Photographing twins can be a bit more challenging than a single newborn (it can be difficult to position one newborn to photograph, but having to get multiple newborns comfortable at the same time to photograph can be a twice as tricky!), but seeing the connection between two people so tiny is amazing! These two were wonderful and slept so well throughout our session I had a hard time letting them go home! They were positively gorgeous :)
Using wraps and baskets is one way to photograph twins together to keep them warm and snuggly :)
If you are ready to schedule a newborn photography session for your twins on the way, please visit my Chicago newborn photography website for more information, or feel free to go ahead and fill out a Chicago newborn photography client profile
by Chicago Newborn Photographer
no comments
Yesterday I talked about preparing for your appointment with your Chicago newborn photographer, so naturally today is about what to expect when you arrive for your session! I can only give insight about newborn photography sessions with me, since I’m not in the know about how other photographers handle their newborns.
Once you arrive, I will help you bring in anything you need for your little one from the car– after all, if you have a poo ninja like my youngest you may travel with quite an arsenal of spare clothes and multiple packages of wipes and hand sanitizer– if daddy had to work or decided to hang at home to watch a football game, you may need some extra hands to make it inside without a second trip to the car! Once you are inside, I have a super comfy Lazy-boy recliner for my mamas to relax in (and a nursing support pillow if needed)– sorry dads, you get a stool or dining chair– mom delivered that baby and deserves the most comfy place to sit! I offer bottled water to all my newborn parents, with the option for coffee as well (let me know prior to your session if you want coffee so my husband can make some before leaving with the kids– otherwise excuse me while I you tube how to make coffee with our coffee pot!). Once you’re all settled we’ll get started!
I have a changing table in my studio sanitized and with a freshly washed cover for every session. I will squirt on some hand sanitizer (my hands can never be too sanitized when handling your newborn), remove your little one from the car seat, pull off the sleeper and diaper and wrap her in a nice warm blanket to keep her cozy while we go over to the set I have prepared to start with. I work very slowly with your little one– each movement is tiny and not rushed, making sure she stays as comfortable as possible throughout our time together. If she isn’t happy with a position (or getting into a position), we simply move on to another one! The tiniest little grunt or squeak may prompt temporary abandonment of a pose– if she is uncomfortable it’s not worth forcing the position (On that note however, please make sure you bring the pacifier you left the hospital with. Even if you do not plan to introduce a pacifier, a couple of hours with it available will not interfere with nursing or cause paci attachment– sometimes it is invaluable for returning your little one to deep sleep after shifting positions and it will only be used for a few seconds as a last resort)! I am always within reach in case she begins to shift or stir while I am photographing and I take all precautions to make everything safe as possible. There are some images that require a second set of hands to make sure they are done safely, and in that case if I do not have an assistant that day I may ask for mom or dad to lend a hand (quite literally!). I typically have all headbands, hats, wraps and other props within arms reach of my photographing position prior to your session, however if I do need to step away from your little one I will also ask mom or dad to come place a hand on your newborn while I am out of reach.
Typically dad starts to grow tired of watching after a bit (after all, mom is in the comfy chair!), so I invite one or both you to move to the family room and watch television, catch a catnap on the sofa, read a book or escape the toasty warm studio (Dress in layers! The studio is warmed significantly to keep your little one comfortable) for a few minutes. I have had many dads (and a few moms) fall asleep during the session and that’s perfectly okay– you have a newborn at home, you have to take it when you can get it! If you were unable to find childcare for an older sibling (or siblings), they are welcome to spend the session time in the playroom– the younger ones enjoy all the toys and the older ones have a hard time pulling themselves away from the xbox kinect when our session ends!
Depending on the baby and her tolerance level, I will use up to 3 different fabric backgrounds and a variety of headbands, hats or (for the little boys) neckties. We may add on a prop at the end of the session (bucket, basket, etc), but that is only if your little one is still happy to be here. If you have a vision of your little one in a prop hanging on your wall in the family room, please let me know prior to your session so I can get that set prepared to use first. Also, if you have color preferences for my fabric backdrops, please indicate those on your Chicago newborn photographer client information form.
If your little one grows hungry during our session, I will happily take a feeding break! If your newborn has an “accident” on my fabrics, don’t worry! Everything is washable, and every item used is laundered (with free & clear detergent) after your session — we simply clean the mess up and move on!
Your time with me should be considered a time to relax– bring a good book you have started reading 3.8 million times and haven’t gotten to finish, or those thank you cards you keep meaning to send for shower gifts. You will have approximately 2 hours to fill, so come prepared!
The next step for you is to go home, snuggle your baby and hit refresh about 347 times a day on my blog watching for your sneak peek to pop up… just kidding– I always email you once it’s up :)
If you need to schedule your newborn, please email me at Amy@FunFreshYou.com — or you are welcome to go ahead and fill out my newborn photography client profile form and I’ll contact you!
Part 1: How to prepare to go see your Chicago area newborn photographer
by Chicago Newborn Photographer
show 2 comments
Need to schedule a newborn photography session in Chicago? You can find more information on my website, or go ahead and fill out a newborn client profile form! Remember to enter the drawing for a free newborn photography session!
One of the most requested newborn poses-- make sure you choose a newborn photographer that knows how to do this safely!
You have a sweet, squishy newborn laying in the bassinet nearby. She opened her eyes and saw the outside world for the first time just hours ago and unknowingly changed your world forever. Whether this is your first time parenting a newborn or your fifth (or more!), the little details of those first few weeks should be captured. The wrinkles in her back. The baby fuzz on his arms. The wonderful way they still curl up like they were when inside you just days ago. Around 2 weeks of age, all those indicators of their journey into the world begin to vanish. He begins to stretch out whenever he gets a chance. She loses all those baby wrinkles as her appetite fills them in. He decides the world is a really interesting place and wants to stay awake to watch every little color and flash of light go by (or the ceiling fan like my youngest!). She flips her days and nights the right way and sleeps much less during the day (and parents love sleeping newborn images– later they remind you that she really did sleep during those early weeks!) making the session a bit trickier for everyone involved. The rapid development is exactly why it’s so important to have their newborn features captured as soon as possible after your baby’s entry into the world!
I always recommend that your photographer for your newborn is chosen before your pregnancy reaches the eighth month– I pencil in your baby’s due date and once your little one arrives we will finalize the session date. Because labor isn’t known for being predictable, I always keep a few different times available for my newborns so we can get your little one in during the first 12 days. If you haven’t scheduled your newborn photographer yet and you find yourself staring at that brand new gorgeous little one beside you, don’t panic! Like I said– I keep select session slots available for newborns (I set aside a few for each due date, and a few extras for last minute babies), and chances are I can find one that works for you! Contact your photographer from the hospital– after all, you have so much adrenaline running through you, there isn’t much hope for sleep anyway (and generally the snoring daddy in the chair beside you and the nurses that come in every 2 hours tend to interrupt any chance of sleep you do get… not to mention the little person you brought into the world– during my deliveries it seemed like the nurses had a little sensor that told them when I fell asleep so they can run in, turn on the light and strap a blood pressure cuff on my arm!). Contacting your photographer from the hospital ensures that you will be able to get your newborn portraits done within that first 2 weeks at a time that works well for everyone.
The day of your session… if this is your first newborn, plan to leave plenty of time to get you and baby out of the house! Most new moms are surprised by how much preparation it can take to leave the house for that first outing– and usually the first outing is either the doctor’s office for a weight check or to the newborn photographer! I know no one likes to keep a sleepy baby awake, but before leaving try to keep your baby up as much as possible– it’s the perfect time to give him a bath and take a picture of him in each outfit gifted at your shower to send to the gift givers! The bath will wake him up nicely, and the constant outfit changes will fight off that deep stage of sleep we are aiming for when you arrive to my studio! When you’re finished keeping him up, put him in an outfit that will not go on over his head for the short trip to my studio– a footie sleeper is perfect… bonus points if it’s the zip up variety for super simple removal when you get here! Feed feed feed the baby before getting in the car– it’s better than feeding her when you get to my studio for a few reasons: hiccups, spit-up and the “straight through” digestion of most newborns. If you feed her before you get in the car, all those things should be out of her system of by the time you arrive for your session, the car ride will put her nicely to sleep, and we can get started as soon as you walk in the door!
Coming up tomorrow– what to expect during your newborn photography session!
by Chicago Newborn Photographer
show 1 comment
Valentine Mini-Sessions are here! I have a few remaining session slots available in the Palatine area for Saturday the 28th, so please email Amy@FunFreshYou.com if you would like to snag one before they’re gone!
*Additional wallets can be purchased in sets of 8 for $15 each and all wallets will be delivered in a silver wallet tin :) The included digital file will be the one selected to use in the valentines and include a print release as well as a version optimized for facebook and web-viewing. Payment is due within 48 hours of reserving your time slot or the session time will be released to others. A template selection guide will be emailed after session time has been reserved and payment has processed so you may select your design(s) in advance– allowing me to have the valentines at your door within 1 week of image selection. Online proofing will be available within 24 hours of session to finalize image and wallet design — selection must be made by Wednesday February 1st to guarantee delivery by February 9th.
by Chicago Newborn Photographer
no comments
© 2012 Chicago's Custom Newborn Photographer | Dragonfly Studios {Blogged}
ProPhoto Blog Template . Designed by That's Kinda Cool!
by Chicago Newborn Photographer
no comments