Useful tips and information for New Parents and Parents-to-be

 

– By Vinodhini

Overcoming common fears of taking pictures of your Newborn Baby

It is only natural for new mothers to have a handful of questions about the risks of photographing their newborn baby. It’s good to gather the right information about it before you proceed away clicking. Needless to say, it is near impossible to avoid a camera, be it yours or your family member’s or friend’s when they come visit your newborn. For new mothers and mothers to be, I am hoping this article will help clear your doubts.

One of the reasons I recommend capturing a newborn’s moments is because they grow very quickly, in fact every 20 days. And after that, these moments would only remain as memories. 

Answering common questions from new mothers:

  • Is flash safe for the newborn’s eyes?

Yes it is, for a couple of reasons. One being, the flash light doesn’t reach the baby’s eyes, as a newborn is most often asleep. Moreover, you can always use the natural window light or outdoor light to photograph. Professional photographers usually use studio lights that are kept a few feet away from the baby, which doesn’t harm and hurt the baby’s eye. 

  • Is a DSLR camera safe to use?

Yes a DSLR as well as a phone camera, both are good and safe  to capture real moments on your baby.

  • What are some tips for photographing my newborn at home?

    • Your baby’s safety and comfort is the top most priority.
    • While capturing moments of your baby at home, remember to be mindful of your newborn’s mood and comfort level. Excessive sound, light, adjustments or even instructions from people would cause a state of irritation. 
    • Patience is the key while photographing a newborn baby because they cannot be instructed or guided like a toddler. 
    • Spontaneity is a must, as newborn babies tend to move quickly, which causes their expressions to shift fast too without a prior signal. So if you are looking to capture a smile – have patience and wait for it. I would say, keep it natural, don’t stress over a particular expression. Go with the flow. 
    • Don’t leave your baby in a specific pose for long. Many parents like a certain pose to be clicked, but it’s important to know that leaving your baby in a particular position for long, there is a high chance of pausing the blood circulation, which leads to tender baby’s skin turning purple. 
    • A lot of parents tend to copy and replicate interesting baby poses from the internet, pinterest particularly and I highly advise against it. Some of those poses are sensitive and are achieved from personal experience, study and practice. I strongly advise to go for natural, simple poses of your baby, afterall only their health and comfort matters the most.

  • If I were to hire a photographer for my newborn’s photoshoot, what are the prerequisites to keep in mind?

    • The photographer should have a prior or personal experience of handling newborn babies. He or she needs to effortlessly navigate through the newborn’s mood swings and needs. 
    • Parents, please ensure you inform the photographer prior about your baby’s health and moods. 
    • Hygiene and cleanliness habits is a must to notice. Go with a photographer who keeps his or her equipment, studio, tidy and clean. This hygiene standard is needed to avoid any skin allergies to your baby. 
    • For thematic photoshoots, you can always choose to buy your own props, clothes too.

Check out my collection of newborn babies photoshoot

 

– By Vinodhini

Answers to common doubts that expecting mothers have around a pregnancy photoshoot

The fact that you are reading this article would mean that you are considering a photoshoot of your pregnancy. And just for that here are some tips for your maternity photoshoot.

  • Grab the information you need, get your queries answered

      •  As a mother to be, you are bound to have a lot of questions about photographing this phase of your life. Thoughts of if it’s necessary, safe, affordable and if there are options of negating travel among a million other questions are natural.
      • Pregnancy is different for every woman and therefore the conditions for the maternity photoshoot will too differ. Reading up and speaking to fellow mothers regarding the subject is important to assure you peace of mind. 
      • Look up discussion forums, check out Quora, read up blog articles, relevant magazines, speak to your friends to tick this step out of your list and make a decision.

  • Prep yourself for the photoshoot

      • Choose a photographer you can be comfortable with brainstorming photoshoot ideas and then converting the idea into reality. If your photoshoot involves intimate poses with your partner, or the need to express emotions with your partner, you two need to be comfortable around the photographer. 
      • Make a plan of critical requisites like the theme of the photoshoot, date, time, indoor-outdoor, costume ideas etc. This way you can clear your calendar off your medical scans, family visits, coordinate with other family members too to finalise these details. 
      • Make a note of just how many approximate photographs you would like to have, so you can spend your photoshoot time diligently.

  • Best trimester to do a photoshoot

      • Middle of the 7th month that falls into your 3rd trimester is the best time to do the photoshoot. 
      • Your nauseating stage would be a history then. Your baby bump will be properly out and gorgeous looking, the glow on your face would be radiating – it’s just the right time to do it. 
      • Photoshoot during the 8th month is unadvisable, as your focus will be on the delivery and some mothers also tend to go into early delivery. So anytime in the 7th month is just right and peaceful.

  • Suitable location choices to make

      • Medical conditions or personal preferences play a big role in making the location choice for your maternity photoshoot. Indoor photoshoot can be arranged at your own home or at a studio whereas external photoshoot can be done in a garden, farm, forest, empty street, swimming pool. It’s really up to the mother.
      • Some ideas if you wish to do an out-of-the-box photoshoot: there are certain locations that are built with themes like kitchen, library, luxury bedroom, luxury bathtub, vintage cars  etc. that allows you 
      • Remember to keep in mind your theme, the lighting and set up when you make this decision. For those who like silhouettes, it’s no worries as this can be shot in a studio set-up as well as outside.

  • Ideation for poses

      • The most exciting part of the planning stage is to ideate a concept for your pregnancy photoshoot. There’s so much to deep dive in and then swim back with just one that fits most of the parts. 
      • Let’s say you want to revisit the place your baby was conceived at, or show all the different emotions you are going through as a mother to be, or simply a timelapse of your baby bump and body across the 9 months. 
      • If you plan to include your family members or your partner in your photoshoot, pick a theme that fits that. Story telling through the photoshoot is exciting for you now and in the future, and positively challenging for the photographer.

  • Bring out your personality

      • Let your costume dictate the chosen theme, but most importantly don’t feel shy to show the most dominant or truest part of you. If you like simplicity clubbed with nature, go for it, keep it raw and minimalistic. If you are a fan of ‘phunk’, go for it and bring them crazies out. 
      • Follow it up with a hairdo and make up that most importantly you are comfortable in and one that suits the temperature of the location you are planning your photoshoot in. Also, try and keep it aligned to your chosen theme. 
      • Use props if you like to have something extra in the photoshoot. Flowers, balloons, soap bubbles, letters, whatever you like.

  • Let in your family to complete the photoshoot

      • A lot of women like their partner to accompany for a few photos of the photoshoot. If you are one of them, plan it ahead for every element of your mutual theme, so you two look coordinated and in sync. However, if you do want to exhibit the varying personalities of yours and your partner, that also works. As long as there is a story to tell, it’s all workable. 
      • If you are pregnant with your second or third child, then make sure your photoshoot involves your children and partner in a theme that speaks of an existing family waiting to welcome one more child.

  • Let go, have fun

      • It’s your photoshoot, your time – ladies, don’t feel shy to hog the limelight, to have the lion’s share. If you are not someone who pampers one self from time to time, please take this opportunity to give yourself a Queen’s treatment.
      • Do your nails, your hair, go shopping for your mama’s dress – it’s time for self, time for
        you.

Check out photos from various Maternity photoshoots