Jude | 25 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

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Jude

25 Weeks and 1 day

1 pound 13 ounces

“I found out I was expecting Jude on Dec. 14th, our second baby (we have an almost 4 year old daughter, Isla). We were over the moon and told Isla she was getting a baby brother for her birthday (I was due Aug 21 and her bday is Aug 27). Up until 24 weeks, I had a textbook pregnancy but at 24 weeks 0 days I was admitted to the hospital because of leaking fluid. Lots of tests later and I was put on bedrest due to cervical insufficiency. It turned out my water had not broken but my cervix had dilated. My team of OB's and maternal fetal medicine told me I would most likely deliver within 24-72 hours.

“I remember having a conversation with my OB the second night I was on bedrest. She told me I was in a very grave position but if I could make it to 25 weeks the difference in gestation and development would be huge. So then my goal became 25 weeks; at 24 weeks 3 days my water broke and once again I was told I'd deliver within 48 hours but it didn't happen. Unfortunately a few days later, I developed an infection and Jude was born a week and 1 day after I was admitted. I'd made it to 25 weeks!

“Like any preemie parent, my husband and I were terrified. We had no idea what the weeks and months ahead would hold and seeing our sweet baby hooked up to so many monitors and medical devices was heartbreaking. We visited daily and on day 10 I was finally able to hold him. We have kangarooed every day since except for two days around the time Jude developed an infection (urosepsis). Jude is truly a miracle and has impressed us every day of this journey. We are so very blessed to be his parents.”

Here are a few shots of the ‘little fighter’, Jude in his first home, the NICU. He eventually made it home with Mom, Dad, and sister Isla!

Caroline | 27 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

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Caroline

27 weeks + 3 days

2 pounds 14 ounces

Caroline was born premature and spent a bit of time in the NICU. Her onesie is an ode to the incredible NICU nurses she met along the way. Caroline’s parents definitely have a magic touch and managed to take a temperature, change her diaper, and pose for some sweet family photos, all without waking the baby! She did give them the sweetest smirk though!

Look how tiny she looks in her daddy’s hands! She’s already got her parents wrapped around her little preemie fingers—and toes!

Erika | Indoor Studio Maternity Session | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

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Photographers have an eye for beauty in all things, but sometimes we come across a really easy subject. Not only is Erika a sweet, bubbly, pure ray of light with a big laugh to match that radiant smile you see in these photos, but she is also quite the model. She makes pregnancy look stylish, with such an element of comfort—I’m not talking about the messy bun and sweatpants kind of comfort, but an apparent ease. Do you get my drift?

Her indoor studio images are some of my favorites, as I was able to really focus on capturing her belly. She was about 30 weeks which is what I recommend for maternity photos, as many women have a prominent bump by this point, and comfort and mobility aren’t yet compromised. I want mamas to be as comfortable as possible because that is how we have a great session that leads to cohesive galleries with a lot of images!

One thing that adds to beautiful photos is the wardrobe. Erika had everything from a Calvin Klein bra and panty set to a body con turtleneck dress. The black dress really emphasized her silhouette, while the Calvin Klein set allowed for a fun, relaxed moment to bare her beautiful bump. Finally, her chunky, neutral knit created a casual, lifestyle-type photo opportunity—just her and her little one enjoying some quality time. With only three outfit changes, this gallery has such a diversity in the tone of the images. I aim to diversify your sessions, and I want you to end up with images that don’t all feel like they’re the same.

What is your favorite type of maternity session? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor? Long gowns flowing in the wind or a more casual look? How about family or purely the bump?

Scarlett | 22 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

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Scarlett

22 weeks 2 days

13 pounds 12.8 ounces

Scarlett is quite the little fighter. She came into this world under one pound! Her story began as one of four quadruplets. She is the only one earth side, but her siblings—Oliver, Amelia, and Vivian—still remain a beautiful part of her family’s story. Recently, the peanut you see below has gained ‘big sister’ status to her little brother Christian, who has already had his newborn session as part of his Baby Plan membership.

Despite the hardships of a pregnancy with quadruplets that ended in preterm deliveries and spending quite some time in the NICU, Scarlett’s parents have a great sense of humor—I always enjoy my time with them. Below, Scarlett’s mother, a nurse, details her family’s journey through a pregnancy with multiples and their time in the NICU.

“We knew we would have trouble conceiving. I have PCOS as well as a bicornuate uterus. We did three rounds of IUI. Our last was successful and we were pregnant with quads. We found out we were pregnant in May. The pregnancy was moving along very easily. My husband and I were so excited, and our family and friends couldn’t even believe there were four. At my 21 week MFM appointment my water broke and the immediately sent me to the maternity unit where I stayed until the babies were delivered. It was a roller coaster from that point forward. I went into early labor and had to deliver one baby who we named Oliver. He passed away during the laboring process. We knew God had a bigger plan for him. We call him his sisters’ hero, he held on long enough to buy his sisters more time. The other three were able to hang on for another week. I ended up getting septic and had to have an emergency c-section to deliver the other three babies at 22 weeks and 2 days. One little girl we named Amelia passed away and his hanging out with her brother Oliver. The other two we named Scarlett and Vivian— sassy and feisty little girls keeping the nurses on their toes. This is not how we pictured this adventure in our lives going but we couldn’t have been in a better place. Everyone from the nurses, doctors, and support staff [were] the kindest most compassionate people we could have asked to have care for our family through this time.”

Below is a glimpse into Scarlett’s time in the NICU, on a ventilator. You also get to see a sweet moment of kangaroo care with her mother and some hand hugs with mom and dad.

Scarlett’s newborn session after NICU graduation—look how much she’s grown!

Scarlett’s spring session with the peach blossoms at Springs Farm — Scarlett is a big sister!

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Scarlett turns ONE!

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Baby brother Christian snoozes through his newborn session.

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