Jenny & Sam welcome baby Claire Marie in this gorgeous rainbow baby photo session
“Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds, and the fiercest winds, there is still beauty.” – Katrina Mayer
This is definitely one rainbow baby newborn session I couldn’t wait to photograph!
Jenny reached out to me earlier this year to schedule her maternity session. She and her husband Sam were anxious to celebrate the upcoming birth of their second daughter, Claire Marie. I first met Jenny when we were students at Texas A&M together. It was wonderful to catch up with her during her maternity session and celebrate her baby girl on the way.
Don’t miss Jenny’s day-after-session sneak peek video!
Claire Marie is the second daughter for Jenny and Sam. Her big sister Mary Grace passed away last year, and Claire Marie is the answer to so many prayers. I cried happy tears the day Jenny texted me a photo of Claire Marie, followed by her birth stats. One thing is for certain: no little girl has ever been so loved!
A beautiful newborn in a tiny flower crown
When I brought my first daughter home, one of my favorite things was to dress her up in all her brand new tiny outfits. She came home weighing just over six pounds and even the newborn clothes looked big on her.
Jenny reminded me so much of myself as we started her photo session. Claire Marie was sleeping peacefully in her Mamaroo when I arrived, so we gently transferred her to my padded, comfy Moses basket. Then it was time for Jenny to enjoy being a girl mom with lots of tiny headbands, bows and flower crowns!
We spent probably the first 45 minutes just swapping out tiny accessories as Claire Marie slept peacefully, snuggled in an ivory wrap. This was probably my favorite part of being with Jenny during her session: watching her taking such joy in simply swapping out headbands for her newborn daughter. It was clear there was nothing else she’d rather be doing than spending time with Claire Marie, watching her sleep.
I photographed Jenny holding her daughter around the sweetest nursery, a gorgeous room Jenny decorated so beautifully just for Claire. It was such an easy, peaceful morning with a joyful mama and sleeping baby!
Jenny’s floral print maxi dress was such a gorgeous choice for this photo session. We kept baby girl in a very neutral ivory swaddle so that Claire wouldn’t clash with mama’s pretty dress. Sam’s blue dress shirt and jeans also complimented mama’s outfit perfectly.
After working with Jenny for a bit, Sam joined us for the most precious daddy-daughter moments. I love how he is absolutely captivated by his daughter. Brand new parents never tire of just watching their babies rest peacefully, and Sam is no exception. You can see the pride shining in his eyes as he cuddles with his daughter.
Family photos in the master bedroom
I know it takes a little extra effort to get your master bedroom cleaned up for photos, but it’s definitely something I encourage every mama to plan for. I love changing up the look and feel of newborn photos by moving to the master bedroom.
There are almost always sweet memories hanging on the walls in the master. Usually you’ll find wedding photos and other happy memories. In Jenny and Sam’s case, I spotted photos of Jenny cuddled with Mary Grace framed on their dresser. With a big gorgeous mirror hanging above the dresser, I knew I could capture photos of Sam and Jenny holding Claire Marie, while including last year’s images of Mary Grace, too. 
This is probably my favorite photo of the entire session because it captures so much of Jenny and Sam’s lives together. You can see wedding photos hanging above their bed; there’s a framed photo on the dresser of Jenny holding Mary Grace last summer. The reflection of a joyful family of three brings it all together.
Some parents very intentionally involve their Angel during a rainbow baby newborn session; Jenny had a beautiful rainbow wrap that we draped over Claire Marie in the Moses basket. I knew Jenny would notice that both of her girls are pictured in this one photo, and I hope she can celebrate this moment with Claire when she’s older.
I also photographed the family cuddled together on the bed, as well as some solo shots of each parent there with Claire. Jenny has lots of lovely options to show off their first family photograph since Claire was born!
Mama in pink lace, baby in ivory
Jenny wore my ivory lace gown for her maternity session and she really loved how it fit. I have the same gown in a light pink, which I knew would be perfect for a newborn session celebrating a baby girl. Jenny looks amazing in this one too, and it looks so gorgeous next to Claire Marie in an ivory wrap.
Of course any photos of parents with their newborn will be precious, but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of wardrobe selection for these special photos. What makes Jenny’s images look so polished and stunning is how perfectly the color palette works. All of the colors, prints and textures come together well, without taking away from baby Claire Marie.
Jenny has so many personal things hanging on her walls, and I tried to work them into the background of her photos in the living room. Here you can see their initials on a shelf, as well as framed family photos, too.
I also photographed a series of daddy-daughter photos in the living room. I have a feeling these are the images that will flash in Sam’s mind on Claire Marie’s wedding day, years down the road! 
Up next: a family mini session when Claire Marie turns one!
A lot of life will happen before this adorable family of three is on the blog again! I’ll photograph them next when Claire Marie turns one. By then, Jenny will have a baby who can eat solid food, probably sleeps through the night, and might even be walking! There are so many happy memories to make in the meantime with their precious baby girl!
