Monthly Archives: August 2014

How to Prepare for Your In-Home Newborn Session

Prepping for a Newborn Session

Being a parent, I realize that the early days with a newborn are consumed with all things baby and very little sleep. I want to ensure that my clients and their families have a very relaxing, comfortable and stress free experience. These simple tips really help us all and allow me to capture the best photos.

Baby

  • Please try and keep your little one up prior to the shoot and ensure they have a full belly -I suggest feeding them 30 minutes prior.
  • Have a few extra bottles (formula/breast milk).
  • Pacifiers are good for soothing.
  • Dress: Please keep your little one in a diaper and swaddle them with a solid colored blanket.
  • Props: Most photographers usually will bring them, but if you have any items that you would like, or heirloom items you would like to incorporate into the shoot, be sure to discuss with your photographer beforehand.

 

slpWhat to wear?

This might be better titled, what not to wear. It is best to avoid logos, busy patterns and bold or neon colors. I highly recommend solids and find that grey, black and ivory work well. Moms- a blowout goes a long way! Try to stick to basic neutral colors for manicures as well, and light make-up i.e.: lip-gloss, mascara. For nursing moms, please consider your attire for easy feeding.

 

Now what?

  • Before the shoot, bump up the heat in your home. The warmer the better for sleepy newborns with full bellies, especially since they will be in a diaper. If you follow the steps above, I usually can begin shooting right away.
  • Remember to eat! Newborn shoots typically last 3 hours, its equally important for parents to be fed. I recommend having some snacks on hand.

 

Truly the best piece of advice I can offer is to communicate. Each newborn and family is unique. I encourage my clients to ask any questions and communicate their preferences, especially before the shoot. I am always happy to incorporate props, siblings, give wardrobe suggestions- you name it!

NYC Maternity Shoot!

I had so much fun with these two in NYC for their maternity session. We started in Battery park and Stefani’s red dress from Sew Trendy  (I provide several maternity dresses for each shoot) fit her perfectly. We ended our session at The High Line and recreated The Kiss in Chelsea before heading up to the High Line..an amazing setting for a beautiful couple!  Can’t wait to meet their little one in a few weeks!
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My favorite and most recommended lens…

If you own a dslr camera.…you will love the 50mm lens! Unlike zoom lenses, prime lenses don’t allow you to zoom in or out while taking pictures. You get one viewing distance, and that’s it. This allows for more light into your camera and a greater depth of field.

Its focal length is similar to what your eyes naturally see. The aperture (the numbers on the side of the lens) like F1.8, make a huge difference in your photos…the stock lens that came with your camera will not give you a great depth of field or that burry background in your photos. With a wider aperture on the 50mm, like the 1.8 or 1.4, it  allows for more light, its a faster lens and it gives you that nice blurry  background. They’re ideal for indoor portraits too!

A 50mm f/1.8 lens tends to cost in the $100-200 range.  I love Adorama (same day shipping!) for all my camera gear.

I use my 50mm for all my newborn and family sessions…here is a recent photo using my 50mm during a newborn session.

Order your lens here: Canon or Nikon   *Just be sure to order a lens that has AF, autofocus.

**If you have a cropped sensor, (not a full frame camera) your 50mm lens is equivalent to a 85mm lens. So, if you want the look of a 50mm, a 35mm is a great option too!**

 

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Lifestyle newborn sessions…in the comfort of your own home :)

As a mother and a newborn photographer, the baby’s safety is always my first priority during a shoot. It breaks my heart when I see photos of newborns that were put in an unsafe pose for the sake of a shot.
After a long struggle with fertility issues and the birth of my daughter, I fully understand what a miracle having a baby truly is. I seriously fight tears during a newborn session, because I love what I do and feel so honored to be a part of such a special time in a family’s life together.

I don’t share much of my personal life online or on Facebook, but I do during my sessions. I always wanted to be a mother since I could remember. My daughter is my life, and I know every mother feels the same. My newborn sessions don’t take place in a studio, they take place in my clients’ homes. I offer lifestyle family photography, with a few posed shots of just the baby. If you choose this style of photography for your session please don’t choose a newborn photographer that isn’t insured, licensed or experienced.

Hiring a budget photographer may mean you get what you paid for in more ways than one. I have spent a lot of time working with other newborn photographers and taking newborn safety classes. I constantly take workshops to improve my art, but safety is number one…not getting the shot. If a client asks for a pose that is out of my comfort level or not my style, I let the client know that I am not the photographer for them. I prefer to be honest and give clients an opportunity to work with someone who fits their style.

Newborn sessions and photography are about the connection with your photographer, especially when it involves welcoming your photographer into your home…connecting with their art, and then who they are, is just as important. Before hiring a newborn photographer, ask for a body of their work, a recent link from a session and ask how long they have been working with newborns. Don’t assume that because a photographer has a few great shots that they can carefully handle newborns and pose your child. If you want to work with a photographer and have a budget…don’t just focus on the budget and compromise your child’s safety. If you value photography and the art behind the work, you understand the cost of experienced photographers.

Just don’t compromise your child’s safety.

There is no love greater than a love for a child…please keep them safe!

juliett