Zeke Eight Month Old Portraits, Bebe Coterie Plan | Northern VA Baby Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Aug 28, 2017 | Baby Plan Bebe Coterie

Zeke Eight Month Old Portraits, Bebe Coterie Plan | Northern VA Baby Photographer

From newborn to a year old in the blink of an eye! As a baby photographer near Round Hill, VA, we get such pleasure from doing first-year-milestone portraits. Those baby cheeks, lovable smiles, and little fingers and toes charm us every time! Zeke with his radiant 100-watt smile was no different.

First-year Milestones:
With his enormous and happy personality, this little guy could warm anyone’s heart! Parents Virginia and Jacob purchased our Bebe Coterie plan for their firstborn son Zeke. Virginia and Jacob understood the importance of memorializing those first-year milestones with our fine-art baby photography. They also knew (as do we all) that you can’t get those precious moments back. You won’t remember every day you spend with your child. Time fades or sadly erases so much in our lives. Photography helps to maintain those memories alive for us throughout our lifetimes.

Zeke’s 8-month-old portraits captured his forays into standing and beginning to walk! What a cutie he was – and fast with the using furniture to get between places!!

Capturing Memories:
Our professional portraits will allow Zeke’s parents (and later Zeke when he’s an adult) to enjoy and remember what this little boy looked like during his first year of life – and how very much he changed in just one year’s time! With archival-quality wall art and professional portrait products, they can cherish the visual time-capsule we have created for them.

Do you have a visual time capsule for your children? Will you remember what they looked like at each of their first-year milestones?

In Zeke’s portraits, you can see how we documented this little guy’s growth that first year. It’s a precious testament to childhood and loving parents who invested in his portraiture.

As a Round Hill, VA baby photographer, we hope to hear from you to schedule your beloved child’s professional portrait session so call today to learn more!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Round Hill, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

A Heartfelt Story that Inspires Us | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Aug 24, 2017 | Sterling VA Newborn photography

A Heartfelt Story that Inspires Us | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

As specialists in newborn photography near Round Hill, VA, it’s not surprising that we find inspiration in the lives of our clients, especially mothers. Raising a child is a blessing but never without some challenges. Perhaps, that is why this story in the acclaimed “Humans of New York” photo series caught our attention:

“I have four boys. I was a single mother for most of my life. But I’ve been a good mother. I’m going to pat myself on the back for that. It wasn’t easy. I struggled hard. In my twenties, I got kicked out on the street with four young kids. But I made sure they were always safe, fed, sheltered, and had proper clothes for the season. They always had bikes and skates. And I kept them busy. I signed them up for everything: karate, basketball, swimming, you name it. I paid for it all. I didn’t want them spending time in the streets, so I’d work overtime just to keep them busy. I never had much left over for myself. I sacrificed a lot for them. I still wake up at 3:30 every morning to beat the traffic across the bridge. But they always come first. Because they never asked to come here. They were my decision.”

If you look carefully at her shirt, you’ll see that she’s wearing a U.S. Postal Service uniform. This mother went from having so little to become a role model of courage for her boys. Her story is one of love, commitment, and achievement. There is no better role model for her children. Her determination to triumph for her kids moved and inspired us, and we applaud her.

As a baby photographer, we meet new parents, each with their own story. It’s our goal to convey their stories through our craft. Portraits don’t have to be fancy, feature props, or be heavily photoshopped if they capture that in their subjects. (Therein lies the beauty, as well as the popularity, of the “Humans of New York” series.)

With our newborn photography here near Round Hill, VA, we strive to represent the purity and innocence of our tiniest clients. After all, our clients “tell” their own stories better than we do. We’re just their photographic messengers!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photography

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Round Hill, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

7 Ways Busy Moms Can Relax | Northern VA Baby Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Aug 21, 2017 | Helpful Hints

7 Ways Busy Moms Can Relax | Northern VA Baby Photographer

With our newborn photography work at our studios near Round Hill, VA, we know how busy life can be for moms, especially new moms. It is important to take a breather every once in a while, whether for a little pampering or just some quiet time! Here are some ideas for “Mommy Time” to restore your soul.

Aromatherapy:
Essential oils are popular and are something you can do without needing to invest a lot of money. (High-quality oils tend to yield better results, though.) You can go the high-end road and purchase diffusers or visit professional aromatherapists. You can also do it yourself for some inexpensive home pampering and relaxation. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto a cotton ball and place under your pillow at night or in your purse to relax.
— Lavender is one of the best oils for relaxation.
— Use Peppermint or Spearmint to perk you up.
— Use Rose oil to cheer you up or relax you.

Reading:
Studies have shown that silent reading helps induce a sense of calm and is good for you – not to mention that it might make you smarter. Pick up a book, grab a cup of herbal tea and find yourself a quiet corner away from the world to unwind.

Go for a walk:
As a baby photographer, we know the value of getting outside into nature. Go for a walk whether it’s around the block or along a nature trail. A quiet walk can be as beneficial as meditation or other healthy practices such as yoga. If you can’t get outdoors, get near a quiet window and enjoy connecting with nature and all it has to offer from your home. You might be surprised how nurturing and restorative it can be to walk thoughtfully among trees or imagine yourself there!

Mindfulness Meditation:
A few minutes of mindfulness meditation can be good for your physical and mental health. If you don’t know anything about mindfulness practice, a quick Google search will offer loads of tips and information to help you get started.

Open an App:
In addition to apps for meditation, there are also relaxation apps from guided relaxation techniques to relaxation music and sounds. How about the sound of rain or a waterfall to relax you while you stare out the window at some trees?

Exercise:
Whether at the gym, outdoors, or at home for however long, you’ll find that in the midst of chaos sometimes all it takes is a little exercise to unwind. Some gyms even offer special classes for mamas and babies! Yoga is the mother of them all for relaxation and is something you can practice at home while baby naps if you don’t have a sitter. And, guess what? There’s an app for yoga, too!

Enjoy a hot, quiet bath:
You don’t have to go to a high-end spa to recreate spa-like benefits. Light some candles in your bathroom, arrange with the hubby to watch the baby or children for 30 minutes, grab a good book or magazine, and soak in some bubbles. The key here is to feel like you’re off in another world without children (or hubby) running in every five minutes needing something. Don’t forget the relaxing music!

With studios near Round Hill, VA, we get to enjoy our newborn photography clients as well as the many benefits of living in Northern Virginia. We hope you can find some “me” time as well!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photography

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Round Hill, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Zeke Newborn Portraits, Bebe Coterie Plan | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Aug 17, 2017 | Sterling VA Newborn photography

Zeke Newborn Portraits, Bebe Coterie Plan | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

Zeke was a newborn photographer’s dream model in our studio near Purcellville, VA! This little guy was perfectly relaxed (and sound asleep) as we posed him for his adorable portraits.

Newborns:
Any time during the first seven days of a baby’s life is the perfect time for newborn portraits. As you can see, Zeke was the typical newborn who slept through his first-ever portrait session. He looks very much like he did shortly after his birth just days earlier. Therein lies the beauty of newborn photography! Fingers and toes are curled. Eyes are still lazy with sleep. And the tiny bodies, fresh from the womb, are just beginning to settle into their new world. (By the way, most parents are also settling into their new family life when we meet them for newborn portraits!)

Babies:
As we all know, all too soon newborns turn into babies. Doing professional baby photography during the first year of life is as important as the newborn shots. We recommend that you do baby portraits during the first year of life before a child starts walking. If you would like to do both newborn and baby portraits, we recommend our Bebe Coterie Plan! This plan is the perfect combination of both types of photography. In addition to newborn portraits, the plan captures the first-year’s milestones such as sitting and walking. Zeke’s parents purchased the Bebe Coterie plan. Today, they enjoy having documented that darling first year of life for their firstborn son!

Would you like to work with Northern Virginia’s leading newborn photographer with studios in the Northern Virginia area, near Purcellville, VA? Call us today to schedule your appointment! We’d love to work with you and your family.

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Purcellville, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

5 Fun Activities to Encourage Baby’s Growth & Development | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Aug 14, 2017 | Helpful Hints

5 Fun Activities to Encourage Baby’s Growth & Development | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

One of our favorite aspects of being a newborn photographer in Purcellville, VA won’t surprise you. It’s the babies, of course! We love engaging with our tiniest, youngest clients! What a pleasure it is when they return and we can see their growth. We thought we’d share these five easy and fun tips to promote your baby’s development. They are fun and engaging and, let’s face it, you get to play with your child. Who can say no to that?!

1. Talk, Listen, and Watch: To assist with language development, sing, talk, and regularly listen to your baby using exaggerated voices and facial expressions. Watch to see how she reacts to the different pitches you use. Be sure to make good eye contact. Also, next time they start crying or having a meltdown, start singing! It encourages emotional regulation.

2. Dancing: Who doesn’t love to dance with a child? They don’t care if you have two left feet. All you need is music and to securely hold your baby while you move around the room together to the music. Dancing helps to promote an early appreciation of music and bonding which is important for emotional development. Turn your dancing into a baby photography moment by asking someone to take your picture while you’re dancing with baby. The snapshots will bring back cherished memories one day!

3. Reflection: Most adults could sit and watch a baby watch themselves in a mirror for hours. While you’re doing it, go ahead and point to the baby’s reflection in the mirror and ask them who it is. Repeat this with other reflections such as yours. This activity helps to promote visual, social, and emotional development. Besides, it’s cute!

4. Baby and Child Massage: This is a great activity after a bath or when you’re changing your baby. Just be certain the room is warm enough, so they don’t get cold. Be sure to gently but firmly stroke your child’s arms, legs, and belly to promote bonding and stimulate the senses.

5. Imitation: Play “Follow The Leader” with your child by encouraging imitation of each other’s actions to help develop memory and learning. You can start by imitating something they are already doing such as clapping, waving, or tapping. Then encourage them to imitate your simple actions as well. As they get the hang of it as their development grows, you can make the activities increasingly more challenging. Make sure to always keep it fun for them.

If you would like to work with a caring, careful, and experienced newborn photographer in the Purcellville, VA area, contact our studios to schedule your baby’s portrait session! We enjoy meeting new babies and their parents!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Purcellville, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits