I can’t prove it using my math degree or my massive spreadsheet skills (yes, I have them!), but if my last few months as a Needham Newborn Photographer serve as an indicator, we’re in the midst of a baby boom.
The Boston Globe actually noted it recently, so I’m not making this up. Indeed, almost every week this spring and summer I was lucky to photograph a new sweet human withins weeks of arrival. After the longest year ever, being able to participate in and capture these moments of joy was simply glorious.
Needham Newborn Photographer
New parents have many of the same questions about what makes for a meaningful and stress-free newborn photo session.
We live in a world where gorgeous images sometimes depict life as curated, lovely and joyful all the time. While bringing a new child into the world is indeed wonderful, it’s not easy! I know you’re exhausted and the house may be messy. Of course it takes a lot for you to feed your baby, take a shower, and get ready for me to arrive. The baby may be sleeping, fussy, and hungry. Siblings might be jumping all around. The dog might sniff me nonstop.
Take your time. My newborn photo sessions are designed to elicit your authentic life. You’ve hired me to capture images of the early days when your family grew and changed. I’m here to put the beauty of a newborn baby into images for you. I’m not taking images for a celebrity photo spread, so perfection isn’t necessary.
Q: Where do you want to take the photos?
A: Anywhere. I’ve taken images in a crib, nursery, home office, primary bedroom, front porch, living room, sun porch, backyard and even the kitchen! Perhaps you have a specific spot you’d love to capture (“I always want to remember Johnny’s first crib)? You probably have places where the sunlight streams in perfectly. You may have a family item that should be included.
We move around your space as needed to elicit the best images of your real life. And none of them need a big cleaning beforehand. I know how to shuffle laundry out of the way for 3 minutes. I’m a mom, too!
Oh, but there’s a spot that’s off limits? No problem.
Q: What should we wear? Can I use a few outfits?
A: Anything you want! And, yes, many clients often change their baby. I love getting a few naked belly shots! Sometimes there’s a family item, like a blanket, that we use. Think about what might make these images meaningful to you in the years ahead. We’ll work it all in.
Q: How can we involve our other children?
A: In as many ways as you’d like! Welcoming a newborn is a family affair. We’ll capture images of your new baby and leave plenty of time to include siblings, pets, stuffed animals, toys and more. Remember: My goal is to capture your authentic life at this very moment in time.
Q: Can grandparents participate?
A: Yes! If you have family visiting, we’re not going to miss the chance to include them in these moments.
Want to know more? Let’s connect. Newborn sessions fill my soul and having the chance to help other parents capture these early moments is truly my life’s gift.
I’m ready to meet you and your family.
Cara Soulia is a Boston Family Photographer who specializes in newborn photography, family photography, maternity photography and more. See more of Cara’s work on her blog or get in touch to schedule your session.
WOW! Summer 2021 was a non-stop adventure. I’m exhausted, are you?
As a Boston Family Photographer and a mom to three kids myself, I looked forward to a more-normal-than-usual summer complete with camps, road trips (we rented an RV!) and family vacations. I planned ahead, aiming for carefree days re-connecting with friends and family.
Luckily, I also had a ton of time to devote to photo sessions for new and existing clients. And, man, we had FUN!
Boston Family Photographer
The best part about being a Boston family photographer in the summer is that people have more energy than usual.
We New Englanders know what winter brings. Cold exists. Like, for real. So summer is for the taking, right?
That warm air and sunshine breathes creativity into location scouting. Family evening at the beach? Sure, I did that. Meet up at the local botanical garden? Yup! Fun in your backyard? Perfect for me.
Not only did I get to travel around my area more and experience great locations, which I loved after 15 months of staying local, I witnessed a whole new level of joy and freedom in my client’s lives.
Family reunions in abundance, grandparents joining sessions left and right (they were visiting!), newborns arriving every single week. Perhaps the most exciting part of the summer was the number of times I congratulated expecting parents at the maternity photo session. The future feels bright. I am so grateful to help remember important occasions with authentic and emotive images.
Family. Love. Connection. Joy. Fresh Air. Sun.
Thank you, Summer 2021, for bringing all of these things – and more – to me, my family, my business and the families that I am privileged to meet. Don’t be a stranger.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Cara Soulia is a Boston Family Photographer who specializes in newborn photography, family photography, maternity photography and more. See more of Cara’s work on her blog or get in touch to schedule your session.
Ten years ago, when I chose to give up my career in finance and pursue my passion to become a Boston Family Photographer, my children were still quite young. Charlie, in fact, wasn’t even a concept, let alone the bubbling little five year old I’m still chasing around.
Because my life revolved around babies and young kids, I didn’t think much about how a family evolves – and emotions deepen – as kids grow up. But here I am ten years later with two teenagers in my house. And, like you’ll see in this session with a fantastic Needham family, I’m well aware that I need to soak up all I can before they leave the nest.
Boston Family Photographer
Thomas, 18, is headed to college.
Yeah. If you’re a parent to younger children, let that soak in.
And as his mother, Jean, will tell you: It came fast. Real fast.
Overnight it seems her three children became young adults! During this session (held at my favorite spot, of course) I felt like I was watching my own family in a few years.
Thomas has grown from her little boy to an amazing young man about to begin his future. He’s moving into dorms in just a few weeks! OMG!
Sisters Caroline, 16, and Nora, 13, aren’t far behind.
So that’s why Jean reached out to me. Their family hadn’t had family photos taken in ages, she said. Now is the time, before the first one leaves the nest.
It’s true. Families that invest in family photography often book with me annually when their children are really young. But the consistency tapers off as the kids age.
This makes sense. Families get busier, kids get awkward and uninterested, and it seems like “there’s plenty of time.”
But that time flies. Don’t miss the chance to capture your family during the teen years. They’re changing even more. You just might not see it as dramatically as when they were babies.
I promise: The results are worth it.
Congratulations to the Dies family on creating a beautiful family. It was an honor to capture your love.
Cara Soulia is a Boston Family Photographer who specializes in newborn photography, family photography, maternity photography and more. See more of Cara’s work on her blog or get in touch to schedule your session.
Today I realized that I do not have any recent, amazing images of my mother.
My own mother.
The mother who has always been there for me, during every stage of my life. The person who supports me and every single one of my crazy ideas and big life dreams. The “Gigi” who always makes time to read a book or play games with her grandchildren. (or, in the last year, who made the time to play babysitter over zoom when I needed it most!)
How many other Boston Family Photographers don’t have a great image of their mom from the last year?
Don’t make this mistake. This Mother’s Day, be sure to find your favorite image of your mom. And if it’s not perfect, call me. Let’s make sure you get one, pronto.
Boston Family Photographers
Yes, it’s totally a Cobbler’s Shoes moment. I photograph amazing mothers every day. New moms, moms-to-be, moms of multiples, moms of toddlers, teens and more.
This recent image of mom Stephanie and her three boys, including newborn Chase, is one of my new favorites.
But how have I never made sure I have images of my own mother? Can you tell that the first image in this post is almost a decade old and was a snap-it-quick from my iPhone!? Yeah. It’s not great.
As a mom of three myself, I feel like I can relate to all the emotions that swirl as a family participates in a photo session.
Is the baby cold? Is my toddler looking at the camera? Where is my preschooler? Are my teens showing how grumpy they are or are they smiling?
I try to put everyone at ease. We’re simply here to take some images of your life. And life is life. It’s not posed, perfect, and we’re almost never wearing all white.
As Mother’s Day approaches this year, I took a few minutes to scroll through images of clients with their children and I’ve included them in this post.
While we all see something different when we look at an image, I’ll share the one thing that I see in each of these photos: Comfort.
So, here’s my thought for Mother’s Day 2021: Do what makes you comfortable. Love yourself, your children, your moms, grandmothers, aunts and more.
And if you want to make sure to get an image of that comfort and of the relationship that binds you, let me know. A gift certificate for a photo session is a lovely promise of a fun time later this spring or summer. The perfect item for someone whom you may not have seen enough this last year and likely want to connect with more than ever.
Cara Soulia is a Boston Family Photographer who specializes in newborn photography, family photography, maternity photography and more. See more of Cara’s work on her blog or get in touch to schedule your session.
I know. You want to see the adorable newborn, don’t you? You want the image of the sweet, new, eyes-still-closed baby that is so amazing that you can smell him, right?
It’s coming.
But first: The big brothers. The brothers steal the show. What a great time this Needham Newborn Photographer had meeting this lovely family of now three beautiful boys!
Needham Newborn Photographer
Welcome, Chase.
You lucky boy. You’ve joined a family that is so ready to love you with all the love in their hearts.
And this Needham Newborn Photographer is so glad she got to witness it in action.
Like everyone, Chase’s family has had a LOT of together time this year. With both parents working from home and juggling two young boys, the months leading up to Chase’s arrival were already busy.
You wouldn’t know it, though, if you met these parents. They say that a third baby is often the easiest. I’m not sure that’s true, but I can definitely say this sweet family took their photo session in stride. All smiles, lots of excitement and plenty of joy.
I say it every time, but it bears reminding. My intention in a newborn session is to photograph your life, your home, and your family within weeks of a new baby’s arrival. I’m here to capture your real life in this very moment.
I don’t pose babies. We don’t fancy things up for a portrait. Sure, dress nicer (I know you’ve barely slept). Shower if you’d like. Brush your hair and teeth. Don’t obsessively clean! We’ll clear off cluttered spaces if needed.
My newborn sessions aren’t fake. They’re authentic, like you.
I come into your home as it is. We’ll take a walk around the areas you’re using right now: your kitchen, nursery, sibling rooms (see below!), and yes, that quiet space where you hopefully find time each day to peacefully relax and snuggle with your newborn.
I’m here to capture it all. I’m a mom, too. If you’re hiring me for your first baby, I know you’re thrilled, exhausted, amazed and overwhelmed at once. I’ve been there. We’ll take our time and take images slowly as we go.
But, like this mom, I have three kids. So I know what’s going on in your house! And, as you’ll see below, I know your older children are stoked that a photographer just showed up. And WOW! Did I luck out with Chase’s cute – and FUN! – older brothers or what?!
For this family, the future is bright.
Cara Soulia is a Needham Newborn Photographer who specializes in newborn photography, family photography, maternity photography and more. See more of Cara’s work on her blog or get in touch to schedule your session.
