WELCOME, BABY GIO!
Little Giovanni is Sammy’s very first baby, and mom was so excited to plan a photo session that shows off all of his adorable baby features and expressions! And this session was even more special because grandma was able to be a part of it, too.
One of the best things? We had plenty of time before the professional portrait session to discuss everything Sammy wanted to include in her little one’s portrait collection! During the initial consultation and planning sessions, mom let me know how much she loves the elegance of monotone styling using layers of white. She wanted to add neutral accents and lots of texture to create unique, one-of-a-kind images that celebrate her little boy.
ARTISTIC LAYERS OF TEXTURE
In the photo below, you can see how layers of white on white create a classic, elegant look that’s full of creativity and texture. Mom, dressed in a lovely peep-shoulder top and flowy white skirt, holds baby Giovanni (who will be called Gio), who’s wrapped snugly in a loosely knit white swaddle and wearing a coordinating cap. Together, mom and son look perfectly tranquil and serene in their paired outfits.
When planning what you’ll wear for photos with your newborn, simple is better. Think neutrals that can coordinate easily with a variety of backdrops, and lean toward minimal when accessorizing with necklaces, bracelets, and other items. Why? Because the goal is for you and your baby to stand out, and distracting accessories can take away from that. For more tips on how to prepare for your professional session, visit my website!
MOM, BABY & GRANDMA, TOO
Some of my very favorite (and sweetest!) photos are the ones that include grandparents, and that’s because grandparents are some of the most special people in children’s lives. As little Gio grows up, he will be lucky enough to have the love and attention of his grandma, and it’s important to capture grandma’s joy at his arrival, too.
A three-generation photo is always a special memento for the family to treasure. As we add new generations and little ones grow, it’s especially important to create photo memories that will turn into prized possessions as time passes.
IS SHE GRANDMA? OR ARE THEY SISTERS?
With grandma’s youthful looks and mom’s post-pregnancy glow, it’s hard to tell who’s who in the photo! Both ladies are absolutely stunning and gorgeous in their coordinating white outfits, long, dark hair, and camera-perfect make-up. And as they lovingly hold a sleepy baby Gio, their joy adds even more beauty. What a lovely photo to display in their homes and share with friends and loved ones!
GRANDMA & BABY
This is one seriously happy grandma. Holding her daughter Sammy’s very first baby, it’s clear that this little one will be getting plenty of love, attention, and even a little spoiling—just as soon as he wakes up.
Grandma lovingly holds precious Gio with crossed arms, his little cheek right next to hers, as she smiles down at him. She might even be whispering about all the adventures they’ll have as he grows up!
QUIET MOMENTS WITH HER NEW LITTLE BOY
Textures abound in the photo below. Sammy and Gio take a moment to relax on a soft, furry rug, and with mom’s gauzy dress and baby Gio’s loose-knit blanket wrap, everything comes together in a monotone layering of textures that results in a gorgeous and artistic portrait of mom and son lying cheek-to-cheek together.
There is so much you can do with monotone styling and texture! It all comes down to communication with the client and knowing what they’re looking for, knowing which shades and props to include, and how they want their newborn photos to look. Above all, it’s important for my clients to know that every newborn session is creatively custom styled using the decorating style and preferences of my clients.
RUSTIC STYLING & NEUTRAL TONES
While talking with mom during our consultation, she also told me she loves rustic styling with neutral tones, so we switched things up a bit and decided to go with primitive-style, wide plank flooring and a brown woven basket for baby Gio to lay in. Wrapped in a soft, woven blanket in creamy white, this little man sleeps soundly and shows off the finest little fuzz of hair atop his head.
The neutral colors and styling mom chose for Gio’s session means that every photo will work well for just about any décor, so she can give art portraits as gifts to friends and family to celebrate Gio’s arrival. And she can display his photos throughout her home so that, even as he grows, she can always look back on her baby boy at his very tiniest.
ALL TUCKED IN & READY TO DREAM
Sticking with the neutral theme, I moved precious Gio to a tiny mixed-metal baby bed where he looks adorable as he dreams the day away! And it must be a good dream, too, because he’s sharing a sweet smile as he’s tucked in tight atop layers of white and off-white against the same wide-plank flooring.
This is a perfect portrait for getting a good look at his round little baby cheeks as well. Just take a peek at his precious little face! Pretty soon he’ll grow and start to move around, and those chubby cheeks will turn to the thinner face of an on-the-go toddler—which is exactly why it’s so important to capture images of those first special days before your little one starts to change and grow.
THE SWEETEST LITTLE SMILE
And the cutest little button nose…and the tiniest little chin…and the most adorable little cheeks. With his white swaddle, white cap, and a soft white surface, this photo really focuses in on baby Gio’s face, and boy, is it an adorable face! It’s easy to see his very first baby expressions, and one of these days, when he’s covered with carrots (or pudding or cake), mom can look back at this precious, innocent moment and remember those very first adorable expressions.
CREATIVE NEWBORN PHOTO SESSIONS IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
I love working with my clients in and around the Gainesville area! I work with newborns, expecting mamas, and I do milestone sessions, too, so that you can create a keepsake timeline of your kiddos as they grow and learn and reach new ages and stages in their lives. If you want to learn more about what I do and how to get started, you can visit my website or reach out to me for information.
FINGERS & TOES, OH MY!
It doesn’t get much sweeter than tiny newborn baby fingers and toes, and this photo has a close-up of all of them, plus little Gio’s adorable sleeping face! Curled into the fetal position, which is still easy and natural for brand-new babies, he’s comfy and cozy as can be in this pod-style half wrap and twisty-top cap.
Brand-new mamas know that this is the tiniest he will ever be! Hands and feet that seem so itty-bitty right now will soon be playing with blocks and crawling around the house, but keepsake portraits are a great reminder of exactly how tiny your little one once was.
COZY BABY BOY IN A BASKET
For the ultimate natural, rustic look, we choose this square-shaped driftwood basket and layered it with a braided blanket. Setting it against the wide-plank flooring, baby Gio was then dressed in the cutest hand-knit newborn outfit with a coordinating bonnet. All of it came together perfectly to mix together neutral creams, off-whites, and tans in a beautiful look of layered textures.
The Andrea Sollenberger Studio is equipped with a large variety of props, fabrics, outfits and more that will make styling a breeze—no matter your preferences. And you never have to worry…we’ll go through everything together to make sure your session will turn out exactly how you want it to!
SLEEPY TUMMY TIME
Little Gio barely noticed when he lost his blanket wrap and ended up in his birthday suit. He was so comfortable that we just kept on working, and he kept right on sleeping. My studio is kept warm and cozy to keep my littlest clients comfortable, so he never even felt a chill as I positioned him for this cute “bottoms-up” photo that shows off his tiny baby arms, legs, and bum from the side view as he rests.
It was such a joy to work with this family and to meet sweet baby Gio! I love working with every tiny client, and I think it’s especially touching when grandparents are able to participate in photo sessions with their new grandbabies.
If you’re looking for a professional newborn or milestone photographer in the Gainesville, Florida, area, be sure to visit my website for more information. You can also read more of the blog to see full sessions and get ideas for your own photo shoot. And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see some of my favorite pictures and to get creative inspiration for your session. Contact me to get started!
I love, love, love these natural newborn baby pictures! And, there is no way that is grandma, they seriously look like sisters!
It’s so wonderful when grandparents hop into photos with babies. I just love this mother daughter photo too. This mom and her girl who is now a mom indeed look like they could easily be sisters, as you suggest. Gorgeous ladies and handsome newborn in neutral colors makes it so easy to swoon over their photos. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you Brandi!
Great family and newborn photography! Love the three generation pictures.
Thanks so much Georgia! Multi generation photos are always a special way to document the treasure of family! I am glad you loved this photo gallery. Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment!
These have got to be some of my most favorite newborn photographs. I love the neutrals and layered textures that mom picked out. What an asset to have a photographer that has an eye for the pleasingly, beautiful simple style. I also love the photos showing the newborns fingers and toes. They grow so fast, and it is a constant reminder of how tiny they really are at birth. Little Gio will cherish this photo of him with these two very important women in his life.
Thanks so much Susan! It is refreshing to hear your comments and I appreciate so much your high regard! I loved the beautifully simple newborn photos too!
So much love the white color choice. It gives the faces such a special highlight. The three generation pictures are so special and beautiful. The baby’s smile and peaceful sleep is such a treasure. Great job Andrea in capturing this important milestone!
This white newborn gallery has been so well received. I think you are exactly right Nadia, that the simple white color palette allows the baby’s face and the moms face to be such a special feature of each photo and literally pop with importance. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and your support. How I loved photographing newborn Gio!
Wow!!!! These newborn photos are breathtaking!!! If you hadn’t said anything, I would have thought mom & grandma were sisters! The neutral tones and white were the perfect choice for this baby boy, and I love the little rustic touches you added to his gallery. Mama has to be in tears over these gorgeous photos!
Thanks Michelle! Yes Mom and Grandma were in tears to see newborn photos that melted their hearts. They said Gio was captured as the perfect newborn that he is to them! It brings so much joy to see brand new love for every tiny brand new life that joins each family!
The neutral colors and rustic touches are perfect to showcase this precious baby!!! Every photo is breathtaking and will be treasured for years to come!!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this photo blog Marty! The whites and neutrals were a real hit and it was fun making elegant newborn photos for a baby boy! Thank you for your feedback!
Oh my stars, what an adorable newborn gallery. This family will cherish these images forever.
Oh Jody, this little boy stole my heart! He was precious to pose as a newborn and thoroughly cherished by mom and grandma and I think you are right that these photos will forever hold their hearts still. I am so glad you loved his baby photos!