Baby James | Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer

This was a very special shoot with baby James Michael, who was born in the winter of 2020. Mom and dad, Kate and Joe, were as hesitant as I was about shooting an in-home newborn session due to the rising COVID numbers in our area. We decided together that the best course of action was to essentially shoot two newborn sessions – one mini shoot outdoors in December and then a more comprehensive newborn shoot a few months later when we all were vaccinated, which ended up being April. This first set of images were shot in December:

covid baby newborn photography shot in front of home with telephoto lens

For the outdoor newborn photos, I used my Canon RF 70-200 2.8 lens, so I was able to maintain some distance from the family but also get those beautiful details on baby James. We lucked out with a somewhat warm December day. I was so happy we got those first days because look how much he changed from December to April!

Can you believe that adorable face? This little guy was so engaged and happy! Our shoot went very smoothly, and I was amazed at how much he had changed.

Below you will find Kate’s birth story and some details about life with a newborn.  

Baby’s Place of Birth: Magee Women’s Hospital

Describe your birth experience.

I think my birth experience was as positive as it could get. I went into labor on my own the day before my induction day at 40 weeks,5 days. It went from 0 to 60 very quickly…meaning I went from thinking I might be having contractions to timing them two minutes apart within 30 minutes.

I was fortunate that my favorite doctor delivered James (Dr. Anne Shaheen is incredible!). She was so supportive and reassuring throughout my entire labor and delivery. I felt like I was in the best care throughout the process and I have happy memories from it. The moment that James was born was an incredible sensation! I felt him leaving my body and becoming his own person in that moment.

Describe life with a newborn. How has your life changed since giving birth? Is it like you expected or totally different?

Life with a newborn was difficult! At first, it was difficult getting to know James and getting to know ourselves as parents. I felt like we had to start from square one and rebuild our lives. However, since we have settled into this process I think our lives are better than ever before. James helps complete our family!

Does baby have siblings or pets? Siblings’ ages? How did they react to baby coming home?

We are very close to my parents’ 12-year-old German Shepherd mix named Jack. Before we had James, he spent about 50% of his time at our house.

Unfortunately, he was originally afraid of James and uncomfortable with the new situation within the “pack.” Now that James is a bit older, he is very interested in Jack. He pets Jack and constantly is checking him out. Jack is starting to come around to James and licked his foot nine times in a row yesterday. I think he might reciprocate the friendship soon.

newborn baby outdoor photos with mom and dad pittsburgh

When did you book your newborn session? Why did you pick Missy Timko Photography?

I booked my newborn session in May 2020 after I exited the first trimester.

I picked Missy because I like her style of photos. I don’t like photos that are super artsy with props. I loved Missy’s natural ability to capture moments between a family. I also like the fact that we are practically neighbors!

How did you prepare for your newborn session? Any tips for new moms regarding newborn photography?
We did a brief newborn session outside right after James was born where I did my own hair and make up. I do NOT suggest this. I did this because of Covid-19 concerns. Get your hair and make up done and relax!

Do you have a favorite image(s) from this session? Describe the image and why you love it.
In our second newborn session when James was four months old, there is a photo of us on our bed looking down at James. This was just a natural pose that we fell into and Missy captured it. I love seeing the love that Joe and I have for James in that photo.

Baby James is a Baby Planner, so I get to see him again in a few months and then again for his first birthday. Looking forward to watching this little guy grow from a baby to a toddler! Learn more about our Baby Plan here.

Missy Timko Photography is a boutique photography studio located in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Missy specializes in children from newborn to senior, families, and adults. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, both posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also has a gorgeous custom studio space in uptown Mt. Lebanon.  There are many session options, from full length custom sessions to quick & easy headshots, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for availability.

Baby Pippa | Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer

This newborn session ranks high on my list of happiest memories! Jenny & Dan called me when Pippa had just come home from the NICU–she spent some time there after being born a couple months early at about 3 lbs.  Pippa was finally approaching her due date and had almost doubled in size since birth, so mom and dad were ready to do some “normal newborn things” and have her photographed.  What a celebration!

Baby Phillipa, Pippa, “Pip-squeak”… you are so loved! Here is what your mama had to say about your birth:

“Philippa was born preterm due to complications from severe pre-eclampsia. No matter what though it was a beautiful experience filled with extremely supportive family and friends that made the day of her birth a true celebration (amidst the uncertainty of it all). She spent 27 days in the NICU and had a smooth course coming home in record time. “

newborn photography in pittsburgh, paDescribe life with a newborn. How has your life changed since giving birth? Is it like you expected or totally different?

Since giving birth life is different. There is a slower pace to things where I am able to step back and enjoy the quiet moments with Philippa that I love. Yet at the same time I am worried it is going so quickly. She grows and change everyday before our very eyes and it is a privilege to have this experience. We are so thankful.

Does baby have siblings or pets? Siblings’ ages? How did they react to baby coming home?

No pets or siblings. We plan to get a dog though once the period of sleep deprivation is behind us. Ha!

Pittsburgh newborn photographersWhen did you book your newborn session? Why did you pick me?

We booked the newborn session after Philippa was discharged from the NICU. We picked Powder Blue because of the natural quality to her photos where real life is captured in the home. Plus, Missy understood what it meant to have a premature baby and the timing of photographs. That was unexpected and meant so much to us.

How did you prepare for your newborn session? Any tips for new moms regarding newborn photography?

To prepare for the newborn session we made sure Philippa was fed, rested, and in an outfit she was comfortable in so we could minimize changes. Keeping the house warm was a good idea of Missy’s since that allowed Philippa to be changed easily from outfit to bundled in a wrap. 

lifestyle newborn photographer pittsburgh pa

lifestyle newborn photography

newborn baby lifestyle portraitDo you have a favorite image(s) from this session? Describe the image and why you love it.

We really love all the images. We love the image of Philippa wrapped in the parachute swaddle on the white background. She looks so peaceful and really captures the essence of her (what we think) is her sweet personality. Another favorite is one where you captured her sly smile and her blue eyes. I am not sure how long her eyes will stay blue so I am so happy we captured them during her newborn period.

pittsburgh photographersMissy – thank you so much for taking beautiful photos of Philippa. We were so happy and after everything we went through to get to this point it was nice to do something “normal” like newborn photos and have them document where she is in her life right now. She has come so far and we are so happy and blessed to have her in our life. 

black and white baby portrait on a bed

I am so grateful to have been a part of this newborn experience and look forward to watching Pippa grow! <3

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Missy Timko is the photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the Point Breeze, Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to little sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availabilit

Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer | Lifestyle Session | T Family

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© 2017 Powder Blue Photography. www.powderbluephoto.com

“Little Boy Blue” is a popular nursery rhyme that dates back to the sixteenth century, and the actual lyrics might even be older than that.  But, until the nineteenth century, all infants were photographed in white.  Now, this may surprise you (as it did me):  In 1918, the Ladies Home Journal wrote, “The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls.”  What??  Believe it or not, this trend lasted until through the 1920s and 1930s.

Now I realize that not everybody is a fan of the “blue for boys, pink for girls” thing.  As a baby photographer, I certainly don’t cling to such stereotypes.  But, stereotypes aside, babies in blue are pretty cute!

newborn, blue and white, brothers

Need more convincing?  Here’s another adorable shot of my “Little Boys in Blue,” big brother John and Baby William.

newborn, blue and white, neutral interior, baby feet, black and white

This is the T family, who live in Upper St. Clair in a gorgeous historic stone home.  The weather was really beautiful on this August day, so we took advantage and took a lot of shots out in the yard.  Even Mom and Dad are dressed in blue and white!

newborn, blue and white, on location, summer, black and white, dad, mom

This was ostensibly a newborn session, but—as usual—the older-sibling toddler stole the show.  John, age 3, followed me around and kept me company.  I love this because it happens almost every time, and it’s so cute!  (Plus it’s what goes on all day and night at my house!)

blue and white, on location, little boy blue

Baby William was a big, mellow, sweet baby (having weighed nearly 10 pounds at birth), and slept almost the whole time.  We did manage to get him to open those eyes, just a little bit.  By the way, notice how the blue sheet and white cable knit blanket extend the blue-and-white theme, while adding an extra comfy feeling to these newborn shots.

newborn, blue and white, white cable knit, bassinet

Mom Kim and Dad Lee are from the South and both have a  flair for southern styling in their home.  So naturally, we wanted to go inside for some more intimate shots.  The pictures of Mom and her “Little Boys Blue” are particularly beautiful with the home’s neutral interiors, with Mom’s blouse and blue hydrangeas extending this classic color scheme.  Kim chose custom gold frames to create a wall grouping to hang in their family room.  These timeless “Little Boys Blue” photos will only become more classic over time.

blue and white, neutral interior, newborn, toddler, mom and newborn

Thank you, T family, for bringing artistic sensibility, southern hospitality, and family warmth to this photo shoot.  I can’t wait to see what Baby William looks like as he grows!

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Missy Timko is the photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to little sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.