Coming Home:
Honest and emotive documentary newborn photography
I am drawn to documentary newborn photography; I feel called to capture this moment and these details, authentically, so the photographs can be a touchstone to bring you back to the beginning of your story with your child.
I wasn’t a professional photographer when my own children were born, and I don’t have technically perfect images of my babies. I cherish what we did take, but I would do anything to go back in time to photograph my babies’ first days, weeks, and months. I have a few images of each of them from this time that my husband or I took with our crop-sensor digital camera. These images are family treasures. They bring me back to those first hours when our story together began, like the origin of a river. We can trace our love story back to when we beheld the perfect newness of our baby. Her fuzzy shoulder, his tiny long fingernails, the swirl of fuzz on his forehead, the little squeaks, their scent—the scent of life! The little squeaks. Ahhh, the newborn nest! Photographs of my newborns remind me of the specificity of this time.
There is something simultaneously universal and specific in babies. They are so uniquely ours—yours, and themselves. But a baby reminds us all of our own children when they were tiny. Images of newborns remind us of our universal origin. Images of newborn hands and feet are beacons from a past and constant self.
Can you tell I’m a baby person? I’ve been home full-time with my children for 15 years now. But before motherhood, my lifelong love of babies led me to a career in early-childhood special education. I first worked in a teen parenting program, supporting new moms and their babies. Then I worked with babies with special needs as an infant educator. I am certified in infant massage instruction, and I am a certified lactation counselor. My desire to support the parent-newborn relationship informs my desire to photograph the connection of newborns and their families. The time of welcoming a new child into the family is full of beauty and raw emotions, light and shadow. An honest photograph will allow you to recall with specificity how profoundly you loved your child from the beginning.
Kind Words:
“Anytime I am asked for a photographer recommendation my mind jumps to Kennon. Of the family photographers I have had the pleasure of working with, Kennon's photos are my favorite. Her use of light and shadow make the memories feel so real while imbuing them with the magic of my emotions. The essence of emotionally powerful photography, I think, is in this combination of grounded romance. Aside from the impact her images have on me, I found her so easy to work with. We welcomed her into our home and it was, truly, like having a friend there. She is calm and casual while remaining professional. Her direction feels natural and very useful. I found she worked wholly within the sweet spot of my comfort zone allowing me to relax into the session. My partner had only worked with a professional photographer on one other occasion and he remarked on the difference between the experiences. If this is your first time, I highly recommend her as someone to lead you through the process. If you have worked with many professional photographers I would recommend her as a breath of fresh air. I would jump at the chance to have her photograph our baby and family again. 10/10, do recommend to all my friends.”
— Meghan K.
“I am so grateful that Kennon photographed my family in the newborn stage with both of my boys. Her warm and down-to-earth energy made me immediately comfortable around her as a new mom postpartum. She captured moments at home with my new babies so authentically and with such ease.
I was absolutely blown away when Kennon sent us our albums full of beautiful, DREAMY photos. She has an incredible talent for noticing the little things that are special, and bringing out the magic in those raw and simple moments. Kennon is a gem of a person and a truly gifted photographer.”
— Lindsey M.