For the past four months, I've been a freelance photographer with First Day Photo, a Twin Cities company that I love being a part of. Photographing newborns --  one day old babies -- is a gift. I get the gift. I get the amazing opportunity to take photos of these infants for their families. And there is nothing quite like it.

The photos are shot in hospital rooms using natural light. The shades are pulled up and I make an assessment as to where the light is coming from. It might be raining or snowing, or just the wrong angle for that moment in that room to get much light. Body position (mine and the infant's) make a difference. It makes a photographer more sensitive to light.

This stunning face was photographed in a Minneapolis hospital this fall. His father was holding him and then...his eyes met the lens. That's the moment I hope for. If the baby's eyes remain closed for the whole photo shoot, that's fine too. But when I get this, I melt. This is when I get the gift. Ah. So beautiful. So utterly beautiful.

ISO 800, 1/80 second, F3.2, Nikon 17-55mm at 40 mm