Safety when photographing babies

 

One of the hottest new trends in photography today is photographing newborn babies.

Safety in photographing them is of utmost importance in our studio and should also be for any new mother who wants such a session of their baby.

I love working with these little beauties.  My favorite age for a newborn photography session is between 7 and 10 days old.  Yes, I said 7 to 10 days old.  I know that is tiny but this is the perfect time for such an exquisite image.  

When my son was little, no one ever photographed babies that young.  Today, every time I get the opportunity to photograph a baby like this I sigh a little and say “I wish I had something like this of Michael”.  It is just one of those sessions that remind me how wonderful it is to be allowed to create a memory of someone’s little baby that I know in my heart they will truly cherish forever.

Planning is essential:

As sweet as it can be, it is not an easy task. There is a lot of planning that goes into creating a successful newborn session.  First, the mother has to know well in advance that this is something she wants and has to plan on making it happen in the first week of her baby’s life.  Our clients will discuss this session with us during their maternity session.  If they have decided not to do a maternity session then they come in for a newborn baby session consult while in their 7th or 8th month of pregnancy.  They don’t want to miss this opportunity so they make sure to come in to get all the details and to prepare us for an awesome time together.

I actually have moms, dads and even grandmothers call us from the hospital right after the baby is born to set an appointment for their newborn baby session.  We will rearrange our schedules to accommodate them. 

Safety and comfort is utmost in our minds when photographing a baby this young.  We make sure the studio is warm and clean and disinfected.  We place a heating element in any prop (hammock, baby bed, bucket pillow and many other options) that we plan on using to insure a warm surface for the baby to be placed on. 

Hammocks and more:

One of the most popular request we get is our baby hammock.  I understand why too.  It is just so cute and it shows all the baby’s perfect fingers and toes and rolls of baby chub that is the perfect reflection of innocence.  It is however, not a prop that should be used by an inexperienced photographer.  It could have devastating results if in the wrong hands. 

Being an experience mother and photographer of newborns and children, I know exactly how to handle the babies and how to secure the set for maximum safety and results.  I solicit the help of either mom or dad to “spot the child” while it is an all hands on deck for me and my staff.

The fountain of youth:

It goes rather quickly because we have an organized plan that usually goes without a hitch.  I say usually because we never know what the baby will give us.  Sometimes they are happy and sleeping and just goes with the flow. But other times they need a little extra feeding and cuddling to coax them into the perfect pose.  And many, many times we get sprayed by the fountain of youth – which almost always gets a laugh out of everyone.

Our newborn sessions are very custom.  I try to create something that is unique relative to what they are looking for.  We may use the same hammock or baby bed or bucket but the end result has been hand crafted, retouched and designed by me.  A work of art just for you.

Listen to your Instincts

Please be very careful when selecting a photographer to work with for your newborns very first modeling debut.  Ask them how many newborn babies they  have photographed.  Ask them what their protocol in preparing for you baby’s session.  Talk to them and trust your instincts  you do.  Don’t let you emotions get the best of you.  If you have ANY reservation about the photographer handling your baby – don’t do it.  Find someone that puts you at ease and that you feel comfortable with and trust.  Not every photographers is cut out to work with such precious little babies.  They may be fabulous at other types of photography but not so experienced at newborns.

Coming in the next few blog articles, I will share with you the schedule of photography chart called “Once Upon a Lifetime”.   I created when I realized every mother asked me “when should I have my child photographed again?” Over the last 20 years I believe I have discovered the best formula to follow.

Be sure to visit again for this   priceless advice.

In the meantime – enjoy the newest addition to you family – trust me, they will grow up so fast.  You simply will not believe it.