Merging Hinduism with Newborn Photography

In Hinduism, the Peacock is associated with Saraswati, a deity that represents benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and knowledge.  Who knew?  I certainly didn’t before my newborn photography session with little Ishaan but those are the kinds of things you learn being a photographer here in Atlanta, Georgia during the twenty-first century.

Atlanta, especially Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, has a vibrant and growing community of first generation and second generation Indians.  I’ve also done pictures of families from Pakistan, Qatar, Iran, and many other countries over the last couple of years…. all families who were new to the Atlanta area.  We welcome and enjoy meeting all comers from around the world here at Beverly Hall Photography.

As so often happens, Ishaan’s mother reached out before our photo shoot and asked if we could have a couple pictures that included some props and clothing that is representative of their Hindu background.  It was actually the grandmother who nudged us in this direction, another common occurrence.  Often times the grandmother will be visiting for a period of time from the ‘old country’ and she’ll encourage a little ‘heritage’ in the photos.

Along with the peacock feathers, Ishaan is wearing an outfit reminiscent and symbolic of the Baby Krishna.  As we all know Krishna is a major player in Hinduism.  A deity in fact.  He is the God of compassion, tenderness, and love.  In Hinduism though, as opposed to Christianity, much emphasis is placed on the different stages of Krishna’s life.  His adulthood, his boyhood, and his time as an infant.  And so it is this period in little Krishna’s life we were hoping to represent with our photographs.  Hopefully we succeeded!

My newborn session with little Ishaan was a great shoot that produced some terrific pictures  I loved meeting mom and dad and wish Ishaan a great life here in the deep south!!