Prepping for an In-home Lifestyle Newborn Session | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle newborn sessions are one of my favorite sessions.  They feature more of a documentary style than the traditional posed sessions.  The goal is not to make everything look perfect (although many families make it look like adding a child to their household is a piece of cake) - the goal is to capture the emotion of those first couple weeks after birth.  Most of the session is unposed. I may direct you based on lighting, but most of the session is meant to be natural and free-flowing. Speaking of lighting, if your house does not have much natural light and is on the dark side, then we may want to reconsider the type of newborn session you want. If it’s summertime, we may consider an outdoor session. At other times of the year, consider a studio option. If anything, let’s discuss and you can send me some pics of your house to assess the situation.

Scheduling

Since it is pretty much impossible to know exactly when your little one will be born, at this point we will just set a tentative date based upon your due date.  However, once your little one arrives, make sure to email me or text me (765-749-4388) so we can agree on a session date that works for both of us.  I like to schedule lifestyle newborn sessions during that first month. 

Session Length

Lifestyle newborn sessions typically last about 1.5 hours.  If baby is upset, we'll take a break.  Feeding time is also a great time to get some photos taken, whether mom is breastfeeding or dad is feeding with a bottle.  Trust me - you will want to remember everything! 

Session Prep

TIDY UP - I completely understand that you just brought a little human home and babies need so many things!  And these new things are probably scattered throughout your home.  If you can, please tidy up in any rooms that we may use during the session.  Your bedroom and the nursery are popular spots, if they have ample light.  Make the bed, pick up any random bedside table items, etc.  Less is more.  If conditions are good, we can also venture outside. 

AWAKE - Try to keep baby awake for a couple hours before I arrive.  Give baby a bath, play with baby, tickle his/her feet.  It will help assure that baby will be tired when it's time to sleep for the session. 

FEED - I recommend feeding baby right before I arrive, that way we have the best chance of a cooperative and happy baby during our session.  As I mentioned earlier, if we need to take a break for feeding, no big deal!

WARDROBE: As for what to wear for mom and dad - I suggest something simple.  Solid colors are good - busy patterns or wording take away focus from the baby.   (:  As for baby's wardrobe, a plain white onesie is perfect. We can also do some in just a diaper if you want. I HIGHLY discourage putting the baby in any complete outfits (pants+shirts, dresses, etc.).  Newborns don't fit in any clothes very well and they just end up being baggy/awkward and covering the baby's face and cute features.  Newborn sessions are about the newness and tiny little features - clothes cover all of that up. 

Go-Time

WALKTHROUGH - When I arrive, I will first perform a walkthrough of the house to determine the best rooms for photographing your family and little one.  Lifestyle sessions are shot with all natural light so I'm looking for rooms with nice and ample light.  We may even use a guest bedroom that you never use, if the lighting is good.

NATURAL - I try to let the session flow naturally.  I will definitely help pose and direct you into the best light but I look for cues from baby and mom and dad to get some great natural shots.  We will get a variety of images and groupings from the session.  If there is any specific shot you want, please let me know.  Lastly, relax.  Gaze at your newborn and smile and trust me, the session will come together perfectly.  Lifestyle sessions are so amazing because the emotions are so real. 

After the Session

I will post a sneak peek on Facebook and Instagram within 2 days, unless you opted out.  Post processing of all of the photos will be completed within 14 days (21 days max during peak fall season) and I will send you a link to your online gallery.

If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to email me or give me a call at 765-749-4388. 

Summertime | The Schaick Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

This family (well a portion of them) had a theme - summer searsuckers - and a beautiful late summer day on the farm for their session.  The kids had a blast exploring the farm and dreaming up that there were kitty cats in the barn.  (yes, kitty cats - because kitty cats bring smiles to little girls).  (:  My favorite image is Grandma and Grandpa with the kids....I love photographing generations together as it's so important to document.  Thanks to the Schaick and Kelly families for choosing me to capture your moments. 

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

In a Flash | Tyson's Arrival | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

I've shared on this blog before that adoption holds a special place in my heart.  For one - I am adopted.  For two, my dad was adopted and so was his brother, and so was his biological sister whom sought him out years and years later.  Adoption is a huge part of my family and I know if my husband and I were not able to bear children, we would have gone down that path as well.  The Nadar family featured in this blog have one biological three year old son, Jackson, and in September they adopted Tyson.  They felt the calling to adopt and help a child who needed a good home.  They were notified of Tyson's arrival somewhat out of nowhere (Stephanie had just arrived in Chicago for a work function and had to turn around and drive all the way back) and off they went to the hospital to see their new baby boy.  And in a flash, they were a family of four. 

My heart is so happy there are people out there like the Nadar's and my mom and dad, and my grandparents that were so open to adoption.  They took a child in that is not their flesh and blood but they love them with the same fierceness. I always say it must be scary to adopt because you never know what you are going to get...I can say that because I'm adopted.  (:  But I hope that Tyson will never feel left out or different in any way because of that. I've embraced being adopted and I hope he grows up feeling the same way.  We're lucky.  We're loved.  We found a home. 

Now on to the cuteness.  The pics of Jackson and Tyson are priceless - brothers for life. 

Thank you so much to the Nadar family for trusting me to document such a special time in your lives.  If you are looking for a maternity or newborn photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Fantastic Family | The Manifold's | Indianapolis Family Photographer

There is SO much I can say about this family but I'll keep it short and to the point - they are amazing.  I first met Aaron and Erin in November 2015 when they were expecting their youngest, Sawyer.  I had the privilege of shooting their maternity and newborn photos that fall/winter.  I loved getting to know them and their two young boys.  You can check out these sessions in my blog archives.  I admire their patience and their sweet love they show for their children that radiates in my photos of them. 

This summer we met not once but twice for photos.  (:  They had a mini session in July with just their family and then in August we held an extended family session with Aaron's parents and siblings and fam.  His parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary that month - again - amazing!  And oh my did we have a fun time!  I think one of my captions for my photos I posted on FB was that this family was so much fun that I'd like to be invited to Thanksgiving dinner.  Or at least maybe for dessert. 

Anyway, back to the session.  My absolute favorite part was the interactions between the grandparents and the grandkids - timeless and priceless.  They are grandparents that genuinely embrace that title and are not afraid to get down and dirty with the kids (as you'll see in the photos below).   

New clients are great and new clients are necessary to keep the business open, but those steadfast clients that come back time after time - those are the clients I truly cherish and they really make me love doing this.  The Manifold's are one of those steadfast clients and I'm truly grateful for them. 

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Maggie's Milestones | Indianapolis Children's Photographer

I first met the Moser's earlier this year when I photographed their maternity and newborn sessions.  Their maternity session was back in February on a chilly day downtown.  And now I think they are my most frequent clients of 2017 - I photographed Maggie's 3 and 6 month milestones this spring and summer.  I feel like part of the family when I get to see clients that often.  "Oh she's getting so big!" - seriously that comes out of my mouth.  I might as well be an 80 year old woman, right??  I've loved getting to know the Moser's more and more and watching Maggie grow. 

Her 3 month session was down in Holcomb Gardens and it was a mosquito haven.  Oh my, Ashley and Maggie toughed it out!  Ashley said she counted 18 bites afterwards.  Ugh!!  And then we sweated out her 6 month session at a nature park.  But Maggie was awesome for both and the light was amazing so......I'd say it was all worth it. (: 

Miss Maggie at 3 month - look at that hair!  (: 

6 months - Her little personality is starting to shine through, don't you think?  I see a little sass...