You’re Pregnant or just had a baby. Congratulations Mum & Dad and welcome to the world new little one.
New babies bring so much excitement, hope and love. And no doubt, you’ll have either looked into or thought about having a Newborn Photo shoot to document your new baby and this enormous life change that’s just happened.
New babies and Newborn photo sessions seem to go hand in hand now days. But that doesn’t mean you should take it for granted that every Newborn Photographer out there is experienced or safe.
What to look for?
What should you look out for when choosing a Newborn Photographer?
- Quality of their work: Are their photos consistent and do the photos posted online depict babies who look comfortable? Make sure you spend time looking through their work and websites.
- Read through their online reviews and comments posted below images to allow you to get a ‘feel’ for the photographer and how he/she is received by others.
- Has or does the photographer advocate Newborn Safety? Do they show an interest in conveying the importance of keeping your baby safe?
- Usually, a photographers price reflects their level of experience and they will be priced for providing a professional service. Price is also determined by products included and overall business and living costs. Training will also influence their price as any form of training a photographer completes costs money. This will be reflected in their price. If a photographer is priced above your budget, consider asking for payment plans. This will allow you to choose the best photographer.
Safety is Paramount
All photos created by a Newborn Photographer must be done with safety in mind. It must always be at the forefront during any photo shoot. Both when handling a baby prior to posing and while posing.
A baby’s age and size will also influences our setups/poses done to ensure baby is safe and happy at all times.
If a photographer is trying to achieve a pose that requires a ‘hands on’ approach, parents will be drafted in as a spotter (someone who has hands on baby or very near) or a photographer will have an assistant to provide this level of support.
Here is an example of the Froggy Pose:
What is a composite image?
This is what we call a composite image. It means we use more than one image to create the final image. As you can see, in the first two photos, a hand was used to support baby in order to hold them safely. If they weren’t supported, baby would collapse to the side which is extremely unsafe and can be very distressing for parents and the baby.
Once each image is obtained, they are both combined to complete the image. (i.e. editing out spotters hands etc).
What you see online is always the finished product. If you are not shown how it’s done, it is easy to presume baby held that pose on their own.
Here is another example of a different type of composite image. Baby is never photographed hanging from anything that could allow them to fall. A digital image is used to create the hanging basket look.
Where do photographers find these digital images? Well, some are created in the studio at the time of the session and the composite will be taken during the session of both the baby and the prop the baby will be going into. But for most of us, where space and resources is limited, we buy digital images online that have been created, lovingly, by other professional photographers and digital designers. There are many creators out there, but currently my favourite at the moment are by Luisa Dunn and Sasha Chomakov.
If unsure, always ask….
I also want to assure you that any pose carried out by an experienced professional photographer is SAFE no matter how you view it or how concerned you may be. Much of the training and information given to Newborn Photographers is lead and advised by midwives, doctors and obstetricians. We all have the same goal in mind.
If you are ever in doubt, speak to a photographer and ask them questions, it is our job to reassure you and provide an experience that is memorable but above all, safe. We also don’t force babies into any pose they don’t go into comfortably. A happy baby is our goal as it is always reflected on the photos.
If you’d like to get in touch, please send me a message here: Contact Me
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