Imagine a chilly December day just north of Manhattan, in a neighborhood where the trees are deeply rooted and their branches have grown thick and strong with the passing of years. The houses are sturdy and the sun shines bright, warming your back as the crisp air fills your lungs. A hot cup of coffee or tea sounds delightful. The smell of smoke curling upward towards the sky from brick chimneys and warm fireplaces overcomes the senses. It’s a magical time of the year, and Baby N’s family was lucky enough to have it documented by Hudson Valley, New York photographer Mikki Skinner.
Mikki tells us that the new parents were the most laid back and relaxed first time parents that she has ever worked with. They were freely roaming around the house, making coffee, and reading a magazine while Mikki spent time with Baby N, photographing him in his nursery. They were a peaceful and inviting family all around and a photographer’s dream!
Mikki’s imagery is both beautiful and real. Moments are captured as they unfold and nothing is forced. Authenticity is at the heart of her work and she has a keen eye and is light on her feet, which is essential when you are working with small children. When asked about her approach to family photography she gave us some sage words of wisdom.
“Nobody is more proficient at living in the present than children, and I love for my family sessions to reflect that. Does your kid want to make a pile of leaves and throw them in the air right now? Let’s do it. Do they want to sit and pick flowers? Let’s do it. Does baby want to be wrapped in mommy’s arms? Let’s do it. Life is all about memories of who we spend time with. I want nothing more than for my families to pick up a photo down the road and remember the memories.”
Mikki’s favorite images from Baby N’s session are the ones of mom holding that tiny, new little being. The intimacy of finally getting to hold that little human you’ve been waiting so patiently to meet is such a vivid memory for Mikki herself and every time she gets to watch a new mom hold her newborn, it brings the memories flooding back. This holiday season will surely be remembered fondly by Baby N’s family, as they look back on these sweet images and go back to those slow hours spent snuggling with a newborn by the fire and Christmas tree.
Follow Mikki online:
website | facebook | instagram
