When Kati contacted me a few weeks ago to book a newborn session for their second daughter, I was thrilled! I photographed their first baby, Makeda, and just loved everything about this family so getting to visit again is not only an honor, but fun for me as well.
![profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_1 baby makeda and marley from their newborn portraits](https://jillcarmel.com/blog-archive/photos/profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_11.jpg)
When I showed up at their door in Citrus Heights, they had music playing and Makeda was getting her hair done by her hair stylist auntie (lucky – wish I could’ve grown up with a hair stylist for an aunt!). After setting up, we got a few of brand new baby Marley’s big soulful eyes.
![profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_2 baby marley's big soulful eyes](https://jillcarmel.com/blog-archive/photos/profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_21.jpg)
Some parents are concerned that their newborn baby won’t be perfect the day of their big shoot, but it’s pretty simple and can really go one way or the other — awake or asleep. If the baby is awake when I arrive, we start with family photos. If the baby is asleep when I arrive, we start with just the baby alone. Today we started with family pictures and both of the girls were just wonderful. I couldn’t get over Makeda’s curls and bubbly personality and probably said, “she’s SO cute” enough times to annoy mom and dad, lol! Here’s Makeda, all “growed” up.
![profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_3 love little makeda's curly hair for her portraits](https://jillcarmel.com/blog-archive/photos/profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_31.jpg)
After a good long feeding, little Marley fell asleep. She was just perfect for her session, sleeping soundly through it all. That’s the beauty of doing these sessions during the 5-7 day old window — babies sleep so much that the session is easy on everybody.
![profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_5 all sleepy and cuddled into mommy for sacramento newborn portraits](https://jillcarmel.com/blog-archive/photos/profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_51.jpg)
She even let me put a little crown on her.
![profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_4 little crown on baby marley for her citrus heights baby portraits](https://jillcarmel.com/blog-archive/photos/profession_photographer_newborn_sacramento_41.jpg)
Can’t wait to share the full gallery with this awesome family!