What? You don't use props or put babies in cute poses? No baskets? No backdrops? No little hats?
Nope. 

I know, it's okay. I get that question sometimes. And the answer is no, I don't really do that. Yes it's cute and it's totally okay if that is something that you are interested in. But for me, I am more interested in documenting the relationship that is forming. The head-over-heels, breathtaking, all encompassing obsession with that mini-you. The way that daddy looks into that precious face with such wonder, pride, and amazement. The way the mother cradles that little head into the crook of her neck and inhales the sweetest, most intoxicating aroma that ever was- the newborn smell. Once they are finally here and you look into that perfect face, it's all over. You know that no matter what, you will never be the same. This love has fundamentally changed you. 
And THAT is what I'm after.

Your world has completely changed, completely spun off it's axis. You're tired, you're running on fumes and you may not even know what day it is. Your new postpartum body may be not exactly what you had expected and everything is sore. I get it. I truly do. I feel you mama. I've been there and I know exactly what it's like. But above and beyond all of that is the wonderful new adventure you are embarking on. Let's focus on the beauty, the magic that is happening right here, right now. A new story is unfolding and it's full of excitement, twists and turns, fear, hope, and at the root of it all- love. It's always been about love, hasn't it?

So, what can you expect for your Signature Newborn Session with me?

1. A stress free environment. Seriously. Think of me as an old family friend coming into your home and hanging out with you for a few hours. I am adorably awkward and easy to talk to  (I think). My number one goal besides amazing pictures documenting this sweet baby is for you to feel comfortable enough to show me the real you, for you to be a little vulnerable and let me interpret that into art. I also think it really helps that you don't have to leave your house days after giving birth to come to a studio. I come to you and meet you where you are.
   
2. Zero Judgement. Seriously. This falls in with #1- I don't want this to be a stressful experience for you. I'm a mama of 3 rowdy kids and a clumsy, goofy 95lb slobbering Boxer. I know all about dog hair, toys scattered everywhere, the "laundry chair" (yes, I know about it, we have one too), and dishes in the sink. Trust me, your house is just fine it won't ruin the pictures. I encourage you to just embrace yourself and this season in your life. There's plenty of time for perfect houses, but what is important right now is just being present in the moment and giving these babies the love they need. If it makes you feel any better, I'll even come in leggings and a mom bun! You don't need to prep your home or do a thorough deep cleaning. Remember, I'm all about zero stress and zero judgement.
   
3. Pre-Consultation about your session either by video chat, phone, or email. During our pre-consultation I will ask you about your daily routine, what time frame you think would work best for your family, things your specifically want photographed, things you specifically do not wish to be photographed, and characteristics of your family/what the dynamic is like.
4. Taking lots of pictures. I like to move around freely and capture things happening in and around the home. Sometimes I may get a chair or step stool in order to create the image I want- I've even been known to ask to stand on the couch (if that's okay with you! And I take my shoes off at the door!). I take pictures of "everyday" things because they are so beautiful now, but boy, do they get more beautiful with time. Cuddles, siblings and their happenings (even our furry friends!), napping on mommy/daddy's chest, and crying are all things I love to capture. I also will ask if we can lay baby down so that I can get detail shots of their sweet features. Some mothers wished to be photographed nursing their baby and that is certainly something I encourage. I've even take pictures of mothers pumping while Dad feeds baby. It's really up to you and your comfort level. I won't share any pictures you don't wish to be shared. The beautiful, real life moments are what make these sessions truly unique- evoking emotions and bringing your right back to that moment in time years from now. I do reserve about 10 minutes during the session for a few loosely posed pictures, if you wish.
5. A flexible time frame. I typically like to do newborn shoots within 2 weeks of delivery, but I don't really do any posing, so that's not super rigid. I say within 2 weeks because newborns change SO MUCH from day to day. Their hair changes (or they may even lose a lot of it!), they lose that scrunched up look as they adjust to life on the outside, they may have longer periods awake, their skin smooths out and loses the flakes, etc. Some babies are even out of newborn clothes by the time they are 2 weeks old!
6. Digital Gallery Delivery. About 2-3 weeks after your session, I will deliver a digital password-protected gallery of edited images with a download PIN number. They are yours to print for personal use. If you chose to add prints and/or products to your session, this is when you would tell me which images you wanted, what sizes, and what you would like them printed on. And when they come in from my professional lab, I'll hand deliver them to you!

For more information about scheduling your session with me, feel free to check out these blog posts or use the contact tab above to shoot me a message.
What to Wear for your session with Jess Nicole Photography
Why Choose Documentary Photography
What to Expect for my session with Jess Nicole Photography

I asked in a few different places for people to share with me their experiences breastfeeding. The response was fantastic! This blog post is dedicated to sharing the stories of these mothers and showcasing their unique experiences. My sincere hope is that this can be a source of encouragement to mothers and that no matter our differences, we can bond over this common ground. 

From Steph: "All 3 of my kids were born with tongue and lip ties. I had no idea what that even was until #1 was almost 2 years old and our breastfeeding relationship had long since ended. I had no idea her midline defects were causing my supply to dwindle, or that she was always hungry because she couldn't really use her tongue properly. I knew what to look for when #2 came around. They both had laser revisions around the same time and I was able to breastfeed him double the amount of time I got with my daughter. I started a new health journey that included stabilizing my blood sugar and made enough milk to donate to a friend's adopted micro preemie. This was the redemption I needed, not to prove it to anyone or boast about what I could do, but to have closure on what I couldn't give my daughter.
**Side note: Looking back, I don't blame myself, but rather the circumstance, because I was ill-informed and unsupported by her pediatrician and the LCs at the hospital. Pediatricians don't know anything about oral ties; this woman started pushing formula on me the moment I said that nursing hurt. She told me not to be a hero. To cut myself some slack because I was a first timer. I will never understand the lack of support for moms' decisions. If my goal was to nurse, I should have been encouraged to nurse and given every resource available. I should have asked a pediatric dentist all along.**

I nursed him well into my second trimester with #3 and then oh my word, the aversions happened. I was devastated, as I had my heart set on tandem nursing. When #3 was born, we had his ties revised at 6 days old and after another week of working on it together, his latch improved drastically and my supply was great.
Life threw us a huge curve ball when #3 was 4 months old. I was forced to be without him for 6 weeks as I cared for #2 in the hospital after a terrible accident. I pumped around the clock. God had a divine purpose for our surprise #3 being born when he was because I was producing milk right when #2 needed it to heal. I was able to give him fatty nutrient dense milk instead of the formula they wanted to offer him. Within a few days of him being on my milk again, he started healing and was taken off the ventilator.
I continued to pump for #2 while #3 at home with my family was receiving donor milk. It all comes full circle. Give and you shall receive.
One week before we were released, my body gave up on me. No idea if my parts were the right sizing or if it was stress and dehydration or maybe the dry hospital air... I eventually got terribly dry and cracked to bleeding and had to stop pumping for a few days to let them heal. By the time I tried pumping again, the cracks reopened and all I pumped was blood. I never got a last nursing session with #3 but I do remember the last time I nursed him. Was in the waiting room in the PICU, just the two of us. I feel as though I failed him, but perhaps this was part of the plan too.. so I could devote my energy to #2's recovery. It is so time consuming. I planned to try to re-lactate because I know I can. But since getting home, life has been so different, I don't know that I can even commit to that. He's still on donor milk for as long as we can still get donations. #3 is blessed to receive milk; I know how time consuming and how much effort goes into pumping, bagging, freezing, cleaning parts... it's a lot.
I don't think we are done having children so I pray I can really have a better experience next time."

"I’m so glad to have nursed all 3 of my kids for a cumulative time of almost 4 years but yet I’m so glad it’s over and I’m done. So bittersweet. I felt so empowered part way into the second kid when I was like “boobs out all the time idc who’s looking!” But the worst part was having a distant relative pm me on fb about one of my bfing [breastfeeding] posts and had the nerve to tell me that I need to be more private and suggest I could “set off” a man with a sex addiction. ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW???" - Michaelynn


​"So with Eirik, my first I was super happy and thankful I could breastfeed him till after he turned 1. He had a dairy & soy allergy so formula wasn’t an option, I tried to offer him the formula once and he wouldn’t even take the bottle. Which, I have to backtrack.... when he was born in the Middle East I had no one to teach me how to breastfeed. There weren’t any LC [lactation consultant] at the hospital and the nurses were literally squishing my breasts so hard for colostrum and milk to come out. So for the first 2 months he was bottle fed. Finally I found a ped [pediatrician] on base who was a LC and taught me how to BF him and ever since day he didn’t touched a bottle.
With my second, Astrid, who’s about to be 4 months bf [breastfeeding] has been challenging. She just had a lip & tongue release so it’s making it hard to bf [breastfeed] bc [because] she’s so traumatized after the procedure. None the less we keep trying and once we get that latch we’re happy campers.
The worst for me is having to breastfeed outside the home.
We just can’t seem to find comfortable positions for both of us and that’s frustrating. But once again, I think of how lucky and blessed I am to be able to breastfeed her.

A lot of people take breastfeeding for granted, they think boob out and it’s all good, but in reality there’s so much more going on that even if you try to explain it all, they won’t get it till they’re in your position." - Kate H.

​

"My son was born in 1979. Breastfeeding was just really starting again. I had no support system, and being a new mother, absolutely no knowledge. With my girls, I was determined to succeed, and I did. I loved the convenience of breastfeeding.
I loved the bonding that occurred between me and my baby. My favorite experiences was once the girls were old enough, they would look up at me with twinkles in their eyes. They would stop to give wonderful toothless smiles and then start nursing again. I loved when they would reach up to play with my face. I would kiss their little hands and nibble their fingers. The only part that wasn't fun was when they began to get teeth, they would go to sleep and slowly close their teeth on me. I would have to put my finger in her mouth to break the suction so she would let go. One time she bit me and left perfect little teeth marks! I just loved being so close to all of them. I hate that I gave up with my son so soon. I missed out on those experiences with him.
My mom breastfed me. She told me she knew when I was about to bite. She said I would get a certain look in my eye and clamp down! It was nice knowing that she and I had shared such  unique and special experience." - Dovy H.  

"I loved how they would fall asleep on me while nursing. His little eyes would start slowly rolling back in his head and he'd finally pass out. It was complete bliss!" - Amanda D.

"I thought she would never wean! But now I miss it so much!" Brianna K. 

If you have a story you want to share, feel free to leave it in the comments below! Talk about your struggles, your victories, your favorite moments, and your worst moments. Let's have a conversation! 

A few weeks ago, I was invited into this couple's home for a photo session. The reason? Only the best news ever! They are expecting their first little one and I am so excited for them. I'm so grateful they trusted me with their memories and to keep this little secret.
​I can't wait for them to experience the pure joy of seeing their baby be born or the experience of falling more and more in love with a little human with each breath it takes. And for them to realize just how good newborns smell. And how they fit so perfectly in your arms. And in your heart.

I shared this photo above on my Facebook page. I walked in their kitchen and somehow knew that's where their sweet little film strip of their baby would be. Where else would it be? It's right at home in between a to-do list and a receipt. It's such an iconic, yet subtle image that represents pregnancy to me. That little ever present reminder that, yes, there is in fact a little human doing flips and summersaults in your belly- even if you can't see them or feel them yet.

We chatted about all things baby, played with the dogs, and took some pictures. Then, we headed to that the store we all know and love-Target. We cruised down baby aisles, compared the differences between diaper brands, and test drove some strollers. Daddy to be even found a what we dubbed as a "butt spatula"- because I guess putting diaper rash cream on your baby's bottom with your own hand is sooo 2007. (pictured below)

Oh, how life is going to change for these two (in the BEST way possible!)- and I'm so excited to be along for the ride. I'm excited to play one, tiny little part in this little one's history.
Target runs will never be the same. Now, instead of just impulse buying that one cute top you spotted and that new delicious smelling candle, they'll also be buying another baby outfit they can't resist. Or wipes. Or diapers. Or baby food.
​And it'll be the best thing ever.