I recently shot this gorgeous in-home newborn session in Dallas and it was such a joy to witness this family welcoming their first child in such an intimate setting. This little girl was overwhelmingly precious, and you can perfectly see just how enamored her momma and dad are with her. While I love all kinds of locations for newborn photos, in-home sessions can be especially sweet because they allow me to capture all the preparations a family has been making for their little one.

This family’s home, with its soft natural lighting, neutral colors, and understated details, exudes a sense of peace that mirrors the calming love these parents have for their little one and for one another. Momma’s floral print white dress from Nothing Fits But is so feminine and flattering, reflecting her nurturing presence, and Dad’s darker blue reminds us of his enduring strength as a father. It seriously felt like I was taking glamor shots for a baby magazine, and yet every photo is so very authentic, capturing the genuine beauty of this little family. 

As a DFW newborn photographer, I’m blessed to have so many clients who portray the beauty and power of family through the love they share. All of these photos brought back so many memories of what it was like to be a first-time-mom—the awestruck joy of holding a fresh little baby, the butterflies from every little coo and eye-flutter, the sleeplessness from the total self-giving those newborn days entail. This family’s quiet strength and peaceful love is so inspirational for expecting mommas. As I prepare to welcome my third baby this coming November, I’ve been thinking of what I—as an experienced momma now—would go back and tell myself as I was expecting my first.

It’s Okay if Everything Doesn’t Feel Perfect

There are so many things going on right after your baby is born—you’re recovering from birth, you’re adjusting to a newborn’s feeding schedule, you’re exhausted, and you’re trying to get to know this brand new person. And yet, often, the world keeps telling us to “enjoy every minute” of this new stage. It’s okay if you don’t enjoy every minute! In fact, it’s probably pretty normal if you sometimes feel like crying, if you’d give anything for a few more minutes of sleep, or even if you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing! Give yourself the grace to accept all the changes happening in your body and in your family. You’re allowed to soak in every perfect detail about your baby without feeling like everything else in your life is perfect. This dichotomy is actually one of the reasons I adore being a newborn photographer. These photos embody all the perfection of a newborn baby even when being a parent sometimes feels less than perfect. This family will always be able to look back on and treasure the quiet perfection that really is hidden in these early days.

Take Time for Yourself

Can we talk about how gorgeous this momma’s hair is in these photos? Perfect waves and stunning highlights. By contrast, I can remember how my hair often looked in the first weeks after my son’s birth. I’m sure this momma would admit that her hair doesn’t always look this perfect, and that’s totally okay! But I love that these newborn photos gave this momma a chance to pamper herself, to dress up and feel pretty, if only for a couple hours. Every mom deserves to be taken care of, especially in those early days when she is pouring so much of herself into the care of another person. With my third baby on the way, I’m reminding myself that it’s good to give myself breaks in little ways. A nice hot shower. A manicure. An hour to read and rest. I know it can sometimes feel impossible to have any time for yourself, but remember that you can also rely on your village (grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, friends, etc.) to help you care for that little one. And don’t forget that filling your own cup will give you the added strength to continue being such an amazing mom.

Fall Back on Your Partner’s Strength

This in-home newborn session was also really meaningful to me because it reminded me of how a baby changes your relationship with your spouse in beautiful ways. You can just see—as Dad kisses Mom’s forehead or as they both stare lovingly at their little one—that there is something so tender and intimate about a first baby and the ways she brings her parents closer together. For nine months, Mom has been doing most of the work to bring a baby into the world. Now, it’s really time for this couple to work as a team. Dad plays such an important role as caretaker of baby and Mom, especially in the newborn days as Mom recovers. If you’re a brand new momma, let Dad take over for you whenever you can. It not only gives him a chance to bond with baby but it also allows him to love you and take care of you at the same time. I know from experience that this kind of teamwork can really strengthen your relationship, which ultimately strengthens your whole family!

If you could go back and talk to yourself during the newborn days, what encouragement would you offer? If you’re a mom of a newborn, just remember that you are incredible! And yes, your baby really is perfect. 

Ana Dufreche is a luxury, lifestyle photographer servicing the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and its surrounding cities including Plano, Richardson, Frisco, McKinney, Grapevine, Allen and more. She specializes in motherhood, family, and newborn photography. Her sessions take place outdoors, in-home, and at her studio. The ADP studio is located in Downtown Dallas!