Meet Baby Charles | 9 days new | Durham Newborn Photographer

Kristin Thomas | Durham, NC newborn photographer  |   This newborn session was 10 years in the making and an answer to so many prayers for his mom & dad. And for me! After being born and arriving home to settle in, I received pictures of his birth and travel home, all the way from California. An overwhelming need and desire to photograph this baby came over me, so I asked his mom if they were interested in photographs.  Since I am just crazy in love with babies, this was natural. But it was more than that with him. It was a need to be in the presence of this amazing miracle. After all that his family went through to bring him into this world, I felt it was necessary to document this precious moment in time.

Charles’ mother had some ideas about what images she wanted – which is always helpful and provides some assurance that they would be overjoyed with their images. I brought my vision as well, along with soft, neutral baby wraps, baskets and blankets, my baby noise machine and space heater and other newborn props. I found a bright, cozy place in their home on the second floor to set up and our time together flew. We talked, shared stories, and caught up on all the new parenting “things” they were embracing and figuring out. Baby Charles, after eating ever so quickly, stayed awake for a few open-eyed shots before I lulled and rocked him quickly to sleep.

Well, I left his session in tears. In tears for how beautiful he was and how calm and patient he was for me and his parents. I loved how un-bothered he was by all the swaddling/wrapping/unwrapping, diaper changes, camera clicks, and moving around the house we did during his newborn photography session. I was in tears to see his parents stand over me as I photographed their baby; taking their own cell phone pictures,  holding hands and sharing a kiss in their own gratitude.  I was fortunate enough to have been in their shoes not too long ago and I remember that feeling so strongly – as if I stood there with them in that moment. These are the parts of being a maternity / newborn / baby / family photographer that money will never buy or words can never convey- being a participant in such a special moment with a family; for creating that opportunity but also witnessing it.

Thank you baby Charles, Chuck and Lauren, for being a dream come true for me in so many ways. I look forward to photographing you all as he grows into a beautiful boy and man.