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Regina Thompson Photography
Cleveland Strongsville Medina County Newborn and Family Photography

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@reginathompsonphotography

reginathompsonphotography

God's grace in one tiny face💗
Nursery Notes: the first week home is not what the Nursery Notes: the first week home is not what the movies show you. Nobody tells you the quiet at 3am will feel like the whole world stopped. That you'll memorize every sound your baby makes before you even realize you're doing it. That the love doesn't feel like what you expected — it feels bigger, and a little disorienting. You'll wonder if you're doing it right at least a dozen times a day. You are. These early, blurry, exhausted days are some of the ones you'll miss the most. Every single one of them.
I used to be the mom in the thick of it every Augu I used to be the mom in the thick of it every August. Now I'm the grandmother who gets to just show up and love on them. There's a version of me from years ago who spent every August in that chaotic rush of raising young kids — packed schedules, a to-do list that never emptied, never quite enough hours in a day. I don't live in that season anymore, and if I'm honest, I miss pieces of it even on the days I don't miss the chaos. What I didn't expect about this new season is how much clearer it makes everything. I'm not rushing through my own family's milestones anymore — I get to be fully present for them. And it's changed how I show up for every family I photograph, too. I'm not just capturing a cute baby. I'm helping you hold onto a season that, I promise, moves faster than you think it will. If there's one thing being a grandmother has taught me, it's this: the portraits you almost skip are the ones you'll treasure most in twenty years. Don't skip them.
Studio sessions are my most requested, but an in-h Studio sessions are my most requested, but an in-home newborn session might be exactly right for your family. Here's how to know. 👇 1. Your home has beautiful natural light. Big windows in your living room, a sun-filled nursery, a bedroom that glows in the morning — good light is everything. If you have it, we can absolutely work with it. 2. You want a documentary style session. Less posed, more real life. The rumpled blankets, the way your baby looks in the bassinet you picked out, the quiet chaos of those first days home. Some of the most meaningful images I've ever taken looked exactly like that. 3. You want your home to be part of the story. The nursery you spent months putting together. The chair where you've been up nursing at 3am. The dog who hasn't left your side since you came home. Those details are uniquely yours — and a studio can't replicate them. Not sure which is right for you? Send me a message and we can talk through it together. 🤍
A little cake smash chaos, filmed right here in my A little cake smash chaos, filmed right here in my backyard. Between the garden, the grapevines climbing the fence, and the wooded edge of the property, this spot has quietly become one of my favorite places to shoot — soft natural light, real texture, and just enough wild to feel like an adventure instead of a stiff studio backdrop. If you've been picturing your family's portraits somewhere that feels more "backyard afternoon" than "posed and perfect," this might be exactly the setting you're looking for. My backyard is open for sessions — cake smashes included.
The light in your living room. The way your baby f The light in your living room. The way your baby fits perfectly in your arms. The heavenly baby smell (if you know, you know.) And the quiet.. that *somehow* exists, even in the middle of everything new and overwhelming and beautiful. This is why I do this. 🤍 If you're expecting and thinking about an in-home session, head to the link in my bio to book. 📸
"Is it actually safe to pose a newborn like that?" "Is it actually safe to pose a newborn like that?" I was a pediatric physical therapist before I was a newborn photographer — this question matters to me as much as it matters to you. Those curled-up, chin-on-hands poses work because of biology, not because babies are flexible. In the first couple weeks, babies are still curled into the same tucked position they held in the womb — active flexor tone built up from being compressed against the uterine wall late in pregnancy. That fetal curl really is their most natural, comfortable shape right now. That window closes fast. Within a few weeks babies straighten out, and the curl softens for good — one reason timing a newborn session early matters. Here's the nuance I care about most: sleep can quiet a newborn's protective reflexes. A PT research review in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science flags this directly — because sleep reduces those protective responses, certain end-range poses can become risky without a trained eye. There's also little direct research on how these poses affect a developing hip, and some newborns have unrecognized hip instability. So poses should never be forced or held past a baby's natural comfort. Every "floating" or dramatically curled shot you see from me is either a composite (baby fully supported the whole time, hands removed digitally after), baby nestled safely in a parent's lap, or a prop built to hold their weight. No newborn is ever left unsupported. My PT background trained me to read a baby's body the entire session — color, breathing, comfort, tone — not just compose a pretty picture. If I ever see a cue that baby's uncomfortable, we stop and adjust. No exceptions. Safe and gentle isn't a tagline. It's the standard I was trained to hold long before I picked up a camera. 💬 Questions about a session? Send me a DM. #newbornposingsafety #safenewbornphotography #pediatricphysicaltherapist #clevelandnewbornphotographer #medinacountyphotographer #newbornphotography
Moro Reflex Pt. 4 - This one might surprise you! 😄 Moro Reflex Pt. 4 - This one might surprise you! 😄 Did you know, adults still have the Moro reflex... they just don't cry about it anymore?! The adult version is called the Strauss reflex — and you do it every time you hear a loud noise in the dark and freeze for a second before saying "what was that?" Same reflex. Just with a little more executive functioning!
We're not known for much around here in Valley Cit We're not known for much around here in Valley City, Ohio... but we ARE the Frog Jump Capital of Ohio, and we wear that title proudly. 🐸 It may be a small town, but every summer Valley City comes alive for one of my favorite weekends of the year—the 91st Annual Valley City Street Fair! For more than 90 years, this hometown tradition has brought families together to support our amazing fire department with great food, games, bingo, raffles, live entertainment, and plenty of small-town fun. And then there's the frogs... Back in 1962, a few local residents wanted something unique to celebrate the township's anniversary. Inspired by Mark Twain's famous jumping frog story, they started a frog jumping contest. It became so popular that Ohio officially recognized Valley City as home to the State Frog Jump Championship! Today, hundreds of frogs (and thousands of spectators!) continue the tradition each year. I love this event because it reminds me why I chose to build my photography business here. It's the laughter between carnival games, kids chasing frogs, grandparents visiting with neighbors, and families making memories together. Those are the moments that tell the story of a community. 📸 I'll be walking around the fair with my camera this year. If you see me, please stop and say hello! I always enjoy meeting new families and catching up with past clients. If you've been thinking about updating your family portraits or welcoming a new baby soon, I'd love to chat. My studio is right here in Valley City, and I serve families throughout Medina County and Northeast Ohio. I hope to see you August 14–16! ❤️ #ValleyCityOhio #ValleyCityStreetFair #FrogJumpCapital #MedinaCountyOhio #OhioFamilies #NortheastOhio #FamilyPhotographer #NewbornPhotographer #OhioPhotographer #SupportLocal #SmallTownOhio #CommunityMatters
Parents.. I need your help! If you could choose Parents.. I need your help! If you could choose only ONE piece of advice to give brand new parents, the kind that *really* matters, what would it be? Let me know in the comments! 👇
Some sessions just stay with you. 🤍 This mama al Some sessions just stay with you. 🤍 This mama almost didn't do maternity photos.. I'm so glad she changed her mind! Getting to photograph her and her husband before their twin boys arrived — and then again after — was one of those full circle moments that reminds me exactly why I love this work. If you're on the fence about maternity photos, let this be your sign! Learn more about my newborn session at the link in bio or by sending a dm. I can't wait to meet you!
Moro Reflex Pt. 3 -- the importance of having a sp Moro Reflex Pt. 3 -- the importance of having a spotter! Safety is never an afterthought in my sessions. It's the whole foundation. This is exactly how we protect babies during a shoot, and why there is always a spotter nearby, no matter how peacefully they're sleeping! If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the camera, this is it! Ready to book your newborn session with a photographer you can trust? Inquire at the link in bio. 💓 #westlakeohio #avonohio #brecksvilleohio #clevelandwestside #clevelandphotographer #ohionewbornphotographer #northeastohiophotographer #newborntips #mororeflex
The tiny details you’ll forget by month two 👉 Swip The tiny details you’ll forget by month two 👉 Swipe → Those curled fingers that haven’t uncurled yet. The wrinkled feet that spent nine months tucked inside you. The soft hair and peaceful sleepy profiles you’ll swear you’ll remember. Parents always tell me the same thing when they see these images: “I forgot they were ever this small.” You will forget — not because you don’t love every stage, but because life moves so fast. That’s exactly why these photos matter. If you’re expecting soon, let’s capture these fleeting newborn moments before they change. DM me “DETAILS” for current availability. #ClevelandNewbornPhotographer #NewbornDetails #TinyToes #NortheastOhioFamilies #newbornphotographernearme
Becoming a Mother is one of the most vulnerable mo Becoming a Mother is one of the most vulnerable moments of our lives. Not just the birth, though that is its own kind of surrender, too.. But the days and months after. The moments when you're not sure you're doing it right. When you're so full of love it almost scares you. When someone asks how the baby is doing and you want to say "great, but what about me?" Vulnerability in motherhood looks like: -Asking for help, and meaning it -Admitting you're exhausted, even if you have a bit more in the tank - Loving someone so completely that every emotion takes over - Becoming softer and stronger at the same time - Not recognizing yourself in the mirror, and slowly learning to love who you're becoming . You are allowed to feel all of it. The joy and the grief of the person you were before. The pride and the doubt. The love and the overwhelming weight of it. Both things are true. And both things make you human. 🤍 — Regina
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What's growing in the studio... 🌿🍅 Right now, it' What's growing in the studio... 🌿🍅 Right now, it's not just babies and families. The garden is overflowing with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, and more vegetables than we can eat. The grapevine has completely taken over its fence, the apple trees are heavy with fruit, and the blackberry canes are bursting. It's a little chaotic... in the very best way. Gardening reminds me so much of photographing families. You plant the seeds, nurture them through every season, and before you know it, those tiny beginnings have grown into something beautiful. That's one of my favorite parts of this job—watching families come back year after year as babies become toddlers, toddlers become big siblings, and memories grow right alongside them. Lately, I've been dreaming about what's next. I'm hoping that by this time next year, this backyard will be home to a blooming lavender field—a peaceful place for family, maternity, and children's sessions right here at the studio. Sometimes the smallest ideas grow into something extraordinary. If you'd like to follow along as this dream takes shape (and hopefully watch the lavender go in this fall!), stay tuned. I can't wait to share the journey with you. 💜 #ValleyCityOhio #MedinaCountyOhio #NortheastOhioPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #NewbornPhotographer #MomentsOfYouPhotography #GardenToStudio #GrowingFamilies #LavenderField #OhioMoms #FamilyPhotography #BackyardStudio
Is there anything better than getting outside with Is there anything better than getting outside with the people you love? It's been a busy and fun summer so far for the Thompson crew! We're soaking up the last of the sunshine before summer comes to a close. I'd love to hear what you and your family have been up to. Any summer bucket list activities or special events? Let me know in the comments! Wishing you an incredible weekend, friends! ☀️ - Regina
Moro Reflex Pt 3 - Swaddling! Ever wonder why swa Moro Reflex Pt 3 - Swaddling! Ever wonder why swaddling works so well? The answer goes back to before they were even born. Nine months in the womb means babies arrive already knowing what it feels like to be held close. Swaddling replicates that pressure and helps quiet their nervous system — which is exactly why we use it in newborn sessions and why it works so well at home too. Save this one for the new mom in your life. 👇 #hudsonohio #northeastohio #northeastohiophotographer #clevelandmoms #ohiofamilyphotographer #clevelandnewbornphotographer #ohionewborn
"Behind the Wrap" — a real look at what happens on "Behind the Wrap" — a real look at what happens on the other side of the camera. People assume newborn wrapping is just... wrapping fabric around a baby. It's so much more. It's reading a baby's body language, knowing when to slow down, when to pause and let a parent soothe, when the wrap is too snug or not snug enough. It's patience. It's a lot of patience. Every 'effortless' photo you see took a dozen quiet adjustments you never saw. #216 #clevelandmom #newbornphotography
One day, they'll outgrow your arms... The tiny fin One day, they'll outgrow your arms... The tiny fingers wrapped around yours. The sleepy stretches. The little sighs as they settle into your chest. Right now, these moments can feel ordinary. Exhausting, even. But one day, they'll be the memories you wish you could hold onto just a little longer. That's why newborn photography isn't just about beautiful images. It's about preserving a season that changes far too quickly. They're only this little once. Book your session now by visiting the link in bio 📷
"How do you actually get toddlers to cooperate?" C "How do you actually get toddlers to cooperate?" Caption: Ask Regina: "How do you actually get toddlers to cooperate during a session?" Short answer: I don't try to make them cooperate. I try to make them curious. Toddlers can smell "please just sit still and smile" from a mile away — so instead, I follow their lead. I ask about their favorite dinosaur. I let them push a button on my camera. I chase bubbles, make ridiculous sounds, and let them run off some energy before we ever try a posed shot. Some of my favorite images from family sessions aren't the ones where everyone's looking at the camera — they're the ones where a toddler is mid-giggle because I said something silly, and their parents' faces are lit up watching them. Cooperation isn't the goal. Connection is. The rest follows. Photo idea: candid toddler mid-laugh or mid-motion during a family session, parents watching and smiling. Hashtags: #askregina #clevelandfamilyphotographer #toddlerphotography #realfamilyphotos #valleycityohio #northeastohiofamilies CTA: "Nervous about how your toddler will do during your session? That's exactly what I'm here for — let's talk about it."
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