Opening a brick and mortar studio almost two years ago (after eight years of being in business and traveling for every single session!) has opened many doors for my business and my clients! This past fall, we moved into a larger space and it has truly been a dream come true. I love to welcome clients of all ages into my studio!
After just a few months in the new space, I have fine tuned a system and workflow for newborn sessions and I thought it would be helpful to share more details with anyone who is considering hiring a newborn photographer.
Before any session with Liz Cook Photography, clients receive a Preparation Guide with important information to help prepare for a successful session.
We will also meet in person at the studio before your session so we can discuss your ideas and hope for your session, as well as decide on wardrobe pieces for any family members who will be in the pictures. When it comes to photographing you and your newborn, I prefer to use a very clean color palette so your final pictures draw the viewer's eyes right to your newborn and his or her unique features.
This sweet little guy arrived to the studio awake and his mama took advantage of him being alert to give him a fresh diaper change. Then she filled his little tummy with food until he was sleepy again. Once he was ready, I laid him right on his belly. So many babies love to snuggle up on their bellies, so this is always my starting point.
I allow my littlest clients to lead the session and I aim for an organic, natural posing flow that will showcase your baby's innate positions and unique personality.
There are times when a newborn may protest being moved, but often settles within a few minutes. I do not force any baby into a position they don't want to move into, and I specifically avoid unnatural positions that require heavy manipulation or contortion. Their facial expressions and little noises are often the best indicators of whether they just need to settle or if there's something they need (more food or a diaper change :)) or something they don't want to do.
Your baby's safety and comfort level is my top priority.
The studio is kept at a warm temperature for baby's comfort during the first part of the session while I am capturing baby by him/herself. This is because I often switch between wraps during this time and we don't want baby to get chilly while wearing only a diaper. I do not remove diapers from any of the babies I work with, instead I keep their little bottoms covered at all times to avoid any private parts showing (or any potty accidents)! This also helps your session move along more quickly.
On-site hair and make-up services are also available for any session with an additional fee.
I always recommend hair and make-up services for my clients, but I highly recommend it for brand new mamas. Not just because it will help you feel beautiful for your session, but also because it's one less (very important) thing you have to worry about. With an unpredictable newborn, it can be stressful to try and get yourself ready without extra help. This way, you can show up in your yoga pants and comfy t-shirt with baby in tow, and within an hour you will be dressed and dolled up with zero effort whatsoever! If baby has a full belly and is sleepy when you arrive, I will begin taking pictures of baby alone while you begin the process of getting ready yourself. If baby needs to be fed, our HMUA team can work around you holding him or her while they eat!
After I have taken portraits of baby alone, we will move into family and parent portraits. This is when I work to capture the connection you have with one another; making sure to get a variety of pictures of each parent with baby, pictures of baby with siblings, and full family portraits. I typically spend an equal amount of time capturing connection portraits as I do taking pictures of baby alone. I do this because I am passionate about preserving these tiny moments during a season of life that can feel like it is sometimes only nurtured by those very memories. I believe these images are crucial to help guarantee an accurate remembrance of this time.
Here's a rare image of me at work with a sweet little bebe. I LOVE any opportunity to snuggle with and photograph such tiny little babies! I am genuinely honored each time someone asks me to capture such a special time in their life! I really do have the best job in the world.
Are you expecting?
The best time to book your newborn session is as soon as you know you want to work with me. I do not book specific dates on the calendar, instead I book a limited number of babies each month. This allows me to offer flexible scheduling options after each baby makes his or her arrival into the world, since babies come in their own perfect timing. I do everything I can to help new parents stay relaxed and this is just one way I can keep the process as stress-free as possible. If you have waited until the last minute to book a newborn photographer, feel free to reach out! If I can squeeze you in, I will! I don't want anyone to miss out on having this beautiful and fleeting season captured for forever keeping. <3
If you're pregnant and looking for a maternity and newborn photographer, I would love to work with you to create images you will cherish for a lifetime. Contact me and if you'd like, we can set up a no-obligation consultation here in the studio to answer any questions you may have.
Oh! And...
