We all know your bundle of joy is super-cute but when they’re not happy, things can escalate very quickly…

During your baby’s first few weeks, which is when we usually get to meet them, they will usually have a sleep/feed cycle that lasts around two/three hours.

They can go from ‘I’m a peaceful ball of gorgeousness’ right through to ‘how dare you’ in seconds. Just as the get upset quickly, they calm down just as quickly.

It is our job to fit in around this cycle and go as naturally with the flow as we can.

We’ve prepared a few tips for you to help understand maybe what baby might going through if they get upset.

Little changes have a big impact

On the day of your in-home newborn photography session, the routine changes a little.

All of a sudden there are people getting dressed up - maybe the feeding time has changed, or the house is being tidied - all of these are minor things that can have an effect on how baby usually behaves. Therefore, it can really pay to bear these few things in mind…

Babies are very sensitive to mood

If you are a little bit nervous about your shoot, your baby will be able to pick up on this. The slightest tension can be felt and may unsettle the little one.

One of the first things we do once we arrive at the household is to help the put the parents at ease and assume control, so they can relax a little. Simply giving clear guidance on what is going to happen and when can work wonders.

Pro Tip:

“use this experience as a chance to enjoy your first activity together as family - relax and have fun. This moment will be gone in a flash…”

Babies need time

We book your session to allow for a couple of hours. It will almost definitely last this long.

Once you allow for this and the time has been set aside, a wonderful thing happens during the session - phones get switched off, work becomes a distant memory and we start to see happy and relaxed human beings who are just spending time together. This is how we capture such natural and wonderful images.
Just as we cannot rush a newborn baby, we cannot rush the grown-ups too.

By switching off the phone and leaving it in another room, you will be ‘present’ and attentive to this moment in your child’s life, that only lasts a short while.

Your baby needs you to be flexible

Sometimes we arrive and baby is wide-awake, which is fine. Other times they are asleep, which is fine. If they are crying, it is fine.

Knowing about the baby cycles we discussed above, we know there is a calm/sleepy period coming up, so we ride the wave.

A typical session for us will comprise of three sets. We break often in between to set-up the images.

During this time we change nappies, feed, or simply just have a cuddle!

If we need to start with set three, that is fine. We may need to stop and shoot set one, two and finish three - that is also fine. The aim here is to be flexible and understand that we will get the shots; it will just take time and patience.

Understanding the process & allowing for quick-changes, spontaneity & creativity will be able to flourish, allowing for a fun and engaging experience like you’ve never had before.

The home advantage

Our newborn photography sessions are designed to give you the ‘at-home advantage’. This will make it easier for you to prepare the night before and have everything to hand when you need it. You will be more relaxed and comfortable. Babies will cry, that much is true, but if you stay relaxed and show them love and support, they will reward you with the most precious memories you can ever experience.

This article was written by our principal photographer, John. This is not a medical guide or should be used as a replacement for medical advice.