Well here we are again!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog whether it's your first time or if you are a long time fan of my work.
I'd like to present you a behind-the-scenes look at the world of newborn photography.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to capture those precious moments of a baby's life, you're in for a treat. As a newborn photographer, every day is an adventure filled with both challenges and joy. Join me as I take you through what you can expect in the life of capturing the purest, most fleeting moments of a newborn photo session.
The day begins...
9:00 AM: - Time to prep the studio
I'm a clean freak so I like my studio to smell fresh and clean - especially the bathroom!
It's a mad dash to get the floors vacuumed and washed.
Here's my secret to keeping things clean without overpowering with strong chemicals.
Have you tried the Go Clean Co version of floor washing? It's my favourite!
Maintenance on my camera and the strobe lighting is a task that is done the day before. This way if I run into mechanical failure, I have time to reach the resources I need before the session. It is a photographer's nightmare to discover technical malfunctions in the middle of a session. Imagine you're capturing your tiny client only to have your camera shut down unexpectedly, or your lighting to suddenly burn out. It happens to all photographers one way or another and there are ways to prevent it.
How do I prevent it?
I always have extra bulbs on hand and I replace them once a year or when required. I always have batteries when it comes to my lighting and my transmitter system. Extra camera batteries and memory cards are always on standby. This should be a standard with every photographer.
Then we begin with setting up the props and designing the layouts according to the parent's preference. Before baby arrives - I coordinate posing styles of what the parent's would like to see. Most of the time they just give me a colour and I go from there. I love it when they let me decide - I get creative and think "outside the box" and who knows what I might come up with :)
One important question I ask my clients: do you prefer light and airy styles or dark and moody?
Light and airy means using pastel tones with white props and white flooring
Dark and moody uses dark wood tones in the props and flooring along with jewel toned colours.
Props, props and MORE props!
The world of props can be overwhelming if you don't know what you're looking for.
When I started out, I had no idea of what I was getting into nor did I understand the cost.
One of these props is valued
at over $300 US
Which one do you think it is?
Tell me in the comments :)
Then I design backdrops and coordinate them with the wraps, the outfits and accessories.
I like to keep colours in a monochromatic fashion as they keep the images cohesive to each other.
Sooooo many options to choose from. How do I begin to decide?
11:00 AM: The Session Begins
With everything in place, it’s Show Time!
Newborn sessions require patience and flexibility. Babies are unpredictable, so the pace of the shoot often depends on the little one's needs.
One cardinal rule when it comes to working with newborns - they must have a full tummy!
When they're full and there's no gas - they relax and become the little darlings that you see in every image!
The Clock is Ticking!
Once your tiny client is calm and asleep, that's the perfect moment to start capturing images. You need to act quickly because you only have a brief moment before they wake up!
To start - I begin at the posing table and capture as many poses as I possibly can before moving to props. If baby isn't comfortable with table posing, we move to a wrapped pose and return to the table later on.
This part of my job is the least glamorous because I bring "sweating to the oldies? to a whole new meaning.
The studio space is usually kept at 25 degrees so baby can be kept warm throughout the session. When you factor the lighting and the heated flooring - it gets warm really quick. That's why I wear scrubs, they're comfortable and they hide the sweat, and whatever mess comes your way. Bonus feature - they keep you cool.
How do I pose my tiny clients in the bucket, or create those fancy wrap styles?
That my dearest reader takes training and experience in practice.. When you invest in proper training by skilled photographers in the industry, you are given the tricks to all the aspects and these tricks become your skill sets to proper posing!
How long does an average session take?
When I have a good session for baby only photos - it takes about 3 hours.
If the session requires parents and siblings - 4 hours.
If baby is super fussy, it can take anywhere from 4-6 hours - it depends on baby.
What about multiple babies?
When it comes to twins, it takes about 5 hours depending on baby's flow.
Triplets have yet to grace my studio - I hope I get there someday.
Time to go home!
When all the shots are captured and I'm happy with the results, I dress my tiny clients back into their onesies and hand them back to Mom and Dad. Once the coast is clear, I like to do a big flop into the comfy chair and give myself a well deserved break.
The day winds down with reflection on the day's work and planning for future sessions. This might involve updating the portfolio with new work, brainstorming creative ideas for upcoming shoots, or reviewing feedback from clients to continuously improve the service.
Unwinding
After a busy day, it’s time to relax. Whether it’s spending time with family, getting creative in the kitchen, this time is essential for recharging. The job can be physically and emotionally demanding, but the rewards of capturing all those tiny moments of a baby's life make it all worthwhile.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a newborn photographer is a blend of artistry, patience, and dedication. Each session is a new story, each baby a new opportunity to create something beautiful. While the job requires hard work and attention to detail, the joy of delivering timeless memories to my families makes it incredibly fulfilling.
Thank you for joining me behind the lens today—here’s to many more heartwarming moments captured and cherished.
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