It’s almost the end of October and that means it’s time to announce the winners of our September and 3rd quarter contests. We saw some wonderful entries across all three categories this month. Our September monthly contest remains an open call category. We also have this quarter’s Bella Life winners, and our 3rd quarter in-hospital theme: best sibling shots. Let’s get to the winners!
September contest winners
We asked Laurel about the moments behind this image. Here’s what she had to say:
“The baby had gotten pretty fussy during his session and so we paused for them to feed before doing some family photos. It had been a long couple days for them and they seemed to enjoy taking a minute together to look at their new guy.”
-Laurel Albrecht, 1st place
We love those fleeting newborn smiles, and the elegant simplicity of this image. SueAnn shared this advice for parents:
“Start the session with a full tummy and don’t worry about an outfit. They usually don’t fit well anyway. It can upset the baby putting it on. A nice simple swaddle that can be wrapped multiple ways is clean and can be dramatic. Simplicity is beautiful for newborns.”
-SueAnn Sisco, 2nd place
“Dad is an Ohio State alum who specifically wanted the stadium in his photos, so we built the session around that view. We captured three images there: nose-to-nose, a cradle hold, and this tummy-time snuggle. Dad quietly admiring his alma mater with his daughter tucked against him, somewhere between his own college memories and dreams of her as a future Buckeye.”
-Vicki Sands, honorable mention
Sometimes the story behind the image is just as beautiful as the image itself. Great job capturing the moments that mean the most to this family, Vicki!
3rd quarter winners
“I intentionally posed big sister next to her newborn sibling, wanting to capture that closeness and connection between them. She was so gentle and proud, completely focused on her baby. What I didn’t plan was the heart shape that naturally formed between her arm and her beautiful curls. That was a happy accident! I love how sometimes you can carefully plan a composition, but it’s those unexpected little details that make an image truly special.”
-Renata Lutz, 1st place
When we asked Lauren what advice she’d give parents preparing for a newborn session, she said “Never turn down an opportunity for photos, especially when you as parents can be in them. Kids will not want digital libraries of themselves when they are older, they will want photos of all the important people in their lives, so jump in the photo and document the moment, you will never regret it!”
-Lauren Naldzin, 2nd place
Kyleigh shared this advice for parents who want to capture older siblings with the new baby:
“Don’t force anything to happen with sibling photos. Let the photographer get to know big sibling and get comfortable with the photographer. The more you ease into the photos with younger big siblings and go at their pace the more natural and better the sibling photos turn out.”
-Kyleigh Cool, honorable mention
Bella Life winners
“This was right in the beginning of their session in one of my favorite parks. We were on the way to a different section of park but the light came out just perfectly and I had them stop for a few photos on the path as they walked. This little man had just gotten a few swings from his parents and was very pleased with the whole thing.”
-Laurel Albrecht, 1st place
As photographers, when the light hits just right, we know we can make magic. Great work turning an unplanned moment into a beautiful story, Laurel!
“A story within a story! Baby had been fussing a bit – so they sat down with her, cuddled close and read the baby “her” story. Super sweet way to get the baby settled down.”
-Crystal Gillespie, 2nd place
It’s perfectly normal for a baby to fuss a bit during a session. We love how Crystal was able to pivot and capture a beautiful family moment while giving the family time to soothe their baby girl.
Final thoughts
Congratulations to all of our September & 3rd quarter winners. This month’s winners are a reminder to embrace the little, sometimes unexpected moments that tell your story. While we can’t all be assigned the hospital room with a window that overlooks our alma mater, we can embrace the beautiful moments wherever they happen. Thank you to all the families who continue to trust Bella Baby and Bella Life photographers to tell your family’s story!
