Working with families begins even before your little one arrives. Although babies are unpredictable and not always born on the exact due date as planned, I will still have a general idea so that I can start preparing on my end. I also understand that you may want a few days to rest, so take your time. It is recommended to have the shoot within the first couple of weeks of your baby’s birth, so we can capture those “newborn” faces while they are still so fragile, innocent and beautiful. Babies also sleep more often during those first couple of weeks.
If you are too uncomfortable to attend the shoot, due to having a C-section or difficult recovery, you may want to send the baby to our studio with Daddy. It will give him a good opportunity to bond with baby as well. However, if you would like family photos rather than just individual images of the infant, this is something we can discuss.
Once your session is scheduled, we can talk about your vision for the images. You can incorporate your own ideas. Some parents like to bring props, such as little hats, scarves, mittens or special booties and blankets. I also keep props on hand for this occasion. All items are sanitized in between newborn sessions, so I do keep your baby’s safety and comfort in mind.
Here are a few general tips on shooting your newborn’s photos:
• Please wait to feed your baby until upon arrival, so that he/she might be more likely to fall asleep after nursing. I have a comfortable place for you to do this.
• Bring a pacifier or nubby for your little one to suck on.
• Many of the images I take are “au natural” but I do not want your baby to be cold, so you can bring a favorite soft blanket. The studio lighting also feels warm and will not harm your little one in any way.
• If you have any favorite outfits, such as an NFL team jersey, christening gown, or ballerina tutu, etc., please bring these special items with you.
• For parents, just dress comfortably. You do not have to dress up. You can wear a blouse or a nice top if you wish to have any pictures with the baby. I can shoot the images from the waist up.
Be prepared to sign a model release, as I do often use newborn images within my portfolio and will not do so without parental consent. Most parents are more than okay with this, but if for any reason you do not want me to showcase your infant in my collection, please address any concerns you might have in advance.
Posing and Your Newborn Session.
Posing is one of the most critical aspects of newborn photography. Posing an infant requires extra care and handling. I know that your baby’s neck and body are not fully developed and I have a lot of experience in handling newborn babies. Your precious baby’s comfort and security are first and foremost, so I will be very patient and dedicate enough time to capture images based on your baby’s mood. I take every precaution to ensure a very comfortable setting, both for the parents and newborn.
With twins or multiple newborns, we take many of the same measures with the exception of adding more time to the session. It can be challenging enough to get one baby to cooperate, and with two it does require extra posing and handling. It helps if you have an extra set of hands to accompany you on the photo shoot when multiple babies are present.
Ultimately these are your most lasting images to preserve the moments in time that can never be replaced. These timeless images will become a family treasure and one that your child will also love to see when he or she becomes an adult.
Life is all about special moments. What more important moment can you think of than the birth of the very life that you created? I look forward to being part of your family’s important newborn photo session as your professional photographer.
