YOU’D DESCRIBE MY STYLE OF NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY AS PURE AND NATURAL BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It can have many names including baby-led photography, simple newborn photography, unposed, or lifestyle newborn photography.
It’s basically a very genuine or real form of photographing your baby, letting your baby take the lead with no forced poses. I don’t use props, I only use a beanbag for your baby’s comfort, though if you have a sentimental item that you want to include in the newborn photo shoot, we can. I also don’t worry about your baby sleeping constantly throughout the session as with posed newborn photography, as I photograph them awake or asleep. The main focus is celebrating this little bundle of joy that you’re welcoming into your family and the moments of love and connection you have for them.
All those tiny expressions and movements that makes them who they are are captured, from the way they grab the parent’s finger, their big yawn, the way they nuzzle into your chest after a big feed, those gasey smiles, and possibly my favorite detail (one that many newborn photographers sacrifice for the sake of posing): those wide open eyes as they explore their world around them.
WHERE DOES THE NEWBORN SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Natural newborn photography can take place in either my home studio in Highett or I can visit you in home.
Here’s a few reasons to consider for both -
YOUR HOME
If it’s important to you to document your early memories with your newborn in your own home for sentimental reasons
If you like the convenience of staying at home where everything is comfortable and familiar and right at hand
Those first few weeks with your baby can be extremely taxing due to lack of sleep, hormones racing, and still trying to work out what’s best to care for your baby.
STUDIO
If you feel that your home isn’t suitable for a newborn photo shoot (though you’d be surprised what a good newborn photographer can do with limited space)
Having access to the photographer’s client wardrobe and selection of baby wraps and blankets
That you feel your home doesn’t have good available natural light
DOES NATURAL NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY USE PROPS?
We want the photos to focus on your baby, not the props or colours of the props. Neutral coloured swaddling wraps and blankets are used for this reason as well as not to produce what we call colour casts onto your baby’s skin.
WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING?
Natural newborn photographers prefer to use natural sunlight as the main light source. So a window, glass door or anywhere the sun shines into the home can be used. Natural light produces beautiful skin tones for both your baby and parents. When I arrive at your home I will look for the best soft, indirect light to place my beanbag in. The beauty of the beanbag is that it can be moved around easily as this helps with making sure your baby is not placed in harsh sunlight and strong shadows on their face. A photographer’s studio is already set up to guarantee the best, diffused light.
SO WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR A NEWBORN PHOTO SHOOT?
Natural newborn photography is very flexible as it’s baby led. Posed newborn photographers ask that they photograph your baby within the first 15 days from birth due to the baby sleeping most of the time and they can easily be manouvred into various poses.
1-2 Weeks Old - Your baby will be at their tiniest and most likely be sleeping all the time. If you’re after the fresh newborn photos then this is the time to do it.
3-4 Weeks Old - Your baby will be awake longer so this a great way to get more photos with their eyes open as well as the sleepy ones. Your baby will still be flexible enough to be placed in the womb pose (as they were in the womb) naturally.
5-6 Weeks Old - Your baby will be awake even longer and will start to interact with you. Some of my favourite photos that I’ve taken have been when a baby has looked adoringly at their parent.
So if you can’t book in your newborn shoot within the first two weeks from birth, it’s okay with natural newborn photography. Life does get in the way sometimes and scheduling your newborn photo shoot later is fine.
So if you feel that natural newborn photography is more your style, I’d love to hear from you. If you’d like more information or to make a booking go to my Contact Page on this website and I’ll send you my Enquiry Booklet that explains how it all works.
