Melissa Aldrich

Mom and Newborn Baby Photographer Greenville SC

I was honored to be chosen as Amber’s Mom and Newborn Baby Photographer Greenville SC. I’ve served the Upstate SC area for nearly 13 years now capturing natural, timeless, and emotional newborn pictures. I don’t use a lot of fussy props because I want to show the simple moments that make up your baby’s story. Interested in working with me? Click here!  Want to know more about Amber’s session with her boys Atlas and Anax? Keep reading!
Mom and Newborn Baby Photographer Greenville SC
Anax was the sweetest newborn snoozing happily through his session. He loved being wrapped and cuddled.  Atlas was, like all my two to three year olds: BUSY. I love to play hard with toddlers and preschoolers, but I also work hard to respect their boundaries.  If they aren’t interested in pictures at first, if I ignore them long enough they will want to join back in for my attention. This is how we captured that lovely top left picture of Atlas holding Anax’s tiny hand!

As you can see, most toddlers will resist being posed and instead I aim for those beautiful unscheduled moments unless they’re showing a willingness to be posed. I also recommend that moms share my name, the expectations they have fore how the session will go, and what special reward they’ll receive during (non-messy foods!) and after the session (a trip to the park with daddy or their favorite show)!

 

Above is a video of all of the images Amber chose from her session. I think it’s so important for mamas to jump into the images. Oftentimes, mamas are the ones recording all of the moments with our little ones. We’re so rarely featured in images. So I always encourage my mamas to jump into images. I remind them that they do not have to choose the images they’re in for their final gallery, but 9 times out of 10 the mama images are chosen. They’re just too precious.

Want to know about booking your own session? Click here!

Family Focused Newborn Photos Greenville SC

This family focused newborn photos Greenville SC session is one of my favorites! Looking to book your own? Click here or read on!

Family Focused Newborn Photos Greenville SC

Lauren, Taylor, Harrison, and Mims adore one another. This session really showcases their bond!

Harrison was, of course, a typical two-year-old. He didn’t want to do anything that wasn’t his idea.  But it was also clear that Lauren and Taylor had talked with him about the session expectations with Harrison.  I give directions for this technique for preparing big siblings for a session in my preparing for a newborn session video. And when a parent “front loads” the session like this, I can usually win over any two-year-old. They know who I am, the photos that we’re going to take together, and, I promise, even little kids do well if they can!  Having the expectations up front helps your two-year-old know what is expected.

Greenville SC Infant Pictures s

Harrison agreed to “test my camera” with some fun shots with his bunny which you can see in the collage above.  And from there we played some games. I always ask your two-year-old for consent to be in a picture.  If they say no, I carry on with posing mom and dad. Eventually being ignored will make a two-year-old curious and then I can just ask if they want to hug mom or if dad can pick him up and tickle them.  Eventually, with Harrison, we even moved on to letting him old Mims on his own.  Two is never easy at a session, but I promise that telling them about me, trusting the process, and remaining calm during the session usually means your two-year-old will surprise you with some beautiful images!

Simpsonville SC Newborn Photographer

After Harrison was finished with family images he was rewarded with a date with daddy! This gives him something to look forward to and also gives mama a little rest in the studio for the rest of the session. I highly recommend this strategy!

Travelers Rest Newborn Baby Photos

Little Mims was also a delight, staying asleep for family focused newborn photos Greenville SC , waking long enough for some cute open-eye images, and letting me pose after a good meal in the studio.  It was a delight to get to know Lauren during this time.  Click the video slideshow below to see the whole session! You can also view other session videos by clicking here.

Thinking about booking your own family focused newborn photos Greenville SC? I’d love to have you in the studio.  Click here to tell me about your dream session.

Holiday Mini Sessions Photography Simpsonville SC

Looking for Holiday Mini Sessions Photography Simpsonville SC? During the Christmas season, I offer Simply Family Mini Sessions on select Saturdays. We keep the backdrops classic cream and some family’s wear holiday themed clothes while others keep it simple to use their family pictures on their walls or as gifts. Sessions are shorts at just under half an hour which is perfect for two and four year old children like A and S! Best of all, clients are able to pick their five favorite images as digital files with options to purchase more or design printed holiday cards. Click here to contact me about current dates.Holiday Mini Sessions Photography Simpsonville SCIf printed cards aren’t your family’s thing, I also make these little videos for sharing on social media. They’re such a fun way to share how much everyone has grown, don’t you think?

Family Studio Pictures Greenville SCThe G family has been coming to see me since S was barely two. S thinks that a day in the studio is pretty much like going to the playground. I really play with kids. From making elephant and rooster noises to tossing crescent shaped bean bag pillows to racing or playing tag at the studio, I really try to win your kiddo over with play. I’m always a sweaty mess at the end of the session, but it’s completely worth it to capture pictures that truly capture your little one’s personality. When mama W told me how S felt about sessions being so fun, I was delighted to know that she remembers me so well! I want both the parents and the children to have a great experience in the studio!


Christmas Pictures Greer SC Family Holiday Pictures Travelers Rest SC Mr. A was full force two year old boy at this session so my willingness to chase and play really made a difference as he went from having a great time to refusing to participate multiple times during the session. You wouldn’t guess that from the images, would you? Two year old birthday Pictures Greenville SC Greenville SC Toddler Photographer So if you’re looking to book your own Holiday Mini Sessions Photography Simpsonville SC and you want classic backgrounds and a photographer who loves to play, I’d love to be considered. Click here to book your date!

Christmas Mini Photo Sessions Greenville SC

Looking for a simple studio Christmas Mini Photo Sessions Greenville SC? I love creating timeless and emotional images of your family in a simple classic style. No fancy sets, just simple backgrounds that are perfect for both your holiday cards and your living room walls. Is this the style of photography that fits your needs? If so, click here to inquire about booking your own session. Christmas Mini Photo Sessions Greenville SCThis is the T family’s third session with me. First, we did a newborn session with Lachlan which you can see here. Then, last year they also did a family mini session which you can view here. Watching Lachlan (and the T family) grow is such a joy!Holiday Mini Photos Greer SC

 Lachlan is still a daddy’s boy. No one can make him smile like daddy doing goofy voices behind me. It’s fantastic. Like all two year old kids, Lachlan was a little cautious and shy in the new space. He’s normally talking a mile a minute, but it took him a bit to talk to me! That’s okay though because Cassie and Micah had talked to Lachlan about the session, who I was, and practiced silly faces. I find it really helps kids of all ages to know what’s expected of them in any new situation, but especially in a photography studio. I can always tell when parents invested the time to talk up the session.

Timeless Studio Photography of the family Greenville SC Finally, we finished up the session with a few images of Cassies growing bump. Pregnancy is such a joyous time and you can tell just how much their new little guy is already loved.

Maternity Photographer Greenville SC

So if you’re looking for a quick Christmas Mini Photo Sessions Greenville SC, please click over here and inquire about my open dates. I’d love to serve your family and give you priceless memories this holiday season.

Awake Newborn Photos Hendersonville NC

Ever wondered if what happens if if have to take awake newborn photos Hendersonville NC? What if your baby just doesn’t sleep?  Normally, I get at least 20 minutes of sleep from your baby no matter their age.  I always recommend a warm bath and a game of keep the baby awake before a session, but sweet Rita May has three siblings that made that really hard for mama!  In consequence, she was awake nearly her whole session and here’s a slide show of the beautiful set of images we captured.

 

Looking to book your session?  Click here to contact me now.

 

As you can see, open eye images can be beautifully styled and truly capture you little one’s curiosity. You don’t have to be afraid of awake newborn photos Hendersonville NC. That said, we did get a few minutes of shut eye for some of these sweet poses.  I love the dramatic light and how well these transfer to black and white.  Which is your favorite? Color or black and white?  I edit both of each image chosen for my client’s collection so you never have to choose!

Black and White BABY Photographer Greenville SC

Rita May is named after her paternal grandmother who left this world a little too soon. Therefore we had to capture these sweet images with Rita’s grandmothers first shoes.  It’s an unusual request, but I love the sentimental feel of connecting these two strong women across time.

Awake Newborn Photos Hendersonville NC

Henderstonville NC Newborn Photographer Infant Pictures Greer SC

Rita’s mama has been my friend since college so I actually did this session at her home.  This is not something I typically offer, but was a beautiful way to catch up.  I spent the night as she lives over an hour away and captured most of these images in the wee hours of the night.  In the morning, we did family pictures with Rita’s three older brothers, Henry, Graham, and Theo.  These boys were so fun!  I loved taking them on a walk and getting to know them in this extended time together.