Pseudo-newborn portraits

Originally this session was supposed to be my black-and-white, nude, 8-month belly portrait. Then it got changed to Gavin's newborn portrait, although technically he is out of the newborn phase because he is 5 weeks old (he'll be 6 weeks old on Friday!). So, for technicality sake, let's call it his "welcome home" portrait.

I found a wonderful local photographer, Megan Parker, who does great professional work at very reasonable rates. She also has a NICU story and two healthy young sons. She reached out to me and told me her story after I called to cancel my maternity shoot. Her 7-month old was in the NICU when he was born and our original birth plans, that obviously did not go accordingly, were very similar. Nothing like premature babies to bring new friends together!

Below are a few proofs from our session this afternoon. I haven't seen them all yet, but I am excited about how they are turning out. This was also our first outing as a family of three. Packing the diaper bag was like preparing for a 4-day trek into the backcountry! Highlights of the outing include Gavin peeing all over me in between shots. I had him swaddled in the second of the two blankets we brought. He had already peed on the first one when we changed his diaper.

On our way home we made a visit to our favorite NICU nursery, where I dropped off a "Thank You" basket filled with baked goods, teas, coffee and some wildflower seeds. All-in-all our first outing was a success. The real test is tomorrow and Thursday. Tomorrow will be my first day to fly solo! Casey goes back to work so it will be just me, the kiddo, and the mutts. Then Thursday I take Gavin to his first pediatrician visit. I am already anxious about the thought of fussing with the car seat, packing the diaper bag and what to do in the event I have to feed him or change him while in public.