10 Hints for Shooting Newborns

It happens every time... your client arrives and the baby is sound alseep.  They tell me how she sleeps all the time and thru just about everything.  And then she wakes up...and stays up.  Little Preslei is so adorable, but she wanted to check out everything going on and really did not want to go to sleep.  It was pretty much a marathon shoot, but we had a good time in spite of the time.  I have known mom since she was in high school, and also know Grandmom.  So we had plenty of time to chat and catch up.  Ultimately we also got some really cute pictures in there too!

Not a happy camper...cute but not happy

Each time I get a newborn in my studio, I never know how the session will unfold.  I have had some sessions take an hour or so, and some marathons.  I think besides photographic skills, newborn photography takes patience.  Newborns, cry, pee (Seems to be mostly on dad) poop and throw up.  That's okay, it is what they do.  As a photographer, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself and your clients for your sessions.

Ahhh, finally...but not for long!

1.  Try and schedule the sessions within the first two weeks after the baby is born.  Babies are much more flexible, sleepy and easier to pose.  The are less apt to be disturbed as much when you move them or talk around them.  That fresh newborn time is so short.  When my parents come and pick up their orders about 4 weeks after their sessions, they can't believe how small the baby was and how much they have grown.  It's usually only then that they realize the importance of early sessions.

2.  Prepare mom for what to expect.  Make sure you schedule enough time, so that no one feels rushed.  Explain to mom that all little ones are different, and on any given day for whatever reason, stuff happens, and that is OKAY.

3.  Make sure your studio, or wherever you are taking your photos is warm.  Newborns generally don't like being naked, and the warmer the environment, the happier they will be.  I also suggest that you warm anything you are going to place the baby in.

4.  Ask mom to feed the baby right before they come to your studio, or you go to their home.  A full tummy usually makes a sleepy baby

5.  Patients is a major virtue.  If you stay calm when baby is crying, mom is more likely not to stress out.  I always assure my moms that in spite of how much their precious one is crying, it isn't the worst.  I will usually tell tales of much worse situations and they feel much more comfortable.  Just as a wedding photographer my job is to make my brides day stress free, it is the same way with my moms.

6.  Never let em see you sweat . . .unless it is from the fact that your studio is at around 90 degrees.

7.  Keep laughing.  pooping babies, actually can be quite funny.  . . especially when they are pooping on daddy!  Which by the was is most often the case.

8.  No matter how carefully you follow 1-5, stuff happens and no two shoots are ever alike.  I think that is what I love about my job.  It is always something different, and what's not to love about sweet smelling (well most of the time) adorable newborn babies!!

9.  Repeat number 6...often

10.  Love what you are doing.

10 Rules for