Dec
12
2013
Oh, sweet Everett, you made us work for all the sleepy newborn pictures in Greenville SC that we took at this session.
At just 6 days new you were powering through your first growth spurt. Your mommy was so tired that half the session’s images were a complete surprise to her 😉
And your daddy was a champion rocker and cuddler and newborn spotter. I think I may have offered him a job as my assistant.
But despite all these obstacles, there was joy in the room. You, long awaited baby, were here. The one they had hoped for and prayed for and cried over.
See your mommy and daddy weren’t sure that you would ever come to be. There was a long road walked before these even longer nine months as they waited for your arrival.
And despite all the changes you’d created and lack of sleep in those six days, never have two more grateful parents looked down at a baby as adoringly as you, Everett.
You are blessed to have such wonderful parents, sweet boy. And I am blessed to see them love you.
Dec
09
2013I’m always so honored when a repeat client books a second organic newborn photography Greenville SC session!
Meet Ryan: my 5th newborn client ever way back in 2011. She was so sleepy and perfect for her sessions. Baby brother Ford followed in her footsteps. There’s something so beautiful about the Allen family’s calmness. Their lack of anxiety lets their babies sleep so soundly.
Ryan has grown up to be so beautiful with her head full of curls!
Ford flashed me this show stopper of a smile. He was such an adorable little charmer.
At 15 days old, For was a few days over the best age range for the sleepiest curliest images, but I never would have known. He was even able to do this gorgeous head in hands composite.
I am so blessed to have laid back and kind clients who both appreciate my imagery and respect my primary role as mommy. Thank you, Allens, for choosing me again. I was enjoyed snuggling little Ford so much.
Dec
05
2013
So you’re thinking of hiring the right Greenville SC Newborn Photographer?
First, congratulations on your baby! It’s a crazy and exciting season filled with anticipation and worry. Relax. Take a deep breath.
There are so many newborn photographers in the area. How do you choose the right one to capture those precious first days? More importantly, how do you choose a newborn photographer who you can trust with your precious tiny baby? Here’s a helpful set of questions for your newborn photography search.
7 Things to Ask your Newborn Photographer
- Do you use composites?
The reason some newborn poses look impossible fore a baby to maintain on his/her own is that that they are! Most of these images are trickery of the eye created in Photoshop or a similar program by a technique called a composite.Any pose where the newborn’s head is raised in a vertical, or where the baby appears to be hanging, or sitting should be created as a composite image. Additionally, anytime a newborn is placed in a prop or held by a younger sibling, an adult should be within arms length of your baby.The pair of images above show how one composite is created. A baby should never be in one of these positions without support. Some photographers choose not to shoot composite images preferring more natural posing. However, if you see an image that looks impossible in the photographers portfolio, always ask about their composite practices and spotting practices.
- Do you have a Federal Tax ID and a Business Licence?
If your photographer isn’t serious enough to obtain the necessary legal paperwork to pursue a legitimate business, the you probably shouldn’t hire him/her. Hobby photography has it’s place and everyone starts somewhere, but if you’re exchanging goods/services for money make sure they’re running a legal business.Integrity in the small stuff will indicate integrity in their dealing with you.
- Do you have insurance?An insured photographer is one who is willing to take responsibility for possible errors. You wouldn’t let an uninsured doctor/midwife deliver your baby so why would you let an uninsured photographer pose your baby?
- What training do you have in newborn photography?
Newborn photography requires a special set of skills beyond knowing how to use a camera. Newborn photographers should be equipped to soothe your newborn, pose babies safely, recognize and relieve poor circulation due to posing, and taught when to give up a pose. Your baby may cry out softly while settling into a pose, but should never cry continuously during his/her newborn session.There are many forms of training including mentoring, video workshops, and in-person workshops. Your photographer should have some type of specialized training and inspire your confidence. A mom who isn’t anxious about her photographers’s skills, allows her newborn to rest making the photographer’s job easier.
- How warm do you keep your studio/shooting area?Newborns can loose body heat very rapidly when unclothed
. Their bodies are used to a toasty 98.6 degrees and they have not learned to regulate their body temperatures well.A newborn photographer should have a studio space warm enough to keep baby comfortable: usually between 80 and 85 degrees. This means that mom, dad, siblings, and the photographer will likely be sweating by the end of the session for the baby to be warm enough.
- Are you vaccinated properly and what is your sick plan?
Babies have extremely low immune systems. Whether traveling to your house or you heading to their studio, your photographer should have at the very least an up to date TDaP booster shot to protect your baby.Additionally, they should have a sick plan in place. What happens if they’re sick or their child is sick, even if it’s just a runny nose or a tickle in their throat? Newborn photos are time sensitive so the photographer should have a plan for both rescheduling and referring you painlessly to another photographer if she is not going to be well enough to shoot during that first 20 days of your baby’s life.
- Can I talk to a past client?
If you’re still nervous about the newborn photography experience, ask to talk to a past client. You’ll get to hear the behind the scenes stories and feel reassured that the photographer is portraying him/herself accurately. As a bonus, if your photographer has a referral program, both of you could end up with referral credits.
Nov
18
2013
I photograph babies and toddlers frequently. Sometimes on their own or with their family and sometimes as the proud big sibling of a newborn. I’ve noticed some commonalities between the ones who do very well and thought it might be nice to share with you what I’ve learned about preparing toddlers for a photography session.
Tips for Preparing Toddlers for a Photography Session
- Schedule the session for their best hours. Pick the time when they’re naturally happiest. Photographers love to schedule during the hour before sunset because of beautiful lighting, but if your baby is grumpy at bedtime rather than just silly/giddy schedule for an alternate time.
- Tell your photographer about your child in your pre-session phone consult. Share what makes them happy and sad. Tell about their favorite toys. Tell about their favorite TV or book characters. What are their favorite songs or games? The more your photographer knows about your child, the easier it will be fore them to connect with your child. I’m personally a fan of my toddlers showing up with their favorite toys, lovies, or even rain boots on. I sometimes run to the library to check out their favorite book to read to them before pulling out the camera.
- Talk to your child frequently about the upcoming photography session Tell them your photographers name. If you’re having an outdoor session, tell them about how you’ll play and tickle. If you’re having a studio session talk to them about how the lights flash and make noises. Even one year olds understand a significant amount of what you’re saying. Two year olds will be much more comfortable with the photographer and the session with this type of verbal processing. Three and four year olds will likely walk right into the session and start asking the photographer questions based these talks and your pretend play.
- Use your imaginations to play photographer Dress them up in their photo clothes and use your camera. Have them follow your instructions. “Climb up on this.” “Stand on one foot.” “Put your hands on your cheeks.” Practice getting them to smile with jokes or stories and refrain from teaching them to “Say cheese!” Show them the pictures and then allow them to play photographer with a pretend or child safe camera.If you’re doing a newborn session with a young toddler (under 3), practice having your toddler lay on her back with a baby doll swaddled over their arm. Once baby is born, let them hold baby on your bed in this same way.
With a child older than 3, have them sit criss-cross applesauce (Indian style for us old schoolers) or with legs extended, lay the swaddled baby on heir laps, and have them support the baby’s back. Always stay close to your newborn when practicing these scenarios.
- Talk about behavior expectations. Children don’t know what is expected of them unless you tell them. Tell them they’ll need to follow directions and not throw fits. Be silly and show them what throwing a fit looks like. Reiterate these expectations while driving to your session.
- Consider positive reinforcement. A matchbox car or a tube of Chapstick should easily do the trick for a younger child. Chocolate chips or a special treat after the session are also good motivators for older children.
- Bring food. There is nothing worse that a cranky hungry toddler. Enough said. Try to stay away from food that will leave marks or crumbs on your child. Cheese, cheerios, grapes, or raisins are all great choices.
- Once you arrive at your session, introduce the photographer by name and make them feel like the session is all about them. “Child, this is Melissa. She is so excited to take pictures of you just like we’ve been practicing. She’s going to be so excited to see how fantastic you are behind the camera!” Your excitement should be contagious.
- When the photographer is shooting, let him/her get your child’s attention and direct them. The only exception to this should be if the photographer asks for your help or if there is a discipline issue you need to correct.
- Know when to say that’s enough. The average baby/toddler attention span is 10-20 minutes. A great photographer will have any more formal posing done in that time or be wise about interspersing tons of play between specific instructions. When you bring an older child(ren) to a newborn session, have dad or grandma take the bigger siblings to a park or home after the family portraiture.
I hope these tips help to create a great child photography session for you.
Sep
27
2013Photographers are a lot like parents: we pretend we don’t have favorites when in reality each season has it’s own favorite session (or child if you’re a parent).
This is my favorite Taylors SC Newborn Photography session of 2013 so far.
I’m not sure if another session from this year will be able to top it (though if you’re the competitive type, please book me and try to top it!).
Right before this session, I was able attend a newborn posing workshop that totally changed my perspective on posing and editing. I left changed and empowered with just a few simple tools that were game changers for me. I had a vision for where I wanted my photography to go and then I booked this session.
I also had the privilege of working with siblings who were older than my typical 2-3 year old siblings. This meant they could follow directions well for the elusive sibling shot. So exciting!
Chelsea is a dear friend and mentor (though I’m not sure she sees herself as that) with three older children. I adore her.
Baby Elliot was a sort of welcome surprise. And folks, he had rolls. I have never seen such a chunky adorable baby. He was just 6 days old and had the roundest pot belly and rolls on his legs and arms. He was nearly 10 pounds at birth! But Elliot was also one of the curliest and sleepiest babies I’ve ever had. He was such a joy to photograph.
While I was posting a few sneak peaks on Facebook, Chelsea wrote me these sweet words.
“Last night was a rough night and the morning has continued that pattern. But then I saw the latest picture and it just made everything better. I told you that your talent is a blessing. Thank you!” ~Chelsea
Folks, I nearly cried! I needed this affirmation so much during the season surrounding this session. Here’s the image that I posted that morning.
Okay… prepare yourself for the explosion of photos to follow. It’s too hard to pick just a few favorites from this session!
Just a visual reminder that this pose should always be completed in Photoshop.
As you can see, Dad’s or my hands never left Elliot unsupported.
And as another note: not all babies find this position comfortable. Elliot simply loved it as you can see by his smile!
