WHY I DON’T GUARANTEE A SPECIFIC POSE
Yes, you read that right. As a newborn photographer, I absolutely have a mental list of all of the perfect poses I hope to capture of your new bundle of joy. However, as you may be learning as a new parent, the adults are not always the ones in control in this situation. Here’s a list of reasons why I don’t guarantee a specific pose.
We go at your baby's pace! If your baby is in a deep sleep and comfortable being positioned, it will be easier to move them from one pose to another. If your baby is not as comfortable, it may take more patience to move them from pose to pose. This can vary widely from baby to baby and can even depend on the baby’s age at the time of your session.
I don't try to force your baby to do something that doesn't feel right to them. If they are expressing that they are uncomfortable, I listen. Some babies don't "bend" like others. They just aren't as flexible, so they won't allow me to position them in certain poses. If your baby is giving me cues that they don’t appreciate how I am positioning them, I simply move on to another pose or setup.
Your baby is being handled more than normal. We will likely be passing your baby between parents and even to siblings. We’ll also swaddle the baby one to two times, as well as completely unswaddle the baby for individual portraits. Most new babies prefer to be covered and swaddled, and most do not like to be naked. I would imagine that having a strange photographer in your face might be somewhat stimulating too. For some babies this is not a problem, but others may be easily disturbed by those changes.
Your baby may need to take a break because they eat more frequently than other babies. We can stop and feed at any point. It might be helpful to bring a bottle to your session, but I am very comfortable being around breastfeeding mothers. I work in the neonatal intensive care unit where I assist mothers with this very task. I'm also a mom, so I get it! I can even feed your baby and allow you to kick up your feet and relax! I'm trained ◡̈ Sometimes you’re still learning what your baby needs, so I’m happy to troubleshoot with you.
New babies usually aren't on a "schedule” yet. They may not be ready to sleep when they arrive or they may have been up a lot the night before. Newborns can be unpredictable, so we will work around that.
Your baby may have other underlying issues. You may be discovering that your baby has a food allergy or colic. This might make certain poses more uncomfortable due to increased gas or discomfort, causing them not to rest as well. Babies experiencing feeding problems or transitioning from breast milk to formula may also have trouble settling.
Every baby is different! Some babies sleep the entire time, and some babies are awake the entire time.
The bottom line? Every baby is unique. We’ll follow your baby’s cues to see what poses we can achieve. No matter your newborn’s personality, we can make precious memories together!
