Jamie Neilsen Photography: The Blog » Newborn

Elmore Family | Bellevue Botanical Gardens | Seattle Family Photographer

Jamie — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:47:33 +0000

When I show up for a photo shoot I really have no idea what will happen. I may have an idea about what my clients will be wearing and if any special props will be involved but nothing much beyond knowing who will show up and roughly what ages they’ll be. What usually unfolds is I quickly scan my clients for size and move-ability then scan our location for a good place to start. I never start in the “best” place first. I usually pick an “easy” location where the need for posing is minimal. It sounds something like, “hey let’s sit in this patch of grass for a minute” or “how about we lean against that wall” or “I’m going to stand over there. Can you walk towards me?”. Easy-peasy. It’s a little like a first date in the way we build up the act. At first, everyone is on their best behavior and very polite. But soon enough, if it’s a good date (an it’s always a good date), you start to see the equivalent effect of a couple glasses of wine. I do like my clients to have a good time! By then end, I hardly need to tell them to do anything at all. I just let the magic unfold in front of me and stand ready to capture it.

And this is pretty much how I live my life. On the go, in the moment, and fully flexible. It makes me feel good to indulge in not having it all figured out. Following instincts and obeying intuition is an act that helps me get through most situations with confidence and creativity. It helps that I have partners and clients in my life that allow me to live and work this way. When I act boldly, without fear, I earn trust. And there’s a special magic that happens when my value’s match up with someone else’s. We reach a sweet spot where we all come alive and create something special. A bond. A connection. A smile. A beautiful memory. A series of photographs that tell an entire story about who we are right now. And it makes me really happy.

Kelsey, it was so lovely to see you and your growing family again. Thank you for wandering through the Bellevue Botanical Gardens with me despite the heat and swarms of mosquitoes. I hope you enjoyed every moment of togetherness as much as I did.

Kaitlyn | Newborn | Seattle Family Photographer

Jamie — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:42:17 +0000

My life right now isn’t nearly as exciting or exhausting as it must be for a family who just welcomed a second baby into their home. But the truth is, my life is cycling through some major transitions and I think I might know what it feels like to be delighted and energized, filled up and lifted up, even when you are working hard. Even when you are exhausted. A new baby, a new life, the next chapter of a “choose your own adventure” story. They all come with those days where you’re too exhausted to sleep and too excited to think. I’m discovering self awareness in the chaos and an upgrade to the way my heart and soul processes the world around me. I’m learning that I’m more capable and powerful than I ever realized and that makes me feel more confident to love joyfully and work smarter instead of harder.

This session, like all my sessions, gives me the unique opportunity of being a spectator in a room full of wisdom. I watch as people love and relax; teach and share; laugh and scream. So many ways to communicate, savor and dream. The second baby requires just as much work as the first but the parents seem much less concerned about screwing up. They know which mistakes must be avoided and which disasters are easily resolved. No sleep, is a game they’ve perfected and where they were once tentative and awkward about the first tiny being they held in their arms, they’ve now learned to do it one handed while flipping laundry and being crashed into by a toddler all while singing the ABC’s and updating the social network. They’ve learned that this path is most easily followed when their heart leads the way and the lessons are slowly discovered in layers.

Julie and Sam, congratulations on your newest edition. Kaitlyn is a doll, just like her big sister. Thank you for so many opportunities to be your family photographer and watch your family grow. It’s truly an honor.

Kameron | Brand New | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Jamie — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:57:16 +0000

I was driving back from Oregon after a fun-filled weekend of photo shoots, farmers markets and meeting new friends and families. My love tank was full…overfull if you believe that’s possible. And the day wasn’t even done. There was just enough time to stop at home to shower before I headed back out to meet one of the newest members of the universe, Baby Kameron James. In a matter of hours I would be thoroughly blissed out.

Has it really been a year since their engagement photos at the Arboretum? I remember sitting in Erica and Robert’s living room last summer looking through their wedding portraits and planning their album when Erica let it slip that she thought she might be pregnant. Sure enough, just a short time later is was Facebook official. No matter how many times I hear that news or meet a newborn babe, I’m still in absolute wonder at the whole amazing process of creating a human being and delivering it to the world.

Those first few days at home with a new family are extraordinarily special to witness and I like to get in and capture it all as early as possible. Watching them, watching him. Holding our collective breath in anticipation of every nose scrunch, eye flutter, toe curl and back arch. At just a few days old, Kameron was wide awake and bright eyed for his very first photo shoot. Tiny fingers. Cute little ears. Soft little nose. Every inch of his almost 20″ frame was inspected through my lens so they’d never forget the beautiful tininess of what one can only imagine will be a very big life.

Erica and Robert, thank you for sharing so many important milestones with me. It has been so inspiring to watch your love and family grow all of these years. I can’t wait to see you for another round of family portraits soon.

Spencer | 4 Days Young | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Jamie — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:05:09 +0000

I was sipping tea at a girlfriend’s house when I got the news. A little chirp on my phone let me know that a 6lbs 15ozs SPENCER was born! Some of you might remember Sadie and Rob’s maternity session that took place back in October. When I arrived at their home on day four to meet their new bundle of joy, photographs from that crisp Fall day were already hanging on the walls. I love seeing that.

Breakfast for lunch sizzled in the kitchen while Spencer filled his belly in the living room. An undressed Christmas Tree stood tall in the corner with boxes of decorations scattered about. Her nesting instinct said, “get everything ready before baby arrives,” but on second thought, Sadie had visions of Spencer being around for that tradition. So they waited. What a wonderful way to start baby’s first Christmas.

I don’t imagine they’ll be having any silent nights for awhile. So instead, may your days be filled with comfort and joy….Oh tidings of comfort and joy.

Sarah | Two Weeks | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Jamie — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:19:45 +0000

Oh yes, she’s cute. Oh yes, she’s tiny. Sweet little Sarah was such a doll to photograph. And while I’ve photographed plenty of newborns before, this session was a unique experience for me. You see, a couple of months ago, I attended a photography conference where I met a few ladies from the Soaring in Seattle photography group. I was so flattered to hear that they had been following my blog and were already fans on Facebook. These ladies had the nicest things to say and a whole lot of questions about how I do what I do. It’s so great to be able to talk to other creative professionals about what it takes to be a successful professional photographer – it’s not like there’s a water cooler for us weirdos! We were instantly friends and I was eager to reconnect. About a month later, Julie asked me if I would be a guest photographer for their next meet-up and demonstrate a newborn session! I’m not gonna lie, I squealed a little inside because, one: newborn sessions are so sweet and two: talking nerdy about photography makes me really happy. Even cooler, Sarah’s hot mama is a photographer and member of the Soaring in Seattle group too! We cranked the heat, rearranged furniture and spread out in Allison’s beautiful living room with giant windows and the most wonderful natural light. Sarah had her first paparazzi moment with all our cameras clicking at her. Even big brother got in on the action! Thank you ladies for inviting me to make beautiful pictures with you. Enjoy…

Click to watch the slide show!

Newborn Conor | 7 Days Young

Jamie — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:27:57 +0000

Being a newborn photographer is a pretty cool job. Beyond the obvious perks of smelling fresh babe, kissing tiny feet and petting their soft soft skin, you’re on “the list”. You know the list – the one that all the close family and friends are on. The list includes all the people who are immediately contacted with the good news: Our baby has arrived! And then, I typically get first dibs on visiting the newly expanded family. I beat out best-friends and brothers for a peek into those precious first few days at home with their tiny, new bundle of joy.

The work I do here is important. Not just because I’m preserving the memory of his tininess but because these are the pictures that will become baby announcements and introduce him to friends and family near and far. These are the pictures they’ve been waiting nine months to see! These are the pictures that say, he’s finally here, he’s beautiful and we love him sooo much. Friends and family, I’m delighted to introduce the newest member of the Olson family, sweet baby Conor!

To see more of this sweet babe, check out the slide show!

Click to view the slide show!

Stella | Three Weeks

Jamie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:19:20 +0000

“For a long time there were only your footprints & laughter in our dreams & even from such small things, we knew we could not wait to love you forever.” –Story People

About a month ago Julie and Sam’s family grew by two feet! Their precious baby, Stella, lights up a room in a way that her name implies. She didn’t sleep a wink during our whole session despite two feedings, cuddles, cooing and a swaddle which makes me think she was probably just as excited as we were for her very first photoshoot. Her parents are so in love with her and even though they probably haven’t slept much and their schedlues are upside down, they smiled from head to toe and truly glowed with Stella in their arms. I left their home with extreme baby fever. Proceed with caution or you might catch the same!

Click to view the slideshow!

Baby Will | Newborn & Family Portraits

Jamie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:15:56 +0000

If you were to ask me what it’s like to be an on location family photographer, I’d tell you it’s a lot like being invited to a party and peeking in the host’s medicine cabinet…but a lot less creepy. I get invited into homes of people I’ve just met. I kick off my shoes and play with their children. They let me peek in all their private rooms and find pieces of them, bathed in beautiful light. I see their joy and vulnerabilities. I see their prize possessions and bread crumbs on the table. And, they ask me, this person they’ve just met, to capture this moment forever. It’s an intimate business, we photographers are in.

Fiends, I’d like you to meet Baby Will, the newest member of the Wright Family. He has all ten fingers and toes, big blues eyes and a cute little nose. There’s no doubt about it, he has a big fan club. Every member of this family is simply in love with him and can’t keep their eyes off of him….

I’m pretty sure I’ve got at least ten pictures of Will’s little feet. He’s just the sweetest boy…

And this just melts my heart the way they look into each other…

Do they love him or what!? Those expressions say so much. I wish I had a picture like this of me with my siblings….

I think Will’s mama said this was his first time on his tummy! He’s so completely alert. He really wanted to model for his first shoot…

Another fav coming up. Mama’s gentle smile, cuddling her baby, and oh my, those toes again!

Alas, I think we finally tuckered him out…

It was wonderful to meet you and your family, Baby Will. I hope you love your first pictures and don’t forget to check out the rest of the session by viewing the slide show!