Thread: Beggars can't be choosers

I'm a member of Parents as Teachers here in our school district and one of the fellow moms had a baby on July 23rd. She wanted newborn pictures, but this is the earliest she could get them done since her hubby hadn't taken time off yet and their schedule has been crazy. I have heard horror stories of 3 week olds so I am bracing myself for the worst case senario. Any good advice for me?

This is only my second real time shooting a "newborn"(although I know he isn't "new"). I've only had 1 other practice shoot. I am just hoping I do okay. I have a bunch of friends ready to "pop" in the next month so I am not about to turn away practice...I just have to admit I am a bit nervous.

I'm sure you'll do amazing as always

I think the best advice is to wait out the crying spurts. They will happen, and they will go away. Plan to be taking pics for at least an hour, most of my 3weekr appointments last an hour and a half. Mom and Dad will be really nervous, thats okay. Expect to get peed on (even poo'd on). Make sure you tell mom and dad at the begining that breaks will be taken whenever the baby needs one for eating, snuggling, or whatever... so they dont need to worry about the session ending if the baby gets hungry. (this is all stuff I tell my clients, so if anything doesnt work for you. take it out )
Thats all I can think of for the moment. Im sure others will chime in with helpful advice! I cant wait to see what you get! you'll do great!

I have no advice ... but Mandie brings up a good point. I took Natalie to a photographer friend at 4 weeks, and she peed on a tapestry AND a blanket ... (yes, she peed twice while we were there).

good luck!! I wish I had a baby to practice on.

okay...WOW...that was WAY harder than I thought it would be.

Alex was so sweet, but he is a 3rd child. You wouldn't think that would matter, but it does somewhat. His adorable twin sisters were just all over him and to help the family cope, he has become a binky baby. I think I got maybe 3 pics with out the paci where he isn't crying. But I figured that heck, he IS a binky baby, so we might as well embrace it, right? Poor thing has a clogged tear duct so he was horribly fussy, but fun tto work with. We were pooped on 7, yes 7 times. No fun blankets or anything since he was no longer bendy. He was used to stretching his legs and it showed big time. He liked to show off his goods. BUT, it was awesome practice. I think I'm gonna call them and ask if I can come over again this weekend. The family was wonderful and I enjoyed working with them. I just need to get my nerves out...as usual.

Just quick, here is the first one I pulled out.


I've always wanted some of the classic poses. Now is the time to build them up I suppose.

Nice job Kelly! I have never shot a newborn before so I have no idea how hard it can be. I can only imagine!

Do you usually see the back of the baby below the arms of the parents? Or is that something else and I am confused?

Originally Posted by stampasaurus

Nice job Kelly! I have never shot a newborn before so I have no idea how hard it can be. I can only imagine!

Do you usually see the back of the baby below the arms of the parents? Or is that something else and I am confused?

No, you're right. But htis was the best I could get. He was freaking out cause we took his paci. Poor thing. I just wanted to eat him up! She was bouncing him a bit to calm him so his head was elevated a bit. Otherwise I would have done it differently. Ya'll think I should clone it out or maybe even burn it out?
And yes, he did pee strait up in the air here!

I personally LOVE the classic poses for newborns. I actually just did a session last weekend with a 2.5 week old boy, and he was pretty good. Wanted to nurse the whole time, but didn't cry. The set is on my flickr if you wanna check them out Kelly!

I love your conversion on this one, it's perfect! And I didn't even notice the back, I wouldn't bother cloning it out.

I think it looks great, but the bottom/back was one of the first things my eyes went to to try to figure out what it was.. Try cloning it and see what you come up with? I think it woudl be a little more dramatic if it were "just" the head and the hands and there were no distractions under the head. You know I love your stuff.