Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to have a newborn photo shoot
The optimal age for a newborn photo session is 5-14 days.
Why?
- after 14 days, there is a high probability of the appearance of calculi. According to my observations, everyone has them to varying degrees. For some of the babies, they cause slight discomfort, and for some, stomach pain after each feeding. This does not mean that if the baby has severe colic, you should refuse to shoot - I cope with this situation perfectly, and at the same time I teach parents how to calm the baby and reduce the pain in the tummy. But the time of the photo session can stretch up to 5 or even 6 hours;
- after 14 days, babies often have a hormonal rash. This is not only for me additional time for retouching, and since I also give a photo without retouching, it will be more pleasant to look at other photos if the baby has clean skin;
- As a rule, children are born with reduced tone, and after only two weeks it increases to hypertonicity. This means that the earlier the shooting is done, the easier and more accurately it will be possible to lay out the little fingers. In the case of hypertension, unfortunately, the handles will be cams in the photo;
- over time, children's sleep becomes more and more responsive and this extends the shooting time;
- before 5 days, filming is not recommended due to the fact that breastfeeding is still being established;
- for me personally, the most comfortable age is 7 days: as a rule, mom already has enough milk and there is time to spare if suddenly one of the participants of the shooting catches a cold.
When is the best time to sign up for a newborn photo session
2 months before the due date (due date of delivery).
Otherwise, there is a big risk of getting into a hot period when I physically cannot take additional shootings.
Conditionally, I sign you up for the PDP date +5-7 days, and we choose the exact date for 2-3 days after giving birth, based on whether it is important for you to shoot on a weekend or weekday and taking into account that the optimal age for photo sessions 7 days.
If the baby has already been born, we do not delay - we call/write as early as possible, I will try, but I do not guarantee to find a window in my shooting schedule.
I do not take an advance before the shooting - I rely on the decency of my clients and the fact that if for some reason you change your mind, let me know in advance.
How long does a newborn photo session last
On average 2-3 hours for the minimum package and 3-4 hours for the standard and maximum package.
I do not limit the photo session by time, but work for the result.
It also takes time to unpack and put things back together.
In the case of shooting twins, it can be 5-6 hours, most of the time is spent waiting when the phase of deep sleep in both coincides for joint shots.
How to prepare for a newborn photo session
In the case of shooting in the child's house/apartment, I ask the parents to warm the room to 26-27 degrees and free up space near the window.
If the room is cool, I heat the room with my heater or shoot the children only in suits and diapers (wraps).
If there is not enough space on the floor near the window, I take pictures on the bed (sofa).
Also, 2-3 days before the shooting, it is necessary to refrain from introducing new products (in the case of GV - for the mother, in the opposite case - for the baby).
A mandatory condition for filming is the presence of a pacifier (pacifier). Even if you are against its use, believe me, after an hour or two of filming, the child will not have time to get used to it.
If natural light is not enough, I shoot with a constant light that I take with me.
A few days before the shooting, parents need to decide on clothes for family photos - I recommend solid white or pastel t-shirts.
Also need to send me wishes for images for the baby.
How does a newborn photo session take place
As a rule, if it is convenient for the parents, I arrive at the shooting by 11-12 with all the necessary props, which are agreed in advance.
I shoot in a change of clothes and a mask.
Adapting to the baby's mode, the parents only need to leave the baby in one diaper and a diaper/blanket until my arrival.
As a rule, I start a photo session with family photos - here it is not important whether the child will sleep or not, the main thing is that he has a good mood. This is the time, while the baby is in the warm, reliable hands of the parents, when I can get to know the baby better - how easily it falls asleep, how attentively it sleeps.
I prefer photos of babies in suits or bare feet to show their little legs and arms as much as possible. If the child does not fall asleep well, sleeps sensitively or suffers from severe colic, first I wrap the children in diapers (wraps), and when the sleep becomes deeper, I alternately show more arms, legs, and then completely remove the wrap.
What you should not be afraid of if you want to order a newborn photo session
- how many. I know several techniques to relieve stomach pain, and even in the most difficult cases, parents were not left without good photos;
- responsive sleep. I am a very patient person and often my work is compared to the task of a sapper, you will be surprised how carefully I can work with children;
- hormonal rash. During 10 years of work as a photographer, I perfectly honed the skills of magazine retouching. Therefore, even in the most difficult cases, you can rest assured that the baby will look perfect in retouched photos;
- the baby often poops/vomits a lot (props get dirty). I am completely calm about burps and poops, because almost no photo shoot is complete without them. That's why I always have a spare set of changing clothes. And the fact that props get dirty is part of the job. I rub everything at once, and at home I wash it in a washing machine. Baby poop is washed off easily and without a trace;
- the baby is more than 14 days old. I photograph babies up to 1 month, but the number of images may be equal to the minimum stated in the package, and the closer to the month, the greater the probability that the baby will not be naked or in a suit, but in a diaper (wrap), but from this the photos will be no less beautiful. I photographed my daughters naked in newborn style up to 1.5 months;
- the baby was born prematurely. If the baby has already been discharged from the maternity hospital and weighs more than 2.5 kg, you can take pictures;
- a small and (or) dark apartment. I have everything I need to adapt to any conditions;
- the baby sleeps only on the chest. In such cases, it is often necessary to start removing in a diaper (wrap), using the pacifier in fragments. Then usually the children still fall into a deep sleep and it turns out to be photographed naked or in a suit;
- everything was fine, but the night before the shooting, the baby did not sleep well. If the baby did not sleep at night, there is a good chance that he will sleep very well during the day. And parents can take turns sleeping during the shooting ;)
- The baby has health problems at birth. You can always shoot in the life-style style, minimally disturbing the baby.
What kind of processing does props go through before shooting a newborn
All textiles are washed in hypoallergenic baby powder, the rest of the props are treated with a quartz lamp and disinfectant spray. I take a vaporizer with me on the shoot.
Provision of props for newborn photography
The price of the shooting includes the use of absolutely all props that are available.
And this is practically all that you can see in my portfolio.
These are wooden backgrounds and baskets, blankets and rugs, costumes and rims, as well as toys.
I make practically all props myself, so you are provided with exclusive shots.
Also, in the case of prior registration, you can agree on the creation of details that I do not have in my portfolio.
In the shooting, I use mainly living flora, as a rule, these are seasonal flowers and indoor plants. If you wish, you can purchase them yourself on the eve of the shooting or entrust them to me, marking the budget. I often use the flowers left after discharge.
Where the newborn photo session takes place
Predominantly in the children's house/apartment, in good weather, at the request of the parents outside, it is also possible to rent a specialized studio for babies for an additional fee.
How photos are selected for processing
I choose photos for retouching myself. But at the request of the parents, they can choose 3-4 family photos.
It is very difficult for parents to choose the best and most beautiful one from several practically identical takes with the baby, so I take this responsibility upon myself.
Why choose me as your newborn photographer
- more than 10 years of professional shooting experience;
- experience shooting 8-year-old babies;
- more than 100 newborn photo sessions, and not a single one where it was not possible to take good photos of the baby;
- 7 pairs of twins that I managed without an assistant, only with the help of mom or dad;
- exclusive handmade props that I create myself, not for sale, but only for my filming;
- I have two children of my own;
- the photo is always returned on time;
- regularly undergo online training in the New Born area;
- lack of prepayment for registration with PDP;
- I adapt to any conditions on the road;
- I shoot in newborn style children under 1 month old;
- extensive experience of working with children on the street to obtain unique in beauty photos;
- Possibility of payment in installments;
- Newborn photographer is my dream job and I give it 200%
Can grandparents participate
As I personally value family shots the most, I take joint shots with all family members.
I take a photo of the baby in the hands of someone other than the parents as part of the standard and premium package only.
But if one of the relatives is against or is very worried about the newborn photo session, then the presence of such a person can prevent the shooting. Because experiences are transmitted to the mother, and from the mother to the baby.
In this case, I suggest doing family shots at the beginning of the shoot and then having everyone but the parents leave the room.
