I thought it was pretty important to educate my clients, potential clients, and the population in general about newborn sessions. That last month of pregnancy is so hectic and physically demanding that the last thing you want to think about it scheduling your newborn's photo session and learning all that comes with it. I thought I would create a post that I could reference to potential clients in the future who may be thinking about having their newborn's photos taken. There
really is a lot to it.
First things first: contacting your photographer. You should contact me as soon as you know that you are going to want newborn photos done. I will want to know your expected due date and if you've tended to go early/late in other pregnancies just so I have an idea of when to keep my schedule open. When your baby is born, I should be on your phone tree. (No, I am not joking). The sooner I know your baby has arrived, the sooner I can clear a whole afternoon for you.
Yes, you heard me correctly; a whole afternoon. A newborn session can last anywhere from two hours to five hours. We are on no one's schedule, but your baby's. We love to get those sleepy, curled up, cute baby poses that you always see in magazines (and on every Etsy hat shop there ever was). If the stars align, your baby will sleep through most of the session, allowing us to curl him/her right up and put cute little props and hats around and on him or her. I have had ONE newborn session that actually goes that way. Chances are your baby will poop a few times (likely on me), pee a few times (I do bring a change of clothes), need to eat a few times, cry a lot and guess what? That's
TOTALLY OKAY! As I said, we are on your baby's schedule-- and together with Mom (& sometimes Dad) we are at your baby's beck and call.
OK, so when do you need to actually book your newborn session? I recommend booking your session within the first ten days of your newbie's life. They are most sleepy, moldable, cute, cuddly, and without baby acne in those first ten days. Even though I prefer to shoot in the first ten days, I do go up to fourteen days if we absolutely cannot make it work in the first ten. After two weeks, though, they lose much of that newborn look that we try so hard to capture. After two weeks, I really no longer consider it a
newborn session (because they've already lost so much of that 'newborn-ness') and actually do need to charge more because it's almost double the work--- those cute babes get even more spunkiness-- and would you believe it? They actually begin to fight me back.
If you do end up booking a session with me after your baby is two weeks old, be prepared for slightly different photos. It will be harder to get the sleepy, curly, poses and it will probably take even longer to get them! Many of them will be with their eyes open (which I actually don't prefer much--- since their eyes can't focus on much yet, baby photos with eyes open tend to look a little bit different as your baby appears to be gazing into space).
Also, you should note that because newborn sessions last longer, have more involved, and are in general, much more work, my session fee is a bit higher. As always, all my prices are on my website.
What do YOU need to do? Nothing. Well, almost nothing. The only time we really need you is to feed your baby. Being a huge breastfeeding advocate myself, I definitely encourage feeding your baby on-demand as much as your baby needs (and as long as your baby needs). Other than that, leave it to us. I have an assistant with me always when I shoot newborns. It's a big job for one person! We work as a team to make sure you have the best keepsakes of your baby possible.
Who's that scrub? Yeah, that's me. Because it's typically the longest type of session that I offer, I may wear yoga pants or something else comfortable while photographing your newbie. I will be on the floor, leaning this way and that way... in a way, it kind of is like yoga! Please, pay no mind to my attire. It has it's purpose and I promise I'm not scrubbing out because I don't take my job seriously!
What will your baby wear? Well, of course if there are special outfits you were imagining, we can incorporate those into our session, but my style of shooting newborns consists of mostly naked babies. I am always tasteful when photographing nude babies. If that makes you uncomfortable, we can use a diaper or swaddle them. There are lots of options for posing and creative ways to cover parts.
The most important thing to know about a newborn session is that it can be stressful if you let it be.
You have to expect that things might not go as planned. Your baby might not want to play our game! He/she may cry, need to be held, fed, etc. and
that's OKAY! We don't need to be stressed out over it; it is what it is and we will do whatever your baby needs. We want this to be a fun experience for everyone so please let us know what you have in mind. Sure, I have my own style, but that doesn't mean I'm not open to trying some of your ideas!
One last note: As a mother myself, I know that after you've had a baby, you may feel slightly less than sexy, but to me, there is something so beautiful about a woman's body who that has just birthed a baby. Please, feel free to be as involved in the photos as you want. Skin to skin photographs are beautiful (for both mom and dad). Some moms prefer black and white photos of themselves because they tend to be a bit more forgiving. Also (as mentioned above) I am a huge breastfeeding advocate and think that tastefully shot breastfeeding photos are a beautiful way to showcase and remember that special bond that you share with your baby. I'm open to anything you have in mind. I am comfortable photographing as much skin as you'd prefer to show; or none at all. The choice is 100% yours.
Also, I am not a licensed lactation consultant,but I breastfed my son for about a year and a half. It was NOT easy. We struggled. If you'd like me to share my breastfeeding trials and tribulations with you, I'd be more than happy to-- and be even more happy if I can help you and your baby make breastfeeding more of the beautiful, natural process it should be, rather than the painful and stressful experience (unfortunately) many moms experience.
Contact me for your baby's newborn session today!
Ceremony:
And a "Formal" that I just adore!
I am working tirelessly on these photos to get them done for the Bride and Groom faster than I ever have before! Check back for more images from Glendalis and Dave's wedding!
