Newborn photography, even though it has only been around for a few years in the UK, has captured the hearts of many with images of sleepy, dreamy babies during that all too fleeting newborn stage.
The strength and drawback of this type of photography are the same. It really has to take place before your baby is two weeks old and ideally when they are between five and ten days old. Of course, this is not the ideal time for a new mum to be out and about but then also, it’s the fact that the window for it is so short that makes it so precious. By the time that your baby reaches the ripe old age of one month old, they will have lost their newborn appearance and characteristics and they will be a baby. So capturing those very early days is extra precious.
A newborn baby will sleep for a lot of the day (though it doesn’t feel like they sleep for a lot of the night that’s for sure) and when they are in their deepest sleep, they are pliable and easy to move around. They still adopt that gorgeous furled or tummy tucked position that they were used to in the womb and they are comfortable snoozing that way. After just a few weeks, although will still sleep for a lot of the time, they have already begun to be interested in the people and world around them, so their sleep isn’t often as deep. When you move them, they will naturally stir to see what is going on. They are already on their journey to babyhood!
In terms of photography then, it’s not that you can get beautiful images of a four week old baby – you definitely can but it’s not a newborn photo anymore. Those sleepy, poseable little beings have moved on. For that reason, if you know you want newborn photography, I’d definitely recommend booking while you are still pregnant. When the baby is born, you will have a million things to think about and choosing a photographer probably isn’t one of them (although I’ll always do my best to fit you in). By the time, you come up for air from the exciting and terrifying world of being home from the hospital with a brand new person, the time has gone. Obviously, unless you have a c-section date, you can’t really tell when your baby will arrive but when you book a newborn photoshoot while you are still pregnant, we schedule a photo shoot for your due date plus seven days and then add me to the list of people you tell when your baby arrives (a quick email is fine obviously) and then we simply adjust the appointment to suit.
Newborn photo shoots take place at my studio in Crawley Down, West Sussex, which is a warm and cosy space equipped with one of the most comfy sofas that I’ve ever had the pleasure of napping on (yes, I will admit to the occasional forty winks on there between sessions). You’ll be able to relax on there and watch your images being created. Sessions are scheduled for two hours (although I never take back to back sessions so we have a cushion of extra time if we need it) so there is ample time to feed, soothe and settle your baby into the type of dreamy sleep that we need in order to take the perfect newborn pictures. I have a large (and frankly ever growing) selection of blankets, hats and accessories but I’d always recommend bringing along bits and pieces of your own to include in the session and make it completely unique to you. Once we have captured a good set of images of your new baby, you’re welcome to join in the fun for family portraits – it’s not obligatory though if you don’t feel like it on the day. A lifetime of family portraits awaits you!
A newborn portrait includes your studio time and your five favourite digital images to download at print quality for £95. You can print and share these as much as you would like to. You are welcome to order more if you want to but there is no sales or viewing meeting to attend – I don’t personally like to be sold to so I don’t do it. Plus you have your hands full with a new baby so you can simply view and order your pictures from your online gallery. In the middle of the night whilst feeding a baby and wearing your pyjamas. Whatever works for you.
