first and foremost, thank you SO much for all of the wonderful comments and emails i received about design aglow, and the maternity slideshow i posted. i was completely, staggeringly overwhelmed by all of it! i feel really, really lucky and grateful and just have to say thank you. the support i get here on my blog surprises me all the time.
onto felix!
this is the first time i have photographed a newborn where i just let everything i have ever seen or thought about newborn photography fall away. i was anxious about a slew of newborns i had in june and july, feeling uninspired and like i couldnt do what they deserved, and a friend told me to just do it my way and not worry about it. so thats what i tried to do. i walked in to photograph felix with my big pillow, my heating pad, and a sock monkey. but without any preconceived notions of what i should do.
when i walked in, this is what i saw. a gorgeous little boy all sacked out in his mommas lap.
we chatted for a bit about his birth, how they were all doing as a new family, and then since he was asleep, i set him up on my big pillow, on top of my heating pad and his blanket. i just shot what he did, without moving him around too much. i love these.
then tia chris and tia sandra showed up (auntie chris is my website designer) so i had to get a photo of them totally enraptured.
i asked, “how is the light in your bedroom?” “oh, horrible.” mom said. um, kathy, i think you were not quite right…
and that, is alex, kathy, and felix.
and here is the sock monkey.
xo
tara
99 Comments
Tara,
These are amazing…almost makes me want to have another and move to CA so you can take pics, lol. I LOVE the second one and the color one with the feet.
Oh dear I think I have just died! Amazing!
i so love the arched back of the newborn birds and the stretches and spread out toesies and fingers. great pictures tara….
cindy
Tara, these are fantastic! You should not worry and just do it your way EVERY TIME!!!
i LOVE the sock monkey shot! who doesn’t love an image with a sock monkey? nice job!
I think that is the best advice for shooting newborns EVER. Newborns are hard. And we (as photographers) are even harder on ourselves. I love what you got…the curves and rolls of skin, Felix’s natural positions. Love it. Thanks for sharing your inner dialog. Much appreciated. i (heart) Tara!
These are so awesome. You totally caught “newbornness” to a T. And the sock monkey shot needs to be huge on their wall. You inspire.
I dig the monkey shot too, and the feet shots. Lovely.
Seriously…could you BE any more talented?!?!?
Absolutely the most drop dead gorgeous photos I’ve seen in a long time. I want to be you when I grow up. 
OMG those are incredibly gorgeous pictures of Baby Felix. The family is blessed to have a healthy baby and a friend like you. It’s amazing what you can do with your magic camera. I want one too. ha.
Amazing photos!!!
delicious!
you are amazing
i love that you just did it “your way”… it gives new inspiration for newborn sessions. and i love the feet on the bed shot!
Tara,
I love them, too. I really appreciated what you said about being uninspired with so many newborns in the summer. I think it was a great plan to just take it back to the basics and record what is real.
If only ll watermelons were that beautiful on the inside - oh wait - they all are!! Gorgeous captures Tara - I love that you let yourself go, and just enjoy…….
I am tearing up as I look at these! Just gorgeous! Everything is so natural…and that is what I love about your photography. Catching these fleeting moments in time! Pure sweetness! You can almost smell that baby smell! Thanks for sharing! Shelley
Felix’s name rocks and so do your photos.
i think it’s great you just did your own thing… they turned out beautiful! of course!
Tara - I’m a commenter virgin! I’ve always hesitated to leave a comment, feeling like “what do you comment to greatness???!?” You’re my idol (no kidding, seriously). I drool over your photographs on a daily (who am I kidding? multi-daily) basis. I’m an aspiring photographer, and just recently did a photo shoot of my best friend’s newborn… I also felt uninspired and found it difficult because I had these preconceived notions of what newborn photos should be. Once again, you’ve challenged me and inspired me through your own work! Love love love these newborn photos. Genius!
Oh the bouncing watermelon boy is beautiful…love the one in the parent’s room…the light is perfect…and oh my josh (as my 3 yo would say) the sock monkey picture!!!!
That watermelon has the most beautiful feet!!! I am howling while looking at these BEAUTIFUL photos! Damn hormones!
Ahh! My ovaries!! These pictures are amazing. When I have a kid I want you to move and live by me and be my personal photographer.
wow! these are pretty amazing!!!
Oh good gracious the one where Felix is arching his back and those wrinkles…AHHHH I just LOVE it!! The one with his aunts is perfect! Kudos Tara!
tara,
this photo shoot makes my heart glow. you are such an amazing artist.
I love the light and that baby is just such a perfect subject.
I have to say job well done.
~laney
These are all incredible - love the simplicity. Amazing as always…you are an inspiration!
Oh, Tara Whitney- you’ve inspired me once again. My third little one was just born a couple of weeks ago, and I have been having such a hard time creatively. I’ve seen so many gorgeous newborn studio shots from some of my fave photogs, but I’m NOT a studio setup kind of gal. Too fussy. I love to shoot outside, and that’s usually what I do with my kids- or just around the house, that’s my style. Natural light, real emotion… But I’ve been totally uninspired, and it’s too hot and buggy to take the baby outside right now. I’ve been stuck with only a few portrait shots that I like. Then, I saw your blog today– gorgeous work as always! I’m loving your take and how you’ve captured this little one in true Tara-style. I love the simplicity of these images. You’ve totally given me creative fuel!
oh my goodness.
i want to have another baby right now!!!!!
i can almost smell him…that perfect sweet new baby smell.
this is too much.
i love them.
don’t doubt yourself tara.
you are so unique.
it’s a true gift.
tara.
these are delighful, fresh, fun and so beautifuL!
tara
Those pictures melt my heart. What a beautiful baby.
Adorable. I love all of these. He is too darn cute.
I would have LOVED to have you in the hospital to take pictures of my babies when they were born.
Here in France we have photographers coming in the hospital to take pictures of newborns…. but they ALWAYS “put” them in poses… sometimes it is funny, but I’d have preferred to have “natural” photos like yours…
these are really great “souvenirs” for the parents
you really do an amazing work
Sophie
I love love love these pictures! And the sock monkey shot is just adorable
Oh Tara - these are absolutely SUBLIME!
Oh my goodness gracious, these are magnificent.
Fourth picture down………that neck……I want another baby now.
Wow, the photos are really moving even when you dont know the subjects! They must be delighted (and blubbering I bet!).
Aww Tara…you made me cry with his photos. . . such greatness.
really … too beautiful for words. you’ve been blessed with an incredible talent …
oh WOW…so sweet and beautiful…you did awesome!!
you are absolutely amazingly talented…great shots!
Tara, these are so beautiful. Of course, you don’t need me to tell you that. I love the “unposed” stuff. Just life as it happens. I think that is the best kind of photograph there is. These make my heart happy.
Beautiful, what a lovely little man he is. And I love your sockmonkey
Alette
These are stunning…I absolutely love the ones with him on his tummy, especially the back of his head with his little fists. I feel an urge to rush out and take pictures of my new niece right now. One quick question - did you light the rooms at all, or is it all natural light? My house is so dark that I always struggle with this for my own daughter. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos!
I don’t know why you doubt yourself because we don’t
:) We know you can pull off taking pictures of ice in an ice cube tray,make them look stunning,and make us all run out purchasing ice cube trays by the bulk..your simply T.H.E. B.E.S.T Tara!! I truely gasped at those baby pictures,they are exactly what each of us moms want to remember about those first few weeks. Makes me wanna have my kids all over again.
Yep…..YOU are awesome!!!!
Wow! The best newborn photos I’ve seen, you are so amazing!
tara…these are beautiful! i LOVE the one at the very beginning where his face is a little blury…and the sock monkey. wonderful.
I never comment, but had to upon reading this. I was feeling the same way with regards to newborns. The beanbag. The dreaded beanbag and the no sleeping naked newborn. yuck. So, I ditched the beanbag and I just capture what I want to capture. I’m so much happier now. You were right…be true to you and you can’t go wrong baby! Look at where it’s got you so far!!!! These are unbelievably fabulous…because they came from you
Tara, these are breathtaking! You are so good at what you do and I really like this new style of your photographs.
Tara, these are wonderful!! Despite your nerves and misgivings, I think you captured Feliex perfectly!! I’m so glad that you stayed true to yourself and your style. . . .
Thank you! I am a photography hobbbyist and I have done newborn shoots for my friends. Same ol’ Same ol’ baby curled up on black background etc. etc., blah blah blah, and I am bored each time—it never felt like I took the shots. I’m pregnant and due in September and was trying to think of a different angle for newborn shoots—and this is exactly what I love and want for my own shots–way to break the mold.
Egads…This makes me want another baby! The shots are beautiful as is the subject. Wonderful!
OMG - I LOVE the one where he’s arching his back. And the backlit feet. So, SO beautiful.
tara i absolutely love these, you are my inspiration!!
Ah, thanks for finishing the love story you started in the slide show! What beautiful photos of a beautiful baby boy!! You’ve captured the love pouring out of his admirers too!
Oh, Tara…you are *such* a light! Natural, amazing, joyful, pure, simple…wow.
these are simply wonderful…love the color one of his feet and the arched, wrinkled back shot! still your fave lens here, the 24-70? tfs!!
these are adorable. Have you ever thought about doing work for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep? You should chech out the website, and see if it’s something you can handle. NILMDTS.org
There are no words! I am not a poster…but a multiple time a day BLOG checker. After a lump in my throat and tears in my yes…I had to post! You are freakishly talented. NEVER do it any other way then your way. Your work, thoughts and honesty on your BLOG are so inspiring. You rock!
I cannot describe how awesome I think you are as an artist - boy I so want to be more like you. These pictures are just AMAZING, they brought tears to my eyes. I am in awe of your talent. Thank you so much for sharing so much of it with me (I should probably say us, the blog stalkers). I don’t comment very often, but you inspire me so much, looking at your pictures make me want to try harder, be better, and give more and I just wanted to say thank you!
i’m usually an adoring lurker, but i thought you should know that these gorgeous photos made me cry. they are perfect. these are the photos i wish i had taken of my two girlies. you are amazing.
awesome, awesome, awesome
your work is inspiring
i loved the story of how you just took classes and starting shooting, shooting, shooting …
that is my dream
perhaps maybe i will have the courage to follow it now …
best wishes to you!
omg!!!! totally blown away. they are beautiful!!
Great pictures, Tara. I love the one of the back of his head and his fist.
wow. that is all I can say, wow. you gave them quite a gift, Tara.
absolutely perfect. his parents will be overjoyed to have these in their books (or on their walls!) for years to come!!
you did perfect T.
the arched back shot is so unique and so “you” also you made my day with the sock monkey photo.
What a lovely follow-up photo shoot Tara. It’s so nice to see Felix “the little watermelon” on the outside of his beautiful mama’s tummy. You captured the essence of newborn sleeping so perfectly. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Eva
You have an amazing gift!! I about came to tears over this pictures, and I don’t even know you or this little angel!! Congrats to the new family, and thank you for sharing them!!
Something tells me I’m gonna be your design beeyotch for, ohhhhh, about the next 18 years or so
I can’t even tell you how mucho I looooove these!
Oh. Wow.
Oh, Tara. I hang out WAY too much with other photographers who are amazing and brilliant … our styles are completely different and I have been hatin’ on myself of late, wishing I saw things the way they do. I normally love to just keep it simple and pure … shoot what I see. Thank you for the reminder that simple can be beautiful. These are gorgeous and real, and I love, love, love them.
love the sock monkey!
Posts like this need warnings for mothers who haven’t fulfilled their desire to have children. These were absolutely stunning, sweet and I am ready for my fourth now. lol
This is some of the best work I’ve seen from you. These newborn images are inspiring. Great work.
beautiful! such treasures
WOW Belle! What treasures these pictures are for this family. Love the sock monkey. LOL I absolutely love the bending backwards shot. You are the best! love ya and see you soon!
Lovely baby boy !!!
And lovely name !!!
FELIX means FELIZ (spanish) = HAPPY ( in english).
Tara~ Love them all especially the one in the bedroom just his feet. I can never get feet in focus with newborns. He must have been really out! Love that you just let it happen. Felix is so stinkin’ adorable.
Stunning, amazing pictures, thanks for sharing! Love, Tonia (a Tipsy Girl)
I’ve never commented before but I have to on this post (at the risk of sounding incredibly redundant given the 80 comments before mine)…
These are the best newborn pics I have ever seen. I hate how all newborn pics are posed and look exactly the same. You have an AMAZING gift.
two words… YOU ROCK
I have a Felix! And have never met another one. Just had to comment on the name{the pictures are aweSOME, too, but you’ve already heard that}.
LOVE that last one, but these are ALL awesome!
one word. Perfection..
You can do anything.. just be .. YOU.
so very sweet!
These are SO amazing. Those feet on the bed are simply gorgeous. Love them all!
Now THAT is how you shoot a newborn!!! Finally! I get so tired of looking at all those staged newborn photos & ultimately, you can’t ’see’ the newborn at all! Great job Tara!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh my gosh, these are the most stunning newborn shots I have quite possibly ever seen! I LOVE the shot of his little arched back with tiny baby wrinkles. Totally amazing1
Lovely work as usual! Your site is always so fun to visit. You really inspire me Tara!
these are so amazing I can’t even tell you tara. i LOVE them.
Aww he is the sweetest watermelon!!! love those tiny feet!
amazing, amazing. but my FAVORITE is the one where his little back is arched and you can see all those sweet newborn wrinkles.
LOVE it.
A heating pad? BRILLIANT!! Why didn’t I ever think of that? Beautiful, sensitive, heart-tugging pics as usual.
Tara Whitney, you are an amazing photographer. I wanna be like you!
Stunning b&w’s! Gorgeous bubba!
oh my goodness, tara!!!!! these are incredible. your soft bw conversion on these is absolutely STUNNING. i so want to sneak in on my sleeping baby and photograph her again.
not sure the last time just viewing photos made me cry…simply beautiful.
these are really great! forget any pre-planning! for you it works to go “with the flow”.
momma will have a hard time choosing!