Julie Harrell: Photographer

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’…” ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

I love Tennyson’s eloquent writings, and his words seem so fitting for the journey of baby Hope!  Hopes birth is the first birth I have photographed… interestingly enough, the first birth I ever saw was that of her littlest brother when I was 14 year old!  When Ashley found out she was pregnant, she asked if I would do all her photography.  While I couldn’t commit to the birth, I said I would try as hard as I could to be there, since I live over 2 hours away.  When I got the notice she was in labor, I grew sad since I thought there was no way for me to be down with her that day due to previous commitments.  Her sister, Mary, told me things were going slow, so she would keep me updated through out the day… on whatever miracle I might be able to re-arrange plans.

By evening that night, when I was finally able to drive down, Ashely was still in early labor.  It had been 12 hours with very little progression.  She was moved from the birth center to the hospital.  She was disappointed, but I was a little hopeful that I might have a chance of being there to photograph her birth.  When I finally showed up at 10pm, she was basically where she was when she was admitted.  Ashley had become accustomed to pregnancy not going according to plan.  Steven and Ashley tried for 6 years to conceive their first child, and finally after learning a little more as to why they could not conceive they opted to try IVF.

One of the eggs implanted, and Ashely was finally pregnant!  She definitely had her vision for the pregnancy and birth, but after so long of no progression her midwife (who also happened to be my mom’s midwife when my mom had my little brother) suggested moving to the hospital, another step that was not part of the plan.  After 36 hours, and almost no progression, the doctor finally said it was time for a Cesarian (definitely not part of her plan).  Her doctor was awesome, though, and let her keep trying to have the birth be as natural as possible for 36 hours.  I was super impressed at how quickly Ashley was able to be with baby Hope after the operation, and even though most of the labor was not the way they imagined it would be, seeing Hope on her mother’s chest, with her father overlooking fit perfectly into the plan of being together, being a family–finally!

Cheers,
jewels

Meet little 8 day old Calliope Gene! I know some of you Greek History buffs can say her name, but for those of you reading her name for the 3rd time, wondering how her name is pronounced, phonetically its “kəˈlaɪəpi” but my way is “cah LIE oh pee.” … Right Tracy?

Calliope was as sleepy and sweet as a newborn should be. She wasn’t into all the curled and scrunched up newborn photos, but she did love a good swaddle! Calliope is the 2nd baby of Nina and Matthew, and if you’ve seen that sweet boy I’ve photographed a couple times with incredible blue eyes, and a onesie from his 1 year old photos that say’s “Made in Portland,” well this is his little sister! Destined, I’m sure, to have the same stunning blue eyes.

Through out the pregnancy, Nina photographed her progress in photos of herself with a chalkboard wall they painted in their home, with the week marked on the board. I knew when I saw her pregnancy progression photos we had to use that chalkboard with Calliope. I am not a graphic artist, but I tried my hardest to write her name in something other than my normal chicken scratch writing! I hope Nina and Matthew still have it up in their home… I will be sad when it gets erased

Thanks for the fabulous weekend Horn family, hope you are in love with these images as much as I am!

Cheers,
jewels

I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who specializes in newborn photography, but I do love each opportunity I get to photograph a brand new baby! If I had my own studio and my own babies were a little bit more self sufficient I think I could shoot babies for the rest of my days. There are a few times I feel genuinely blessed as a photographer, and being asked to shoot a brand new baby and a wedding are the two times I am humbly honored with every inquiry. Noah was a joy to nuggle, I could have held him all day. His big sister, grandparents and mom and dad won’t deny how perfect he is. Congratulations Glass family on the new addition! I’m excited for your growing family.

Cheers,
jewels

Little baby Emersyn is pure perfection. She did all the things a newborn photographer prays for the day of a shoot. She was wonderful to hold, I sometimes had a hard time putting her down as I changed out props and settings. You know the invigorating feeling of watching fireworks every time 4th of July roll around? The awe of the lights and booms, no matter how many times you’ve seen them? I have similar feelings with newborns. No matter how many times I see one I’m constantly saying, “I can’t believe how small he/she is!” I’m in awe at their tiny features and their super light weight When I came home to Juliet, who I still picture as a newborn, she seemed more like a big kid than a 7th month old. Its amazing how fleeting those first few weeks are. That window of time is almost magical… well if you consider being delusional and the blur of sleep deprived a form of magic. Either way its one of the most incredible occasions shared between a parent and child. Even though it seems like a hazing into parenthood, its beyond words. I’m privileged to capture a few moment of those weeks and blessed to hold such beautiful life with newborns sessions, and this session with Emersyn was as perfect as she!

Cheers,
jewels

Talen is the first newborn I’ve photographed since having Juliet. In fact I don’t think I’ve even held another newborn since she was born, making me more susceptible to my self proclaimed NPOS: “newborn photographer overholding syndrome” Talen is adorable, and even though he only wanted to sleep in mom or dad’s arms, his awake photos are to die for with his amazing blue eyes. I was so surprised at how blue they were at such a young age. He’ll be a heartbreaker no doubt!

Cheers,
jewels

I had always said I could never “do” twins. As in having my own. Just the thought of caring for 2 babies was enough to zap my energy. After spending a few hours with Annie and Violet I immediately called Chris and said, “I WANT TWINS!” They were so perfect, sleepy, and seeing how much they already were bonded made me teary-eyed. The first picture of them makes me teary eyed too, Its like Annie is gently saying to Violet, “I’m always here.” (OK, you can chalk a lot of emotion to my last weeks of pregnancy, but these two little girls are incredibly precious). Annie and Violet will be blessed with many years of great photos as their mom, Rachel, is also a photographer. She has some beautiful images of the twins already, and I love it when she posts them on facebook! Here are the twins from my first ever “twin newborn” session.

Cheers,
jewels

Oooh, look what I got in the mail a couple weeks ago (I know, I’m backed up on blogging, its summer though)! Little Ava’s announcements turned out sooooo perfect. Since her name signifies a bird, it seemed fitting to add a little pop of color on the modern yet whimsical styled card. I love the simplicity of it, but I think my favorite part of the whole announcement is Ava’s waiving “Hello World!” to everyone. How cute is she?! These were printed 5×7, and were super glossy with a UV coating. You would really have to see it and hold it to get the full feel of these announcements, but here are a couple pics to share. Next week I’ll be in Walla Walla shooting a beautiful wedding, and after I return home I get to do my very first twin newborn session! I cannot wait to meet Annie and Violet In the meantime I have some fun blog posts in the making, Madeline’s birthday party and 7 year old photos, and a gorgeous senior! Can’t wait to share it all. Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
jewels

Ohio took me for week when I visited one of my best friends ever, Justine, and her husband Matt, and new baby Ava Marie. While there we took a lackadaisical Sunday afternoon to capture Ava’s newborn cuteness on “film.” Thanks to the Buckeye state’s wonderfully warm late spring weather, we shot the whole shoot outside under their screened in front porch. It was the first time I did a newborn shoot outside, and it was fresh and inspiring to do so! Here is all 5.5 pounds of Aviator!

Cheers,
jewels

Look at this precious newborn baby. Abbie was 6 days new when I was able to photograph her. She was one of the most calm and sleepy babies I’ve worked with. Most of the time a newborn session is filled with a lot of holding and soothing, but Abbie just wanted to get her beauty sleep (I bet she knew she was going to be photographed). Thanks Blakely family for making the drive up to Bellingham for the session, I’m so happy to have met Abbie!

Cheers,
jewels

I love this, because in the middle of Abbie’s sleep she somehow sensed her big sister was nearby, and started kicking her away! Abbie!!

These images are incredible to me. No, not because I was the person behind the lens, but because it shows this powerful idea of an expectant mother about to hold in her arms what she carries inside. The perfect transformation and renewing from the inside to the outside. I wish I could take credit for these poses, but I cannot. I was inspired by one of my favorite photographers, Carrie Sandoval. When I saw her do a before baby after baby photo series, I just had to give it a try. Stay tuned for more newborn photos of little miss Abbie in the next few days!

Cheers,
jewels