Sweet Baby Reese - Wisconsin Newborn Photo Session

My niece Skyler became a big sister earlier this month to sweet baby Reese. I'm so in love with this beautiful baby and can't wait to watch these two become the best of friends. I just love these ladies!

Welcome to the family, Reese! I am so lucky to be your Auntie Coney! Congratulations Nettys! 

Personal Creative Struggles (Plus a cute little baby!)

If I'm being completely honest, I will tell you that I got into photography because I liked taking photos of "pretty things." I've always appreciated the small things, and found beauty in unusual places like cemeteries, alleys and everyday objects. It wasn't until I started being asked to photograph people that I really fell in love with documenting moments. And even then, it took me a long time to figure out what was missing in my work and although I truly loved it, something was leaving me feeling empty.

It's hard to explain, really, but the more I started photographing for a living, the harder it actually became for me. I get in a rut when I do the same things over and over, and I feel disconnected when I'm not creatively challenged. I've been a photographer for almost 10 years now, 7 of them professionally and though I'm always striving to be learning and growing, I finally feel like I've figured out what's been missing. It's not just enough for me anymore to take a pretty picture. I want those goosebumps when I'm looking through my camera, watching magic unfold. I'm an emotional person naturally, but when my eyes start to well up behind the lens while seeing your love pour out, I can't explain it. I want to capture those honest moments between you and your loves and I want you to feel what I'm seeing. I want your heart to explode with happiness when I show you your images! I crave shooting from my heart.

I love lifestyle sessions more than anything because I get to document real, raw moments. To me, it's all about connection. Yes, I will guide you into position and take some nice photos of your family, but my heart sings when I know you're not focused on me and just loving one another. Documenting sweet, tender moments in your world is what I live for and it's when I create my best work.

I photographed Miss S when she was a week new. A head full of hair, SO many smiles and the cutest little baby toes I ever did see! Her mama and daddy's love for her brings so much joy to my heart. It's the little moments that I want you to look back on. It goes by so fast, and you're likely sleep-deprived and may not remember a lot of things, but these photos will freeze time and each time you look back at them, I hope you smile. That's what I love about what I do. When you trust me enough to let me do my "thing" and have creative freedom, I will create magic for you. 

I will be cutting back on the number of newborn posing sessions I offer and shifting my focus to lifestyle sessions like the one above. You'll still get adorable photos of your baby, but the focus will be more on your love for your little one.  

Mommy, what did I look like as a baby?

I recently sent off a gorgeous album to a boudoir client and couldn't wait for her to get it in her hands! A few weeks ago I walked into a repeat client's home and saw my newborn work on display all over their house and I've never felt more proud of what I do. Sadly, though, the value of the printed photograph, especially in today's most photographed generation, is dwindling and it breaks my heart. I'm a firm believer in having photographs printed and displayed. Otherwise, why spend money on a professional photographer? Sure, it's fun to pull out your phone and show your best friends your favorite images from your session while you're out for coffee. But what are your kids going to look at in 10 years? We are constantly photographing everything in this life, thanks to technology, but what do we do with the millions of photos on our phones, iPads and point-and-shoots? We share them on Facebook & Instagram, text them to friends or let them sit on those devices. But, what happens in 50 years when the technology is even more advanced and we're not able to use those phones that the photos are stored on. Or the files are not supported on the computer you're now using. Who knows what will be around in 20 years to surpass computers! Did you have a session in the last 10 years and receive the CD of images? That disc is almost as obsolete as a floppy disk and if you don't have a computer that has a CD drive, looking at your images is pretty tough. Or worse, what if your computer dies and you lose all of those photos?

I vividly remember looking at our family's photographs as a child, flipping through the pages of my parents' wedding album and my mom having photos of us all over the house. To this day, the house is still full of some of my favorite photos of family members no longer with us and photos of the newest additions of our family. My all-time favorite is the silly "real life" photo of my sisters and I where one of my sisters is having a meltdown and the other is "shhhhh-ing" her while I just sit there! Looking at how we've grown over the years, individually & as a family, is one of my favorite things to do in my childhood home. If I'm a guest in your home, you can certainly find me gazing at your photos. Whether it be from birth announcements & save-the-dates on your fridge or the gallery display in your living room, I'm fascinated! Fascinated with people, the memories, the stories and the connection. After all, that's what we're here for. And I get to document it!

Photography is an investment and having professional prints and albums on display is priceless. I believe that giving you just digital files does such a disservice to you and I'm so passionate about you 1) having the best time at your session with me and 2) showing it in those images for you to display for years to come.

I want  your grand-kids to be able to flip through your wedding album and see the love in their grandpa's eyes as he saw you for the first time on that big day. I want your kids to look through their baby album and see the way you looked at them with love and adoration. You trust me with your family in such intimate moments, trust me in this process as well.

I'm not saying I'm against digital files. Not at all, in fact. I love the convenience of them and I also enjoy sharing them on social media with friends and family. But it can't be the only media we rely on. Sure, I'll gladly include a digital file of any print that you purchase, so that you may share on Facebook, but I truly want you to leave with a professional high-quality product in your hands that future generations will get to enjoy.

(Disclaimer: 12-year-old Courtney will likely disagree with this post! Who wants to see those embarrassing photos in the most awkward time of my life? The hair, the braces, those outfit choices, the bangs, the goofy smile and did I mention the hair?! Perms & mile-high bangs were not my best looks. Those blackmail-worthy photos still haunt me.)

Much love & sunshine,

Courtney