Boulder Baby Photographer - Nederland Newborn Session
As a baby photographer that works in Boulder, Colorado, I am excited to reveal more of this newborn session I did in Nederland. You’ve probably seen some of these pictures appear on my Instagram and in other blog posts, but I have finally had a chance to sit down and give this session the blogging time it deserves.
I love photographing in Nederland. It is such a beautiful town tucked into the Rockies. I absolutely love to bring visitors here and do the peak-to-peak highway. I also love visiting here with my own family and finding a spot in one of the cute eateries. And how can you ever get over photographing here? Each season brings such beauty and I never know what to expect when it comes to weather here. In fact, when I did this family’s first maternity session in 2018, it was snowing and 18 degrees. It was magical! For this newborn session, it started raining outside. Rain in July is usually so rare in Colorado, but this year it has become the norm. And, after last year’s fires, I’m not complaining. The rain soaked mountains were just as magical this time as they had been that snowy day in 2018.
When I photograph both the maternity and newborn sessions for a baby, I love to incorporate at least one prop into both sessions. You’ll notice that there is a pink scarf I utilized in this newborn session to wrap up this sweet baby girl. That scarf was also used by mom during her maternity session. I think that it adds to the cohesive style between the two sessions. They are two chapters of the same story after all!
In-Home Newborn Sessions
If you’ve worked with me before, you’ll know that one of the most common types of newborn sessions I offer are in-home. This means that I come to your home to capture this special chapter in your family’s story. When baby is born, mom or dad usually text me to let me know that baby has made their arrival. We then schedule the newborn session. We aim for it to be in the first two weeks of baby’s life.
During the design meeting that we have before the maternity and newborn sessions, we talk about how to prepare the home and what to wear during the newborn session. I remind you of the most important things right before, like wearing light neutrals and keeping things simple, because a lot has happened since that design meeting months before.
When I get to the session, I take a walk around your home. I am analyzing the light and seeing what rooms are best for photography. I take a look at the nursery and mom and dad’s room. Most often we photograph in those two areas primarily. But every home is different and sometimes the light is better in other rooms.
And then we start. If there is a toddler involved, I usually try to get images with the toddler done first. If the toddler is not in a photography mood though, we move on and revisit those images later. We also take breaks whenever the baby needs to be fed or is fussy. Because newborn sessions are based on baby’s, and sometimes a toddler’s, mood and schedule, they are my longest sessions. Whereas maternity sessions can take 45 - 60 minutes, a newborn session will take 2 - 2.5 hours in most cases.
A newborn session might take longer, but they are always worth it when you get images like these.
Baby sister is held by big sister in this newborn session in Nederland, Boulder County, Colorado.
The toddler shots are some of the most difficult. Toddlers nor babies are ever in the mood for pictures. After not being fond of me for two maternity sessions, this toddler was quite smitten to be in the front of the camera now if it meant being with her baby sister. Mom, dad, and I were all really close in case things went south though. Toddlers definitely don’t understand the concept of a fragile baby.
Baby breastfeeding during her newborn session in the Boulder County town of Nederland
Babies eat a lot! The plus of that is breastfeeding shots. I always discuss with mom-to-be during our design meeting if she plans to breastfeed and wants to do breastfeeding shots. Since breastfeeding is such a large part of baby’s and mom’s life at this stage, the answer is almost always yes.
Dad holding baby near a window during this newborn session in Boulder County, Colorado
I love to get this shot with dad holding baby. We get to see just how small baby is compared to dad, but also get a great shot of the hair. Baby’s hair changes so much in that first year, you almost forget what it looks like in the beginning.
Dad holds baby in front of a window during a newborn session in Boulder County, Colorado
Just a slightly different angle, a small change in the placement of the arms, and we get a completely different shot with this dad and daughter during this newborn session. I love getting pictures near windows during a newborn session, because we can get such an amazing variety of images.
Mom holds baby in front of a window at a newborn session in Nederland, Boulder County, Colorado
And now it’s mom’s turn. I absolutely love the lighting this window creates with these sweet images of each parent with baby. The bright light creates a near silhouette.
Mom holds baby during this newborn session in Boulder County, Colorado
This is a shot that was inspired by an image we captured during the newborn session of their older child two years prior.
Mom nuzzles baby in this newborn session in Boulder County, Colorado
I told you that there was a pink scarf. This pink scarf was used by mom during her maternity session and it was just perfect for baby during this session. I’m so happy we were able to incorporate it so easily.
Sara Herkes is a maternity photographer based in Longmont, CO. She serves the the Denver Metro Area, the Colorado Rockies, and the Northern Front Range and captures your pregnancy amidst the Colorado wilderness. Learn more about her services here.
