Babies Born Hours Apart Named Romeo and Juliet Have Themed Photo Shoot

Baby Romeo and Juliet Cassie Clayshulte Shakespeare

In a happy twist on a tragic tale, a pair of adorable babies born in South Carolina have stolen everyone’s hearts due to a “star-crossed,” Shakespearean coincidence. Fortuitously named Romeo and Juliet, the babies were born just 18 hours apart at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville.

Prior to each baby’s birth, their parents were total strangers. However, the families were brought together by Cassie Clayshulte, the hospital’s official newborn photographer, when she noticed the newborns’ names. At first, she photographed the cute and cuddly couple side-by-side in their plastic bassinets. Once the babies were safe and sound at home, however, their parents asked Clayshulte for a more formal Shakespearian shoot. Clad in themed costumes, consisting of a brown knit romper and filigree crown for Romeo and a delicate, lace onesie and floral headband for Juliet, the babies were captured as they sleepily snuggled in a wooden cradle. Described as a “happy and comfy” shoot, the session resulted in a blissful and beautiful selection of photos.

When designing and planning the unique commission, Clayshulte was predominantly concerned with achieving the right aesthetic. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to style a newborn Romeo and Juliet shoot without it looking a little bit cheesy or morbid because of the way the story ends,” she told The Huffington Post. So, she decided to keep things simple. “We didn’t want to do an overly themed shoot, just a little session of the two of them with a Shakespearean feel.” In keeping with the simplified feel, she selected the uncomplicated outfits and crafted the props by hand. The result? An effortlessly enchanting photo shoot.