Jul
02
2014Last month I had the pleasure of being the classic Greenville SC newborn baby photographer for Anna Beth.
Anna Beth helped me and Colie Photos create videos that show what a newborn photographer does. You can watch that finished video below.
Interested in booking a newborn session? Contact me today, I’d love to meet you for coffee and hear your baby’s story.
Anna Beth was a little pixie of a newborn.
She smiled and smiled every time Nicole or I rocked her. That’s what I’m laughing at in the opening scene of my video: Anna B’s silly noises and huge grins.
Anna Beth was sweet enough to smile for my camera as well.
Though at just over 5 pounds she made me work to find those beautiful back wrinkles!
I loved her on this purple with this gorgeous tie back from the lovely Cricket + Bean.
Our second model for the morning, Gideon, arrived just as I finished feeding Anna Beth a bottle. Anna Beth was wide awake at that point, but Gideon was sound asleep.
I haven’t had the pleasure of photographing twins since I took my newborn workshop last summer, so I asked if we could pose them as twins.
And so we did! Ironically, these two share the same birthday!
Here’s Anna Beth all snuggled up to Gideon falling back to sleep.
It’s amazing how having a snuggle buddy just soothes a baby back to sleep.
These two sweeties were by far the best sleepers Nicole and I had ever photographed. We could not have asked for better babies to help us make this video.
This little girl just keep smiling over and over. I think she liked Gideon 😉
Beth, thank you so much for allowing Nicole and I the privilege of photographing Anna. I hope you enjoy the photos and the videos of her for years to come.
Jun
27
2014Each Friday I interview a local business owner who caters to new moms and their little ones. My goal is to expose you to some great people you would otherwise not know about. I want you to meet and grow to love these brave local men and women who enjoy serving you.
Spartanburg SC Cloth Diaper Service: The Diaper Queen
Kristin Harling, The Diaper Queen, provides a traditional cloth diaper service in both Greenville and Spartanburg SC. She’s a mother of 4 amazing kids, ages 15, 12, 2 and 6 months . She loves her man, the rare quiet moment, and the opportunity to play in the remaining loud moments!
The Diaper Queen’s website can be found here: http://www.thediaperqueen.com
Hop over here to give her Facebook Page a like!
Tell me a little about your family.
My partner, Nathan, is my rock and favorite cuddle bunny. I’m pretty sure my kids are the coolest ever, and I love spending time with them. They’re smart and interesting and funny and genuinely kind.
What advice do you wish someone had given you as a new mom? What advice would you give to a new mom?
You don’t need to be a perfect mom. Relax.
All those people telling you how to raise your child don’t actually have a say. That’s why it’s called mother’s instinct and not nosy in-law’s instinct or bossy neighbor’s instinct.
What have been your favorite moments of motherhood?
I love watching my kids together. I love watching them play with and nurture each other. The way they love one another helps me remember I did some things right as a mom.
What has been your most challenging moments of motherhood?
This business of 2 under 2 is pretty wild. It’s really hard to get a moment of peace to think or clean or spend time with my man. I’m looking forward to being bored again someday.
This is one of the things that’s awesome about the diaper service. I feel like it makes it a little easier for moms to use cloth, and that benefits them, their babies, and all the rest of us by keeping disposables out of the landfill.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was living in Asheville and pregnant with my 3rd child. I had already decided to use a diaper service this time. I cloth diapered my older 2 kids and just wanted it to be a little easier.
When I moved back to Spartanburg, I was horrified to find out there was no service for me! So I started a Spartanburg SC cloth diaper service, which is a little crazy since I now wash for a lot more than just my two.
What services & products do your provide for new moms?
We provide old fashioned diaper service with modern cloth diapers. We use 100% organic, Unbleached cotton prefolds.
I also sell Thirsties and Sweet Peas covers, diaper liners, pail liners, and a cool pail deodorizer called Fairy Dust.
What are some things that you offer that make the transition to cloth diapering a little easier?
I sit with each of my clients before their due date for at least an hour explaining how cloth works. I try to provide helpful info, as well. Most importantly, I pick up and drop off at their door. They only have to put the dirties on the porch. It’s one less thing to do!
Special Discount for Quiet Graces Fans!
I cloth diapered all three of my kids (including my twins!) and let me tell you, wash day can sneak up on you and have your reaching for the disposables! A cloth diaper service would have made this a bit easier. And I love that Kristin’s pre-folds are organic!
Are you interested in a Greenville or Spartanburg SC diaper service?
As a special discount for Quiet Graces readers The Diaper Queen is offering 10% off Thirsties Duo Wrap. Use the code “Quiet Graces” at checkout.
Interested in photography of your new little love? Check me out!
Jun
25
2014Today I want to lift the veil for you a little. Here’s a big secret:
Most Posed Images of Newborns that Look Impossible Are Impossible
Those Images are Photoshop trickery of the eye.
A Safe Photoshop Composite of a Popular Newborn Pose
Quiet Graces Photography, as a safe Greenville SC Newborn Baby Photographer, I care more about your little one than the any image I want to create.
If you’re uncomfortable with pose or if your baby expresses discomfort in a pose, I will never push for that pose. Your baby is worth more than “getting the shot”.
I have been in the photography industry long enough to have seen some scary things.
There are crazy YouTube videos about how to get the pose above (called the “Frog Pose”) without the the parent’s hands on the baby. The baby “balances” there for an awful moment and my heart sinks to the floor watching. A baby’s head is 1/3 of it’s birth weight. There are no muscles on a newborn strong enough to hold a head up: not in the arms or the neck.
There are images circulated every year at Easter of babies lying in glass vases full of jelly beans or Easter eggs. I’ve seen images of babies lying on piles of glass Christmas ornaments. Glass! Glass can break. Glass can cut.
I’ve seen babies lifted 2-3 feet in the air on tree branch for beautiful hanging images in wraps or crocheted stork pouches. Or a baby placed precariously on a stool with an over enthusiastic 2 year old sibling “loving” on him. Or on bicycles or motorcycles or wooden swings. Falls could happen. It’s always better to do these images as a Photoshop composite. And if you a see a photographer advertising these types of images, it’s always best to ask if they are composites before hiring them. Most of these things can be done well in Photoshop, but the inexperienced newborn photographer may or may not know the ccorrect process.
Picking a Safe Greenville SC Newborn Baby Photographer
Please ask any newborn photographer who has these unsafe/impossible looking images on her website if they were performed as Photoshop Composites.
If they hesitate in their answer, choose a different photographer.
As an artist: we have visions in our heads about where we would like to be and there is a learning curve before our images and posing reach our visions. But a photographer who is claiming to be a professional and doesn’t know how to safely learn while keeping your little love comfortable should be avoided.
Are you a photographer or parent who wants to learn more about Newborn Safety? Check out Learn Shoot Inspires Newborn Safety Week Posts.
Jun
20
2014Each Friday I interview a local business owner who caters to new moms and their little ones. My goal is to expose you to some great people you would otherwise not know about. I want you to meet and grow to love these brave local men and women who enjoy serving you.
Greenville SC Cloth Diaper Store: Babybottoms Boutique
Ferris is a wife and mother of 4 who began her cloth diapering journey back in 2011 to save money. Her business is her passion and Ferris loves spreading the word about this cost effective, environmental friendly option to disposable diapers.
The Babybottoms Boutque Store: www.shopbabybottoms.com
Give them a Like on Facebook by clicking here!
Interview with Babybottoms Boutique
Tell me a little about your family.
Having 4 children makes for a hectic everyday adventure. No one day is alike. But they sure are precious, and they are certainly a joy and they bring smiles to our faces everyday.
What advice do you wish someone had given you as a new mom? What advice would you give to a new mom?
That half the things you register for your baby, you don’t really need and won’t use.
What have been your favorite moments of motherhood?
I love reading to them. And of course kissing all those boo boos. Mommy (and a band-aid) can always make them feel better.
What has been your most challenging moments of motherhood?
In the beginning of my motherhood, balancing work and home was my most challenging issue. I could balance it, but my main focus was on work, when it shouldn’t have been. I have since been a part time employee. And since our family has grown, I have more of a respect now for those that stay at home. We are some busy moms!! It has helped me to see how we should all respect each other and our decisions and our roles in life.
What inspired you to start your business?
I believe everyone needs to know that there are other options than disposable diapers. I would not have known about cloth diapers had not my husband’s cousin told me about them. She encouraged me, and I want to encourage others! I started using cloth diapers to save money, and I want others to be able to do the same.
What products do your provide for new moms?
- Cloth diapers
- Safe Cloth Diaper Detergent & Diaper Rash Cream
- Potty Training Supplies
- Reusable Nursing Pads and Covers
- Natural skin care products
- Action Baby Carries
- Natural and non-toxic toys
What makes you stand out from some of the larger cloth diaper suppliers?
I provide knowledge of my products. I use my products on my own children, so that I can give reviews of the products. If a customer has a question about a product, I can answer right away!
Special Discount for Quiet Graces Fans!
If you’ve ever thought about trying cloth diapers or are looking for more natural skin care products and toys, please check out BabyBottoms Boutique!
As a gift for Quiet Graces readers, Ferris is offering 5% off all orders. Use code “save5”!
Interested in timeless newborn photography? Watch my video showing you a newborn session over here.
Jun
18
2014Remember Everett winner of last year’s superlative for the most smoochable lips?
His parents signed him up for Simpsonville SC Baby Plan Photography! That means I get to photograph this sweet boy 4 times in the next two years.
Interested having your little one’s first two year documented? Contact me today to learn about my baby plan.
I simply love watching these babies grow up! Everett has become the sweetest little guy.
And he barely stopped smiling the whole time we were photographing.
Except, of course, when he was up to mischief. This Steve Urkel like “Did I do that?” face is going to be his sweet mama Sarah’s undoing. (Did I just date myself with that reference?)
The way Everett interacts with Justin is also beautiful. Every time he laid eyes on Justin grins came pouring out. In fact, when I asked Sarah to bring along a favorite toy or two, she actually replied that Justin was Everett’s favorite toy!
I’m pretty sure Sarah’s statement was accurate. I can’t express how much I enjoyed seeing Justin father this sweet boy.
Everett is Justin and Sarah’s miracle baby and I can just see the gratitude for his life poured out in the way Justin dotes on his boy.
Justin isn’t the only one doting on little Everett. Sarah loves her boy fiercely as well.
Often times, I have to convince mom’s to be in the picture with their baby. Not Sarah.
Sarah is an avid scrapbook maker and wants to be in the story she is piecing together for her family.
I love that about her. I wish I had more image memories of me holding my sweet babies at this age. Even photographers fail at getting in the image with our own families images sometimes.
Thank you, Sarah and Justin, for faithfully trusting me with your family’s memories. I am so looking forward to seeing Everett grow. Hopefully one day I’ll get to page through your beautiful scrapbook 😉
