Lifestyle portraits: Bright and bold in-home newborn session (Durham, NC)

Our connection to this sweet newborn is so many layers deep, I'm not sure where to begin. So I'll start here: I won't forget the day we heard she was on the way. It was Piper's birthday—not a celebration of Piper's birthday, but the actual day of her birth. This baby's mama shared the news that she was pregnant when we arrived at the hospital for Piper's induction; and then she skillfully delivered Piper for us! What an incredible start to the day. Even though this love didn't make her debut for another seven months, I'll always link Piper's birth with hers.

It was such an honor to photograph her, as it was to photograph her big brother when he was born. (An image of him with their mama is one of my favorite portraits ever. You can still find it in my portfolio.) These friends are bright and bold lights in this world—fiercely committed both to the important work they do and to their beautiful family—so the bright and bold colors we decided to use for the session seem a fitting reflection of them. Their living room provided the setting. The pillow was lovingly chosen for the baby's nursery, the blanket draped over the couch knit by her grandmother. I hope when our friends look at these photos in years to come, these details will help spur memories of this precious and preciously fleeting moment in their family's history.

For more lifestyle newborn and maternity portraits, visit my portfolio here. Visit my lifestyle portrait blog posts here.