where the beauty lives

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

A newborn does exactly what he is meant to do in every moment.

This day, a day after a viciously cold day, was beautiful. The sun shines so bright & lovely in the studio on a crisp winter day. A very pure light pours in. My little one arrived & promptly decided that today, although beautiful, was not his day. Perhaps a growth spurt was fast approaching. Perhaps a little gas bubble stuck sideways. Perhaps all he wanted to do this moment was be with Mama. He, just the same as many little ones who I have the pure honor of meeting, was not “in the zone”.

This could be considered a bad thing I suppose, depending on your opinion of what is actually bad. To see a gallery of images, a portfolio or a blog post showcasing only the sleepy and the smiley is not a true telling of a newborn -- it’s a hyperreality. The truth of a newborn is that they are both A. unpredictable and B. exquisitely real. This is where the beauty lives. I do not have a bag of tricks that is the magic key to every newborn. Yes, I have much experience but this isn’t a magic trick. Sometimes you have to breathe & simply let it be.

Each newborn is perfect.

No matter what mood my little one brings for the day — it is perfect. Exactly who they are this very day, in this very moment. It’s sometimes hard to see that; and in truth, there is a chance some won’t see that until much later on. But when you do — goodness me — you will smile. Big, beautiful, heart filled smiles.

I am going to expand on this session & this topic some more a little later. I wanted to give this post a little breathing room first.

– PS. isn’t the little Mr. above absolutely ADORABLE even when he is having a wee moment? Oh how I love! –

– Find the follow up post here; you are here –

ox.

A~

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8 comments

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morgaine - so beautifully said, ashley! thank goodness for little ones to teach us about truth and beauty and presence… i am a devoted student of the newborn soul :)

Sara Welch - Ashely what a beautiful poignant post. Those stretches and squeals and little crumpled faces are ever bit as important to remember as the peaceful dreams. Thanks for the reminder!

Paula O’Hara - I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me since I read this, and your first chapter. I’m enjoying sessions more, parents are more relaxed, and the images feel true and beautiful with it. Thank you is not enough. You’ve given me a new freedom with these words.x

Laura Morita-Yeun - What a lovely post. A fellow photographer friend linked me to your post, and I’m so glad she did. Thank you.

Wendi Hiller - Oh, Ashley…so great to see this post! I love ALL of your posts and photos, but this one is also what is “real”….it’s not always a perfectly sleepy baby…this is what all parents see too! thanks for sharing ….and with such beautiful words, as always!

Patricia - Love this post, this is exactly how it really is. There is no box with magic tricks. There is just one little magical thing, and that is the little ones. That is what I tell my clients too. There are no magic tricks, just experience and let them be who they want to be…

Kristen Cook - Oh how excited I am to read this, beautiful friend. This is EXACTLY what I share with each of my clients every time, and more people need to embrace it. x

kati - ah, SO well said!! instead of a magic trick to get all babies in the “zone”, i’d more love a magic trick to get all parents to see the magic in the gallery :)

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