Charlotte — Dusty Pink, Lilac, and One Very Proud Big Sister

Some sessions are soft from the very first frame, and Charlotte’s was one of them. A brand-new baby girl with a little tuft of dark hair, wrapped in dusty pink, fast asleep in her mama’s arms — and beside her, a curly-haired toddler in a cream knit sweater, barefoot and beaming, already so proud to be the big sister.

We started with the four of them on the classic grey backdrop: Dad in a soft taupe sweater, Mom holding Charlotte, and her big sister standing right between them where she belongs. Charlotte slept through it all, one bare foot peeking out of her wrap, completely unbothered by her new fame.

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Then came my favourite kind of chaos — the good kind. Charlotte’s sister leaned her cheek against Mom, laughing with her whole face, one little hand reaching for the baby. And Charlotte? She smiled in her sleep. A real, unmistakable, mid-dream smile, as if she already knew her sister was going to be her favourite person.

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There is also a quieter portrait — just Mom and Dad holding their daughter together between them, both smiling at the camera while Charlotte sleeps with her head tilted to one side, her little flower headband perfectly in place. Two parents, completely smitten, and a baby who has no idea yet how loved she is. Actually — she might. She slept like it.

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Charlotte’s solo portraits moved into the softest colours: lilac and lavender backdrops, a mauve wrap, and a tiny wicker bed surrounded by flowers — white magnolias, lavender and purple blooms, bright blue blossoms and hot-pink dahlias all gathered around her like a garden that showed up just for her. In the closer portrait her hand rests up by her cheek, her burgundy headband with its little gold flower matching the deeper tones in the flowers below.

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Every session has one photo that makes everyone laugh, and Charlotte’s is pure spa day: a fluffy white robe, a towel turban wrapped around her head, curled up on a soft purple fur rug while her mama’s hand — red nails, diamond ring — holds her tiny feet. A girl who clearly already understands self-care.

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And then, in the very last portrait of her session, Charlotte opened her eyes. Blue-grey and curious, looking straight into the camera, wrapped in soft taupe with her bare feet in the foreground and a pink flower headband in her hair. After sleeping so sweetly through her whole session, she saved her one awake portrait for the end — as if she wanted to say hello properly before she left.

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It was an honor to capture these fleeting, precious first days for this sweet family of four, and I am so grateful they trusted me with them. Welcome to the world, Charlotte. Your sister has been waiting for you — and it shows.

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Celebrate Your Newborn

Alina Renert Photography is a Chicago, IL photographer, with national and international publications.

Are you looking for a Chicago, IL newborn photographer? I would love to work with you! I offer a fun, unique experience in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, including Wheeling, IL. I also serve surrounding areas, including Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Northbrook, Vernon Hills, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Glenview, Des Plaines, and other surrounding Chicago suburbs. Newborn sessions are best booked during pregnancy, as I take a limited number of sessions each month. To book your session, use this contact page.

To book your session, use this form.