Some babies enter the studio and the room instantly feels softer. This little boy did that the moment I met him. Calm, cozy, and full of quiet strength, he brought a story that could be felt in every frame and I felt it every minute as a Lake Forest Newborn Photographer.
His name is Oliver, and it carries deep meaning. He was named in memory of his grandpas, which made photographing him feel especially intentional. Every detail mattered. The way his fingers curled. The way his shoulders relaxed once he was settled. There was a quiet purpose to the session, knowing how much love and history his name holds.
Oliver is a miracle baby. After a very hard, high-risk pregnancy, he arrived early so he could have the best chance at survival. That journey lives just under the surface of these images. You can feel it in the stillness. You can see it in how carefully this season is being held. Morgan shared that he is her little love, and that truth showed up in every choice made to preserve these days.
One of my favorite stories Morgan told me happened long before Oliver arrived. She shared how she told Geoffrey they were expecting on Father’s Day. Their toddler walked into the room early that morning wearing an “awesome brother” shirt. Geoffrey was half asleep and totally missed it. Morgan tried to hint at it, but nothing clicked. Finally, she told their toddler to show Geoffrey his shirt. Geoffrey read the words out loud, looked confused, and said it should say “awesome dad.” A few quiet seconds passed. Then it hit him. “Wait… you’re pregnant?” That moment still makes her laugh. Everyone else found out later with a surprise ultrasound photo, but that early morning reaction was unforgettable.
During pregnancy, Morgan leaned into comfort food. Mexican food and pasta with marinara sauce were always at the top of the list. Simple meals that felt grounding during a season that asked a lot from her body and her heart.
Even before he was born, Oliver had a personality. Every night from 1 to 6am, he was wide awake and moving. Like clockwork. Now that he is here, that rhythm has stayed the same. His nights are long, his days are slow, and his presence fills the quiet hours.
Oliver looks just like Morgan. One hundred percent. From his tiny features to the expressions that flicker across his face while he sleeps, there is no question. Capturing those details felt especially important knowing how much he has already been through in such a short time.
As a Lake Forest Newborn Photographer one detail that stood out right away was his hair. We kept calling him little monkey during the session because he had so much of it. Soft, fuzzy, and full of texture. That kind of detail changes quickly, so I made sure to preserve it from every angle. Those are the things families often miss the most later.
Morgan shared that one of the biggest surprises of parenthood has been how little sleep you can survive on and how much laundry one tiny human can create. And still, there is so much joy in this season. Even in the quiet moments. Even in the tired ones.
This session was calm and unhurried. It was about honoring exactly where Oliver is right now. Small. Strong. New. The kind of stage that feels long in the middle of it and impossibly short once it has passed.
Thank you, Morgan and Geoffrey, for trusting me with such a meaningful chapter of your story. Photographing Oliver and preserving these early days was truly special.
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