A Sweet Baby Girl Newborn Session in a Harry Potter Themed Nursery

As a Lancaster newborn photographer, one of the things I love most about newborn sessions is the chance to see the thought and creativity that parents put into decorating their child’s nursery. This couple is a huge fan of Harry Potter and they were able to incorporate all sorts of unique elements into their daughter’s nursery related to the series. From the accent wallpaper to the owl lamp to the framed artwork on the wall, there are signs of Harry Potter in every corner! I think my favorite part is the book mobile with the Flying Keys or Winged Keys hanging from it. I had a lot of fun taking photos through the hanging keys.

This little lady slept through most of her photo session but she did get hungry so we took a feeding break and I got some photos with her eyes open. I absolutely adore when newborns are completely zonked out after they’ve become milk drunk and they can snuggle up in a little ball in your arms. We even managed to capture a little sleep smile and a huge yawn, which happen to be two of my photo goals for every newborn lifestyle session!

And now for a little honest behind-the-scenes: There was a little mishap on my part during this session when my camera shutter completely stopped functioning. In a frenzy I had to rush home (thankfully just a 15 minute drive) and get my backup camera. This has never happened to me before in my nearly 15 years in business! The family was so patient and understanding and you would have no idea from these photos that we took a little half hour break during the session.

Enjoy the photos below of precious baby girl Rowan in her Harry Potter themed nursery! To all the fans out there, see how many different Harry Potter connections you can find! And if you want to get some Harry Potter themed decor for your own nursery or for yourself, they told me they got quite a few things from Pottery Barn Teen and the Harry Potter Collection is linked here.

Fun fact: This family was featured in the Lancaster Newspaper in an article about top trends in nursery decor and features some of my photographs.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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An Intimate In Home Maternity Photo Session in Lancaster, PA

As a maternity photographer in Lancaster, PA, I have photographed many pregnant mamas over the years but I don’t believe I’ve ever done an intimate in home maternity session quite like this one. This mom knew exactly the look she was going for; something cozy, simple and intimate with a focus on her growing belly. Though I am usually a color fanatic, I think the light neutral color palette along with the texture of her torn blue jeans really makes the warm skin tones pop.

When I arrived for their session, their home was undergoing some major renovations and she told me that she had just finished installing the headboard above their bed. It was formerly a fire mantlepiece in a historic local home and they refurbished it to become their headboard. It makes for a gorgeous standout piece to frame the setting. I love the textures of the wood and stone combined with the creamy neutral colored linens, her droopy sweater and the flowers.

One of the key elements in setting the stage for a beautiful in home maternity photo session is gorgeous natural light. It just so happens that their master bedroom gets nice bright sun in the morning so we made sure to schedule the session during the morning hours. The white sheer curtains also act as reflectors and can be fun to shoot through. In my opinion you can never go wrong with natural window light that feels soft and intimate.

This glowing expectant mama also had a few details she wanted to include such as an ultrasound photo and baby’s breath flowers. They lost their first son and she also wanted to include his photo in the background of some of these images. I think including personal details like these in your photo session are so important and special in telling your family story. And of course we captured a few photos with her husband and daughter. I think probably one of my favorite images from this series is the first photo below of her holding her daughter on top of her growing belly. I like the anonymity of the image and the focus on her pregnant belly and how it shows the love and connection she has with her daughter.

If you are considering an intimate in home maternity session, I’d love to chat with you! As a Lancaster maternity photographer, I think it is important to incorporate personal details into your story. I think having photo sessions done in your home makes your session unique to you and I’m here to document it all!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Willow Trees and Wildflowers One Year Session at Greenfield Park in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Summer Photo Location: Greenfield Park & Wildflower Field

I’d like to share some photos from a location I don’t get to all that frequently, but I think it’s lovely in the summer time! Greenfield Park includes lots of beautiful mature willow trees by the water and it was the perfect location for this summer family photo session in Lancaster, PA.

The first time I photographed this family was when they were expecting their little boy. Their maternity photo session was one of my all time favorites and the first time I ever photographed at The Pinnacle Point Overlook (you can view it here!). This one year session with their son Maverick with the willow trees and wildflowers is also one of my favorites that I must share!

I will admit that Greenfield Business Park does pose a few challenges when it comes to photography and I probably wouldn’t recommend it for a group of more than four people. It is surrounded by roads and buildings and parking lots on many sides which you don’t want showing up in the background of your photos. It also tends to be more populated with people walking on the paths throughout the evening. However, it can be picturesque if you can work the angles and it is one of the few public parks in Lancaster that I know of where there are willow trees along the water. It is also very accessible for strollers with lots of paved walking paths weaving throughout.

When I was scouting locations for this family photo session, I got quite lucky when I came upon a wildflower field just up the road. The field was planted by a local church and part of a walking loop that serves the residents in the neighboring apartments. This photo session took place in June when the wildflowers were looking lovely and I was so glad we could end the session in the field.

As your Lancaster family photographer with more than 15 years of experience photographing around Lancaster County, I pride myself in finding the perfect location for your family. When you book your photo session with me, you will receive my extensive location guide organized by the seasons that gives you visual examples of all the most beautiful and unique locations that Lancaster County has to offer.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Early Fall Family Photo Session at Longs Park

What a gift it is to document families as they grow over time. I take it as one of the best compliments when clients come back to have me take their photos more than once!

I first photographed this family when their daughter Paige was a newborn and they were living in a tiny studio apartment in Harrisburg. Now they are about to welcome baby number two (a little boy!) and I cannot wait to photograph them as a family of four in their new home. Stephanie is absolutely stunning in her flowy boho dress!

As we all know, toddlers can be tricky when it comes to photos. Paige needed a snack towards the end and was not willing to give up her can of puffs without a fight so we got some photos of her at the end clinging to her puffs. She wasn’t a fan of wearing her hat accessory either but we managed to get one good photo of her wearing it (and Dad wore it too!) My best advice for photographing toddlers is to let them be themselves and don’t try forcing them into anything. If they want to pick a flower or throw a rock in the pond, let them do it! And with some subtle suggestions, beautiful in-the-moment photos can be made. I might suggest to have them let mom smell the flower or see if they can reach a tree branch when they sit on top of dad’s shoulders. I think it’s important to make it more about play and less about smiling at the camera to capture authentic expressions.

I love Long’s Park in the fall and it’s probably my favorite time of year to photograph there. Though it can be tricky to avoid people and parked cars in the background, I’ve discovered the angles that work well over the years and have my favorite trees and spots. It’s also an entertaining location for little kids because of the water and there are always ducks swimming around and fish (and sometimes turtles) to feed.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Summer Senior Portrait Session With a Horse in Lancaster, PA

I have always wanted the opportunity to do a photo session with a horse and this beautiful summer senior session was my moment! Sydney loves animals and she wanted to find a way to incorporate both her dog and her horse into photos. We found the perfect creek location at Drumore Park just a few minutes away from Silvertop Stables where the horse stables are located. We started with some photos at the park in the stream and then ended at the farm. I love this particular spot in the creek because it is easy for wading and has these huge giant boulder rocks on either side of the stream. There is also a native pollinator garden at this park where we took some photos in the flowers with her dog.

I was blown away by the beauty of the light on the farm as Sydney walked with her horse up in the open pasture on a hill. We lucked out with the most beautiful sunset too! As we drove away I had us pull over on the side of the road just so I could grab some photos of Sydney as the sun went down.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Late Summer Maternity Session at Wildflower Lookout in Lancaster, PA

I have been meaning to blog a session from Wildflower Lookout for a least a year now and I’m finally getting around to it! This photo location has really blown up since it opened about 3 years ago and every summer people from all over Lancaster County and beyond flock here for the beautiful photo opportunities. This session was taken in late August when the sunflowers were in bloom. We also spent a lot of time in a field of long grasses that were beautifully illuminated by the sun at golden hour.

As a Lancaster maternity photographer who loves color and flowers, Wildflower Lookout has become a favorite location for summer photo sessions. One key tip for this location is to get there about an hour before sunset. Any earlier than that and the sun is too high in the sky and this creates stark shadows. There is a sweet spot shortly before sunset when the golden backlight hits just right and that is my favorite time to shoot.

One fun aspect of Wildflower Lookout is that they often have props such as a wagon or a wicker chair in the field to use for photo ops. They have picnic tables as well if you’d like to take a picnic and enjoy the views!

Lea and Daniel are expecting their first baby this fall and they were so at ease in front of the camera despite the hot, humid, muggy August weather. At Wildflower Lookout you can rent a private field in advance for an additional fee or just pay a general admission fee to photograph in a variety of fields. I prefer to wander to the different fields and do the general admission fee but renting a private field is great, especially for mini sessions.

If you think you might want to use Wildflower Lookout as a location for your session, you can check their website and social media for field bloom updates starting as early as late May.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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How to Prepare for a Newborn Lifestyle Session

An in-home newborn lifestyle session in Lancaster, PA with baby Izak and his parents and big brother Ezra.

Tips to Prepare for Your In Home Newborn Photo Session

One of my most frequently asked questions from parents for in home newborn lifestyle sessions is how they can prepare for photos. I always start out by saying there is no need to worry about tidying up (you just had a baby!) and if anything needs to be moved around, I am happy to do that when I get there. You would be surprised at the beauty that can be captured in just a small corner with good natural light!

1. Open curtains and blinds: I typically photograph in the nursery and another space that gets nice light such as a living room or bedroom. If it’s nice outside or you have a sun porch, I’m also happy to take photos outdoors. I do have a light stand I bring to sessions for dark spaces so if your room needs an extra boost of light, I’ve got you covered! Usually overhead lights and lamps cast a yellow glow so typically I will leave the lights off.

2. Keep it warm: Babies are happiest when they are warm and cozy so make sure the spaces we are in are nice and warm ahead of time. I typically recommend keeping fans off so they don’t make baby cold when/if we do outfit changes.

3. Feed the baby: If possible, I recommend getting in a feeding before I arrive; however it is not the end of the world if that doesn’t happen because I understand how families are functioning on very little sleep. We will go by baby’s cues and if they are hungry or need a burp or diaper change, we take time for that. If they are bottle fed, perhaps have a bottle on hand ready to warm up.

4. Choose outfits in advance: I recommend laying aside a few outfits or favorite swaddles that you might want baby to wear during the session. I love using various cozy textures with newborns such as chunky knit blankets or stretchy muslin swaddles. For moms I recommend something comfortable and nursing friendly (if you are nursing). I do not recommend black simply because it shows every hair or speck of dust. I feel that lighter softer neutral colors typically photograph best with baby. This is not a hard and fast rule however, and ultimately you should wear what feels like you! Just keep in mind that the colors you wear will reflect off of baby’s skin so if you wear bright pink for example, their face is probably going to have a pink hue.

5. Minimal and meaningful props: As a newborn lifestyle photographer, I prefer a more documentary approach to newborn sessions so I don’t prefer to incorporate a lot of props. That said, I do bring along a moses basket and some faux fur mats and swaddles that you may use for your session. I do encourage you to think about any heirloom items that you might want to include such as a stuffy from your childhood or hand knitted blanket from a special family member.

6. Helpers welcome: If it is helpful to have a family member present during the session to help you get ready, prepare some coffee or lunch for afterwards, or just have an extra set of hands, feel free to invite them over!

If there are older siblings involved, often I’ll ask them to give me a tour of baby’s room, or their room or play room so they can get used to me. I’ve got three children of my own and am very experienced and comfortable with toddlers. I also completely understand the weariness of being newly postpartum and not knowing what day or time it is. I have been photographing newborn sessions in Lancaster for at least ten years now and I can assure you that despite all your worries, I will make your session a calm and stress-free experience.

Below are some photos of this brand new family of four! Little Izak did absolutely great for his session, and he mostly slept and peeked at us for a few photos towards the end. Seeing a tiny baby in an oversized chunky knit sweater is just the cutest! And I love the soft pastel color palette they chose for their outfits contrasted with mom and dad’s tattoos.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Lancaster Family Photography: A Colorful Fall Family Photo Session with the Trains at Red Caboose Motel

There are so many great locations in the Lancaster area for family photo sessions and the Red Caboose Motel is one of the more unique theme locations for anyone who likes trains. I have been wanting to share images from this location in a post so that others can get a feel for what a session there might be like.

If you or your kiddos enjoy trains, the Red Caboose Motel is a great family friendly spot for a photo session. Along with a small wooden train that kids can play on, they also have a petting zoo with various animals (pigs, horses, llamas, etc). And if you prefer to have some greenery in your photos as well, there is a lovely weeping willow tree along the edge of the property that makes for a nice backdrop in addition to the colorful rows of train cars.

Strasburg is a cute little town that is perfect for train lovers. In addition to the motel, just up the road is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as well as the Strasburg Railroad where you can book tickets for a short train ride. And if you’re looking for a kid-friendly spot to grab a bite before or after your session, Speckled Hen Coffee is one of our family’s favorites.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Fall Lancaster Maternity Session at the James Buchanan's Wheatland Home

The James Buchanan’s Wheatland home is just minutes from my house on the outskirts of Lancaster City and somehow I never thought to do a photo session here before. My family has enjoyed picnics here in the spring and my kids love the secret hidden fish pond. It turned out to be the perfect fall location for a maternity photo session in Lancaster, PA.

I made sure to get in touch with someone at Lancaster History (the non-profit that manages and maintains the property as well as runs tours) to request permission first of course. The property is beautiful in all seasons however the variety of trees on the on the grounds, which are a part of the Louise Tanger Arboretum, makes for an absolutely stunning fall backdrop. This Lancaster maternity session was timed perfectly at peak fall (which happened to be the end of October/early November in 2022).

I honestly would have a hard time choosing a favorite from this fall maternity session, but if I would have to choose, I would say probably the shot taken with my Lens Baby Sol 45 art lens amongst the orange and auburn red leaves. If you scroll down about midway through the photos, it’s a vertical image where the couple is standing together in the center of the frame and facing opposite directions. The lens creates a bit of a blur around the edges of the photo that makes it appear so dreamy. The Lens Baby Sol 45 is manual focus only and has the ability to tilt so that you can change what area of the image is in focus. It is hands down a favorite for portraits and maternity sessions and as a bonus it is very small and lightweight. I can’t say it always works great with active children, but I do bring it out for my family sessions from time to time.

Cecilia wore a flowy sage green maternity gown and is nothing short of glowing and radiant. It was one of those photo sessions where I had a hard time putting the camera down because it was just that good! And even though that golden sun only peeked through for a few shots, the overcast sky and wet leaves made the colors even more briliant. It was a pleasure to photograph these two (who were absolute naturals in front of the camera) and I was honored to document this new chapter in their lives.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Colorful Newborn Lifestyle Photo Session with Baby Marino

It goes without saying that I am a huge color fanatic. When you step in the front door of our 1950’s mid-century bi-level home you will see right away that bright bold colors are my favorite. From the golden wall arch behind our emerald green couch to the teal accent wall by the piano and a shelf covered in vibrant artwork, plants and jewel-toned pom pom garlands, color is everywhere. So you can imagine how excited I was to photograph this newborn lifestyle session for my fellow color-loving friend and photographer Tasha.

Baby Marino was born in October and he is very much adored by everyone in the family, including the pups. He was pretty chill the whole time, mostly sleeping and made a few funny faces and big yawns which are always the best to capture. Big sister Estella was excited to have me as a visitor and there was some music and dancing of course. She also brought out her camera and took a few photos.

I love the deep rich teals (my favorite color!) and jewel tones throughout their home. Tasha painted the blue ombre accent wall in Marino’s nursery herself and it feels like the Caribbean to me. I had to incorporate some fairy lights of course to make it feel magical. Hope you enjoy the photos of this beautiful family of four!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Summer Family Session at Harvest Lane Farm and Overlook Park

Summer time is one of the best times to have photos taken with one of the many flower fields and flower farms throughout Lancaster County. Some wildflower fields can be found at public parks and others are farms where they grow pick-your-own fields that allow photo sessions in the evenings. The tricky part is knowing how to time your session so that you hit the flower fields at peak bloom.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that golden hour is the best time to shoot in flower fields when the sun is low in the sky otherwise you’ll be dealing with bright overhead light and shadows. Since the sunset happens much later in summertime, this is something to keep in mind for littles who have early bedtimes because starting at 7 p.m. is ideal for golden hour summer sessions. Because this session was done in September, we started at 6:30 p.m. and that was a perfect start time for that golden light.

In general, June is a great month for wildflower fields but there are blooms all the way through September in some places. Sunflowers are almost always in bloom late summer/early fall.

Harvest Lane Farm in Lititz has a lovely produce market and they also grow flowers to sell. They were kind enough to allow us to do this family photo session there. These photos were taken in early September and the sunflowers were about done but there were still colorful rows of flowers to photograph in. Afterwards we made a stop at Overlook Park to take some photos in the pine tree forest and managed to capture a few sunset silhouettes.

Little Caroline was a delight to photograph. She loved playing hide-and-seek with me in the rows of flowers and just wanted to run free in the park. I adore this family and the amount of color in this session.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Spring Cherry Blossom Family Photo Session at Lancaster County Park

Lancaster County Central Park is one of my favorite locations for photo sessions during all seasons of the year, but especially in spring time. If you time it right, you can find flowering dogwoods, red bud trees and cherry blossoms all in bloom at the same time and it is simply glorious.

For this family photo session we began at the Garden of the Five Senses and then wandered over to a row of pink cherry blossom trees. The kids picked flowers, blew dandelion puffs and rolled around in the grass. To end the session, we went to one of my favorite hill top locations in the park for sunset silhouettes.

Spring photo sessions are not quite as popular as fall, but in my opinion they should be! It’s the perfect time for Mother’s Day portraits (hint hint: I do offer gift certificates!) and photos before the weather gets super hot. If you’re thinking about scheduling a spring session, I recommend reaching out in February/March to book.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Summer Maternity Session at Pinnacle Point Overlook

I am excited to share these photos from my first ever maternity session at the famed Pinnacle Point Overlook in Holtwood, Pa. If you’re looking for a dramatic backdrop for a photo session, Pinnacle Point Overlook is a great location that is easy to get to. As a Lancaster maternity photographer, I am always looking for unique an picturesque outdoor locations for photo sessions that are accessible for expectant mamas.

Kiley and Josh are expecting their first baby in July and it was so good to get to know them a bit as we wandered around taking photos. I have only been to this location once before on a hike with my family and when we went we explored the trail in the opposite direction so I had never been out on the rocky overlook before. My only words of advice are to wear comfortable shoes and watch your step. This would not be a good photo location for a family with young kids, FYI.

We also discovered a beautiful forested area covered in ferns that made for some woodsy portraits. Because this was a summer maternity session, sunset didn’t come until nearly 8:30 that day so we waited until the sun was lower in the sky to take photos at the overlook. We lucked out with blue sunny skies after a day of clouds and rain. I love the way the light filters through Kiley’s long flowy dress in these photos. If you are looking for a stunning and dramatic location for your maternity photos in Lancaster, PA, I highly recommend Pinnacle Point Overlook.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Lancaster Family Photography: A Snowy Winter Family Photo Session at Overlook Park

It was my birthday weekend mid-March and we got one last beautiful winter snow. This was probably the only time I have ever seen Overlook Park so empty. There was not a soul in sight. The snow was still untouched and the pine forest was covered in white and was so serene.

In my lifetime thus far I have had 3 birthday blizzards. I’ll always remember the one we had when I was in 5th grade because I was supposed to have a slumber party with all my friends but due to the oncoming snow, no one was allowed to stay overnight. This wasn’t quite a blizzard, but it was very gusty so even with minimal snow there was some drifting.

I could hardly wait to get out and take pictures in the winter wonderland and when Andrea asked if I would do a 6 month session for her son Griffin in the snow I was thrilled! He was so adorable wearing the bright red gnome hat and his big brother Bailey got a kick out of pulling him around in the sled. I am SO very thankful that the timing worked out perfectly for this snowy family winter photo session.

At the end of this session, I was able to grab some silhouette images of the boys and then I photographed some of the snow covered evergreen trees around the park. Later in Photoshop I overlaid the portraits of the boys with some of the tree images to create some unique black and white double exposure silhouettes. I am always happy to get creative with double exposures if time allows (and if the client has interest).

I realize that winter and snowy photo sessions certainly aren’t top priority for most families; however, winter photo sessions CAN be possible, even with little kids. Here are a few tips on how to prepare and make a snowy winter session successful:

1. Bundle Up: Yes, it’s obvious, but make sure everyone wears layers and has coats, hats, boots, scarves and mittens if necessary. Bring blankets! They can be used as fun props too and you can snuggle together. You can always take coats off briefly for shots and then put them back on if you want to get photos in special sweaters or outfits.

2. Make It Short & Quick: Because winter is typically my slower season and because it’s cold out, I will only do mini sessions for winter time. We keep it brief, 30 minutes or less so you don’t freeze your butts off (though you may have cherry red noses by the time you’re done).

3. Make It Playful: We will keep moving; wrap in blankets, pull someone in a sled, hold hands and run through the snow, play ring-around-the-rosie, etc. Snowy photo sessions have got to be fun!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

A Narnia Inspired Winter One Year Session with Luna in the Evergreens

I know that winter is not necessarily the ideal time for family photos but I had been wanting to photograph a session at this location full of tall evergreen trees for a while and was looking for an excuse. I believe that there is beauty to be found in all seasons, even the cold and barren ones. This winter family photo session turned out beautifully and we lucked out with a warmish December day and beautiful golden light.

I convinced my dear friend Drea and her husband Dani to model for a family session and it also worked out as one-year session since their daughter Luna turned one in December. And wouldn’t you be surprised to know that it also turned out to be a pregnancy announcement because Drea is expecting a baby in June! So of course it was an opportune time to announce that Luna is going to be a big sister in 2022!

I am slowly growing a client closet of mostly dresses for women, children and babies and so I was motivated to photograph Drea in this beautiful blue velvet gown that I had just purchased from Baltic Born. I also found a coordinating velvet flapper style dress with fringes for Luna that I love (thanks to Etsy!). And last of all I recently added a faux fur coat from Joyfolie to my client closet which I think will be fabulous for winter maternity sessions. I made a winter flower crown for Drea using mostly plants and herbs (rosemary!) that I found growing around our yard. The fur coat definitely gives this session a Narnia vibe and if only we had some snow covering the ground it would have been perfect!

If you are considering a winter photo session I’m happy to recommend some magical locations and figure out ways to be creative and keep the littles warm.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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Personal: Home Birth Story of Jonah Eugene

Home birth video of Melissa giving birth to baby Jonah in a birthing pool alongside her husband, doula and midwife. Birth film by Vanessa Joy Films.

OUR RAINBOW BABY

This is the birth story of our rainbow baby Jonah Eugene, born in the water at home on October 12th. This pregnancy and birth was special to me for a couple reasons; one being that this was my last pregnancy and two because Jonah is our rainbow baby. Two years ago in November of 2019, I had an unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage that left me feeling like there was meant to be one more in our family. When we got the news in early 2021 that we were expecting a baby in October, we were overjoyed. I knew right away that I was going to decorate his or her nursery with rainbows and butterflies. I wanted all things colorful, hopeful, bright and full of light after the dark and depressing year that was 2020.

One of my favorite maternity photos with the butterfly mobile I made for Jonah’s nursery, taken by the incredibly talented Natalie Curry Photography

BIG FAMILY CHANGES AND THE HOME BIRTH DECISION

As it turns out, 2021 has been a year of big changes for our family. This summer we sold our beloved Lancaster City row home and moved just outside the city to a home surrounded by big trees in a quiet neighborhood. I know it sounds silly, but I remember when we were touring the home we ended up buying I said to my husband, “we can fit a birthing pool right here in our bedroom!”. At the time I was still undecided about a home birth. My first two babies were born in the hospital and though I had mostly positive experiences and both were unmedicated vaginal deliveries as I desired, I wanted to try something different with this last birth (you can read our second child’s birth story here). It seemed only fitting to christen our new home with the birth of Jonah and of course because I am a mermaid at heart, I really wanted a water birth.

Jonah at one day old

My other main motivation for the water birth was to help me relax and not tear when it came time to push the baby out. In the hospital it was very clear that my doctor preferred me to push lying flat on my back and I ended up with a 3rd degree tear with my first birth and a 2nd degree tear with my second birth. I’m sure there were likely other factors involved in my tearing but I really wanted to try the water birth for that reason and that wasn’t an option in the hospital.

LABOR FALSE ALARM

Fast forward to the night of my due date, October 7th, when I woke up with my usual Braxton Hicks contractions and some back pain. My mom happened to be staying overnight and I noticed that the contractions seemed to be happening consistently so we started timing them. After an hour or so I notified the midwife and my doula that they were happening consistently but didn’t seem to be intensifying at all. To me it just didn’t feel like real labor and I was so tired so I decided to go back to bed to see if the contractions would go away and they did. False alarm!

For the next several days I was in a real depressive slump. I felt apathetic about wanting to give birth or try to get labor going. I just wanted to sleep forever and forget about the world. I was second guessing everything and doubting myself. I felt too old, too tired, too weary to endure another unmedicated labor and delivery. When I imagined giving birth in our bedroom, I did not feel excited. I just felt blah. I realized I had been carrying a lot of fears and doubts with me throughout the pregnancy. With all of our moving craziness and my daughter starting kindergarten, I really had not been able to mentally or physically prepare for this pregnancy and birth the way I had for my others.

During the last couple weeks leading up to Jonah’s birth I read bits of the Hypnobirthing book and tried to get in some prenatal yoga. I am a firm believer that the mind has intense power especially when it comes to the mind body connection in giving birth. I realized I needed to start thinking positively about the birth and stop doubting so much. So after a depressing rainy weekend when Monday rolled around I decided it was time to shift gears. I took the kids on a walk to the park and did some curb walking (said to initiate labor). We ordered Mexican food for dinner (spicy foods do the trick they say!). And I decided to paint another arch accent wall in our family room (start an involved project and you’ll go into labor they say). I also did many other things of course like eat dates and drink pregnancy tea, eat a pineapple core, etc.

Maternity photos taken by Natalie Curry Photography around 35 weeks pregnant down by the Susquehanna River.

JONAH’S BIRTH DAY

Monday night, October 11th, I finished painting the accent wall around 11 p.m. and went to bed (FYI I later decided I hated the accent wall so we have since painted over it and now refer to it as the ‘labor arch’). As per usual I woke up a couple hours later needing to pee and had my usual Braxton Hicks accompanied by lower back pain. Usually the back pain would go away once I got up and used the bathroom and went back to bed but this time it did not.

Around 1 a.m. I decided to get up and walk around the house and start timing contractions. At this point they were not very intense and I was able to talk and breathe through them just fine. After timing them for an hour and seeing that they were consistently 3-4 minutes apart and lasting about a minute, I texted my midwife and doula. I told them no rush because they weren’t intense yet but wanted them to know they were consistent. I was so worried about making everyone drive out to our house for another false alarm.

My midwife Marielle of Woman Kind Midwifery was the first to arrive around 3 a.m. She got her things set up and asked if I wanted her to check my dilation. I said yes I wanted to know but was also nervous that I wouldn’t be that far along. Meanwhile Dave had the birthing pool inflated and was starting to fill it (very slowly via hose hooked up to our bathroom sink). The contractions were still consistent and I was still able to walk and talk in between them but definitely had to stop and focus on my breathing more as they were coming.

THIS IS WHEN MY MIND WAS BLOWN: Around 3:30 a.m. Marielle checked my dilation and to my utter surprise she said, “Yep, you’re going to have a baby soon. You’re 9 centimeters”. I cried tears of relief and joy in that moment because I was so astonished. With my first birth I could barely handle the intensity at 5 cm and with my second I was dying by the time I reached 7 cm. And here I was still calm, chatting and smiling at 9 cm! When I heard that I was almost there it was a huge answer to prayer as if God were saying, “I heard your fears, trust me, you can do this”. It was also a reminder that I should never have once doubted my ability to birth this baby. I immediately commanded Dave to call our videographer Vanessa of Vanessa Joy Films (yes that means I was at least 9 cm in all of these photos and the video which still astounds me because I appear so peaceful!)

Our doula Marie of Move It Doula arrived soon after and she and Dave took turns applying counter pressure to my hips through every single contraction until Jonah was born. That pressure helped SO much to relieve the intensity of my back labor. The pool still wasn’t full enough for me to get in and I kept staring over at it between every contraction. One of my favorite memories from this birth is when Dave had to start filling the pool with our largest soup pot in order for it to be full enough for me to get in.

Like my other two labors I found that being on all fours, sitting or leaning on the birthing ball and swaying or rocking was my preferred way to do the contractions or “waves” as the natural birth folk like to call them. I also preferred to keep my eyes closed because it really helped me to focus on what felt good/right to my body and my breathing and shut out all other distractions. Hypnobirthing helped me visualize how to breathe with labor breaths. At the start of every contraction I would take a deep breath into my abdomen and then slowly let it out along with a deep open mouth moaning. My daughter overheard my moaning and later said she thought I was brushing my teeth and saying “Ahhhhhh” with my mouth open as I brushed.

Somewhere close to 5 a.m. the pool was full enough for me to get in and it felt SO SO good to float my belly in the warmth. About 15 to 20 minutes later I was feeling his head starting to stretch me open (hello ring of fire!) and the contractions were forcing me to kind of grunt as he was coming out. It took 2 pushes for his head to emerge (on the first push my water broke which basically felt like a water balloon popping between my legs) and then on the third push his body was born. Oh what a relief it was to see and hold my little screaming water baby! I was delighted to see he was born with hair on his head because my other two were bald. It is probably my favorite feature about him. Also hallelujah I did not tear this time! Praise God we had a healthy baby boy born at 5:13 a.m. weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces. If I had to do it all over again, I would hands down choose a home water birth.

All of the birth photography images were taken by Vanessa Joy Films along with the video. As I write this I am now one month postpartum and so thankful that Jonah’s home water birth was just what I hoped it would be (minus the false alarm and the pool almost not being filled in time).

I think the thing I liked most about the home birth compared to my hospital births was that I truly felt that I, the laboring mother, was calling the shots. Yes of course my midwife would have stepped in if she felt it was necessary, but it was up to me if she did cervix checks. I never once felt pressured or hurried or constrained and I was free to push in whatever position I wanted. Also I never had to wear the belt monitor though they did regularly listen to baby’s heartbeat with a handheld doppler and check my blood pressure. I love this photo below of the midwife and her assistant bending over into the pool to get his heart rate.

The other nice thing about a home birth is that you are at home! I got to climb right into my own bed after the birth. Even the first couple postpartum visits for me and baby were done at home so we didn’t have to worry about venturing out to the doctor’s office. I’m sure it was more work and stress for Dave however; he had to figure out everything with the birthing pool as well as dig a hole and bury the placenta (we put it under the fig tree in our yard that apparently has yet to bear fruit). And then he waited on me hand and foot for a full week postpartum and did a thorough deep clean of our bathroom along with keeping up with dishes and laundry etc. Given the choice I would definitely do a home birth again but alas we are not planning to have any more children.

I think you will get a good sense of the home birth experience from the photos and video below. Vanessa has this incredible ability to pull at all the heartstrings with her visual story telling and I tear up watching any of her birth films (of course I have watched ours over and over many times now).

Enjoy the birth story photos below, plus a few extras that I’ve taken in Jonah’s first month of life.

And here are a few more of my favorite images taken by me in Jonah’s first weeks of life. I am trying to savor every bit because it truly does fly right by when you look back.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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York Family Photography: A Sunny September Family Session at Samuel Lewis State Park

This family has probably been one of my most photographed families in the last few years and I always come away from their sessions with so many favorites! Not only are they easy going and super photogenic, they also know how to have fun during their sessions, whether it be dancing or frolicking through the forest or blowing bubbles.

It was a beautiful sunny September evening when we did this session at Samuel Lewis State Park in York. I’ve only photographed there once before and it was a morning session so the light was very different. I love the way the evening sun shines through the trees around the big boulder rocks. There is also a huge open hill and sky that is perfect for silhouette photographs and a grove of evergreen trees. I will definitely be returning to this location for future sessions in York!

This session is also the very last family session I photographed in 2021 before taking my maternity leave so it holds a special spot in my heart! With an October due date, it was hard for me to turn away so many photo sessions this fall which is typically a photographer’s busiest time of year but I’m glad I could end on this note!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Summer Family Session by the Susquehanna River in Columbia, PA

One of my favorite river locations just outside of Columbia, PA is this spot down by the Susquehanna River near Chickies Rock. Along with easy access to the river, there is also a neat location with some old cement foundations with ivy growing all over them that makes it quite magical.

Something about this summer family session had some tropical vibes to it, even though we are far from the tropics. Stephanie was stunning in her flowy dress and this family could not be more photogenic.

Every now and then, I get surprised during a session and when Stephanie’s boyfriend secretly told me he was planning to propose I got so excited/nervous! He waited until the very end and boy was she surprised! What a beautiful way to end a family session!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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York Newborn Photography: Baby Aliyah

Darling baby Aliyah was born in March, a great month for birthdays (me and my son are March babies too!). I first met Aliyah’s mom Lilah when I photographed her maternity milk bath session at one of my favorite AirBnbs in Lancaster City (Renew On Walnut). Her stunning maternity session can also be viewed here. Lilah’s choice of a soft romantic color palette and floral patterns were so perfect for both her maternity photos and this newborn session.

It doesn’t always work out to photograph newborns in the first 2 weeks of life and in my opinion, in-home newborn lifestyle sessions can happen any time in the first 6 weeks after baby is born (that is the time period that they are technically considered newborn before they are called an infant). Baby Aliyah was about a month old when we did this session. Because I don’t offer posed newborn sessions in a studio, I don’t feel it is as important to photograph the baby when they are fresh out of the womb and sleeping all the time. However, they change and grow fast so of course the sooner the better! If you are considering a newborn lifestyle session, I encourage you to reach out at least a month or two before baby is due to schedule your session.

And another thing to note for newborn lifestyle sessions is that siblings and pets are more than welcome to be included! I like to let toddlers be themselves and you will see Aliyah’s big brother Kai having lots of fun bouncing on the bed in the photos below. I know it can feel stressful when you are trying to wrangle multiple littles for pictures but we can work with them to make it fun! Sometimes snack breaks are necessary, or I ask them to show me their room or their favorite toys. Toddlers have their world rocked when a new baby sibling arrives and that can be hard. And of course sometimes newborns need to eat or have their diaper changed too so we always make time for that in between photos. My goal is to document all the little details you want to remember about your tiny newborn.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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A Spring Mommy and Me Session in the Flowers at Buchmiller Park

This past spring I photographed more sessions than I ever have at Buchmiller Park located just south of Lancaster City. It is not often crowded with photographers as some of the other local parks are, and it has a wide variety of spring budding trees that flower early April through mid-May, beginning with the weeping cherry trees. Amanda contacted me about doing a mommy and me session with her daughter (and a few with her boyfriend as well). She is an artist herself and it’s always an honor to be chosen as a photographer for a fellow creative.

This spring photo session at Buchmiller Park was one of my favorites for many reasons; the golden sun, the connection and movement between the family members and of course the colorful flowy dresses and spring flowers. Though outfits aren’t everything, they do make a huge difference in what your photos will look like. Amanda’s daughter is wearing a Joyfolie dress from my client closet that is great for twirling and flowy movement. I have a handful of girls dresses available to lend to clients for photo shoots, as well as some women’s dresses that all lend themselves to great photos. Please ask me if you are interested in borrowing something for your session! I am always happy to advise on what to wear (and not to wear) for your photos.

At the end of the session we went over to a wildflower field close by. It was my first time photographing there, and we discovered that the field was scattered with stinging nettle, whoops! But we managed to capture some beautiful images regardless.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

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