Four generations in one place doesn’t happen often. This Oakland newborn session brought together a new baby, his parents, his grandmother, and his great-grandmother — all in the same afternoon.

The Session

Both the grandmother and great-grandmother stayed for an extended visit. The time they had together shaped the whole session — there was no rushing, no agenda, just people who love each other spending time with a new baby.

The moments that stood out were the quiet ones. A gentle touch on the baby’s cheek. A look exchanged between grandmother and great-grandmother. Both women holding him at the same time, visibly moved. Those are the photos that will matter most in twenty years.

A Note on COVID

This session took place during COVID, so we held everything outdoors to keep everyone comfortable and safe. The open space actually worked in our favor — plenty of room to move around, good light, and a relaxed feeling that an indoor session might not have had. I also photographed a few moments from the doorway to give everyone more space while still capturing what was happening.

Including Grandparents and Extended Family

If you have grandparents or extended family who want to be part of your newborn session, I always encourage it. These early weeks are a rare window — especially for great-grandparents — and the photos from those visits tend to be the ones families hold onto the longest.

Learn more about in-home newborn sessions or get in touch to start planning.