When it comes to
newborn photography, I believe there are two types of newborn
photographers. There are the ones who are talented with using props,
backdrops, and posing a baby into cute sleepy positions while using more of a
portrait approach to the session. And there are ones who do not pose the
baby and rather use the baby's family and surroundings as the backdrop and use
a lifestyle approach. My personal preference is to approach a newborn
photoshoot in the latter style.
I completely understand and respect that
people may have a different preference as to how they like to photograph babies
or have their little one photographed, but I prefer doing lifestyle shoots as I
love capturing the early days of a little one’s life in the most natural way –
being held by their parents, the funny expressions they make, settling into
their new home.
Another reason why I personally prefer
lifestyle newborn photography is that it generally involves about an hour to an
hour and a half of me being at your home and photographing you and your newborn
baby in your natural environment, rather than asking you to come to a studio
for a few hours and interrupt your normal routine. I want you and your baby to
feel relaxed and comfortable whilst having your photos taken and I feel that
this is easier to accomplish by having you surrounded by your home comforts.
I love to focus on the emotions and
connections that are there when a newborn baby has been welcomed into the home,
and I feel that lifestyle photography is the perfect opportunity to capture
this.
So, what can you expect from your
lifestyle newborn photography session?
- I always do newborn photoshoots at the family’s home, and ahead of our session I will get in touch with you to let you know about where I like to take photos (usually the nursery and master bedroom and anywhere with a good source of natural light) so you know what to expect.
- I’ll send you a list of the equipment I will be bringing with me and also a list of suggestions for you to think about including in photographs (you don’t need to include anything but the baby, but it might be worth considering whether there’s a special hand-knitted blanket or teddy that you’d like to have included).
- I love images that include older siblings with their newborn brother or sister, so please feel free to include your older children in the photoshoot, as well as any grandparents, aunties, uncles or even pets that you’d like to be involved (and of course, yourselves as the parents!).
During a lifestyle shoot there is no pressure
to make sure the baby’s “poses” are perfect – it’s great to be able to document
the everyday newborn moments, such as soothing the baby and feeding them (if
you’re comfortable with that of course). These kind of moments are so precious
and I think it’s lovely to capture them in the first few weeks of your little
one’s life.
After the photoshoot, I’ll edit your
photographs to ensure the colouring is right, the crop is right and ensure any
bumps are smoothed out (such as sleep in your little one’s eye or any marks
you’d like me cover up). I’ll then send you a disc of your photographs with
colour and black and white versions of each image.
If you’d like to book me for a lifestyle
newborn photoshoot then please feel free to get in touch and have a look at my
price list (which is here). It’s usually best to do these photos within the first 3
weeks after they have been born but I have done sessions with 4 week olds
before and it hasn’t been a problem. As we all know, babies arrive when they’re
ready and not necessarily on time, so please get in touch and let me know your
due date and we can pencil in an estimated window in the diary!
Thank you so much for reading this blog
post, I hope you’ve enjoyed it. There are more photos below so please continue to have a browse! Please feel free to leave me some comments on
what you think about newborn photography and any experiences you may have had.
I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks,
H x
