Welcome to the World, Caleb James North

It’s not every day I get to photograph a newborn who feels like family — but this session was exactly that. Sweet Caleb James North made his debut on September 17, 2025, at 4:03 a.m., weighing 6 lbs 2.8 oz and measuring 20 inches long.

His mama, Courtney Jenna Skinner, has been part of my life for many years. We have known the Skinner family for years — our families are close friends, and I’ve had the joy of photographing their family portraits and all three of the Skinner kids’ senior sessions. So, when Courtney became a mom, it was truly surreal to capture her little one’s first portraits.

This session was a gift from my heart — for Courtney, for Caleb, and for Grandma “Gigi” Jennifer, who joined us in the studio that day with tears in her eyes as we captured her first grandbaby’s newborn portraits. It was such a special and emotional day filled with love, laughter, and a few extra snuggles from me!

Soft Blues, Creams, and Browns – Classic & Timeless

Courtney wanted Caleb’s newborn session to feel calm, simple, and timeless — with soft shades of blue, white, and brown. She didn’t have a specific theme in mind, but she loved the clean, classic setups that let her baby boy be the focus.

We started with a cozy setup featuring Caleb wrapped snugly in a soft blue blanket, surrounded by gentle textures that made him look so peaceful. His little hands rested perfectly beneath his chin — the sweetest pose that new parents always melt over.

Simply Sweet in White

Next, we switched to a white knit outfit and bonnet, keeping things pure and classic. The neutral tones against the rich blue backdrop created a stunning contrast that brought out Caleb’s delicate newborn features. He looked so serene, especially when holding onto a tiny stuffed bunny — one of my favorite moments from this part of the session.

Cozy Farmhouse Vibes

For the next setup, we added a bit of rustic charm. Caleb was tucked into a tiny textured brown bed, layered with cozy blankets and surrounded by touches of soft greenery for a natural, organic feel. The warm wooden floor brought a cozy farmhouse style to this scene — timeless and full of heart.

His little white outfit tied everything together perfectly, and the whole setup had this peaceful, storybook quality that I just loved.

The Little Brown Bear

One of my favorite parts of the session was when Caleb transformed into a tiny brown bear! Wrapped in cozy brown layers and placed in a soft fur-lined basket, he looked every bit the cuddly little bear cub. I added a tiny crocheted bear for an extra sweet touch.

The warm, earthy tones gave this setup such a comforting and natural feel — it was the perfect blend of cute and classic.

A Bear Family Moment

We continued the bear theme having Caleb dressed in a brown bear romper, nestled between three adorable teddy bears “sitting” on a shelf. The soft beige background added warmth and a touch of nostalgia. This playful setup was one of those “everyone smiles when they see it” moments — perfectly sweet and timeless.

Goodnight, Moon

We ended the session on a dreamy note with a moon-and-stars setup, dressed in another soft blue outfit. Caleb rested gently on a crescent moon pillow surrounded by a celestial backdrop of stars and clouds. It felt magical — the perfect finish to his newborn portraits.

He slept soundly through this final setup, which is every photographer’s dream! It was the sweetest way to wrap up this sentimental, love-filled session.

A Session Filled with Heart

This newborn session was extra special to me — not only because of the adorable baby boy in front of my lens, but because of the deep friendship behind it. Watching Courtney become a mom and seeing her mother, Jennifer, by her side reminded me just how powerful these moments are to capture.

Each setup was created with so much care and love, and little Caleb made every single one of them even sweeter. I’ll forever cherish this session and the memories we made together.

Portrait of Elk Grove photographer Shawn Spencer holding a camera, smiling warmly, with a pink heart graphic and black background design for blog signature
 

To see other newborn sessions check out below:

Shawn Spencer

I’m a Portrait Photographer Servicing Elk Grove California and the greater Sacramento area.

https://www.shawnspencerphotography.com
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