A LITTLE BEAR IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA | DMV NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

Julie and Jack have called each other “bear” for over a decade, so Arthur felt like the perfect name from the start. Julie shared, “Jack and I have called each other ‘bear’ as a nickname for the last decade. When looking for less common boy names during my pregnancy, I discovered that Arthur means ‘bear’ or ‘bear man’ in Celtic, and that sealed the deal.”

Arthur’s arrival was full of perfect timing. Julie went in for routine monitoring two days before her scheduled C-section, and by 4 p.m., he had arrived just one day before his big brother Oliver’s third birthday. Julie laughed about how they shared the news, "We put a ‘big brother’ shirt on Oliver and waited for people to notice."

Arthur also arrived just before Thanksgiving, bringing the family straight into the holiday season. I was able to meet sweet little Arthur the weekend before Thanksgiving. It felt appropriate to add some holiday cheer to the session with some Christmas greenery and a perfectly sized candy cane (which Oliver gladly enjoyed on when his big brother duties were through).

During the session, it was easy to see the little details that make this stage so special. Arthur takes after Jack, but he also mirrors his big brother in ways that make the family smile. "I think he looks a lot like his dad. But he also looks just like his big brother, who looks a lot like Jack", Julie said.

As much as this season is about welcoming Arthur, it is also a reflection of Julie herself. Beyond motherhood, she is the owner of Little Bear Bakery, a bakery based in Alexandria, Virginia. Julie specializes in beautifully crafted macarons, and baking is a meaningful part of her everyday life. That is why we chose to incorporate her macarons into Arthur’s newborn session. Photographing him alongside something she pours her heart into felt like a natural way to honor both this new chapter and the work she has built with so much care.

Speaking of treats, Julie craved frozen treats while pregnant. Frozen treats like Slurpees, Icees, Baja Blast freezes from Taco Bell, and sonic slushes were on constant rotation. Those small comforts became part of the story of getting through a tough pregnancy and counting down the days to finally meet Arthur.

Now, life looks a lot cozier. The best part of these early days according to Julie: “Snuggles!” Watching Arthur cozy against Julie and Jack, it was easy to see why these quiet moments matter. She also shared how different it feels the second time around. “So many other things to think through and balance when there is another one.” Parenthood feels fuller and busier, but the closeness makes it all worth it.

Julie also shared a funny moment from her C-section, "My pregnancy was so rough that once I got the spinal block for my C-section and knew I was done being pregnant, I was so happy and in such a good mood that Jack thought they had given me Valium. But I was just so ecstatic to not be pregnant anymore." That joy carried over into the session, giving every smile and snuggle an extra layer of love.

I had the pleasure of capturing their newborn and maternity sessions through my Motherhood Bundle (check out my newborn and maternity sessions details). From Oliver’s proud big brother moment to Arthur’s gentle snuggles, these memories are full of the laughter, love, and tiny traditions that make this stage so special.

Thank you, Julie and Jack, for letting me be part of this chapter of your family’s story! Life moves fast, and every embrace, silly smile, and shared treat (frozen or baked) matters.

If you're expecting and looking for an experienced Northern Virginia Photographer, I'd love to hear from you! These early days go by so fast, but we can create memories that last forever.

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