Wow, life has been a little bit crazy lately and it’s taken me a few months to post these images of our sweet new girl, Sylvie Violet. She was born on April 22nd, 2016 weighing in at 5 pounds, 11.6 ounces and 17 inches long – a little peanut, but full of personality! You will see that in these photos of her. She is not lacking for character, personality, and spunk. As a Las Vegas Newborn Photographer, I was determined to shoot Sylvie’s newborn pictures myself. I managed this by spreading them out over several weeks, and doing several mini shoots for variety.
Sweet little Sylvie, unbeknownst to us during my pregnancy, was born with a congenital heart defect. Did you know that roughly 1/110 babies is born with a congenital heart defect? I had no idea how common it was. We found out about Sylvie’s condition when she failed the pulse ox test as part of her newborn discharge screening. This test is a very simple test that measures the oxygen saturation in your body – in a healthy person it should be above 97%. Sylvie’s sats were in the 80’s. It’s amazing to me that is little as 2 years ago, this test was not part of the routine newborn screening, and in some hospitals, it is STILL not offered. That is so scary to me! Had Sylvie not had this test, she would have been discharged as a healthy newborn.
Sylvie was taken from us and flown via helicopter 3 hours away to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she was immediately swarmed by doctors and nurses. She was hooked up to everything, and tests were ran. This was an extremely scary time for us. She spent 12 days in the NICU. Sylvie has something called a ‘mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous return’, or TAPVR. She will be okay, but she will need open heart surgery when she’s 4-6 months old to repair this so she can lead a full and active life.
To add to this story, our 15 year old son Damien’s dream for the past 4 years is to be a pediatric heart surgeon when he grows up. Life comes full circle.
Sylvie is the sweetest little soul – she seems wise beyond her days and is so full of personality. You can see it in her eyes. We are so blessed to have her join our family, and she has no idea just how loved she is. One of my goals with her newborn photos was to take a special picture of her with each of her 10 older siblings. I have tried this with previous children and always seem to fall short, but I accomplished this with Sylvie. This will be a long post, and each of these images is so treasured and special to me. I will come back and edit it to add one of Sylvie with her Daddy and myself as soon as I take them.
In no particular order…please welcome Sylvie Violet Holloway to this lovely place called Earth. Each of these images was created with so much love.
And now for the sibling shots – in order from oldest to youngest, this is Clint with Sylvie. <3
And Calista…
Damien, our future pediatric heart surgeon, who has already forged a special bond with his new sister… <3
Theron and Sylvie…
Adrian and Sylvie…
Quentin (aka Dewey) and Sylvie…
Camille & Sylvie…
Octavia & Sylvie; I got a little carried away with these! There were too many cute ones to just edit one…
Elliott & Sylvie…
Gabriel (aka Tiny) and Sylvie…
And one of Tiny by himself because, well, he’s adorable and I can’t help it! haha
And finally, Sylvie with ALL 10 of her older siblings together! I adore this and already have it hanging on my wall. <3 Next up – I need a new family photo. Any volunteers?
I’m also including a few photos of Sylvie taken outdoors while we were in Montana a few weeks ago. I love outdoor newborn photos so much! She was a little beyond the newborn phase here, but I just love how these came out. Look how red her hair looks in these! I do see a lot of red in her hair in person, but I think a lot of this was the lighting in this particular location. Either way, she’s such a sweet girl!
Sylvie & Daddy
I swore I’d never jump on the rainbow baby bandwagon, but alas….I had to for Sylvie. She came to us after 2 back to back miscarriages – thus, the rainbow after the storm. The heart symbolizes the fact that she is a strong, brave heart baby, as well as the immense love we have for her, and how deeply we wanted her and waited for her. She is surrounded by so much love, she has no idea yet. I tried to put my own spin on this type of shot and this is what I came up with. <3
My sweet friend Becca of Zoe and Oliver made this beautiful pink knit ensemble for Sylvie – I think this just might be her color, look how it brings out her eyes! Becca is a fellow heart mom and has been such a kind friend and wonderful support for Sylvie and I.
Her pout is just TOO CUTE!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Sylvie’s story and look at her newborn photos.
Lisa Holloway of LJHolloway Photography is a Las Vegas Newborn Photographer. LJHolloway Photography is located just south of Las Vegas, Nevada. At LJHolloway Photography, you will find fine art maternity, newborn, baby, child, family, and high school senior photography in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, and the surrounding areas.
Lisa is also available for portrait sessions in the Boulder, Kingman, Laughlin, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Flagstaff, Williams, Prescott, Phoenix, and Sedona areas. LJHolloway Photography works with clients in all of Northern Arizona and Southern Nevada. Lisa is also available for travel. Please inquire for travel rates if you live outside of the Las Vegas area.
LJHolloway Photography specializes in photographing families and children. Lisa Holloway also loves maternity shoots, newborn portraits, baby photos, and high school senior photography.
To see more of Lisa’s work, please go to www.ljhollowayphotography.com or visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ljhollowayphotography. You may contact Lisa by email at ljhollowayphotography@gmail.com. Spaces are very limited and fill early. Booking in advance will ensure a spot on LJHolloway Photography’s schedule.
Lisa Holloway also offers many photographer teaching resources and educational Photoshop and Lightroom videos. For more details, please visit her SHOP.
Hello Lisa,
So many beautyfull pictures of all of your kids.
Adorable Sylvie….
I just like the way you did this…with very much love as I can see.
Hope Sylvie will be alright soon.
Looking forward to see new pictures.
Best wishes
Jolanda
Hi Lisa. I just love the way that you capture your beautiful family on photographs. Your amazing talent and art is huge inspiration. These images are beautiful and timeless x
I am totally speechless by looking at those photos, I have never seen in my life so many feelings and emotions included in images, you are a fantastic mother-photographer, your kids are so adorable, no matter how old they are, Sylvie is already a little princess and model at the same time, congratulations from me, I love your photos and what’s more I love the way you look at your family,,, with love, pure unconditional love, thank you for being able to admire your work:)
Katarzyna
Beautiful work as always, Lisa. My daughter was born with CHDs as well – ASD, VSD, PDA, which rapidly lead to enlargement, RV hypertrophy, and increased pulmonary pressure. She was not pulse ox screened at birth, but her septal defects created a grade 6 murmur so thankfully they were detected while still at the hospital. She had an open heart surgery with total repair at 5 months old, and that was 8 years ago today. She’s a spunky, healthy 8 year old now. I too had no idea what CHD was until I had her. My thoughts and prayers are with you, from one heart mom to another.
Heart hugs,
Laura
Thank you so much Laura, I am so happy that your sweet girl is doing well now! Her story is a great encouragement to us! <3
Amazing photos ! ! Welcome to this sweet baby girl, she is so cute. What a lovely family 🙂 my very best wishes to all of You. Vinie from France 😉
These images are truly magical!
Your pics are perfection! My daughter was also born with a heart defect and had open heart surgery at 3 months! She is now 7 years old and is doing great!! Praying for your little one!
Thank you so much Keli! It’s amazing how many encouraging stories I’ve heard just by sharing Sylvie’s story online. I am so happy your sweet girl is doing well! <3
Amazing family!! You are an amazing mother.
You have a very beautiful family! I love your work! Greetz from germany!
Lisa, you have such a beautiful Family. I have enjoyed seeing over the years your little family on my screen. I look forward to many more photo in the years to come.
Don’t know how to describe this set other than beautiful. And all the love and attention from those brothers and sisters will help get little Sylvie through anything.
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These are beautiful of your precious new baby and her siblings!
You are amazing and so are your children….Sylvie is beautiful.
Just stunning
So happy you got a picture with each one of the kids! A challenge well done! They will cherish it more later in life. Each one of your kids look similar, but oh so different. Beautiful family.
I love love her personality, what a sweet angel!!! Wish her a life time good health! Can’t wait to see her growing up photos 🙂
There aren’t many photographers who truly inspire me but your photos of your beautiful baby Sylvie have brought me to tears! I have four children of my own and we are hopeful for another one day. Children are such a blessing and I am in awe of all that God has blessed you with! I have dabbled in photography since 2009 but have never fully committed to the art because I have been so busy raising my family. Seeing the breathtaking images you produce, in addition to being of mother of ELEVEN, has inspired me to stretch myself further and see I have to offer. I cannot thank you enough for this!
She is precious. Many blessings for the family !!
[…] clan. In the time since we last featured her work, Holloway has added another member to her family, Sylvie, in April 2016. Although she’s young, Sylvie has already proven herself to be a fighter; she […]
[…] clan. In the time since we last featured her work, Holloway has added another member to her family, Sylvie, in April 2016. Although she’s young, Sylvie has already proven herself to be a fighter; she […]
Hi. I am a beginner artist and I’d love to draw an image of your baby. Would I have permission to do that? I could keep you informed of my progress. Thank you so much for the consideration.
Lisa
Beautiful! Every single one of them.