Hayes’ Birth Story

I have always enjoyed reading the birth stories that other Mamas share. Each birth is so unique and embodies the strength that women have. Sharing the journey that we go through for our little babes to arrive into this world is a beautiful reminder of what a miracle their new life truly is. 

In the days leading up to baby boy’s arrival, I found myself comparing the final doctor appointments and events to B’s birth as the dates were so close together. I wondered how his birth would compare to hers, given that I had a pretty good labor and delivery experience with B. Just like with B, I decided to get a membrane sweep at my 39 week OB appointment. With her, the membrane sweep worked and my water broke at home about 24 hours later and we headed to the hospital - she was born just at the start of the next day. 

THURSDAY 9/9- My OB performed a membrane sweep confirming that she could feel baby boy’s head and he was positioned very low down. I was 3cm dilated at this point. She suggested to walk a bit that night to see if things would start moving along. 

FRIDAY 9/10- Not feeling anything yet, I went to work (at my full time job as a teacher) and successfully made it through the school day without any signs of labor. By this point with B, I was having back labor at the end of the work day. I figured that the membrane sweep must not have worked and that maybe I’d try again at my 40 week appointment. 

SATURDAY 9/11- I felt a couple of cramps when I woke up in the morning but nothing extreme so we went about our day running some errands to get Starbucks and a stop at Trader Joe’s to meal prep for the week. Later in the morning, I started to feel back labor coming on. I remember this feeling from B, where I didn’t feel the typical pain of contractions in the front but only intense pain in my lower back that would come and go at various intervals. They were getting a bit uncomfortable so I began timing them. As B went down for her nap at noon, Josh headed outside to workout, and Grammy worked on the meal prep. I decided to shower incase labor was near and afterwards found myself on a yoga mat in the bedroom doing some stretches to help with the discomfort when the back labor came on. Soon, I called in Josh to help me with counter pressure during the contractions and make sure the final items were in our hospital bags. 

I was still timing my contractions and waiting for the “5-1-1” rule (5 min apart, 1 min each, for 1 hour) or for my water to break to know when it would be “go time”. At this point, B had woken up from her nap (very early) and came in the bedroom with us. I was beginning to feel more and more pain and like I may need an epidural sooner rather than later. Knowing that we live about 20 minutes from the hospital, I told Josh that I think we needed to head in and hope that they wouldn’t send us home if I wasn’t progressed far enough along. Josh loaded up the car, we said goodbye to B and Grammy, and by 1:45 pm we were on the road to the hospital. 

On the drive to the hospital my contractions were about 7 minutes apart and I remember being in very intense pain and grabbing the handle above the car door as they would come on. During the breaks from contractions, I reminded Josh to take pictures while I delivered and the baby arrived. As we drove, I began to get nervous because I was feeling an urge to push. Each time a contraction came on, I tried to do my best to breath through and hold in any pushing sensation that I had. When we arrived I told Josh that I didn’t think I could walk up to the L&D alone so he left the car in the drop off loop, we got checked in through the front COVID procedures desk, and then he wheeled me up to L&D. Once they brought me to the triage room, he headed back down to go park the car. 

Immediately when the nurse came in I told her I was in a lot of pain and feeling an urge to push. So, before doing anything else she said she would check my cervix. Much to my shock, she explained that I was 10 cm dilated and, even more shocking, she asked if my baby was supposed to be breech. She quickly left the room and then brought a doctor back in with her. They checked baby boy’s position on an ultrasound and sure enough he was breech. Somehow he’d flipped head up within less than 48 hours from my OB appointment on Thursday (my OB later said that was a first for her). Since I was fully dilated, there wasn’t much time to wait. Doctors, nurses, and an anesthesiologist filled the small room, explained I would need to go in for a c-section, and that they were trying to get a hold of my OB (who happened to be on call that weekend). At this point I think I was still in a state of shock. This was definitely not the birth experience that I had anticipated and couldn’t quite process how quickly everything was happening. I remember that between contractions I kept apologizing to the nurses for not coming to the hospital sooner (how could I have known) and asking how this all could have happened. 

When Josh returned from parking the car he was greeted by the somewhat chaotic room full of people, and I remember him asking if all this was normal and would everything be alright. They handed him a set of scrubs and told him to get ready to move to the OR. Still in immense pain, they wheeled me down to the OR as I tried to hold in my urges to push each time a contraction came on. On the ride through the halls, I now finally spotted my OB as she was walking in - I was relieved that she made it just in time! 

While they prepped me in the OR, Josh couldn’t be in the room so he was in a waiting area just outside. As they did the spinal, I hunched over and as I grabbed tightly onto my nurse and OB, I was praying it would work! Luckily it kicked in and I had instant relief of my contraction pain. This also meant that I would get to remain awake during the procedure which I was very happy about. I remember feeling so nervous for the c-section but the doctors and anesthesiologist did such a great job talking me through each step along the way. The anesthesiologist even offered to take photos of the birth for us which was amazing! 

At 2:52 pm, Hayes Cayden made his entrance into the world. He weighed 7lbs, 2 oz and was 21 inches long. Cayden means “fighter” and given everything we went through during our pregnancy (read about my pregnancy journey here), we felt this was the perfect middle name for him. Although his birth story was a much different experience than I could have ever imagined, I was so relieved to hear his little cry and know that he was here and healthy! I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and am sure that was the case guiding his birth as well.

My Pregnancy Journey With Baby #2

Maternity photos by Trisha Rose Photography

PREGNANCY- For some it can be an amazing time filled with excitement, anticipation, and wonder. For others, it may include hesitation and anxiety after months and months of waiting or previous loss. Some Mamas feel their best and are glowing while pregnant, while others may struggle to get through a day while battling nausea, fatigue, and more. There’s a whole  spectrum and each story is so different. 

Although my second pregnancy had a lot of similarities to my first, there were many differences as well. I wanted to document our pregnancy journey with baby #2 for me to look back on and potentially for others to not feel alone if they were going through something similar. 

After months of trying, we made an appointment with the same fertility specialist that helped us become pregnant with B (or first daughter). Much to my surprise, in the days prior to our appointment, we found out we were pregnant with baby #2. I was shocked and in disbelief to see a positive test after so many negative tests that I’d previously thrown in the trash. Further calculations showed that this baby’s due date would be just 2 days before B’s second birthday - what are the odds?

Everything seemed to be going well in the beginning weeks and I had a huge sigh of relief at our first 8 week ultrasound when I could see baby’s heartbeat. Despite extreme morning sickness (that kicked in around week 9 and lasted until about week 20), I was thankful to progress each week with baby continuing to grow. And, thank goodness for a helpful husband who stepped in to make endless mac-n-cheese, bagels with cream cheese, and chase an energetic toddler around while I laid on the couch. 

At 12 weeks, we found out that our baby’s NT (Nuchal Translucency) measurement was just over the threshold. Our ultrasound tech and OB educated us that an enlarged NT at 12 weeks can be a predictor of possible genetic abnormalities or heart defects. Caught off guard, we were advised to see a MFM specialist and elected to get NIPT bloodwork done. The wait for the bloodwork results seemed like the longest two weeks, but when our results came back with low indicators, we thought we were in the clear. At this time, we also found out that we’d be having a baby boy! 

It wasn’t until our MFM appointment that we learned there are actually a variety of other chromosomal abnormalities that the NIPT can’t check for. The NIPT only tests for 4 key chromosome pairs and there are many other possibilities of abnormalities on the other 19 chromosome pairs. Another growth scan showed our baby’s NF (now called a Nuchal Fold at this gestational age) was still over the threshold. After a very emotional conversation with our MFM doctor we were advised to consider an amniocentesis. I thought for sure I would never consider having this procedure done, but after some long hard talks, decided that it would either help bring us closer to necessary resources in preparation of baby’s arrival or help provide peace of mind for the remainder of our pregnancy. The days and weeks leading up to the amnio and results were some of the most emotional and challenging throughout the pregnancy. While I tried to remain positive, there were also endless possibilities of '“what if’s” that filled my brain.

So many prayers were answered when we got our amnio results. There were no indicators of any chromosomal abnormalities and a follow up growth scan indicated that the baby’s Nuchal measurement had decreased and was now within limits. The MFM doctor also felt good enough about what he could see with our baby’s heart that he advised us we no longer needed to get the fetal echocardiogram that we previously scheduled. We were elated and so grateful for all of our family and friends who prayed along side us and supported us during that time. 

Luckily, the remainder of our pregnancy had emotions of excitement and wonder as we anticipated the arrival of our baby boy. By 34 weeks, we learned he had turned head down from a previous breech position and we prepared to meet him. Meanwhile, we did all the nesting activities at home and “Grammy” flew in to be on standby for B when the time came for her baby brother’s arrival. At 39 weeks, I decided to get a membrane sweep at my OB appointment to help induce labor if baby was ready. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I’ll share baby’s birth story.

A special thanks to Trisha Rose Photography for capturing these maternity photos of me. I’ll cherish them forever!

The Smith Family

If you’re local to Phoenix, you’d probably agree that there’s not much better than spring time in the desert. The weather’s warming up, cactus flowers are starting to bloom, and it’s the perfect time to schedule your family portrait session since the weather is guaranteed to be amazing!

The Smith Family chose to book a mini session with me and it worked out so well with their little ones. Mini sessions are only 30 minutes in length and can be a great option if you have small children to help keep their attention. Ginny did an amazing job of coordinating her family outfits following my complimentary JHP Style Guide that she received prior to her session. I love the camel colored dress that she chose! Fun fact: So many of my other client’s also loved her dress that I added it to my JHP Client Closet after her session. Her family’s camel colored and blue toned outfits paired perfectly with the glowing desert backdrop at sunset.

Ginny and her husband Adam are such a cute couple and rockstar parents. I loved watching the way that they interacted with their little ones, L & C. L has the most adorable big brother bond with his little sister C, and it was so precious to see them run around and play together during our shoot. I have a good feeling the two of them are going to continue to have an inseparable bond as they grow!

To the Smith Family: Thank you so much for allowing me to capture this special time in your lives. I know that your little ones are growing oh so fast, and I hope when you look back on these photos, you remember all the joyful, playful, and innocent moments that L & C had at this age. 

The Valentine Family

When photographing young families, I never know what to expect with the little ones. Sometimes the kiddos can be shy, or wiggly, or just have their own posing ideas. No matter what, we always make it work and have a blast doing so. The Valentine Family really brought their “A Game” to their desert shoot though. Their two little guys, T & C, did such an awesome job! They were the most energetic and engaged kiddos I have photographed.

I was so amazed how into the shoot they were! I started by taking some group photos, and as I got everyone set up and started counting down, both boys yelled “CHEESEBURGER” as loud as they could. It was so funny to watch them do this each time, and they kept it up for the entire shoot! They couldn’t wait to keep taking more photos. Even the hikers passing by couldn’t get enough of them and their cheeseburger yells. T & C certainly brought smiles to everyone’s faces!

If the brotherly bond between T & C wasn’t sweet enough (I can tell they are going to be best buds as they grow older), Tracy and Brian were so much fun too! Brian’s sister and brother in law, Maria and Sean, were in town visiting from New York, and we were lucky to get to include them into the shoot as well. Everyone was incredibly laid back and had a great time joking around with one another. This fun family really added some joy and laughter to the golden desert glow behind them. Sean brought some binoculars to take in the sceanery, and the boys had a blast looking for wildlife. At the end of our session we ended with, my favorite, a tickle party! The expression on T & C’s faces during the tickles were priceless.

Tracy & Brian: Thank you so much for allowing me the honor of capturing your fun-loving family! You all had me laughing and smiling (under my mask) the whole time. And, you better believe that I went and got a cheeseburger after our session - haha. I hope that you all had as much fun as I did! I can’t wait to watch your boys grow and work with you again in the future. 

The Jonovich Family Session

Pure joy! If you asked me how to describe the Jonovich family, this would be the first thing that comes to mind! 

When the Jonovich’s first showed up for their session, I knew we were going to have a blast. I quickly saw what a strong bond Sara and her husband Kirk have, and the love they showed for their family was palpable. Sweet M. was telling me all about her upcoming birthday and her big plans for turning 4 (which included some delicious strawberry cake)! And, little S was having a blast running around through the trees. But, maybe the cutest thing of all was the way that M. & S. looked up to Ryan and loved to hold his hand or go for a piggy back ride on his shoulders. He was so sweet and kind towards them and did such a great job at keeping them entertained. 

When Sara and I were planning her family session, she totally trusted me with choosing the location and I think it worked out beautifully! The way the sun peeked through the green trees was gorgeous, and I love that this spot is quite different compared to our “normal” desert scenery in Phoenix. It’s amazing the variety of landscapes that Arizona truly has to offer! The kids had so much fun running around and tumbling in the dry grass. Sara had the most infectious laugh as she watched her littles play - it was darling!

I always like to include time for some photos of Mom & Dad alone during family sessions. Just when I thought Sara and Kirk couldn’t get any cuter during their photos, they began to tell me about how they were high school sweethearts and a bit more of their love story. How adorable are they?!?! They also explained that this was the first time they had gotten photos of just the 2 of them since their wedding almost 8 years ago! I knew instantly how special these would be for them and wanted to make a little magic happen. I’m sure you can tell just by looking through their photos what a fun loving couple they are! 

Sara and Kirk, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to capture your fun and joyful family. I had a blast getting to know your family and feel so honored to have been able to freeze this little moment in time for you. I hope when you look at these photos, the love you have built within your family radiates through them!

A Surprise Session

I’ve been holding off on writing this blog post for a little while now, because I was keeping a little (no, BIG) secret! You’ll have to read through to find out what it is…

Tessa and I met in our Happy Mom group that I’ve posted about before. I’m telling you, this group is SO GOOD, and if you’re local and expecting a little babe of your own soon, I highly recommend joining – 10 out of 10! Our daughters (who happen to share the same Birthday) are now passed the infant stage, but it’s brought me so much joy to keep in contact with Tessa! 

Let’s first talk about the fact that Garett and Tessa are total couple goals! Throughout their session, Garett would whisper into Tessa’s ear and constantly make her laugh. Their daughter, Parker, is one special little lady and is such a cutie pie. Parker’s name comes from Tessa’s maiden name and I’ll never get over how special it is that she gets to carry that on. She loved running across the bridge and watching the nearby ducks. I just love the way this family all look at one another, and you can truly feel the joy radiating through simply being around them. Just take a look at their photos and I bet you can’t help but smile! 

When Garett and Tessa were first dating, one of the first gifts he bought for her was a pair of Nike shoes. Ever since then, they have a tradition of being a “Jordan Family”. Whenever they leave the house, you’ll likely find them rocking their coordinating Nike sneakers. When they found out that they were expecting Parker, they used a new pair of baby Jordan shoes to share the news. And now… there’s another pair in the mix – SURPRISE!

Tessa & Garett, I’m so over the moon excited for you guys to grow your family. It’s so clear to see how loved the newest member of your family already is! This new babe is going to be the luckiest to get to join the three of you, and I know that Parker is going to be a fantastic big sister! I’m so honored that you allowed me to capture this extra special moment in your life - thank you! I hope that you’ll look back on these photos and remember the excitement that came with your family’s newest little miracle. 

Calvert Family Holiday Photos

I had so much fun photographing the Calvert Family for their Holiday photos. Between Marlo’s flowy red dress, Nick’s plaid green shirt, and Nora’s ruffled light gold dress, they really brought the Christmas vibe! It was so easy to see how joyful this family is and the love that they have for each other. We really got some great shots for their Holiday cards. Sweet Nora gave me quite the workout – she was on the go! Her favorite parts of the session included chasing the toys we brought to capture her attention, playing with the dry grass sprigs, and roaring when I asked her what sound a lion makes – what a cutie!

Thank you so much, Calvert Family, for allowing me to capture this precious moment for your family. May you always remember the sweet moments that Nora brings to your family and how much fun she is at this stage! 

The Jarvie Family

I’m obsessing over how good all of the photos from the Jarvie Family session were. I had such a tough time choosing my favorites! Claire suggested using the community area right near her and Will’s home which meant easy travel for the kids. The desert landscape and mountain backdrops were completely beautiful! We also chose to do a sunrise photo session which I think was a great fit for their kiddos. Sometimes, sunset sessions can be right in the middle of dinner or bed time, so scheduling a session for sunrise, although early, can be a great alternative option for happier little ones. 

Vivian and her big brother Landon had the sweetest bond. She was always reaching to hold his hand and they were all smiles throughout the session. Landon was so charismatic- he was telling me all about his Paw Patrol Halloween costume, how to spell his name, and followed my directions perfectly! He also had fun chasing his sister and couldn’t wait to go to the playground when his session was over. These two could totally be Gap Kids models!

Will’s sisters and nephew were in town visiting from Rhode Island. They were such great helpers in the background making everyone smile and helping the kids giggle. We even had a chance to capture some extended family shots at the end as well. It’s such a small world, because Will and his sisters actually grew up just outside of my hometown of Buffalo, NY. I’m always amazed how many people I meet out in Arizona that have Buffalo connections.

Claire also did a great job of styling her family’s outfits. I love the neutral tones that she chose. Both her flowy navy dress and Vivian’s tulle skirt were so dreamy. Will’s light pink shirt perfectly picked up the pinks in Vivan’s sweater. I loved that she paid close attention to the small details like her gold belt, Landon’s navy suspenders, and Vivan’s cream colored bow.

To the Jarvie Family: Your session is truly one for the books! I am honored that I was able to capture such precious memories of your loving family. I hope that some of these photos will fill the walls of your home and bring you joy when you look back on these precious moments. 

The Carreon Family Holiday Photos

How cute is this fun & festive family? Erica blew me away with the outfits that she chose for everyone! Her emerald green long sleeved dress was STUNNING and paired perfectly with her husband Matt’s lighter patterned shirt. I especially loved her booties that had a cute bow detail – she was a champ for walking through the desert trail wearing heels. Connor was also looking dapper in his festive plaid shirt and adorable green vest. Erica did such a great job of coordinating all of their looks, and I love how she mixed different prints together while keeping a holiday vibe. They all looked so good! Sometimes it’s hard to imagine Christmas in the desert, but they definitely brought all the holiday feels!

Connor was quite the little walker and was on the move during his session. Both Mom and Dad were so fun trying to get Connor’s attention to look at the camera. On a typical photo shoot with littles, you can expect there to be a lot of songs, animal sounds, and maybe even some high-pitched noises to grab the kid’s attention. I may have had to apologize for my signing voice once or twice after going through the different versus of “The Wheels on the Bus” - haha! Erica also had a great idea of bringing a helper for the behind the scenes with Connor. It worked out perfectly to have someone to watch Connor while we snapped photos of Mom & Dad alone too! 

Erica and Matt: Thank you so much for allowing me the honor to capture your family photos. You were naturals in front of the camera and I hope that you had a little bit of fun on your session too! When you look back on these photographs for years to come, may you remember what a fun stage Connor is in, all of the new and exciting things he discovers daily, and all of the sweet family moments that you share together. 

A Colorful Family Session

Mesa, AZ

When Sarah said that she wanted to do her extended family photos at the Mesa Arts Center, I was excited to check out a new location. This modern & urban vibe was a photographer’s paradise. There were so many other families here getting their holiday and yearly family photos taken. I could easily see why because of the variety of options with great lighting and colorful, modern backdrops. Although it’s a little different than my typical style, we decided to go with some bright and bold colorful backdrops and I think that it perfectly reflects the cheerful happiness of this family. The kids were so much fun to work with and we promised them that they could get in the water for their last shots - they couldn’t wait! For a mini session, we were able to get such a great variety of photos.

To the Moulton & Schilling Families: I had so much fun photographing your joyful family. I hope that they photos will bring you smilies as you look back on this time. Thank you for trusting me to capture your family.

A Fall Family Session

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you may remember me talking about Happy Mom School being my top recommendation for new Moms. I was lucky enough to meet Lorain through our Happy Mom group. It was always so nice to meet with her, and other moms, weekly to share our highs and lows of new mom life. I’m forever grateful for this group and the bonds that we have formed. 

Lorain and John have such calm and easy-going personalities. It was one of the first colder fall weekends in Phoenix, but they didn’t let the wind bother them one bit. Instead, they made photographing their lovely family so fun. Lorain’s floral dress flowed so beautifully in the wind, and I loved how she paired it with a cream sweater and knee-high boots – the perfect fall look! She did a great job coordinating everyone’s outfits together. Her sweet daughter was so talkative, and it was adorable to watch her engaged in all the new surroundings. Her expressions during the shoot were so so cute! Plus, I loved the way she would give her parents the sweetest looks. You just have to peek at the photo below of her looking at her Mama! Does your heart not melt?

Thank you to Lorain and John, for trusting me to photograph your adorable family. I hope that when you look back on these photos that you remember what a fun stage your daughter was in and all the sweet memories that you’ve built together. 

Colton’s Newborn Session

The tiniest fingers and toes! At just about a week old, Colton was absolutely precious during his newborn session. Colton is already so in love with his Mommy (and she is smitten with him too)! His favorite place to be during our session was snuggled up with her. She was able to get him sleepy enough for a few tries of swaddling and individual close ups. Danielle was such a natural Mama. She knew exactly what to do to calm Colton and was so patient with him. I know that they are going to build such great memories together and she is going to be such a loving and fun boy mom. Getting to see the bond between the two of them melted my heart. 

Let’s talk about all of the cute details that Danielle planned for his nursery. I can’t get over the navy-blue accent wall that her Dad (Colton’s Grandpa) helped her create. His wooden name sign over the crib completes the room perfectly. Grandpa even worked on making some personalized wooden toys for Colton that were signed “Love Grandpa” – definitely made straight from the heart! 

Danielle, thank you so much for allowing me the honor of joining your sweet family to capture some of Colton’s first moments. I hope that when you look back on these photos you remember the precious newborn moments that go by way too quickly. May you cherish them forever!

The Mutchler’s Extended Family Session

I had so much fun at the Mutchler’s sunrise extended family session last weekend! It’s wild to think the last time I saw them was for Decker’s newborn session before the pandemic started. I loved getting to see them all again, and I couldn’t believe how big all of the boys were. 

I love how close knit this family is - it was so easy to tell how much fun they all have together. You know those TV families (like in the show Parenthood) that you watch and can feel the love pouring out of the screen? That’s the Mutchler family to a tee! These little boys will always have the best memories growing up so close with their cousins, and how lucky are the three ladies to be surrounded by so many Mutchler men! The boys were adorable around their Mimi and Papa. You could tell how much they love them, and their faces lit up around them each time they got to sit in their laps.

When planning their session, even though sunrise was early, we thought it would be a better fit to work around the kiddos bed times. They all were such troopers despite waking up so early. Katie came up with the idea for their shoot location, and I was excited to try some place new. We shot just outside of a park that her and Rachel have been taking their boys to play, so I think it’s so special that they will be able to look back at these photos and remember all the fun times that they had playing together at this park.  

Mutchler Family: Thank you for allowing me the honor to capture your adorable family. (A special extra thanks for being the best background noise makers and attention getters for the little ones). I hope that you will always remember these sweet moments with your kids and grandchildren and cherish these photos for years to come. 

Steph’s Majestic Mountain Maternity Session

How great is it to have close friends that you get to go through life with? Steph has become a best friend to me over the past couple of years - thanks to our husbands who used to work together. From concerts, to sporting events, traveling, and now motherhood, it’s been the best to get to go through this season of life with her. At just about two months apart, our daughters are built in besties too!  Although the Clemenshaw’s live in Flagstaff now, we enjoy every time that we are able to see them. 

The Clemenshaw’s are welcoming a second daughter to their family in November and I can NOT wait to snuggle her when she arrives (and find out her name)! Steph and Khyl have already picked a name for baby girl #2, but do such a great job at keeping it a secret until her arrival. Can we also talk about how cute Sloane is too? She is always so happy and playful, and has the most beautiful eyes! I know that she is going to be the best big sister. 

Steph chose the dreamiest location for her maternity photos. The dry grass and mountain backdrops were majestic. Everything about this session was perfection, and just when I thought the next photos couldn’t get any better, they did! Steph’s flowy soft pink dress was gorgeous and a beautiful way to celebrate her daughters. Steph and Khyl were naturals in front of the camera and even came up with some of their own pose ideas. Their session was stunning, and if you look closely you’ll notice the cutest heart shaped cactus behind Sloane & Steph in one of their photos (totally unplanned). 

Steph and Khyl, we love doing life with your sweet family. We are so grateful to share this journey with you and build some incredible memories together. I hope that when you look back on these photos, you remember these endearing moments of your growing family. Thank you for trusting me to capture such a special time in your lives. 

Tania’s Desert Family Maternity Session

I wish you all could have been with me on my session with Tania and her family to see how cute the 3 of them were together. Tania, her husband Rudy, and daughter Sophia were like 3 peas in a pod (that’s a thing right?!?!). They were in town visiting Phoenix from Minnesota. Despite the summer heat, Tania didn’t seem bothered one bit and was in awe of all the cacti and beautiful mountains that surrounded us. It was so cute watching Sophia “trek” up the mountain and find little coves in the rocks to call her clubhouse. She was also a little pose guru, creating some fun ideas for her time in front of the camera. When it came time for Mom to slip on her blue dress, Sophia was the best helper. I also loved how sweet Rudy was, telling Tania how beautiful she looked! And man, was he right - this Mama was glowing!

Tania and her family will welcome a baby boy into their family next month. Congratulations Diaz family! I’m so honored to have been able to capture this special moment for you and I’m sure that Sophia is going to be the best big sister to her new baby brother.

Must Have Products for New Moms

It’s no secret that maternity sessions are some of my favorites. Maybe it’s because being a new mom myself, I’m able to relate to my clients and this journey that they are on. Even though pregnancy (for me) could be so dang hard at times, there was this sweet sense of wonder and excitement about the unknown of bringing a new baby into the world. Often times, my clients will ask me about my favorite baby products during our shoot, so I’ve rounded up some of my must haves for new moms & babies in their first year. You may be surprised to find out that my top recommendation can’t actually be found in stores – keep reading to find out what it is!

#11) DOCK A TOT: B loved napping in her dock a tot during the day. She was always so cuddly while she rested in there and in the beginning it was a great place for her to lounge while she was awake. We used this every single day and I am so glad that we had it! 

 #10) SOLLY BABY: In her first months, there would be some days that B was still learning how to navigate life on the outside. I loved the Solly Baby wrap. It took me a few times of watching a video on how to tie the wrap, but once I got it down, it was our go-to in order to get things done around the house. Anytime I wore her in the wrap, it was guaranteed that she would fall asleep. Plus, who doesn’t love all the sweet baby cuddles?

#9) ERGO BABY: After about 4 months old, we graduated to the Ergo Baby carrier. The Ergo Baby is a bit bulkier and more structured compared to the Solly Baby, but equally as great once your baby gets a bit bigger. 

#8) LOU LOU & COMPANY: I was a swaddling amateur. The Lou Lou & Company swaddles are soooo soft (if you know, you know) and the stretch in them makes swaddling easy for anyone! I recommend buying at least 2 for when baby spits up or has a blowout. 

#7) LOVE TO DREAM: After our blanket swaddling days were over, we tried the full entourage of sleep sacks and velcro sleep swaddles. B was always fighting her arms out of the swaddle. Enter, the Love to Dream Swaddle. She could finally have her little hands near her face and was happy as a clam. 

#6) RYAN & ROSE PACI: Our favorite pacifiers – all the cute colors don’t hurt either. Their cutie clips are also perfect for when we leave the house.

#5) TUBBY TODD: At first, I was reluctant to try these products because I thought they were a little expensive. Let me tell you, I only wish I had tried them sooner. I haven’t bought a Tubby Todd product that we don’t love! If you want to start with just one, the All Over Ointment is true miracle cream. A little goes a long way, so we’ve had our container for over a year now. It will clear up any rash or bump on your baby’s soft skin overnight! Use this link for 10% off.

#4) NEWTON MATTRESS: You really can breath through this mattress – I tried! I slept easier knowing that if B rolled over, she would still be safe. I also love that the entire mattress is made of a material that you can easily wash and dry in the shower and be ready to go before naptime. If you’ve ever had your baby have a blowout while sleeping, you know this is #mattressgoals. Get $30 off using the link I provided here.

#3) HATCH BABY REST: White noise is very helpful to mimic the womb while sleeping. The Hatch Baby Rest can be programed to turn on and off at certain times and has various light colors and levels for when your baby gets older. You can also control it you’re your phone. 

#2) HATCH BABY GROW: This changing pad is a splurge, but I am so happy that we got it. I can easily wipe down the pad after changing and love that it isn’t fabric to get dirty. My absolute FAVORITE feature of the changing pad is that you can weigh your baby before and after a feeding to see how much they ate while breastfeeding. This will also sync with the app on your phone and record all the times of your baby’s feed. On a side note: I (sadly) have no relation to the Hatch Products

#1) MODERN MILK HAPPY MOM SCHOOL: My top recommendation! If you’re local to the Phoenix area, I would highly recommend joining Happy Mom School. Modern Milk will pair you with a group of new moms. All of the moms have babies who are born within about 2 months of one another. I looked forward to going to our group every week and connecting with the other Moms. It was so helpful navigating the first few months of motherhood with them, sharing recommendations, and knowing that I wasn’t alone in what I was going through. Even now, about a year later, our group still keeps in touch & I know that I have made some life-long friends. 

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite baby products, or if you love any of the same ones I did. Comment below to let me know!

Some products contain an affiliate link. This is no extra charge to you, and in some cases will save you money.

Decker Joseph | A Lifestyle Newborn Session

Peoria, AZ

Katie and I have known each other for several years now. We first met back when we were both Math Teachers and had classrooms across the hall from one another. Around that time, we were going through dating, engagements, and wedding planning at the same time as one another. It’s so fun to have a friend who is in a similar stage of life as you and always willing to meet for happy hours to talk dating, wedding planning, and now motherhood.

Flash forward a few years to when Katie & Jeff had their first baby boy, Brayden, around the same time that I was just beginning Jynelle Hatch Photography. Katie was so gracious to let me practice my skills on her blue-eyed babe. We took 6 month milestone photos of Brayden (complete with Sophie the giraffe), cake smash photos for his first birthday, and family Christmas Card photos with their dog Chloi.

When Katie & Jeff welcomed their second boy into the world, I couldn’t wait to capture his little toes & fingers at their in home newborn lifestyle shoot. I can’t ever get enough of the sweet cries and their little features - aren’t newborns just the cutest?!?! The fact that Katie could get her whole family ready for photos, and still have time to look like a GORGEOUS GODDESS only a few days postpartum is rockstar status! In my first few days as a new mom, I don’t think I ever took my PJ’s off (and I remember some middle of the night texts asking Katie “Is _____ normal? How do you _____?” - she was a lifesaver! Needless to say, Katie is a “SuperMom”.

Katie & Jeff’s love for one another and their kids was evident during their session. They have such a fun relationship with Brayden and I know that will develop with Decker as well. It was so precious to watch Brayden give his new little brother kisses and hold his hand - he was taking his new “Big Brother” role very seriously and it made my heart melt!

Thank you so much Katie and Jeff for allowing me the honor of capturing one of Decker’s first few days in this world. You both are truly the best parents to your boys and they are so lucky to have you! I have really treasured our friendship over the years.

Photography: Jynelle Hatch Photography

A Golden Hour Maternity Session

It felt like such a long break during the first couple of months of COVID-19 and not being behind the camera. I was finding myself snapping photos of home decor, and turning everyday tasks, like picking lemons off the tree in our backyard, into photoshoots with my daughter.

When I finally got the chance to get back behind the lens, I was fortunate enough to photograph Lauren’s maternity session. Let me tell you, it filled my heart up to be snapping the shutter again. We were able to safely keep a distance while outside (I used my 85 mm lens so that I could stay further away), and I rocked my newest style accessory - my mask! We even got lucky that the weather was a bit cooler than normal for a typical June evening in Arizona and there was a perfect breeze to catch her dress and give her hair all the Beyonce vibes. Between her gorgeous bump and the beautiful golden hour light, this Mama was GLOWING!

Lauren is expecting her third daughter this month. She was sure her newest addition would be a boy, and even had a name picked out, but more pink is in her future. Baby Everleigh is so lucky to have such a wonderful and beautiful Mama, Lauren.

Photography: Jynelle Hatch Photography

White Boho Lace Dress with Sleeves: Reclamation

Makeup: Leah Cayzer, First Blush Beauty

A special thanks to Just For Fun Shootouts and Martha Felix for coordinating this shootout.

Preserving your Memories Using Chatbooks

One thing I love doing is scrolling back to the very beginning of my photo album in my phone. It’s crazy how quickly I forget about little daily moments that bring back fond memories and make me smile. I have really loved using Chatbooks over this past year to print my photos into a book form. Today, I’ll fill you in on how simple it is to create a Chatbook. Keep reading to the end of this post to get your first Chatbook FREE! 

If you have scheduled a portrait session, your photographer can curate a professional album for you. This is an extra special keepsake to document your wedding, maternity session, newborn session, or important life moments. However, for every day photos, consider using Chatbooks. I have LOVED creating Chatbooks on my phone. It’s a simple app and can link directly to specific albums in your phone or to an Instagram account. 

 Once you have downloaded the app, decide if you want to create an album from Instagram or your phone photos. If you choose Instagram, you can even elect to create an automatic book subscription where Chatbooks will transfer your dates and captions to your book and mail your album every 60 posts. I have a private Instagram account for my family phone photos and will post any photos I want in my Chatbook to this account. This has also become a fun account for close family members to follow as well. 

If you prefer to create a Chatbook on your own timeline, you can go through your camera roll and quickly import the photos into your book. The app allows you to create collages if you want more than one picture per page. You can also change the crop, caption, and dates. Pro tip: vary the pages to have full spreads and collages side by side for a curated look. Once your book is complete, you’re ready to order! That’s it – it’s really so simple! Chatbooks also make great gifts for holidays and grandparents too!

You can get your first Chatbook FREE with my code: JYNELLEHATCH-GTTH. This offer is good for your first book free (up to a $10 value, or $10 off).

Happy Memory Making! 

-       Jynelle

DO IT FOR THE GRAM: Quickly Edit Your Cellphone Photos for a Cohesive Look

While scrolling through Instagram, you’ve probably noticed how most influencers have a very cohesive looking Instagram grid. Today, I’m going to spill all the deets on how you can get your grid to look like one that will rival social media influencers. Don’t use Instagram? No worries! These tips are helpful if you’re building a photo album as well. 

1.     VARY YOUR PHOTOS 

Create interest in your grid by not only posting photos of people, but detail shots as well. By varying the photos that you post, you will create an editorial look to your Instagram. 

2.     CHOOSE A STYLE

Do you prefer light & fresh looking images or are you more into a dark & moody look? Once you have identified your preferred style it will help you to edit your photos in a consistent look. Another secret is that influencers often pair photos with the same color throughout their grid. For example they will post photos with blush and gold tones together, then transition to photos that have blue tones, etc.  

3.     QUICKLY EDIT

If you’ve been following along with my blog, you’ve already mastered taking better iPhone photos. Now, you can quickly edit the photos to reflect your style. Apps like VSCO and Lightroom offer convenient editing. 

VSCO is an easy to use app and doesn’t require any photography knowledge. Simply look through the various presets that are offered in the app and select one that you like the best. Once you choose your favorite, consistency is key – stick with that same preset to edit each of your photos. If using Lightoom, you can take a more custom approach to editing by moving the sliders for exposure, temperature, etc. Lightroom also allows you to use the heal tool to remove unwanted features in a photo. I’ve noticed that many influencers even sell their own custom presets that they use on their photos which allow you to edit with one click in Lightroom.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share how to preserve your beautifully captured cell phone photos in affordable albums.

Happy Memory Making!

- Jynelle