Two weeks ago, between photoshoots in New York and Australia, Wendy from Blue Lily flew in from California for a photoshoot with June.
Wendy is all about color. And I’m a color addict too. So it was a good fit.
Wendy came in with armloads of props and equipment, assessed the light in the house and got right to work. She picked up June and rocked her to sleep. She kept a white-noise app at the ready in case the baby woke. She was super speedy. And clearly a master.
We have never had newborn portraits taken before so I was fascinated with the process. Plus Wendy herself is super-interesting so I kept chatting her up. Finally, I had to hole-up in the office because I was afraid of distracting her while she worked.
While I was keeping busy in the office, Wendy finished up the backdrop shots and tried snapping June in various colorful places around the house. She kept these shots a surprise and it was so fun to see them when she sent the finished photos. This bookshelf shot is terrific.
What do you think about this image? June is so embryo-like. And that bowl was a gift from Ben Blair. It’s my favorite bowl.
Just as Wendy finished clearing up all the photo-shoot-accessories-and-equipment, the rest of my kids came home from their various schools. Although it was really just a Baby June shoot, Wendy graciously snapped some photos of all the kids together at my request. The all-kid shots are so full of energy. Ben Blair and I can’t stop grinning at them.
This last one is perfection — I think it totally captures the craziness-but-happiness that is our household:
What do you think? Will June survive this big family? Have you ever had a newborn photoshoot?
P.S. — If you’re hoping to have a newborn photo session, try to get it scheduled before the baby actually arrives (I highly recommend Blue Lily). I hear the shots are best if taken within the first two weeks of the birth. And don’t worry if it seems too overwhelming to have a photographer at your house when the baby is so young. I was totally in my pjs during the whole shoot. Wendy didn’t mind at all.
{ 165 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh.My.God. They are breathtaking. I think she will absolutely survive and thrive in your beautiful family.
These are gorgeous and amazing!!! I love all the unique props, and I especially love the shot in the knit purple hat. June looks like a tiny little elf…precious!! We did newborn shots with our first baby at 1 mo old and definitely plan on doing them this time around too. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.
seriously adorable, it makes me want another chance at cutsie newborn photos!
These are amazing! Love the bookshelf and bowl shots!
Oh my! These are just too darling. My favorit is the one with the pointy knitted hat! Your baby is just so darling. And I think June is completely ready to take on a big family! He looks completely laid back and go-with-the-flow!
Oh Gabrielle, these are just adorable! The first one and the bookshelf are my absolute favorites! I haven’t been able to check your blog lately because I am in the midst of a photo workshop myself. I’m glad I didn’t miss these though!
Teresa
OMG! Bookshelf! Makes me want to time travel and have pictures! Mine are too busy now climbing the bookshelves.
L-O-V-E these pics! My favorite is definitely the bookshelf one! She fits so perfectly on the shelf like a porcelain doll. I love how she sleeps with her mouth open too! So cute!
I am lucky enough to have a brother-in-law who discovered that he was amazingly talented behind the camera by taking pictures of my children. He has now turned pro @ organicphotography.ca and we were blessed to have him take newborn shots of our new son Tayo. They turned out so amazing!
these are incredible. I’ve seen her work before but I think this is my favorite. That picture of her on the book shelf is amazing. I had a newborn photo shoot with my second child and I loved it. My favorite picture is of her inside my dutch oven next to my favorite cook books. Nothing like a delicious baby.
I thought I loved the third (b&w) pic . . . then I saw the bookshelf pic, and I thought it was best . . . until I saw that pic of her in your fav bowl. . . and then the last with all the kids. Oh, such good pictures!
i love these so so so much.
i find it especially cool that someone as awesome as you has the twilight books- glad to see you’re not too cool… (but you are)
Exquisite shots! That bookshelf shot is hysterically adorable. And the bowl shot is both weird and wonderful all at once.
I love Wendy’s work and it doesn’t hurt that June is such a cute little bean.
D
these are adorable! I LOVE Blue Lily! we just recently had our 9th child…she’s 6 weeks now. and I totally get the “will she survive the family?” part! LOL we definitely have the family circus thing going on. more like I wonder if I will survive? :) congrats to you! and I find it awesome when I come across other large families…we’re so blessed, don’t you think?
aaagh…jealous.
I loooove these pictures. I’ve never had any pictures taken of my little ones. And now we don’t think there will be another little one. But if.. I would hope to find such a gifted, wonderful perfect photographer!
I love the pics, I wish we could have had those back in the days. It’s those tiny little things such as the bookshelf that will keep you smiling inside and out. I don’t know how you do it, home, family and blogging. WHEW! I just have 1 grandbaby and I am exhausted when he finally goes home. But I love it! Great job on those pics
I have seen Blue Lily images on Nie and CJane, all of which are beautiful. But these have convinced me to save my money, on the chance that she can one day photograph my family. Beautiful! Beautiful! The colors are amazing.
The pictures are simply beautiful.
I have a photographer friend who took newborn photos but, unlike you, I was too worried about her coming over. I didn’t do much housekeeping in the first two weeks after having my baby and was worried about the mess. We went somewhere else for the photos and now I really wish we had done it at home. Hopefully the next one I’ll just forget what the house and I look like, and let her come and do them in house. Love your photos!!
I love all the color in the pictures. The family shots are adorable.
I had newborn pictures done and, while they came out beautiful, they were a nightmare! It was 3 hours of non-stop crying
Wow, these are GORGEOUS! I agree that the bookshelf pic is fantastic. She looks like a little surprise present somebody left there! My son keeps asking if that is a “real baby on that plate.” Wonderful – wish I had done this with my little guys!
Wow. Thank you for these. These made my day, and I sure needed something to make my day. Beautiful, vibrant children you have.
Just precious! I love the shot of June with the orange blanket and the last shot of all the children in black and white. June will have an amazing support system in her siblings.
oh my goodness, those photos are incredible! wendy most definitely did june’s beautiful little self justice : ) this post totally made my day….have a lovely weekend blair family*
p.s. i just moved to denver from fort collins and am hearing great things about the chalk art festival down in larimer square sat/sun. i’m not sure if you’re out and about yet, but if ben blair wants to take the “big” kids to do something fun…i hear it’s highly recommended!! :D
xoxo
kaela
Incredible pics!! If we have any more (we have 7 children already!), I will definitely be doing this.
oh my gabby! these are sooo amazing. delish!
these are so cutee!!!!!!! I LOVE the one with the hat!
How on Earth do you have time to raise 6 kids AND blog?! You must have super human abilities. For real.
love the last shot of all the beautiful children! So beautiful! Then my favorite of June is the shelf but it was really hard to choose. Well done!
What a treat to see portraiture done in such a creative and non-traditional way; they’re all so dynamic, even when sweet little June is asleep. They’re such beautiful pictures and the ones with your whole brood capture all of the energy and love your children have for one another. Such a blessing to see!
Absolutely be.a.u.tiful!! Love the shots and color and bookshelf and adoring older siblings. What memories! They’re were beautifully captured.
Just gorgeous……. :)
Oh my goodness!! So adorable! We’re having Wendy & Tyler of Blue Lily as guest photographer judges on I Heart Faces this week. LOVE their work. Lucky you to have them shoot your sweet June. Congrats on the new addition to your family!!
the best most happy and wonderfully colorful newborn pictures I’ve ever seen! She did such a wonderful job. and you did too!
AH-MAZING!! Love all of these. So inspiring!!
That bookshelf shot is incredible! I’ve never seen anything like it!
Wow! These photos are fantastic! Every.single.one!!!
Looks like those photos could be published somewhere/ Oh so beautiful!
i love love love that red striped blanket. what’s the brand or where did you get it (if you don’t mind me asking)?
GORGEOUS Photos for a lifetime of memories!
Dying over the bookshelf. How many of these have you read??
beautiful family!!
That bookshelf photo is amazing! Seriously I love it and what a beautiful baby.
these are awesome
http://portlandsunshine.blogspot.com/2010/06/baby-pictures.html
Each picture is a gem! I’m inspired and amazed at the beauty of a baby and the wonder of art and color and love! Thanks millions for sharing.
julia b
Beautiful and priceless.
LOVE THEM! Babies are the best – and bless the lives of their siblings every day. Enjoy!
Love the pictures! Wendy is one of my all time favorite photogs! She is nice, entertaining, and extremely talented! I highly recommend her as well!
I love the first one where June is swaddled on the plate!
So pretty. She does such great work.
These are absolutely beautiful!!! My youngest is already 19 months, and it sure makes me want to hold a little tiny bundle again!!! Thanks for sharing these – AMAZING!!!
AWESOME!!!! The top is my fav. And the bottom. HOW cute to see her adoring fans.
This completely gave me the chills! Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl and that gorgeous family. I am honestly speechless at how amazing your family is and how inspirational a mom they have in you. Stunning:)
these are stunning and the colors are just vibrant. welcome baby!
Wendy is super nice. We met up for breakfast when she came to Austin and talked all things photography. Love your portraits. I want 6 kids!
oh my goodness- So cute- I did belly/family shots before each of my monkeys births but never the newborn shots- June will one day cherish these as much as you all do now-
I am loving these photos, especially the one on the bookshelf. Adorable beyond all words!
I absolutely adore these photos… LOVE the color and how serene June looks. My aunt is a professional photographer, and though she usually specializes in adults, she has been buying baby props so she can take my baby’s photo once she is born. Can’t wait!
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These are so incredibly sweet! What memories to have preserved!!
the last picture is perfection.
Darling Gabrielle, these photos brought tears to my eyes. I love seeing glimpses of your house.
holy. freaking. awesome.
this alone makes me want to have a baby.
and that is no small feat.
amazing gabby. and wendy!
love…….love love love….yeah…soooooo sweet….
I love the one of her on the bookshelf. It is funny to me how she looks like she *belongs* there… on a bookshelf. ;)
Silly question, but what does Ben Blair look like? :)
Gabbie, how old was June when this session happened?