The Best Times To Photograph Your Baby
Creating a portrait diary of your baby's first few years provides a beautiful keepsake for them and precious memories for you. Babies change the most in the first few days, weeks and months. Specific timing, based on your baby's motor skills, is necessary to document each of their milestones. Your photographer can guide you through the process and helps to ensure each session is booked at just the right time.
"Where did the time go? Can you remember the first time she crawled? Her first teeth? Her first steps? Everything happened so fast...Shelley's Portrait Diary captured all these moments, even if a little blurry in my mind, they are all beautifully sharp in her spectacular portraits! thank you for helping me remember the most amazing year of my life.! ~Veronica Quadagni~
Photographing each of your child's milestones is based more on development than age. Every child develops at their own rate. For example, Your child may sit a month before the age indicated or a month after; which is why it is important to meet with your photographer early and work closely with her/him to ensure you book your sessions at just the right time.
Prenatal - The Miracle of Life
Prenatal portraits have become popular as more and more women embrace the beauty of motherhood. This signifies a new chapter in your life. Take this time especially for you - to celebrate and connect with the new life within. Allow The Art of a Mother to artistically reflect your inner and outer beauty of this brief but beautiful moment in romantic portraits to share with your child as they grow. The best time for this session varies from woman to woman and is when your body is blossoming and you are feeling beautiful and vibrant. So come, be pampered, be glowing, be glamorous. You will be enchanting. You will shine. You will be radiant. Because you will be you! “You are expecting and you are powerful! You are bold and you are beautiful. Go in your boldness, in your beauty, and in your contentedness. Trust your body to birth and know that the collective power of women worldwide will be with you” ~Author Unknown~
Newborn Cuddles & Coos
The first portrait of your baby is their Newborn Session, which should be done within the first ten days, especially for full term babies. After this your baby will begin to stretch out and enjoy their new freedom after so many months tucked up in your tummy. This is a fleeting time to be savoured in beautiful images while your baby is still tiny, sleepy and snuggly. Book your design session early to plan the portraits for the nursery. Celebrate the special bond between you and your baby with images of your newborn in the strong arms of Dad or held in your embrace. The studio has beautiful fabric wraps, diaper covers and outfits. Remember, for most of this session your baby may be completely undressed. Make sure that you are wearing clothing that you won’t mind getting a little wet and that you bring a change of clothing for the way home. We want you to be prepared for the unexpected!
4 Months - Push Ups & Expressions
The first few months of your baby’s life they become more and more animated and interested in the world of people. Unable to move around, your baby engages visually and all emotions are expressed with ease. The best time to capture these expressions is when your baby can lift their head and chest up while laying on their tummy and hold it for extended periods. At this stage, your baby has a short attention span and can be easily overstimulated and become cranky. Keep your attention towards your baby low key on portrait day. This will ensure that we get the best expression during your session! Bare bottoms or diaper covers, tutus, special toys and blankies preserve the memories of your baby’s social connection.
8 Months - Sitting Up & Patty Cake
Your baby is constantly growing and learning as they develop new skills and agility. The next best time to photograph them is when they are able to sit without support but before they begin crawling. Your baby should be able to sit without needing cushions surrounding them and without worrying about them toppling over. They should not have to lean forward to maintain their balance. This is when your baby is interacting more with toys. Images with bare skin or in diaper covers show off their sweet, pudgy little arms and legs. You are also welcome to bring in an outfit or two. Remember though, we want your baby, and not the clothing, to stand out.
12 Months - First Steps & Birthday Cakes
Now your baby is developing their motor skills. To preserve this milestone in your Baby’s Portrait Diary we want to photograph them when they are crawling well, standing without support and able to walk while holding furniture but not taking more than a few independent steps. It’s best to book the session before they are on the go. Images can still be done bare and cute outfits are great as long as they fit well. Clothing ideas include bare feet, overalls or dresses with simple designs. In addition, if your baby has a special chair, toy or blanket, you may want to bring those as well.
Thank you for staying with me until the end! I hope you enjoyed the photos of the precious babies I've shared in this blog and in my galleries. Feel free to share this blog with those who may enjoy it.
If you are expecting or have a little one I would love to create for your family. Stay tuned for next week's blog and the opportunity to start your child's portrait diary. It's never too late to start! You will be so grateful that you did.