Celebrating 7 years of NICU Portraits!

Whew! I can’t believe this little business of mine is still going strong! After almost 10 years in the business and 7 years photographing preemies, I can definitely say it’s been a fun ride. It’s taken a lot of work and sacrifices, but with that has come a lot of smiles. 😀 Running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart, especially when you throw in a pandemic! It certainly complicated things, but I also didn’t mind the forced slow-down. I know many businesses struggled, but some of us won’t ever take a step back unless we’re forced! Like many families, mine got to enjoy some extra togetherness in that season.

When I started photographing NICU babies in 2016, I went in with the simple goal of offering families a sense of normalcy. Just because you have a NICU baby doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful portraits, too! I see it as a small way to bring some beauty into the NICU journey and to celebrate these precious, tiny humans.

I’ve enjoyed meeting so many wonderful clients along the way, and they have truly made my business what it is today. Without all of you, it wouldn’t exist! I’m at the stage now where I don’t see many of my newborn clients as often because their kids are getting older, and they just don’t take photos as frequently. However, I have been reconnecting with many NICU families “out in the wild” and that has been so fun! I don’t always recognize them until we make the connection that I photographed their family in the NICU. I have also had the pleasure of many NICU families turning into regular clients!

I celebrate a lot of small, private wins, but some of my big wins over the past decade of photography include: being published in a magazine, starting my NICU Portrait program, and building my photography schedule around my life schedule. As you can see on the left, I have also managed to donate canvases to decorate the walls of the family room in a local NICU. While those may not be milestones for others, I see them as major achievements! Everyone runs their business a little differently. That’s the beauty of owning a small business!

Here’s a little reminder about how far camera phones have come over the past decade. 😆 This was one of my first “primaries” after I started working in the NICU in 2012! As one of his primary nurses, that meant that when I was working, I was caring for him (and 1 or 2 other babies).

I still remember how scared his parents were after his rough delivery. They were such a sweet family, and we still keep in touch!

As someone who has always loved everything tiny, it has been a gift to be a NICU nurse for 10 years and to bring my passion for NICU babies and photography together for the past 7 years. I can’t wait to see what exciting things the next years of my business and the NICU Portrait program hold!

P.S. I can’t make a post about my NICU Portrait program without a special thank you to Bee Mighty, who sponsors them!

Fresh 48 | Luxury Membership | Newborn Photography | Charlotte, North Carolina

Why I love Fresh 48 Sessions

For a limited time only, receive a complimentary Fresh 48 session when you book a

Luxury Membership (depending on availability)

It’s hard to put it into words exactly what is so special about a Fresh 48 session! The excitement and love for your new little one is tangible. Meeting a new person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, after all!

Because these sessions usually occur while you’re still in the hospital, the focus is on the connection between you, your partner, and your little one and not so much on your image. As such, these photos tend to be more raw and authentic. In fact, if I had to choose just one word to explain why I love a Fresh 48 session that’s it: authenticity.

P.S. There are a few other advantages, too. Your baby will be at their sleepiest at this point and hasn’t had the chance to develop any baby acne yet!

I can’t wait to be introduced to your new little one!

Catalina | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina Newborn Photographer

Tell me more about NICU portraits!

Hi! I’m Krista. I’m a Charlotte, North Carolina area photographer and I also happen to be a NICU nurse. I love all things little, and that includes babies! In 2016, an organization called Pierce’s Project helped me begin photographing babies in the NICU as a way to help capture a significant time in these babies’s lives, and in the lives of their parents. In 2021, Bee Mighty acquired Piece’s Project and continues the mission of serving families in Charlotte-area NICUs. They sponsor these free NICU portraits, in addition to many other services including counseling, therapy, equipment, and care packages.

Catalina

I had the opportunity to photograph Catalina and her mom shortly after Catalina turned 2 months old. Catalina was born at 27 1/2 weeks and weighed 800 grams - that’s less than 2 lbs! In the NICU we often refer to a baby by their adjusted age, so we would refer to Catalina at the time of our meeting as 38 weeks adjusted. This way of referring to a preemie’s age helps us to remember what to expect in terms of their development. At 38 weeks adjusted, we would expect a preemie to behave like a typical newborn, not like a full-term baby at 2 months old.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up for NICU portraits in the Charlotte, North Carolina area by submitting an inquiry here. I open booking for sessions at each of the two area NICUs once per month. Booking usually opens about 1 week or so before the scheduled morning of sessions at each location. After your inquiry and when booking is open, I’ll respond to you with more information, including a link to choose your preferred time slot on the pre-selected day. Because of Bee Mighty’s sponsorship, these sessions are completely free for you!

When is the best time to have portraits of my NICU baby taken?

As soon as possible! For some families, these may be the only professional photos of their baby that they will ever have. ❤ As a NICU nurse, I am comfortable with NICU babies of all ages and levels of care. For even the tiniest of preemies, I am able to accommodate their needs. I can photograph babies in isolettes, and even adjust to deal with that pesky glare! And I am well acquainted with all of the cords and wires. Even still, I will leave it to you or your baby’s nurse to do most of the handling of your baby. I would love to photograph your baby at any time on their NICU journey.

Keep your eyes out for more photos of Catalina on my @kristaganttphotography Instagram account soon! Now that she’s out of the NICU, I had the pleasure of photographing her in my studio recently. It was a unique and special opportunity to photograph her family in their traditional dress before her extended family returned home to Mexico.

Style Guide | Newborn Photography | Young Families

STYLE GUIDE

EDIT: The style guide has been updated as of August 2023. Items that are out of stock are no longer linked, and remaining linked items may have limited availability. Feel free to continue to use it for inspiration!

This year I’m giving you behind the scenes peeks at my business and sharing exciting milestones, as we countdown to the 10th anniversary of Krista Gantt Photography. Today I am super excited to share with you the beginnings of my own style guide! Part of my role as your photographer is providing style tips, so you’re looking your best for your session. I have always been happy to communicate with you one-on-one to share my suggestions and give feedback on coordinating family members. I am still happy to do that, but I wanted to do just a little bit more this year. Having all of this information in one place gives you a great place to begin your shopping!

I’ve started out with the basics, neutrals that will work well for newborn sessions or any occasion. I have included options available from a variety of retailers to accommodate a range of budgets. You’ll see options for every age, but don’t forget that I have lots of outfit options on hand in my studio for babies (newborns to 1 year olds). I would love for you to check back throughout the year to see more options appear as we approach the dates for select mini sessions and as the seasons change. I know this will be a great resource as you prepare for your session! I can’t wait to share more soon.