As a new mom, the idea of packing up a new baby to head to a studio for photos can be stressful. This is why I offer newborn sessions at your home between 7-14 days after you bring them home from the hospital. There is no need to stress about what your house looks like, as a mom of 3, I get it. I often tell mamas that cleaning up after children is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos – it’s impossible.
When I arrive at your home, I walk around to see where the best light is and we get started. For this session, we did the entire session in their beautiful master bedroom. I helped Austin change some sheets to get the perfect color pallet. We took advantage of Owen being PASSED OUT to get some cute detail photos. Placing him in the center of the bed shoes just how little he is! This is one of my most favorite shots to take. From there we invited the rest of the family and big brother James was more than happy to come snuggle his new BFF.
Toddlers tend to want to get in and out quickly (same with dads). I basically warm them up, get as many shots as possible as a family and sibling shots then let them move on. If they decide to come join us again, great! If not, it’s ok too. Their world has just been rocked so it is my philosophy to be their ally…we tend to be silly and I never pressure them for the perfect shot. 9 times out of 10 it just happens. Some of moms favorites from this session are the boys just staring at each other and I couldn’t agree more!
Austin & Jimmy were so excited to welcome Baby Owen into the world in early March 2020 via a repeat scheduled c-section. Her 9am appointment got bumped to noon and then to 2pm and finally after what seemed like DAYS, Austin was wheeled into the OR at 3:30pm. Hungry, excited and a little nervous, she had the best staff who was joking about “getting dolled up” for the photographer (ME) and they were excited to see the images of them hard at work.
Everything went amazing until baby Owen took a gulp of fluid and needed a little oxygen. He was immediately brought over to be looked at by the on call pediatrician and taken moments later to the nursery for observation. Everything turned out great and Owen is just fine but my heart ached for this mama who was unable to even see her baby until the next morning.
The nurses and doctors atExeter Hospital were AMAZING and gave access for me to capture so many “firsts” that she may otherwise have missed – big brother meeting his new best buddy, Owens first cries and everyone in the waiting room who was holding space. (This was all pre-pandemic of course).
After many tries to get out of bed to be wheeled in to meet her baby we knew it was not going to happen that night so with the help of a little technology (FaceTime), Austin was finally able to see baby Owen.
The next day, we captured their reunion and one of his very first feedings. It was magical! Birth is birth no matter what and we can’t always plan for the outcomes. In this case, mom & dad were so grateful for a happy and healthy baby and I was happy I could help to fill in some of the rest.
Preparing for your baby is such a fun and exciting time. It’s the fastest and slowest 9 months of your life while you research the best baby items, plan your baby shower, and read all the books! Another item on your list is booking your newborn photographer. Finding the right photographer to capture your precious newborn should be a fun experience! Here are 5 things to look for when hiring your newborn photographer!
How to Hire the Right Newborn Photographer
Newborn Portrait Style
Are you looking for lifestyle newborn portraits of posed newborn portraits? Neither style is wrong or right, and you can find a photographer who offers a blend, but it’s very important to understand how each style is different! Let me break it down for you.
Lifestyle Newborn Portraits – This style is less about providing direction and more about capturing those candid moments with your baby. The newborn photographer may come to your home and simply use settings in your home to capture the photos. For example, you might see photos of the parents holding their newborn in the nursery or on their bed. If your dream is to have these candid moments, you might be interested in lifestyle portrait photography.
Posed Newborn Portraits – This style provides more direction and posing to capture your baby in different dreamlike scenes. These images can be more custom and can be done in a studio setting or your home. For example, if you see a baby girl swaddled in a floral blanket with matching flowers and her hands tucked under her chin, that’s a posed portrait. If you’re dreaming of your newborn in a dreamlike setting, you might be interested in posed portrait photography.
Experience with Newborns
Hey, every photographer needs her start! But, if you’re looking for a photographer that you can trust with the entire newborn experience, look for one with experience in this area. Browse her portfolio or reach out and ask for more samples of her work. Going back to the first thing to look for, if you like a photographer but realize she focused on posed newborn photography and your dream is a lifestyle session, that’s something to consider!
Portrait Experience
Look for a photographer who has you in mind throughout the entire process. I don’t just mean the actual shoot! Your photographer should make your life easier before, during, and after the session. You need someone who offers a seamless experience that you can count on. Look for a photographer with a newborn package that starts with getting to know you and ends with your portraits on the wall!
Personal Connection
This actually goes for every type of session, but find a photographer with who you feel a personal connection. I’m not saying you have to become best friends (but that’s certainly an added bonus!), but one that you feel understands you and that you feel comfortable spending time with. You should feel cared for throughout the entire process!
Availability
This one is key! If the newborn photographer you’re considering is booked, then it’s a huge bummer! Many newborn photographers only schedule a certain number of sessions each month to accommodate birthdays. It’s extremely important to have a photographer that has a backup! Reach out as soon as you’re interested to get on the books.
I would love to be your newborn photographer! Nothing would give me more joy than to capture those first precious moments with your new baby. Send me a note to schedule your free consultation.
Join hundreds of other Seacoast mamas on my VIP newsletter! Twice a month, you’ll see my smiling face in your inbox with tips and offers I don’t share anywhere else! I would love to have you on there. Please click here to join.
Baby Andrew was one of my very first “Simply Baby” Sessions and he was such a joy to photograph. Andrew’s mama and I went to college together and I it has been so much fun watching her become a mama and to photographer her two little men. This little dude just turned ONE and although I would love to be photographing his one year session, it is safer during #socialdistancing for me share some of his simple studio newborn photography session from last year. Andrew started his session WIDE awake (just as most newborns do) and we captured some super cute expressions and even gave me a few grins. Once he was wrapped up, he passed right out and was a dream to work with.
There is just something about the simplicity of a plain white onesie and a simple white background that I just love. Baby details stand out and you really get to see their features up close and personal. If you have been following me for a while, you know I LOVE baby toes…like near obsession. These simple sessions are a great way to capture the tiniest of feature like toes, finders, lips, hair and eyes. These natural baby-led sessions are some of my favorites and I can’t wait to do more when we are allowed back in the studio.
Let’s be real – the last few weeks of isolation have been rough on everyone. As a birth and newborn photographer, I have struggled not being able to support mamas and photograph these tiny little humans, so I will be sharing some of my favorite sessions over the next few weeks. My heart goes out to all of the new mamas giving birth during this time. I look forward to being back in the studio soon but for now, I wanted to share a few ways that I can help you during this time.
FREE Downloadable Guide taking Fresh 48 Hospital – Since I can’t be in the hospital with you these days photographing your sweet new babies, I wanted to come up with a way to help you document those first few days on your own. I have created a FREE Downloadable Guide taking Fresh 48 Hospital pictures of your own baby during social distancing in New Hampshire. Download your FREE Guide Here: https://bit.ly/WWP_5TIPS_Hospital Feel free to share with any of your friends/family who are expecting!
Online Community Support: I have created a Private Facebook Group for Moms where we are currently doing a 30-Day Photo Challenge but it is also where I share a TON of online support for my mamas. All of my birth colleagues have been sharing virtual education and support since this COVID-19 crisis and I have been sharing a TON of it in this group. Check it out: White Wave Photography Moms Group
Kids Activities to Do at Home: For those of you with older kiddos, we are all adapting. New roles of teacher while also running a business has taken a bit of getting used to with 3 kids home now but we are making it work. Are your kids constantly saying that they are bored? Running out of ideas to keep them busy? I have got you covered. Check out this blog post that I did last week: Kids Activities to Do at Home Now, let me be real – I am NOT a Pinterest Mom and I SUCK at baking but we are all doing things these days that we may not normally do. Give yourself grace, enjoy as much as you can and just love on those babies!!!
Phone Consultations & Advice for Photographing your Newborn: I am still doing phone consultations for spring & summer babies, but what if I JUST had a baby and want to get some photos. Well, we can do a virtual session. What I mean by that is that I will get on a call with you and give you tips and tricks to photograph your baby yourself (even if just with your phone). I know it doesn’t replace a professional newborn session but at least your baby’s first few weeks will be documented. If you are interested in learning more about these “virtual newborn sessions” contact me today.
Stay safe, keep smiling and I hope that some of these things help get you through these uncertain times and know that I am thinking of you all and sending virtual hugs. (Seriously though – I cannot wait to HUG EVERYONE again!)
I recently attended the most amazing photography expo and conference in Atlanta where I learned a lot and came home with a bunch of super cute new wraps, backgrounds and a few new baby bows. In honor of my new in-home studio Newborn space finally being complete, I would like to offer this special Studio Newborn Limited Edition Photography Session.
Simply Baby Session Includes | $595
90 minute session of baby only*
Two sets (white plus either pink or blue)
8×8 Linen Book with 10 images
5 Digital Images with a Print Release
Personalized Design Session
Simply Baby Sessions will be held mid-week at my in-home studio in Newfields, NH. There is limited availability for these sessions so please click the link below to schedule a phone consultation today!
*Simple Baby sessions do not include sibling or parent shots. If you wish to have siblings or parents in the photos, please contact me about booking a Fresh 48 or Lifestyle Newborn Session Separately.
