There’s something incredibly peaceful about photographing a newborn outdoors, especially in a place as quiet and beautiful as the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. This outdoor newborn session with Jordyn Wieber Brooks and Chris Brooks was a special one for many reasons. Their daughter, Gigi, just over a week old, was calm and sleepy, nestled in her parents’ arms. The entire morning felt slow, easy, and full of sweetness.
Jordyn mentioned early on that she was drawn to the idea of an outdoor newborn session, and the Botanical Garden was the perfect fit. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot; peaceful, open, and always changing with the seasons. We were lucky to dodge a downpour; it had been a rainy stretch of spring, but the overcast skies gave us soft, even light and an even more serene feel.
The family dressed in soft pastels and neutrals that complemented the setting perfectly. Jordyn wore a delicate white floral dress, and Chris wore a pale blue polo and light shorts. Baby Gigi was tucked into a soft cotton gauze romper with a tiny pink bow, so classic and timeless.
We started early in the morning, when the gardens were still mostly empty, and the calm matched the vibe of this new family of three.
Chris spent a good portion of the session snapping candid photos of Jordyn with his phone, and it made my heart melt. Watching a new dad in total awe of his wife and new baby is one of my favorite things to witness as a newborn photographer. Their admiration for each other is easy to see, and they already work beautifully together as a team.
I loved this little stone wall framed by roses, where we tucked the bassinet and captured some portraits of Gigi. It’s not every day I get to photograph an outdoor newborn session in a garden, but I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. The birds and the breeze act like nature’s sound machine. The fresh air and quiet surroundings bring such a peaceful energy to the experience. I’ve seen it with my own babies: being outside can be incredibly calming, especially in those early newborn days.
There were so many little moments that made this session memorable. Baby Gigi yawned her way through much of it (a photographer’s gold!) and gave us the sweetest sleepy smiles. At the very end, just as we were wrapping up, she flashed the tiniest grin as Chris kissed Jordyn. It was the perfect note to end on.
Some sessions feel like a deep breath. This one definitely did. Jordyn and Chris were so present with each other and with their baby. And that’s always the goal for me: photos that feel like you, not stiff poses or a rushed experience. Just connection, calm, and little moments that you’ll want to remember forever.
Let’s Make Something Beautiful Together
If you love the idea of a peaceful, natural newborn session (indoors or out), let’s plan it together. I’m based in Bentonville and serve families all across Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale. Outdoor newborn sessions like this are a favorite of mine, especially when you want something that feels simple and authentic.
