You wouldn’t believe how many folks ask for newborn sessions. I ADORE new babies and new mommies with all that joy.. but without fail my immediate response is “I would absolutely LOVE to.. but no way” [unless they absolutely forced my hand] I mean.. I am so terrible at it. I feel like I’ve got a good grip on couples.. seniors.. none moving, predictable subjects.. but kids [eh].. newborns [no way]. There is a GIFT that newborn photographers have that I was just not blessed with. The typical newborn photography with the propping and the cute hats and the precious sleeping.. i love it.. but just can’t do it. So, over the last year I’ve turned down far too many session… for the clients sake. 
Until now.. I feel like I’ve been looking at the newborn photography I love and trying to copy it.. and failing every time. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out that copying never ever works..
I’ve been going though my WPPI journal from 2011′s show and finding some great insight I had completely forgotten about.. here’s a quote I wrote down from Jesh De Rox that fits perfectly with my new realization
“if you want to make work that moves people, you have to be moved while creating it”
Wow.. this is so true and exactly what I needed to hear. It totally moves me when a mother cuddles her baby.. when the new mom and dad stare at their little bundle over the crib banister.. when they laugh at ever. little. face. he. makes. This is the stuff that moves me and THIS is the stuff that I want to capture. Just today I ran into a friend from high school that is just the cutest little pregnant girl ever. She asked if I’d shoot her newborns and for the first time in a LONG time.. i said yes! Still begrudgingly.. plagued by the insecurity of the newness.. but I still said yes. Partly because I had been begged to shoot another friend’s newborn session last week [even after explaining to her that it's not going to be what she expects].. but she still said yes and I just love what happened next. THIS is my new born photography.. THIS is my style + my art.. now I’m ready to say yes. Thanks to Jordan [the mother below] for forcing my hand and making me say yes.. you did more than you know!
Bring on the babies!!!
Lori, these images are beautiful and I love YOUR style of portraits and it flows through to your newborn photography. The Daniels family is very blessed to have these moments captured during such a wonderful time for their family.