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Category Archives: Newborn & Baby

You’re having a Baby! Congratulations! 

As you prepare to meet your little one, be sure to schedule a newborn photography session. You’ll want to have all of their tiny little details documented once they arrive. Your newborn will grow and change each and every day and you’ll want to be able to look back and see how small they once were. Today I’m sharing 5 tips to prepare your newborn for a photo session. 

The length of your session will really depend on your baby. I never rush newborn sessions, as I want everyone to be relaxed and feel comfortable. We can also take as many breaks as needed. Most newborn sessions last anywhere from 2-4 hours (and possibly longer for twins). 

I typically photograph baby first and then do portraits with the parents, including solos of each parent with baby. Siblings are definitely welcome to join in the fun as well — I love photographing the whole family with their newest member.

Keep in mind that we never want to force images – so we will work with kids so everyone feels comfortable and at ease throughout the session. When older siblings are involved we begin with them, so they can be done first. It is very helpful to have an aunt, uncle, grandparent, or close family friend along to help with siblings after they are finished with their portion of the session — this way parents are free to stay and take more photos with the new baby without needing to tend to big brothers and sisters. 

I hope these tips help you feel comfortable and prepared for your newborn photo session. If you are unsure about something, just ask! I’m always here to help. 

1. Timing

I recommend contacting me at least three months prior to your due date to reserve your spot on my calendar. Once you complete the booking process I block out dates on my calendar around your due date. I only take on a limited number of newborn sessions each month, so the sooner you reach out the better.

Once your due date is blocked out, reach out to me within the first 24 hours of your baby’s arrival (texting works perfectly!) so that we can confirm your session as quickly as possible. 

The best time to get your baby into the studio for their newborn session is within the first five to ten days of life. They are the sleepiest during these days which allows for a low-stress session. 

If your baby is born early and needs to spend time in the hospital, we will plan on getting you into the studio for your session within the first seven days after you get home. 

All sessions begin at 10am for the best natural light. 

2. Awake Before

It’s best to keep your baby awake for about 2-3 hours before your session. This will help them feel extra tired during the session. You can to give them a bath, tickle their toes, let them kick with only a diaper on, or try some tummy time. You can continue to keep baby alert by having you or your partner ride next to them in the car on your way over to the studio. 

Even if you think your baby is a great sleeper during the day, it’s important to not skip this step. The goal is to have your baby ready to sleep through their newborn session. 

3. Full Belly

A full baby is a happy baby! We want baby nice and full right before we are about to start. The best thing to do is to arrive at the studio 30 minutes early so you can feed them before we begin. 

We want to continue to feed baby as much as they want. This will keep them sleepy and calm. A newborn session is a bit of a free-for-all in terms of feeding, but I promise it won’t wreck any regular feeding plans! 

If you’re nursing, you can nurse baby as needed throughout our session. If your baby is taking a bottle I can feed your newborn, keeping them in photo session mode. Allowing me to bottle feed is usually quicker, but we’re not in a hurry! The most important thing is for your baby to stay happy and full. 

4. What to wear

‘What should we wear for our session?’ This is by far the question I get asked the most. The key is neutral colors and simple solids. 

Baby should arrive in a short-sleeve white onesie. While they will be swaddled for much of the session, I will also do some white onesie photos.

Parents and any older siblings should wear solid neutral colors and avoid patterns. We want all of the attention and focus on your beautiful faces! Heavy patterns are a distraction. My studio is all white, so wearing really soft tones like beige, cream, white, and light grey work really well and keep your family the focus of the image. I suggest picking 1-2 colors and then coordinating different tones of that color together. And I always recommend bringing a change of clothes for newborns and toddlers in case any major blowouts happen!

Women also have the option of borrowing a dress from my studio client wardrobe. I have maternity style dresses that come in various sizes. You can view them here. I’ve  hand picked each dress and they photograph beautifully! If you’d like to borrow a dress, I suggest you come into the studio before your baby is born to try on and reserve your favorite one. 

See the photos below for some inspiration!

5. Relax

I get it. Prepping for anything with a newborn can be stressful, not to mention getting everyone photo ready after another sleepless night! 

Babies can easily pick up on our energy, so if you are nervous or anxious the baby will sense that and not settle easily. My goal is that as soon as you walk in my door, you’re able to relax knowing that I’ve got you. You can feed your baby and then pass them off to me — a professionally trained newborn photographer, with safety as the first priority.

You know your newborn better than I do, so please don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns or suggestions. Just remember patience is key. Crying, inability to sleep soundly, bathroom breaks, and the need for more feedings are all normal during a newborn photography session.

During the session you are welcome to watch me photograph your newborn or relax on the couch with your phone, a book or magazine, or the most popular option – take a nap! 

I look forward to documenting all of your baby’s tiny details so that you will always remember how little they once were!

The images below are from a recent newborn photo session taken in the studio. 



Ready to schedule your newborn photography session with Ashlie Behm Photography? Click here to fill out my contact form and let’s start chatting about capturing all of your baby’s tiny features.

It

I can’t even with this photo. From the smooshy newborn face to mom’s loving attention to the hand in the heart tattoo… even the lighting feels beautiful to me, despite the fact that it’s fluorescent overhead light. You’ve gotta work with what you’ve got and, in this case, I think we did A-OK.

 


Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Mom flying toddler/baby through the air while his Mama watches, laughing

Every time you point your camera, you’re about to tell a story. What story do you want to tell? This image is all about the fast life of a toddler. Boundless energy shows on his face, while his moms, positioned behind him, are clearly happy…and just a touch exhausted. 😂

 


Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Lesbian couple hanging out and laughing outside their home with their newborn baby and two black and white cats.

#1: Do you like them as a person?

In order to walk away with pictures that will trigger good memories, you need to have a good time taking them! You need to be comfortable with your photographer, and enjoy being around them.

#2: Does their work make your heart happy?

Make sure to look at your photographer’s portfolio. Do you like their work? All of it? If some of it sits the wrong way with you, that is a huge red flag that you might be hiring the wrong photographer. You should love everything they put out! That is the only way to feel confident that you will love the work they do for you, too.

#3: How much is this worth to you?

Just like with most things, the more you pay for family pictures the more you will get out of them. Are you wondering why some photographers charge a lot more than others? It’s usually for two reasons. First, they have enough experience to know that they can deliver on their promise. Second, they are running a legitimate business and doing things by the book, so they have calculated what they need to charge to pay their business expenses.

For more tips, including the number 1 question to ask yourself before selecting a photographer, and the number 1 mistake people tell me about, click through to the original blog, “What To Look For In A Family Photographer: The Important Stuff


Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

0 Months - Nursery-2491 Hi, I’m Emily, one of the regular contributors to Photographers of Portland. I just wanted to share a little personal life update with you all. A couple of weeks ago, we added a new family member. Please say hi to Sonia and check out her super-cool Dr. Seuss nursery. I’m taking it easy for the next few weeks, but I’ll be back at work soon!

Black and white photo of a newborn sleeping on his tummy with a blanket and mom

This image of mom’s hand on her baby’s back has a calm feeling of connection. Because of the non-traditional angle, the focus of the image is really on their relationship more than it is on either mom or baby.

So you have a baby at home…awesome!

You may have just realized that you desperately want to share this new baby with the world but you can’t seem to get a good picture of them. What gives? You obviously SEE how beautiful your baby is. In fact, it’s almost impossible to get over the feeling of awe you feel. So why don’t any of your pictures seem to come close?

Don’t worry, it isn’t just you! Most people are no good at taking pictures of babies. And it isn’t necessarily because it’s super hard to do it – it’s that we are not used to doing it. With a few simple things in mind, you can dramatically improve the photos you take of your baby.

  1. Find good light
  2. Get the angle right
  3. Think about the story you’re telling
  4. Make sure there’s nothing crazy in the background

Sound too good to be true?

For some easy tips for taking pictures of your newborn as well as a list of commonly overlooked photo opps, click through to the original blog, “Newborn Photo Tips – Hooray, You’re A Parent!


Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Boy-turns-1-001

 

It sure doesn’t feel like a year ago that I was photographing this little guy at just a few days old. It is amazing how the times files…..and they will only be this age once.

It has been an honor to work with Levi during his first year, and I look forward to more fun with the rest of his beautiful family soon!

Interested in a fun session for your little one or with the whole family? Contact us at PhotographybyCambrae.com

Winter-Isabella-084A8286-Edit copy-small

What makes a toddler? Is it the walking? The talking? The tantrums?

I think it’s the beauty of the transition. Toddlers have it all.

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Baby Noah

Newborn sessions are typically done within 10 days of birth which is why Photography by Cambrae takes an in-home approach to Newborn photography. We know especially for new and first time parents getting out the door in that first week can be a big production, so we come to you.  This also allows us to use elements from your daily life in your images giving them something unique and something just yours.

Are you pregnant and thinking about a newborn session? Now is the time to meet and discuss things, we will help you come up with a plan around your due date and support you through the process. For more information visit on maternity page.

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When is the last time you stopped and took the time to really see the beauty and wonder in your life?

We’re so busy thinking about what’s next that we often forget to see the joy that is right here in front of us.

By taking the time to photograph the little things, not only are you encouraged to step into your life and see the beauty as you live it, but you’re able to live it again whenever you want. And that is beautiful.

Serravision Photography specializes in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Baby-Rose---6-wks-5496 For those of you who follow Emily Hall Photography, you know the hubs and I recently added a family member into our little world. For the rest of you, meet Rose! She’s been rocking our world for a little over a month now. We’re loving it! I’m doing my best to be a good momtographer and remember to not only take plenty of newborn photos, but to also get in front of the camera too. Happy Monday! Go get in front of the camera with someone you love!