closeI love having the awesome privilege of photographing freshly born babies. Adeline was the newest baby I have ever photographed. Still in the hospital at 24 hours, she encountered her first full photo shoot, and many more will come as she is one of 4 beautiful children of my best friend. I simply can not wait to see her grow into the little girl God has made her to be!
Lisa and Tyler’s wedding was beautiful! More photos to come next week, but here is a sneak into my weekend! Have a wonderful Labor Day!
My water broke at 4am. “Are you sure?” my husband asked me? “Do we really have to leave now?” I just hit 36 weeks of pregnancy, and I knew it was time. Being that this was our first child, our bags were not packed (we thought we had at least 4 if not 6 more weeks to go, isn’t your first always late?) I trudged through our Minneapolis condo searching for pre-pregnancy clothes (of course I would fit into them after leaving the hospital) the car seat buried under the mound of baby gifts, and my baby boy and girl clothes and blankets (we didn’t know what we were having).
We arrived at the hospital only to have the nurse tell me that I was too small to be having a baby. She checked and checked and finally after about 2 hours I was admitted and put on pitocin. I have this wonderful photo of me smiling joyously and unexpectedly in the hospital before I went into full labor (I am sparing you details). Six hours later and lots of this wonderful drug called pitocin, our beautiful 4 pound baby girl was born. We gushed over her teenyness and beauty. We oogled over whose features she had and then she was whisked away to the NICU. At that moment I had not realized how premature our baby was. Although she was the biggest in intensive care, there were other issues that we dealt with in the next 4 weeks of her life. This amazing motherly bond was bread within me during those weeks.
I relived those first weeks today as Lydia started her first day of school. “Where did the time go?” my husband asked me. I always knew it would go fast, so many people had told me, but today a fresh wave of that motherly bond hit. As we walked out of the parking lot, I realized afresh that she was not my little baby anymore, and would never be. What had been done to prepare for this day and days to come had been instilled and she was ready. Probably more than I was.
Seven hours later, I waited with the other parents in the parking lot. She beamed when she saw me and said “Mom, I love school. But I love you more!” Just the words I needed for today. A glimpse into the heart of my baby…
This made me cry! (definitely 39 weeks pregnant…ha!)
This made me tear up too. I know it is just a matter of time before I will be sending my baby girl to school. A couple more years…. Time sure flies!
Oh, how precious! What a cute story and pic of you two 🙂
Gracie starts Tuesday, your story made me cry. Wait till its your last. Your pictures are beautiful!
Lovely, Karen. I remember those early weeks. Lydia is just beautiful. I can hardly believe what a darling GIRL, not baby, she now is. Blessings to you, Kevin and the kiddos.
Can’t believe she’s so big! I’m sure a mom is never quite prepared for these new endeavors, but it sounds like you are handling it all with grace.
btw: You look great in both these pictures (i especially love your tank! would borrow it if we lived close enough!)
As of now I have 11 friends expecting babies. It is a glorious time because I. love. babies.
I get the wonderful privilege of holding them, cuddling them, smelling them and then… handing them back. I am thankful to get my baby fix through other people. Having 3 of my own I realize what a precious time it is, and I am thankful to capture the priceless tininess that only lasts for a short time.
Mia was no exception. She was so sweet and wonderful. And as she drifted to sleep we got the most wonderful photos.
Here’s to more babies! ( I have 2 more shoots this week of newborns!!)
Jeremy and I go waaay back. We actually met when I was in 6th grade. His cousin and I became good friends, and he hung around us. A lot. Which was actually a very good thing, because he is now a very good friend! I always love seeing his family, and this time was no different. His little girl is the same age as Lydia, and is also very similar. I got sung to and loved on by his entire family throughout the day. Thanks Myer’s family! Much love.
Love, love, LOVE the one of all of their hands!
From their engagement session, to their wedding, to the birth of their first daughter and now to their second, it’s been a joy and honor to be able to photograph couples like the Wargo’s as their life changes.
It’s what makes my job so meaningful and fulfilling! Congratulations Hannah and Jake, your family is beautiful!
Including siblings in your newborn session… yes or no?
My answer is always yes.
It might feel a little chaotic in the moment, but those are often the images you end up treasuring the most—the real connection, the tiny interactions, the beginning of a new family story.
I’ve loved watching the Luong family grow through all three of their children’s newborn sessions, and those sibling moments are always some of my favorites.
If you’re wondering how it all works (and how we make it easy), I wrote a full blog post about it! Check it out in my stories
#newbornphotography #minnesotaphotographer #familyphotography #siblinglove
NEW WEBSITE. SAME HEART.
After a long time behind the scenes… it’s finally here.
And I want YOU to be one of the first to experience it.
So I made it a little more fun 👇
✨ I’m giving away TWO mini sessions for 2026 ✨
How to enter:
• Visit the new website (link in bio)
• Look around
• Enter the giveaway
That’s it.
If you’ve been thinking about booking photos this is your sign!
Tag a friend who should enter with you below and add to your stories for another entry!! (Make sure to tag me!!)
No one said you had to do newborn photos inside! Taking lifestyle newborn photos outside and making them true to your style makes them even more meaningful and significant!!
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
