Many photographers have a time frame for photographing newborns, and turn away babies older than 10-14 days. I am different in that way, no baby is too young or too old for my studio! We may not be able to get all of the sleepy squished up curly poses, but there are still some gorgeous images available - especially as older newborns have discovered smiling! 9 week old Adam's mummy and daddy wanted some images while he was still small, but not tiny. They came all the way from Melbourn, south of Cambridge, for their session in November. Have a look at a selection of images from his gallery, he was such a beautiful happy little boy! As Adam was an older baby, he wasn't up for sleeping very much, but found it hilarious when I chatted away to him, he was even chatting back to me (well, in his own way!) I wrapped Adam up in the (optimistic) hope that he may nod off after a feed, his face told me how he felt about my plan: Adam brought one of his best outfits to use in some photos, he looked so cute and dapper! For the briefest of moments, after plenty of milk, cuddles and shh-ing.... we got this! I loved meeting Adam and his family, they were wonderful to work with, and I was so pleased with their gallery.
So, if you are worried that you've missed your window of opportunity for a newborn session, don't panic! Get in touch and let's get planning your session. Emma Well what can I say about Rio? Absolutely beautiful little boy, definitely knew what he did and didn't like! As I do for every newborn session, I warmed the studio up and set up some prop combinations so that we would be ready to go as soon as the new family arrived. We started with parent and family portraits, then moved on to Rio's. I like to get babies down to their nappies and use wraps and outfits before being super brave and shooting during nappy off time. Well! Rio had other ideas and did not like being in just a nappy and was even less unimpressed when I tried taking his nappy off! After some time I made the rarely-made decision to postpone the rest of his session, as he was not settling at all despite my best efforts. This decision is not made lightly and in five years is only the second time I've had to do it. I asked Rio's parents to bring him back a couple of days later and hope that he was feeling a little happier. The day Rio returned with his Mummy, I decided that I'd give up on any undressed shots, and so he remained wrapped for the duration of the session, and he was just SO good! It really does make a difference when sessions are baby led, and I think the results show it. Isn't he the cutest little thing?
Are you expecting your baby soon? Book your newborn session in after your 20 week scan to secure your due date in the diary; I can only take a certain amount of due dates per month. Head over to HERE and select your session to book! Emma The diary of a newborn and baby photographer is a complicated place! Nobody told your baby that they are expected to turn up for their portrait session and while some can’t wait to get here, some are fashionably late. This makes my diary a wonderfully fluid place! When you first book your session you will be required to pay the 50% booking fee to reserve your due date in my diary. I take a limited number of newborn sessions each month so that I can ensure I can fit everybody in and work around midwife and health visitor appointments once baby is here. Once your baby arrives and you have settled back in at home just give me an email me/message me and we can then confirm the best date and time for your session. I find the first two weeks is best for photographing newborns, however I can, and do, take on older newborns; they may just be a little less sleepy and not quite as bendy as they are in the first two weeks. Your portrait session will take place in my comfortable studio in March. Newborn studios are not like traditional photography studios - they are designed to be warm and cosy. I want you and your baby to feel relaxed and comfortable so you are able to feed on demand and put your feet up with refreshments (I even have some new dads who take a quick nap!). I have a kitchen and toilet facilities, and there's a few cafe's, shops and even a nice play park just a 5 minute walk from the studio. So that I can capture your baby perfectly while they are still so brand new, for most of the session your baby will be in their birthday suit. Newborn clothes never fit correctly so we don’t get to see all those beautiful details that say ‘hey I’m brand new!’ However, one of the downsides of this, is your baby is guaranteed to poop and/or pee on props, blankets, perhaps even me or you! This is totally normal, and something I’m used to dealing with on a daily basis and something I allow for. All of my blankets and props are washed after each session and I have plenty of wipes to hand. You might want to pop a change of clothes for yourself into your changing bag, just incase the worst happens! (It usually happens during the parent portraits - but it's worth the mess, I promise!) Your newborn portrait session can take up to 2-4 hours, and the reason for this is your newborn will need feeding, cuddles and cleaning throughout the session which is baby led rather than photographer led! I have a range of props, headbands, bonnets, wraps and outfits available for you to choose from, in various colours to compliment your home and personality. If you have any ideas or preferences for images during your session, please do let me know and I'll try my best! Newborn sessions include family, parent and sibling pictures; if you have a favourite toy or a sentimental blanket (or even have a theme you'd like to try!) please let me know and bring it along to your session.
I hope this article answers the many common questions but if you would like to book or discuss a session please contact me here. To book your due date in the diary, please use my booking form. My price list is available here. |
AuthorThe ramblings of Emma, Little Cherubs photographer in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire Archives
August 2018
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