The Importance of Newborn Photo Shoots

Welcoming a newborn into the world is a remarkable and cherished moment for any family. From the first breath to the tiny fingers and toes, the early days of a baby's life are filled with fleeting moments brimming with innocence and beauty. To preserve these precious memories, many families opt for newborn photo shoots. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of newborn photo shoots and why they hold a special place in the hearts of families worldwide.

Newborn photoshoots are my absoloute favourite sessions and are held in my cosy studio on the Towcester high street near Northampton and Milton Keynes. You can curl up yourself and relax with a hot cuppa something and a massive load of biscuits while I take care of baby for an hour or two.

1. Freezing Time:
Newborn photo shoots allow parents to freeze those early moments in time. Babies grow at an astonishing rate, and before you know it, they've outgrown their delicate features and adorable expressions. By capturing these fleeting moments through professional photography, parents can relive those early days for years to come, sharing their joy and the story of their child's beginning with future generations.

2. Celebrating Arrival:
A newborn photo shoot is a celebration of a new life entering the world. It marks the beginning of a unique journey, both for the baby and the entire family. These photos capture the essence of the baby's arrival, allowing parents to document and cherish the excitement, happiness, and love surrounding this special event.

3. Creating Lasting Memories:
Photographs have the power to evoke emotions and transport us back to specific moments. Newborn photo shoots create lasting memories that can be cherished for a lifetime. These images become treasured heirlooms, passed down through generations, providing a glimpse into the family's history and reminding us of the love that surrounds us.

4. Professional Expertise:
Newborn photographers possess a unique set of skills and expertise in working with infants. They understand how to handle newborns safely and comfortably, allowing for the creation of stunning images without compromising the baby's well-being. Their experience in capturing the delicate features, tiny details, and tender moments of newborns ensures that every photo is a work of art. Here at Faegrian Photography, Towcester, Emily is highly trained and is passionate about safety while creating art – the baby is the boss at her studio in Northampton, near Milton Keynes.

5. Artistic Expression:
Newborn photography is an art form that enables photographers to showcase their creativity. From different poses, props, backgrounds, and lighting, photographers can personalize the shoot to reflect the family's style and preferences. The resulting images become unique works of art that capture the essence of the baby's individuality and the family's love and personality.

6. Sharing and Connection:
Newborn photo shoots provide an opportunity for families to share the joy of their new addition with friends and loved ones. These images can be shared through social media, birth announcements, or displayed in the home. Sharing these photos strengthens the bond between family members and allows others to witness the miracle of life.

Newborn photo shoots hold immense importance in capturing the beauty and innocence of a baby's early days. Through professional expertise, artistic expression, and the power of photography, these shoots provide families with lasting memories and an opportunity to celebrate their new arrival. As time marches on, these images become priceless treasures, reminding us of the profound love and joy that a newborn brings into our lives.

I can’t wait to welcome you and your new addition(s) into our newborn studio in Towcester, Northampton near Milton Keynes.

Towcester newborn photographer baby photography Milton Keynes Northampton Buckinghamshire Northamptonshire family

Unleashing Your Inner Confidence: A Guide to Rocking Your Boudoir Photoshoot

A boudoir photoshoot is a beautiful and empowering experience that allows you to celebrate your body, embrace your sensuality, and capture your unique beauty. However, it's not uncommon to feel a bit nervous or self-conscious before such a shoot. The key to capturing stunning boudoir photos lies in feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips to help you boost your self-confidence and rock your boudoir photoshoot at our boudoir photography studio in Towcester near Milton Keynes.

1. Embrace Self-Love:
Begin by embracing self-love and accepting yourself as you are. Remember that your body is unique and beautiful, and it tells your individual story. Focus on appreciating your best features and let go of any negative self-talk. Embracing self-love is the first step towards radiating confidence in your boudoir shoot.

2. Plan and Prepare:
Take the time to plan and prepare for your photoshoot. Emily at our boudoir photography studio in Towcester near Milton Keynes will take you through a pre-session consultation. Communicate your preferences and ideas with the photographer at our Towcester studio to ensure that you feel comfortable throughout the process. Being well-prepared will help you feel more in control and confident.

3. Choose Outfits that Make You Feel Amazing:
Select outfits that make you feel incredible and reflect your personal style. Whether it's a delicate lace teddy, a glamorous corset, or a simple silk robe, choose pieces that flatter your body and make you feel confident. Experiment with different styles and silhouettes to find what accentuates your best features and makes you shine.

4. Practice Posing and Expressions:
Practice posing and expressions in front of a mirror to build your confidence. Experiment with different angles, body positions, and facial expressions. Find poses that make you feel comfortable and highlight your unique beauty. Remember, confidence comes from within, and practicing will help you feel more at ease during your photoshoot. You will be given full directions by Emily at our boudoir studio in Towcester, Northampton. Right down to facial expressions.

5. Professional Hair and Makeup:
Hair and make up is included in every one of our boudoir packages. This will be usually done by Cheryl or Nikki and then your photographer, Emily, will be on hair. This pamper session will take place at the studio here in Towcester, Northampton and will help you get to know your photographer and feel more comfortable when the shoot starts. Pampering yourself with expert styling will not only enhance your natural beauty but also boost your confidence. Discuss your desired look with the artist and trust their expertise to create a stunning transformation that aligns with your vision.

6. Surround Yourself with Positivity:
Prior to your shoot, surround yourself with positive influences. Spend time with loved ones who uplift and support you. Engage in activities that make you feel good, whether it's listening to empowering music, practicing meditation, or reading inspirational quotes. Positive energy and affirmations will help build your confidence from the inside out.

7. Trust Your Photographer:
Remember that your photographer is a professional who understands how to capture your best angles and highlight your unique beauty. Trust their guidance and expertise. A good photographer will create a comfortable and safe environment, allowing you to relax and be yourself during the shoot. Trust in their ability to capture your confidence and beauty through their lens.

A boudoir photoshoot is an opportunity to celebrate your body, embrace your sensuality, and showcase your unique beauty. By embracing self-love, planning and preparing, choosing the right outfits, practicing posing, getting professional hair and makeup, surrounding yourself with positivity, and trusting your photographer, you can unlock your inner confidence and create stunning boudoir photos that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Remember, confidence is the key to radiating beauty, both inside and out.

Towcester Northampton Milton Keynes Boudoir Photographer Photography Portrait Beauty

Celebrating Motherhood: Why You Should Have a Maternity Photoshoot

Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, filled with excitement, anticipation, and love. As an expectant mother, you may find yourself cherishing every moment of this incredible experience. Or you may be experiencing the not so lovely side of it and have more like sickness, soreness and weight gain. Either way it is important to capture the essence and preserve the memories of this special time in your life is through a maternity photoshoot. This way you can remind that little baby what they put you through, good or bad, with gorgeous images.

In this blog post, we will explore the many reasons why having a maternity photoshoot, at our award winning maternity photography studio in Milton Keynes, can be a meaningful and rewarding experience.

1. Celebrate the Miracle of Life:
Pregnancy is a truly miraculous process, and a maternity photoshoot allows you to celebrate the creation of new life. It provides an opportunity to honour the beauty of your changing body and embrace the incredible journey of motherhood. These images serve as a tangible reminder of the love and joy that surrounded you during this phase of your life.

2. Eternalize Precious Memories:
As time passes, memories tend to fade, and the details of your pregnancy may become hazy. A maternity photoshoot freezes these moments in time, allowing you to look back and relive all the emotions, excitement, and anticipation/impatience you felt while carrying your child. These photos become treasured keepsakes that can be shared with your child as they grow older, creating a connection to their earliest days.

3. Embrace Self-Confidence and Empowerment:
Pregnancy is a time of immense change, both physically and emotionally. A maternity photoshoot can help you embrace and celebrate these changes, fostering self-confidence and empowerment. Faegrian Photography in Milton Keynes know how to capture your natural beauty and highlight the radiance and glow that comes with pregnancy. The experience can help you feel proud and appreciative of your body, boosting your self-esteem.

4. Involve Your Partner and Family:
A maternity photoshoot is an excellent opportunity to involve your partner and other family members in the process. This includes pets! It allows them to share in the joy and excitement of your pregnancy journey and creates lasting memories for everyone involved. These images can serve as a powerful reminder of the love and support you received during this transformative time in your life.

5. Artistic Expression and Creativity:
Maternity photoshoots offer a platform for artistic expression and creativity. From selecting the location, whether that be in our studio here in Milton Keynes or at an outdoor location, as well as wardrobe and deciding on poses and themes, you can personalize the shoot and make it uniquely yours. We will discuss everything at your session consultation so that we can capture your vision and create stunning images that reflect your style and personality, resulting in beautiful works of art for your walls.

A maternity photoshoot is a special way to commemorate the incredible journey of pregnancy. It allows you to celebrate the miracle of life, capture precious memories, embrace self-confidence, involve your loved ones, and express your creativity. These photographs serve as a powerful reminder of the love and joy that surrounded you during this transformative time. So, embrace the opportunity to document this chapter of your life and create beautiful memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Milton Keynes maternity photographer Bedford Towcester Northampton Aylesbury Stony Stratford bump baby

How do newborn photoshoots work with siblings?

How do newborn photoshoots work with siblings?

Sibling and family images are included in each session to be able to document the memories as accurately as possible. We will start with these photographs at my newborn photography garden studio in Milton Keynes.

I try and give the older siblings a lot of praise and attention as they love this when their younger sibling has the limelight from everyone meeting the newborn for the first time. I also have cookies/animal biscuits to hand as a ‘well done’ for behaving so nicely with their baby brother or sister.

First, we do what is in my opinion the most important photograph from you newborn photo shoot, which is the family image. This includes your pet(s)! After this we move onto mum and baby, dad and baby, silhouette image and then siblings with baby. This flow ensures that the newborn is passed around as little as possible during this part of your photoshoot to help keep them feeling secure and sleepy.

I take my family images with everyone kneeling down to give the best angle for everyone and also helps with the height differences. It looks as though you are all standing.

Mum and dad then take the spotlight. Mum continues to hold baby in the exact same way and the older children move away and ‘help’ you both smile.

The the singular shots like below:

The silhouette image is created by using the studio light as the backdrop. I can also get some lovely backlit ones of baby at this point if your newborn is settled enough for me to do so.

I then take images of your newborn baby and their siblings. Posing for these images depends on the age of the newborns big brother or sister as well as their confidence holding baby. This can be done with siblings sitting and holding the new baby or with sibling(s) laying down with baby.

I can also do a portrait of each child alone and each child alone with the newborn if you have more than one older sibling. Just ask!

I have three boys of my own so my patience is mega high and you don’t need to worry about your kids not co operating smoothly. I ask that we are mindful of my equipment and premises but most of all their safety is paramount. Mild misbehaviour is expected in a new place where a stranger is asking them for smiles etc. so it’s completely fine to be more lenient than usual. I also strongly recommend having an incentive for them so that the experience is painless for all of you. Previous families have offered things such as McDonalds, park trip, sweet treats and so on.

After the family images are all done and dusted dad/grandparents take the older siblings away to the nearby park or home while we work on the newborn photographs.

& that’s it! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions about involving your children and family in your newborn photoshoot.

Emily x

The Impossible Task of Getting to your Newborn Photoshoot on Time

At Faegrian photography I, newborn photographer in Milton Keynes, have a good understanding of what you may be feeling the morning of your newborn photo session. I have three boys so I am well aware of the daunting task of getting anywhere on time with little people. This is often the first time new parents have ventured out with their new bundle of joy. Rest assured that my studio is cosy and welcoming with drinks and snacks at the ready. A hot cup of tea will most definitely be offered – my cold brew is usually found sitting in the microwave.

Here are some top tips to help your morning run smoothly:

Know where and when you’re going

I will send you a message the morning of your session with the time and address so you don’t have to go searching for it in a frantic mess.

Be prepared

Keep the nappy bag stocked! Repack it after every outing.

o  Nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, nappy cream

o  Formula, bottles and bottle warmer if bottle feeding

o  Breast pads, nipple cream, breastfeeding cover if breast feeding

o  At least 3 changes of clothes for baby and extra layers if needed

o  Snack and a drink for the parents – we often forget about ourselves!

o  Muslins, comforters, dummies

o  Milton wipes are a godsend for dropped dummies and bottle teats!

Allow way more time than necessary

Fact: Babies will poonami, outfit soaking puke, sudden desperate need for yet another feed just as you start to leave the house.

Avoid black and white patterned tops

Babies love those black and white patterns and will stare at them in amazement. This isn’t great for your newborn photo session as they could become overstimulated and fussy.

Avoid strong perfume/aftershave

I do not wear any perfume on the day I have a newborn coming into my newborn photography studio in Milton Keynes as it can cause the baby to become upset as their little noses are very sensitive. If you are breastfeeding it may help to avoid strong scents as the baby could be reluctant to latch.

Relax

Our children can often sense our mood and babies often mirror that and feel our stress. My studio is a comfy zone with warmth, light chatter, a full biscuit tin and a hot coffee ready in minutes. You can nap, zone out on your phones or just have a little chat with another parent while I take care of your new bundle.

What if we’re late?

I find most of my parents vary from on time to 10 minutes late. I am a worrier so please do let me know if you’re running late. I am very understanding of the stress you may be feeling the morning of your newborn photoshoot but rest assured I am here to take care of you. I will add that lateness does cut into your session time but I am lenient with this – it’s just up to my childcare restrictions.

That’s all of the advice I have for you for now on managing to leave the house on time. Good luck!

Emily x

When to book a newborn photoshoot?

When to book your newborn photo session?

As an experienced newborn photographer, I would advise booking in your newborn photo session in your second trimester. Just after your 20 week scan is ideal to avoid the risk that your dream newborn photographer will be fully booked. I personally try to accommodate as many last minute newborn sessions as I can as I totally understand baby brain fog, forgetfulness and I also absolutely LOVE newborn photo sessions.

How do you book a newborn photo session without a newborn?

How I organise my month allows for a certain amount of newborns, so I simply book your due date into my diary and only take on a number where I can give excellent service to each client. This means you don’t need to worry yourself if baby is early or late as I will ensure there is a slot for you. Once baby arrives it’s best to let me know as soon as comfortably possible so that we can book a date in within the first 5-14 days of life. I can photograph older newborns, however, to achieve the work you see in my portfolio the earlier, the better.

Why does the session have to be scheduled within the first 2 weeks?

This is to capture the baby in the adorable, sleepy, curled up poses that you see throughout my portfolio. They have spent 9 months in your womb all tucked up so they stay this way for a short period of time after birth. They are also more alert as they get older and so will be woken by a lot of movement. It’s also the safest time for your baby as they don’t yet move too much and are still very bendy. Their safety is most important to me so I will follow all the rules to keep your newborn safe throughout their time with me.

My baby is already here, can I still book?

After all the tick lists, planning and organizing your baby is here and you suddenly realise you NEED some cute professional photographs of them. You may find as you work your way through nearby newborn photographers on Google, Facebook and Instagram that most of them are booked up for the next month or may not be able to fit you in within the first 2 weeks. I will always do everything I can to fit people in but sometimes it is not possible. I have a lot of connections with other newborn photographers so will be able to give you recommendations of trusted people. Please do pop me a message in case I can fit you in!

How do I book a newborn session?

It’s easy to book a newborn session, just pop my a message on my socials or an email to: studio@faegrian-photography.com and we will secure your date with a £50.00 retainer and sign T&C’s to complete your booking. We will then arrange a in person, zoom or telephone consultation to plan your session from start to finish so that I can provide all that you envision and also answer any questions that you might have.

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I hope I answered some questions that you may have had and explained things well for you. I’m happy to chat about any other questions you may have just give me a call or message!

Email: studio@faegrian-photography.com

Mobile: +447930259491

Facebook: www.facebook.com/faegrianphotography

Instagram: www.instagram.com/faegrianphotography

What happens at your newborn photo session?

You will receive a message on the morning of your newborn photoshoot with a reminder of the time and address for your photo session. You can park on my driveway and make your way down the side of my house where you will see my summerhouse photography studio. There is a sign on the fence as you walk down so you know you are not just walking into someone’s garden!

Baby Remy at his newborn photoshoot. Please note this image is a composite and should not be tried without proper training.

When you enter my studio you will notice that it is nice and warm for your newborn baby. There will be white noise and it will be very cosy – this is to imitate the womb and help your baby feel secure. I will get you a tea or coffee while you feed and cuddle baby. Once you are settled we will browse through the variety of backdrops and handknitted outfits and hats/headbands for your baby. I can then change and feed baby for you, unless breastfed of course, to hep baby get used to me and my voice, smell and touch.

At this point most babies are comfortable with a clean bum, a full tummy and a nice cuddle, so we will begin. Parents can sit back and relax, some even fall asleep! I will pose your baby starting with the posing on the blanket and then to props and finally, family photos.

If siblings are involved we will start with family photos so that brothers and sisters can head home or to the nearby park. This is because newborn photoshoots can take up to 4 hours. (Usually 2-3) My newborn sessions are baby led meaning that we will stop photographing if baby needs something, the actual photo taking is fairly quick.

This rule also applies if dogs/cats etc. are attending the photoshoot. I absolutely love animals and they are more than welcome to attend just let me know in the consultation phone before your session. Assistant animals are welcome to stay for the entire photoshoot just be aware that my studio is fairly small so we may need to reorganise a few things, which is fine of course!

I’m aware that a lot of people don’t like their photos being taken, I am one of these people. I do encourage you to have at least one photo with baby as one day I guarantee you that you will wish you had had one. I do these images like the one below as they don’t show much of you at all and don’t require you to look at the camera, which I’m sure you will appreciate.

Once your session is finished we will book a date for you to come and view the photos so you can make a selection of which package and wall art you would like to purchase. These viewings usually take place 1-2 weeks after your photoshoot.

I hope this gives you a clear idea of what to expect! I look forward to meeting you and your new bundle!

Thanks for reading!

Emily x

Mama Bees, Antenatal&Baby Group, Milton Keynes

Hello Readers!

This blog post is to give you a little insight to Mama Bees which you may have received a leaflet for from me along with your prints. We have had a little chimwag with Penelope and Lauren about their business venture. Feel free to read our interview below.

Interview with Penelope:

Tell us a little about yourselves: Names? Qualifications and experience? How you met?

Hello! We are Penelope and Lauren and we are co-founders of Mama Bees.
We first met in 2016 at a baby group when two of our children were just weeks old. We bonded over our lack of sleep and love of a good cup of coffee and a lifelong friendship was born.
During the subsequent years we have seen each other through good times, not so good times, more children (Lauren delivered Penelope’s fourth baby on her living room floor), at least 9 different changes of hair colour (some more successful than others) and we have become real family to each other.

Tell us a little about the antenatal classes and what to expect?

Bumps is a friendly, welcoming antenatal class taught by registered, professional midwives.
We know firsthand the importance of information, support and honesty throughout your baby journey, and we welcome all to our friendly, comfortable and informative antenatal class.
Over 4 weeks we take our parents through the journey of the final part of pregnancy, childbirth itself and the early newborn days.
With over 10 years of professional experience, we are ready to support our parents-to-be in anything, talk about anything and answer anything (yes, even the poo question…)

If you could give first time mums to be some advice/words of wisdom what would you say?

Everyone should have a beehive. Come and join us.

*winks*

Tell us a little about the baby group and what to expect?

We start with some music and songs - you can join in with the singing if you would like but you don’t have to, we have the backing tracks if you would rather not! Then we have some free play while the grown ups chat and have a coffee)(or tea), then a craft or story or activity to finish.
We know how important that other people can be in our parental journey, and we want to help our amazing grown up people find help, support and friends too, so an important part of every session is some time in the middle designed to encourage our Mama Bees to network and chat. (and not just Mamas, any carer who is kind, non judgemental and wants to have fun with their baby and make friends is welcome).

Why are baby groups important?

We know that being a Mum is the most amazing job in the world. We also know that being a Mum is the hardest job in the world, with the most demanding little boss!
Because of this, we recognise the importance of having a support network. We also appreciate that it’s not always easy to find other people in similar situations and to make a connection which can lead to friendship.
This is where Mama Bees comes in. We created Mama Bees to support and foster connections with other people, from our antenatal classes through to our baby and toddler classes. We aim to provide fun, caffeine, support, and hopefully – lifelong friends (and in the case of the baby and toddler groups, really catchy songs you won’t be able to get out of your head!)

Where are the groups held and when?

We have Little Bees at 0930 and 11am on Mondays, and Bumps antenatal class runs in four week terms at 18:30 on a Monday evening.
All our classes are held in a friendly, welcoming, warm room in the square in Wolverton.

Tea or coffee? Who was right; Ross or Rachel? Coke or Pepsi?

Coffee.

YES.
Annoyingly, I’d say Ross was right, they were actually on a break, but I would still have been really annoyed if I was Rachel!

GASP.

It used to be Coke, but recently I’ve really developed a taste for Pepsi. I do like some of the new flavour cokes though.

I’m sure people will forgive you for that choice.

Please check out their website:

Mama Bees Beehive – Welcome to Mama Bees Beehive, the home of all things Mama Bees, including our antenatal classes (Mama Bees Bumps) and our baby and toddler classes (Mama Bees Little Bees)

A word from Cheryl

Cheryl is one of my make up artists that comes in to glam up my maternity/beauty clients before their sessions. She comes to the studio to make it as easy as possible for you. When I met Cheryl she was very bubbly and friendly. Here’ a little information about our lovely Alluring Ambience.

Hi im Cheryl I have been in the beauty industry for 9 years, 3 of those years I have been an mua working on a range of projects including you tube promo videos, beauty pagents, photo shoots. I'm passionate about all things makeup, for me it's the transformation of how a person holds themselves when they feel good and that's what I love. I am available for weddings, occasional make up, photo shoots or any promo work. https://www.facebook.com/cherylbossbabecole/

Will my baby sleep?

In nearly every newborn photo shoot the parents tell me how relieved they were that the baby slept or they invite me over for the night feeds. Either way rest assured that your baby is in good hands.

I have three boys of my own. All premature, restless sleepers and two with colic so believe me when I say I know what it’s like! Baby’s cry. Simple fact. It’s how they communicate their needs with us. Every session is baby led so that parents and baby’s are at their most comfortable. If your newborn baby needs a feed then we will pause. If your baby needs a nappy change then we will pause. If your baby is uncomfortable in a certain position then I will not force it, as not all babies will be able to do every pose.

Before you arrive I will be preparing certain measures to help your baby feel secure. I like to mimic the mother’s womb. Here are some of the things I will do:

·   The room will be around 25 degrees which I will check on my thermometer throughout the session to ensure it isn’t too warm

·   There will be calming music or white noise playing in the background as well as a heartbeat sound if needed.

·   I start my sessions with wrapped poses to help that womb feeling of being all snuggled up.

·   I also rock baby and give them that sensation of the mother moving around while they were in the womb.

These all add up to an awesome sleeper. Sometimes baby’s don’t sleep great but that’s okay too. Open eyes photos are lovely. If the baby is particularly unwell we will organise a reshoot at no extra cost. So in other words – it will all be fine either way!

I always want my clients to leave a newborn baby session feeling relaxed and most importantly make sure they have enjoyed themselves. I want them to feel confident in my abilities to capture the early days of their baby’s life.

Please feel free to pop me any questions about my photo sessions and I will be happy to answer!

Emily x

Emily’s Maternity Photo Session

This photoshoot was a free model call session to help me practise my skills and also showcase one of the maternity gowns available for clients to use. Two weeks before the session the third national lockdown for the UK was announced and we nervously awaited to hear the rules. Thankfully we could meet one other person from another household 2m apart. No problem!

We went for a short walk from my home studio to the fields nearby and gingerly trod through puddles and mud to get to the perfect spot. Emily came glammed up and looked radiant. Something I was not familiar with when pregnant! She came prepared for the January temperatures with layers hidden beneath the dress and a pair of bright blue socks paired with timberland boots, a modern princess. She had her coat at the ready and a thermos with a nice hot drink.

We spent around 20 minutes photographing her gorgeous bump and she was amazing at getting the poses, despite her inexperience with photoshoots. There was a lovely sunset glow behind Emily and long grass to set the perfect scene.

I hope to meet baby Kennett in a couple of months (once restrictions are lifted) so that I can capture the early days of their precious new bundle. They are ‘team yellow’ and don’t know the sex of the baby – my money is on a baby boy!

Thank you again Emily for helping me progress with my art, all the best with the birth and fourth trimester!

Emily Review:

I had a maternity shoot with Emily when I was 36 weeks pregnant and it was amazing. She worked really hard and was very flexible changing the dates and timings to keep in line with the government guidelines and best time of day. I had an outdoors shoot & the dress was AMAZING! It was so dramatic and stunning, worked beautifully with the winter daylight. Emily made me feel so comfortable and told me exactly what to do. I can not wait until my newborn shoot with her, couldn’t recommend her more! Thank you so much

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Newborn Photography Safety

Hello readers,

I truly believe that this is the most important part of choosing your newborn baby photographer – have they had newborn photography safety training? So I thought I would write a little blog entry to give information on how I plan to keep your baby safe during their first photo shoot.

Most people don’t know that the newborn photography industry is unregulated or even that there is a lot to take into consideration when thinking of the safety of your newborn baby during a photoshoot. You may presume that professional photographers need to pass an exam or have some sort of qualification, however, this is not the case. This means that when choosing your newborn photographer you must ensure they have had some hands on training with the best trainers and photographers in their field.

I have attended multiple in person courses as well as many online training for all different areas of the photography I offer. One of these people is the lovely world renown newborn photographer Kelly Brown. I attend training on a regular basis to keep up with new and changing information.

This is me and the amazing Kelly Brown.

Here are the most important safety aspects during a newborn photoshoot:

§  The temperature of the room is kept nice and warm by using heaters to replicate the mother’s womb for the newborn baby. This helps them sleep during their session and feel secure, however, it is SO important to monitor the temperature throughout the whole session. I always make sure that the temperature never exceeds 26 degrees. If baby is wrapped it needs to be cooler than this so I start with these poses first while the room heats up then once they are unwrapped they shouldn’t feel a difference. If my clients are very observant, they may notice me regularly checking the thermometer throughout the session.

§  I swaddle newborn babies in all of my sessions straight away as it helps them relax in the new environment. Most of the time I use multiple wraps and so it is necessary to make sure they are not too tightly wrapped and that they do not over heat. I do this by checking how many fingers I can fit in the wrap to ensure it is not tight around the neck. I check the room temperature throughout and also the colour of the baby’s skin as this can be a good indicator.

§  My sessions are baby led and so I will never pose a baby where they are uncomfortable in. Babies are pretty good communicators and will let me know they are unhappy. In my experience I find that most babies are happy in the poses I carry out, however, the occasional one may find it uncomfortable and in this instance I will move on and will not force them into it.

§  I always wear my camera strap around my neck or wrist when photographing. I don’t stand on ladders over baby as this could be very dangerous for obvious reasons.

§  And finally: my biggest point of safety is probably this one. I will never leave the baby unattended or unsupported. Sometimes I will ask parents to support the newborn or stay by their side if I need to change lighting or get a prop. I will also ask parents to support their baby during certain poses and then I will edit this out in post-production. Like this:

I hope you have enjoyed this insight into newborn photography safety and feel reassured when attending your session. Feel free to use the contact page if you have any questions or would like further information. I would love to hear from you!

Emily x

How did I get into photography?

My interest in photography came from my dad who used to take his compact camera on our holidays to Wales. He let me take photos and shared his images with me for my opinion. For my birthday when I was around 12 years old my parents bought me my own ‘point and shoot camera’. I used it all the time and soon upgraded to a bridge camera.

I’ve always loved art along with my interest in photography so I decided to take photography as a subject for my A levels. This is where I learnt camera settings, studio light and the fundamentals of photography. I even did some work in the dark room which was very fun. In the end I achieved a B grade in A Level Photography.

During my time at college I stayed focused on portraits and abstract fashion photography. I applied to a few universities to study Fashion and Advertising Photography and this is when I landed a place at Newport University in Wales. However, I am not an academic person and I was worried that I would be able to keep up with the essays so I went on the search for internships instead.

Fast forward 2ish years and I had my first baby, a little boy. His name is Micah and he was my first newborn model. I fell in love with newborn photography that day and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do with my future.

I didn’t think it was really a possibility to start my own photography business until I got into contact with the Prince’s Trust who taught me and mentored me to where I am now. The knowledge, the loan and the support I have and am getting from them has changed my life and will continue to do so.

Now I am studying and attending multiple workshops to develop and improve my skill.

The Newborn and Portrait Photography Show

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes for professional photographers and one of them is the photography conventions. This week I headed up to Coventry to attend The Newborn and Portrait Photography Show (NPP). (www.thenewbornphotographyshow.co.uk)

My first class was booked with an amazing award winning photographer and teacher Kelly Brown. (www.littlepiecesphotography.com.au www.newbornposing.com) It was an 8 hour course dedicated to newborn photography. Along with 19 other newborn photographers we watched as Kelly walked us through her workflow with two little baby girls. Starting first with beanbag posing and how to pose a newborn safely. It was great to see the best way to move a baby through the different poses and to achieve the best photographs for parents. With the second baby we worked through different prop poses which was great to learn about as prop images can create such beautiful photographs. Kelly was also hilarious and very down to Earth despite her ‘fame’ in the photography industry.

The next day I studied with maternity photographer, Alli Peck, from Glow Portraits (www.glowportraitsbyalli.com) and we photographed 2 pregnant women. We had a lot of fun with lighting and experimenting with different light placements and poses. We photographed nude images as well as some beautiful gowns provided by Mii Estello (www.mii-estilo.com) which were absolutely stunning. It was such a valuable course learning how to capture certain images I’ve always wanted to capture.

After this course and a little bit of shopping I headed back to Kelly Brown for a business and marketing course. It was inspiring to hear her story and how she got to be as successful as she is now.

Along with these courses was the trade show, a dangerous place for prop lovers. Handmade gorgeous delicate props specifically for newborn and portrait photography.

It was such a motivating couple of days and now I’m ready to get stuck back in and put into practise all the valuable things I have learned!

Emily x