What happens during a newborn photoshoot?

A glimpse behind the scenes of a newborn photoshoot with me

When you book a newborn photoshoot with me, what can you expect? It’s not like anything you’ve ever done before, so it would be natural to wonder! In this post I will try to describe things as they typically are for a newborn session in my home studio in Grampound, and elements can apply to most sessions that take place here.

Homely

Firstly, your session is likely to take place in my home studio space, which is really just one end of the lounge. I don’t have a separate studio room, or cabin in the garden, or any such luxury. I love to keep things simple and humble, and after having big studio space in the middle of Truro, it’s great for me to be back to the basics, now that I know all I need is some decent light, and room for the essentials.  

On my ‘studio’ end, I have linen curtains as a backdrop (or sometimes a paper roll on a backdrop stand).  Behind this is everything I need during your shoot such as blankets, wraps, baby clothing and my client wardrobe for mums. Although this is mostly out of sight during the session, clients are always welcome to choose what things we use during the session and can come and have a rummage!

My shooting space is right by the double glass doors.  I am a natural light photographer so this is a perfect set up for me.

Being at home, I don’t want my clients to feel that it’s any less of a professional environment.  In fact, after renting studio space for the past years, I believe that for me, a home studio is a more conducive environment for newborn and baby sessions, which are meant to feel relaxed, and as stress free as possible.  There’s parking right outside the front door and it’s a lovely quiet area to visit.

I have a sofa for you to sit on, surfaces for your tea or coffee, and a kitchen with drinks & refreshments readily available.  What I invite clients to do is really make themselves at home, and to feel that they are welcome.  I’m a help-yourself type of person, and if there’s anything I can get for you I am happy to!

The curious cat

A potential hazzard of working from home is Leia, the cat.  She can be a little overfriendly and curious with new people around – a thrill for little ones but also a bit of a nuisance!   This is something that I hope isn’t too much of an issue – so far everyone has found her delightful which is a relief but if ever she was overstepping her welcome I’d be able to settle her somewhere out of the way.

During the session - No pressure or rush

When you are here for a newborn session, for me it’s as if the entire outside world fades away and all that exists is you and your baby, and the moments that unfold.  I’m not watching the time, or thinking of things we have to get through at all because there is no real plan, just what being there with what is. 

Sometimes babies are unsettled and cluster feeding, and it seems that we’re nowhere near getting any shots for ages.  There really is no rush, all of this is quite normal and to be expected.  Because I like getting to know my clients, it’s nice to have time to chat while feeding.  If attempts at settling baby don’t seem to be doing the trick, I might offer to take him or her.  I can usually get a baby calm quite quickly through many years of experience – my baby whispering skills are included 😊

When I’m working with your baby for photos, things do tend to go quieter, except for the baby shusher (a little white noise device that I use).  This is normally when parents get to sit back, relax, and admire their newborn who will almost certainly be looking utterly adorable at this point.  The mood then is nice and chilled, and the session starts to flow.

I often use my special handmade newborn photography clothing for babies, or wrap them scrunched up.  I try to maximise each position and for me, it’s about seeing where they’re comfortable and playing with where hands and feet go for creative, natural looking shots.  If a baby is in a deep sleep I might turn him or her onto the belly, but this is as elaborate as my ‘posing’ gets.

Including parents

Once I have taken the photos I need of baby, I often invite parents in to the picture before moving anything.  This can sometimes just be hands, or it can evolve into actual parent shots, depending on what’s happening.  It’s lovely to include parents during the moments while they are feeling relaxed and full of love.  This is what I love to capture, and it’s great when there’s that genuine emotion.  I encourage movement, chat, laughter (or tears if that’s the emotion) and really getting into the present together with their precious newborn.

Props

I have a selection of simple props which I’ll use if baby is settled and the session is going well.  These are wonderful for adding a little more interest to your photos, but tend not to take the attention away from your beautiful baby. 

I don’t usually disrupt sessions too much for changes of outfits but will switch during feeding breaks if we have any.

That’s a wrap

1.5 hours is usually plenty of time to get a great variety of photos showing baby, and with parents.  The longest sessions are no more than 2 hours but it’s probably sensible to not have anything planned that you have to rush off to afterwards.

Including siblings

It’s really special to have families with older children, and capturing them together are the most important shots – I get that!  This said, it does usually mean that the calm, relaxed vibes described above are less, and there’s a touch more chaos!  I try to get kids comfortable with me from the get go, so there’s lots of silly chat, and jokes, and playfulness.  I want them to feel unpressured, and like they are having a fun time.  My newborn prep guides give parents instructions on how to prepare their kids for the session, but also how to manage their own expectations.  Some will, some won’t, and that’s got to be ok.

The prep guide is full of my wisdom & tips gained through years of doing this job, and being a parent.  When followed, it makes a huge difference to the session!

 Hopefully that’s given a bit of insight into what a session with me is like.  I always forget to take any photos or videos during a session to show the behind the scenes.  That will be a future blog post.

If you are interested in working with me for a newborn session or any other type of session, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.