I'll never forget when Juliet, Cameron's mom, reached out to schedule her newborn session. Cameron was still in her belly, as Juliet was finishing her second trimester. We had a lovely phone conversation; I always enjoy chatting with potential clients when they’re open to it. It’s so much more personal to answer their questions and connect with them directly. Juliet shared her story with me, about baby Leyton who was born sleeping, and how thrilled yet anxious they were about their little rainbow baby growing inside her. She expressed her concerns about booking a session due to the real anxiety and fear following such a loss. I reassured her that it was perfectly okay to feel excited and make plans; after all, the anticipation and preparation are part of the joyous journey. I believe my words brought her some comfort, as she booked the session that very day.

On the day of the session, I’ll always remember how Juliet walked in, looking tired like all new parents, but I also noticed a hospital band on her wrist. She had just returned from the hospital the day before due to some complications and still had a urine bag attached to her leg. Yet, with a determined smile, she said, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’m so excited to have his photos done by you.”

The session itself was serene and magical. Cameron slept peacefully, allowing us to capture a variety of beautiful setups. My favorite was a tender scene where Cameron was having a teddy bear picnic with his late brother’s bear, which held a recording of Leyton’s heartbeat from an ultrasound, and another bear he was gently clutching. Both, my assistant Gemma and I, were moved to tears by the beauty of the moment.

When Juliet and Craig came to view the photos, it was a deeply moving experience. Juliet expressed her gratitude for the sensitive and personal nature of our face-to-face meeting, which made the process even more special. They decided to take all the photos, as most of my clients do, and later left a heartfelt and glowing review that touched me deeply.

I chose to write this blog post to always carry in my heart the special memory of the day of Cameron’s newborn photo session. He is the sweetest rainbow baby.
Juliet and Craig also shared their beautiful initiative – they create jewellery from ashes for families who have lost loved ones, be it a family member or a pet, helping them keep a part of their loved ones close. Their Facebook page is linked below, showcasing their stunning jewelry, and they donate 10% of their profits to selected charities.

I can’t wait to see Cameron again next year for his first birthday Cake Smash!

Here’s just a little bit of the story, how Leyton’s Wings started.