Newborn portraits: Baby Kate in her new home

Allow me to introduce you to one of my newest—quite literally—friends, Baby Kate. Her arrival marked a week of huge transition for her family: a few days after welcoming her as their second child, they closed on a house following a year-long search for just the right place to raise their girls.

Shortly before Kate was born, her mom, inspired by this bittersweet story, had the brilliant idea to take Kate's newborn photos in their new house before they moved in.

"Is that a crazy idea?" she asked me.

Before the words were even out of her mouth, I had my answer: "No, we are absolutely doing this."

Something I love about lifestyle (or documentary-style) photography is that it captures not only a moment in time but also adds essential context to that moment. I hope these images of 9-day-old Kate will remind her family not only of her arrival—her tiny hands; her smooth, soft, delicious-smelling skin; the way her big sister would run in, completely unprompted, to check on her and give her kisses—but also of this time of transition—growing from a family of three to a family of four; creating a childhood home out of an empty house in a new town. I hope these images will remind them that this time in their lives, despite all the stress, was good. It was more than good. It was oh so sweet.

Welcome to the world, Baby Kate!

Above: Baby Kate dozes in the cradle her grandmother slept in as an infant.

Click here and here to view more portraits by Calm Cradle Photo & Design.