From Baby Bump to Baby Bowie | A Full-Service Maternity, Birth, Fresh 48 & Newborn Photography Experience

There is something incredibly special about being invited to document every chapter of a family’s journey into welcoming a new baby. It’s even more meaningful when that family is someone you’ve loved for decades.

This sweet collection of images belongs to my childhood best friend and her beautiful family as they welcomed their newest little love, baby Bowie.

We began in my downtown Harlan, Iowa studio with a maternity session full of laughter, cuddles, and the kind of moments that remind you pregnancy isn’t just about growing a baby - it’s about growing a family. 

One of my favorite moments was when Mom stood proudly cradling her growing baby bump with Blake perched right on top of it. Between giggles and laughter, he leaned in to cover her cheeks with sweet little smooches. It was such a playful, love-filled moment and a beautiful reminder that these were some of their last days as a family of three before Bowie made them four.

When it was time for Bowie’s arrival, the story continued at Methodist Women’s Hospital in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Because Bowie was welcomed into the world through a scheduled C-section, I wasn’t able to photograph inside the operating room. Instead, I met the family in recovery.. where I documented some of their very first moments together. From tiny newborn details to proud parents soaking in those first snuggles, those quiet moments after birth are every bit as meaningful and deserving of being remembered.

The next day, we met again for a Fresh 48 session in the hospital. These sessions capture those tiny details that change almost overnight: wrinkly little fingers, sleepy stretches, proud parents, and siblings meeting their new best friend.

One photograph from that morning will always hold a special place in my heart. Blake gently showed his baby sister the American Sign Language sign for “I love you.” It was such a simple, quiet moment.. but it perfectly captured the incredible bond that was already growing between them. It’s the kind of memory that deserves to be preserved forever.

Later, Bowie visited my downtown Harlan studio for her newborn session. She was absolutely precious, and somewhere between all the cozy wraps, sleepy snuggles, and family portraits, she flashed the sweetest little smile. Those newborn smiles are never guaranteed, which makes capturing one feel like such a gift.

Watching this family’s story unfold from pregnancy through birth and into those first precious days of life was an incredible privilege. These aren’t just photographs - they’re the beginning of Bowie’s story and the memories her family will treasure for generations.

If you’re expecting and dreaming of documenting every milestone..from maternity to birth, Fresh 48, and newborn portraits - I would love to help tell your family’s story. My studio is located in downtown Harlan, Iowa, and I proudly serve families throughout western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, including Omaha, Elkhorn, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding communities.