Newborn Before and Afters

January 26, 2014

So, this year, I’m committing to doing more posts like this. I find it absolutely fascinating to take a peek behind the lens (and over the shoulder of a photographer while editing) to see just how much goes into the final image that a client sees. It helps me understand just how much is required to produce a quality final product at the right cost (a huge beast to wrestle). I’ve posted a few images of these to my facebook page and it’s piqued some interest over there so I thought I’d show a little more of how it’s done. Enjoy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSPzZElZhMs&w=560&h=315]

sarahgrayphoto

869 1,683

Maternity • Newborns • Babies • Family
Photographer based in Tallahassee, Florida
Master Baby, Family, and Maternity Photographer awarded by @napcp

I drove to a beach session in the rain once.

The whole hour down, I was watching those clouds like they personally owed me something. The family only had a few days at the beach house - no rescheduling, no backup dates. We had an indoor plan ready just in case, but I was really hoping we wouldn`t need it.

And then, right as I was pulling in, the sky cleared.

Just like that.

We walked out onto the sand and the session unfolded the way the best ones do - easy, relaxed, full of real moments. That soft post-storm light hit everything just right.

I think about that drive a lot. The backup plan was real and we would have used it if we needed to. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: flexibility and a good attitude matter more than perfect conditions.

When families come in willing to roll with whatever happens, the photos almost always reflect that ease right back at them.

The clouds cleared. They almost always do.
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#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17970088338064483

I drove to a beach session in the rain once.

The whole hour down, I was watching those clouds like they personally owed me something. The family only had a few days at the beach house - no rescheduling, no backup dates. We had an indoor plan ready just in case, but I was really hoping we wouldn't need it.

And then, right as I was pulling in, the sky cleared.

Just like that.

We walked out onto the sand and the session unfolded the way the best ones do - easy, relaxed, full of real moments. That soft post-storm light hit everything just right.

I think about that drive a lot. The backup plan was real and we would have used it if we needed to. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: flexibility and a good attitude matter more than perfect conditions.

When families come in willing to roll with whatever happens, the photos almost always reflect that ease right back at them.

The clouds cleared. They almost always do.
*
*
*
*
*
#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

This is the part I don`t think gets said enough:

You don`t have to have it all figured out before you reach out.

You don`t need to know exactly what your kids will wear, or whether everyone will cooperate, or whether the weather will behave. That`s my job to help with.

What you do need is the trip on the calendar and the people you love showing up.

I`ll handle the rest.
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#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17886330771415630

This is the part I don't think gets said enough:

You don't have to have it all figured out before you reach out.

You don't need to know exactly what your kids will wear, or whether everyone will cooperate, or whether the weather will behave. That's my job to help with.

What you do need is the trip on the calendar and the people you love showing up.

I'll handle the rest.
*
*
*
*
*
#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

If you`ve been quietly thinking "I really need to get good photos of my kids" — this is your sign.

Not next year. Not when things slow down. This summer.

Our country turns 250 this year, and something about that number made me stop and think about legacy. About the portraits that get passed down. About the ones that make your grandchildren say, "Wow, look at who you were."

That`s exactly why I`m offering Heirloom Portraits this July — including for my own four kids. Simple. Timeless. Completely focused on who your child is right now.

July 12th spots are filling fast. If this is something you`ve been wanting, link in bio has everything you need.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17924060994146027

If you've been quietly thinking "I really need to get good photos of my kids" — this is your sign.

Not next year. Not when things slow down. This summer.

Our country turns 250 this year, and something about that number made me stop and think about legacy. About the portraits that get passed down. About the ones that make your grandchildren say, "Wow, look at who you were."

That's exactly why I'm offering Heirloom Portraits this July — including for my own four kids. Simple. Timeless. Completely focused on who your child is right now.

July 12th spots are filling fast. If this is something you've been wanting, link in bio has everything you need.

This sweet boy, his adoring parents, and extra love from ones who love like family. What a blessed baby boy. ❤️

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17942010840215957

This sweet boy, his adoring parents, and extra love from ones who love like family. What a blessed baby boy. ❤️

`Just be yourselves!`

Great advice.

Except when you`re standing there, staring at a camera, and your husband looks at you and mouths `what does that mean` while your kid has already asked for snacks twice and you`re all just kind of... waiting.

What I actually do instead is give people specific things to do. Real prompts, actual activities, things that are designed to make at least one person break into a genuine laugh - because once that happens, everything else follows.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18094580105614255

'Just be yourselves!'

Great advice.

Except when you're standing there, staring at a camera, and your husband looks at you and mouths 'what does that mean' while your kid has already asked for snacks twice and you're all just kind of... waiting.

What I actually do instead is give people specific things to do. Real prompts, actual activities, things that are designed to make at least one person break into a genuine laugh - because once that happens, everything else follows.

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Memberships and Affiliations

Sarah Gray Photography | Professional Photographer of America Member

Sarah Gray Photography | The Motherhood Anthology Member

Sarah Gray creates timeless and joyful images that are designed for living room walls and photo albums. A tallahassee photographer, Sarah Gray also serves Thomasville, Crawfordville, St. Marks, Gainesville and throughout the panhandle of north Florida and south Georgia.

email us | sarah@sarahgray.com

telephone (850) 321-0208

located in tallahassee, florida