Houston at-home newborn photography: life begins with Judah

The Ashworth family welcomes Judah Pax, baby boy number two!

This session was a first of sorts for me as a newborn photographer – I’ve never taken photos for another photographer before! Leah shoots a wider variety of sessions than I do, although she prefers the fast pace of wedding days, whereas I will take a slower maternity or newborn session any day!

I really enjoyed working with her to ensure she has beautiful memories of life with a toddler and a newborn. The early days can be challenging as you learn to juggle two children and help your oldest adjust to the new baby. Newborn sessions are the perfect reminder that there is so much beauty in this phase, even when it can feel hard.

Baby snuggles and a happy toddler!

We kicked off Judah’s newborn session with the entire family in the master bedroom, which was a dream to photograph in with the white walls and white comforter. All of that white acts as a natural reflector to add brightness to everyone’s faces, creating some incredibly gorgeous portraits. Judah slept soundly while Leif popped in and out of photos when he wasn’t busy playing with his toys! I truly love this aspect of at-home sessions; little kiddos are free to do their own thing while I work with mom, dad and baby… which takes the pressure off of everyone and makes for a happy toddler, too!

For the first series of images, Leah wore my favorite ivory lace gown that works perfectly for maternity and newborn sessions because of how gracefully it drapes over mama’s curves. Her long, soft curls and makeup went perfectly with the gown and she’s totally rockin’ that new mama glow!

View Judah’s gorgeous in-home newborn session sneak peek below!

Aaron and Leif are in blue, with dad in a solid color and Leif in a plaid shirt. The simplicity of baby Judah in a plain white onesie and a solid green swaddle truly makes this session timeless!

We also made time for breastfeeding photos while Leah was in this nursing-friendly gown. Any position mama prefers works well for nursing photos, but I personally love the side lay so that mom and baby can relax together.

Sweet moments at home with mama and baby

The huge window along one wall of the master bedroom was the perfect spot for a few photos of Leah and Judah after a quick outfit switch for her. She changed into my light pink gown that works well on or off the shoulder, which means it’s also nursing-friendly!

These mama and baby photos next to a window are always some of my favorites because they require so little direction… I simply ask mama to love on her baby and these magical, authentic moments just happen! That soft smile as Leah looks down at her son… it’s just the natural happiness of motherhood.

Just the boys

We rounded out our time together with a bunch of sweet photos with Aaron and his sons. Remember I mentioned that Leah is a photographer too? That really helped out with this series of photos! Leif was starting to get a little sleepy (it was almost time for lunch and probably a nap!), so he was hesitating to snuggle up with his dad and little brother.

When I exhausted every trick in my book, Leah left the room for a second and came back with a bag of marshmallows – the perfect bribery tool for a toddler! How did we con Leif into kissing his dad so sweetly on the cheek for a few photos?

With a marshmallow “hidden” in dad’s ear for Leif to find, of course!!

It was hilarious and it made for some adorably precious memories! It’s a new trick I’m filing away for more sessions with toddlers, all thanks to Leah’s brilliance! When you have two photographers in a room, magic can definitely happen – even with sleepy, hungry kiddos!

Leah and Aaron make the transition from one to two kids look so beautiful and easy in these photos! It was a joy to spend time with the Ashworth family and make memories with their handsome sons.

View Judah’s in-home newborn session below!