Baby Shower Gift Guide
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of newborn sessions. I absolutely LOVE capturing your sweet new babes and the special glow of new mamas + dadas together. And even though I have a 9 month old, it’s giving me all the baby fever. So in the spirit of baby love, I’m rounding up all of my best ideas for baby gifts you (and your friends) will obsess over.
My Top 5 Favorite Baby Shower Gifts
All of my favorite baby gifts follow the same formula – it combines something practical with something fun! As a mom of 3, I know how important the useful registry item gifts are AND I know how much fun it is to pick out something cute for your friends.
- Diaper caddy stuffed with diapers, wipes, a cute swaddle and some fun late night feeding snacks for mom!
- Bathtime favorites: the necessary soaps and lotions plus a cute towel. I still cannot get over this little infant robe I saw at Target the other day.
- Any ‘boring’ registry item (infant’s tylenol, baby thermometer, diapers, you get the gist) and a cute new outfit.
- Bottles + burp rags and a gift card to mom’s favorite restaurant so she doesn’t have to make dinner.
- A family picture session to capture all of those special newborn moments! This is a great group gift that people can contribute to that mom will LOVE. Your newborn family pictures will last long beyond the diaper years to be cherished forever.
How do I book my Newborn Family Photo Session?
I would LOVE to take pictures of your growing family! If you’re interested in shooting with me, you can reach out to me here and we will get a time set up. I usually like to shoot within 2 weeks of baby’s birth to make sure we get all of the beautiful tiny baby details!
Some of my FAVORITE Newborn Sessions
Utah Family Pictures at Mona Lavender Fields
There are so many gorgeous locations in Utah to take family pictures. But the lavender fields in Mona are quickly becoming my favorite! The perfect summer family picture location, I am still dreamily reminiscing on this shoot months later!
The lavender fields absoluely shine during the summer – bursting into various shades of purples and blues, they offer the dreamiest backdrop for every family. Plus, lavender is a naturally soothing scent, creating a sense of calm during your session, which, let’s be honest, is a welcome addition when you’re taking family pictures with kids.
And speaking of kids, can you even handle these precious brothers???
Outdoor Newborn Family Pictures
Most of the time, parents request an indoor newborn session, so when the Carter family wanted to do a newborn family picture session at the Mona lavender fields I was ALL about it. Seriously – if you’ve been considering an outdoor newborn session, let this be your sign:
I would love to take your family pictures! If you’re interested in shooting with me, please reach out to me here or follow along with my work on Instagram.
More Family Pictures to Gush Over
Utah Newborn Family Picture Outfit Guide
Having a baby is one of life’s most joyous occasions! But let’s be honest – it can often be a stressful life change. But despite the sleepless nights & total schedule adjustments, you still want to freeze time. A newborn family picture session is the perfect way to capture the glowy, loving, slow and snuggly vibes of the newborn stage while it lasts. Photos of the tiny toes and scrunchy legs are memories you will look back on for the rest of your life and be *so* glad you have.
But the very LAST thing you need is for your newborn session to feel stressful. And finding outfits that work for you and your family postpartum can be a lot. So I’ve taken to the internet and found a selection of cute outfits you can copy — and here’s the best part: they’re all at the same place.
The convenience of the one-stop-shop for Utah newborn family picture outfits
Postpartum is a time for healing, bonding, and adapting to a new family dynamic. The last thing you need is the stress of hopping from store to store. By shopping at a single location, you’re reducing stress and saving time now and in the future if you have to make any returns.
So go ahead and book that newborn family picture session and leave the outfit sourcing to me!
Family Picture Outfits at H&M
Mom , Toddler/Young girl , Newborn , Boy, Dad
I would love to take your newborn family pictures! If you’re interested in shooting with me, please reach out to me here or follow along with my work on Instagram.
Other Family Outfit Helps
Life and Style Studio | Draper Newborn Photographer
Life and Style Studio | Draper Newborn Photographer
The Life and Style Studio is perfect for a Draper Newborn Photographer. This studio has incredible light, the most beautiful floors, walls and props. This is really convenient, especially for Lifestyle Newborn Sessions.
Why Choose a Studio for your Lifestyle Newborn Session?
Ease
For some families, the ease of showing up a perfectly cleaned and well lit studio is such a relief! Welcoming a new life into a home can be a bit overwhelming, while still being the greatest blessing. There are many families who would find the idea of not needing to prepare a few rooms in their home for a newborn session refreshing. For those families, a natural light studio is the way to go!
Light
As a Draper Newborn Photographer, I have shot at numerous natural light studios in the Salt Lake, Davis and Utah Counties. I will be able to name studios that are in close proximity to your home, while also knowing what time are best for BEAUTIFUL light. Utah is lucky to have an abundance of natural light studios.
Simple
These studios are beautiful, and simplistic. Most of them have minimal furniture and very subtle wall treatments and colors. For many this is wonderful because they want the focus to be on their family and their newborn.
I would LOVE to work with your family! Please contact me to book your newborn session! To view more of my work, follow along on Instagram.
Why Choose an In-Home Newborn Session | Best Utah Newborn Photographer
Why Choose an In-Home Newborn Session | Best Utah Newborn Photographer. This beautiful Bluffdale Newborn Session in the Taulbee home, was the sweetest. Sweet Baby J was welcomed into a beautiful home with the most loving family! There was a beautiful JOY that could be felt from the moment I entered into their home. One thing you will notice about these images is how “at-home” this family feels. Here are a few reasons why.
Reasons for Choosing an In-Home Newborn Session?
I have done countless newborn sessions in-home, and in natural light studios. Both kinds of sessions have awesome benefits, and some small flaws. I think it’s helpful for families to be educated on both options.
Comfort
Many families will choose an in-home newborn session because they feel more comfortable in their own home. Older children can especially benefit from experiencing this kind of session in their home. Feeling more at home allows children to open up, be themselves and most of all – feel safe. A new siblings arrival can be stressful, so an environment conducive to comfort is so helpful. You’ll notice in a few photos that big brother is playing dinosaurs with the Baby J. Because we were in his home with his own toys, he was able to “play” with his new baby brother in a natural way.
More Personal
In-home sessions can be more personal. There is something so special about bringing a brand new baby home, to their first home. Laying your baby in their own crib, on your own bed or rocked in the rocking chair you have rocked all your children. Your home evokes a kind of emotion that you may not get in a studio. Your families personality may shine through in these images better, because your home is styled to your liking.
Ease
The ease of being able to “show-up” to your newborn session in your own home can be a huge perk to some! You do not have to load children into the car, or stress about traffic. To others this may actually be more stressful!
I would LOVE to work with your family! Please contact me to book your newborn session! To view more of my work, follow along on Instagram.
Lifestyle Newborn Photographer | Herriman Photographer
As a lifestyle newborn photographer, this was so special to shoot. Something about adding your very first newborn to your family is incredibly tender. As a lifestyle newborn photographer, I absolutely love light. When planning your lifestyle newborn session, you want to be mindful of when the light is the softest and dreamiest in your home. We want a soft glow, rather than sharp light lines across walls and carpeting.
As I mentioned, lighting for your sessions is key! We become so focused on styling of our home, furniture and more – but the most important part of your session is LIGHT. With light I can capture the most beautiful and dreamy moments. Are you drawn to my lifestyle newborn sessions because of the outfits and homes? You may think so, but really what makes each image beautiful is the use of light.
I would LOVE to work with your family! Please contact me to book your newborn session! To view more of my work, follow along on Instagram.
I would LOVE to work with your family! Please contact me to book your newborn session! To view more of my work, follow along on Instagram.
Before the Session
My dear friend Allison has been a photographer for the Smithey Family for many years. She recently relocated. She was sad that she would be unable to capture their last baby’s lifestyle newborn session. Allison reached out to me because she wanted to make sure they had the same quality experience as their previous children had.
I couldn’t have been more excited when I began to chat with Rebecca Smithey. She reached out to me to schedule their session. Once our scheduled session date had arrived, I texted Rebecca and let her know how excited I was to spend the morning doing their newborn session. I arrived at the address listed in our contract, knocked at the door and waited. When no one came to the door, I called Rebecca and found out that the address I was at, was actually her parents’! I had missed an email from her, with her home address! In situations like this you have just got to roll with the punches! We quickly remedied the situation and decided to do their session at her parents house.
During the Session
Rebecca has THREE adorable little boys and thought it would be easiest to meet where her parents could help out. While I waited for them, I had the chance to meet and chat with her incredibly sweet parents. Get this – they even have the perfect little nursery in their home!
When Rebecca arrived her cute boys, Mathew, James and Andrew – they could NOT wait to introduce me to their newest member, Josie. This girl is going to have a band of brothers to keep her safe throughout life. Each one of them wanted to hold, hug, kiss and be in pictures with her during they’re lifestyle newborn session.
I could tell there was worry about how excited and rambunctious these boys were, but I personally enjoy this! Children aren’t afraid to hold back their emotion, and so watching them look tenderly, laugh with or play with each other is so beautiful and special.
If you’re unsure about doing a Lifestyle Newborn Session because of happy, wild little ones, don’t worry – they make it all the better and I’ve got you covered!
Here are some of my faves from this gorgeous session! I had a hard time choosing! To see the rest, checkout this link!
What is a Fresh 48 you ask? Well this is not an uncommon question by any means. The first time I had even heard this term, I was shocked that people booked these types of sessions. I quickly fell-in- LOVE with these sessions. I can tell you, you will too!
A Fresh 48 takes place in the first 48 hours of life. These sessions are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason! Many moms want to keep the birthing experience between her and her partner, they do not want a photographer in the delivery room. Some moms simply can’t afford the cost of a Birth Story. Some moms want to have a chance to shower before the photographer shows up! I mean, let’s be honest – the first shower after having a new baby is the best there is. Some moms want the WHOLE package – a Birth Story + Fresh 48 Session. One thing all of these mothers have in common is that they do not regret booking these sessions because those tiny details of a new baby change in the blink of an eye!
Our baby boy had the biggest cone head I have EVER seen when he was born. We quickly put a little hat on his sweet head. Thankfully our photographer Hunter K. Fowler took the time to get all the details she could during our Fresh 48 Session, and boy am I glad! If it weren’t for her, that small – fun detail of a cone head would not have been captured because within 48 hours his sweet head had a become a rounded head.
Since having my own baby, these sessions have become even more special to me. I want to be there to document those first moments with your little one. We all know those babes grow far too fast!
Xoxo, Chelsea
Remember that beautiful Fresh 48 session I talked about a couple of weeks ago? Well, I had the pleasure of being able to do a Lifestyle Newborn Session for The Darling Family and I could not be more obsessed!
Knox Darling is the definition of perfection. This little man has the sweetest “coos” while he is sleeping. He is peaceful and oh so kissable! I mean, look at those cheeks!
Lifestyle Newborn sessions are my jam, and this one made my heart soar! Kat Darling is beautiful and the way she looks at her little boy is everything and the way Danny looks at her, you know she and Knox will always be loved and protected!
Knox has the most beautiful itty bitty features. Being able to be let into real moments with a new family is special, and I am so blessed to be able to have had the opportunity to spent time with The Darling Family!
I first met Kat Darling through instagram, and I love when instagram friends become REAL friends! She’s kind, sweet, friendly and easy to laugh with. Kat was expecting a little one, and I could not have been more thrilled to be able to do their Fresh 48 session.
Kat and Daniel welcomed their sweet little boy, Knox Darling into the world in Anaheim, California at Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical. The room was small, but had the most amazing, wide window, with incredible light. All of that dreamy light flooding into the room during those precious moments was a DREAM. To say their sweet boy is darling would be an understatement! Knox Darling has the most perfect little features. Sweet nose, wide eyes, dark eyebrows and the tiniest, long fingers. My favorite aspect, were his sweet little feet! Those baby wrinkles are seriously everything!
I LOVE Fresh 48 Sessions. New life. New love. New family.
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