Are you thinking of booking a newborn photoshoot? This little insight might help you understand what to expect from a session with a professional newborn photographer. Often the only time people have had professional photography is for their wedding and it’s not until they are pregnant or have children that they have reason to look into it again. I offer two types of photography – ‘Fine Art photography’ and ‘Lifetyle photography’. Without doubt the fine art photography is the most popular so I’ll focus on that today. So what actually happens during a session, who does what, how long does it take and….all these naked babies…what if they poo??!

How long does it take?

Newborn photography takes a little longer than other types of photography but a majority of this time is spent feeding, changing and cuddling your baby in between sets. It can last anywhere from 2.5 – 5 hours and, for this reason, I dont ever book more than one newborn session in a day so we have as much time as we need.

What if my baby poos?

They most likely will! Some parents can be a bit horrified at the thought of their little sweet bundle of joy letting one go on my lovely soft blanket or in the bottom of one of my gorgeous little handmade outfits – but honestly, its par for the course! 🙂 The blankets all get washed at super high temperatures and regularly replaced and I dont think I’ve had a newborn session where either me, mummy or daddy hasn’t been wee’d on poo’d or vomited on. (I refer you to photo exhibit A to the right (reality and finished picture). For you guys – well – it’s like a right of passage for a new parent. Its going to happen at some point so go with the flow and roll with it… and as for me..well lets just call it a perk of the job!

What do we do?

So aside from the fun and games of baby poop, it’s actually a pretty fun day. Your main job is to relax! So to start with you can haul up on the sofa and watch me work my magic with your new little bundle of joy. There’ll be a few breaks for feeding and cleaning and I might ask one of you to help me from time to time as safety is our number one priority – but aside from that Im there to enjoy a few cuddles with your little one, rock and sooth them into a nice deep sleep and take some beautiful images whilst you can sit back and enjoy a bit of a break (whilst browsing different coloured wraps and outfits you might like!)

What if my baby wont settle?

Dont worry if you think your baby is a little unsettled. Think about it, they’ve only been around in the world for a few days, they’ve probably been in hospital and then thrust out into this world of new smells and sounds. And they’re REALLY hungry – but often still getting to grips with feeding. And they will cry at some point – they’re designed to. Gosh if we could come out speaking how much easier would that be?! The thing is, crying is their way of communicating, and sometimes it’s purely their way of getting themselves settled. So although it may phase you – you dont need to worry about it phasing me. We usually schedule newborn photography for as early as possible (my ideal is between 5 – 10 days of age) because after this they’re a little more alert and less inclined to curl up into those gorgeous feotal positions that we love so much. Thats not to say babies who are older wont sleep and pose for us, it’s just there’s less liklihood of being able to do the some of the poses that you might specifically want. Saying all of this, there are plenty of babies who do the opposite of what you’d expect for their age – essentially – like all things baby related – it’s pretty unpredictable! I’ve worked with many many babies during my time as a photographer and can assure you that most babies will settle…eventually…!

And if they prefer to be awake then thats cool too. Wherever I can I love to try and get photos of the little munchkins wide eyed and bushy tailed as they really show their character when they are awake. It can also give me an opportunity to capture some of those little details that are so lovely to look back on.

How do you pose my baby?

My style of newborn photography is what i would call semi-posed. I try to move my babies into beautiful sleepy positions to show their body and little features in the best way whilst also ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible. My experience in newborn photography also enables me to work around a baby’s mood and needs as efficiently as possible. Some babies need to feed more than others, some are more sleepy, some less sleepy, some poses just arent suitable for some babies when they may be perfectly fine for others. What is important is that we plan in advance for your session in terms of style and colour, and then once you arrive, i’ll get to know YOUR baby and we let them help us direct the session.

When it comes to posing, there’s a lot more to it than people realise and safety is so so important. I really cant stress enough the importance of using a photographer who understands safe posing practices and knows when to use composites in their images. Compositing an image essentially means taking multiple shots where the baby is supported in different positions and having sufficient skill in photoshop to merge images together or remove the support using other photoshop tools. This is absolutely key and is, in part, what you are paying for when you hire an experienced newborn photographer. Without this knowledge you are potentially placing your baby at risk and sadly there is little guidance for parents on this matter. You can find more information from a site called BANPAS (Baby and Newborn Photography Association) who provide assistance and training resources to photographers but also are a wealth of information for parents looking for newborn photography.

I want pictures with their brother/sister but am worried about whether it’ll work out

As cute as that little sweet smelling bundle of cuddles is, there’s nothing more precious than photos of your little ones together so it’s important we plan for part of our newborn photography session to be about them too. Toddlers arent always as easy as older children, but we’ll discuss any siblings in advance as its important to factor in their needs in terms of nap times, feed times and general grizzle times. And I generally plan for toddlers or other children to be able to escape and let off a bit of steam at a local park as being stuck in waiting for photos all morning will not be condusive to a fun session for anyone!! 🙂

I feel fat and wont want my photo taken

I dont think there is a woman on earth who didnt feel a little self conscious after having a baby and I see all too often mums shying away from the camera and cringing at the thought of anyone getting a snap – but do you know what, a) you really dont look as bad the image in your head…and b) this moment will not last long – before you know it you will no longer have a newborn – you will have an infant – and then a toddler and the list goes on. The love that parents exude is just so wonderful when they have a newborn – its something you wont realise at the time but those photos wll become so important to you and your children. Treasure the moment and capture it and, if you really hate it, store the photo in a drawer somewhere, but certainly dont delete it. I promise you that with my skill and experience, you will be pleasantly surprised and so pleased you did – and your little one will thank you when they’ve grown up.

If you would be interested to discuss having a newborn photoshoot with me please dont hesitate to get in touch. I recommend contacting me after your 20 week scan to ensure i secure your space, but its always worth trying if its something youve only just thought about and your baby is almost here or has even made an appearance. I will always do my best to fit you in if i can.

A big thank you to Allison & Rachel for the behind the scenes shots!

Find out more at www.victorianixonphotography.co.uk or 07984411258/[email protected]