Last weekend, I was privileged to shoot not one but two sessions of children under 9 months in a single day in my studio south of Robinson, Illinois. If you read last week's blog, you met Hayes. This week, I'd like to introduce you to Ruth.

I love children and their spontaneous nature. It always amazes me how unique each child truly is.

When I received a call to photograph Daniel and Jennifer's newborn Ruth, I jumped at the opportunity.

I don't photograph a lot of newborns but I love doing it. It reminds me of what it is like to have a baby, how helpless they are, how you play guessing games as to what they need at any given point in time. Was that the hungry cry, the gassy cry or the poopy cry? Just sorting it out is such a challenge.

Luckily, Daniel and Jennifer are quick studies when it comes to figuring out sweet Ruth's needs.

When we started the session, Ruth was content but seemingly unsure of the whole photo thing. (Obviously, her parents don't put her in antique washbowls at home...lol). I'd like to say she was yawning here, but she was just not really feeling the whole photo experience...

that was until we got Daddy involved. He's under the blanket, and now we're happy:)

I was able to get some sweet shots of her in daddy's arms but then became restless and needed a quick snack from Mom. After that, Ruth needed a change of scenery so we decided to go outside. Hello, people! That's all I wanted. (Makes me sleepy just seeing these now...lol)

Hello, Sunshine!

After a number of shots outside, we were all a little warm so we moved back inside. Ruth was way sleepy and in the zone. Mom and Dad carefully attempted to slide on her hairbow and I caught this image while she was happy. (As a side note, she has a hairbow to match everything. My 7-year-olds would have been envious:))

For something different, we took off the bow and Ruth smiled. She was really sleepy now.

But not sleepy enough to notice when Daddy put a flower in the photo. (This was only a second later.)

Congrats, Daniel and Jennifer! She's absolutely beautiful - smiling or crying:)