Baby Noah | Albuquerque Newborn Photographer

Sometimes we hold off on a newborn photo session because we tell ourselves, "We didn't get professional photos of our first baby...and we don't want our oldest to feel left out."

I know I felt that way with our second, but like Kaytee, thankfully, I was over that guilt trip by my third.

This newborn time is so short and so sweet, and it deserves to be documented in beautiful photographs.

And that guilt trip - besides being a complete figment of our imagination - just doesn't stand up next to documentary newborn photography.

Newborn Photographer, Albuquerque PhotographyStacey AdamsSeptember 6, 2016Newborn, Home, Newborn Gallery 2

Baby Joshua | Albuquerque Newborn Photographer

I headed back to Amanda's home when Baby Joshua was 2 weeks old for his newborn photo session. In the short time since his Fresh 48 Session, he had already grown so much, and was even more alert, which was so fun to see.

One of the wonderful benefits of in-home lifestyle newborn photo sessions is that your baby is free to be himself - awake or asleep, nursing or crying, in your arms or wrapped up tight.

There's no pressure to put your baby to sleep (and make sure he stays that way).

There are no rules to follow.

It's just you and your baby, exactly as you are, making memories you want to keep forever.

Albuquerque Photography, Newborn PhotographerStacey AdamsAugust 30, 2016Newborn, Home, Newborn Gallery 2

Fresh 48 with Baby Joshua | Albuquerque Newborn Photographer

Amanda welcomed Baby Joshua in the early morning hours at Dar a Luz Birthing Center. Just a few short hours after he entered the world, he was able to come home with his family.

(I don't know about you, but that sounds heavenly to me!)

So instead of the traditional hospital setting that marks most Fresh 48 Sessions, I photographed a glimpse of Joshua's first few sweet hours and his brand-new, newborn features in the comfort of his parents' bedroom, right after his dad got home from work.

Joshua was incredibly alert. He would gaze at his mama - and even into the camera - with such intensity, it took my breath away.

Albuquerque Photography, Fresh 48Stacey AdamsAugust 23, 2016Fresh 48, Home, Fresh 48 Gallery 2

Baby Huck

With Baby Huck being their seventh baby, Krystal and Gabe know very well how quickly the newborn stage passes, and what a treasure this time is.

When we met, Krystal explained exactly why a documentary-style newborn session appealed to her. Instead of the stress of trying to convince her children to sit still, look at the camera, and smile at the exact same time, they could all relax and enjoy their photo session. In being themselves, they could capture the honest connections between each other and their beautiful baby boy - the moments she holds most dear.

Albuquerque Photography, Newborn PhotographerStacey AdamsAugust 19, 2016Newborn, Home, Newborn Gallery 2

My Turn

My husband has a lot of wonderful qualities that make him a great provider for our family.

He’s practical.

He’s a saver.

He researches major purchases for months before investing.

And I can tell you for certain, he’s not hopping on any bandwagon, just for the ride.

It makes total sense that he’d think, “Hey! I love my wife’s photography! She should do all of our photos! We can save money by using her skills, and she’ll have photos in a style she knows she loves!”

The problem with that line of thinking circles back to one fact.

I’m missing from our family photos.

Albuquerque Photography, Personal ProjectStacey AdamsAugust 16, 2016Personal Project

Summer Days

I fell in love with Family Films from the first time I saw one, and I knew I had to learn how to create them.

I know that the movement and sound captured in these videos will take our hearts back in time in a way that's totally different from photos, and just as valuable.

Long after our boys are grown, we'll have their little voices, their foot steps, their hobbies, and their giggles in this time capsule.

Albuquerque Photography, Documentary, Family Photographer, FilmStacey AdamsAugust 12, 2016Family, Personal Project, Film

Megan + Robert's Family

When I think of the ways I love my family every day…

From making meals to reading stories,

From kissing away boo-boos to listening to hopes and dreams,

From dancing and singing to hugging and cuddling,

It breaks my heart to think, if I don’t make an effort to get in the frame, one day, the details of those memories will fade away – both for me and for my children.

Megan understands how important it is to have her family’s real life documented – and to be IN her family’s collective memory in photographs.

Albuquerque Photography, Family PhotographerStacey AdamsAugust 8, 2016Family, Home

Behind the Olive Branch

If you’ve visited my website in the past month, you’ve probably noticed a few changes in my logo and website design.

By first glance, I know it seems like a fairly simple logo - a classic font, paired with an olive branch – but like most things, the significance is in the details.

Albuquerque PhotographyStacey AdamsJuly 26, 2016About Me, Documentary

Iconic Summer Photo Series {At the Zoo} | Albuquerque Photographer

Our family has made great use of our membership to the ABQ BioPark over the past year. We love the Gardens and the Aquarium, but the Zoo is at the top of our kids' list, for sure.

Between their favorite exhibit (the sea lions!), the ever-present peacocks, and the Carousel, I'm thankful our boys will have photos of the way they enjoyed their very favorite parts of the Albuquerque Zoo this summer.

Albuquerque Photography, Family Photographer, DocumentaryStacey AdamsJuly 12, 2016

Iconic Summer Photo Series {Out for Ice Cream} | Albuquerque Photographer

There's nothing quite like an "ice cream goatee," and at this stage of our family life, I know those days are soon coming to an end. I'm so thankful to have these photos of my kids' contented...ice cream-covered...faces, enjoying one of the best parts of summer. I know they'll be thankful, too.

Iconic Summer Photo Series {4th of July} | Albuquerque Photographer

In Part 2 of my project to document OUR 2016 summer in Albuquerque with photos, I'm sharing our 4th of July.

I want my kids to remember the sense of community and pride we felt that morning during our neighborhood parade, and the wonder and excitement they felt, setting off fireworks in our backyard.

Iconic Summer Photo Series {In the Pool} | Albuquerque Photographer

This summer I'm documenting my family's life, with photos that speak to the iconic moments of OUR 2016 summer in Albuquerque.

When my boys look back at these prints, years down the road, I want them to feel these memories in their hearts and know that this was summer for us.

Amanda's Maternity

Pregnancy is such an important phase of life to document with photos. Whether you feel fantastic or not-so-much, it's the beginning of your child's story. Looking back at photos of this season of your life will bring back the anticipation and love you felt, while waiting for your child to arrive.

Even more, though, it gives your child a glimpse of what your family's life was like, just before his or her arrival. Our children want to see how much they were loved, even before we see their faces, and they see it in the details.

Albuquerque Photography, MaternityStacey AdamsJune 30, 2016Maternity, Newborn, Maternity Gallery 2, Family

Baby Kennedi | Newborn At Home | Albuquerque Newborn Photographer

In your hands and in your home, those tiny newborn details shine. Through the simple act of caring for your baby, you’re able to remember forever just how her foot fit into your palm and the way you once fed her in your arms.

Albuquerque PhotographyStacey AdamsJune 23, 2016

Get Those Photos Off Your Phone and Into Your Hands! {3 Day Print Challenge}

Remember when you were a kid, and you’d drop off film canisters at the drug store?

Your stomach would twist with anticipation on pick up day. You’d open that envelope right there at the counter and flip through each image - laughing at funny hair, rolling your eyes over the bunny ears your brother gave you, and checking that, yes, that one you really wanted to turn out, did.

And even better?

When you found those photos years later, you’d notice details that seemed so insignificant at the time, but were just the ticket to bring back forgotten times and big emotions.

Albuquerque Photography, ChallengeStacey AdamsJune 14, 2016Challenge

Staci + Eric's Family

Sometimes we hold off on an in-home documentary-style photo session because we're waiting for our lives to settle. But while we wait for this more perfect version of our lives, we miss out on the beautiful moments happening right now.

(And truth time - we'll never feel like we have it all together. There will always be pieces missing from the puzzle...that is, until you decide you love those weird edges and that funny cloud in the middle.)

As an Air Force family, Staci and Eric know their home here in Albuquerque is temporary. When their three years is up, they'll be onto the next duty station, the next town, and their next home.

But when they look back at these photos, they'll remember THIS page of their story.

Albuquerque Photography, Family PhotographerStacey AdamsJune 13, 2016Family

Tish + Ty's Family

I so loved listening to Tish describe how she cherishes the simple moments in their every day - the looks on her children's faces when they wake or as they tell her a story, the way her husband stands at the gate and watches their daughter play with the goats, or the sight of her grandmother reading to her youngest children.

Albuquerque Photography, Family PhotographerStacey AdamsJune 6, 2016Family, Home

Baby Luz | Albuquerque Newborn Photographer

Newborn sessions at home are so magical. There is something about the combination of parents' love for their long-awaited miracle and the brevity of this stage that shines so beautifully and longs to be documented in photographs.

When I visited the sweet Baby Luz and her family to photograph a little of this time for them in their home, she was one week old. Her mother, Brooke, told me she loved the idea of having photos of her daughter at this stage, but she was a bit nervous about having photographs of herself one week postpartum. She knew, though, that five years from now and twenty-five years from now, she'll want to see her arms wrapped around her baby girl and her face smiling down on Luz's tiny one.

Newborn Photographer, AlbuquerqueStacey AdamsMay 19, 2016Newborn, Home, Newborn Gallery 2

4 Ways to Make Your Summer Photos Wow-Worthy!

Ready or not, summer is starting up in just a couple weeks! Between trips to the zoo, swimming at the pool, backyard barbecues, and family get-aways, you’re going to be taking LOTS of photos of your kids over the next few months!

Sign up for my monthly newsletter, and get 4 tips for making your summer photos wow-worthy, sent straight to your inbox.

Albuquerque PhotographyStacey AdamsMay 16, 2016Photo Tips

Tish + Scott's Family

The reason she wanted me to photograph her family was simple. She's not in a lot of her family photos. And photos that include her AND her husband? Forget it. It just doesn't happen.

I think a lot of us can relate to that feeling, whether we're the photographer in the family or not. In Tish's case, she has a remote, and she's working on getting in the shot more often.

But setting up your own photos isn't quite the same as having another person document your family's life. Having me there with my camera meant she could just be herself, without having to plan for a photo in the back of her mind. She could see what I saw, without the filter of her own eye.