I'll never forget when Juliet, Cameron's mom, reached out to schedule her newborn session. Cameron was still in her belly, as Juliet was finishing her second trimester. We had a lovely phone conversation; I always enjoy chatting with potential clients when they’re open to it. It’s so much more personal to answer their questions and connect with them directly. Juliet shared her story with me, about baby Leyton who was born sleeping, and how thrilled yet anxious they were about their little rainbow baby growing inside her. She expressed her concerns about booking a session due to the real anxiety and fear following such a loss. I reassured her that it was perfectly okay to feel excited and make plans; after all, the anticipation and preparation are part of the joyous journey. I believe my words brought her some comfort, as she booked the session that very day.
Special little rainbow - Cameron
On the day of the session, I’ll always remember how Juliet walked in, looking tired like all new parents, but I also noticed a hospital band on her wrist. She had just returned from the hospital the day before due to some complications and still had a urine bag attached to her leg. Yet, with a determined smile, she said, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’m so excited to have his photos done by you.”
The session itself was serene and magical. Cameron slept peacefully, allowing us to capture a variety of beautiful setups. My favorite was a tender scene where Cameron was having a teddy bear picnic with his late brother’s bear, which held a recording of Leyton’s heartbeat from an ultrasound, and another bear he was gently clutching. Both, my assistant Gemma and I, were moved to tears by the beauty of the moment.
Teddy bear set up, Cameron with his angel brother’s heart beat teddy
When Juliet and Craig came to view the photos, it was a deeply moving experience. Juliet expressed her gratitude for the sensitive and personal nature of our face-to-face meeting, which made the process even more special. They decided to take all the photos, as most of my clients do, and later left a heartfelt and glowing review that touched me deeply.
“Rating: ★★★★★
I cannot express enough how incredible our experience was with Alma. As parents who have been through the heart-wrenching loss of our first child, we were understandably nervous about our rainbow baby’s first photoshoot. However, from the moment we met Alma, all our anxieties melted away.
Alma was not only professional and skilled but also incredibly compassionate and sensitive to our situation. They took the time to understand our story and made us feel so comfortable and supported throughout the entire session. Their warm demeanor and gentle approach put our baby at ease, and the photoshoot was a beautiful and joyful experience for our whole family.
The photographs themselves are beyond stunning. Alma captured our baby’s personality and the deep love we feel in every single shot. Each photo is a treasured memory that we will cherish forever. Their attention to detail and artistic eye are truly remarkable.
We are so grateful to have found Alma. They provided us with more than just beautiful pictures; they gave us a precious keepsake of our rainbow baby that symbolizes hope, love, and new beginnings and also let us include some props ie teddys bears in the shoot from our angel baby. We highly recommend Alma’s Home Studio to any parent looking for a talented and empathetic photographer who can create magic through their lens.
Thank you, Alma for making this experience so special for us. You have a gift, and we are eternally grateful for the memories and moments you have captured for our family.
”
I chose to write this blog post to always carry in my heart the special memory of the day of Cameron’s newborn photo session. He is the sweetest rainbow baby.
Juliet and Craig also shared their beautiful initiative – they create jewellery from ashes for families who have lost loved ones, be it a family member or a pet, helping them keep a part of their loved ones close. Their Facebook page is linked below, showcasing their stunning jewelry, and they donate 10% of their profits to selected charities.
I can’t wait to see Cameron again next year for his first birthday Cake Smash!
Here’s just a little bit of the story, how Leyton’s Wings started.
