Newborn Session – Amanda Raylee Photography | Dallas Fort Worth Wedding + Portrait Photographer

Oliver’s Lifestyle Newborn Session

Posted on April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 by Amanda Alexander in Newborn

Oliver’s lifestyle newborn session in the family home came out so incredibly gorgeous! Indoor sessions can be tricky, as every home and even every room can have completely different lighting situations.

Over the years I have mastered indoor lighting for newborn sessions. To start, I always pick the rooms in your home that have the most natural lighting available. To enhance the natural lighting, I always open all of the windows and turn off the overhead lighting in the room. Overhead lighting can cause yellow tints to skin tones, as well as a flickering affect that makes editing consistently in one session difficult. For those reasons, it is best to work with only natural light indoors. Oliver’s newborn session was blessed with perfect, even natural light. The pastel blues and pinks in their bedroom are a dream come true for any newborn photographer!

What I love about newborn sessions

Something that I adore about newborn sessions is every single one is unique. No two homes, no two families, and no two newborns are the same. The variety that comes along with in home newborn sessions allows my creativity to thrive! I love when siblings join in for their new little brother or sisters newborn photos! Nothing melts my heart more than shots where big brother or sister is kissing their new little sibling on the head. That pose is one of my very favorites from Oliver’s lifestyle newborn session and can be seen in the gallery below!

I thought it was such a cute idea to use a swaddle that had Oliver’s name on it! Custom baby clothes are the best. For clients who want a ton of options for swaddles to use in their session, I have several available to choose from! I like to begin each newborn session with baby swaddled, as it makes them feel safe and comfortable.

Newborn session Tips and Tricks

Another great tip for newborn sessions, make sure baby is fed until full right before the start of your session! This will help baby stay in a good mood, and makes the chances of having to take several breaks during the session smaller. The best time frame for newborn sessions is when baby is between five and fourteen days old. In an effort to make things as convenient as possible for my clients, I am on call for newborn sessions.

Inquire about a lifestyle newborn session on my site today!

https://atomic-temporary-103856231.wpcomstaging.com/contact/

Veda Kathleen | Newborn Lifestyle | Dallas, Tx | Dallas Fort Worth Newborn Photographer

Posted on December 20, 2018October 13, 2019 by Amanda Alexander in Newborn

Pregnancy unicorns do exist y’all and I met one!

The gorgeous Jordan was a stunning pregnant woman and a photographer’s dream to shoot. Her and her husband Bret came to me for a maternity session this past October and I’ve been obsessed with their gallery ever since. It was like shooting Ken and Barbie for pregnancy magazine. I swear, y’all! See for yourself.

I was so thrilled when Jordan contacted me again to schedule a newborn lifestyle session for their sweet baby girl Veda not long after.

Are you thinking My Girl? Totally, me too.

Sweet angel baby, Veda, was so precious and did amazing during her session. This beautiful family and their equally perfect, magazine quality home, made my photographer’s heart go pitter patter all morning long.

Here are some of my favorites during Veda’s newborn lifestyle session.

Baby Kei | Surrogacy | Fresh 48 | Fort Worth, Tx

Posted on September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Documentary, Newborn, Uncategorized

Surrogacy is an amazing thing. Being able to give a gift like that, there are almost no words for it. As a mom myself, I couldn’t imagine a life without my babies. That’s why I was so thrilled when my sister-in-law, Angelina, asked me to document her little belly buddy Kei’s first moments in the world at Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest in Fort Worth, Texas.

You could tell that the brand new parent, K&P, were already head over heels in love for this tiny baby boy.

I asked them to share a little bit of their experience and here’s what Angelina had to say…

It’s hard to put into words what this experience has been like and just how much it means to me. We were matched perfectly to this amazing couple living a world away. We instantly knew they were the ones God had put in our path. We got to hear their struggle and are now part of the same story. We had all wanted to get this journey started right away, after all they’ve been waiting so long already. Our first try was a success! 39 weeks and 3 days later and he’s here! This miracle has come true. This prayer that’s been said and asked for countless times has finally been answered. This dream has come true. These amazing people are now parents! It’s an unbelievable feeling to realize the role I played. We became family. I am emotional and cry thinking about everything and where we are now. I hugged my husband lastnight and just cried then he said “it’s crazy huh? You did it!” Just because the pregnancy is over, doesn’t mean our journey is. It’s just beginning. We get to be included for the rest of his life!

***Words from K&P to come later after they’ve adjusted to new parenthood.

Also, you can read Angelina’s blog documenting their entire surrogacy journey here.

Here are some of my favorite moments from Baby Kei’s fresh 48.

Welcome to the world little guy!

Rylie Charlotte | Newborn Lifestyle | Crowley, Tx

Posted on August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Documentary, Newborn

I don’t feel old y’all. I’m 30 and I still feel like I’m 17. Most of the time. I mean I do have 3 kids. Hahaha! I had my son early so I’ve been a mom forever, and now everyone I went to school with, middle and high school, are having babies and getting married. It’s so exciting but now it makes me feel OLD! Haha. It stings a little less when I get to snuggle on these babies (and shoot their weddings) so that helps.

Rylie Charlotte is the first baby girl of my friend Leeana and her hubby Jose. She was born on July 15th, weighing a teeny 6 pounds 15 ounces. I met Leeana way back in 7th grade so meeting her baby girl was a special treat. The first thing I said when I saw Miss Rylie was “oh my goooosh, that HAIR”, that girl has the best little head of hair you’ve ever seen on a newborn, I can’t wait to see what it looks like in a year!

Here are some of my favorite moments from this very special newborn lifestyle session.

Maverick Judah | Maternity Session| Newborn Lifestyle | Argyle, Tx

Posted on July 30, 2018March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Newborn

Hello Hello! I am back in the blogging game you guys. This time for real. I am going to be so on top of this.

Let me introduce you to something. His name is Maverick and he is the first baby boy I’ve gotten to shoot in a loooong stream of adorable girls. Weighing in at 10 pounds, I believe his mama said, and those little eyes that match his big sister’s. He stole my heart y’all!

This little family has been a part of my client family since 2016. Believe it or not, I met them when that curly haired little beauty was still in her mommy’s tummy. It was one of my favorite maternity sessions.

Then I found out they were expecting baby number TWO and guess who got to photograph that maternity session?

THIS GIRL!

It was perfect and beautiful! I was so excited to finally meet baby Maverick when we finally had his newborn session in their gorgeous new home. Especially because his gender was a surprise just like his big sister’s was.

Here are some of my favorite moments of his newborn lifestyle session!

Oh and don’t forget, I offer discounts on baby bundles! Contact me here for details.

Baby Bingaman | Maternity Session | Plano, Tx

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Maternity

The first session I shot after my maternity leave just so happened to be a maternity session. My baby girl was 6 weeks old and my husband brought her along to the park just to keep her close. It had been 5 years since we were in the newborn club so it took a little adjustment, lol. Mommy’s know what it’s like to leave their babies for the first time so having her just in the same park made my heart calm.

When Brenna booked her session with me, I was so so excited to shoot it. This baby boy was prayed for and oh so loved already! She was gorgeous and did such an amazing job. The Bingamans tried to conceive for three years before starting IVF and they were blessed to get pregnant on their first embryo transfer! Brenna said “I was convinced it didn’t work and it didn’t feel real literally until he was in my arms.” Baby Ashton Jett arrived on March 26, 2018 at 7:26pm weighing 7 pounds and 19 inches long.

Congratulations Aaron and Brenna on your new addition, I cannot wait to meet Mr. Ashton!

Riley Lou | Fresh 48 | Grapevine, Tx

Posted on February 12, 2018February 18, 2020 by Amanda Alexander in Fresh 48, Lifestyle

This session was the last one I shot before I had my own baby girl. Actually it was a whole 8 days before I had her! I waddled into that postpartum room and met the sweetest newborn girl. Miss Riley! She was the teeniest, sweetest baby all dressed in purple floral and she knocked her session out of the park.

Congratulations to mama, daddy, and the new big sister!

Now booking 2018 maternity, fresh 48, and newborns!

Baby Huerta | Maternity Session | McKinney, Tx

Posted on December 20, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Maternity

Maternity sessions are something I have a real passion for. I love making a mommy-to-be feel like she is the most beautiful human being on earth in that moment. Being 8 months pregnant myself right now, those “I’m a goddess” moments are few and far between, let me tell ya!

I was so excited to shoot this maternity boudoir session for my gorgeous client, Priscilla. She was amazing! It’s so hard to believe that later that same month, she had her precious baby girl.

Here are some of my favorite shots from her maternity boudoir…

(It’s never too early to book your maternity session, contact me here to get started!)

Brogyn Rae | Fresh 48 | Fort Worth, Tx

Posted on November 3, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Fresh 48, Lifestyle

What’s a Fresh 48?

It’s a question I get a lot. Fresh 48’s are a newer type of session but they are one of my favorites to shoot. A Fresh 48 is a session that is shot within the first two days, and sometimes 3 days, of your newborn’s life while you’re at the hospital. No fancy outfits or woodsy locations, just a mommy, daddy, and a precious baby. Parents still glowing with the love and awe of a new little person in their life. First timers and veterans are exactly the same during those first moments. Everyone loves a new squishy little one. Personally I can’t get enough of those precious cries and oh that baby smell. There is nothing like new baby smell. Seriously, next time you have a chance, smell a newborn. With parent permission of course!

I was lucky enough to follow the Blair family from maternity, to fresh 48, to newborn session. I love being able to do that. It gives me so much time to become familiar with them from pregnancy to the first couple of weeks home. Brogyn was the perfect baby. She was awake for a minute and then out like a light when she was swaddled. She and mommy wore the most adorable matching outfits from Posh Peanut, the colors were perfection. It was probably my favorite Fresh 48 session of the year.

Here are some of my favorite photos from Brogyn Rae’s fresh 48!

Oh and special announcement!!!!

From now until the end of the year, all mommies expecting babies due in April to July who book a maternity, fresh 48, or newborn session with me will get $100 off! I’ll be booking a limited amount of these so book yours early!! Click here to contact me so we can get you on the calendar.

Aren’t they adorable? Congratulations to the new Blair family!

The Kline Family | Newborn Session | Little Elm, Tx

Posted on September 9, 2016February 18, 2020 by Amanda Alexander in Lifestyle

Lifestyle sessions have a special place in my heart. I think it’s something about photographing people in their home, their natural environment, somewhere they feel the most comfortable. It brings out their joy and spirit in such a special way. This blog post will be a double whammy because not only did I get to photograph the Kline’s maternity session, I was blessed enough to capture Baby Jaxon’s homecoming as well!

I came to see Elizabeth and Ray for their lifestyle maternity session on a beautiful sunny June morning. I was greeted at the door by a sweet little fur ball named Riley and a happy father to be, Ray. Their home was beautiful, warm, and so inviting. The session was amazing!

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It wasn’t very much long after the maternity session and Jaxon Ray Kline made his debut into the world. You could just feel the overwhelming happiness in the home. Jaxon did such a great job during his newborn session. He was so sweet and calm and loved all of the snuggles he got from mommy and daddy (and even Grandma was there too). Here are some of my favorites from the time we spent together…

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Welcome to the world Jaxon Ray! I can’t wait to see you again!