5 Tips to Prepare for your Newborn Photo Session

The minute you saw your baby, you fell head over heels in love. Those chipmunk cheeks, wrinkly hands, and their tiny little body have filled your heart with so much joy. You keep trying to memorize every detail before they get bigger – their sweet smell, the way they smile when they’re sleeping, the grunts, and the feel of their hands grasping your fingers. You want to remember every minute of these special days for the rest of your life.

As a new parent, you finally understand why other parents tell you to cherish these first weeks. Your child will grow so quickly. It won’t be long before they transition to a toddler, and you’ll be struggling to remember how soft their skin was, and how their sleepy head seemed to fit perfectly on your shoulder as you rocked them to sleep. That’s where newborn photo sessions come in handy – preserving these precious, fleeting days.

Your newborn’s photography session should be an exciting time for your family. But parents often find themselves worried and anxious about preparing themselves and their babies for the big occasion. With a little planning, you can relax and enjoy the session, knowing all your bases are covered. Years from now, you’ll be glad you booked a newborn photo session so you can stroll back in time to the days when you didn’t have to share your child with the rest of the world.

Follow our top five tips to make sure you and your baby have a great session that documents this special time in your lives.

SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION AHEAD OF TIME

Most photographers will only do newborn sessions when infants are between 5 to 14 days old. That’s a small window of time, so you need to be thinking ahead!

By scheduling in advance, you and your photographer will be prepared for when your baby decides to make its grand entrance.

Also, scheduling your session ahead of time will make it less likely that your photographer will be fully booked when you call. Waiting until the last minute to schedule your session might mean you won’t get your preferred photographer, and you’ll be stuck shopping based on availability instead of finding a professional who fits your preferred style.

A good time to start the booking process is around your second trimester. Reach out to the photographer you want and tell them your due date (and answer any other questions they might have). Then, once your sweet baby is born, let your photographer know the exciting news, and you’ll get an exact date for your session.

KEEP YOUR BABY AWAKE BEFORE THE SESSION

Happy baby smiling in bed

It’s no secret that infants sleep a lot. But sometimes, their sleep patterns don’t cooperate with our plans. If you want your little one sacked out during the photo session, so you can get those adorable sleepy newborn poses, keep them up for a while before your photographer arrives.

Making sure you keep your baby awake prior to a session is a great way to guarantee they will sleep through most of it. That will lead to peaceful pictures, instead of ones where they look enraged or red-faced from crying.

FEED YOUR BABY 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR SESSION

What’s cuter than a milk-drunk infant? (Hint: the answer is nothing!).

Newborns are some of the hungriest creatures on this Earth. You don’t want their photo session disrupted by their frantic cries for milk. Feeding and burping your infant right before your newborn photo session begins means less crying, better sleep, and relaxed parents (and photographer!).

Avoid giving them a full meal in the one to two hours before your session. If they seem hungry, try to give them a small snack to get them through. Then, slightly before your session, you can feed them a full meal and expect a happy, tired baby in return.

Most photo sessions last around two hours, which leaves plenty of time to refuel if your child wakes up expecting a snack. Just make sure to have an extra bottle on hand if you use formula.

UNDRESS TO IMPRESS

A smiling newborn baby covered with a blanket

About 30 minutes before the session, change your baby’s diaper into a loose (but not too loose), clean diaper and swaddle them. Since most photographers prefer babies to be naked during their session, undressing them beforehand is a timesaver. It also means you won’t disrupt their sleep cycle by trying to get their onesie off. A loose diaper is best because it will avoid creating diaper marks around their waist.

A great way to do this without waking them up once they’ve fallen asleep is to change their diaper, swaddle, and then feed them. You’ll be taking care of everything at once. By breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding), they’ll be able to calm down quickly, and most likely fall asleep immediately after (if not during) their eating time.

Are you worried your newborn is going to get cold? Keep them swaddled until your photographer arrives. They’ll be able to advise you on the next steps before they start taking pictures.

SIT BACK AND WATCH

Woman relaxing on couch with a cup of tea

This one’s for you, Mama.

Your photographer knows what they’re doing. Let them run the show. As a mother, you may have that innate urge to pick your child up with every grunt they make, and it can be hard to see someone else handling them. This is why it’s important to find a professional newborn photographer with experience and positive reviews.

Photographers know how much your infant means to you, and they are treated accordingly. Any experienced newborn photographer will know exactly what positions will be comfortable for your child and how to move them delicately so they won’t wake up.

Your photographer should be used to working with worried parents and will know how to put you at ease. However, if at any point during the session you start to feel uncomfortable, make sure to let your photographer know. It’s just as important for you to feel comfortable as it is for your little one.

Also, try not to stress if your tot is being fussy. Babies can feel their mama’s stress or tension, so if you’re calm, your infant may relax too.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

To prepare for fussy moments, you’ll want to have a few things ready — a pacifier, a bottle of formula/breastmilk, a swaddling blanket, and a few clean diapers. If nothing seems to be working to calm your bundle of joy, ask for a break in your session while you try to get things under control.

A few other things you should keep in mind when it comes to your baby’s newborn session are:

• Most photographers include props, but if there is something in particular you want your photographer to include, let them know.

• Try to keep the volume down to maintain a calm environment. When you get overwhelmed, you and your baby can both feel it. Staying relaxed and quiet will ensure a calm atmosphere.

• Make sure you come prepared to be in a few of the photos. You may not be feeling like a supermodel quite yet, but getting in the photos with your infant will create some lasting memories you’ll both treasure.

• Wear neutral colors like creams, mild tones, and soft hues for intimate portraits.

• It’s best to avoid chunky jewelry and watches, which can be distracting elements and will look dated years from now. Strive for timeless photos that will be staples in your home for decades to come.

• If you want to capture your entire family with your newest addition, the best time to do so is toward the end of the session. Consider having the rest of your family show up at the end, so the noise level from the extra people doesn’t disturb your baby.

To read about more tips for your session, read on.

DRINK IT IN

It can be tough for moms to relinquish their caregiver role, even for an hour or two as newborn photos are being taken. However, take advantage of this time. It’s a much-needed mini-break for you. Unlike a maternity photo session, your newborn photo op is all about your baby. You can spend it watching an expert who excels at their craft, and possibly learn some photography tips while you’re at it.

Years from now, when your son towers over you, or your daughter raids your closet, your keepsake photos will remind you of those precious days when they were still little enough for you to carry in your arms.

5 reasons why every expectant mom should do a maternity photo shoot

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOU’RE GOING TO MISS YOUR BUMP!

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it doesn’t always feel that way. While you may be lucky enough to enjoy some perks, like glowing skin, luxurious locks, and a cute baby bump, you’re also going to see the downsides of pregnancy – swollen ankles, newfound tiger stripes, and a rollercoaster of mood swings. Sounds fun, right? Since expectant moms often aren’t looking or feeling their best, they may question whether they should take maternity photos at all. As they scroll through Instagram, they can feel huge, especially as they compare themselves to that perfect-looking Insta-mama. She walks ten miles every day and brags about it in her stories, so it’s hard not to feel inferior as you polish off that sleeve of Oreos.

If you don’t feel like you’re rocking this whole pregnancy thing, you should still have maternity photos taken. Even though pregnancy can have its less-than-enjoyable moments, your body is doing an incredibly beautiful thing. You’ll never regret documenting this change with maternity photos. Here are five good reasons why every mama-to-be should schedule a maternity photo session.

Pregnant woman taking a selfie in her bedroom

From the moment you see those two parallel lines on a pregnancy test, you start dreaming about the day you’ll get to hold your newborn in your arms. At first, it feels like time is inching by, and you find yourself saying things like “I am so tired of being pregnant.”

You’ve probably complained about your aching back, sleepless nights, and frequent heartburn to all your friends and family. “There is no way I’m going to miss this,” you state matter-of-factly while sweating buckets on a relatively cool day.

But as time goes on, you’re going to miss that bump! It won’t be at first, but as the months pass and your baby starts to crawl, you’ll scroll through your monthly pregnancy photos on your phone while absentmindedly rubbing your belly.

You may find yourself uttering those words you never thought you would: “I miss being pregnant.”

The truth is, while pregnancy is hard, there is something simultaneously magical about it. You’re growing a new life, and you’re the only one your child is depending on. You feel their every hiccup, every kick, and every headbutt to your ribs. You’re completely connected.

Once it’s over and done with, you’ll find yourself wandering down nostalgia lane and remembering all those baby kicks (and the ability to eat whatever you wanted guilt-free). So, it’s especially important to capture these moments because you won’t be pregnant forever, and your pregnancy will fly by quicker than you anticipated.

Having maternity photos to look back on will be a standing reminder of that magical time when new life was gestating inside your belly. When you see those beautiful pictures of yourself, you will always smile.

YOU’LL BE SHOCKED AT HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU FEEL

Pregnant woman in a black bodysuit posing for a maternity photo

You’ve probably heard the phrases “You’re glowing!” or “Pregnancy suits you!” from various people throughout your pregnancy. Between the cankles, the urge to eat everything in sight, and the fact that none of your clothes fit anymore, pregnancy doesn’t always make you feel beautiful.

In fact, most women experience a decline in self-confidence as their pregnancy progresses. Your ever-expanding tummy may seem like the perfect excuse to avoid taking photos for a solid nine months, but it’s just the opposite!

You see, at the end of the day you come to realize the beautiful truth – you’re growing a human being – and that is enough of a reason to celebrate! Dressing up in a way that accentuates your bump, putting on some makeup, and pampering yourself (hello, pedicure!) for a photography session may be just what the doctor ordered for a case of the pregnancy blues.

When you see your pictures after the shoot, you may be surprised at just how beautiful you look.

TAKING MATERNITY PHOTOS WILL STRENGTHEN THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE

Lifestyle image of a pregnant couple hugging

Being pregnant can sometimes cause tension in a relationship, due to mood swings and the anticipated change in lifestyle. The financial pressure can intensify that stress. What you need is a way to keep your eyes on the bigger picture, not just focus on the hardships you’re currently experiencing.

Taking maternity photos together with your partner is a great way to strengthen your bond and celebrate the new life you’re bringing into this world. It’s that final chance to document how your dynamics are changing – you’re morphing from a couple into a family.

Many fathers experience a delay in bonding with their child when they’re in utero. They don’t experience pregnancy in the same way as their spouse, so it can be harder for them to build the attachment to their infant until it is born.

They often don’t build a connection to their newborn until they’re able to interact with it. That’s completely different from mothers – they often experience a deep attachment to the baby while pregnant.

Taking maternity photos can help new fathers develop a strong emotional bond with their growing baby. Helping your spouse bond with your infant will also help you both re-establish your connection.

If this isn’t your first kid, you can bring along your older child to the maternity shoot as well. Many older siblings find it challenging at first to adjust to a new baby in the family. Taking pictures with their pregnant mommy can help them understand that a new person is coming and even get them excited about the baby’s arrival!

YOU CAN SHOW AS MUCH (OR AS LITTLE) AS YOU WANT

Silhouette of a pregnant woman on black

A professional photo studio specializing in maternity portraits has an array of lighting modifiers available at its disposal. These modifiers allow the photographer to illuminate as much or as little of you as you want.

While many women choose to celebrate the changes their body undergoes during pregnancy and document them in photographs; other women are more conservative. An experienced maternity photographer will work with you to understand your needs and your level of comfort.

One of the popular trends these days in maternity photography involves flowing fabrics that tastefully cover parts of your body while revealing the rest. As you browse Instagram and look at some prospective portrait studios in your area, take screenshots of the photos that appeal to you.

These visual cues will help your photographer better understand the look you want. In the end, it’s about making you comfortable and happy with your pictures.

YOU’LL LOVE LOOKING BACK AT THE PICTURES AS YOUR CHILD GROWS

Mother looking at an album with her children

From the day your infant is placed in your arms, time starts to go by fast!

One minute a nurse is teaching you how to swaddle, and the next, you’re chasing a toddler through the aisles at Target.

You’re going to miss the calm days of pregnancy where you didn’t have to keep tabs on the diaper bag or wipes every time you head to the store. You’ll miss that your baby bump couldn’t talk back to you when you get into an argument with your toddler over whether they should eat a popsicle for every meal.

As your child grows, you will probably find yourself reminiscing about your pregnancy days and how quiet the house was. You’ll love reflecting on how you had such a tiny human growing inside you, and your maternity photos will be a wonderful reminder of a time long gone.

Your children will enjoy seeing these pictures when they’re older, too. They’ll absolutely love seeing how gorgeous theirmama was when you were pregnant with them.

They won’t notice those few extra pounds and the bags under your eyes from your lack of sleep. They’ll focus on something more important than that – the love in your eyes and the joy that was radiating from you.

THESE PHOTOS WILL BE TREASURED!

Collage of photos on the wall

Scheduling a maternity photo session should be on every mommy-to-be’s checklist.

By having maternity photos taken, you’re giving your child a glimpse of a world they’ll never be able to see for themselves – the time their parents spent as a couple before they entered the picture. They’ll have physical proof of how excited you were to meet them.

As hard as it might be to envision now, time passes quickly. It won’t be long before your child may be showing these pictures to their own child. Your grandchild who might only know you as the gray-haired grandma who is always quick to offer a hug and a cookie will have the opportunity to see you in another light.

That’s a tremendous gift to give your child and the children who come into your family after them. And it’s a great present to yourself and your spouse as well. It’s something the whole family will cherish forever.

the value of custom photography

The arrival of your little one is an incredibly exciting time in your lives. You’ve prepared for months – reading every parenting article you can get your hands on, shopping for goodies, stocking up on diapers, and decorating the nursery to perfection. Arranging for a portrait session is an often overlooked part of the nesting months, but it’s an invaluable way to celebrate and preserve these precious memories for your family.

The teeny tiny newborn phase passes in the blink of an eye, and there is a small window of time for these portraits to be captured successfully. Although a photography session can be planned at any time in your baby’s first months, those sweet womblike poses can only be achieved within the first two weeks after birth. Selecting the wrong photographer could cause you to lose the opportunity to have your newborn baby professionally photographed, so we strongly recommend finding the best photographer for your family at least several months in advance of your due date.

At glow portraits, we recommend ideally capturing newborn portraits in the first 4-10 days. Beyond the first two weeks, baby’s bones and muscles start to strengthen, and and she’ll stretch out more with her limbs, which makes those womblike poses no longer feel natural and comfortable. Besides this development, baby will also experience a growth spurt and become more alert after the first two weeks.

With the convenience of phone cameras at our fingertips, many parents think they will have a chance to capture beautiful portraits of their baby. However, with the whirlwind of getting adjusted to life with a baby, you’d be surprised how challenging it is to get high quality pictures on your own. Newborns are very delicate, and getting each pose perfect requires endless practice, patience, and a trained eye. As you’ll see in our newborn gallery, the quality of images from your professional newborn photo shoot will outshine those from even the best digital camera.

We specialize in working with newborns, and boast years of experience. We’re familiar with the perfect lighting equipment, camera, lenses, calm environment, and blanket setup to capture your baby in the most artistic and flattering poses. Safety is of course always a priority, and precautions are taken at every stage of your session to ensure your baby is feeling calm and comfortable. We also use artistic post-processing to eliminate any blemishes and enhance each portrait into a beautiful work of art. It warms our hearts to provide clients with timeless images that will exceed your expectations, and be cherished for a lifetime.

We strive to create a relaxed and peaceful environment for newborn sessions in our Midtown Manhattan studio, so parents can sit back and enjoy the experience. We understand that your home in a state of chaos, while you get settled into life with your brand new baby. We want you leave that behind, and have a chance to simply enjoy your baby and focus on this little miracle.

With newborn portraits, you can freeze those very first days with your bundle of joy, capturing all of the tiny details, curled up poses, and sweet facial expressions. You’ll have many opportunities to take photos of your child as she grows up, but you will never again have these first days. The professional portraits from your newborn session will be the perfect images to share when you introduce your newest addition to all your family and friends. Whether you use a birth announcement, custom keepsakes, or an online album – the possibilities are endless with your beautiful gallery of newborn portraits that you will cherish forever.

NYC LUXURY NEWBORN & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
We use our expertise in newborn posing to create portraits that will be treasured for generations. If you are expecting a baby, please be in touch as soon as possible to schedule your maternity portrait session or newborn photo shoot. We can be reached at our Manhattan NYC studio 212.868.1076, or anytime by email at info@glow-portraits.com. We can’t wait to capture this incredible once-in-a-lifetime milestone for your family!

what is custom photography

CUSTOM PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY. The family photography you choose to hang on your walls is ultimately the result of the artistic vision of your professional photographer. This vision, coupled with what you wear to your session, the environment, the lighting, even the mood the subjects are in at the time of photographing creates the work that you will want to proudly display on your walls forevermore.

Your first step in the process is more about determining who you are, who your family is and then seeking a photographer that reflects your style. For instance let’s say your family is extremely outdoorsy and loves playing on the beach. You start determining what style you like, browse through photography website portfolios and determine if any of the styles exhibited there would be a good fit with your life and family style. You have already determined that you should probably seek out a beach type photographer (that is if you live near a beach) and then begin narrowing the field down a bit.

Finally after a bit of internet research, you have narrowed it down to two photographers who do what seems like solid work, the sort of outdoor beach look you desire. It is now time to ask yourself: Do you like photographer A’s style over photographer B’s style? Is it because the people in the images of A’s style are having a great time and it seems very caught up in the moment vs. B photographer more posed, looking in the camera images? If this is a case, you probably like lifestyle photography or perhaps even take it a step further and define your desired style as a photojournalistic photography style. The photographer you probably should choose is photographer A because their style is very similar to the style you desire.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart. Custom photography should have you, the client and your experience in mind.

WHY DOES CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHY COST MORE? The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print – as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in a while: “How in the world can you charge $50 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at a local pharmacy?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The Cost of Time: Let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer whose style you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:
• session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
• one hour travel time TO session
• 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
• one hour travel time FROM session
• 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
• 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
• 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
• 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
• 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
• 1 hour sorting through and checking order
• 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
• 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
• any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours – dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $300 for the portrait session fee, you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business: Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.
Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS: Oftentimes clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER: Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc.

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.
I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

All Info Written By Marianne Drenthe, content is inspired by discussions with other photographers, her own personal experiences and outline based on an article by San Diego Photographers Caught On Film Photography.