One of my greatest privileges in my work is photographing a family welcoming a new life. Through my Baby’s First Year packages, I photograph babies every three to six months to document their growth and personalities come to life. I had the joy of photographing Eleanor throughout her first year. We started out with the first three sessions in the comfort of the clients’ home and ventured out to a lilac farm and then a historic home for the last two sessions. To preserve and display this collection of photos, we designed a Baby’s First Year album with their favorite photos from each session. This is a great way to commemorate and celebrate all of the milestones within that first year. See below for highlights from each session with this precious little one. At the end of this post, Eleanor’s mom Rachel, a marriage and family therapist, shares some insightful words about her journey to motherhood. Don’t miss it!

— Newborn —

— 3 months —

— 6 months —

— 9 months —

— 1 year —

Q& A with Eleanor’s mom!

Q: What has your transition to motherhood felt like?

My transition to motherhood has felt like a mix of so many emotions — gratitude, humility, joy, grief, fear, anxiety. It has been an invitation to hold the beautiful, challenging tension of loving our life together before Eleanor, and also so grateful for the gift of becoming parents to this expressive, curious little girl. 

Q: What's your favorite part about this current season with your baby? The hardest part?

I absolutely love watching her learn new things and surprise herself. It is the greatest joy to watch her discover the world and in turn learn who God created her to be. The hardest part is the constant change. I love routine and knowing what to expect, so every time I think we’ve learned a thing or two it changes again. 

Q. What advice do you have for other new moms or those planning for a baby?

Get to know yourself and your internal experience — What are you afraid of? What are you excited about? What do you need? What do you long for? — and communicate it with your people. Babies are a gift, but they don’t solve problems or make life easier. Ask for help. Know your limitations. Keep showing up for yourself.