Cozy & Candid: Melissa, Andrew, Owen, and baby Eleanor’s newborn and family portraits at home

It is the highest honor to get to work with clients multiple times as a photographer, so I feel big gratitude for all the life chapters I’ve been able to witness and photograph with Melissa and Andrew over the years. Melissa and Andrew are such lovely, kind people. I first photographed them for their engagement session and wedding at St. Mark’s Cathedral. A year later, I photographed their anniversary and pregnancy announcement. After they welcomed their son Owen into the world, I met them in their home for a newborn session. Most recently, I had the joy of meeting Melissa and Andrew’s daughter Eleanor (the newest addition to their family!) and photographing all four of them for a newborn/lifestyle session. What a gift to get to document their family’s growth through time! 

Melissa is an artist and loves photography. Having worked together for several years now, I have a real sense for what style of portraits she and Andrew value. It felt both exciting and effortless to co-create another photoshoot together. Melissa and Andrew treasure the portraits they have of Owen as a newborn, so they wanted this lifestyle session to include portraits that also felt cozy, candid, and storytelling. They chose to have the photoshoot in their charming South Minneapolis home in order to document the everydayness of life as a family with a toddler and a newborn. Their toddler Owen was out of the house at daycare for most of the photoshoot, so that Melissa and Andrew could share some moments alone with their newborn, but he came home in time to take some full family portraits. I’ve found that a lot of my families with toddlers appreciate having their toddler participate in part but not all of the photoshoot, as their energetic bodies often aren’t up for a full session. 

Melissa, Andrew, and Eleanor’s newborn portraits at home

We started the session upstairs in the space where Melissa and Andrew spend the most time with their daughter Eleanor. The angular ceiling and sunny skylight created a cozy, warm tone. I took some portraits of just Eleanor, capturing sweet baby details like her little toes, and some portraits of her parents cradling her. One of Melissa, Andrew, and my favorite portraits captures Melissa rocking Eleanor while Andrew sits on the bed, their cat perched on the headboard behind him. This portrait feels so alive and candid, documenting the everyday tenderness of life with a newborn and of sharing space with the ones you love. 

Next we moved downstairs to their living room. I took more portraits of Eleanor, capturing her full head of hair, her tiny eyelashes, her adorable baby stretches as she reached her arms above her head, and her soft, serene smile as she rested on the couch and in her parents’ arms. These portraits created this beautiful moment for Melissa and Andrew to slow down and savor the special memories they are making with Eleanor in their lives. 

Family portraits with Melissa, Andrew, Owen, and Eleanor 

Once Owen came home from daycare, I photographed their full family of four cuddled together on the couch. There is so much energy and joy emanating from these portraits. I also photographed Owen holding Eleanor by himself, using a boppy for support. In some, he is all smiles and giggles, and in others he wraps his arms around her and gently hugs his little sister. These portraits are a time capsule into such a charming and fleeting moment in time as Owen embraces his first days as a big brother. Melissa and Andrew- what a joy it is to work with you both and to watch your family grow!