Newborn Lifestyle Session: What it is, and Why it's so Amazing!

We've all seen the adorable swoon-worthy pics of newborns in knit pilot hats, or posed like a little froggy in a basket. These images are FOR REAL ADORBS. But it's not everyone's cup of tea! So if you're looking for something else, a lifestyle session may be your answer! 

Newborn lifestyle family sessions happen in the comfort of your own home. Not in a studio. Having a new baby can make the task of packing for a photo shoot and traveling to a photography studio quite daunting. So I come to you! You have everything you need, because you are home. You're more comfortable, and baby is too.

It's also so much more than convenience to do your session in your own home. Wether this is your first child, or your third, it is an extremely special moment in your life, home, and family! This session is about telling your story, capturing the genuine love that makes your house a home. You may have thoughtfully designed baby's nursery, or enjoy piling the family and pets into your bed for snuggle time. Whatever it is that you do, it's important to me to capture these fleeting moments in these images. As we all have experienced, time moves quickly, and they truly don't stay little for long.

Another difference between lifestyle and studio sessions, is that traditional newborn sessions will have you book your session typically within 10 days of baby being born. This is because it's considered the "sleepy" time of a newborn. Making propping baby into those cute positions easier. But for lifestyle sessions, you can do this anytime within the first few months. Of course they will grow quite a bit as time moves on, so if you want to capture the tiny-ness, we can still book right away, but it's not necessary. Some families want a little time to get home from the hospital and find their new rhythm with baby. It's a huge transition! So I'm here whenever it feels right for your family.

Newborn lifestyle sessions are for the family that wants to capture their love for one another and their new family, instead of just focusing on baby. We will of course still get some great solo shots of babe too, cause all the squishy cuteness really can't be beat! But I want to tell the latest chapter of your love story! 

Reach out with any questions or to book your session! In the meantime, check out the latest newborn session in the gallery below of baby June. This family will just melt your heart as it did mine.

 

 

The Cooperage, Milwaukee

Have you had a chance to check out Milwaukee's newest (and in my opinion, most amazing) event space yet? This is pretty much every wedding photographer's dream. The building itself has so much charm and character, exposed cream city brick walls, gorgeous wooden floors (perfect for dancing the night away on), tall ceilings with (this is what separates it from the rest), impressive windows allowing in the MOST beautiful natural lighting.

Located on the Milwaukee River. There is a whimsical little courtyard in back of the building, perfect for a ceremony, or outdoor celebration. Or even just take a break from the dance floor.

If you get hungry or tired? Check out Taco Moto MKE and Hawthorne Coffee Roasters food and beverage trucks in the parking lot. Basically, all your needs are covered. To find out more about the space, contact the lovely Emily Revord. She is the goddess behind the scenes!

Making a long story short, there is a little (but very bad ass) team of women who decided to collab together to show you how great this space is! Check out images from our shoot! 

Vendor Love:

Dresses: Miss Ruby Boutique // Jewelry Design: Miakoda Jewelry // Hair and Makeup: MKEbride // Floral Design and Set Styling: Shop Ursa // Tin Type Photographer: Margaret Muza // Delicious Pastries: Batches Mke // "Bride + Groom" Laura and Teddy // Venues: The Cooperage, Taco Moto, Boone & Crockett // Photography: yours truly of course!

Cave Point, Door County

Needing a little inspo for your outdoor boho wedding? Well, here you go! Check out this fabulous Door County wedding spot. It's pretty much the dreamiest.

Vendor love:

Dress: Mink Maids //  Hair and makeup: Cait Ciaccio // Paper and Tapestry: Coqui Paperie // Floral design: The Red Petal // Jewelry design: Miakoda Jewelry //  Rentals: Vintique Rental // Day of Coordinator: Lu + Birch // Video: Thorne Ciné // Getting Ready/Prep: Enchanteau Salon // Location:  Cave Point, Door County // Models: Anna + Colton.

Emma and Ross

January 20, 2018

Emma and Ross made their wedding day so magical by not losing site of what is important to them. After getting ready, we went to their Wauwatosa home where Ross anxiously awaited his first look with his soon to be wife. After some vip cat family portraits, we took an adventure around the city to all the meaningful spots that have been a crucial part in forming their relationship. Getting to take portraits at Club Brady by the bathroom where they first made out, priceless :) I love when my couples are true to themselves, it gives them one of a kind images, and isn't that how it should be? Take a look and see!

Flowers:  Wood Violet // Dress + Accesssories: BHLDN // Groom's Suit: Custom from Men's Wearhouse // Hair: Roselle Gaddi // Makeup: Theresa Balistreri // Event Coordinater: Heather Farr // Limo: Blackline Limousines // Caterer: Zilli Catering // Doughnuts: Cranky Al's // Macaroons: Le Reve // DJ: Sound By Design // Reception Venue: Cuvee // First look with Dad: Kimpton Journeyman Hotel //

Wildstone Wellness

I get to meet and know some truly amazing people in my work. And I have to share Melissa Hale with you. Her company Wildstone Wellness offers services for yoga, psychotherapy, emotional empowerment, and she is also a death and dying coach. All important services for this world that we all can benefit from. We all have our own stories that make up our lives, and who we are. However, sharing our stories is not always easy, so I'm ultimately grateful for those who do, and do it to help serve others. Please visit Melissa's website here to find out more about her and the services she offers. In the meantime here are some photos I had the honor of taking for her branding. 

Keely and Nate

34 degrees + Splashing in Lake Michigan for a moody photo? Most possibly my bravest couple to date, and I LOVE THEM! We had so much fun exploring our beautiful city together for this session. I love making engagement shoots genuinely true to each couple, so that their personalities and love for each other come through authentically in the images. Keely and Nate have such a cool style, it's a mix of bohemian and polished, modern and vintage, yin and yang, a little this and a little that :) And I love how their day unfolded. Here are some of my fav moments!

Teresa & Bobby

Teresa and Bobby tied the knot at Milwaukee's Tripoli Shrine Temple (Check this place out, it's based on the Taj Mahal India- way to go Mke)! After the intimate ceremony among close friends and family, Bobby took Teresa to a skate park and showed her some of his sweet moves! It was pretty much the most adorable thing I think anyone at a skate park has ever witnessed. The beautiful day ended at their home with a backyard celebration to be sure their doggy was included in all the love. Check out some of my fav moments from their big day in the gallery below.

dress: Badgley Mischka // flowers: Teresa's garden // venue: Tripoli Shrine Temple

Stephanie and Tyler

Venue: Schlitz Audobon Nature Center // Flowers: Avenue Bloom // Dresses and headpiece: Miss Ruby // Hair: Stephanie of Charlie's Design Suite // Makeup: Jessica of Primp Beauty // Menswear: Jos A. Bank // DJ: Sound By Design