Ella was about a month old when we met for her Santa Clara newborn session. Her family had recently moved into a new home, so this was the beginning of two new chapters at once: settling into their new home and getting to know their brand new baby. Her parents were settling into life with their first baby, while also having family in town. Both sets of grandparents had traveled to be there, with one set coming from Korea and the other from the East Coast.
Four grandparents, one brand new baby, one brand new home. It was a pretty special moment to document.
Almost Skipped, Then Glad They Didn’t
Ella’s parents weren’t sure at first if newborn photos were something they wanted. It’s a common place to land. There’s a lot going on in those first weeks, and adding a photo session to everything else can feel like one more thing to plan.
But they kept coming back to the same thought: she would only be this small once, and they didn’t want to look back and wish they’d documented it.
A lot of families I work with find themselves in that same place, wondering whether now is the right time, especially when life with a new baby already feels full. Sometimes it takes meeting your baby and seeing those first few weeks unfold to realize how quickly this season is going to pass.
Inside Ella’s Santa Clara Newborn Session
We photographed Ella right in her new home, in the rooms her family was just beginning to settle into. Their home didn’t need to be perfectly unpacked or styled for photographs. It was Ella’s first home, and that was exactly what made it worth documenting.
I guide the entire session from start to finish, so Ella’s parents didn’t need to know what to do or worry about posing. They could focus on her, and on spending time together with the family who had traveled so far to be there. Learn more about my newborn sessions.
We moved slowly and followed Ella’s lead. At one month old, she was still wonderfully tiny and sleepy, giving us a mix of close-up details, baby portraits, and wider photographs of everyone together. In between, there was plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and simply letting her be a one-month-old.
A New Home, a New Baby, and Family Together
One set of grandparents had flown in from Korea, while the other had driven from the East Coast. With all four grandparents there, the session became about more than just documenting Ella at one month old. It was a chance to capture this particular moment in their family’s life: everyone together, in their new home, with their newest family member.
There wasn’t anything we needed to stage. We simply made room for everyone to spend time with Ella.
Grandparents took turns holding her, sitting with her, and enjoying those early newborn moments together. There were plenty of photographs of Ella on her own, but some of my favorites were the ones that showed her surrounded by the people who had traveled so far to be part of these early weeks.
It’s easy to think of newborn photos as being mostly about the baby. I love when a session can capture the bigger picture, too: the people who were there, the home she came into, and what life looked like when she was just one month old.
Preparing for Your Santa Clara Newborn Photos
If you’re considering an in-home newborn session, you don’t need to have everything figured out beforehand. I guide you through the process, from what to wear to how the session will flow once I’m in your home.
What to expect from an in-home newborn session
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Clara Newborn Sessions
How old should my baby be for newborn photos?
There is no strict age requirement for newborn photos. I photograph babies throughout the first few months. Many parents opt for newborn photos in the first month, but each stage gives us something a little different to work with. Younger newborns are usually sleepier while older newborns may offer more eye contact and awake time.
Do I need to prepare my home?
No. Your home does not need to be spotless or perfectly decorated. I’ll help identify the spaces and light that work best, and we can work around everyday life. Years from now, you will enjoy looking back at what your life actually looked during at this season.
Can extended family be part of the session?
Yes. Immediate family is always included, and extended family can be included when planned in advance. If grandparents or other family members are visiting, we can incorporate them into the session in a way that feels natural.
What should we wear?
I’ll guide you through wardrobe choices before your session, including colors, textures, and pieces that photograph well together without feeling overly coordinated. Read more on what to wear during your photography session.
More Newborn Sessions to Explore
Redwood City Newborn Photographer: A Football Themed Nursery Session
San Mateo Newborn Photography, Big Sister & Man Yue Celebration
San Francisco Newborn Photographer, Baby & Devoted Dog
Booking Your Santa Clara Newborn Session
If you’re expecting or have recently welcomed a baby in Santa Clara, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Palo Alto or nearby and are looking for an in-home newborn photographer who will guide you through the experience, work around your baby’s needs, and document this season as it actually feels, I’d love to hear from you.
Rebecca Pattison is a lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Alameda, California, serving the greater Bay Area including Oakland & East Bay, San Francisco, Marin County, Palo Alto and the Peninsula.
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