You guys have asked some questions about taking our own newborn photos, making Teddy’s birth announcement, taking Clara’s four year photo & making her annual video, and what I got for Mother’s Day (spoiler alert: it’s a super sentimental photo book of kid quotes from Clara), so this post is a smorgasbord of all that documentation. As I wrote this I thought “maybe John and I are more ‘document-happy’ than most people” – you know, to take so many photos and make a yearly video, etc. But then I realized that most people with a blog probably lean towards a love of capturing things, and a ton of our non-blogging friends and relatives have phones and computers full of videos and photos of their kids. So I think it’s just easier than ever thanks to cell phones, and maybe we’re not that unusual after all.
We did stash our phones and break out the good camera to snap some casual newborn photos when Teddy was just a week old though, so here’s our favorite one on the cover of his birth announcement. We just used a template from TinyPrints, added the picture, and bought a few dozen.
As is the case with most photoshoots, it gets a lot less glamorous when you zoom out. Yup, we snapped the photo above while John stood between a giant box and a plant in the office.
Teddy was just seven days old when we did this, because we wanted to capture his sweet squishy newborn stage. Our amazing brother-in-law Todd (who’s a professional photographer) also offered to take some family & baby photos for us, so it was nice to know that the pictures we took wouldn’t be the only ones. It took the pressure way down, and made it nice and fun. John and I both got in on the shooting action, and we even got some sweet pictures of Clara and Teddy together.
As for the tools we used for our casual little shoot (professionals we’re not, so these really came in handy), we used the diffuser I got John for Christmas, a soft surface that we created with a pile of blankets and a Boppy on our office desk, and a step stool to help us take some shots from above.
The difference of the diffuser was pretty dramatic. The shot on the left is one we took without it – and then we held up the diffuser to even out the light and took another picture. These baby-in-a-basket shots make us laugh because he straight-up looks like he’s in the womb. I think good pro photographers can pull off setups like these, but after snapping a few we moved on to simpler shots of him sleeping, John holding him, Clara looking at him, etc.
We took these photos with our Nikon D3200 and our nifty fifty lens (it’s an AF-S Nikkor 50mm lens that we’ve had for a few years now). It’s great for shooting detail shots and creating that blurred background, but we never use it for full room shots (we use the stock lens that came with our camera for those).
We also tried to include things with meaning to us in the photos…
… like this sweet blanket that my brother’s wife Ali knitted for us (it was the first one she ever made – and it came out awesome!).
Baby foot intermission. I still contend there is nothing cuter.
I love this photo that captures Teddy’s cute hair and John’s wedding ring with a simple light background. I still can’t believe how much hair he had at birth since Clara had hardly any for a while.
Here’s one with eyes, was a total coup for us since he was still pretty sleepy and squinty at seven days old.
We also wanted to get some shots of Clara with him, so we used our bed as a casual background.
This one melts my heart. This girl LOVES her brother.
We liked these shots so much that we used a series of them on the back of Teddy’s announcement.
These photos were taken the next day, just randomly when they were laying in our bed.
They’re a pretty hilarious pair, these two.
Which leads us to Clara’s latest photo project picture. A bunch of you started asking where her four year shot was after we shared her birthday party (thanks for the reminders! It had completely slipped our mind between party stuff and general newborn happenings).
It’s pretty crazy to see how much she has grown since we started the project. One of our favorite things to do now is to take Teddy’s weekly photo and then look back at Clara’s photo from that same week. She loves studying his photos next to hers, and it’s fun for us to pick out a few similarities and differences.
We also got some pretty great outtakes from Clara’s four year photo. The one on the right kills me. She saw it and said “I look like a flamingo!”
And now for my mother’s day gift. It made me full on ugly-cry. John secretly put together a little photobook full of Clara Conversations for me.
Every page had me doing that smiling-with-tears-running-down-my-face thing. It’s one of my favorite things ever. And such a huge surprise. I have no idea when he snuck the time in to make it.
John even thought to leave the last page blank so Clara could draw our family. Look at us, all holding hands. I also like how Daddy is smaller than Teddy. And the Easter stickers are a nice touch too.
Update: John made/bought the book through MyPublisher, which is also where we order our family yearbooks (although this book is smaller and thinner than those).
How are you guys documenting things these days? Is your phone full of photos? Have you make any videos with clips and pictures set to music (here’s a post about how we make ours). Is anyone else sending out birth announcements? Is it weird that I keep them? I have dozens of them, from every friend and relative who has ever sent them to us, and I keep them in a big stack next to the cookbooks in a kitchen cabinet.
Jess says
Wow, John is going to have a hard time ever topping that gift. So sweet! Thanks for posting about the diffuser. I never realized what a huge difference it makes. I’m getting one!
Jenn says
Just wanted to say that picture of him with his eyes open is awesome!!! Baby feet are the most amazing thing I love playing with my kids feet, lol
Also the outtakes with Clara and him the bottom right one he looks like he is picking his nose..lol and the out takes of Clara’s yearly pictures the one on the right she totally looks like Sherry!!
Ginger James says
Although it is apparent to all your followers,fans,friends and family that you are creatively talented, I think it is becoming more apparent and important to note that your true gift if the ability to embrace love and give love in ways that make a difference in every life you touch both personally and electronically through your blog. What a blessing, a true gift to have been given and what a joy it is to be one who receives the blessing each time I open your emails. Don’t ever forget to use the greatest gift for the greatest purpose and that, for your family, is loving each and every minute you have been given and never taking things for granted. Today, this blog entry, your video, the pictures captured that truth better than ever. Thank you for being such an awesome source of happiness!
Marcy says
Ha! I think with digital we’re all documentarians but bloggers are also sharers. We have SOOO many pictures and videos of our girls but no one ever sees them. I need to get on the ball and make some yearbooks – you guys gave me the idea but I have to find the time/motivation on my own. :(
A quick question about your 50mm lens. We have the same (or nearly the same) camera and I’ve been interested in a 50mm lens. I looked it up but there are several different AF-S 50mm Nikkor lenses. f1.8G, f1.8D, f1.4D??? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Marcy! Here’s a post with a link to the exact lens that we use :)
xo
s
Emily, Our house now a home says
These pictures are precious. I am a huge picture taker, with my phone and a big, snazzy camera too. I love the ones that capture them in their element, natural ones. I have used snapfish for photo books for our family. I love them, but sometimes feel they are limited with picture placement. I will look into MyPublisher. I stumbled across doing our family pictures this way and adore the result. I can zoom in, crop, edit, the pictures. turn a random snapshot into one of my favorite pictures. The one thing I struggle with is I am very behind in getting them done. It takes me forever to get the books just right. Damn perfectionism.
Marie-Pier @ 4 Seasons at Home says
That post is sooo lovely! You seem so happy guys with your cute family! I wish you an amazing summer and thanks for making me discover two great songs! :)
Lisa in Seattle says
John, assuming MyPublisher would take care of actual production, you should just pick a price point for the Clara Conversations book. Within a few weeks you will have an entire swimming pool full of money a la Scrooge McDuck. Trust me.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Lisa, you’re so sweet!
xo
s
Debbie C says
That book is the best gift! John is definitely a keeper. ;) And like you Sherry, I have every birth announcement too! And about a million baby feet shots from every angle of both kids. Can’t get enough…soon those pudgy feet will be so big.
Erika H says
Hi! I save all the announcements and Christmas cards with kid pics too. A couple of years ago I got one of those cheap albums with the plastic covered pages and started keeping them all in there. It’s fun to see the changes over the years with all of our friends and family.
You guys do such a nice job of documenting everything. I wish I could be more organized and on top of that with my guys. Your work is inspiring. Thanks for being so willing to share!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a really fun idea Erika!
xo
s
Bethany @ Dwellings by DeVore says
Beautiful photos! I love the ones of Clara and Teddy, so so sweet! And that book?!? I would not be able to hold back the tears either!
Anastasia says
Beautiful pictures!
I am scrolling through Clara’s photo project and comparing to Teddy and laughed SO hard at the week 6 comparison… same pose! Adorable!
Congrats on your beautiful family
Karlie says
CUTIE kids. Adorable now, and can’t wait to see them grow up as best friends.
Betsy says
Oh dear just watched the video…..I’m bawling! LOVE IT! No new baby emotions here as my baby will be 30 this year! Time flys! Please enjoy each and every moment!
gudrun82 says
Love the Clara conversations books! Plus, I’m a softy for the name Clara. That’s my daughter’s name as well. Named for her Great Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother.
Was there any particular format John used to make the book on MyPublisher? I love how the quotes look on the side with the photos! Thanks for sharing!!! Love your blog and just bought your book at Target the other day. How exciting for you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
I just added photos to the layout and text along the side, so it wasn’t a premade template but it was pretty simple.
-John
Heather S. says
When I add photos, they’re all free form… how did you get yours to be the same size and spaced evenly? I love the look too, especially with the square Instagram pics!
Veronica says
My sweet Sherry and John,
I have been reading your blog for 3.5 years. I fell in love with your wonderful family from the first site. I loved your adventures of buying new houses and settling in. All the time me and my family were renting a tiny apartment. I bought your book happily and thought about decorating my new house and just kept dreaming for hours on end!
And finally it happened. We just bought our first house yesterday. I told all our family and friends. But of course, I had to tell you!!!!
Thank you for all the inspiration!!!
Oh, btw, Ted and Clara are so lovely!
xoxo
Veronica
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Veronica! Congrats a million times over! What an exciting time! Wishing you nothing but the best!
xo
s
Dawn says
Oh my gosh – love these pics! The ones with Clara and Teddy together are incredible!
Lisa says
What a sweet precious baby! And Clara a continuing delight!! Congratulations!
Beth says
What a HAPPY, content little girl. You guys are doing it right! It’s so nice to see how smily she is in the video and I think her family drawing is beyond perfect… love how you all are holding hands! (And kudos to John for surprising you with such an awesome keepsake!) Congrats to you all…
JoDi says
I just love your beautiful family. Your joy and love for each other just shines through in everything.
I am SO glad you started sharing family stuff here on the blog again. It’s always been one of my favorite things about your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much JoDi!
xo
s
Hannah says
I love, love, love, loved this post! So much happy squishiness in one post! What a treasure to have these photos and videos to look back on. The photo of Clara looking lovingly down on Teddy…oh my..!
And major props for making such a beautiful book, John. And mad skills with the baby photography – looks so professional!
Anna // Gone Banannas says
The picture of Clara and Teddy staring at each other on the bed made me hold my breath for a second! What an incredibly precious moment you guys caught. The love they have for each other is abundant in that picture. <3
Minna says
She TOTALLY looks like a flamingo, I love it! Also, I love that she drew all of you holding hands – so sweet.
Monica says
Such a random question, but here goes… Is there any way you can ask your friend who knitted the gorgeous blanket for the name of the yarn she used? I’m looking for something very similar and can’t find anything. Doesn’t help that I live in the middle of nowhere Missouri and my shopping prospects are extremely limited! ha Your help would be VERY much appreciated! P.S. First time commenter, long time reader. Your blog is great and the babies are gorgeous! Thanks for giving me great ideas and funny posts to read. Yours is the only DIY blog I am sure to read every day! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! I’ll text Ali and hopefully drop back in with an answer for you!
xo
s
Monica says
You’re awesome! Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Ok, she unfortunately doesn’t know the name/type of yarn except that it was machine washable, she thinks the color was ingigo blue, and she got it at a store called 2 Stix & A String in Jersey City. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Monica says
Well, that’s a start! Thanks so much! And thanks to Ali!
Brittany says
I LOVE that last song (“Be Okay”), so thannnks for introducing it to me! :)
Brittany says
Sorry – in Clara’s video I mean :)
YoungHouseLove says
It’s sweet, isn’t it?
xo
s
ombia says
Beautiful happy kids! I enjoyed your video a lot! Congrats for a new baby!
SarahSmile says
Oh. my. goodness. HOW in the world could that video NOT make you mushy!?! It’s so perfect and she’s such a happy happy girl! Her girl and smile just makes my heart smile! It made me so happy just thinking about being a mommy someday down the road. You guys make it look so incredible and so right! Keep up what you’re doing!
xoxo
Ashley says
Hi there- I have a question about your “videos” within Clara’s annual video. Do you still use your flip camera to take the videos or do you primarily use your iPhone? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Those are all iPhone videos I think. Maybe one or two is from our camera (Nikon D3200) but we primarily use our phones.
xo
s
Heather S. says
LOVE that quote book!! I’ve been collecting my kids’ quotes for awhile now and slapping them into a book is a perfect idea! Love the pics too. How did John get the Instagram pics into MyPublisher? All of my Instagram pics are from my phone, but I’m doing MyPublisher on my laptop. I know it must be obvious, but I’m feeling sort of clueless… : )
YoungHouseLove says
You can go to instagram.com on your laptop (just add a slash and your username after instagram.com) and drag them off from there. We have our instagram pics synched to our iPhoto, so they automatically import there for us, so that’s another option. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Heather S. says
Got it! Thank you!! I was missing the whole “drag” part. I knew it was something simple. It’s been about 6 years since I made a book through MyPublisher… so, um, that means I haven’t made ANY books with my kids in them (since my son just turned 6!) Oops. : )
Whitney Dupuis says
We have recently moved so I am just now catching up on posts, but I had to comment on this one. It was so sweet and that video made me cry for real. It yet again reminds me that I need to work on my son’s videos for each year. He is four and I haven’t done any. Any tips on how to make them easier? I have done one minute and half video and it took a couple of hours to create.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Whitney! Here’s a post John did a while back about our video methods/tips: https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/09/video-replay/
xo
s
Whitney Dupuis says
Oh, thank you! I vaguely remember seeing this post before but that helps!
Maria @ Something Decorated says
Those are the sweetest pictures ever and I love Clara’s birthday video. I love the glimpses we get into the way that you both document things — I can’t wait to do the same when my husband and I start our family. :-)
Agustina says
I LOVE your Clara Conversations and LOVE that you have a book of them! They crack me up!!
As for birth announcements …. I keep all the ones I get and have a stack of those plus photo Christmas cards, wedding save the dates, etc that I keep every year. Then when I put away all the Christmas stuff, I make a “book” with binder rings and cardboard (and decorate with washi tape :)) and I keep it out in a basket on a built in all year round. It is fun to go back and a) see how little these babies were! and b) compare pics of friends from over the years.
Julia says
S and J,
We am prepping for our first baby to arrive in September which means getting out photography Ps & Qs in order! Suggestions for where to buy a diffuser? It makes such a difference?
Thanks and congrats on your beautiful family!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! We got ours from amazon.com. Here’s the post with the direct link for you: https://www.younghouselove.com/2014/01/christmas-gifts-and-other-good-stuff/
xo
s