How to Keep Babies Safe During Newborn Photos
For the past 10 years, I have served the Twin Cities metro area as a Lifestyle Newborn Photographer. During this time, I have photographed hundreds of babies and their families. My newborn photography sessions began as in-home sessions and now the vast majority take place in my beautiful studio. Throughout this entire time period, my top priority has always been creating a session experience where my clients feel confident and safe. Those first few weeks after baby comes home are a very overwhelming time for families! As a mom of three girls, I remember not only having strong emotions, but also very protective feelings about my baby, especially when interacting with people outside of our home. Based on my experience as a mom, I am able to empathize with my client families and what they may be feeling during this special, yet sometimes uncertain time in their family journey! Here are some tips for how I help my clients feel confident and safe during their newborn photography session.
Newborn Photography Safety Techniques
In addition to my innate experience as a seasoned mom of three, I have also been educated in newborn photography safety techniques. As a result, I am a photographer experienced in newborn photography who understands how to handle babies safely and gently and have built a reputation among hundreds of clients for being patient, gentle, and kind. Being a qualified newborn photographer is important for many reasons. It not only results in a good client experience, but it insures that your baby will be safe.
“Ann Marie put us at ease during our maternity and newborn photo shoots, resulting in beautiful, natural, candid photos.”
I have implemented many safety precautions in my work to not only keep baby safe, but to make the experience enjoyable for the entire family. Here are some of my essential safety procedures that every newborn photographer should follow.
Keep the Room Warm:
When you enter the studio, it will be cozy and comfortable, as well as warm. Newborns are sensitive to temperature and a nice warm space will help them be calm and relaxed. The studio temperature is between 70-72 degrees. This helps prevent them from getting cold during the shoot and allows them to be relaxed and sleepy.
Cleanliness, Hygiene, and Illness
I want parents to feel comfortable as they enter the studio. There are essential steps I take to help them know that their baby will be in a clean and safe space. All areas baby will come into contact with are fresh and clean upon their arrival and sanitized after each session. I wash my hands prior to handling baby, ask if they would like me to wear a mask, and always ask permission before holding baby. I also reassure parents that I am fully up-to-date on all my vaccinations and promise to inform them of any sickness in me or my family. If I fall ill, I always re-schedule a newborn session and always let parents know the timeline of my illness. If baby is sick, I also ask parents to inform me as well. We want baby to be healthy, safe, and comfortable, and we can always re-schedule a session date for when baby is feeling better. Being flexible is imperative when it comes to being a newborn photographer, so, I always leave room in my weekly schedule to account for any circumstance that may arise that would require a re-booking. Communication is key to helping people feel safe and free from stress!
Safe Newborn Baby Poses:
During session time, I am extra cautious whenever holding, dressing, or wrapping baby. Newborns need to be worked with with gentleness and care. I always support baby's head and neck when holding them or placing them in a bassinet or basket. I make sure they are never wrapped too tightly or feel too warm. Parents are always present when I handle baby and I ask permission before I hold or move baby. This may be obvious, but I never leave the baby unattended, even for a moment. My sessions offer guided posing. That means I lead clients through their session and offer them prompts for how to place their bodies and how to hold baby. Many times, I will hold baby and then place them in mom or dad’s arms in a specific way. During this time, I make sure to inform them as to what I am doing and what I want them to do. Again, communication is key in helping families feel confident and relaxed!
Safety with Siblings:
An image with baby’s brothers and sisters is a must and often one of the most desired images for parents. Prior to the session, I will send parents a Newborn Session Prep Guide which not only has tips for getting themselves and baby ready, but also how to help siblings feel welcome and happy during their session. You can check out some of those details from my previous blog-posts on How to Keep Siblings Happy During a Newborn Photo Shoot and How to Capture Beautiful Newborn Moments with Siblings. The key is to first gain the trust of kids before you ask them to sit and hold their baby brother or sister. Get down to their level. Allow them to play and feel comfortable in the studio. Let them be your “helper” during the shoot. Then, when the time feels right, have mom and dad be beside them if you are posing them to hold or lie next to baby. A younger toddler can sit in mom or dad’s lap and then baby may be placed in sibling’s lap while the parent “holds” them both. If they are older, they could sit in the middle of the bed while baby is lying between their legs and mom and dad are on either side of them. Or, they may lie back on pillows, place their arm out, and baby can rest beside them - again, while mom and dad are present on either side. The important thing to remember is to never force a situation. If they are a toddler and resistant to being in the photo with their baby sister or brother, then approach the situation with patience and understanding, let it go, and then maybe try again after a break. Following these techniques will help alleviate any stress for you, the parents, and kiddos!
Most Importantly, Listen to Baby’s Cues
Newborns run the show! The most important rule to follow during a newborn session is that we always follow baby’s cues. If they are fussy, then everything stops and parents will tend to their needs. Breaks are a part of every newborn session and expected. Time may be spent for feeding, a diaper change, or extra comforting. All are a normal part of every newborn session and are accounted for in your session time! If baby uses a pacifier, I will tell parents to have it handy and ready to go. If they would like images of comforting baby or feeding baby, I am all in! These are often my favorite images from a session as they are the moments that are so fleeting and what we as parents want to remember the most!
For more tips on how to prepare for your Newborn Photography Session with AMG Photography, check out these blogposts!