The newborn experience

Newborn photography is no longer capturing that one image of the baby in the hospital. It’s truly become an art, and an opportunity to capture those first few moments that will go by in the blink of an eye. There are so many newborn photographers, and nowadays, determining which photographer is best for capturing your little one’s first few days can be as overwhelming as determining which brand of diapers to use. Here are some helpful tips to consider when choosing your photographer:

The best window for photographing newborns is 7-21 days after birth

The sweet spot is 10-14 days, but we can absolutely capture those moments if it’s sooner or later. Once you get past the 21 day mark, the babies begin to lose their newborn looks and become much more alert. Can you still capture their photos after 21 days? Of course, but the workflow will be approached differently to accommodate an older baby.

The newborn session takes place in your home

Coming to your home allows me to capture those intimate moments personal to you. Ranging from the nursery to your family room or bedroom, I will capture moments that tell the story of your family. Parents love that I cannot only capture them and siblings, but also the furbaby - if you’d like.

When coming to your home, I provide a very easy to-do list to prepare for the session, with the main focus being that the baby has a full belly, and that I have about a 6’ space to work with near a window with plenty of light for the posed shots.

Two session types are available

I love natural light. It can be found just about anywhere and when captured correctly, provides a softer look bringing out the baby’s features. Families often ask what the difference is between posed and lifestyle photography.

Posed shots are of the baby only. These are done in a posing area using wraps and backdrops. Images capture all the details of your little one down to their little hands and toes.

Lifestyle shots are those natural, candid moments. From the way that Mama looks at her baby, to those tiny fingers wrapped around Dad’s finger, to the proud looks big brother or sister give their new sibling, these are the moments that I feel are most special and tell the story of who you are.

Families can choose from either a posed + lifestyle session capturing all details noted above, or can do a lifestyle session only, focusing on those candid moments with your newest addition. More details on these packages can be found here.

Safety, safety, safety

Safety is one of my most important priorities when I work with newborns. There are a lot of things to consider when working with a photographer, and asking them questions about safety should be at the top of your list.

  1. I am masked the entire session, sanitizing my hands often.

  2. My camera is always around my neck when taking photographs.

  3. The baby is within arms reach. I prepare my workflow before I begin taking pictures to ensure my attention is always focused on the baby.

  4. Parents are close by. I encourage this not only so they can watch the experience, but can help with additional support if needed.

  5. If we move rooms or areas, the parents carry the baby.

  6. I wear soft clothes and minimal jewelry to help keep the baby comfortable when transitioning poses.

  7. I bring a space heater and white noise machine, which creates a natural and calming environment for the baby.

I provide all wraps and backdrops, and intentionally use minimal props

I will provide all wraps and backdrops for your session that are sanitized prior to arrival. I have a variety of colors, fabrics, and head pieces that I will bring to the session. Parents will normally provide guidance on their favorites, and we’ll go from there. Some parents also like to incorporate a special blanket, keepsake or outfit in our session, and I can absolutely accommodate this.

Additionally, my work focuses on a simple look using minimal props (if any) so that the natural features of the baby are captured to their fullest. Those tiny toes, eyes, lips, nose, ears hands are what is the most important.

My goal is to make this as easy as possible and enjoyable for you

My parents truly enjoy watching me work with their little ones, and I do too! Life with a newborn is a whirlwind, and with two kiddos, I remember those first few days all too well. Going through the experience as a mom makes it so much easier to connect with my families, because well…I get it!

The first few weeks are exhausting and rewarding at the same time. I know that these photos will be used on birth announcements, at the first birthday and even at the high school graduation party. That’s important to you - and as a mom, to me as well. I truly love that I get to work with so many families capturing their first moments with their new child.

Schedule your session before the baby is born

It’s one less thing for you to have to think about, plus space does fill up. I’ll have parents share their due date at booking, and then touch base with me once the baby is born to finalize a date for our actual session. Mornings are best for the little ones, and my sessions take approximately two hours.