The key to getting a good amount of variety in a newborn session is all in the flow! And the flow is important to get the clients in and out in under 90 minutes (or 45 minutes if it’s just the baby). There are times I need a little bit more time (if the baby is very fussy) but most clients don’t want to be in a session for hours.
I recently photographed this sweet little family in studio in Long Beach. It’s the best when I can get toddler siblings to be interested in their newborn siblings. Their authentic expressions are heart-warming!
I got to celebrate baby A’s arrival with her family at their home. At home sessions have more of a lifestyle feel than studio sessions. Clients will ask me about which is better. I advise them to think about the pros and cons of each.
A studio session has more controlled lighting and access to all my newborn blankets and props. But, keeping toddlers occupied in a small studio for an extended amount of time is difficult. Not to mention having to pack everything up and drive when you’ve just had a baby.
An at home session can be a little trickier with light. Sometimes certain areas of the house can be dark and won’t work for photos. But, if you’re willing to be flexible, you definitely feel most relaxed in your own home.
I photographed this family in their bedroom because we got good light and there was enough space for me to set up my bean bag for the baby. They even had a nice neutral wall to use for photos of mom and dad with baby.
When babies are born close together, sometimes it’s hard to realize you’re not the only baby in the family anymore. It can be a little bit of a transition for young toddlers to add a new baby to the mix. But, the flip side is that the transition tends to go quickly. Days and weeks later, the routine becomes normal and the siblings can hardly remember a time without each other. [ Newborn Photography Long Beach ]
I’ve been photographing newborns for 10 years and I notice this really unique bond formed between siblings that are close together. The older sibling wants to give all their love to the new baby. They shower the baby with kisses and hugs. Toddlers can also become little helpers and wanting to feed the baby and quiet her when she cries.
I think this bond is so special and I love being able to capture these sweet little moments.
Check out more newborn sibling photos here!
Hello, nice to meet you. Newborn sessions are so sweet because really, this new little being has only been on this side of the womb for a week or so. They’ve heard your voice and felt your warmth, but they’re still getting accustomed to the sites and sounds of the world. And you’re still learning their coos and cries.
This sweet little newborn session took place in my studio in Long Beach. Just the soft, simple white wall, parents and their brand new baby girl.
All the heart eyes for this one.
Baby C was a chill as could be. Which is pretty great when you’re the little brother. You have to learn to go with the flow.
He slept like a champ and let everyone hold him, even his toddler-aged sister. Speaking of his big sister, it wasn’t too long ago that I was doing her newborn session. And she was also super easy-going. Maybe it runs in the family!
Baby Photography Long Beach
Just had to share a sweet little newborn shoot that I recently did in my studio. She was such a sweetheart and slept like a champ. I love all the accessories that come with little girls!
Long Beach Newborn 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
This sweet little girl was in my Long Beach studio for her newborn photo session a few weeks ago. She is number five (if you can believe that!) in a family of incredibly gorgeous children. Her big sister was photographed in the same studio in 2011. Click here (and scroll down) to see her newborn photo session.
She will be loved by so many. Blessed girl.
When is the best time to take newborn photos? Well, as a photographer, I would answer within the first two weeks. Why? Newborns under two weeks old tend to be very sleepy and easy-going. If they are fed and warm, babies don’t mind that they are not being held during the photo session. They also don’t mind being held by siblings. As newborns get older, they start to mind these things! They want to be held at all times- and preferably by an adult, thankyouverymuch. Another reason that babies are best photographed within the first two weeks is they look more like newborns. They curl up with their legs tucked under and their tiny little hands like to be up by their face. As newborns get older, they stretch out and don’t like being confined so much.
But, sometimes, for whatever the reason, newborns can’t be photographed within the first 2 weeks. And that’s totally okay. Of course newborns can be photographed at 4 weeks, 6 weeks even 8 weeks. I might have to work a little harder to get the baby to sleep, or into a curled up pose, but oh-is-it-worth-it. Older newborns have filled out a little more, so they have chubbier cheeks and baby rolls. Adorable!
This sweet little newborn is the daughter of a client and friend. She was 4 weeks old at the time. For other ‘older’ newborns, see Baby Michael’s newborn photos at the end of this post. Also Baby Coco’s newborn photos with her big sister.
