Newborn photosession
Information and recommendations
Thank you for choosing me as your lifestyle photographer for you and your newborn baby. I'm honored, very much appreciate it, and I'm looking forward to spend some photo-creative time with you and your family. Before we meet for the photosession, I would like you to read the following information and recommendations regarding the newborn photosession.
YOUR HOME
The photoshoot will take place in your home, in the areas of your home where natural light is coming from windows (or glass doors) – typically a living room, but it can also be a kitchen, bedroom, children room, even a staircase… With your permission, I would like to take a quick tour around your home's main areas so we can identify the most suitable places to shoot. A part of the photoshoot might be done simply on the floor.
Prior to the photosession, don’t block windows/doors with plissee or curtains or outdoor shielding. If possible, take down large objects (f.e. flowerpots, picture frames, candle holders) from windowsills. Prior to the photoshoot, turn off all artificial light sources – ceiling lights, lamps, decorative lights (apart from Christmas time – there we might keep some).
Depending on your home layout and interior, it might be necessary or practical to move a piece of furniture from or to the main lighting source – like an armchair – or in order to make more open space. I will be happy to help or move it for you.
Make sure the light areas of your home are tidy – remove unnecessary clatter and objects, and loose items like children toys etc. Keep those decorations that make your home homey. It is similar to arranging your home for an estate agent photographer but with more personal touch. The tidier and more minimalistic the interior looks, the neater and more professional the pictures will look. “Less is more” principle works very well with indoor lifestyle photoshoots. I might give you advice on some minor changes such as adding/removing smaller items. PLEASE, do NOT do any major cleaning of your home or decluttering the entire house/flat because of me! You have a baby (and family) to take care of and I am very much aware of it.
I can take pictures of your baby in a baby bed/crib, nest or a large (so called Moses) basket – if you have one. Keep only a neatly stretched (white/light if possible) sheet and max 1 decorative pillow or max 1 toy in the bed. If you wish pictures in your master bedroom on the bed (given the natural lighting allows that), remove blankets, keep only neatly stretched (white/light if possible) sheet and pillows, or arrange a few decorative pillows (if you have some) in front of the headboard.
YOUR BABY
Your baby’s comfort is the highest priority for me. We will work around the baby’s mood and needs. If he/she’s cranky or upset, we’ll take a break and pick up where we stopped once the baby is happy again, or asleep. I understand that babies need frequent comforting, feeding, burping, diaper change, they don’t like being unattended, and they don't sleep on command. Don’t worry, and do what’s necessary with your baby in a calm and relaxed way and take the time it takes. You don’t need to be stressed by my presence or by getting the photoshoot done. We can stretch the photoshoot or reschedule if the baby is not up for it. I myself had two babies and I still vividly remember how demanding babies can sometimes be.
Prior to the photoshoot, please, don’t use oils and oily creams on your baby’s skin (unless it is required for health and safety of the baby), as well as on you. This is to avoid shiny spots on the skin in the photos. Feed your baby – well fed babies are happier, calmer and sleepier.
I encourage people to wear nice, but comfortable clothes for any photoshoot. But it’s entirely up to you what you and our baby wear. I can photograph you and your baby in multiple outfits if you wish so. Lighter colours and colour co-ordination is advised (meaning that you and your baby have similarly coloured clothes), but it is not strictly necessary. If you are unsure, I can give you tips on suitable clothes for your baby. Quite often just simple bodies, or onesies look best.
If you are ok with that, I can take a few shots where your baby is naked – you need to make sure your home is comfortably warm for the baby and consider the likelihood of your baby pooping/peeing unexpectedly (on you or your furniture). I can also take pictures of your baby swaddled or wrapped into a cosy warm blanket, decorated with a head band and other props, if you wish so and have the props.
I can also take breastfeeding pictures, which I personally think belong the the newborn photoshoot and this phase of life. I value your intimacy and privacy, therefore I will not publicly show any pictures where you breastfeed or your baby is naked without your written consent (this is valid for model calls as well).
HANDLING YOUR BABY
All handling of your baby (holding, dressing, decorating, wrapping in a blanket etc.) will be done by you as parent, and I will not handle or pose your baby. With that stated, I, as a photographer, need to assure that you with your baby (or the baby alone) is correctly positioned to the light, and I might ask you (multiple times) to reposition your baby by giving you a very specific instruction. I will refrain from touching your baby, but it might be necessary to slightly tilt his/her head or gently reposition arm/leg/fingers, adjust clothes/blanket a bit, to make sure details in the photograph look good.
HYGIENE
The hygiene is high on my priority list. I will of course wash and sanitize hands prior to the photosession, and clean my equipment as much as it is possible to do so. If you wish so, I can also wear a face mask during the entire photosession. I have two small children at home, therefore I might ask you to reschedule the photoshoot, if me or my own children get sick, simply to not unknowingly transfer any bacteria or virus onto you and your baby (and the same I kindly ask from you). I will come in clean clothes and do not use any heavy perfumes, but I do have a dog at home. If you are allergic to dogs, let me know, I’ll do my best to come as “sterile” as I can be.
PHOTOSHOOT GUIDING
In-home lifestyle newborn photosesssion isn’t meant for perfect poses and staging the baby in very specific scenarios and lighting like newborn studio photographers do. It is also not a documentary style (strictly observing without interaction) – a lifestyle photoshoot is somewhere in between. The aim is to capture natural normal scenes and interactions the parents have with their baby – cuddles, snuggles, loving looks, hugs and authentic portraits… while incorporating your home into the picture with the lighting conditions that are there.
With that said, I will still gently guide you through the photoshoot and give some suggestions on how to hold your baby, or pose with your baby, especially in relation to where the natural light flows in. I might ask you (multiple times) to look at me (meaning at the camera lens) or at each other, or at the baby depending on the situation… My goal is to capture natural and candid images, nothing forced, uncomfortable or unsafe.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
It’s perfectly fine to include close family members, like older siblings and pets, even grandparents, into the newborn photosession, and I very much encourage that as long as it is safe for your baby. I would kindly ask you to explain your older children that I’m coming with some scary big cameras, and that I will spend some time with you, talk to you and walk around while taking pictures of your baby and all of you as a family, so they cope better with the photosession and me being with you. I totally understand that in the present of a stranger, children can be very shy, nervous and anxious, sometimes curious, or on contrary full of energy, misbehaving and showing off. Don't worry about that, I like children and I always try to be friendly, kind, patient and understanding. We might take the family pictures first before the attention span of the older siblings drops and they lose interest.
OTHER INFORMATION
I do encourage you to read also the Terms of Service for Abrakadabra Photodesign, clarifying amongst others privacy policy, handling of personal data and storage of the photos that I take.
Don’t hesitate to ask about anything you may wonder about prior or during the photosession. I believe we will create beautiful photos together that you will like and cherish, especially once your tiny bundle is grown out of the very special newborn phase... and all you have left are photographs.
Thank you for reading & have a magical day with your baby! :)
Vera Kristinova
Your dedicated lifestyle photographer
www.abrakadabra-photodesign.com
vera@abrakadabra-photodesign.com