writing – Milli Stephania Photo

eaning over crib with baby girl during in home newborn session in Queens NY by documentary family photographer serving Connecticut.

Dad holding newborn baby girl in red outfit during intimate family session in Queens NY.

There’s something sacred about those first few days after a baby is born.

The wrinkly toes.
The flaky skin.
The way their entire body fits into the crook of your arm.

This session was originally meant to be a Fresh 48, the kind where I meet you at the hospital and document your baby within the first 48 hours of life.

But instead?

We waited.

And it was absolutely the right decision.

close up of baby's toes being held by mom and dad in black and white

Eliana initially reached out wanting to document her baby girl as soon as she arrived. But as the days unfolded, they decided to give themselves more time.
Sometimes waiting gives you more time settle into a new rhythm, physically recover, and just get more sleep! lol

When I arrived at their home in Queens, NY, baby Emilia was bright-eyed, alert, and still tiny, so perfect.

Mother holding newborn baby girl near nursery wall during candid in home documentary session.

“I’m Not a Camera Person”

Now let’s talk about mom for a second.

Eliana told me from the beginning:
“I just want photos of the baby. I’m not a camera person.”

She even shared that when she got engaged, her fiancé hired a photographer, and she was quickly over posing.

And I told her, very gently…

“I’m going to peer pressure you in the nicest way possible.”

Because here’s the truth:

The fresh baby smell fades.
The tiny toes turn into little feet that one day smell like cheese.
The newborn scrunch disappears.
The way they fit perfectly on your chest changes almost overnight.

This is their first baby. It only happens once.

the magic of now new born photo session in queens new york, close up of mom holding baby while she breast feeds, holds her babby's hand and you see a close up of baby's baby rolls

And I always tell my moms who don’t want to get in front of the camera:
If you never want to look at the photos again, you don’t have to.
But at least they’ll exist.

She trusted me, and it was worth it.
By the end of the session, Eliana was relaxed. She laughed, she held her baby without worrying about angles. And when she saw the images, she thanked me over and over. She even left the sweetest review, the kind that makes you want to hug your laptop.

I will always encourage moms to get in the frame. Because one day, your baby will look for you in the photos. And they should find you, holding them, loving them, existing in their story.

The best part?
Hearing how she felt after seeing the images.

If you’re in New York or Connecticut and thinking about documenting your growing family, whether it’s a Fresh 48, a two-month-old, or a toddler who won’t sit still, I promise we’ll do it in a way that feels easy, natural, and true to you.

You don’t have to be a “camera person.”

You just have to be present.

And I’ll take care of the rest.

Follow Me on Instagram!

Read The Blog!

investment guide

Doljabi, korean first birthday for baby Gemma, where she chooses her future, she chooses a stethoscope for physican. Mom holds her in her traditional korean dress.

Ever wondered what tradition, adorable baby giggles, and a dash of destiny look like? Let me take you behind the scenes of Gemma’s first birthday doljabi. It was a vibrant celebration rooted in Korean culture and bursting with love.
Spoiler alert: It involves tiny hands choosing their future career path, squishy baby cheeks, and some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.

In Korean culture, a doljabi is more than just a birthday—it’s a cherished tradition that celebrates a baby’s milestone first year while offering a peek into their future. During this event, various symbolic items are placed before the birthday child. The baby then picks one, and each item hints at their potential path in life: a gavel for a future judge, a paintbrush for an artist, a microphone for a musician, a stethoscope for a doctor, and even thread for longevity. Watching little Gemma reach out with her tiny fingers was the cutest—and possibly most suspenseful—moment of the day, especially since there was a raffle to make it extra fun. And guess what? Little Miss Gemma—with her squishable cheeks and gummy smile—reached straight for the stethoscope. Future doctor in the making? We’ll have to wait and see, but the room erupted in cheers and laughter when she made her pick.

Stephanie and Robert hosted Gemma’s doljabi at The East Norwalk Association Library. The venue was intimate yet lively, filled with family, friends, and the warmth of celebration. Gemma, dressed in a stunning traditional Hanbok, looked like a little princess. Her parents, also dressed in Hanboks, radiated grace and pride as they shared this special day with their loved ones.

Gemma’s at the perfect age where everything is fascinating, and is full of personality. She lit up every time I sang “Wheels on the Bus” to catch her attention.