The Why of Newborn Photography

Today, I had a client stop by and pick up a newborn photobook that had been a studio sample here for several years. Oh the memories this book brings back. This made me think about my why… Why do I love newborn photography? Why is it so important?

Capturing the Magic: Why Newborn Photography is a Treasure Worth Keeping

There’s something truly magical about the first two weeks of a baby’s life—the tiny fingers, sleepy smiles, delicate lashes, and the way they curl up like they’re still in the womb. These moments are fleeting, which is why newborn photography is such a beautiful way to preserve them forever. I know it’s not easy in those first couple of weeks as you and baby adjust to life. The lack of sleep is always a big one for parents. But, let me tell you, the effort to get out and get photos taken will be 1000% worth it. At Jo Jones Photography, LLC we make every effort to make it as stress-free as possible.

More Than Just Photos—Memories in the Making

Newborn photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about capturing a feeling. It’s about the awe in a parent’s eyes, the soft stretch of a baby’s yawn, and the peaceful quiet that only comes in those early days. These images freeze time in the most tender way, turning everyday moments into lifelong memories.

A Gift for the Future

As the years go by, these images grow more valuable. One day, your child will look back on these portraits and see just how loved they were from the very beginning. Grandparents, family members, and future generations will cherish these photographs as a glimpse into the earliest chapter of a beautiful life story. Life happens and the years fly by. These precious moments are captured forever.

Timeless, Beautiful, and Real

Whether swaddled in soft wraps, nestled in a parent’s arms, or sleeping soundly in natural light, the beauty of newborn photography lies in its simplicity and authenticity. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just real, raw, and full of love.

Creating a Calm, Cozy Experience

The best newborn sessions are gentle and unhurried. I always do my best to create a calm, warm, and safe environment so your baby is comfortable and content. And yes, that sometimes means breaks for feeding, changing, or cuddling—because newborn life doesn’t follow a script, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

In the End, It’s All About Heart

Newborn photography is a celebration of life, love, and new beginnings. It’s about honoring the miracle of your little one’s arrival and giving yourself the gift of remembering it forever. Jo Jones Photography, LLC is all about capturing these portraits to celebrate this moment in time.

With care and kindness,

Jo

Babies First Year

Babies grow and develop rapidly in their first year! These are moments that are priceless to capture forever in photos. My goal at Jo Jones Photography LLC is to make this happen for your child!

Here are five key milestones and activities they typically do:

1. Smiling and Socializing (0-3 Months) – Babies begin to recognize faces, respond to voices, and give their first adorable social smiles.

2. Rolling Over and Sitting (4-6 Months) – Around this time, many babies start rolling from tummy to back and eventually back to tummy. Some also begin sitting up with support.

3. Crawling and Exploring (6-9 Months) – Babies become more mobile, crawling or scooting around to explore their surroundings. They also start reaching for and grasping objects with more precision.

4. Standing and First Steps (9-12 Months) – Many babies start pulling themselves up to stand and cruise along furniture. Some may even take their first steps before their first birthday!

5. Babbling and First Words (6-12 Months) – Babies experiment with sounds, babbling "mama" or "dada" before saying their first real words. They also begin to understand simple words and gestures.

Every baby develops at their own pace, but these are some of the exciting milestones to watch for in the first year and a good time to bring your baby into the studio to capture!

This is a little example of newborn vs 4 months photos. Special moments that needs to be a part of your collection of family memories to share. I can’t wait to capture his 8m and 1yr photo as watching them grow and change is one of the best parts of my job.

Enjoy your day,

Jo

Jo Jones Photography LLC for 2025

First, may I ask how we are 2 full months into 2025 already? Time just doesn’t slow down.

March is the start of spring sports for the schools and dance studio photos. I always look forward to these like they are the start of spring, but seldom do we have spring like days for photos!

I am planning some Spring Mini Sessions at the studio for Jo Jones Photography LLC. This is a great way to document that pretty Easter outfit and get updated photos of the kiddos in a cute set. I plan these for in the studio as the weather is totally unpredictable for Spring. Watch the Jo Jones Photo Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/jojonesphoto) for updates!

I’ve been privileged to have some adorable little newborns in the studio lately. There is not a single newborn that I don’t fall in love with! These photos are a sampling of those recent ones. Newborn moments are so precious and pass by so quickly. Being able to capture these newborn moments is priceless. Don’t hesitate to take time to come to the studio for a session. The newborn room at Jo Jones Photography LLC is ready for your precious bundle of joy.

Newborn Chloe is so perfect! (c)Jo Jones Photography LLC

Adorable newborn girl, Amiyah. (c)Jo Jones Photography LLC

Sweet newborn boy, Grady. (c)Jo Jones Photography LLC

Sweet newborn girl, Jayla. (c)Jo Jones Photography LLC

Precious little Emberly may not have picked a Super Bowl winner but her parent’s are winners with her! (c)Jo Jones Photography LLC

Professionally Printed Photos

In the last few weeks, I have had a few clients tell me how much better their photos looked when they had them printed through me rather than attempting to print their own from a USB or CD. One client had tried multiple places to get photos that looked good on her wall with the professionally printed ones that she got from me, but failed.

This is a subject that doesn’t come up a lot. Clients think they want the digital files to print their own, not realizing that there is a substantial difference in how a professional lab prints and the papers they use, compared to places that print for consumers.

Jo Jones Photography invests a lot of money in high quality photo equipment and computer monitors that show color correctly, do color calibrations frequently and work with my print lab to make sure that photos print the same as they look on my computer screen. I have no control over how prints look from a consumer lab you might use. This has the potential of making the colors look bad or the sharpness and contrast not right.. They use printers that may or may not be calibrated and they are set to meet the needs of people taking snapshots, printing cell phone photos, not the professional photographer.

As a professional, I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure that your prints look great on your wall. You are not just paying for the 8x10 piece of paper, but a professional handling your photos along with the required equipment to ensure the best results every time. Consider the professional service you get start to finish when your photographer handles your photos from taking the photo to printing the photo and giving you art work of your favorite people to hang on your wall.

That place on your wall should be filled with high quality prints that will stand the test of time!

Professional Photographer

Wordy post warning!

What does it mean to be a professional photographer? In this list, some things may merely be my opinion, some are more factual, but these points are important to me as a professional photographer striving to bring excellence to my business.

1.       NO excuses. This one is HUGE to me. I don’t care if your dog got ran over this morning (and I love my dog!), you need to fulfill your obligations.  If you made a mistake, own it, make it right.

2.       Be honest. This needs no further explanation.

3.       Service. Serving the needs of the client is my job. I take this seriously.

4.       Communication. This is key to creating a positive experience in any situation.

5.       Be on time. Punctual is professional. If something happens beyond your control, like a flat tire, be prepared so you can contact your clients and let them know that you are running late.

6.       Equipment ready and maintained. Batteries need to be charged, cameras cleaned, cards formatted, …see #1, no excuses!

7.       Back-up equipment. Have extra equipment with you on any shoot. It may not be the exact equipment that you intended to use but it’s something that you can use in a pinch. Equipment failure happens, so be prepared. As a professional, you need an alternative plan to fulfill your obligation to the client.

8.       Workflow plan. This is essential to me so that things get done in a timely manner and aren’t forgotten. That is not to say it’s perfect but it definitely helps to keep on track when it’s super busy! I’m always making little adjustment to the plan to improve service and experience.

9.       Customer is always right. Refer to #4 and #1. However, there can be a line here with a totally unreasonable client with unreasonable expectations, but always remain professional in your interactions.

10.   Be positive. Find the positive. Negativity rubs off…don’t go there.

11.   Education. Never stop learning! Never stop growing!

12.   You are your business/brand. Be careful personally and professionally to send the right message to your clients.

We all make mistakes. We are all human. In spite of the best planning, things can go wrong. Things happen that are beyond our control. But again, refer to #1 and #4. Talk to the client. Even when it’s not your fault, make it right with no excuses. It may cost you, but that is the cost of being professional and maintaining excellent service and client satisfaction. What is the cost of an unhappy client? Having said that, there may be a client that is totally unreasonable, but try killing them with kindness and consideration. Always try to change a negative to a positive.

I don’t want to be just a photographer, I want to hold myself and my business to a higher standard and be a professional photographer.

Love this little Valentine’s cutie below! Can’t wait to take her Valentine’s photos with her cute little brother next week. If you need Valentine’s photo for your cuties, I have a mini session special on Saturday, Jan 26 by appointment for $75 + tax and includes the digital files with a print release. Contact me to reserve your time!

Thank you for taking time to read to the end!

The Ramblings of a Blank Mind

Hello world,

I have been working for a while on setting up this new website for Jo Jones Photography. My old one was sadly outdated so a change was necessary! While this site is still a work in progress, it is getting there. Learning how to use some new features and get everything up and running was a challenge and continues to be a challenge! 

Having a blogging option tied to my website is one of the new features. I have not been very good a blogging in the past so we will see how faithful I can be to post new content!

Spent sometime time on marketing this morning and created this sweet baby poster to hang a few places. I spent way to much time trying to decide what photos to use. There are way too many cute babies from the last year to choose from, but that's what I love!