Columbus, Ohio Photographer | Newborn Lifestyle - Finnley

The newborn days.. a sweet, dare I say, hectic, whirlwind of diapers, feedings, laundry, bottle washing and more diapers.. oh and sleep deprivation! But when that baby snuggles on your chest and falls asleep, ALL is right in the world.. and the hard work and exhaustion is more than worth it. These first few weeks are a huge adjustment period for most parents as they navigate the waters of taking care of their newest addition. 

I was so honored that this family welcomed me into their home to document a little piece of these first few weeks.. Lifestyle newborn sessions are a new thing for me and I absolutely love everything about them! There is something very special about capturing a family in their natural setting. The pictures hold that much more value because of the past, present, and future memories that also take place in the backgrounds of these images. 

Looking at the pictures and putting their gallery together this week was so exciting. I may have put my hands on my cheeks a few times with my jaw dropped because I just could not handle all the cuteness and emotions going on in the pictures! 

Baby Finnley, you are so beautiful and so loved! Welcome to the world! 

Columbus, Ohio Photographer | Fresh 48 - Josephine

When I woke up to see a text message from my brother-in-law saying Josephine had made her appearance I was beyond happy and excited! I was even MORE excited when they invited me to the hospital to take her fresh 48 pictures that night! 

Josephine is the third grandchild in two years in my husband's family! She is also one of the few girls in a family full of boys! All three grand-babies have been born at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.. which is very close to a popular campus area pizza place called Adriatico's. So, there is a new tradition in the Venci family of the whole family visiting the hospital and bringing a huge Adriatico's pizza.

One of the many things that I love about our family is that we are very connected. My husband's parents and all FOUR of my husband's siblings live in Columbus and we are always getting together.. usually with a lot of food involved. :) So, it is no surprise that when a new baby is born, our tradition is pizza and being together. 

Josephine, you are such a beautiful and sweet little girl! Welcome to the family! Tita loves you so much already! 

Columbus, Ohio Photographer | Maternity Photography - Kathleen

Kathleen is a very special friend of mine that I met several years ago in the corporate world. I cannot tell you how many times this girl was there for me when I needed her (and a break from my cubicle)! We have come a long way since the day we first met..both getting married, progressing in our careers, and now parenthood! 

Throughout the morning, her husband, Kiel, was a total sweetheart to her and was treating her like a princess (like a true gentleman :)) Pregnancy can be physically and emotionally rough.. so I was very happy to see Kathleen get pampered and looking so beautiful!

Can we say.. stunning?!

Maternity sessions are the mom's time to shine, relax, and enjoy the beautiful side of pregnancy! I really love showing moms how beautiful they are through their photos!

It is also so nice to have these last few photos of just the two of you. You may soon look back at these pictures in awe because you did not know just yet how much love was about to come into your lives and change you forever. 

Kathleen and Kiel, I am so excited for you to become a family of three! You are going to be AMAZING parents! 

Columbus, Ohio Photographer | Fresh 48 - Holden

For new parents, the first day or two after your baby is born can be pretty hectic! At the hospital, there are many people in and out of your room at all hours of the day, checking mom, checking baby, people taking lunch orders, lactation consultants, family, friends, it seems never ending! 

You may think the last thing you would want is ONE more person coming to see you during all this chaos. Let me tell you, that if it is a photographer, then you DO want one more visit. 

A fresh 48 session is done shortly after baby is born (typically within 48 hours, hence the name) and captures the fresh, sweet newness of this little human you just created! 

Trust me, they will NEVER look the way they do in the first few days ever again. Their wrinkly hands and feet, squished face, long newborn nails, newborn hair—it will all change so quickly that it will soon be a memory.

So many introductions happen during those first few days, too. Don’t you wish you had pictures of your daughter’s face the first time she sees her baby brother? It is so so special and that first look will never. happen. again. 

I had the honor of taking fresh 48 photos for Morgan and her family this week, and the experience took my breath away. I could not believe I was witnessing all of these beautiful moments through my camera lens. It was a wonderful experience to create these lasting images for this family. 

The first 48 hours go by so quickly, don’t let them be a blur :)