My Photography Story!

How did I get here | Longview, Washington Newborn Photographer

This is my very first blog post ever, and I’m so excited to share a little bit of my story.

One of the questions I get asked most often during a newborn session is, “How did you start?” or “Why did you choose newborn photography?” And honestly, the answer isn’t a simple one.

Back in 2017, when I first started my photography business here in Longview, Washington, I was mainly photographing high school seniors. My sister was a senior at the time, so a lot of my early clients came through her. Newborn photography wasn’t even really on my radar yet.

I still remember the very first baby I ever photographed. It was outdoors, baby wasn’t wrapped, wearing an extremely oversized outfit, wide awake… and definitely not what you’d picture when you think of those soft, sleepy, perfectly posed newborn images. I remember thinking, “Dang… this is so much harder than I realized.”

At that time, I had joined SO many Facebook photography groups. I was constantly seeing these incredible newborn images and thinking, “Wow, these are amazing. I want to photograph like that.” So I started putting myself out there, doing model calls, practicing whenever I could. My work improved, but it still didn’t feel like “it” yet.

Then I came across a fellow photographer whose newborn work completely stopped me in my tracks. I fell in love with her style and decided to invest in an online course she offered. That’s when things really started to shift for me. My images improved, I became more confident, and I started to truly understand the small details that make a big difference like proper studio lighting, posing, and most importantly, safety.

From there, I poured everything into learning. I invested in education, in safe practices, and in high-quality props that would really stand out and elevate my work. Every session became an opportunity to grow and refine my style.

The funny thing is, I never really set out to become a newborn photographer. It just kind of happened. But I am so incredibly grateful that it did.

I didn’t become a mom until 2022, and that changed everything for me in the best way. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for this season of life. Babies grow so quickly, and now when I look back at my own newborn photos, I’m reminded of just how tiny and precious those early days truly are. Having those memories photographed, printed, and hanging all over our walls means everything to my husband and me.

That’s why I do what I do. Newborn photography isn’t just about creating beautiful images it’s about preserving a moment that passes far too quickly. And being trusted to capture that for families here in Longview, Washington is something I will never take for granted.