Update on Sully | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Sully is growing up!  I can't believe this previous 28 weeker that I photographed last June is now 16 pounds!  He was just 2 pounds 6 ounces at birth, and here he is now!  He might just be my most handsome NICU baby!  If you missed his NICU portrait session, check it out here or click the button below.

“Sully is doing great. He is weighing in around 16lbs now. He is eating three meals a day, rolling over, sitting up, and trying his best to walk.”

I got to see Sully this fall at an event Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital where I was able to photograph him once again.  Pierce's Project hosted a Germ Free Santa Session for past NICU babies, and sweet little Sully showed up!  Can you even handle how cute he is in his little elf outfit?  His parents are going to have their work cut out for them when the girls start chasing him!  

Update on Lincoln | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Lincoln was the first NICU portrait session that I did almost a year ago!  I was so excited to share my gift of photography with a NICU family, and even more thrilled with the experience when I met his parents.  They are the sweetest couple and they were so appreciative of my complimentary services.  I love being able to incorporate my artistic craft with my love for the preemies and nursing career.

Here's an update from Lincoln's mom:

"Lincoln is 10 months (7 months adjusted) already. He's over 15 pounds. He's crawling around everywhere, sitting up on his own, and just recently pulling himself up to stand! It's so amazing to see him grow & develop. (He still receives PT once a week and speech once every other week.)  He is just full of personality and I'm so grateful to be his mommy. ❤"

Update on Rhett | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Rhett was born in July of 2016 at 28 weeks.  He weighed 1 pound 9 ounces.  I was lucky enough to photograph him during his stay in the NICU by offering his parents complimentary NICU portraits.  Pierce's Project arranged for Rhett's mom to have her hair and makeup done for the session, and she looked stunning!  (See Rhett's NICU session here.) . While I do follow many NICU patients on social media and could see that he is doing great, I caught up with Rhett's mom to request a personal update on Rhett's progress since going home.

“Rhett is doing so well! He is up to 12 pounds, rolls over, and is a total mama’s boy. He is a great eater and sleeper, and he loves being home with his parents and two dogs. He is thriving! He is so much fun and so happy! ”

Remembering Rigdon | 24 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

It was in May of 2016 that I received an email from Liz.  She requested NICU portraits of her micro-preemie, Rigdon.  He was already 12 weeks old, and Liz was feeling mom guilt for not contacting me sooner.  She received my information in a Pierce's Project welcome bag she received when Rigdon was first admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at just 24 weeks and 6 days.  She never felt like it was the right time to have me come take his photos, but now she was upset that she missed so many opportunities to catch him at his tiniest.  Would I still come and photograph her baby?  Of course I would.  We set up an appointment and I sent some additional information to Liz.  And then, crickets.

I didn't hear from Liz.  I was concerned, but knowing the roller coaster that is the NICU, I didn't want to pry.  I gave her space and reached out to her the night before our scheduled appointment.  Liz responded and told me that Rigdon had a rough week.  He had to have eye surgery and was having a rough recovery.  He was also scheduled to have a tracheostomy and feeding tube placed the next week, so it was just not a good time.  

Four months later, I met Liz in the NICU while I was photographing the Queen City Quints.  I immediately recognized her name and was surprised to see her still in the NICU.  I got an email the next day asking if I could come and photograph sweet Rigdon.  

I chose to photograph Rigdon on his discharge day, which I thought was the perfect day for NICU portraits. I knew there would be a lot of people in and out, but I underestimated just how many.  Rigdon was one loved boy!  I've posted his discharge day photos below.  

Today, Rigdon would have been 1 year old.  I wish I could tell you that his journey after being discharged was an easy one, but he spent much of his time in the pediatric intensive care unit.  Liz and Alan are spending today celebrating Rigdon's life and remembering the special times they had with him while he was here.  They're even spending today visiting the hospitals where Rigdon spent most of his life, bringing gifts to those who cared for him.  Their generosity during this devastating time is certainly inspiring!  

Just a few days before Rigdon passed away, Liz and Alan received the news that they are expecting another baby boy.  I was elated when I heard the news, but also knew that they must be feeling such mixed emotions, celebrating new life while grieving the loss of another.  Just in the short time I've known Liz, I've seen her strength and I know that she is more than capable to face the challenge.  I think this new baby is God's way of helping Liz and Alan prepare for their next stage in life.  Liz's motto throughout Rigdon's journey was "We can do hard things."  While I don't know where that comes from, I certainly hope this is the hardest thing they have to endure.

Enjoy Rigdon's sweet cheeks as you look at his discharge day photos!  He's one precious little nicu graduate! Click here to donate to Rigdon's family.

Landry Hope | 29 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

I met this sweet little lady for NICU portraits when she was a little over one month old.  I happened to run into one of her family members a few weeks prior, a girl who I just happened to know from my childhood.  When I saw her in the NICU, I was very confused as to why she was there.  Did she have a baby in the NICU?  I knew she had some health issues, but did I completely miss the fact that she was pregnant?  Well, I was relieved to find out that I had not been living under a rock after all.  This was not her baby.  She was just visiting.  Then she told me Landry's story.  I just knew I had to photograph this precious baby as soon as possible.

Here is Landry's story, as told by her dad.

"Landry Hope was born on November 15, 2016. Her gestational age was exactly 29 weeks. She weighed 2 pounds 11 ounces, and measured 15 inches in length. When the nurse asked us if we had settled on a name, we told her we had not. We knew we liked Landry for a girl because it is my mother-in-law's maiden name, but we had not settled on a middle name. We didn't even know if we were having a boy or a girl. So, we agreed on Landry and my wife, Marie, turned to me and said "what about Hope" for a middle name. She nailed it. We were full of hope that Landry would grow and things would be ok.

Tragically, my wife Marie, passed away one week after giving birth. The name Hope suddenly took on an entire new meaning for me and my entire family. We are incredibly grateful for the care that Landry received during her NICU stay. We were told that Landry would probably be in the NICU until somewhere around her due date of January 31st. Because of the incredible care she received in the NICU, she was able to come home on the 4th of January. She now weighs more than 7 pounds and is doing well."

{Request your own free NICU portraits HERE.}

Brooklyn's One Year Cake Smash | Charlotte, North Carolina | Child Portrait Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Brooklyn is one!  Can you believe this sweet little baby from this newborn session, this 3 month session, and this 6 month session is already over a year old?!  I cannot believe how fast she's growing, so I know her mom and dad must feel the same way!  Amy, Elliot, and Brooklyn have been a joy to work with over the past year, and I'm excited to continue working with them in the future!

Baby Plan membership includes a one year session, so Amy decided to do outdoor photos in addition to an indoor cake smash.  Brooklyn was not super excited to destroy the cake like most babies.  She's a lady, so she went about it very carefully.  However, once she got a little taste, she was all in!  

The Story of the Cake

Brooklyn did great at her session, considering the type of morning she and her mom were having.  The cake was ordered a few weeks before the session to be picked up at a local bakery.  When Amy arrived, she was told that the cake was actually going to be ready the next Friday.  Wrong.  She needed the cake that morning.  They messed up the date, so they were kind enough to give Amy four cupcakes to use at the session.  Not ideal, but it would work.  

Amy arrives with Brooklyn, unloads her outfits and diaper bag, and sets Brooklyn down.  She goes back for the cupcakes.  She walks in the door and immediately drops them, face down, on the floor!  Poor Amy!  We took a field trip up the road to Daphne's Bakery, and they certainly saved the day!  They had the most tasty almond cake ready to go, and of course it was nice and neutral - just how I like them.  

Luckily, Amy is a good sport and didn't let the cake fiasco ruin her day.  The new cake was delicious!  It was a little too big for Brooklyn, so of course Amy and I had to help her eat it!  Brooklyn was happy throughout her session, and we were able to capture some really cute images of her!

Aiden | In-Home Newborn Session | Charlotte, North Carolina Newborn Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Aiden wasn't supposed to be one of my preemies that I usually photograph in the NICU.  His mom called me well in advance of her due date, but unfortunately Aiden came a little earlier than expected.  He was born at 34 weeks and did spend some time in the NICU, but today is healthy and at home!

I photographed him in his home and he did so great!  He slept throughout his entire session, and didn't make a peep.  I loved hanging out with his mom during his session too.  She's so easy going and is thankful to have her boy home with her.  Enjoy Aiden's newborn images!