I never require parents to being any outfits to their newborn session. I have plenty of outfits, wraps and the essentials for a great newborn session. Newborns are best photographed in simple outfits. Therefore I provide plenty of appropriate newborn outfits, wraps and the essentials for a great newborn session. That being said, as a new parent it can be so exciting to look for an outfit for your new addition!
Mom told me about a beautiful lace romper she had purchased. I was looking forward to seeing it because it was the perfect outfit for her! Not only do I love how it looks like it was made just for her but it was clear how comfortable she was in it as well.
Is it obvious with her ballerina inspired romper that her mom was and still is a dancer? Check out Outlet Dance Company in Elk Grove or ‘Like’ them on facebook.
Future dancer?
I have a feeling that growing up attending dance shows and watching some practices and rehearsals, this little lady will naturally be drawn to the art of dance. I love tutus so hopefully I am right and we can talk her mom into a few for a future birthday session.
Rose is a beautiful name as is… but it’s beauty runs a little deeper when it is the name of your great grandma and also your moms middle name. Also, look close below for a sweet tribute to great grandma on her moms arm.
My apologies to Dad!
Mom and Baby have been taking up most of this post. However when you have two gorgeous ladies in your life it will happen from time to time. He has a few nieces, nephews and cousins have been photographed in my studio a few times and I am scheduled to see the family more this year. Maybe we will get a cousins portrait in the studio one year!
Newborn session prep work is worth it!
Mom and Dad did a great job prepping for the newborn session. I am sure the list of do’s and don’ts seems a little exhausting for new parents. However the tips and tricks really help to make a successful newborn portrait session for baby as well as allow mom and dad to enjoy the time too. Baby Rose slept so sound and relaxed allowing us to complete this session in 1.5 hours. Here are a few more of my favorites below, she even gave us a sweet smile!
Do you live in Mount Prospect? Looking for a newborn photographer? Keep reading to find out how to reach me and some nursery design tips!
Looking for a newborn photographer?
I would love to meet you! Do live in Mount Prospect or the surrounding area and are looking for a newborn photographer? Call 847-858-7050 to set up a meeting or consultation or email kelly@kellyfitzgeraldstudio.com
Heirloom artwork is the best part!
Click here to read more and find out how they chose to display their first family portraits.
Does hanging newborn artwork seem intimidating?
Click here to download your own FREE nursery inspire guide and get some tips and tricks to put artwork in your own home!
We have so many decisions to make! As parents it never ends. Here is one decision I can help you with, do you have studio or lifestyle photos taken? You can’t go wrong with either one, it is simply a preference. I encourage you to read and consider which works best for your family, your style and the story you want to remember.
What is the difference between lifestyle and studio newborn photography?
Preparing for a new baby can be overwhelming. What kind of stroller do I need? Cloth diapers or disposable? How do I decorate the nursery? Do we want a newborn photographer?
And after deciding you want a newborn photographer you will often then come across the question of lifestyle or studio sessions. When I talk to some parents they are not sure what the difference is between these two options or what is best for them. Aside from the look of lifestyle images vs. studio images, the experience will be different too.
Newborn studio sessions focus on just the tiny little subject and their sweet features. It resembles that of a classic studio portrait showcasing the newborn and their sweet features. They are carefully wrapped and posed to achieve the perfect newborn portrait. The best time for this type of session is with in the first two weeks. They are very sleepy and they still welcome being scrunched up just like they were for such a long time. Newborns are flexible and can easily bend and fold to get those classic studio newborn poses.
Studio newborn sessions can take awhile. I recommend that babies be kept awake for two hours prior to their session and then given a full feeding. After that I step in, swaddle with one of our newborn swaddles perfect for portraiture and then rock and soothe the newborn to sleep. Baby needs to be completely asleep to achieve most of the studio poses you see. This is also true for achieving those close snugly poses with the parent and the siblings like shown below.
The experience with these sessions is wonderful. You get to bring baby in, feed and then watch your new little miracle pose, make cute snugly faces while you kick back on the studio couch and relax. If you fell asleep you would not be the first parent, in fact it is encouraged! You will be tired those first two weeks and this is often your first outing with baby.
Lifestyle photography is slowly becoming a new love for me with newborn sessions for me. These sessions take place in your home. It is not as important to keep baby awake for two hours or do a full feeding before I arrive. The focus of the session is on your interaction and your family. We do not need to put emphasis on preparing for those poses mentioned earlier. The other element we don’t need to worry about as much is the timing. Babies can be any age to have a successful lifestyle session where it can be challenging and maybe not achievable to get those posed studio poses after two weeks of age.
The images will incorporate babies first home, first bed, changing table or just those places that they spent their first moments with their parents, siblings and maybe their furry family members. Wanting to include those furry family members might be another reason a client chooses to do a lifestyle session. The thought of packing up a new baby….. and your pup(s) might be exhausting. Staying in the comfort of your home can make a lifestyle session very appealing.
Some people avoid lifestyle because they worry about not having the perfect clean house. Here is a secret… just outside the frame of this image above is a dog kennel, preemie hospital supplies, diapers, a car seat, a dog bed and a few pacifiers. Even though I come into your home it is my job to make the focus be your new growing family.
We still get plenty of beautiful images of your new baby by themselves.
Same baby pose in lifestyle (left) and studio (right):
Hopefully this gives you a little more insight into the big decision of lifestyle and studio newborn photography. I am always happy to discuss both of these further to make sure we select the perfect session for your family.
Click here to fill in the details and book your session. It is very important to book your newborn session early, read more on the 7 reasons to book your due date.
(You do not need to know the type of session you prefer when you book.)
Newborn sessions with older siblings are tearing at my heart strings lately. Probably because my own two are getting older.. a lot older.
I have had so many great big brothers and sisters in the studio lately. This big sister was so excited to be part of the session and help out which was a huge relief because the main focus of the session was the siblings images.
If you live in or around the Mount Prospect and you are looking for newborn photographers… Give me a call and we can chat about your own newborn session!
Now booking through Fall 2018.
If that picture below doesn’t say PROUD BIG SISTER then I don’t know what does! We were able to get some images of Mom and both of her kiddos, which I am hoping will be a great keepsake and addition to part of this families growing story.
Ok. Ok. Big sisters have their moments too 🙂 One of my favorite images above ^^^
Baby Charlie woke up and even gave us some giggles and laughs. He didn’t make it into the studio until after he was a month old. I think Baby Charlie just proved that even if you miss the perfect newborn time frame of 7-10 days, you can still get some amazing family images. Don’t skip a session! Just jump in and document your family at any moment you can.
The most important part… What did this family do with their newborn portraits? Click here for the post on their heirlooms and keepsakes
The best part of the custom portrait process is meeting with your photographers and viewing your newborn photos. It can be overwhelming and fun (yes, at the same time) deciding how you will preserve and view them. When we are unable to have the actual wall we can use some mock home images, seen below. We went through so many ideas and here is the final design choice in our new Heritage Wood Print.
Live in Mount Prospect and looking for newborn photographers? Give me a call to discuss your new arrival!
I need to correct myself. The best part is the delivery of your art products. The final result of your hard work. Getting outfits together, getting everyone ready AND getting yourself ready, making sure everyone naps and is fed. Getting everyone there and then imagining and deciding on how you will enjoy and love them. All the work comes down to the delivery day. It is kind of like Christmas Morning or your birthday. On this delivery day, Big Sister was very excited and was suggesting that the small wood print be hung just at her eye level so she could look at it all the time.
Do not just tell your children, show them. Show them they are important, show them family is important. Print and display. Even if it is just one professional product.
Often a families first outing is their newborn session. This family traveled to my portrait studio in Des Plaines, IL for their first family portrait. The stuffed bear mom brought with was a perfect match.
Babies first year tip: Bring the stuffed friend back to your sessions over the first year to document babies growth. Some wonderful first year keepsakes can be made!
The first family portrait that will hang in their home… I am so honored to be able to capture this for the new family of three.
9 months and still full of smiles! From holding her head up then sitting to standing, it is so fun to see her come back everything three moths to show off another milestone. The first year is full of such growth. You blink and they have a new trick or new expression. I am so happy Mom and Dad chose me to capture her first year. One more milestone session to go!
