Okay, you guys know I am the self-proclaimed baby whisperer. I'm forever shouting from the rooftops "bring me all your babies!" But, it wasn't always this way. There was a time that I wasn't getting hired quite as much as I'd hoped to be to capture pictures of fresh babies, and to be honest, I can see why when I look back at some of my old photos.
There is more to learn than you can imagine when it comes to photographing newborns, and they are much more involved than your typical sessions. From lighting to set design and posing babies to being able to soothe them -- I've come a long way. I can think back to the times I'd get the baby to sleep in any possible position and move myself, rather than the baby, to capture what I thought was the best photo.
Besides years of experience, I invested in my skills through education to get better. I've taken many amazing online workshops which helped me in building a foundation, but my best investment to date was a weekend-long newborn workshop in New York City. Taught by a photographer who is well-known and a trusted leader in this field, I learned an infinite amount about soothing babies so they'll settle and sleep, perfecting my lighting, and above all, safety. Did you know that making sure babies are posed in safe positions is a ginormous priority of ours? I pride myself on knowing what positions make them feel comfortable and ensure their safety. When parents hire me to spend two to three hours (yup, we spend some quality time together) to take their newborn's photos, they're trusting me to implement the safest and most careful techniques. And that's what I do.
When I look back at my old photos I remember, too, the times that babies would cry for an hour (or more) and I didn't always have the confidence I'd get them to settle. That worry is gone -- I know that I am well prepared to handle even the kings and queens of colic or crankiness. Trust me, I've seen it all and do NOT feel flustered or stressed about how long it will take to get the babies to settle. It's something I always connect with parents on because it's a big deal for both of us to give the babies time (and meet their needs) so they can soothe and sleep. I block ample time so we never feel rushed on this.
While taking workshops has been tremendously helpful with all of the artistic and photographic components of my photos, my years of experience have forced me to invest time into the logistics of newborn shoots. When my clients engage me to take these photos, they receive every last detail of preparation so they know what to expect on the day of the session, including when to attempt a feed! I'll have extra binkies, diapers and wipes here for you in case fumbling through your diaper bag or plowing through your supplies becomes a worry. When we are spending the amount of time together that we are, I want parents to feel as at ease as they possibly can.
So, the beginning of this year has forced me to reflect on where I've improved and what I feel most confident about when it comes to my business. Newborns are certainly my calling. Investing in my skill set, down to my detailed logistics, has been meaningful and fulfilling for me -- and I'm so grateful to all of my client families who keep giving me the experience! Go on and keep having those babies.
Sheena Christ
Syracuse Newborn Photographer
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