In this day and age, it's easy to assume that most hospitals staff photographers. So since every parent has an option to have these precious moments captured for them, it's natural to not think about having it done somewhere else. However, choosing to hire someone outside of the hospital is something I would recommend to every parent who is able to do so.
The biggest inquiry I have revolves around the timing of your newborn's first photoshoot. It's a fair question given all that encompasses bringing a new life into the world. Whether it's your first or you're a veteran mama doing this for the second, third, fourth or beyond time; whether you gave birth or you've adopted; the first several days are a whirlwind of change and the last thing you want to worry about - and oftentimes, the first thing to be put off - is this new little baby's first photos.
Because every situation is different, the timing of your session will depend upon you and your newborn. The best thing about this period in infancy is we get to be flexible. I have had newborns as young as three days old to those who are just shy of 8 weeks. My "sweet spot" or recommendation is always between 5 and 14 days for those clients really wanting a variety of poses. At this stage most newborns have established some kind of feeding and sleeping routine that enables us to coincide nicely with your session time. However, as stated, every situation is different and sometimes we will need to go outside of that timeframe. We will work closely together to pinpoint that spot for your family.
I tell my clients often, that babies find comfort in a variety of ways. Some rely heavily on the smells around them. When they have had time to adapt to you and your home, the smells become a comfort that easily allows them to relax. Others may rely on being swaddled and warm; the noises around them; or even the lighting that they are bathed in. The best practice no matter where we are doing you are session, is to set them up for comfort. Full bellies, and clean diapers make a world of difference. If you are really wanting a gallery of wrapped poses, then it is also important to continue swaddling your baby as often as possible. Once they realize they can stretch and move, some babies no longer have any desire to be confined.
Ultimately, for me, it's not just about the photos. It's about the experience. When you bring your newborn home from the hospital your body and your schedule go through a lot of adjustments. As moms, we are so wrapped up in our children and our family that we don't always remember to take the time we need to relax in the beginning. I make it my ultimate goal to foster environment of calm during your session. So you can spend that time just enjoying the peace or talking about your experience in motherhood.
Whether you have found me before this little life has come into the world, or just after, I want to stress how important it is to have this time to yourself in the very beginning. It will be a memory you will hold onto forever. I don't take that lightly and I hold myself to a standard in service that guarantees you look back at your newborn's session with warmth and love. Every parent is deserving of that.
