing back bedtime a little bit to capture the last quiet (jk definitely loud) moments of a family of three.
Also- if you were looking through these and wondering how we got the beach so completely to ourselves…. it’s photoshop. Ha. #photographymagic
So after our beautiful portraits capturing that amazing baby bump glow are taken, we wait. Some times we wait a short amount of time (I have had families deliver within a few days of taking portraits) or months. Something I always emphasize when it comes to the baby portion of these portrait sessions, is take your dang time! Babies stay little and your portraits will be just as magical a week out or six. Adjusting to a new baby is a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights, so rushing to get portraits taken doesn’t need to add to anyones load of stress. I never want to show up at someones house before they are ready. Further more, when an older sibling is involved, there is just that added layer of toddler induced chaos. Getting the limelight suddenly derailed is an adjustment for everyone involved, and for our toddler aged friends who may not be able to articulate “hey who’s that new small crying person and why aren’t you giving me your undivided attention?” this whole postpartum period can be a little more chaotic. Nevertheless, we get it done!
Welcome Nina
Undoubtedly, the older sibling in the equation tends to be more of the wildcard the day of portrait sessions. So moving at their pace, incorporating them when we can and giving lots of breaks to snack or watch tv always helps. Newborn sessions tend to be about 90 or so minutes, regardless of siblings. With new little babes there are so many variables that come in to play that we just roll with it. Hungry? Feed em. Need to rock a bit to settle? Rock away. Pitching a fit because they don’t like to be swaddled? F the swaddle! We pivot to the needs that need to be met and move along. Nina was a little bit older when portraits were taken (I believe a month or so) which like previously mentioned- she is still tiny and sweet as month old babies are. We got more alert awake portraits and then some lovely sleeping baby basket ones as well. Nina also kicked off a major sage green baby trend for ALHP, as so many mamas reached out about these portraits swooning over the serene color scheme that was still really feminine without being smashed in the face with pink.
Sage green newborn perfection!
So to answer a few newborn related prop questions before the adorable baby photo dump…
Yes, that is my swaddle. I have a basket of neutral swaddles I bring to every session that we can use. Do all babies end up swaddled? Nope. Are those photos equally beautiful? Yup.
Yes, that is my basket. Again, I bring baskets. I have tons of baskets. Have a preference? Just ask. My trunk is a basket emporium.
Yes, I incorporate heirlooms and other special blankets you have received. If you know me you know I love a hand made baby blanket. I have parents bring them all out and we piece together what you have with what I have and make a gorgeous baby flatly.
I love all these portraits so much, and I am so happy to share what a bump to baby package can look like. Drop any questions in the comment section and I will happily reply!
xo am
