Heather Siverd Photography: Blog

Best Newborn Photographers in Baltimore - 2022

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:50:23 GMT

Eeeee!!! I am extremely honored to yet again be listed as one of Baltimore’s best newborn photographers!! :) Out of 238 photographers who were reviewed, I was chosen as one of the top 20 based on availability, qualifications, reputation, experience, and professionalism.

I am incredibly thankful and blessed to have so many wonderful clients who put me on this list each year. I could not do it without you! It is always a pleasure to meet and work with such amazing human beings full of love and kindness. So I thank each and every one of you for putting me on this list, and for choosing me to capture the moments that mean the most to you. ♥♥♥

It definitely has taken a lot of hard work and dedication over the years. When I write these posts each year, I like to reflect on how far I have come since starting my business back in 2014. And I am excited to say that with my littles now being in school full-time, 2022 was my busiest year to date. So again, I am extremely honored and thankful to be seen in the world and have my dedication recognized by being featured on this list. Thank you, and cheers to 2023!!

Thank you, Expertise, for recognizing my dedication year after year and featuring me on this list. ♥

Click here to view the award page and complete list on Expertise.com!

Baltimore County Newborn Photographer - Baby Lennox Rae

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:00:00 GMT

This adorable sweet pea is a NICU superhero! I always enjoy listening to parents tell me about their birth journeys. And because of my personal NICU experience, I always keep other NICU stories close to my heart.

Little Miss Lennox Rae was born 6 weeks premature. But she was an absolute rock start and broke out of the NICU after only 4 days. Woo hoo!! She was still a little peanut for our session and my bow was too big for her head, but we made it work.

Lennox is a beautiful, healthy, and strong baby girl who enjoyed warm snuggles with her gorgeous mama, and squeezing Daddy's finger tight. She also gave us some quick little smiles throughout the session, like when Daddy was stroking her cheek with his finger. ♥

And I can't forget the fur babies, who showed love for their baby sister by showering her with kisses. Well, one of them did. The other was just being a bed potato, haha! A very cute bed potato. :)

Anne Arundel County Baby Photographer - Little Sophia

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 10:00:00 GMT

My favorite part of this session didn't come till the end, but I'm just going to jump right to it. Little Sophia's big sister and I pretty much became besties during the short amount of time we spent together. When it was time for me to leave, she was asking me to stay and go get ice cream with them. But that's not even the sweetest part. She then asked me if she could give me a kiss goodbye. Awww! It pained me to refuse, but I think she was pretty happy with blowing kisses instead. ♥

Little Sophia was about 9 months old for our session, and she is absolutely precious. It seemed like the perfect age to capture her playful personality. Who doesn't love a fun baby photo in a laundry basket?! I know I have one with each of my babies. It's like a must, I think, haha. Because when you're trying to put your clean laundry in a basket while watching a baby, the baby just wants to take the laundry out of the basket again. So the best thing to do is plop the baby in the basket and tickle, tickle, tickle! So we decided to incorporate that in our photo session. :)

Sophia loved jumping with Daddy. Just look at how she is gazing into his eyes. Adorable! Just like when she was nuzzling with Mommy too. Look at that tiny little finger on Mama's face. Oh my goodness! I believe I let out a long "awwwww" when I took that photo. Such a tender moment. And then in the blink of an eye, Sophia's nuzzling turned into biting Mommy's nose, haha!

I loved watching her big sister interact and be lovey-dovey with her. And that artwork on the ladder in the nursery is incredible, isn't it?! They were painted by Dad's sister for each of these little ladies when they were born. Be sure to check her out at www.hippiequeenartwork.com.

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Evelyn James

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 13 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Little Miss Evie looks precious bundled up and in her pink unicorn nursery, doesn't she?! Mom sure did a fantastic job decorating. I LOVE that wallpaper! And Evie is such an adorable nickname. :)

The super cozy photo of Evie bundled with the wool blanket has some sentimental value. The blanket was actually made by Evie's aunt for Evie's older brother. The blanket was used in Big Brother's newborn photos when he was born. So it was important to also incorporate it in Evie's newborn photos and create a similar look to Big Brother's photo.

Big Brother was also such a ham for these photos. He tried to include himself in every photo with his big cheesy grin, haha. I definitely didn't mind.

Evie's name also holds sentimental value. Evelyn is the name of Mom's grandmother, and James is the name of Dad's grandfather. Hearing these sweet little details at newborn sessions is always one of my favorite parts. ♥

Best Newborn Photographers in Baltimore - 2021

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Oh my goodness, you guys. I think I speak for everyone when I say, it has been extremely difficult since this COVID pandemic started. I know I have been working harder than ever during this time, so I am incredibly honored and thankful to once again be listed as one of Baltimore’s best newborn photographers!! 😊 Out of 236 photographers who were reviewed, I was chosen as one of the top 18 this year.

I am unbelievably blessed to have so many wonderful clients who put me on this list each year. I absolutely cannot do it without you beautiful and caring people. I feel like I become friends with all of you and we have really leaned on each other and supported one another through this pandemic. Through our lockdown, you opted to reschedule and didn't even think about canceling our sessions. When my children and I were sick with COVID, you all stuck by my side and sent well wishes our way. And I have sent my love and prayers to every one of you who have also been sick with or affected by COVID. It is always a pleasure to meet and work with such amazing human beings full of love and kindness, especially during this time. So I thank each and every one of you for putting me on this list, and for choosing me to capture the moments that mean the most to you. ♥♥♥

Looking back, I thought 2019 was tough and 2020 was going to be the best year yet for my business. But instead of growing my business more, I ended up having to cut back on my sessions so that I could do kindergarten virtually with my twins. But I have remained thankful. I am thankful that I have my husband and children and we are healthy. I am thankful we have a roof over our heads. I am thankful we have food to keep our bellies full. I am thankful for my clients who have kept my business up and running. And I am thankful for every single frontline worker and those who continuously work to keep our country running.

This year, our twins (and I!) graduated virtual kindergarten and they started first grade in person. There were definitely lots of tears for me this past year, but I remain thankful that things are beginning to return to normal for them and for my business. Last month was the busiest for me since before the pandemic started, so I remain thankful and have faith in better days ahead. Slowly, but surely, I believe we can get there.

Thank you, Expertise, for recognizing my dedication year after year and featuring me on this list. ♥

Click here to view the award page and complete list on Expertise.com!

Cylburn Arboretum Maternity Photographer - Maitreyi & Will

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:00:00 GMT

The holiday season is among us! The holidays have been very different for many of us this year, with lots of struggles and video calls instead of hugs. I think the majority of us cannot wait to kiss 2020 goodbye and welcome new hopes for 2021. In our household, we continue to be incredibly thankful to have each other to snuggle with and keep our hearts warm through these difficult times. Especially, as the temperatures are dropping more around here.

I have never been a fan of the cold. I love snow like a little kid and I am super excited for the snowstorm we're supposed to get. But I do not like the cold, which is probably why I have chosen to feature this session on my blog today. My toesies are cold and I'm thinking back to warmer weather! That, and I recently celebrated my 9-year wedding anniversary with my wonderful hubby. And this session has all the lovey-dovey feels.

Maitreyi and Will were expecting their first child together for this session. They have since welcomed their sweet baby boy, and we had a lovely day capturing his adorableness. :)

Maitreyi and Will told me that our maternity session had them reminiscing about when they had their wedding photos taken, the only other time they have had professional photos taken together. Like getting married, having a baby is a deeply meaningful and memorable time in our lives. So, as always, I did my best to make our session a fun and enjoyable experience.

It was a little chilly for this early morning session, but that only made our photos better. These two wanted to stay wrapped up in each other's arms to keep warm the whole time, and I think they loved every minute of it! I just adore the way they gazed at each other, and Maitreyi was absolutely glowing. Watching these two get caught up in the moment made me think that there wasn't anywhere else they'd rather be. I hope their love and strong passion for one another lives on forever and ever. ♥

Baltimore County Baby Photographer - Little Mila Joy

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Beautiful sisterly love, that's what this session was all about. ♥

Once I found out that this sweet family was having another baby girl, I was so excited because I had a feeling that these sisters would be the best of friends. And I was right!

Big Sis wanted to be everywhere little Mila was. She started out singing Itsy Bitsy Spider to Mila with Daddy, and giving kisses. Then she wanted to be in Mila's crib with her, and give more kisses. And there were even more kisses on Mommy and Daddy's bed and when Mila was snuggled in the basket. Such a loving big sister! I hope their bond continues to grow stronger every day. :)

Little Miss Mila Joy is absolutely precious too. I don't think she cried at all during our session! She just enjoyed being loved on and sleeping in the cozy basket. I loved all of her wispy hair, her little chubby cheeks, and those baby toesies. Just everything about her!

And I'm definitely not the only one, because Mom and Dad are pretty smitten with her too. These two are such wonderful parents and simply adorable with their girls. I enjoy watching their family grow and am thankful that I was able to take photos for them again, especially during this crazy time.

Howard County Baby Photographer - Little Lena Omar

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Sweet, sweet baby Lena Omar, can I have your eyelashes please?! Seriously! I always get so jealous of the precious babes who have long, dark eyelashes. My own children have long, dark lashes, thanks to my handsome hubby. I had always hoped that our children would get his lashes, haha.

Look at her dark, whispy hair too! It will probably grow to be long, luscious curls like her mama has. I had told Lena's big brother that I loved his curls, and Dad had made a comment that Lena may not like hers. We laughed because that's probably true. A lot of girls with curly hair wish they had straight hair, right? But I think it's always best to embrace your natural beauty.

Our session had to be postponed due to our lockdown, so little Lena was about 2 1/2 months old for our session. But she still looks like a precious little peanut, doesn't she? And with such an adorable little belly button! :)

Big Brother pretty much ran the show for most of our session, which was fine with me, because he wanted to do fun things. Such as brush Lena's hair, jump on his bed like a monkey, squish Daddy's face, and give lots of kisses. He also wanted everyone to cuddle close so they could look at their Qur'an together, which is the holy book in their Islamic faith.

Lena's middle name is a meaningful one. I was told that Omar is a special family name, which is customary for middle names in their Egyptian culture. The name Omar means flourishing and long-lived. So flourish little Lena, flourish. :)

There were also some touching moments between Mom and Dad. Towards the end of our session, Little Lena was getting a little hangry. While Dad was holding Lena, Mama calmed her with her soothing voice, and Dad gazed down at her so lovingly. They shared a sweet kiss, and I had to step back to capture that romantic tiptoe action.

Well, Miss Lena, you are a beauty, and I hope that you'll grow up to be a smart and strong woman who does incredible things. I'm sure you will with biology and organic chemistry books in your library. Always remember all of the wonderful things you can be. ♥

Baltimore County Newborn Photographer - Baby Adalyn Lee

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

This lucky duck was just 10 days old for our session. She was born right when our lockdown ended, and this became my first session during the pandemic that did not have to be rescheduled. We were all very excited!

I think Little Miss Adalyn Lee looks like her Mama, just like her big sis. But unlike her big sis, Addy took a little bit more convincing to cooperate for photos. So we just let her run the show, kept her happy doing what she wanted to do, and got some very cute sleeping photos.

The fishing setup was a must for Dad! They found the adorable fishing hat set on Etsy, and had a jar full of yummy gummy worms to complete the setup. We ended up using the gummy worms later on, when Big Sis was getting a little antsy during photos. A little yummy goodness is usually a wonderful pick-me-up. It definitely works for me!

But Big Sis really did enjoy the photos. She actually had requested for some photos to be taken of her. And I think she definitely enjoyed kissing and holding her baby Addy the best, because she just stared and stared so sweetly at her. Then she liked to smile and stick her tongue out, haha!

Dad did a fantastic job soothing his newest baby girl when she was unhappy. He had the soothing shooshing sound down, but when that didn't work, he stood up and rocked her so sweetly. I'd say he has pro status now, after experience with Big Sister.

And it's always so difficult for me to choose my favorites, but there is one that's pretty high on my list here. That last one folks, where Mama and Addy are smiling at each other. Mama was holding dear Addy in her arms, booped her tiny nose with her finger, then Addy gave Mommy a big smile, and Mommy smiled right back. ♥

Howard County Newborn Photographer - Baby Olutoye Daniel

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Please meet, Olutoye Daniel! Or Toye for short, meaning, the Lord is worth the honour. ♥

Some of the simplest, most natural newborn setups are my favorites. Mom envisioned a casual basket setup for our session, and I enjoyed planning this one with her. I was also extremely happy to hear that Olutoye Daniel was still able to have his traditional naming ceremony, thanks to our virtual technology.

Getting back into photo sessions after our COVID-19 lockdown has been exciting for me, but has also been a whole new learning experience. I always practice good hygiene and make sure I sanitize my hands before touching babies during my sessions, so that's nothing new. And wearing a mask is like second nature now, right? But wearing gloves while posing babies is something I am still getting used to.

I took Toye's older brother's newborn photos too, so it was really wonderful to see this sweet family again and catch up, especially during the pandemic. We reminisced a little bit, chatted about wood floors, and Toye's mom asked if I needed some more gloves for my sessions, since they are still difficult to find these days. Luckily, I have a pretty good supply for the time being. This family is among some of the kindest and most compassionate people I have had the pleasure of working with. Truly beautiful souls.

Toye's older brother has gotten so big! I can't believe how much he has grown since I took his newborn photos. He is such a handsome little man now, gradually learning how to take care of his little brother. But he still prefers to play with his stacking bricks. Can you blame him?

One of my favorite moments from our first session together, was watching Dad burp Toye's brother and snuggle with him. He did it in such a loving way while humming to him. So, of course, I was looking forward to reliving that moment during this session, which I did. Whenever Mom would finish giving Toye a feeding, Dad would eagerly take him from her arms, snuggle him to his chest, and slowly dance around the room with him while humming. It was absolutely endearing.

In fact, Toye loved being on his daddy's chest so much, that he would cry the instant Dad would lay him down in the basket. But, after about the fifth try, Toye stayed content in the basket for a few mintues, long enough for me to snap some photos of his adorableness. I think those thigh rolls are my favorite! Or those lips. I don't know, he's just adorable all over! :)

Montgomery County Baby Photographer - Little Maxim Joseph

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Driving to and from this session had me super excited for sunny spring photos. I saw sooo many redbud trees already in full bloom!

But just a few days after this session, we started trying to fight and contain this COVID-19 pandemic. My workflow has changed a bit, being a non-essential business. I am doing my part and staying home, except to grocery shop, and I have been making donations to various relief efforts, for those in need during this inconceivable time. I am very thankful that my clients for the next few months, are willing to postpone their sessions instead of cancel. I am extremely grateful for your support. I am also extremely grateful for each and every single person who is essential to keeping our country running right now, risking their own health and lives. Thank you. ♥️

Now, these photos of little Maxim Joseph should hopefully bring you some cheer today. We definitely shared a lot of laughter together for this one, because Dad is quite the funny man! He is an expert at charming Mom and making her laugh.

Max's big sister was not in the mood for photos or snuggles. When I took her newborn photos a couple of years ago, she loved both! In fact, when I was taking photos of Dad trying to snuggle and calm her here, I noticed the photo on the wall behind them from our first session together. I thought it was adorable to see it in the background, almost mirroring the present day. That is one of my favorite photos from our first session. It was like a step back in time for me to see those memories on their wall. And in black and white! I think my heart skipped a beat.

But this time, Big Sister was only interested in sitting by herself, holding her new baby brother, and giving out fist bumps. I've had some toddlers enjoy singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or playing peekaboo, but no, this time it was fist bumps. Daddy, of course, taught her fist bumps, haha! So fist bumps for me, fist bumps for baby Max, and yes, fist bumps for Rose too.

And sweet, sweet Rose, she is the fur baby and oldest child. She is very much like Cali, our pointer pup. Like Cali, Rose offered me high-energy welcome jumps, and then became the family-loving couch snuggler. She is such a beautiful girl, isn't she?!

When I was leaving, Dad told me they would see me again for their next baby, and I will look forward to it very much. :)

Best Newborn Photographers in Baltimore - 2020

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:55:04 GMT

Wow, I am incredibly honored and thankful to yet again be listed as one of Baltimore’s best newborn photographers!! 😊Out of 233 photographers who were reviewed, I was chosen as one of the top 15 this year.

I am unbelievably blessed to have so many wonderful clients who put me on this list. I meet more and more beautiful people each year, and it is such a pleasure.

Special thanks also goes to my dear husband. He is always by my side and has helped push me and grow this wonderful business of mine. And thank you to the family who comes to my rescue and babysits when this stay-at-home mom can't do it all. ♥

It has taken A LOT of dedication over the years, with some almost sleepless nights where I have fallen asleep, facedown on my desk (true story!). But I look at how far I have come, and it makes it all worthwhile.

2019 was definitely the most difficult for parenting twins and running a business, but we made it through. And with my littles starting kindergarten this year 😭, I have a feeling that 2020 will bring even more growth for my business, and also a lot of tears for me.

So, I am extremely honored and thankful to be seen in the world and have my dedication recognized by being featured on this list. Thank you!!!!!

Click here to view the award page and complete list on Expertise.com!

Anne Arundel County Newborn Photographer - Little Layla Grey

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Holy cuteness, Layla Grey! Holy cuteness. And my, oh, my, what joy you have brought to your parents.

This little beauty was about a month old for our session, and I thoroughly enjoyed our snuggle time together. She liked falling asleep in my arms, listening to her favorite music, but she woke right up when I laid her down. So I captured those gorgeous baby blues!

One of my favorite moments from this session, was seeing the way Dad was looking in on his two loves while little Layla was nursing. Then, Mom looked up and returned his gaze. It was another one of those moments where I could just see and feel the love growing deeper. ♥

And look at that dimple, folks! A totally adorable trait that she got from her mama. It's definitely a favorite of Dad's. :)

Miss Layla may have her mommy's features, but she is a total daddy's girl. Daddy definitely has the magical comforting touch, that soothes this baby girl and turns her cries to smiles in seconds. Expert baby whisperer right here!

Oh, and if you are thinking this nursery and home look amazing, I totally agree! The credit goes to mom, who is an interior designer. She started her own business about two years ago, and she is rocking it!! Shout out to all the boss ladies and mom bosses out there!

Anne Arundel County Newborn Photographer - Baby Julian Odell

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This darling family is now a family of four!! :)

Okay, so I'm going to apologize ahead of time. I had the hardest time picking my favorites from this session, so I may have overshared a bit. Because, oh. My. Goodness. This family and sweet, sweet boy with little baby rolls and a head full of hair! ♥

Mr. Julian Odell reminded me very much of his older sister, when I took her newborn photos. They seemed to share all of the same features, except for the eyelashes. Julian has short, dark lashes, but I remembered Julian's sister having very long, dark eyelashes. And it was lovely to see them again for this session!

Julian is just absolutely adorable, and pretty much slept through our whole session. Which means I didn't get to snuggle him as much as I wanted to. Boo!

Big Sister was absolutely charming to watch with her baby brother. She liked feeling his fluffy hair, reading to him, and trying to climb into his crib with him.

She also sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to him in the most precious way! My heart almost melted on the floor.

And in case you are wondering, Odell is a family name. I do love hearing when babies are given family names, because they are more sentimental and can be very unique.

Pennsylvania Baby Photographer - Little Reese Brooklyn

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT

I'll start off by saying, I am extremely thankful that I made it to this session unharmed! As I was about 5 minutes away, in a 50 mph zone, a very large deer decided to run across the road. Locking up my brakes and skidding to a halt, I watched in horror as it ran in front of my SUV, with only its head and back visible to me, but never coming in contact. Then I started breathing again, thanked the Lord, and continued on my way.

Anyway, look at this little princess!! She was about 1 1/2 months old for our session, and she has a nickname full of sweetness. This is little Reese Brooklyn, a.k.a. Reese's Pieces. :)

We thought Miss Reese had filled her belly by the time I arrived, but we were mistaken. She decided she wanted some more, which gave me a beautiful moment to capture, and one of my favorites. Intimate shots with deep emotions are always my favorite, and I think a mother nursing her baby can truly be one of the most intimate moments there is. Being a mother, I understand why other moms want to capture this, and I am always honored when I am asked and trusted to capture this precious moment.

Big Brother is in love with his baby sister already. He enjoyed snuggling with her, doing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" on her belly, and playing in her nursery. At one point, I think he was trying to move all of his toys into Reese's room, haha!

Mom and Dad also enjoyed some special time alone with their baby girl, which sparked an unprompted kiss. Another moment that has become a favorite of mine to capture—couples falling more in love with each other after having a baby. ♥

Roxy is Reese's four-legged sister, and oh so precious. Just look at her adorable face! She was like most family fur babies I meet during my sessions—very tender with the little ones, and wanting to be wherever they are.

And just before I was heading out, Big Brother said, "Go Ravens!" I laughed and said, "Well, it's good to know you're Ravens fans and not Steelers fans." Sadly, the Ravens lost their chance of being in the Super Bowl that day, but there's always next year!

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Brayden Matthew

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Oh my goodness, I don't know where to begin for this one! It was such fun working with this family again, and meeting their newest bundle of joy!! :)

Mr. Brayden was born a few weeks before Christmas, so of course, we had a Christmas-themed setup. Little Brayden Matthew makes the most perfect Christmas wreath, doesn't he? The wreath belongs to Brayden's grandmother, and I think its classic and elegant look made for a fabulous Christmas photo indeed.

Then, there’s that sweet, sweet smile paired with those adorable bear ears, and all snuggled in with a teddy. ♥

Brayden's big brother has gotten so big and looks just like Daddy! And I have to say, my sessions with toddler siblings are definitely more like playdates. I have to go in knowing that probably nothing will go as planned. The sibling(s) will most likely be running the show, as the parents and myself dish out entertainment, usually looking like fools.

Big Brother started out being super helpful and wanting to help me put my backdrop stand together. We chatted some, then we jammed out to "Baby Shark," and my silly dancing caused quite a few giggles. Haha!

Oh, but the best part was when "Electric Avenue" started playing. Big Brother could control himself no more. He jumped down from the bed, and busted out his own, much cooler dance moves!

Baltimore NICU Photography - Santa's Visit 2019

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT

It's the most wonderful time of the year for families at my favorite NICU. Santa and Mrs. Claus made their annual stop to visit the smallest babies and bring some holiday cheer.

Having to leave a baby in the NICU is always painful and heartbreaking, but even more so during the holidays. I often feel the sadness and shed a tear or two when going back to take NICU photos throughout the year. But when Santa visits, I feel the sadness lift just a little bit, and see smiles that are otherwise rarely seen.

The families are always so grateful to have Santa visit their babies in the NICU, because otherwise, seeing Santa would not be possible for them. And Santa always loves to see the older siblings who are there to see him too. He had a funny joke for them this year, which actually made me laugh more than them. One of the kiddos was talking about music and Santa asked, "Did you know you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish?" :)

Please keep these sweet miracle babies and their families in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season. ♥

As always, special thanks goes to Traffic Jam Jimmy and Fox 45 News, the March of Dimes, and the amazing NICU staff and volunteers for this festive event.

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Axel Joseph

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the world, Axel Joseph! Oh my goodness, look at those little pouty lips!!

It was such a pleasure to snuggle this handsome little guy, and to catch up with his family. It's always an honor when previous clients ask me to photograph them again. :)

I took newborn photos of Axel's big sister a couple of years ago, and it was wonderful to chat with her and see how much she has grown! She enjoyed helping me set up, cheesing at the camera, and giving me high fives and fist bumps before her nap. She was also very fascinated with baby Axel's tiny toes.

I remember a lot of Big Sister's newborn features, and I couldn't help but notice how similar Axel's features were. I think it will be easy to tell these two are siblings!

And I can't leave out Lucy, the four-legged fur baby. I remembered her being like a big, loving bear the first time I met her. She was exactly the same, and even snuck in to give Axel a couple of sweet kisses. ♥

Baltimore Family Photographer - Karson & Mommy

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Karson, sweet boy, how I have enjoyed watching you grow!!

I first met Karson in the NICU, when I took photos for Mother's Day earlier this year. He was such a tiny wee baby back then. He is 8 months old now! (Adjusted to 5 months for growth and development.) And although he may still look small to most people, to me and probably most preemie moms, this handsome guy is so big now! He also has some amazingly long, crisscrossing lashes.

Karson's birth story is a terrifying one. At just 24 weeks into her pregnancy, Karson's mom was diagnosed with eclampsia after suffering a seizure. She was told her organs were shutting down. To save her life, Karson had to be delivered by an emergency C-section.

Being a micro-preemie (born at 28 weeks or less), Karson had a long road in the NICU, which involved a couple of surgeries. But his magnificent mama was there every step of the way, showering him with neverending love.

This traumatic birth experience, and having to leave a hospital without her precious baby boy for 157 days, practically turned this mama into Superwoman. She now welcomes all the sleepless nights and messes as blessings, because her baby boy is finally home for her to hold and kiss whenever she wants.

Sadly, Daddy couldn't make it to our photo session, so it turned out to be a Karson & Mommy session. But these photos were taken at a very special place, where Mommy told Daddy she was pregnant with Karson. Thank you so much, to the friendly staff at Weber's Cider Mill Farm, for letting us wander around and take these special photos.

That little pumpkin you see in these photos, not Karson but the one he's holding, that pumpkin weighs Karson's exact birth weight. Mama searched and weighed little pumpkins to find one that weighed just 1 pound, 4 ounces. The most perfect little pumpkin in the patch.

The end of this session was our favorite. We were about to part ways, walking to our cars, and decided to take just a few more photos with the sun setting in the background. Mama raised her baby boy up and gave him a big smooch. Then, when she brought him back down, Karson returned the love with a little smooch of his own. ♥

Frederick County Newborn Photographer - Baby Natalie Jean

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Little Miss Natalie Jean, what a beautiful name you have, baby girl! I don't hear the name Jean often for a girl, so I thought it may be a family name. And I was right! Jean was the name of little Natalie's great grandmother. I always love learning about meaningful details such as this during my sessions.

I have to say, my favorite feature of baby Natalie was her out-of-control hair. Some parents will try everything they can to tame their baby's hair for photos. But I think the crazier the baby's hair is, the cuter it is. :) We didn't even bother trying to tame little Natalie's hair.

When I arrived for this session, I was welcomed by the sweetest and best-dressed siblings. Big Sister had her best jewelry on, and Big Brother loved his watch and shoes so much, that he did not want to take them off. Mom tried, haha!

Big Brother also wanted to show me how strong he was, by flexing his muscles. We laughed and ended up chatting about the big green toad in Little Blue Truck, a book that both of our families have and share a love for.

Big Sister and Big Brother were so loving with their new baby sister, and it was endearing to watch. Still, my favorite is watching Mom and Dad get their solo time with their newest bundle of joy. I always see deeper emotions in those intimate moments. Emotions that siblings usually don't yet understand. ♥️

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby William Patton

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Say hello to Mr. William Patton! This peanut must have been eager to meet his wonderful family, because he arrived a little earlier than expected. But of course, he was greeted with an abundance of love.

Weber, William's three-year-old fur brother, also loved to shower William with love and kisses. Like most fur babies I meet during newborn sessions, Weber wanted to be with his baby human and followed us everywhere. Weber (or his tail) can be seen in quite a few photos.

I will also say, Weber may have been following us around just to play. When we ventured out to the backyard, I had to throw Weber's ball in between taking photos, haha! But I didn't mind at all, because he asked me so sweetly.

Mom loves the autumn weather, which we were relieved to have for our session. Just a few days before, I think it had reached 100° again. Crazy!

But I definitely loved the fall decorations on their porch, and how they add to the cozy and homey feel of the photos. I can almost smell cinnamon when I look at them!

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Ariana Nicole

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Well, say hello to this precious angel baby! I got to meet little Miss Ariana a little sooner than expected, but she already had this photo-taking thing down, and hardly woke during our session.

Mom actually shopped for all of these props herself, and did a wonderful job! The pieces she picked were lovely, and the lace robe set for herself was beautiful. I do have a nice collection of props for newborn sessions, but you are always welcome to purchase your own unique pieces.

Mom definitely has some great taste, because look at all the purple! I think I've mentioned before that purple is like my favorite color. So big fan right here, of those purple bedroom walls!

And Dad gets most of the credit for the angel baby setup. He had seen the angel wings and totally fell in love with them. I have to say, I can't really blame him. Little Ariana Nicole looks simply angelic. ♥

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Charlotte Anne

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:00:00 GMT

This baby girl’s skin is so fair, she looks like a porcelain doll!! I told Mom and Dad that I think she’s going to have that creamy, milky white skin. Maybe she’ll be like Snow White, but without the black hair. This princess has a reddish tint to her hair. She looks very much like my Rosie when she was a baby. We thought she was going to be a strawberry blonde. As Rosie has grown older, her skin is still very fair, but her hair has darkened to an auburn color. It will be very exciting for Mom and Dad to watch baby Charlotte grow and turn into a beautiful young lady!

Charlotte Anne's Daddy is from England, which is where most of his family lives. When we were prepping for the bonnet setup, Mom and Dad said they thought Dad's mom was going to love the photos. Because of that, I chose a bonnet photo as my sneak peek, and I was told that Charlotte's grandmother loved it very much indeed.

While we’re talking about love, I need to mention the tenderness captured between Mom and Dad in the nursery. Dad was holding his baby girl, and Mom was nibbling away at her toesies, and I caught Dad look up at Mom. This look was full of pure love and I said, “You look like you want to kiss her so much right now.” He just smiled bigger and I said, “Go ahead, you can kiss her.” ♥

A little later, there was a moment when little Miss Charlotte posed herself so nicely on Mom's chest. Arms folded, head up, and gazing at Mom. It was so adorable! She also got a little upset, but Dad used his magical "Daddy shooshing" sound to calm her down.

Charlotte has an older brother, who wasn't really in a photo-taking mood. We all have those days, right? We caught him reading some of Charlotte's books on her nursery floor instead. Awww! :)

We did get a nice family shot out by the beautiful wildflowers, before someone thought the butterflies were going to sting him. We assured him that butterflies do not sting, but he was finished, haha.

Oh, and let's see if you can spot Poppy in some of these photos. Poppy is one of Charlotte's kitties, and she wanted to be in all the action! She is a very sweet kitty, who also has a kitty sister, Peppa. But I was told that Poppy and Peppa aren't really the best of friends, so Peppa was hiding the whole time.

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Luke Patrick

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

“[T]here's something you must remember ... You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Such timeless words of wisdom from Christopher Robin. Winnie-the-Pooh is always a wonderful nursery theme. It has such inspirational characters filled with kindness and love, perfect traits to instill in our little ones. I think Mom and Dad here agree, based on his simple Pooh-themed nursery, with the quote above hanging so sweetly on the wall. Classic Pooh is also the theme for our twins’ nursery, and they are very fond of Pooh Bear and his friends.

In fact, I read the above quote out loud while working yesterday, and my Rosie lit up and asked, “Isn’t that what Christopher Robin says to Pooh Bear when they are up in the tree?! Then Pooh Bear says, ‘you’re taller than a goose,’ but I don’t know why he says that.” Then she giggled. I can’t even remember the last time she watched Pooh’s Grand Adventure. Maybe it will be a favorite of little Luke’s when he is older.

Well, this handsome guy started adjusting to a normal sleep schedule pretty quickly. Mom told me that the night before our session, Mr. Luke Patrick actually slept most of the night, just waking for a feeding. So he was up and ready to eat, eat, eat for our session!

And check out that adorable bodysuit! HA! Pun NOT intended there, but I’m gonna leave it! Anyway, I just love that outfit. Don’t you?

There’s also a pretty cheesy face in these photos that’s sure to put a big smile on your face, and maybe even make you chuckle. Luke’s fur brother is named Brady, and he is just a baby too, not even two years old yet for our session.

But this puppers seemed to love having his photo taken. He hammed it up on the bed for a little bit, while getting his scratches and rubs. Then he looked at me, and gave a great big, cheesy grin. Haha, super cheeser right there! I think Brady and Luke will have lots of fun growing up together. :)

Carroll County Newborn Photographer - Baby Lucille Rose

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Here is little Miss Lucille Rose! Gosh, don't you love that name? I haven't had a baby named Lucille before, and it automatically makes me think of the magnificent Lucille Ball. She was such an amazing role model for women and conquered many incredible things. Who knows, maybe little Lucille Rose will conquer incredible things as well. :)

Mom and Dad actually had a difficult time choosing a name for their little princess. Dad apparently vetoed most of the names he heard, until he heard Lucille. So Lucille it is! And Rose was picked to honor Dad's late grandmother.

Like little Miss Reese Sophia, Lucy also had quite a bit of hair. But Lucy’s hair liked to form an adorable baby mohawk at the top of her head, that couldn’t be tamed. So stinking cute!

Lucy’s big fur brother is also pretty darn cute. Bentley is like a fluffy-wuffy bear, and has long fluffy-wuffy ears! He is a big puppy at eight years young, but he is also very careful around his baby sister and doesn’t get too close.

And poor Lucy suffered a minor injury to her collarbone during delivery, so we had to change some of our pose ideas last minute. We did not want to put her in any positions that might cause her pain. But this baby girl would look charming no matter what we put her in! And Mom and Dad told me that she seems to be healing just fine and is not in any pain.

It was a bit of a difficult journey for Mom and Dad to have sweet Lucille Rose. They suffered through three miscarriages to get their precious angel baby, and Lucy has brought them nothing but absolute, pure joy. ♥

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Reese Sophia

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Holy WOW, look at this head of hair!! Seriously, have you ever seen a baby with so much hair?! I can remember one other baby I had with hair like this, and that was Miss Julia Hope. She is going to be three soon. Geez, time flies!

Anyway, Reese’s older sister was blessed with the same beautiful features. This lovely dark hair, with gorgeous, dark long lashes. I think Daddy’s in trouble with these two!

Big sis was a little timid around me at first, but she warmed up to me towards the end. I think we were pretty close to becoming friends. :) She loved feeling the ground under her bare feet. I think it gave her a bit of a thrill, and it was fun to watch.

Miss Reese Sophia’s nursery used to belong to her big sis, and it has some old, meaningful treasures. The wooden blocks actually belonged to Reese’s grandmother! And all of the stuffed animals were Mom's. She's loved Disney since she was a child and couldn't part with her stuffed animals, so now they belong to her daughters.

And now the piano, oh yes. I may have mentioned my love for piano before. I always get so excited when I see a piano, and usually, the first thing I ask is if someone plays. I was going to take piano lessons when I was younger, but it didn’t work out.

Mom and Dad share a deep love for music, and actually met when they used to work together in a record store. This piano is incredibly meaningful because it was a gift from Mom's brother, who has since passed away.

Dad here can play wonderfully. And he was so modest about it too. But he sat down and started playing and it made my ears happy. And then it made my heart happy to see them interact together while he was playing.

It’s so heartwarming to witness people in love. And it reminds me of how much I love my job, and capturing real memories like this for people. It's just beautiful. ♥

Montgomery County Newborn Photographer - Baby Caleb Alexander

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Say hello to this handsome little man, Mr. Caleb Alexander! Sometimes, I just don’t know how I bring myself to disturb precious, sleeping babies after a setup. I might, kind of take a few more photos than I need, just so I can stare at the cuteness a little while longer. But shhhhh. ;)

I’ve also known this mom and dad since my early college days. It’s been very exciting to watch a lot of my friends have babies recently. And I’ve been so honored that they have trusted me to capture this treasured time in their lives. ♥

I’ve enjoyed watching the journeys my friends have taken into the next chapter of parenthood. Each journey has been different, and they each have fallen so naturally into their roles as parents.

I’ve especially enjoyed watching the dads. It’s typical for people to always praise the moms, but I always like to pay attention to the dads too, and give them the credit they deserve.

Just look here at Caleb’s dad. He is such a proud new papa, full of love! And he took such good care of his family in the first weeks after Caleb was born.

And Mama here, she was singing to her sweet baby boy for most of our session. It was absolutely endearing. Little Caleb was perfectly content and so peaceful listening to his mama’s voice.

I recently read somewhere, that singing has many soothing benefits for babies. Even if the lullaby makes no sense and you can’t carry a tune. I’m a pretty bad singer myself (think Lucy Ricardo), but I still sing to my littles before bed. I think they are turning out pretty well, so go ahead parents, sing to your babies!

Howard County Newborn Photographer - Baby Maggie Ruth

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Okay, I cannot get enough of this sweet doll baby! ♥

Little Miss Maggie Ruth was so easy to work with, sleeping through our entire session. Most babies need a little snack or feeding between setups, but not Maggie! Believe me, not all sessions are this easy.

Mom and Dad had told me they had a rough night. Maggie was up a lot feeding, and spit up on their bed. Yup, people, it happens, so be prepared. Get those extra bed sets before you have a baby! I shared my own double-spit-up-night story with them (twins), and we had a good laugh. I hate to say it, but a bad night for the baby, usually means we will have a great session in the morning.

So this darling girl let us easily put her in one setup and then the next. And she looks absolutely adorable. Doesn't she?!

I want to point out the wooden toys. I was told that they represent three generations. The monkey was Maggie's grandmother's, the elephant and rhino were Dad's, and they bought the giraffe new for Maggie. Don't you just love that? I'm always very interested in learning about the sentimental values of items used during my sessions.

Mom also told me that the story of Alice in Wonderland has always been special to her. She used to read it to her students every year. The book in these photos was a gift to Maggie, from a dear friend of Mom's, who also shares the love of Wonderland.

And now, I can't leave you without talking about Atlas, Maggie's older fur brother. Atlas is named after the Greek Titan. Mom and Dad met through their Greek affiliations, and rescued their fur baby when they were in college. They thought Atlas was the perfect name for him.

Age is but a number to this boy. He was so interested in Maggie and just wanted to be close to her. He looked in every room until he found the one that she was in, and he would follow her wherever she went. I dare you to look at the last photo without letting an, "awwwww," slip from your lips.

Baltimore Baby Photographer - Little Nathan Emil

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Here is our little baby shark!! I had to wait a little bit longer to meet this handsome boy. He had some complications that required surgery, but he is home sweet home now and doing great! So now at three months old, please meet Nathan Emil!!!

Nathan loves the snuggles, and his shark mobile. Heck, I love that shark mobile! I'm not too old for one of those, right? :) I think I've mentioned before that I totally love sharks. So this is probably the coolest boy's nursery I have ever seen. Don't miss that shark hamper! I bet Nathan will love feeding his dirty clothes to it when he's older. I’m hoping Aedan will want to redo his bedroom with sharks.

There was an occasional tickle fest with Dad during our session. Will you just look at Nathan's adorable, happy face! It'll make you want to tickle, tickle, tickle all day long.

Once little Nathan was pretty milk drunk, we moved him to the basket. His adorableness was all natural and needed no posing. He covered his sweet face with his hand at first, then it slowly slid down. This reminded me of my little Rosie when she was younger. She would cover her face with her arm to fall asleep.

In addition to watching your precious baby sleep, some of the best moments include the sweet snuggles, while those tiny fingers grasp onto your finger. Mom and Dad are so relieved to finally have their baby boy home, where they can snuggle him all the time. ♥

Carroll County Newborn Photographer - Baby Leonidas Paul

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Okay, where are my 300 fans? You know, that movie with the super attractive Gerard Butler, which I think may have sparked the production of the similar TV shows, like Spartacus, Vikings, Game of Thrones, etc. Well, meet baby Leonidas Paul! 300 is like Dad's most favorite movie of all time, so of course, it's no surprise to me that his son is named Leonidas, and has a 300-themed nursery.

Dad dressed up as King Leonidas for Halloween one year, and has the shield from his costume hanging on little Leo's wall. They also found Leo a costume of his own to wear for these photos. He looks like a tiny Spartan, complete with a clenched fist, as if he were holding a dory (Ancient Greek spear).

Also, I’ve known baby Leo’s dad for over 10 years, and I've never known him to take anything too seriously. He always puts his own humorous twist on EVERYTHING. So this photo session was no different, with sporadic jokes and funny faces.

But little Leonidas was quite the charmer! At one point, while I was rocking him to sleep on my chest, this little man was giving me the sweetest hug. His arm was wrapped around me, with his tiny fingers clenching my side. I’m pretty sure I left a puddle on the floor, from my heart melting. ♥

I think baby Leo looks mostly like his daddy, but I see some of Mom’s beautiful features as well. :) And both of them are already wonderful parents. (I watched Dad change a yucky diaper without gagging!) I am overjoyed for this sweet family, and can’t wait for more baby Leonidas snuggles!!

Baltimore NICU Photography - Mother's Day 2019

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:00:00 GMT

My second donation session at the NICU this year was for Mother’s Day, since we did Father’s Day last year. As always, my heart was filled with love for these sweet babies.

Every NICU session I do, takes me back to when our own babies were in the NICU. Memories flood back when I step into the rooms. All of the sounds, smells, and of course, the tiny babies, are instant reminders.

You might think that this would make me want to stay away from the NICU. But instead, I like being able to talk with these families and share some of our own experience. I feel joy for these families when they get to hold their babies. And I tear up at least once during each of these sessions. So I guess you can say that these sessions have actually been helping me heal.

I definitely teared up for the photo of the little guy, wearing the blue, “Mommy’s First Mother’s Day,” bodysuit. Because he was like that the WHOLE time I was in their room. He was totally entranced, listening to the sound of his mommy’s soothing voice. That is the face of pure love right there. ♥

I also want to point out the “wombmates,” and how they each have their hand positioned over their face. They both seemed to find comfort in having their hands there. I have several photos of my own two twinning, sleeping in the same positions as one another. It’s amazing to watch twins start out with similar mannerisms, then grow into two very different individuals.

There is so much love in these photos. Aside from all the machines, tubes, and wires, there is just a baby who wants to snuggle. And on Mother's Day, nothing is better than snuggles.

Special thanks goes to the March of Dimes and wonderful hospital staff. Thank you so much for coordinating and assisting with these photos!!

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Avery Ann

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 22 May 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Here is sweet Avery Ann! Mom had her bundled in such a pretty, floral wrap, from Posh Peanut. It went beautifully with the theme of Avery’s nursery. The nursery is accented with classic Pooh!! We did our own nursery with classic Pooh for our twins, and it is definitely a favorite of mine. :)

Let me tell you, this baby girl has the longest eyelashes I have ever seen! I thought little Miss Abigail from a couple of years ago had some long lashes. Well, Avery's are longer! They are super fine though, and from a distance, you cannot see them at all. But up close, they were as long as the width of my fingertip!

Now, I have heard that you can usually tell how much a person likes something, or someone, by how often the person touches the object or other person. For this session, Mom just could not keep herself from touching little Avery! She was constantly stroking Avery's little body or head in the sweetest way. ♥

This was our first really nice, warm day for the year! Woo hoo!! I didn't need my jacket! So with such a cute front porch, I made sure we got some photos outside. The gentle breeze had Mama feeling like a supermodel, blowing her hair ever so nicely!

And Chipper is the two-year-old pup you see in these photos. He is full of love and energy. And possibly the tallest lab I’ve ever seen! Does he look big to you?! Well, he gave Miss Avery a couple of kisses while I was there, so I am sure they will be best buds!

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Audrey Marie

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Oh my gosh, I got to meet this family's newest addition, sweet little Audrey Marie!! It was such a pleasure. She is a precious little doll baby for sure! I took her big brother’s newborn photos too, and he has gotten so big! He greeted me at the door with a high five. Such an awesome little man!

Mom did an amazing job decorating Audrey's nursery. My favorite was the crib wall. She decorated it with flower and butterfly decals, and the butterfly wings pop out from the wall. It looks like real butterflies landed there!

When Audrey needed a diaper change, Big Brother had a snack break with Dad. But when it was time for photos again, someone found the snacks hidden in Daddy’s pocket, haha! I love the look on his face. Yup, I caught ya! :)

And Big Brother was such a little charmer with baby Audrey. He wanted to make sure she had lots of stuffed animals in her crib with her, and he wanted to give her sweet kisses nonstop. He also tried tickling her little belly. But when she didn’t laugh, he tried tickling himself and really cracked himself up.

I’m so happy I got to see this sweet family again, and meet their newest member! I love having clients ask me to capture the next chapter in their stories. It's an honor and I really enjoy watching their families grow. ♥

Oregon Ridge Park Family Photographer - Tracey & Jason's Crew

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:00:00 GMT

I had a lot of laughs with this family! When I met Tracey and Jason before our session, they had asked me if I tell any jokes. I warned them that I come prepared with some rather corny jokes. You know, the kind that are more suited for toddlers than adults. But people still laugh when I tell them, or else they are just laughing at me, haha!

But Jason was pretty good at entertaining everyone all by himself. He brought along a little Gumby doll! Do you all remember that show?! I remember watching it as a kid. Anyway, I was told that the Gumby doll usually travels everywhere with this family, to keep things interesting. I love clients who have such a fun sense of humor!

Best Newborn Photographers in Baltimore - 2019

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Yay!!! I am so, SO very honored to yet again be listed as one of Baltimore’s best newborn photographers!! :) Out of 239 photographers who were reviewed, I was chosen as one of the top 21 based on reputation, credibility, experience, availability, and professionalism.

I am incredibly thankful and blessed to have so many wonderful clients who put me on this list. I couldn’t do it without you! I also couldn’t do it without my darling husband by my side, and the wonderful family who helps watch my littles when I get super busy.

It’s taken lots of hard work and dedication over the years, but life isn’t supposed to be a piece of cake. Life wouldn’t be fun without challenges. And growing a business while being a stay-at-home mom to twins definitely has some challenges. Especially when my littles throw curve balls at me, like no longer wanting to nap. But I always learn to adjust and figure out how to make it work.

So again, I am extremely honored and thankful to be seen in the world and have my dedication recognized by being featured on this list. Thank you!!!!!

(And yes, they currently have my old logo shown. But I have informed them about my recent updates, so that should be changed soon!)

Click here to view the award page and complete list on Expertise.com!

Harford County Newborn Photographer - Baby Skylar Paige

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Okay, I’m going to be very honest in this post. And it might be long, sorry about that! But these newborn sessions are not always cupcakes and rainbows, even though they may seem that way. (Yes, I think that’s a Trolls quote, haha!) So Mom and I thought we’d shed some light on newborn sessions, for those of you who are unfamiliar with them.

Skylar was just about two weeks old for our session, so right at the end of our newborn posing window. Babies older than two weeks usually are more alert and no longer like to be posed and curled up like inside the womb. This is why it’s best to schedule these posed sessions two to three months before your due date. Mom also gave me a heads up about Skylar being a VERY alert baby since she was born. She told me that Skylar is just always wide-eyed and looking around.

Because of that, we were prepared to not get any sleepy shots, but we wanted to try. The baby is always the boss during these sessions, and I explain that to all of my clients beforehand. We can’t force the baby to do anything he or she doesn’t want to do. It’s always important to understand that the photos we want to get, are never guaranteed, even if we prepare everything perfectly. Every baby is different. It may take 20 minutes to get one baby into a sleepy pose, while another baby may take an hour. That’s why these sessions are usually between two and four hours long.

It took two hours to finally get Little Skylar comfortable and asleep, and it only lasted about five minutes. We think poor Skylar was having a bad day of tummy pains because she had lots of gas, and needed quite a few diaper changes. And after each diaper change, she wanted to eat to fill her belly up again.

But with lots of patience and determination, Skylar finally got pretty drowsy. I managed to capture all of her tiny details as she settled into sleep, then I positioned her the easiest way I could without disturbing her. She never fell into a deep sleep, but her eyes fluttered shut a few times for photos. And that was it. I had two other setups ready to go, but she woke right up and wanted nothing more to do with photos.

We moved on to the lifestyle photos with Mom, Dad, and Skylar, with her big blue eyes, wearing Mom's going home dress from when she was born. You see photos of a hungry baby being fed by her beautiful mother, a father soothing his baby girl, and two new parents, adjusting to their roles as parents, soaking up every minute. Because you may already love your baby before he or she is born, but actually feeling the overwhelming love and emotion that pours out at the sight of your new child, that cannot be anticipated. And that is why the lifestyle photos are my favorite part of my newborn sessions.

You also see Zola in these photos, Skylar’s four-legged big sister. Zola is such a sweet dog, and she already loves Skylar very much. As soon as we let Zola upstairs for these photos, she ran right into the nursery, and started giving Skylar sweet doggy kisses.

So we started this session not knowing what photos we would get out of it, and I think the ones we got turned out beautifully. Mom loves the photos, and we had a laugh about the first one. Because little Miss Skylar Paige looks like she is up to no good! Just look at that facial expression!

Miss Skylar was such a little stinker, but she is absolutely precious. And I enjoyed every minute I spent rocking her. Sometimes the unexpected photos turn out to be the most cherished, because they create more of a true representation and memory for us to look back on. ♥

Liriodendron Mansion Maternity Photographer - Laurel & Matt

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:00:00 GMT

I’ll start off by saying, it was about 30° during my session with Laurel and Matt, so these two are awesome for sticking out the freezing cold! Thankfully there wasn’t much of a breeze, and these two didn’t even look cold. Total rocks stars! Meanwhile, I was bundled up with a hat, scarf, and mittens. And I think I had some chattering teeth every now and then.

We planned for a sunrise session at the very classy and gorgeous Liriodendron Mansion, to accompany Laurel’s elegant dress. We wanted to get that beautiful, soft sun glow coming up over the back of the mansion, and the forecast had called for sun. But I only saw the sun peek up over the horizon for a few minutes while driving to our session, then it disappeared for the rest of the day. I’ve learned that it’s unusual for the weather to actually be as predicted, here in Maryland.

But with these two, celebrating their first miracle baby together, we didn’t need the sun. They were our glowing sun. Laurel and Matt have been waiting so long for their baby shark, and they’ve overcome many obstacles. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to be told you cannot conceive a baby, even with IVF. But when it happens against the odds, it’s glorious and a true blessing. ♥

Laurel is part of our NICU family. She helped care for our babies when they were in there. So I’m incredibly happy that I got to take these photos, for her family to look back on and cherish this special time in their lives. I really wanted to capture her beauty during this magical time, and I told her she looked like a goddess when she was standing in front of the mansion. Because, doesn’t she? :)

Baltimore Newborn Photographer - Baby Bradley Shane

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 12:00:00 GMT

This hungry little man is adorable, am I right? I know I say that about every baby, haha, but seriously, what baby isn’t cute??

We took lots of feeding breaks for this guy, which is totally normal, parents. Some parents are surprised by how much their newborn wants to eat during our sessions, but most of my sessions are around the 7-day mark, which tends to be a prime growth spurt time. That’s why our newborn sessions are so long. So don’t worry! :)

Other than being super hungry, little Bradley Shane was a serious fist clencher as well. He did not want to open his hands! I finally got his tiny fingers open for a few quick photos.

Big brother was so good, especially for it being close to nap time. And look at his little scrubs! He liked getting snuggly with his new baby brother, and even tried playing him a little tune on their beautiful piano. I LOVE piano, so I knew I had to get photos of this sweet family with theirs. They are some of my favorites from this session. Can you guess who their favorite pianist is? Maybe big brother or little Bradley will grow up to be a piano man. ;)

Baltimore NICU Photography - Tiny Valentines 2019 ♥

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Lots of love was in the air for these NICU valentine photos! Honestly, there wasn’t any more love than my other NICU sessions. That’s because every day in a NICU is filled with an abundance of love, along with many other emotions.

What I did see a lot more of, was moms wanting photos doing skin-to-skin, which made my heart so happy. Skin-to-skin is incredibly beneficial, to both the baby and mom. And it’s not just for the NICU. Moms, if you’re having a little difficulty with your milk supply, try doing some skin-to-skin. :)

And how about the dad with the pink stethoscope prop, huh? Is that not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?!

As always, special thanks goes to the March of Dimes and wonderful hospital staff. Thank you so much for coordinating and assisting with these photos.

I wish these sweet families and everyone, a very loving Valentine’s Day! ♥

Howard County Newborn Photographer - Baby Anderson Charles

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:00:00 GMT

This family is the sweetest! I love how in tune Mom and Dad were with each other during our session. They took turns with diaper changes, and Dad handled a little baby pee mess like a champ! He totally acted like it was no big deal and handled it.

Mom and Dad also took turns with feedings. Baby Anderson Charles wasn’t a nursing expert yet, and he needed a little assistance until he got the hang of it. So Mom and Dad took turns between nursing and bottle feeding, to make sure little Anderson was well-fed.

I’m so in love with the photo I snapped during a feeding break, with Dad looking off to the side and smiling. What you all can’t see, is Mom off to my left. So that photo is showing a new, proud papa, glancing over at the mother of his baby boy. And folks, that grin says it all, doesn’t it? :)

I also want to point out the adorable Eskimo kiss photos. Dad didn't think it was fair that Anderson was the only one getting Eskimo kisses from Mom, so he made sure he got his Eskimo kisses too!

There are so many tender moments and memories captured in these photos, and I hope they will be cherished for many, many years.

Carroll County Newborn Photographer - Baby Landon James

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:00:00 GMT

My friends had their baby boy, and I love him so, so much! Look at those puckered, little pouty lips!! Ugh, he is super-duper cute! He had the most adorable cry when I last saw him. I don't think I can describe it. Kind of like, he wanted to cry, but not quite at full force. The puppers, Raven, has already claimed her new bed, next to Landon's crib. I say she'll make a perfect big sister. But that look, haha! Do you see that look in her eyes? That look says, I'm not allowed to lay here, but Mommy can't see me if I don't look at her, and you're here so I can get away with it. Yup. :) My dear friends are so in love with their little Landon James, and I'm so incredibly happy for them and their little blessing. I see many play dates in our future!

Anne Arundel County Newborn Photographer - Baby Brody Evan

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:00:00 GMT

This tiny little man surprised us all, being born about a month before his due date. But Mr. Brody Evan is perfect and healthy! He just was too anxious to meet his family and couldn't wait any longer. And Mom and Dad are so in love with their little Brody Bear. They like to boop his nose, and it was precious when he started smiling while they were doing it. :) Brody's fur sister, Penny, seems to be adjusting pretty well. She liked being included in the photos, or else just wanted to stay by Mom's side the whole time, haha. I think my favorite part of this session, was when Baby Brody was getting a little fussy towards the end. Mom placed him on her chest, and he was instantly soothed at the sound of her heartbeat. ♥

Baltimore Newborn Photography - Baby Piper Louise

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Introducing little Miss Piper Louise! She was such a sweetheart, and a noisy sleeper. I’ve only known a few babies to make so many cute sleep sounds, and Piper is one of them. Cute little hums that just make you smile. :) Big Brother is two, and he cooperated fairly well, with some encouragement from M&M’s. I’ll say it again, I’m all for bribing the toddlers, haha! But he didn’t last long. He preferred to sweep the wood floors. So that’s what he did, while we got some more adorable shots of Mom, Dad, and baby Piper. Just look at that smile! I love capturing such precious moments for families to cherish forever. And I hope little Piper and her family have a very merry first Christmas together.

Catoctin Mountain Park Maternity Photography - Christina & DJ

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Yay, more of my friends are going to be parents!! These two are very adventurous and enjoy the outdoors. So of course, hiking almost two miles for a hot cocoa picnic is what they wanted. I’ll be honest, I don’t exercise. So I was a little winded during the hike up to Chimney Rock, but it was completely worth it. We all took our time, for Christina (and me!), but all of us also managed to trip a few times. DJ and I placed ourselves in front and behind Christina in case we needed to catch her, but we were the ones who tripped more, haha! I’m pretty sure DJ almost took me down one time, although he says he didn’t. But the best part of our session, I think, was DJ getting upset when Christina splashed hot cocoa on him, each time she dropped a marshmallow into her mug. Haha, that was a huge laugh! :) And I'm sure you can see the rain clouds rolling in. We made the hike back just in time. It literally started raining two minutes after we got in our cars! Anyway, we had tons of fun and really enjoyed this session, and that's what these two deserved. Prior to this pregnancy, they suffered through a very traumatic miscarriage at about 14 weeks. So I am completely over-the-moon happy for these two, and I cannot wait to meet their little man in a couple weeks! ♥

Baltimore Newborn Photography - Twins Halden & Harlan

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:00:00 GMT

My friend had her little twin blessings!! And how adorable are they?! I have to tell you, they just wanted to cuddle and hold each other the whole time. The first photo where they are hugging, isn't even posed! I just layed them next to each other, and as I wrapped their bottoms, they hugged and wrapped their little arms around each other. I then slid their hands down so we could see their sweet faces. Twins are seriously the cutest! And again, I can't even explain how happy I am for this family, after the storm they went through. They have definitely been double blessed. ♥

Harford County Newborn Photography - Baby Carter James

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:00:00 GMT

I thought I was going to blow away, the morning of this session. It was such a blustery day! So it was quite nice snuggling up, toasty warm with this little guy. He is as cute as a button. Look at that little nose! And his big sister was starting to adjust nicely. She was learning to be gentle, and it was just precious watching her interact with him. She loved leaning over to look at him and rub his head. She got up at the end, and did a little twirl in her gorgeous, lace dress. She definitely loves her baby brother, but she also wanted her moment to shine. Who wouldn't in that dress?!

Fort Smallwood Park Family and Senior Photos - Noah & Saylor

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 12:00:00 GMT

It was so nice to spend time with this family again and catch up. This session was to celebrate two amazing milestones, which aren't often celebrated together between siblings. These photos celebrate Noah's high school graduation, and Saylor's first birthday! This family has spent many years visiting this park, and hopefully many more, so they couldn't think of a place better fit for these special photos. Noah is such a sweet big brother to Saylor, and he will be off to a fantastic college, with a bright future ahead of him. And Saylor got to enjoy a whole, delicious cupcake, by herself. Dad may have teased her a bit, keeping her birthday treat just out of reach, but she grabbed that cupcake and finished it on her own! Happy first birthday, little Saylor, and congratulations, Noah!! :)

Baltimore Newborn Photography - Baby Michael Robert

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Little Michael Robert was two weeks old and wide awake for our session. My goodness, did he give me some looks! Some definite stink eye, full of total cuteness. I think he really wanted me to just go away and leave him alone, or he was wondering what the heck my camera was. To add to the adorableness, he was wearing a dinosaur outfit. Everyone loves dinos, right? And big brother was wearing cool dino socks! But being a two-year-old, he didn't really want to cooperate for photos. Parents, this is normal! Play around with them, have some fun, and tickle them like crazy (as we did here). Mom and Dad also bribed him with M&M's. :) It's okay to be silly and bribe your children every once in a while. It makes for much better photos, and a lot less stress.

Anne Arundel County Newborn Photography - Baby Everly Nichole

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:00:00 GMT

There's an incredibly sweet story about this session that I've been wanting to share since before it even took place. When I was chatting with Mom before our session, she told me how certain nursery details are meaningful to her, like the "Ave Maria" sheet music and the violin. She and her sister grew up playing the violin, and once their arms were full grown, their nana bought them each their full-size violins. Then their nana also bought them each the smallest size violin, for when they had children. So the small violin seen here, is little Everly’s first violin and a special gift from her great-nana. During our session, Mom tried to play a melody for Miss Everly Nichole. It’s been a while since Mom has played, so her violin was a little out of tune, but it still seemed to make Everly smile. :) Mom said she used to play while she was pregnant, so perhaps little Everly enjoyed hearing the comforting sound again.

Some other details I loved about this session include the floral ribbon mobile hanging in the nursery, which was handmade by Mom. The white dress and shoes were actually Mom’s going home outfit when she was a baby. The shoes were a tad bit too small for Everly, but the dress fit perfectly and looked just darling as her going home outfit. And that adorable teddy bear is from Bears for Humanity, where the price you pay is for so much more than a toy. They donate a bear to a child in need for every purchase, and they employ women and men from underserved communities in the U.S. Another favorite of mine is Cuddle and Kind, where just one doll provides 10 meals to children in need. Buy two dolls and feed 30 children!

Baltimore Maternity Photography - Lisa & Ernie's Family

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

I am so tired of all the rain! But I am so, so happy it stopped for a bit so we could get these photos. It’s difficult finding the words to express my happiness for my friend and her family. They have suffered through the devastating loss of their youngest baby girl, when she was only about a month old. They are now planning to welcome two more little bundles of joy to their family. Lisa is pregnant with twin boys!! God works in mysterious ways, and we will never know why He caused this family so much pain and suffering. But they have survived the storm He sent them, and He has now blessed them with not one, but two little miracles. We celebrated by having the children paint a rainbow on Mommy's belly for their rainbow siblings. It's not perfect, but it looks like a work of art to me. And when I showed the final painting to someone, they told me that it looks like the Mother Mary. Wow! Can you see it? Isn't that just beautiful?

Having twins is no walk in the park, but they most certainly are twice the blessing, especially for families like this one. This family has been exceptionally strong and I believe they can take on this next chapter with gratefulness and ease. God wouldn’t send them on this journey if they couldn’t. ♥

Cromwell Valley Park Photography - Kate & Roy's Family

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMT

So . . . the weather report for the day of this session was showing partly cloudy with 0% precipitation all day, when I checked the night before. It was pretty accurate and looking like a pretty nice day for our session, until about two hours before. Then some dark clouds started rolling in and the sun went bye-bye. I checked the weather again for the Cromwell Valley Park area, and it still said partly cloudy and 0% chance of rain. So I thought the clouds must just be passing by. That’s what I hoped, anyway. I took my rain gear with me just in case, and I’m glad I did. It started storming when I was about five minutes from the park. Although the thunder and lighting stopped when we arrived, the rain didn’t let up till the end of our session. Some folks in this crew are not local, and this was the only day we were all available and in town for the session. Everyone had an umbrella, so instead of letting Mother Nature ruin our parade, we danced in the rain!

Baltimore NICU Photography - Then & Now 2018

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMT

The new Believe wall in the NICU at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center has turned out to be so beautiful and incredibly inspiring. I started this project with the NICU just about two years ago, showing NICU graduates now, holding a photo from when they were in the NICU. We took the first round of photos, thought out how we wanted to display them, researched and shopped for the display pieces, sketched out the placement for each photo, and worked with maintenance to get the hardware installed and frames hung. The whole process took about a year, and the unveiling was last fall. To see everything come together and the final wall is really amazing! I hear that current NICU parents step out of their rooms every now and then to gaze at the wall and feel some comfort. It definitely melts my heart, and I love that I could help make this happen with such a remarkable team. :)

Having a baby, or babies, in the NICU is a traumatic experience. I know this first hand, and how important it is for these parents to have faith and believe that things will get better. The NICU journey is extremely difficult, and it usually continues after being discharged from the hospital. Most NICU babies still require a lot of special care and attention at home. So thanks to our incredible NICU and March of Dimes team for working on this project to make the NICU a little happier. On a bad day, parents need to be able to take a breath, look at these photos, and believe that their baby is also a NICU miracle, and the dark cloud will pass soon enough.

Here is the second round of photos for the wall. They will be printed to replace the current set of photos, and be displayed throughout 2019. The photos that come down will be given to the NICU graduate families to keep. Then each year, the photos will be refreshed with other NICU graduates. Families will enter their names at the NICU reunions, for a drawing to pick the next graduates to be honored on the Believe wall.

Basic Invite Features Heather Siverd Photography! :)

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:44:30 GMT

We've been featured, friends!! :) I've never really done a post about myself before, so click the image below to learn a little more about this girl behind the camera. I am so blessed and thankful to all of my fabulous clients and teachers who helped get me here! I could not have succeeded this far without you!!!!! ♥

Howard County Newborn Photography - Baby Temilolu Gabriel

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

This baby boy is cute as a button! I just want to reach in and boop his tiny nose. :) I always enjoy being with my newborn families on these early days. It's such a priviledge to watch them soak in all the joy of becoming a parent, whether it's the first time or not. One of my favorite moments with this family was watching Dad burp his baby boy. His gentle, soothing touch was so sweet, and it was endearing to see. There was a traditional naming ceremony that took place a couple days after our session, where this little one was named Temilolu Gabriel. I was told that Temilolu means, "God is mine," and Gabriel means, "Man of God." Such perfect, beautiful names.

Howard County Newborn Photography - Baby Eden Elizabeth

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Okay, just give me all the sink bath babies! Most of you know that I love classic, vintage things. So naturally, I love the nostalgic feel of sink bath photos. We did sink bath photos with my own little ones when they could sit up by themselves, and I cherish them so much. For little Miss Eden Elizabeth, we missed the window for the sleepy posed photos, but seriously, I think these may be way cuter! :) Eden's facial expressions are so precious, and they kept us amused and laughing the whole time. I enjoyed sharing this intimate family experience, and I am looking forward to my next sink bath session, whenever that may be!

Fell's Point Photography - Freya & Steve's Family

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

This early morning session was a hot one! It was our first extreme heat code red of the year, and I was already sweating by 7:30 a.m. But the heat actually wasn't that bad in the shadows, with the breeze by the water. We had a good time walking around Fell's Point, with the fun cobblestone roads and cute shops. Although, looking for ants was definitely more interesting to the young explorer in our group. For some added excitement, I almost got bit by a small dog that was tied up on the sidewalk. Its owner had stepped into a local shop, and the dog just lunged at me as we were walking by. The poor thing was probably miserable and scared. Thankfully, I was leading the way and the children nor anyone else got hurt. We passed the dog again later, walking with its owner, and it seemed perfectly fine. Anyway, the little ones were troopers throughout the whole session, so we popped inside a local store and finished our session with yummy frozen treats! When we were about to head our separate ways, I ended up having a pretty intense conversation with a little mister, about whether the animal in the window was a cow or a duck. I still say it was a duck. :)

Baltimore Baby Photography - Little Pierce Dalton

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Little Pierce was such a happy baby for our session. He actually embraced the camera and seemed to enjoy having his photo taken. Mr. Pierce Dalton is about nine months old now, and loves playing with all of his fun toys, especially his choo choo. He was chasing it all around! He is getting to be such a big boy and starting to pull himself up to stand. Watch out Mom and Dad, this boy is going to be walking in no time and chasing those fur siblings! While we were outside, I'm pretty sure Pierce had his first taste of grass. But I don't think he was a fan, haha! And how cute is that moon balloon night light with the bear?! Adorable!

Baltimore NICU Photography - Father's Day 2018

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Here are all the NICU miracles from my Father’s Day session! They are such strong little fighters! I always giggle a little whenever I see a baby trying to pull off his or her nasal cannula, because my own son was constantly guilty of this. I enjoyed switching from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day this year. I’ve mentioned before how I love showcasing sweet daddy moments. We are all so used to seeing mommas with their babies, but it’s important to me to capture the daddies as well. Daddies are full of love for their little bundles of joy too, and offer lots of support to make a strong parenting team. So it’s important to also give them recognition, especially in traumatic and difficult situations, like being in a NICU. My husband was my rock during our NICU stay, and he still is, so I see you Dads. And I hope you all had a very lovely Father’s Day. :)

As always, special thanks goes to the March of Dimes and incredible NICU staff for helping with this photo session.

Historic Hampton Family Photography - Hadley is Six Months!

(Heather Siverd Photography) — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Oh my goodness, I'm going to just go straight to the dress. This family session was to celebrate little Hadley turning six months old, and I can't think of a better outfit than what she had on. This super adorable baby dress was custom made from her daddy's wedding shirt. I had no idea this was a thing! It's absolutely perfect with the Peter Pan collar and buttons down the back. It will be a treasured item to keep forever, I'm sure. Grandma, Mom, and baby Hadley had matching sandals as well. Too cute you guys! Oh, you don't want to miss those chunky baby thighs in the bloomer shot either. I can never get enough of the chunky baby wrinkles! And I was told that Hadley's uncle recently got engaged to his beautiful lady, so congratulations to them! :)