As a NICU photographer in Minneapolis, I’ve had the honor of stepping into some of the most sacred and vulnerable moments families experience. While every session is unique, there are some that stay with you—etched in memory not just for the story, but for the spirit of the tiny humans at the heart of it. In August 2024, I was invited to photograph a little girl at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. She had been in the NICU since birth, and though her journey was filled with uncertainty, it was also full of strength, softness, and stretching (lots of it!).
The Story Behind the Photo Session
This baby girl had been in the NICU since the day she was born. She was diagnosed with intestinal complications early on and required an ostomy bag while awaiting future surgery to reconnect her intestines. Her family didn’t yet know how long her stay would be, but they were taking it day by day—celebrating small victories and holding onto hope.
By the time I arrived for the session, she had already been in the hospital for a couple of months. Her grandma was there alongside her mom, all so calm and grounded. NICU sessions can often feel clinical due to the setting, but this one was surprisingly peaceful. And despite all she had been through, this little one was full of life.
She had so much hair—thick and dark, with the kind of baby fluff you can’t help but comment on. And she spent most of our session in full stretch mode, arms overhead like a tiny yoga instructor, completely owning the moment.
As a NICU photographer Minneapolis families trust, I never take these opportunities lightly. This isn’t just about getting a photo. It’s about witnessing a chapter of someone’s story that often goes unseen.
What to Expect During a NICU Session
NICU sessions are not like typical newborn sessions. There are no styled wraps or props, no snuggly blankets or sleepy poses. Instead, everything is led by the baby and the medical team. I photograph babies right in their hospital cribs, often working around feeding tubes, monitors, and IVs.
Each session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. That may sound short, but in that time, there are often beautiful, honest moments—parents gently adjusting a swaddle, a grandparent softly touching a tiny foot, a baby opening their eyes or stretching with total abandon.
Lighting in hospital rooms can vary quite a bit. As a natural light photographer, I don’t bring artificial lighting or backdrops with me. Some rooms are filled with beautiful window light, while others have no windows at all. When that happens—or when the window is far from where the crib is—I simply work with the light available. The goal is never perfection, but presence: capturing your baby just as they are, in the space where they are growing and healing.
How NICU Photography Differs from Newborn Sessions
Being a NICU photographer in Minneapolis has taught me so much about patience, flexibility, and empathy. In my studio, I have full control over the light, environment, and pacing. But in the NICU, it's all about adapting to the baby’s condition and respecting the hospital protocols.
NICU babies often have equipment attached—feeding tubes, oxygen, monitors. While some photographers might see these as obstacles, I view them as part of the story. They represent resilience. I don’t try to hide or edit them out unless requested; they’re proof of everything that baby has already overcome.
And while newborn sessions usually involve detailed planning and styling, NICU sessions are completely led by the family’s needs and the baby’s medical schedule. There’s something beautiful about the simplicity and rawness of it all.
Why I Offer NICU Sessions at No Cost
About eight years ago, I began offering complimentary NICU sessions as a way to give back to my community in a way that felt truly meaningful to me. I became a volunteer with a nonprofit called The Tiny Footprints Project, which connected photographers with families who had a baby in the NICU. Although that organization is no longer active, I’ve continued the work on my own here in the Twin Cities ever since.
These sessions are always free for families with a baby in the NICU at any hospital in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I come in as a guest of the family and aim to document this chapter with honesty, care, and respect for whatever the baby’s current medical situation may be.
Galleries are typically delivered about a month after the session. When this particular mom received hers, she wrote back: “Oh my! I love all of them. Thank you so much—these are so special to us. Will definitely cherish them forever as this era comes to an end. Valley recovered well from her surgery and gets to go home Friday! Feels so surreal.”
That kind of response is exactly why I continue this work. NICU days can feel long and uncertain, but they are also filled with quiet strength. These photos offer a way to hold onto the beauty and resilience found even in the hardest moments.
NICU Photographer Minneapolis Families Can Trust
With 15 years of experience in newborn and family photography, my approach is always about serving families with care, patience, and professionalism. Offering NICU sessions is one of the most meaningful parts of what I do, and I’m proud to offer this service throughout the Twin Cities.
If you or someone you know is currently in the NICU and would like a session, feel free to reach out. Sessions are available weekdays (between 10am and 2pm), and I travel to hospitals throughout the Minneapolis area.
And if you're reading this as a fellow parent, supporter, or NICU nurse—thank you for being part of these families’ stories. They deserve all the love and light we can offer.
Have questions about NICU sessions or want to share your own story? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you.
Michele is a Minneapolis-based newborn and family photographer with over 15 years of experience capturing authentic, timeless moments for families. For the past eight years, she has offered complimentary NICU sessions throughout the Twin Cities, a heartfelt part of her work that began through her involvement with The Tiny Footprints Project.
Although the nonprofit is no longer active, Michele continues to serve NICU families with compassion and care—offering professional photography during a chapter that is often overlooked but deeply significant.
She’s known for her natural light style, calm presence, and a commitment to helping families preserve their stories—without fuss, without pressure, and always with heart.
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