Welcome Kendall | Denver Newborn Photographer

This gorgeous family just totally stole my heart.

Welcome to the world, sweet Kendall! You are so loved!

Five Tips for Introducing Ease into your Newborn Photo Session

You’re in the midst of contemplating and preparing all the things: nesting the perfect nursery, committing to a baby name, preparing for the arrival of your little nugget’s life earthside.

Your sweet baby, after weeks of anticipation, finally here - every moment is special, a new milestone achieved.

Documenting the first few days at home moving into newborn parent mode is a lovely offering to your new nugget and your future self to truly reflect upon and celebrate the miracle of this 40 week transition.

Ease is something I constantly focus on cultivating within my sessions celebrating new parents. I feel it’s the most important element as it allows my subject to step into a space where they feel they can be the most true versions of themselves in front of the camera.

A few tips for cultivating ease:

1. Commission a newborn specific photographer that you trust. This might seem like a #shamelessplug but the truth is, it’s real. Would you hire a labor and delivery doc to perform your brain surgery?? Choosing a photographer that specializes in newborn photography is so critical in achieving beautiful images. This genre of photography is more technical than you’d imagine. Getting babe into a place of relaxation and contentment is paramount in creating ease for everyone. Feeling at ease in front of the camera will reveal itself in the images. Choose a photographer that makes you feel well cared for while being photographed. Offering feedback and subtle adjustments while allowing flow brings life into the bodies of my clients and their images.

2. Intentionality about wardrobe selections is EVERYthing. The biggest impact you can make in preparing for your newborn photo session is to choose outfits wisely. I typically suggest a timeless, textured solid, neutral or pastel palette for newborn sessions: Favorite wardrobe elements: textures like lace, knits, the texture of velvet, the flow of a gown and the way your husband looks at you in appreciation during these in-home sessions. Happy to be of assistance in your outfit selections! Thrilled connect and discuss your plan for wardrobe. I’d welcome a hair and makeup artist into your session prep to feel most confident while being photographed and while reviewing and enjoying your images.

3. The forever debate: props or no props? Props can be such a fun addition to your gallery. I love adding as much variety as possible to a session without going totally bonkers prop overboard. The struggle is real. Ha. Props I often see used during a newborn session: nostalgic elements like blankets or toys passed down from beloved family members, a special stuffed animal to use for milestone photos. Props are such a personal addition and I allow my clients full agency over the decision to incorporate props or to refrain. I do advocate swaddling baby for most lifestyle sessions and suggest limiting the number of outfit changes for babe.

4. Plan to take photos in the first 2 weeks after delivery. I typically aim to photograph newborn sessions in the first two weeks of life to ensure a flexible baby, distance from circumcision, and after mama’s milk supply arrival. All this said, I have also yielded gorgeous newborn session images at 4-6 weeks old.

5. Prep the residence for photography. Nursery or master bedroom items you prefer not be photographed may be removed from these spaces prior to our session. I often see parents remove photo frames with stock photos awaiting baby images, diaper genies, baby monitors, any clutter on the master bedside tables, etc.

These special moments are so fleeting. It’s such an honor to welcome new life with such love and celebration.

Gifting record of these lovely unforgettable moments with your baby somehow allows them a more complete depiction and comprehension of their story - there is only one opportunity to capture these moments. Feel so much pride for my client people for celebrating these precious, once in a lifetime happenings, making memories as a new family during this time of crazy transition.

It’s such a gift fo join you as you welcome your sweet nugget earthside.

Glow and Flow: Four Maternity Photo Session Considerations

Welcoming your baby to the world and anticipating their arrival during your pregnancy is such a gift.

Contemplating and preparing all the things: nesting the perfect nursery, committing to a baby name, preparing for the arrival of your little nugget’s life earthside.

Documenting the last few weeks before completing the pregnancy phase and moving onto full on parent mode is a lovely offering to your future self to truly reflect upon and celebrate the miracle of this 40 week transition.

A few impactful factors that influence your images:

• Commission a maternity specific photographer that you trust. Posing maternity photos can get really weird, really fast. This might seem like a #shamelessplug but the truth is, it’s real. Would you hire a labor and delivery doc to perform your open heart surgery?? Choosing a photographer that specializes in maternity with expert level posing experience in the realm of flattering pregnant bodies is so critical in achieving beautiful images. Feeling at ease in front of the camera will reveal itself in the images. Choose a photographer that makes you feel well cared for while being photographed. Offering feedback and subtle adjustments is part of what brings life into the bodies of my clients and their images.

• Intentionality about wardrobe selections is EVERYthing. The biggest impact you can make in preparing for your maternity photo session is to adorn the baby bump in style. I typically suggest a solid, bold palette for maternity sessions: reds, burnt orange, blues, mustard, I also love the timeless classic neutral color collection, too! I do suggest avoiding an all black dress, it often hides the shadow contouring of the bump. I love maternity sessions in long flowy dresses, I feel they have such a whimsical presence and innate movement. Other favorite wardrobe elements: textures like lace, knits, and sheer, tight or fitted pieces that accentuate your figure, a skinny belt. The most common wardrobe question I’m met with is all about complimenting the derrière. If you choose a form fitting dress you don’t feel 100% comfortable in, opt for a shawl or kimono to drape across your arms to add flow to your lower back area. I suggest two outfits for variety in images. I love the texture of velvet, the flow of a gorgeous gown and the way your husband looks at you in appreciation during these sunset sessions. Proper footwear is a huge consideration. Mountain vibe locations are covered with snow from winter to spring. At times, LOTS of snow. Keep this in mind when planning maternity session

  footwear. Happy to be of assistance in your outfit selections. Thrilled connect and discuss your plan for wardrobe. I’d welcome a hair and makeup artist into your session prep to feel most confident while being photographed and while reviewing and enjoying your images.

• The forever debate: props or no props? Props can be such a fun addition to your gallery. I love adding as much variety as possible to a session without going totally bonkers prop overboard. The struggle is real. Ha. Props I often see used during a maternity session: blanket to sit on or wrap up in, accessories like belts, jewelry, hats, ultrasound images, items with baby’s name, baby shoes, a stuffed animal to use for milestone photos. Props are such a personal addition and I allow my clients full agency over the decision to incorporate props or to refrain.

• Plan to take photos 1-2 months before due date. I typically aim to photograph maternity sessions one to two months prior to due date to ensure a nice round bump, a mobile mama and enough energy to get all glammed up before baby arrives.

Above all, enjoy. These last few weeks before transitioning to parents are precious and fleeting. My hope is to offer beautiful images you’ll look back on with gratitude as your family grows.

Denver Front Porch Pandemic Photo Sessions

What a year 2020 has turned out to be. The stories that will come from this time will be shared for generations. My hope is that the images I create during this time will tell part of that story.

I’m not sure words can describe how thrilled I was to see the familiar faces of this crew of four.

Our pandemic front yard party photo session marks our sixth photoshoot together and I couldn’t be more grateful for this group of beautiful humans.

Our session was originally scheduled as this sweet doll’s first birthday, here we are hanging out in the front yard instead! :)

Happy first birthday, sweet girl and all the love to this lovely crew of four.

Snow Day Denver Family Photo Session

I love these human clients. Thankful for their beautiful front yard and their immense generosity. Loved celebrating our (hopefully!) last spring snow with them during this crazy pandemic!

Mom requested a shot in front of this gorgeous tree and it just happened to dump snow on them at just the right time. Couldn’t have planned it better if I tried! LOVVE seeing April spring snow all over these beautiful people!

Cheers to you, sweet family of four, looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

Flashback Friday | Denver Family Photographer

If you’ve ever practiced at Kindness Yoga here in Denver, perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to attend one of this beautiful mama’s classes.

Tell me this adorable crew isn’t the cutest EVER…

When this gorgeous mama reached out to swap photos for yoga, I was so thrilled to become an ambassador of Kindness. Pre-pandemic, It was my favorite place to practice, always felt like home and family and I loved getting the opportunity to meet this gorgeous crew.

OMG total cuteness overload….

Obviously to see where the littles get their looks! These two could grace the cover of a magazine. The love between is so obvious and I adored capturing it.

Cheers to this lovely crew of five! All the love! - JJ xoxo

Fall Flashback | Zoey is Two | Denver Photographer | Washington Park, Denver

I met Zoey for her newborn session a couple of years ago and again for her one year session at Washington Park in October 2018. I love seeing these two each fall.

One of my favorites since 2017, this sweet two year old little doll steals my heart every time I see her.

She’s got all the personality and sass you’d expect from a two year old girl and I just LOVED our time together.

I just love seeing them grow over the years. Celebrating this little two year old beauty today.

All the love to you sweet Z, I hope to see you again in the fall!

Making of a Denver Maternity and Newborn Photographer

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I love hearing the stories of my people.

To really look at these beautiful souls with love, to hear their story and feel their journey. To know the story of their lives unfolding.

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Today I want to share my story.

During this pandemic, right here, right now in Denver

this city I love and call home. I celebrate you. I celebrate the why behind how

I became a maternity and newborn photographer that has never been pregnant.

It is an honor to support women and families during this special time of transition and I feel so grateful for this gift.

Doing this work brings me so much joy and I feel so aligned on a soul level with this beautiful exchange with new families in my community.

My story was originally published by Voyage Denver, here it is for your reading pleasure and enjoyment. I type this beyond humbled that you’d take the time to read a few chapters of my story.

All the love,

JJ xx

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Since I was a little girl, I’ve always enjoyed pouring creative intuition into my play space. You could find me clipping magazine photos, style inspiration, patterns, textures and color swatches, compiling them into these lovely stapled together computer paper books. I adored styling Barbie fashion shows and strutting them down a runway – I even recorded my own outfit commentary on cassette. Ask me what my dream gig was, I would likely have told you that I desired to become BOTH a news anchor AND a swimsuit model when I grew up. Ha! I look back and ask myself what sort of media I was being exposed to…but that’s a whole different side rant. As I matured, I realized that human connection is what I crave most in life and within my work. It engages and feeds me, pushes me to bring my best, most present self.

So, side note confession. I honestly had no idea what I was doing when I became an entrepreneur. I knew it was in my blood-my grandfather was a tractor implement owner in Iowa. Yet the vast majority of my family chose to work for corporations. Looking at my career path, I’ve been fortunate to interact and work alongside so many glorious women, regardless of context.

The achiever mindset within beckoned me down the corporate path and I began working for a fortune 50 company while earning my bachelors degree in marketing. I began my “corporate career” as a track roller frame assembler in a manufacturing facility which exposed me to some wonderful women that took me under their motherly wing. I gained insight not only on assembly processes and techniques but also the warmth presence in this community of women. Perhaps the most enlightened I’ve felt due to proximity to other women in a corporate setting was found in legal services and trademarks. Working under a dozen attorneys, I learned an extensive amount about trademarks, copyrights and intellectual property. I was exposed to high powered corporate female attorneys that were empathic and intuitive. I was in awe.

I continued working in the corporate world making stops in public affairs and logistics planning before becoming a photographer

As my career shifted in 2010, I challenged myself to look within. In full exploration of my true calling, I began to truly investigate

What do I truly crave to create with my life?

How do my unique skills set, gifts and talents that I’ve been given culminate to offer something impactful in the world?

I realized that it isn’t swimsuit modeling or working for a news network that inspires me….not even working for a fortune 50 company. My calling is supporting women.

Marinating in the potential of truly coming alongside my clients in impactful ways, I observed so many women shifting from wives to mothers, attempting to get pregnant, struggling. Working to cope with difficult pregnancies or postpartum depression, these women, this time in their lives, this is what inspired me to do the work I do today. This is the work that I know I feel beckoned to.

It is my true honor and gift to come alongside other women in Colorado as they welcome their babies to the world. It fulfills and feeds my soul in ways I can’t properly articulate. I often indicate that I live vicariously through my clients – I’ve never been pregnant and I don’t desire to be a mother. This often shocks my clients and if I look within, as I’ve gotten curious, I’ve asked myself what it is about working with newborns and pregnant people that beckon me and warm my heart. I feel the answers came to me when I look back at my upbringing and my mother’s experience during pregnancy and postpartum. My beautiful mama was a teenage mom her first go around with my older sister. While she waited seven years to bring me into the world, I know that she struggled deeply, just as most moms struggle. I know that my mother, the woman who created me, encountered postpartum depression. Perhaps at the core of it all, this is my way of connecting with this woman who was struggling. A healing of ancestral wounds or sorts.

I began connecting with my camera and began to see that my DSLR was the gateway to career fulfillment and supporting women in transition. I also feel a sense of generational pride, twofold, really. While healing the maternal wounds present, also channeling my grandfather’s entrepreneurial vibes.

Pregnancy is beautiful and miraculous. A special gift, worthy of documentation and celebration. I am a pregnancy and baby photographer. But really, I am an advocate and supporter of women stepping into the fullness of their humanity and embracing their human presence, with the ability to see abundance in their existence.

All the love to all the women who’ve trusted me to come alongside them as they become mothers.

Denver Maternity Photographer | Kristen | Expecting

This beautiful couple rekindled my love with my midwestern roots.

Thankful to document this special time of achy feet, a sore back, tired legs, stretch marks, pounds, hormones, morning sickness, carseat research and take a moment to celebrate the tiny miracle growing inside that sweet baby bump. Celebrating the 40 weeks of sweet anticipation between these two sweet souls.

While we didn’t grow up in the same city or state, this geographical commonality somehow brings an innate knowing, an appreciation of Colorado weather and landscape, similar speech intonation and a feel that this person somehow radiates that nostalgic feeling of home.

Meet Kristen and Tyler. They’re welcoming a baby so soon and I adored meeting them.

So when Kristen put this gorgeous dress on, the Denver maternity photographer in me fell in LOVE with the colors, the fit. These two. I fell flat on my face in love with these images.

Tell me this baby isn’t going to be the cutest thing ever?!?!

Congrats to these two midwestern rooted souls as they plant a whole new life here in Denver as a family of three. ALL the love - thrilled to see you again soon once this whole pandemic thing chills out.