This tiny little bit is joining the ranks of girls in their home. I love photographing big sisters with their babies. They are such ‘little mommies.’ These two big sisters were the best, snuggling and cuddling little baby S.
Baby S // Long Beach Baby Photographer
You know that shy feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time? Kids get that too. When they come into my studio with their brand new baby brother or sister, they’re checking me out. Deciding if I’m likeable.
I usually start out by telling them what we’ll be doing. I tell them how we’ll be holding the baby and how important it is to hold up his head. Things like that. I’m kind of in teacher mode. (Side note: I used to be a first grade teacher!)
Once I get the shot set up, I want to surprise them. I want them to be giggly and add a little life to the photo. So, I do something like ask if they think that baby brother has a poopy diaper. That usually gets a laugh to start. Then we might go into scenarios of what would happen if he pooped on… Sometimes, they’ll offer up stories and the laughs don’t stop.
From there, I’ll try to get a soft and sweet shot, so something like kissing the baby will wrap things up. Toddlers can do something like count the babies toes or look at his hair if they are too young to kiss on command.
But, potty talk. It works every time. 🙂
Long Beach Newborn Photographer // Tips for Photographing Babies and Siblings
When photographing newborns with their older siblings, sometimes you have to try a few different things before you hit on what will work. In this session, I had tried a few different positions and wasn’t getting anything fantastic. It’s hard with a 2 year old. Their life has just been turned upside-down. Then I come in and I’m asking them to do things that aren’t their favorite. They’d rather be off and running around!
So, we took a break and I just photographed the baby by herself. I came up with a game plan that involved the baby being stationary on this chair (with a parent off to one side as a spotter). Then, we would bring in big brother and see if he could interact with her a bit.
Here’s what it looked like first. I asked him where the flower was…
Found the flower, check. Next we started being silly and saying funny things. He eventually looked up and smiled at us. Ka-ching.
Then, I asked him to give her a kiss. Or if he could kiss the flower on her head. This whole progression of images lasted about 30 seconds. It involved lots of enthusiasm and silly voices. The moral of the story is that these types of images don’t just happen. They are planned out and they happen QUICK. Two year olds move fast!
Newborn Photographers Orange County // Planning Out a Shot
When we are setting up the details for a newborn session, clients often ask what they should wear. My answer is usually- something soft and neutral so as not to compete with the softness of newborn skin. But, I want to answer GRAY all the time. I realize that not everyone loves gray. I just love the way it looks against a white wall. It’s not harsh like black or navy and you can vary up the shades, unlike white.
Of course, many clients wear colors other than gray for the newborn session, and they look amazing. But my personal favorite will always be gray. 🙂
Long Beach Newborn Photographer // My favorite color (is gray). Photos by Kristin Eldridge.
As much as I love photographing babies in the studio in Long Beach, going to clients’ homes is such a treat. Especially when they are decorated as cute as this one. Good natural light is always a plus too!
I tell my clients to plan their newborn session around 2 things…baby (or toddler)’s nap schedule and when the most light comes into your home. If you have an ample amount of light, the photos will be light and airy. Gorgeous!
// Kristin Eldridge is a Baby Photographer in Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles. This session took place at the client’s home.
Sweet little ‘L’
// Photos taken by Long Beach Newborn Photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
If this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will!
One year portraits by Baby Photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
Photographing older toddler siblings and their new baby sister or brother can be a little tricky. I always try to get them close on the bed or sofa. If that doesn’t work, I use this stump (or any chair/bench) to get the baby all nice and comfy (and still!). Then I add in the toddler. We play games and point out the baby’s feature. Sometimes a kiss will happen. But, it allows the toddler to move around and not be required to hold or even touch the baby. It still creates a feeling of intimacy even though there may be no physical touch.
Of course adding parents in always helps, but if you’re trying to get those adorable sibling shots, this is a little trick I use!
Photos by Orange County Newborn Photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
Baby boys and big brothers. It’s not always easy, but getting them in the same frame is worth the sweat. And if you’ve done a newborn session or you’re a photographer you know what I’m talking about!
Love this sweet little family of four-
Newborn photos taken at my Long Beach photography studio.
I’ve always wanted to do mini-sessions with kids and their pets. And what a better time than Valentine’s Day! I know some will ask, so I’ll start off by answering the question…can you book this mini-session if you don’t have a pet? YES. But, it’s a great excuse to get some photos with your pet!
Here’s the details:
January 24 (HB Central Park) 2:30-4:00pm
January 25 (Long Beach Studio location) 11:00am-12:00pm
January 25 (Palos Verdes Area) 2:30-4:00pm
Sessions will be 30 minutes long and include all your digital images (cost: $300 just the kids, $400 include the parents)
Did you want to through in a few Valentine props? Sure, just let me know and I’ll bring some along.
