Photos at Home :: Documenting Living History from a Safe Distance

This week, I have been trying to wrap my head around how to keep my business afloat moving forward while we are all staying home and keeping a distance. It’s been a challenging week in many ways, but also inspiring in even more ways!

As a family, we have tried to get out for a walk each afternoon to get fresh air, say hello to neighbors who are also outside and walking. Connection is so important during times like this! It lifts the spirits and helps everyone feel less alone when things feel very uncertain and scary.

Seeing families outside together reminded me of all the wonderful times I have photographed families outside their homes, together. Now it feels like we are in the midst of a major time in history. Many of us with young kids probably can’t help but think they’ll grow up and talk about this the way we talked about 9/11, or our parents talked about JFK and MLK and the moon landing.

How did you spend this time? How was it challenging? How did you feel? What did we learn about each other or ourselves?

I know it’s not conventional in any sort of way, but I am offering a very small service, to families, small business owners and entrepreneurs who are now at home, to have some pictures taken, from a distance. I can work from your front yard, sidewalk, or driveway and capture you or your family, so you have memories captured of this time in our lives. Small business owners and entrepreneurs, you can use the photos to talk to your clients and audience, share with them how you’re spending these days.

So what do you think? :)

Due to the nature of these things, I think I would only be able to do this within a 20 minute drive from my own home, so Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and West Hartford.

I will not come close to your family. I won’t come in your house. You might pretend I’m like the paparazzi, just hanging out by your house.

Sound interesting? Fill out the form at the bottom of this post, or email me at hello@shannon-sorensen.com and we can figure it out!

Baby Henry, At-Home Newborn Photography Session :: Norwood, Massachusetts

It’s such a beautiful gift to photograph newborns. It’s such a milestone in life. This tiny, new person, welcomed into the world, into their home and their family. It’s beautiful and messy and tiring and peaceful and a million things all at once.

I consider it an honor to photograph these first, early days for my clients.

Even more special is to get to do this for my friends and family.

Jess is one of my best friends from college. We spent so much time singing and acting and laughing and partying and talking and eating cafeteria food. And now we’re moms, and she welcomed her third baby into their family. A sweet baby boy, with two incredibly funny big sisters.

I spent a Sunday morning with them at their home in Norwood, Massachusetts. They still had Christmas decorations on the front step because this is real life and lord knows we all have those things we just don’t need to bother with. We focus on what matters. It’s what’s inside that counts.

Inside the home is happiness, laughter, love, jumping off the couch and singing showtunes. It’s lots of coffee. It’s snuggles and sister hugs and dragging each other across the floor on their bean bag chairs.

It’s the stuff you dream of when you dream of having a family. Those little every day moments that define family life.

Here are some of my favorites from this special day.

Nora :: Stamford, Connecticut Newborn Photography

I had the joy of photographing sweet baby Nora a couple weeks ago at home in Stamford, Connecticut. She arrived several weeks early and had quite the NICU journey, by the time I met her she was about two months old! She has her mommy and daddy (and many more family and friends) wrapped around her finger and we had such a nice morning together.

Roshi, her mama, commented that it was the first time they really got to hold her and feel her skin. Since she was in the NICU for so long and it was winter, she was always dressed and covered and so they didn’t get to spend so much time doing skin to skin. It’s little things like that we might not even realize we take for granted with babies. Just feeling how soft their skin is, and getting to just spend time holding them and enjoying them.

Here are some favorites from our session together. She was awake for most of the session, so we adapted and started out with some sweet, snuggly family photos, and then headed downstairs to do her portraits once she dozed off. It’s funny, as a photographer, we talk about how we want the babies to be nice and seepy, but we are on their schedule, not the other way around! :) And I personally love getting some photos of them awake. This girl was just as enamored with her parents as they were with her.

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Shannon Sorensen is a newborn and family photographer based in Newington, Connecticut, and travels throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts capturing relaxed, heirloom photographs of family life and milestones. She photographs all newborns at home for your convenience and comfort. For inquiries or more information, feel free to contact Shannon anytime! Most newborns are photographed within the first 14 days after birth, and sessions can be scheduled anytime during your pregnancy leading up to the days after your little one arrives.

Grayson :: Marshfield Massachusetts Newborn Photographer

Grayson arrived into his parents arms a bit early in March and it was a joy to photograph him and his sweet parents at their home in Marshfield. He slept beautifully through the entire session, and I got to spend time photographing him with his mom and dad in his gorgeous nautical themed nursery. It is always so special getting to photograph babies at home in their own space. And I love that mom and dad can relax, have a cup of coffee and catch up on some tv (or sleep)!

I love these family photos - there's nothing better than telling parents that all they have to do is hold their baby and snuggle and smooch them. I find it to be so relaxing at a time when everyone is so tired and the last thing you want to do is have to pack up and leave the house for a few hours. That's why I am so happy to do in-home sessions!

Here are some of my favorites from Grayson's in-home newborn session!

Introducing Our Andrew :: Newborn Photography

Friends, he's here. 

And he's two weeks old!

Andrew Joseph came into our lives on the evening of March 6, 2017. It is a bit odd thinking today, the 20th, was supposed to be the day of my scheduled c-section, but he had other plans and labor started on it's own, blessing us with two extra weeks to get to know and love this squishy little boy. 

We are absolutely head over heels in love. 

Lily is an amazing big sister as we're learning and adjusting to being a family of four. She holds him, hugs him, sings to him, and soothes him. It's been amazing getting to watch their sibling relationship grow. 

We had a snow day last week and I decided to take some newborn photos in our living room. He is such a peanut and it took a lot of restraint to not spend the entire day photographing his sweet face. Here are a few of my favorites. If you'd like to read more about his birth, just scroll down!

Two weeks ago, I didn’t feel very good. Lily and I spent Sunday the 5th in the car, driving up to Central Massachusetts for my cousin’s baby shower. When we got home that night, I was crampy and achy, and I chalked it up to spending a lot of the day driving along bumpy country roads. But the next morning, I didn’t feel much better. I dropped Lily off at school, and every step out to the car, my belly felt heavy and low, like he’d fall out at any moment.

I told Sean it was probably going to happen that week. He got serious very quickly and we went to my doctor to get checked out. After a delightful cervix check (can you sense my sarcasm?), I was told there was no progress and to go home and rest. I had another appointment scheduled two days from then, so I figured maybe by then I’d see some progress towards labor.

We got home and called Sean’s mom to see if she could come down for the night. Sean is usually home on Mondays, but he was scheduled for overtime that night. She came right down to help with Lily so I could rest. We did some quick power cleaning and vacuuming and made sure our ducks were in a row, and I think at that point, we both knew any day could be the day.

Sean went to pick Lil up from school and I rested a bit. They got home, and his mother arrived shortly after. He left for work around 5, and I started making some dinner – chicken tikka masala in the InstantPot. I was just about done cooking around 6 and went to sit down on the couch while the rice finished cooking. I felt a little gush of what I thought was pee, and rushed to the bathroom, because when you’re 37 weeks pregnant, these things happen and no one wants to pee on their couch. I had some spotting and when I stood up to wash my hands, I had another gush of fluid. Nope, that wasn’t pee.

I called Sean and told him to come home – my water broke.

Things were a bit of a blur for the next hour. I sat in the bathroom so I wouldn’t leak all over the house. When your water breaks, the fluid comes out in gushes ranging from a dribble to a hearty gush, and it’s a weird feeling, because unlike pee, you can’t hold it back. Sean’s mom made sure Lily was eating dinner and happy, and she helped me gather some things. I called my mom to let her know plans changed and the baby was coming that night. Once Sean was home, he packed a bag and got everything out to the car. Then it was time to go!

I’ll be forever grateful Sean took this picture of me and my baby. I felt alllll the emotions hugging her goodbye, knowing all our lives were changing that night. She was so sweet and excited. Leaving her was incredibly hard.

At the hospital, we were brought up to labor and delivery. Sean wheeled me up as contractions were coming on faster and stronger. We got all checked in and prep for a cesarean began. I was reminded several times how difficult my veins were trying to get an IV in place. I was glad I had shaved my legs that morning. Sean let me squeeze the heck out of his hand with each contraction. Our nurse was an angel.

Around 10, we walked to the OR, which was conveniently about 20 steps from our room. Sean had to wait outside and I was given a spinal anesthesia. I kept laughing and cracking terrible jokes because I’ve discovered that’s how I deal with nerves. I’m so thankful that everyone in the OR was nice and kind and friendly, because nothing is more awkward than lying naked on an operating table under blindingly bright lights while the lower 2/3s of your body gets numb.

The next 15 minutes or so involved Sean coming in, both of us nervously waiting as surgery began, I could ever so slightly see my guts above me in the reflection of the lighting equipment, and after some rather strong pushing of my uterus, he came out and blessed our ears with the healthiest cry I’ve ever heard. The boy has LUNGS.

Andrew Joseph was born at 10:31pm on March 6, weighing 6lb 8oz and measuring 19 inches long.

He is a sweet, snuggly boy. He is happiest when cuddled up on someone’s chest. He has zero tolerance for wet or dirty diapers. The slightest mess and he wants to be fresh and clean. He is a nursing champ, which I am grateful for. So much of our first two weeks with him has been different from when Lily was born. Going into surgery not exhausted, and actually getting some sleep that night between feedings, put me in a good place to get up and walk the next day. I physically felt so much better after this surgery.

Having that first night to ourselves before any visitors came was worth it’s weight in gold. We had plenty of bonding time, and there was no pressure to let anyone in to meet him. Our moms arrived with Lily in the morning, allowing us to be rested and ready.

Getting to witness Lily meeting Andrew was the highlight of that first day. She held him, kissed him, sang to him and doted on him. She is an incredible big sister. The past two weeks have been a big learning experience for all of us, but overall, she is doing great and I am so proud of her.

I am sitting here thinking today should have been the day we met him, and instead, we’ve already enjoyed him for two weeks. What a blessing. My heart is full. I’m the luckiest lady in the world to have the family I have.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the past two weeks.

Eden :: Connecticut Newborn Photography

I got to spend a quiet morning with Eden back in July and she was such a sleepy little sweetheart! She is the youngest of three and we took some quick family shots before Cora and Finn went to school. They were so good and gentle with her, it's always fun to see big siblings loving on their littles. 

Alise got to snuggle with Eden in peace and quiet, which I'm sure is just the best. They were in their own little world for a while and I just snapped away and it was like witnessing such a special moment of peace and comfort and love. 

And then I hogged Eden all to myself. 

Talk about a great morning. 

The more in-home newborn sessions I do, the more I love them. The parents get to sit back and have a cup of coffee or conk out or get a stretch to put their feet up and relax. Everything they need is within reach. Babies are around the comfortable smells and sounds of home. And for me, it's like getting to visit friends and hang out with their baby for a couple hours. We work on the baby's schedule and we don't wrap up until we're all happy. What's not to love? 

I'd love to share some of my favorites from my morning with Eden and her family.

If you or someone you know is expecting and looking for an in-home newborn session, contact me today! I am currently booking newborn sessions for weekday mornings now through February 2017. Any newborn shoot booked during the month of September will receive a free 8x8 Signature photo book of images!

Martin :: Connecticut Newborn Photography

Hello, sweet little Martin...

He entered the world at the end of June and it was an honor to photograph his sweet little face. He has a big sister named Claire who is very gentle and loving towards her new little brother. I know he'll be in good hands with her watching out for him!

Martin's mommy and daddy were one of my first engagement shoots back in 2010 at Yale, and I was so happy to hear from them now that they're living in Connecticut again. It is really amazing to be able to see people I've worked with years ago and see where they are in life and see how their family has changed and grown. It's a gift.

It also makes me very aware of the passage of time. These babies grow so quickly into people with personalities and opinions and funny things to say. Before you know it the baby days have passed. All you have is photos and memories to remember "those were the days". 

These tiny babies have no idea the joy and heartbreak they give us mamas. 

Before I start weeping on my keyboard, I'll share more of Martin. He was so calm and wonderful to photograph, even when he woke up he just kind of stared at me and was content to just hang out on my squishy newborn pillow. What a little love...

Grayson :: Bethel Connecticut Newborn Photography

I'm getting impatient. I have a confession - I miss my shows. Winter is hard, folks, and it's like adding insult to injury making me wait another week or two before The Mindy Project and Nashville come back into my life. "But Shannon, this gives you time to get more work done at night!"

Shhhhhh....

It's not all bad, I have all my superhero shows. But I miss my ladies. I miss Dr. Lahiri and Rayna James. I need to know if certain people will stay together or not, and if certain people will make a comeback from rehab, and seriously, I need some Lennon and Maisy music in my life.

Oh geez, I didn't even mention Grey's. 

Distraction time! I have a sweet little baby boy to show off to you all. His name is Grayson and he has the best parents. Meg and Mike have been part of my life for close to seven years, when we met on The Knot planning our own weddings. Yup, that's the world we live in now. Many of my close friends are people I've met through online forums like The Knot and The Nest. I'm a lucky lady, too, because they've stayed an important part of my life and my life is richer because of it. 

Stick around to the end and I'll share a special throwback to Meg & Mike's anniversary session at Yale....almost 6 years ago!

Back to Grayson. These pictures were taken just before Christmas, at nearly three weeks old. He was still such a little peanut! It is never a bad day when I get to snuggle and photograph a newborn. Just give me all the babies, please. 

And because I promised it, check out these lovebirds. Someday Grayson can look back and see what Mom & Dad's life was like as newlyweds. This is still a favorite. :)

Fiona :: Connecticut At-Home Newborn Photography

I spent a lovely morning at Fiona's house with her mommy and daddy, Emily and Pat, who you'll recognize from this engagement session and this maternity session. She was so sleepy, which was a dream for me. A sleepy newborn, usually before they're 10 days old, is the perfect timeframe to get lots and lots of sleeping pictures. And they're more likely to let you change them and move them around without a fuss! :)

Emily did an amazing job finding beautiful little headbands and wraps to coordinate, and after we got all the pictures we wanted, we did my favorite thing, photos as a family. Whenever new parents aren't sure if they want to be in pictures, I always insist they get at least a few. No matter how tired, sleep deprived, living-in-a-fog you may feel, these are precious, fleeting days of getting to snuggle up with your burrito baby. And I'm 100% sure they will want to see these photos of being held someday. It's more than just a family picture, it's part of your family legacy.