Tender Maternity and Newborn Photography on Film in Louisville

Booking maternity and newborn photography is the perfect way to preserve the magical mess of emotions that come with pregnancy and new parenthood. As you’ll see with this session, film does an incredible job of documenting that emotion with photos you can feel. Learn about getting maternity and newborn photos at home along with tips for booking your sessions!

A man stands next to a woman holding a newborn baby in a nursery on film newborn photography.

Tender Photos for Amelia and Josiah

It was an honor to take maternity and newborn photos for Amelia and Josiah for a few reasons. Firstly, I always appreciate being trusted with such precious moments in a family’s life. They’re unlike anything else, and who you choose to document them matters. 

A man and woman lay in bed looking at a photo album in a film maternity photo.
A man and a pregnant woman smile at each other on a bed during a Louisville maternity photography session.

Secondly, Josiah and Amelia are good friends of mine. Josiah is a photographer too. It’s a huge complement when another photographer trusts me with their most important memories. I can’t help getting emotional looking over this gallery again.

A man and woman put their hands on her baby bump in a Polaroid maternity photo.

This maternity and newborn photography is a great example of Amelia and Josiah’s relationship with each other and baby Opal, too. They’re a sweet, playful family. The gently posed and candid photos here show them at ease and content. You can really feel that from the photos.

A man and pregnant woman lean against a crib while a Louisville maternity photographer takes their picture.
A man stands behind a pregnant woman and kisses her forehead in their Louisville home in film photography.

Maternity and Newborn Photography at Home

You can do maternity and newborn photography just about anywhere. Just like an engagement or family photo session, you could head to your favorite park, a studio, or your house. You can see an example of a studio newborn session in this blog post.

A man and woman place their hands on her baby bump beside a window in film maternity photography.

Amelia and Josiah chose to do both their maternity and newborn photography at home. To be honest, I loved the opportunity to create parallel images in both sessions. Both times we started with the family relaxing in the bedroom. Then we moved through the nursery and kitchen while I documented them interacting and having fun.

A man and woman pose with two dogs for Louisville maternity photography on Polaroids.
A man kisses his pregnant wife in their Louisville kitchen in film maternity photography.

As beautiful as studio sessions can be, I really love doing in-home photography. You’re documenting the people and the place that make your life so special. Years from now, after your kid has plastered over nursery murals with band posters, you’ll be able to look at these photos and remember the sweet anticipation you felt picking out colors and collecting meaningful gifts from loved ones.

A man kisses a woman on a bed beside their newborn baby in Louisville newborn photography.

You can see in these photos that being at home puts people at ease, too. For maternity and newborn sessions, it’s nice to have the comforts of home available. You get an intimate experience without any passersby or uncomfortable chairs if you need to stop to feed your baby. I loved documenting Josiah, Amelia, and Opal in the little world they’ve created together.

A newborn baby lays in a woman's lap while a Louisville newborn photographer takes their picture.
A man and woman lay on a bed looking at their newborn baby in Louisville newborn photography.

Film vs Digital Photography for Your Maternity and Newborn Sessions

Josiah loves film photography as much as I do, so I mostly focused on that in this session. Digital always has its place in maternity and newborn photography. It can produce cleaner photos in a wider variety of conditions. Digital is also easier to edit and faster to deliver than film. That’s why I always have a digital camera on me.

A man and woman smile at a Louisville newborn photographer while they lay on a bed beside their baby.

Just like being at home, though, film brings an intimacy to your photos that digital doesn’t achieve in the same way. It’s instant nostalgia. The warmth, texture, and emotion in film photos feel like pregnancy and new parenthood: tender and beautifully imperfect. 

A man holds a newborn baby while a woman reads to them from an old storybook.

How to Book Maternity and Newborn Photography

If you’re thinking of booking maternity and newborn photography, you’ll definitely want to ask if your preferred photographer can package them together. As a Louisville photographer, I have a package that includes both maternity and newborn photography. Expecting parents tend to love this option for a few reasons.

  • We can create newborn photos that speak to your maternity photos to tell a more cohesive story.

  • New parents are often a little overwhelmed. Scheduling newborn photos can feel like one thing too many once your baby is actually here.

  • After your maternity session, you’ll be more comfortable navigating new parenthood in front of my lens.

A man stands beside a woman holding a newborn baby in a glider in a Louisville newborn photo.

I’m Ashley. As a Louisville photographer, I document your family with candid photos that feel true to you and your season of life. You can expect me to show up fully equipped with my digital cameras along with film, if you opt for it. After all, that’s where the magic happens.

I can’t wait to tell your family’s story. Reach out to book your maternity and newborn photography!

Stephanie BilinskyComment