SD Photography by Shannon Dodd ~ Iowa & Wisconsin Newborn & Baby Photographer

.anthony. Iowa and Wisconsin Newborn Baby Photographer by sd photography

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:29:46 +0000

I have a deep passion for newborn photography. I can’t really explain it, but it keeps me up at night sometimes, thinking of ways to pose, accessories, props, etc etc etc! I can truly say I have loved every.single. newborn. session I’ve done. But there are just a couple of things that make me feel like my job is surreal.

1. REALLY sleepy babies {they *ALL* sleep}

2. REALLY relaxed babies {you know, the kind that squish when you put them in your arms, not an ounce of tension or worry in their bodies}

3. Unique features {for sure a head full of hair, thick eyelashes, or cute puckered up lips, etc}

4. When parents appreciate the ‘little’ things {like shots of those 10 perfect fingers and toes, or eyelashes and lips!}

Meet little Anthony- he came to his session and he fulfilled my every wish! Super sleepy, super squishy and relaxed, a beautiful head of hair and adorable tiny little features, and his Mommy told me that she loves the shots of feet and toes!! He was 5 days new at his session, and was 7 lbs 5 oz and 21 inches tall at birth! (the PERFECT size in my very humble opinion…) I hope you’ll all enjoy a little peek into his gallery of images- a big thank you to his Mommy for brining him to his session- I had a Great time!!!

. charlie sue. Iowa Newborn & Baby Photography

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:02:19 +0000

Meet Sweet, squishy little Charlie Sue! She was 7 pounds and 8 oz at birth and just 20 inches tall!!! Loved having her in my studio and I hope you’ll enjoy a quick little peek into her gallery of images!
Big thank you to her Mommy and Grandma who brought her for her session!
ENJOY!

river | iowa baby photography by shannon dodd |

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:58:02 +0000

Meet River- boy do I have stories to tell about his session! He was 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 20 1/2 inches tall at birth- the perfect size and he has the most perfect features too! I was MELTING over his kissable lips and adorable nose! I’ll admit- I LOVE shooting newborns on creams and light colors- but something about the Fall day made me want to stick to more warm colors and tones and I love the feel of River’s images!
Story 1– when his Mommy and Grandma came in his Mommy said to me: ”Good Luck- he hates being naked.” Well, he loved being warm and snuggly in my studio and I don’t think I saw his eyes one time!
Story 2– the vintage suitcase is a family heirloom from (I Believe) River’s great grandma! LOVE all things vintage but they are even more special when they have sentimental value!
Story 3– the vintage brass bed is also a family heirloom that River’s Grandma played with when she was a little girl (given to her by another relative!!)

Needless to say, I was excited and ready to shoot when I saw how cute River was and that I had fun new AWESOME props to play! Super sleepy, relaxed and squishy baby boy and I think you all will enjoy a little peek into his gallery!

Big thank you to his (Mommy and Grandma too) for bringing him for his session- I totally enjoyed it and I hope you’ll love having these images! :)

***Story 4– As River was sound asleep on his lil’ bed, I took a moment’s break to just LOOK at him- he was sooo cute up there! (alright, maybe it was also because my pregnant body was cramping up from laying in some awkward position to get the shots……) Anyway- I said aloud to him, “Alright River, I’m going to count to 3 and then I want you to smile.” NO JOKE- he did it IMMEDIATELY! ;)

Have a great day everyone and thanks for peeking!

. kaitlyn . iowa newborn baby photography by shannon dodd

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:16:02 +0000

Oh what an absolute TREAT Kaitlyn’s session was for me. Not only did she arrive completely sleepy, but she was truly one of the most beautiful newborns I’ve photographed! Towards the end of her session, THEN the second treat arrived, her proud big sister McKenna! I often tell parents who want to attempt a sibling shot to have little expectations and to not put any pressure on older siblings to perform. Then, I cross my fingers and get manipulative! Everything worked perfectly for these beauties and I hope I’ve captured the new bond they have!
BIG thank you to their parents for choosing me and trusting me with their most precious baby girls!

I totally LOVE my new yellow peanut butter bucket…. just the cutest!

Annnnd…. a second sister shot almost NEVER happens! You better believe Miss M got a Tootsie Pop when she was done!! :)

| evelyn | rochester, minnesota newborn baby photographer

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:00:52 +0000

Meet sweet Evelyn. I’m not going to lie- I feel a little bit more pressure and worry when a baby is coming two+ hours to see me for their newborn session. I wonder if they will sleep once they arrive after such a long, deep sleep in the car, but … {knock on wood} … every traveling baby has been FANTASTIC and Evelyn was so sleepy sweet!

Evelyn was 8 lbs 3 oz at birth and 20 inches tall and she was six days old when I photographed her! She is beautiful. She is squishy. She is relaxed. She is GIGGLY She is just perfect.

You know what else is fun about my job? Seeing brand new families and the instant bond they have- I LOVE when parents come to see me because the understand how precious the gift they have been given is. They want to capture this time in their lives so they can help jog a very foggy, tired memory! Evelyn’s parents are involved, loving and EXCITED to have such a beautiful little daughter!

ps- sorry for my serious blog neglect. I couldn’t even remember my login information (blush!!!) I promise I have a fairly good reason (one being super busy with sessions now that the beautiful Iowa weather has been around!) and I will elaborate more on that probably next week- so stay tuned!!!

. kamryn. | Wisconsin Baby Photography by Shannon Dodd |

Fri, 20 May 2011 16:47:00 +0000

Oh Kamryn… what can I say? She’s been such a fantastic baby girl to photograph! I met her last year for her newborn session in February and EVERY time I see her she is just amazing. She was a super sleepy and sweet newborn, a happy 6 month old, excited for Santa at her Christmas session, and now, at her latest session, she has really blossomed into a bright, confident baby girl! She has no fear, has a ton of fun, carefree, and is really expressive as well! I have truly just loved being a small part of her first year + of life!

May in Iowa- FINALLY back outside shooting again, after a 6 month weather break! There is nothing better!

Thank you to Kamryn’s Mommy and Daddy for trusting me to capture these fleeting moments of childhood!

baya | Iowa City Newborn Baby Photography by SD Photography |

Fri, 06 May 2011 16:58:32 +0000

BAYA. Isn’t she just the most precious baby? I LOVE her name- such a strong, yet feminine name! Miss Baya had a 2 hour drive to my studio, ate, and then was wide awake for about 2o minutes, so we got some great awake shots and then she was ready for a nap and slept like an angel! PERFECT session if you ask me- big bonus that she was adorable!!

Would you like to know the story about her pearls? Baya’s Daddy gave the strand of pearls to her Mommy on their wedding day and they brought them along for her session, in case we could use them. I LOVE the meaning behind them and think they are perfectly timeless and perfectly girly! How Neat!

Thanks so much to her Mommy and Daddy for making the drive for her session- I truly hope that they will cherish these images forever, as our babies change so much, so quickly.

If we get 30 Facebook *Likes* and 20 comments and I’ll send Baya’s parents a special gift! ;) Click the blue “LIKE” button below the last image, or leave a comment!

aiden | Cedar Rapids Iowa Newborn Photographer by Shannon Dodd|

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:38:28 +0000

Boys are beautiful. Or is it handsome? I can’t decide, but both apply to little Aiden. He was just 6 days new at his session and weighed 7 lbs 11oz and was 21 1/4 in tall at birth. His Mommy requested sibling photos, and her babies obliged! LOVE when I see brand new families and the bond they already have.

Lots of black and white this time (MY favorite!)- Aiden just had the creamiest skin and beautiful features- loved them in greys, blacks and whites!

. natalie. | Dyersville Iowa, Newborn Baby Photographer |

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:21:02 +0000

Meet sweet little Natalie. I photographed her older sister about 15 months ago and it is just amazing to watch families grow- to welcome two amazing, perfect, healthy baby girls into their lives! There is no greater compliment than when a parent chooses me a second time to photograph their new baby at such a special time in their life. Completely honored.

Natalie was so super sweet, laid back and ready to nap during her session- I always think it’s so neat to see how each and every newborn I see has a different personality- they really do! I didn’t hear a peep out of her the entire time she was here. The.best.skin.ever. Super soft, peachy and creamy and every other feature is just perfect as well! Natalie was 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches tall at birth. I hope you enjoy a little peek into her gallery.

Thank you S, for bringing your beautiful baby girl back to see me- so good to see you again and to meet your second daughter! Take Care!

. Kaelyn. | Eau Claire, Wisconsin Baby Photographer

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:55:51 +0000

Kaelyn is one of my favorite newborns and was back for a session to document the fun age of 7 months- LOVE this stage- sitting up confidently, up on all fours/ almost crawling, and lots of fun and different expressions to capture! I dare you not to fall in love with her- such pretty blue eyes, porcelain skin and dark hair!

Big thank you to her Mommy for making this session possible and for driving all this way! ENJOY!!