The Psychological Benefits of Printed Photos | Boise Family Portrait Photographer

Do you print photos for your children to hold and enjoy?

Did you know there is a psychological benefit to having printed photos of yourself and your family in your home?  It's true!  In the words of Psychologist Judy Weiser:

When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: "These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.”

Psychologists have researched the benefits of having self portraits on the self esteem of children.

During a 5-week study  in 1975 that explored the impact of portrait photography on the self-esteem of 4th graders, Jerry Fryrear of Tulane University and Mary Ammerman found that the children who were given portraits of themselves as part of the experiment experienced a 37% increase in self‐esteem related behaviors compared to the control group (who received portraits at the end of the project). Professor Geoff Beattie, Dean of Psychological Sciences at the University of Manchester asserts: "For children, in particular, looking at photographs is part of the socializing process; learning who you are and where you fit into the family. By displaying photographs of our children at different stages of their lives, we are making a very public statement that we are proud of them.” 

Did you have printed photos and photo albums to look at growing up?

Many of our parents and grandparents likely had family photos proudly displayed on their walls or neatly presented in photo albums for us to look at whenever our hearts desired. In today's world, most photos are left on electronic devices and never printed. I get it, ordering prints, creating albums and hanging photos on your walls takes time and effort - way more effort than posting on social media or scrolling through a device. Sadly, this means that many children today are growing grow up without physical photos of themselves and their family that they can touch, hold, and cherish. 

Does it matter if the photos are printed or digital? 

David Krauss, Licensed Psychologist and author of Phototherapy in Mental Health, argues that: “placing a family photo someplace in the home where the child can see it every day without having to turn on a device or click around on a computer to find it really hits home for that child this sense of reassurance and comfort. They have a certainty about them and a protecting quality that nurtures a child. It let’s them know where they are in the pecking order and that they are loved and cared for,” When we print photos for our children, we are giving them the opportunity to access, look back on, and enjoy their memories and favorite photos without needing our help to do so. When we print photos for our children, we are empowering them.

Top 3 Reasons to Get Breastfeeding Portraits | Boise Breastfeeding Photographer

There are many reasons why a mother may want breastfeeding photos. Here are the top 3 reasons I know of:

1. To capture a special moment in time: Breastfeeding is a unique and intimate bonding experience between a mother and her child. A mother may want to capture these special moments to look back on and remember the early days of her child's life.

2. To document the breastfeeding journey: Breastfeeding can be a challenging journey, and a mother may want to document her progress and celebrate her accomplishments. Breastfeeding photos can be a way to visually document this journey and serve as a reminder of the mother's strength and resilience.

3. To normalize and encourage breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is a natural and normal way to feed a baby and it has many benefits for both the mother and the child. Unfortunately, it is not always seen that way in society. By sharing breastfeeding photos, a mother may hope to help normalize breastfeeding and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Overall, breastfeeding photos can be a beautiful and meaningful way for a mother to capture the special bond with her child, to celebrate her breastfeeding journey, and to help normalize and promote this natural and important aspect of motherhood.

What is Minimal Newborn Photography? | Boise Newborn Photographer

Minimal newborn photography, also known as "simple" or "natural" newborn photography, is a popular style of newborn photography that emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and natural poses. Below are the top 5 reasons why I love minimal newborn photography and why I use this style in my own work:

1. Focus on the newborn: Minimal newborn photography places the focus firmly on the newborn baby, without distracting backgrounds or props. This helps capture the beauty and innocence of the baby in a natural and unobtrusive way.

2. Timeless and classic: The minimalist style of newborn photography is timeless and classic, and will not become dated as trends come and go. It can be appreciated for years to come, and can also serve as a beautiful reminder of how small and precious the baby once was.

3. Authenticity: By keeping the focus on the baby, minimal newborn photography demonstrates a sense of authenticity and intimacy. This helps illustrate the baby's unique personality and spirit, as well as the bond between the baby and their parents.

4. Versatility: Minimal newborn photography can be done in a variety of settings and with a variety of lighting conditions. It is adaptable to different locations and can be done indoors or outdoors. Minimal newborn photography is perfect for a traveling studio, such as mine.

5. Emotional impact: The simplicity and naturalness and authenticity of minimal newborn photography highlights the feelings of tenderness, love, and awe. This authentic emotion can make the photographs even more special and meaningful for parents and family members.

Overall, minimal newborn photography is an incredibly beautiful and powerful way to capture the essence of a newborn baby and create lasting memories for families.

Meet NICU Graduate Newborn Baby Logan | August Spotlight | Boise NICU Newborn Photographer

What was baby Logan’s weight and gestational age when he was born?

Baby Logan was born at 32 weeks and he weighed just 2.7 pounds.

Why was baby Logan in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit? How long was he there?

Baby Logan was in the NICU because he was premature. Logan was born early due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP. At birth they discovered that he had suffered from Intra-uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and he was only the size of a baby of 28 weeks gestation. He spent a total of 42 days in the NICU.

Can you tell me a little bit about your pregnancy and birth story?

My pregnancy was relatively uneventful. However, I think I may have had Covid-19 in the first trimester of pregnancy, because I had all the symptoms, although I never tested positive for the virus. IUGR is known to be caused by infection, so we believe that is why Logan had IUGR.

We were also monitoring my blood pressure at home. One day, my blood pressure was very high and I had a headache, so we went to the hospital. While we were there, they hoped to be able to delay labor and delivery for another four weeks. I made it 12 hours before the doctor’s ordered an emergency C-section because they were concerned I might have a seizure.

What kind of treatment and procedures did baby Logan have to undergo in the NICU?

When baby Logan was three days old, things turned downhill and Logan began to fuss and get a distended belly. He was rushed into emergency surgery where they discovered that a large portion of his stomach had died and perforated so he was leaking air and milk into his abdomen. The surgery was successful and he remained on a ventilator and replogle for several days. After ten days of no eating he was able to try breastfeeding and now he is eating from the breast and bottle like a champ!

How is baby Logan doing now?

Baby Logan is doing well, except for some discomfort from reflux from the fortifier he has to take with his milk. Luckily, our pediatrician has recommended something to help with the reflux. He is now 9 weeks old and weighs 6 pounds. We are so glad to have him home!

What was the most challenging part about having a baby in the NICU?

Going home every night and leaving our newborn son at the hospital was so painful. It helped knowing he was in such great hands. I also found it challenging to pump around the clock. Knowing I was providing food and stockpiling it for Logan made it easier to keep the momentum of pumping every three hours.

Was there anything you found helpful for coping during your time in the NICU (or beyond)?

Take some time for yourself and your partner. It’s so important to step away and recharge.

High Key Newborn Photography | Boise Newborn Photographer

What is High Key Photography?

High key photography is a style of photography that strives to eliminate dark shadows and usually has a blown out the background. High key portraits tend to be very bright, which gives them a positive and cheerful feel. For this reason, I think high key photography is excellent for newborn portraits. There is so much joy and excitement surrounding newborn babies, so a bright and happy lighting style can really help shape the mood of the portrait.

High key photo of a newborn baby. Notice the bright white background and soft shadows throughout the photo.

High key newborn family portrait. Notice that everyone is wearing white, which gives the photo an overall bright and clean appearance.

How is High Key Photography done?

High key photos are generally achieved by using a high powered strobe or flash to blow out the background. However, high key portraits can also be achieved in an outdoor setting using a bright background and making sure to expose correctly for the person whose photo is being taken. In the photos below, I placed the strobe behind my subjects, so they are actually backlit. High key photos look great in black and white and lend to a simple, timeless look.

If you look closely at this photo, you can see the highlights on the newborn baby’s head and on the swaddle near the baby’s back.

Here you can see the highlights (from the strobe light) are near the baby’s eye closest to his father’s face and just below the father’s beard.

Why is High Key Photography great for Newborn Portraits?

High key photography really allows for the emphasis to be placed on the subject matter being photographed - in this case, the newborn and his/her family. It gives a clean, simple, timeless, and classic feel to the portraits. No distracting backgrounds or other elements. Just the baby and the people that matter. I find that high key newborn portraits have an ethereal look to them - that is they look so delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.

Breastfeeding Journey Project | Breastfeeding Awareness Month | Boise Motherhood Photographer

I had such a wonderful time celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month with this Breastfeeding Portrait Session. Breastfeeding portraits are one of my favorite types of motherhood portraits. There is something just so pure and beautiful about a baby at his/her mother’s breast. Of course, there are many ways to feed a baby (breast, bottle, g-tube, ng-tube) and the most important thing is that a baby is loved and nourished. I am not here to judge how anyone feeds their child, only to celebrate the beauty, struggles, and immense joy of motherhood through photography.

Keepsake Reflections provides on location breastfeeding and motherhood portrait photography services. These photos were taken in the Boise Foothills.

Ashley is one of the brave and beautiful mamas who is participating in the Breastfeeding Journey Project, a photography project I am working on to document and raise awareness about the rewards and challenges of breastfeeding. I interviewed Ashley about her breastfeeding journey and had the opportunity to take some beautiful photos of her and her darling baby girl in the Boise Foothills.

Breastfeeding photography is a wonderful way to document the special bond between mother and child.

What has been the most challenging part of your breastfeeding journey?

The most challenging part of my breastfeeding journey was sticking with it through the tongue and lip tie, which caused a lot of pain while breastfeeding. Thankfully, we were able to identify the ties with the help of a lactation consultant who came to our home. We were able to get the frenectomy and frenulectomy right away.

What is something that has surprised you along the way?

I was surprised by how difficult breastfeeding was. There is not enough education on breastfeeding and the struggles you may encounter.

Keepsake Reflections specializes in Breastfeeding and Motherhood Photography.

What type of support have you had in your breastfeeding journey?

I had a Doula who was great and referred me to a lactation consultant who came to my home and found the tongue and lip tie. I also have a close friend who strictly breastfed her son and she helped me by sharing her experiences.

Did you experience any complications while breastfeeding?

My daughter had a tongue and lip tie that required a frenectomy and frenulectomy. It caused a lot if pain to breastfeed and because she could not latch correctly, she wanted to latch all the time as she was not getting as much milk. This made me feel like I was not providing enough, although I was, but that anxiety is real. All I can say is if you see they have plenty of wet diapers you are providing enough for your baby. Once the tongue and lip tie were corrected it got better, it took a few weeks for us to get the hang of it but now we are pros!

Breastfeeding portrait sessions are intimate and fun, it’s a great way to invest in memories for yourself and your child (or children).

What has been the most rewarding part of your breastfeeding journey?

The most rewarding part of my breastfeeding journey is the bonding I have been able to do with my daughter. Also, knowing that I am giving her all the nutrients she needs through the breastmilk, which was very important to me.

What made you want to participate in the Breastfeeding Journey Project?

I wanted to be a part of this project to help other breastfeeding mommas know that it is normal to struggle and in most cases it does get better if you stick with it! Get a lactation consultant to help answer questions and know that your body was meant to do this. That is not to say that there are not circumstances that can prevent the ability to breastfeed.

The breastfeeding journey is part of the larger journey of motherhood. It’s a wonderful way to document the early days, months, and years of motherhood and of your child at that stage in life. We are happy to photograph breastfeeding newborns to toddlers and beyond.

Meet NICU Graduate Newborn Baby Kai | July Spotlight | Boise NICU Newborn Photographer

What was baby Kai’s gestation and size when he was born?

Kai is one of the bravest, strongest, little NICU warriors that I have met so far. Baby Kai was born at 25 weeks 6 days, weighing a mere 2lbs 2oz. He is considered a micro-preemie. Micro-preemies are babies that are born before 26 weeks gestation.

Why was baby Kai in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit?

Kai’s mother, Tawny, started having random cramping one day. She went in on the second day to get checked. She was having contractions, but wasn’t showing that she was dilated. However, within 30 minutes, she went from 0 to 100 and when they checked her, her water was bulging, and then it broke. The first 3 days in the NICU were very tough, trying to cope with the unexpected and gain an understanding of all the medical terminology. Baby Kai had two major brain bleeds (grade 3 and 4) on both right and left side of his brain. He also had lung hemorrhage and had pocket of air in his lung, which was fixed without major intervention. He was on the ventilator for 2 months. He had severe hydrocephalus which needed early intervention around 3 weeks to relieve the pressure. Then he had to get a drain to release excess fluid that was building up in his brain.

What kind of treatment and procedures did baby Kai have to undergo in the NICU?

Baby Kai was transferred from one hospital to the other for the drain procedure. They did not have good experience and believe medical mistakes were made that could have killed him if Mama wasn’t such a good advocate. The first hospital they were at had donor-based milk fortifier while the hospital they were transferred to had cow-based fortifier (Similac). Mama was not happy about that, but didn’t realize she had a choice to use just her breast milk. Poor baby Kai ended up getting NEC (Necrotizing enterocolitis), which is a common complication with preemies. Kai underwent 7 days of antibiotics and IV nutrition. He also had inguinal hernia and had to have surgery for that. When he had medical NEC, his intestines ended up sticking to the internal sac and they had to cauterize.

Kai was on the drain for hydrocephalus for about a week. They were taking about 5ml of fluid out of his brain. He started having Brady’s and dips with ventilation. Mom made call that they should take drain out or lower dose of fluid coming out (had had about 100ml taken out at that point). He then needed to have a subgaleal shunt. They were not able to make the CPAP work, so he was re-intubated for a few weeks until he could breathe better on nasal canula. Doctors put him on albuterol to help with bronchial inflammation. After the albuterol treatment, he was tachychardic for a long time (up to 240bpm). He was puffy from fluid retention and needed a diuretic. They gave him two rounds, which was probably excessive. Then he ended up needing a blood transfusion.

When first transferred to the other hospital, he was out of the incubator with humidity, but they put him back in just because that’s what they typically do until 34 weeks Gestational Age. They said the benefit of the incubator is to help with dry skin. He ended up getting overheated and getting a fever because he was too hot.

Kai was transferred back to the first hospital after the subgaleal shunt was installed, where he stayed for 9 weeks until they went back to the other hospital for a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. They were there for a few weeks and then hey got discharged.

How is baby Kai doing now?

Kai came home on a feeding tube and he pulled it out just days before his photo shoot. They are currently evaluating how he handles feeding without the tube to see whether he can keep it out. He was technically just over 4 months old when I went to take his photo, but very much still a newborn at only 1 month gestational age.

This family has been through so much during their NICU journey and they are some of the strongest people. It is clear that Kai is incredibly loved and he is lucky to have such fierce parents advocating for him.

Summer Sun and Stunning Maternity Photos | Boise Maternity Photographer

Who loves summer? I feel like we are all supposed to love summer… You know, the long hot days and ice cream. I think it’s a remnant of childhood and the freedom of being out of school and being able to ride my bike and swim and play all day. I did not care about the heat as a kid. I had pools to jump in and sprinklers to run through. I just had to make sure to put my sunscreen on every hour! Otherwise, I turned into a blistering tomato. So yeah, summer as a kid was glorious. Now, as an adult, I can’t say I love summer in the same way. I think it’s just the heat that I don’t love so much!! I do love the long days, and extra hours for recreating in daylight, but I do not love the summer heat!

Anyway, if the heat doesn’t bother you, or you are at least willing to bear it, you can still have a beautiful portrait session on a summer evening! There is something about the summer sun. Oh yes, it’s HOT! But we already mentioned that, didn’t we? It was only 92 degrees at 7:30pm when we met up for this maternity portrait session in the Boise foothills. Of course, most pregnant women will not find that 92 degrees to be very pleasant if they are standing in the direct sun. So, in order to keep this mama happy and comfortable during her maternity photo shoot, we spent a good amount of time in the shade, taking pictures under a little alcove of trees. It was a good reprieve from the heat of the sun. However, shooting in the shade can be a challenge, especially if you want to capture details of the sunlit background. I wonder if you can tell which pictures were taken in the shade and which ones were taken in the direct sun?

Despite the summer heat, the portrait session was a success, especially considering that the 3 year old was having an afternoon of meltdowns just prior to the photo shoot. He must have been happy to be outside, because we had a fun time and got some great pictures, with smiles and all. His favorite activity? Grabbing dirt piles of dirt that had been excavated by the ants and throwing it, of course! At Keepsake Reflections, we want kids to have fun during a portrait session. It’s actually a priority! Because the family portrait experience is not just about posing and getting a stiff smile, it’s about actually enjoying time with your family and making memories that are captured visually. We don’t want to just give you a picture, we want to give you the story behind it as well.

In-Home Newborn Photography in Star, Idaho | Boise Newborn Photographer

It was such a privilege to be allowed into this family’s home during the first weeks of their precious baby girls new life to capture newborn photos for them. She was such a great little model and didn’t pee on my blanket until the very end of the photo shoot! Her big brothers were just smitten with her, especially the youngest, who is 8 years old and super excited to be a big brother.

There is something so intimate about an in-home newborn photo session, about being let into someone’s home in the midst of their sleep deprivation and the huge adjustment to having a new member of the household. However, it’s also super convenient not just for new moms, but for families with older kids as well. When the kids are at home, they can run around and play in their natural environment in between being called in for pictures. Mom can relax and even wait to freshen up until I am there and setting up. If the family wants to use any special props, like outfits or blankets that have been gifted to the baby, they don’t have to worry about gathering everything up and bringing it to a studio, or even worse, forgetting something at home! Yes, you can get professional newborn photos in the comfort and convenience of your own home.

Did I mention another benefit for new families to have newborn photography done in the comfort of your own home? You don’t have to worry about bringing snacks for your older kids or for Mom/Dad! Most newborn photo sessions run 2-3 hours long, so if someone gets hungry, it’s pretty quick and easy to run into the kitchen and grab something to eat!

What happens if it’s an overcast day or you don’t have great natural light in your house? You don’t have to worry! I bring external photography lights. These newborn photos were all taken on a very dark and cloudy day. You know, one of those weird summer days where it just rains and rains? Yep! It was one of those days and we still got beautiful portraits.

So, if you’re in the Boise metro area and interested in getting in-home newborn portraits, let’s chat!

Fall Maternity Photos in the Foothills | Boise Maternity Photographer

Fall is a great time for maternity portraits. Heck, Fall is a great time for any kind of portraits! Motherhood portraits, breastfeeding portraits, family portraits, you name it. Why is fall such a great time for a portrait session? Well, here in Boise, Fall is the time of year when you don’t have to worry about the unrelentless summer heat, the unpredictable wind or rain of spring, and the cold of winter. So what? Well, that means you can dress comfortably in that summer dress and not worry about having to bring a bunch of layers to coordinate your outfit or shivering between photos and faking a genuine smile. You don’t have to worry about sweating your makeup off in the summer heat or the dreaded wet armpits!

Here at Keepsake Reflections, we love outdoor maternity portrait sessions, and although we do them year round, we simply love outdoor photo sessions during the fall. Of course, I talked about being comfortable temperature wise, but did I also mention the time of sunset? It’s perfect in the fall! In the summer, sunset in Boise is not until 9:30pm on the Summer Solstice and it’s just after 5pm on the Winter Solstice. Since I always shoot in the 2 hours before sunset, that makes for a late session start during the summer and an early session during the winter.

Oh yes, let’s us not forget about Fall Colors! Who doesn’t love fall colors? I’m not sure about you, but the changing leaves always make me a bit nostalgic. They are like a marker of time, that another year has passed by. They feel like good reminder to get your family pos updated just before the holidays! But don’t wait until you see the leaves changing color to book your portrait session, chances are, your photographer will already be booked out!

Did you know there are lots of flowering plant in the fall in the arid shrublands of the Boise Foothills? Yep! Sunflowers, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and plenty of other flowers like to make their show in the fall. These flowers make for a great backdrop or add texture and dimension to a photo with an extra pop of color.