Newborn photography is a huge passion of mine right now! Since coming back from Imaging USA, I am super excited to make this one of my main focuses. I thought this would be a good time to share how I conduct these sessions.
Newborns are best photographed when they are under two weeks old. If they are over that, they tend to be awake more and are not as moldable. This is not a bad thing but if you are wanting those cute sleepy poses that are so popular right now, you need to bring them in to me while they are still moldable! Why is that important? When they are over two weeks, they are not as moldable because their muscles have started to grow stronger and they don’t bend quite as easily. When they are in the womb they are constantly curled in a ball position and the first few weeks after birth they still enjoy being in this position. After they have been out in the world for a little while though they start to realize they can stretch out and begin strengthen those tiny muscles. When a baby who is older comes in, I can still get some great shots but their little arms are harder to position into certain poses because of those stronger muscles. When I work with a newborn, I will see how flexible they are and if they are not liking a certain pose, we move on! Sometimes it may just be that they are a bigger baby and will not sit in certain positions. One big rule in newborn photography is that the BABY is in charge. If they don’t like it, move on. If they need a break, they get it. If they want to eat, guess what? They eat! And safety is always a top priority. I will never do a pose that puts your baby in danger. Those images where you see a baby hanging from a tree or propped up on their little chin, those are or should be photoshop composites. I may blog about this another time.
For my newborn sessions, I also like to photograph them naked or in just a diaper that is covered. You are more than welcome to bring a favorite outfit or two but we will most likely use it at the end of the session. When you arrive, I will have you undress your baby down to just their diaper and then wrap them in a warm blanket while you feed them. I will have you wait to feed your baby until you arrive so baby is nice and full for our session. Once baby is asleep, which may take some time and that is perfectly normal, we will begin our session.
My newborn session last about 2 hours. We will try to get all the sleepy baby pictures we can in the beginning after they are full and completely asleep. When they are just starting to wake up, we will move into the mommy/daddy poses. I will ask you to bring a black shirt to wear when posing with baby. A lot of mom’s don’t feel comfortable getting their pictures taken right after birth but believe me, you WILL cherish these pictures of you and your newborn someday. I will make sure to flatter you and shooting in black is always a good thing, right! Black is slimming!
Since I like to shoot babies in only a diaper or even without it for a few, expect a mess. They WILL pee on me and my blankets and possibly worse but that is okay. They may get you too so bring an extra shirt. You will have your black one hopefully so that should do. Bring diapers, wipes, warm blankets, a pacifier if they take one, a bottle or come planning to nurse. Also bring any favorite toys or props you want to include. I have lots of props, wraps, blankets, headbands, hats, etc. for you to use but bring anything you want that is special and I will try to work it in. Let me know too what room you will most likely display your images in and I can work around those room colors. Like I said, we will do any favorite outfits at the end or you can decide to save outfits for when they are a bit older. I do have a Boutique Baby program that outfits are perfect for!
If you are expecting, the best time to book with me is BEFORE you are due. We don’t need an exact day, but if I know your due date, I can plan around that. You will receive a COMPLIMENTARY Maternity Session too if you book before your 7-8 month. This time in your life is so incredibley precious. Don’t let life get too busy to document it!
Here is a little princess who came in for a visit last week!
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} For your family session, I will take several family images but also individuals of everyone and different groupings. If you would rather use it all for yourself, that is fine too. We will update your pictures and any credit that you received in the Spring can go towards purchasing your new images.
It still says “weddings” on my studio window but that will be changing soon too. You may notice I have removed weddings from my portfolio. Believe me, this KILLS me to do!! I have so many favorites that I love featuring on my site but if I don’t want to attract more wedding inquiries, I need to take them down. I still would love to do couple sessions though! If you would like an anniversary or engagement session, I would be thrilled to do that for you. For engagement sessions though, please know many wedding photographers include that with their packages so you might want to wait until you find just the right fit for your wedding.
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