Rainbow baby day isn’t until August. However, I celebrate a little every time I photograph a rainbow baby. For those who don’t know, rainbow babies are special little ones who come into being after a rainbow pregnancy.
Rainbow babies are born after a miscarriage, neonatal death, stillbirth, or death during early infancy. Experiencing this kind of loss during and after pregnancy can take its toll on the mental and physical health of mothers, fathers, and families alike.
So, having a healthy baby after years of pregnancy hardship can seem like a rainbow after a long storm. That’s where the term originated, and it’s genuinely remarkable how resilient the families of rainbow babies are. This is especially true of Kelsey, Matthew, and their baby Lorelai!
A Trip To My Cedar Park Photography Studio
Lorelai’s family came with little Lorelai all the way from Marble Falls!
That’s almost a two-hour drive, and with a newborn baby in tow. Luckily, as you can see in these photos, Lorelai was a pretty easygoing baby. Kelsey and Matthew wanted to make sure their rainbow after a storm got the whole newborn photo session experience, so we incorporated all the classic soft shots, fuzzy blankies, and tiny headbands associated with newborn photo sessions.
I thought it was especially fitting that some of the photos featured unique travel-related props that Kelsey brought specifically for baby Lorelai! The suitcase and blankets in the photo above were Kelsey’s when she was a baby.
Rainbow Baby Day Is Every Day
Of course, another element we wanted to capture in Lorelai’s photoshoot was the rainbow baby element. Rainbow babies are signs of hope, but they can come with mixed emotions. I wanted these photos of Lorelai to celebrate her life and vivacity while also paying tribute to the experience Kelsey and Matthew had gone through before.
So, I made sure to capture Lorelai in non-rainbow photos and photos which included rainbows.
I staged the above photos for reflection and admiration. My hope is that Kelsey and Matthew can find peace and joy in those photos.
After a miscarriage or any pregnancy or infancy loss, an essential step in moving forward is honoring the emotions your rainbow pregnancy brings up. As a rainbow baby newborn photographer, part of my job is to give parents the space to honor their complex and valid emotions while also appreciating the newest member of their family.
Presenting: Baby Lorelai!
I also wanted to make sure we got some photos that were all about Lorelai! After all, she’s the star of this Austin newborn session.
I loved Kelsey’s suggestion to use her baby blankets and suitcase. To me, that signifies just how much Lorelai is loved and part of the family. Her story is worked into the story of the generations before her.
I also wanted to work with colors in her photos. The greens and natural colors used in some of these signify life. Additionally, they celebrate life without explicitly referring to rainbows. If you ask me, green is Ms. Lorelai’s color. Just look at how happy she looks in green from head to toe!
As always, I adore taking photos of rainbow babies. I love working with rainbow families. Their stories are part of the human experience. I feel honored to be part of the documentation of their story.
Can I help you document your rainbow pregnancy story? Rainbow baby day is coming up on August 22nd, and I’d love to make that day about honoring someone’s pregnancy.
Reach out to me (Jen) at Hello Photography Austin and let me know your story.
