Boston Baby Photography Session Tips | Boston Phtographer | Boston, MA
Here are a few simple tips to do before a baby photoshoot.
Before the session:
Make sure you have not arranged pediatric shots the week before your session
Select your outfits (if you aren’t using the studio wardrobe) and try them on! Make sure they fit well. Too small is better than too big.
Iron/Steam the outfits
Make sure the day of your session is stress-free for you. Clear the time around the session to ensure you can arrive to the studio relaxed. Relaxed parents = relaxed babies
Day of the Session:
The most important things you can do to encourage a great session is to have a well feed & well rested baby. Please make sure they have had their nap and a snack/bottle before arriving
Feed your baby before the session. I know I just said this, but it’s worth repeating. Even an extra bottle in the car before you come in. Hungry babies don’t photograph well.
Make sure they get their nap - the last thing you want is a tired baby
Clean face! This is a big one. Please clean their nose and face prior to coming to the studio. Please bring wipes and drool cloths to the studio, we can clean them up a bit more if needed.
Get ready for a fun session!
Baby Girl Newborn Session with Flowers | Boston Newborn Photographer | Boston, MA
Highlights from a Spring Newborn Girl Photography Session
What a gorgeous session for baby M. Mom had let me know she wanted pinks, neutrals and flowers. Of course, the moon was requested as well. Our photo session was amazing and the results….stunning!
Before any session, we will plan colors and style. I will ask you about your favorite poses and props - and of course, any dislikes as well. By the time you arrive, scenes will be set and you will be able to see what the process flow for the day will be!
Baby's First Year of Photo Sessions - When should I have them done? | Boston, MA
When I first starting photographing babies, I was under the impression that the ideal time to photograph an infant was the following: 3 month, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. The idea of this timing was to capture all their milestones over the first year. So, I blindly followed this pattern assuming it was right.
It didn’t work.
Here’s what I found:
3 months….most babies cannot hold up their head high enough to take a tummy time photo. So, 3 months typically looks a lot like a newborn session with a wide awake baby.
6 months….this is the session where most parents are praying that their baby sits up BUT most 6 month olds are not quite there yet OR can’t sit up without the use of both hands to keep them sturdy (not the best for photos). I had so many disappointed parents because their baby couldn’t sit.
9 months….very very good timing for a baby session. Super cute and very fun! Best part, no stranger danger!
12 months….looks identical to the 9 month session, but now there is stranger danger or they are walking and running away from the camera
So, something had to change! This quarterly system wasn’t working. On top of that, I had parents that did not want to do the 3 or 9 month session, so they were SUPER disappointed if their child couldn’t sit for the 6 month session. Then, if the 3 month and the 9 month session was skipped, and the baby started walking at 11 months, we totally missed the sweet sitting stage completely.
Fortunately, I have babies in and out of the studio all the time and I am able to watch development at this age very carefully. I found that with a minor shift (and eliminating one session entirely), there is a very successful plan for photographing your baby’s first year. Here it is!
The Best time to Photograph your baby:
Newborn (0-21 days). Obviously, right? You can never ever get this opportunity again, so just do it. You won’t regret getting the photos done, but you will regret it if you don’t.
4-6 months old. Right around 5 months, babies can lift the top half of their bodies with their arms. This is an amazing and super cute to capture. They may also grabbing their feet at this time, which is also very cute. This session looks very different than a newborn session, but still captures that very little/first milestone stage.
6-9 months. This is it. If you only pick one time to photograph your baby in the first year, this is the time. This age is PURE BABY. They sit, coo, laugh, love the camera, and are absolutely the cutest.
1 year. You may have a walker, you may not, but you will definitely have a big kid by this point! It’s incredible to see the change from newborn stage to 1 year.
I have been using this 4 session system for years now and it is a win!
Are you ready to book your baby sessions? I’d love to have you to the studio!
Newborn Photography Trend: Neutrals | Ann Lyle Photography | Boston, MA
Keeping the newborn session very simple is the newest and most popular request for my recent sessions. The request for simple scenes and soft muted colors is 70-80% of my sessions today .
When I started my business in 2013, there could not be enough props in a newborn session. In fact, nearly every scene was themed like Harry Potter, super heroes, babies dressed like their parent’s professions, etc. Bright, colorful, and over-the-top. Still cute, but hardly ever requested now.
Today, the sessions are all about the baby and celebrating their sweet simple beauty. With the exception of a few hats and tiny bears or flowers, excessive props are rarely used. The trend for newborn sessions with a timeless look to the photos is the top request. As a newborn photographer, I welcome the style and love the look and focus on the baby.
And, if you still want a crazy scene with 10,000 props….don’t worry, I still have them! :)
