When is the best time for my Newborn's First Photography Session?
The first 2 weeks of your baby's life are considered to be the best time for the newborn's first photography. Yet, there's something important any new parent wants to take into consideration before making the baby's first photoshoot appointment.
Take a look at the pics above. These amazing photos were taken while the little ones were asleep. If this is what you'd like your newborn's first photgraphy session look like, then the first 2 weeks are the best time, since this is the period when your baby sleeps almost 18 hours a day. Now, is there another reason not to postpone the first photoshoot session? Yep.
Baby Acne appears to about every 4th newborn at the age of 2-4 weeks. These are small red or white bumps on cheeks, nose, forehead, scalp and neck. They may be more or less numerous. Baby acne clears up on its own within 2-4 months. Since you might not want this little things to accompany your newborn's first photography session, consider those first 2 weeks of age.
Neonatal Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels. Happens to about 60% of full term newborns and 80% of premature babies and is usually a physiological state, which means it comes and goes without making any harm.
The yellowish complexion appears a day or two after birth and may last for about 7-10 days in term newborns and 14 days in premature newborns. Some parents choose not to appoint the newborn photograpfy session until this yellow color totally disappears. And here is a trap: if we wait too long, 25% of us will get from that yellowish skin color directly into the baby acne.
Well, honestly speaking, none of these two states is a real problem for either your baby's health or their first photography session. This is life and you might decide to just take those pictures whenever it is comfortable for you or whenever your baby photographer is available. These are just things to know beforehand and we are writing about them only because they happen to almost every newborn but they are talked about so little. Who of us has heared about these physiological states before facing them as a new parent or reading this article?
So, here is what seems to be a rational conclusion: if you'd prefer to imprint that sweet flawless baby your newborn really is between jaundice and acne, consider the second week of your baby's life for their newborn photography. Otherwise just do it whenever it feels comfortable to you, yet be aware of possible imperfections.
Now take a look at our amazing newborn first photography session props for your inspiration.
Can I DIY my Newborn's First Photography Session?
Almost every new Mom who's planning her newborn's photography session at a certain point asks herself 'can I DIY it?' Even if before having your firsborn you were a horses-for-courses person, this question will most probably appear in your mind when the photoshoot time comes. Why is the idea of DIY Newborn Photography Session so relevant?
Welcoming a newborn into your family totally changes your life. And the first month with your newborn is as far from 'normal life' as it can be. Your house is a mess, your hair is undone, you hardly have time to visit toilet not to mention taking a shower. You never drink your tea or coffee hot or have your lunch with both of your hands. Inviting a newborn photographer and their team into your home may seem a really scaring idea.
If the description above matches your situation, you need to hear this, Mama, you're doing everything right. Feeding your baby and sleeping are the only things that really matter during the first weeks of your baby's life. We've all been there. I see you, Mama.
What about a newborn photography session in a nearby Studio? The good thing about it is that you don't need to invite anybody into your house and worry about doing all that cleaning and washing up. Another good thing is that your newborn will most probably fall asleep in their carseat on your way to the newborn photography studio and if handled carefully will be sleeping during most of the session time.
Nevertheless, the what-if questions may still make you doubt. What if my baby wakes up in the middle of the session? What if they get colic pains, gas or 101 other bad mood reasons? Breastfeeding moms might worry: what if my newborn gets hungry? In newborns the intervals between feedings are so short and the breasfeeding process lasts sometimes sooo long /which again is absolutely normal/, that it might seem to take the whole newborn photography session time.
Well, this is all sooooo true. Organising a photography session for a newborn is a hard work for both the parents and the photographer. If you find an experienced newborn photographer, they will definitely help you get everything settled in the best way possible. They've already worked with dozens or even hundreds of newborns, been to dozens of houses with newborns and they might be parents too, so most probably you'll get their understanding and help and your session will go as smothly as possible.
If in spite of all that you're still wondering whether you can DIY your newborn's photography session, I'm your team-mate, Mama. The first postpartum weeks are very speacial for every family. You might have pains, sleepless nights, emotional ups and downs and you might just not be keen on going out and meeting new people. So let's talk about how to take good-looking and creative pictures of your newborn by yourself.
Make it simple. Think of some cosy drapes and solid color backgrounds you've got at home. A white wall and neutral blanket will work just fine. If you'd like to make your photos look a bit more trendy and studio-like take a look at these newborn photography props. They will help you DIY fancy and memorable pictures of your little one. Also think of your elder kids and pets - matching clothes, accessories and letter board messages will make your newborn's first photos look soooo personal and will let all your family have fun.
And now the biggest worry - baby posing. How to pose my newborn without waking them up? Well, it's true, babies are different and some of them are light sleepers and you never know what dream phase they are now. And to be honest it takes a professional to pose your baby and keep them sleeping at them same time. But the thing is that you don't need to worry about that if you DIY your newborn's first photography session.
All you actually need is get your background ready and dress your baby in some cute outfits right before feeding and nap natural time. When they fall happily asleep, touch their hand and if they don't wake up, carefully make light posing adjustments. Them go grab your camera and enjoy your newborn photography session at home with no stress, no appointments, no need to hurry. If something goes wrong, don't worry, you'll be able to try again later. Actually you even don't need to take all the pics in one day.
Here are some newborn photography props for your inspiration
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