In the delicate art of capturing newborn portraits, photographers often find themselves at a crossroads, balancing the desire for perfection with the authenticity of each precious moment. It’s a decision fraught with meaning, as they ponder whether to edit out imperfections or preserve them as integral parts of a child’s narrative.

Recently, I found myself faced with this very dilemma as I gazed upon the innocent face of a newborn, her tiny hand adorned with a bruise from an IV. In that moment, I paused, reflecting on the significance of that mark and the story it told.

Inquiries to parents about editing out blemishes like stork bites or bruises often yield varied responses. Some opt for pristine perfection, seeking to present their child in an idealized light. Others, however, embrace the imperfections, recognizing them as poignant reminders of the journey their little one has embarked upon.

For this particular newborn, I made a conscious decision to honor her story by retaining the bruise on her hand. While some may question this choice, I saw it as a testament to her resilience, a symbol of the challenges she had already overcome in her brief time on this earth.

This tiny warrior had faced adversity with courage and grace, and I felt compelled to capture that spirit in my photographs. To edit out her bruise would be to erase a part of her truth, denying future generations the opportunity to glimpse the strength that resided within her from the very beginning.

In a world tht often seeks perfection at the expense of authenticity, it’s essential to celebrate the uniqueness of every child. Each stork bite, each bruise, tells a story – a story of resilience, of vulnerability, of the journey from infancy to adolescence and beyond.

As photographers, we are entrusted with the sacred task of preserving these stories, weaving them into the tapestry of family history. And so, I invite parents to join me in embracing the imperfections, in cherishing the moments that make their child uniquely theirs.

For it is in these moments, in the tiny bruises and blemishes, that the true essence of childhood is found. And it is in embracing these imperfections that we honor the beauty of the human experience, in all its messy, glorious complexity.