Photographing the Pence family this summer was one of those sessions that felt especially meaningful because it was spent with dear friends. If you’ve followed along with my business for very long, you’ve probably seen me collaborate with Jessica from JP STYLE CO. over the years. We’ve worked together on countless projects, celebrated so many milestones together, and this summer I had the joy of photographing one of the biggest milestones yet as she and Dustin welcomed their second son, sweet James.
James was just three weeks old when we met for his newborn session, and as I looked through my camera, I couldn’t help but think back to photographing his big brother Jack at almost the exact same age. One funny thing both boys have in common is that neither one wanted to sleep through their newborn session. They were both wide awake, taking in everything around them, and honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
One of the biggest misconceptions parents have before newborn photos is that their baby has to sleep through the entire session in order for us to create beautiful images. While sleepy newborn portraits are certainly lovely, they are by no means the only kind of images we’ll create. Some babies are naturally more curious and simply don’t want to miss what’s happening around them. As long as your baby is content, comfortable, and safely snuggled, we can capture beautiful photographs whether their eyes are open or closed.
My goal during every newborn session is never to force a baby to sleep. Instead, I focus on creating a calm, relaxed environment where your family can simply slow down and soak in these first few weeks together. Those little stretches, bright eyes, tiny expressions, and quiet cuddles become part of your baby’s story, and they’re often some of my favorite images in the entire gallery.
Watching Jessica and Dustin become a family of four was such a gift, and documenting another milestone for friends who mean so much to me made this session even sweeter. It’s relationships like these that remind me just how fortunate I am to do what I love and to continue walking alongside families through so many chapters of their lives.
Explore more family photos like this session & let’s connect on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments & a look at my latest photos! Reach out to plan your Kankakee newborn photos today!
Kankakee Newborn Photographer | Kankakee Newborn Photos | Kankakee Photography Studio | Kankakee Natural Light Photography Studio
