One of these days I swear I’m going to get a t-shirt that says, “I shoot babies”….just to see what kind of reaction I’d get. On a second thought, that might be a matter of personal safety. With a camera, people. For the love of God, let’s not get crazy.
It’s no secret that I love newborn photography. When people ask me what my favorite thing to shoot is, I tell them “newborns”. Then I pause and say, “…and seniors….and sports” (cause I feel like I should be able to have a top three).
Newborn photography is unlike all other types of photography. It’s it’s own baby, if you will. I have found few photographers that get it right. It’s not for everyone. I recently spoke to an amazing wedding/portrait photographer who told me, “the last time I did a newborn session I starting thinking why am I doing this – all they do is pee on me”.
Newborn photography takes a lot lot lot more energy, investment, time, education, patience and effort than other portrait photography. It’s where I devote the bulk of my educational hours. I am always reading, researching, watching, practicing, and learning – which is what you do when you’re perfectionistic passionate about something.
The reward, of course, is getting to snuggle with little munchkins (and I usually sneak in a kiss before I hand the bundle of goodness back to mom – I can’t help myself). It’s sort of an unwritten agreement I have with them – they get to pee and poop on me and I get to sneak in a snuggle and a kiss.
Except if you’re Carson. He didn’t pee or poop on me, but I stole a forehead kiss anyway.
I typically like to shoot newborns before they turn 10 days old, however Carson was a dreamboat at 14 days.
Although, big ups to his mama, who skillfully kept him awake for hours before the shoot. Carson is the forth child -so his mama has mad baby skillz.
Of course, a little bit of unhappiness on the car ride over the studio was worth a lifetime of amazing sleepy baby pictures.
In fact, I’m pretty sure that she’s already forgotten about his crankiness before the shoot. Wait, what crankiness? …see I’ve already forgotten too.
mercystreetstudio 