Dads: Push Presents are a Real Thing | What You Need to Know for 2018

The Push Present Trend: Everything You Need to know + some sweet, fun, and memorable ideas to get you started. 

What's A Push Present? 

Around 2010 a new trend began: the push present. If you're a first time Dad, you may be wondering, "what exactly is a push present?" A push present, you see, is exactly what it sounds like: a gift your partner gives to Mom to mark the special occasion of her giving birth to your child. Of course, the push present also applies to mamas who had a c-section. While a new bundle of joy is truly the ultimate gift, the push present is a tangible way for Dad to say thank you to Mom for carrying baby and also a way to shower Mom with attention. She just rocked her labor and delivery so impress her with a thoughtful, memorable and sweet gift that is sure to make her swoon! 

My husband gave me a push present

My favorite part of receiving a push present from my dear hubby was not the actual gift itself, though it was a lovely locket of three hearts intertwined as one, but it was knowing he planned something special that truly made me happy. For instance, upon returning home from the hospital with our first baby named Emma, he helped me get settled into my favorite comfy chair and get our daughter to sleep. I was totally surprised when he pulled a small box from his pocket and told me he had a special surprise for me. 8 years later, I still completely treasure that locket because I know how much time he had to put into selecting it. It was a simple gift with a huge meaning.

We had our first baby at 20 years old and when I look back at where we were in life it was just us, being married, bringing this tiny little baby home to our first apartment as college students. It was a little scary because we were so young but looking back I remember thinking how special the locket was because when you're working full time, going to college full time and a newly wed it does take some major work to find the time to shop for a pretty locket for your new wife. 

While the baby is the ultimate present and as parents, we cannot wait to meet our little bundle of joy, I equate push presents to be similar to days like Christmas or Valentines Day. It's a tangible way to show our partners we planned something special for them. It feels nice to be thought of - to know someone took the time to plan something special for you, to think of how much you would enjoy being surprised. It's not the budget that counts but the thought so below you'll find my favorite gifts, things that new Moms are sure to love.

Sarah's Top Recommendations for Dad's 

Jewelry is the most popular gift choice, however, there are some truly unique and awesome ideas to set yourself apart. Don't get me wrong: a few jewelry pieces did make the list of top push present recommendations for Dads, but I did keep sentimental value in mind.

I also chose to not include vacations on this list because the baby moon is typically done while you're pregnant. Vacations are a wonderful way to begin traditions and solidify family memories, however, as someone with several kiddos, I can attest that traveling when you've just had a baby is really daunting. The airport, car rental, lugging around tons of baby supplies and trying to breast feed can be stressful. This in mind, there are many wonderful vacation ideas out there, but they're better for when little one is no longer a newborn and perhaps more of a toddler. :-) However, I'm sure I'll eventually write a blog post on the best vacation spots for young children, ha! There's always next week, right? :-) 

I have four little ones myself so my list is curated and highly influenced by what truly matters: the thought and action behind your husband, partner or significant other doing something special for you.

Sarah's Favorite Pick: The Mombie Box

The Mombie Box is the top recommendation because it encompasses many essential gift traits: not only is it filled with gorgeous, feminine items, but it also is modern, fresh, useful and even  makes postpartum recovery a little less difficult. It has health, mind, and body all in mind with several curated options for new moms. This item is also a super awesome baby shower gift for your best gal pal, so keep that in mind, too, if you're a Mama reading this. 

What makes the Mombie Box the ultimate push present gift is it was designed by experienced mothers and medical professionals to make the first few months a little easier as they recover from labor and delivery. When having a new baby, Moms sometimes worry about things like making enough breast milk, nutrition, recovering, comfort and even healing. 

When purchasing a Mombie Box as your standout push present, there are three custom collections you may select from, all of which are themed:

• Nutrition

• Comfort & healing

• Spa

Inside the Mombie Box you'll find items such as:

• Bath Bomb

• Facial Mask

• Gel Packs

• Lactation Bar

• Lactation Tea

• Lanolin Cream

• Multi-Use Cover

• Protein Shake

• Stretch Mark Oil

• Water Bottle

This luxury push present does retail for $129, though has free shipping and a money back guarantee. 

 Favorite Sentimental Gifts: Photo Ideas

• Idea number one: creating photo album for your wife or partner

This is a sentimental gift that is something Mom is sure to adore! A friend of mine had something similar made for me during my baby shower with baby number 1, and even years later, I still enjoy looking at the photo album and reading all the sweet messages! The premise is very simple: select a photo album from any big box store such as Target, Hobby Lobby, etc. Ask her closest friends, family or loved ones to write messages and notes to Mom; if they have a favorite photo have them submit this as well. This is great way for them to share helpful advice, goodwill and kind messages as Mom enters motherhood! It's also a way for her to see all the support and love she has surrounding her. It does take a village and it will make Mom feel amazing to know she has so many loved ones who are excited for her!

• Idea number two: Invest in a consumer grade DSLR Camera

While we do live in a digital age and many of use our smart phones as our main camera, purchasing an entry level DSLR such as a Nikon or Canon is a wonderful option so you may have higher quality images for those everyday moments in your life! This is great for baby milestones such as baby having their first food, perhaps taking their first steps, and also when you start to go on fun family adventures. 

Here is a great Nikon DSLR option to get you started. If you're team Canon, here's a super great selection, too! These are easy to use and are not too complicated. :-) 

• Idea number three: professional newborn photography session

A professional newborn baby portrait session is a beautiful push present idea because many times, parents are not aware of how fleeting the newborn time is. Newborn sessions do take place in the first 14 days of life, if not sooner, and this is a way to gift mom with an heirloom she'll treasure forever! Moreover, many mothers may not think about being camera ready the first few days after having a baby, and may not want to have photos taken, however, if you chat with your newborn photographer, you will find someone who has a hair and make up recommendation, which is another way to make Mom feel very glamorous! Taking photos with your newborn baby is extremely special and there's nothing like those first few weeks; baby is fresh, sweet and new - and it goes by very fast! Booking the session in advance will ensure you have a wonderful experience in a professional atmosphere while preserving this incredibly special milestone in your life.

Meal or House Cleaning Services:

For Christmas this year, my in law's gifted my husband, Kevin, and I meal and house cleaning services since we had a new baby on 12/23. I have to be completely honest and say it ROCKS! I love how the house cleaner visits and helps keep things tidy; it's also amazing to have a meal service because now that we have four kids, our house is very spirited. The house cleaning and meal service is wonderful because it's two things I don't have to worry about. It's more time with my new baby and family. It takes some stress away from our day. 

• Hello Fresh

• Blue Apron

• Meal Train (great for friends to sign up, too – bring meals to you/arrange it all)

Jewelry: A Little Sparkle for Your Main Squeeze

• "Mama Bear Necklace" at $32

• "One in a million" Initial Pendant Necklace at $58 - perfect gift for your one in a million girl.

• Infinity Necklace for Mom and Baby - $37

Now that you've read some fun ideas to get you started, I hope these spark your own creativity and inspire you to select a gift that is both meaningful and unique for your better half! If you liked reading about push presents, these topics may be a fun read for you, too!

• Perfect Custom Photo Gifts to Display Baby's First Session

• 9 Questions you Don't want to forget when hiring a newborn photographer

• Three Free Cloud Storage Systems to keep your photos safely archived

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

 

Posing Ideas & Color Scheme for Newborn Boy Photography | Jayce

Houston Newborn & Baby Portrait Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, shares timeless and classic posing + color scheme ideas for your next baby boy in studio!

Jayce's First Portrait Session ~ Earth side at 3 weeks new

Good morning to you! Today's blog post is all about some fun posing ideas and color scheme inspiration for your next baby boy you have in studio. This is also a great post for parents to check out since it talks about how we select colors for your own posed newborn session. 

When baby's sweet Mom first contacted me to book the session, baby was a little older than I normally take, however, she was so kind and easy to correspond with that I decided to add him to the calendar. After the booking process, Mom and I chatted about colors she would like to see in his session. Her favorites were grey, mint, burgundy, ivory and also a neutral set up, too.  I like for you to share color preferences with me because it's a great way to know where to begin on session set up, styling and design. You should love each and every photo so by starting with your favorite colors, I'm able to ensure you'll adore the gallery. 

GRAY

For little newborn baby boys, I truly adore a gray set up to make its way into your session because gray is extremely classic, timeless and lovely. 30 years from now, the color will still look fantastic! It also is a wonderful choice no matter the skin tone. 

As you can see above, I posed handsome Jayce in many sweet poses, with froggy (also known as chin in hands) being one of his mom's must have poses. :-) Afterwards, I moved baby to tootsie wrap, seen below, so we could not only capture him in a cozy style of newborn wrapping but also have the opportunity to have a macro image of his toes.  

Ivory, White and Cream

Each newborn session can totally benefit from having a soft, pure and fresh set up that falls into the lighter, cleaner tones like ivory, white or cream. This style of wrapping, seen below, is called "potato sack" and I love all the different textures. Texture is a wonderful way to create timeless yet unique newborn photography galleries because the options are endless. Instead of using one type of fabric when posing the baby, as the newborn artist, you have the option to use perhaps a fluffy flokati rug, chunky knit wrap, or a classic hand crafted bonnet. I also pulled a fantastic vintage quilt pillow that's navy and white; such a sweet touch. Vintage props are a favorite of mine and you'll find them weaved throughout all of my colors and posing ideas since they're timeless, classic and perfect for sweet cherub babies. :-) 

When posing baby in potato sack pose, my favorite part of this pose is when each hand is perfectly placed beneath baby's chin. Take the time to look at the details as whole; don't rush. Taking your time makes sure the posing looks excellent and that each color you've selected for the session is arranged in a thoughtful way. It also makes for less editing time. 

Burgundy 

When in studio with a new baby, I like to pull a darker, more rich or vibrant tone for baby because it adds much soul to you final gallery. :-) Burgundy is a favorite newborn boy color of mine because it can be used in a variety of ways; in this particular set up, I wrapped baby and used back lit studio lighting to illimuniate him from behind with a heavenly, soft glow. 

Mint, Sea Foam or Light Green

A rustic and natural wooden bucket is a must have for any newborn photographer. In this particular set up, Mom requested this light green color, previewed below. The color looks fantastic here because the baby in a bucket pose is truly a standard for any newborn session. Each baby who visits has a bucket shot included in their gallery. 

The sea foam and mint are particularly favorites of mine because they match the wood wall you see in my studio and also contrast with the wooden bucket. 

Neutrals + Knits

Ahhhh, neutrals and knits! When I first began newborn photography, I did not use any knits because I had yet to discover them. However, a few months ago I started perusing more variety and started purchasing all sorts of knitted wraps and layers, blankets, etc. I have them in every color typically, however, for a neutral set up I like a soft oatmeal color, muted thistle or taupe, even. This pose is in potato sack wrap and the color works well here because the wooden, antique crate is distressed and when used with my custom wood wall, it has all the warmth you need for a unique baby portrait.

Thanks for stopping by the blog to see a few posing ideas and color schemes you may want to try with your next newborn session. If you're a parent, this post may also have been fun for you to read since it might cover colors or poses you have not considered before. Wishing you a great rest of your evening!

Before you go, however, you may like seeing what's new on instagram:

You may also like reading more about the following topics:

• Check out Sarah's Houston Newborn Portrait Studio
• Newborn Styling and Props: Vintage meets Classic for Timeless Results
• Compare a boy to girl newborn gallery

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Sarah's Studio is located here:

 

Vintage Meets Classic for Timeless Results | Newborn Studio Props

Full Time Newborn Portrait Artist, Sarah Borchgrevink, shares her favorite studio props that are vintage, classic and timeless. Check out the list for parents to view for session styling!

The Cutest Baby Props for Houston Newborn Portraits

Good morning, gang, and welcome to my blog! This post is a preview of my studio space so potential clients may see the sort of props I have on hand. If this is your first time here, welcome! As a professional photographer, I exclusively photograph precious newborn babies in the first 14 days of life. I take 15-18 due dates per month with most of my clients booking in the second trimester. My preference to have you in studio is between 5-8 days, however, for the most squishy, darling posing. The earlier the better! This is when baby is most curly and still flexible enough to move  through many poses.

Let's get started, shall we?

My studio serves the Greater Houston Area and is located in Northwest Harris County. Many parents travel to me from locations such as The Woodlands, Galveston, Sugar Land, College Station and Brenham, as well as West University or Montrose.

In my experience, clients select me based on the type of newborn photography work I offer and the unique style I provide. I am fully vaccinated and insured while running a completely legal and tax paying business. Unfortunately, there are many "photographers" who are not running legal businesses, so this is why you see the rates you see on my pricing guide. My newborn profession is how I feed my little ones and take care of my family. 

I'm often asked if I offer in home newborn sessions. Many parents do not understand that I would have to close my studio for the day and would be unable to take any other sessions, ordering appointments or consultations. I do not offer in home photography sessions, however, because as you can see in the photos below, the type of equipment I use is huge. My lights, for example, are 86" and I have three of them. My wood wall is 8'x10' - it is not able to travel as it is mounted into the studs on my studio wall for baby safety. Moreover, I do not like natural light or use any natural light in my baby portraiture, so this is why they all take place in studio.

My studio is extremely cozy and is around 400 square feet. I've done by best to utilize the small space. I've even watched episodes of "Tiny House" for ideas and inspiration on how to use my square footage and make the most of what I have. Inside my space, you'll find everything you need for the best Houston newborn photography. I have every color of wrap, backdrop, numerous antique floor props, a custom wood wall, classic white bed, and lovely light just for you. :-) I also have a huge array of hand made headbands and newborn baby accessories likes caps, bonnets, hats, tiebacks and the most dainty little items to adorn your precious baby! 

I provide everything for your session. I request parents do not bring props, however, I will add 1 personal item into your session if you wish. :-) 

Organic Wraps | Inspired by Texture and Color

Wrapping newborn babies is a huge cornerstone to the type of work I do with my most petite and precious little clients. I pull inspiration from an array of color and hues as well as textures. I like to use organic and wispy items for a soft, feminine look but also chunky knits for a more robust session tone. Babies loved to be wrapped - it's cozy and sweet. The wrapping keeps little one content and allows us to come up with a variety of gorgeous newborn images in a short time. My typical session lasts around 1-2 hours, very rarely do I go to three hours.

I also use the wraps for lovely layering pieces during naked bean bag posing, too. 

Antique Floor Props for a Classic and Timeless Baby Session| Inspired by a love for all things vintage

All of my floor props are hand picked and selected so they're classic, timeless and inspired by my love of vintage newborn photos. I have everything you could possibly need for our floor prop session from buckets, pails, baskets, crates, boxes, etc. If there is a certain prop you love, be sure to let me know so I may pull the item for you. :-) 

Precious Classic Knit Bonnets for Your Cherub plus dainty, feminine and girly newborn girl accessories such as headbands and tieback pieces 

Below is just a small sample of the type of newborn hats, bonnets, caps and other accessories I have on hand for your little one. I also have a huge stash of newborn girl tiebacks and headbands to adorn your sweet little girl! I have nearly 100 bonnets and close to 200 headbands so I assure you there is something for every taste and preference. Whether you like muted pastels, vibrant jewel tones, or laid back neutrals there is the perfect piece to style your baby's first professional portraiture session with Sarah Borchgrevink Photography.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.