Working with a newborn is such a special experience. As the mother of an 18 month old, I have a completely different perspective than I had before or just after having a baby. Everyone tells you they grow and change so fast. It's such a cliche, but you really don't realize the truth of it until you experience it. It feels like they will be a baby forever (time doesn't always go quickly those first few weeks!) and then it's over in an instant.

And I'm sure that when I have an 18 YEAR old I'll have yet another perspective as well!

Lilah had her photo session when she was just under 2 weeks old and she was such a pleasure. I first met with her parents just before she was born. I love seeing the transformation a baby brings. It's such an exciting time. And already her parents look like pros, even though they said they felt far from it.

Welcome to the world, Lilah!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Actually, this was technically a spring evening back in May, but backyard, beer, water table, lots of splashing... it felt like summer!

nyc baby, child and family photographer and architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portrait artwork and nursery design for your home. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

I've been meaning to share a mini maternity/family session I did back in March with Wendy and her husband and her two year old daughter Willa.

Wendy looked fabulous in her seventh month, but I'd have to say there was a very strong risk of Willa stealing the show!

Thanks for a great session Wendy and family and I hope you're enjoying your new addition!

nyc baby, child and family photographer and architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portrait artwork and nursery design for your home. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

As much as I love wall galleries as a beautiful and meaningful interior design element, I do realize that there is (apparently!) a limit to the number of photos one can reasonably frame and hang in your home, at least from one session.

But that's ok, because I have another love - photobooks!

Imagine fifteen, twenty, thirty years from now curling up on the sofa with your daughter the night before senior prom, or the week before her wedding day, or the morning she tells you she's pregnant, and looking through the photobooks from when she was a baby.

Imagine your son coming over and asking for the photobooks so he can show HIS son what dad looked like as a baby.

Imagine hanging out with your grandchildren and leafing through the pages, looking at mom or dad at their age.

My mom and sister recently looked over our old albums from when we were little and excitedly reported that Liam really looks like me when I was three!

I know high resolution digital files are popular right now. High resolution files are important for making prints in the future, for incorporating your photos into your own albums, and for archival purposes. Believe me - I understand. I would never discourage you from getting high res files.

I would only discourage you from ONLY getting high res files.

This is especially if you are not a visual arts professional who knows how to properly handle the files, and especially if, realistically, you are not going to get around to making prints.

Why?

Because fifty years from now, are you really going to be looking at those digital images?

And even if you are, will it even hold a light to looking at physical photographic artwork made years and years ago?

Even tomorrow, does a digital image hold a light to looking at actual artwork, in person?

Digital images are great for instantaneous sharing with 300 of your closest friends, there's no doubt about it.

But for YOU, and for your immediate family, now and for the future, is there a more powerful, more tactile, more sensual, more evocative, more meaningful, more just plain downright enjoyable experience than looking at something you can hold in your hand?

I know my answer to that!

Want proof? Sign up now and receive a complimentary "be inspired" mini artwork tasting experience and see what I mean!

nyc baby, child and family photographer and architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portrait artwork and nursery design for your home. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

This photo is my new iphone wallpaper. It's also the photo I e-mailed to our extended family when we got back from our trip to Aruba. I can't stop looking at it - the funny little grin, the dimples, how happy he looks.

They say the camera doesn't lie, but really the camera is just a tool. It doesn't do anything. It doesn't have a perspective. It's the person or people behind the camera and the image and the way it gets processed and used that have the power.

A photo can certainly be deceptive. But if you are honest, a photograph is physical evidence of what you know to be true in your heart.

The photo that speaks to you, the photo that draws you back again and again - that's the photo that is true.

But, well, here is the truth about our vacation in Aruba:

Liam started throwing up the day before we left. And then he threw up as we drew up to the airport in a taxi (we spent the first half hour at the airport trying to rid the car seat of the delightful smell of toddler vomit!) and he threw up one more time in Aruba.

Luckily, in spite of this inauspicious start, he never seemed truly sick, but combine not feeling 100% well with new surroundings and a different routine and we had a cranky and clingy kid on our hands who was just not his usual self for much of our trip.

Even though we had my parents and sister on hand to provide babysitting whenever we needed it, a vacation with a toddler just isn't as relaxing as, well, a vacation without a toddler, which I imagine is true even when throwing up and not feeling well is not involved.

And who knew that flying with a toddler is actually HARDER than flying with a baby?!

But this is also the truth about our vacation in Aruba:

We had a great time. Liam got to bond with his grandparents and his aunt who, for geographical reasons, he mostly interacts with via Skype.

Even though the vacation wasn't the most relaxing, I came back refreshed and re-energized, which is one of the things I love about going away.

We also came back with lifelong memories. Ok so some are better enjoyed in retrospect, like the bike ride we decided to take in the midday Aruban sun (and by "we decided" I mean my husband decided!)

But there were also plenty of great moments that we enjoyed in the moment. Liam loved the beach, he loved going in the sea and playing in the sand, and he loved the pool and wading around in the shallow kiddie area. Back at the hotel, he did in fact spend a lot of time happily running around giggling and exploring and playing with various impromptu toys such as the little shampoo bottles. We had a lovely Sunday brunch, a beautiful dinner on the beach and several delicious home-cooked meals.

For me, these photos take me back to the very best of our trip, and the very best of our son.

Are they "true"?

Yes, he's a 17 month old going through what I understand to be very normal toddler meltdowns, clinginess and sleep disruption. He's developing a good frown and when he's mad, he makes it sound like he is being absolutely tortured. (The pool guy who wanted to close the kiddie pool at our resort so he could chlorinate it backed way off when Liam started to make the "I'm going to cry" face and a bunch of women nearby started exclaiming "oh no don't make the baby cry!")

But he is also a happy, confident, laid back, fun loving and independent little guy.

That's the truth that I know in my heart but it sure does help to see it in a photo sometimes.

nyc baby, child and family photographer and architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portrait artwork and nursery design for your home. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

I recently reconnected with Galit, a friend from college who is now a nurse practitioner, and we spent a lovely afternoon hanging out, catching up and, of course, taking photos. Toddler kisses for mommy's friend from way back when, on the campus where we met - what could be sweeter?

nyc baby, child and family photographer and architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portrait artwork and nursery design for your home. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!