by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | May 4, 2018 | Baby's First Year, lifestyle, newborn, photography, studio
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 there are not sure of the difference between these. 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 any of the poses you see in the newborn studio gallery . 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 creeping into a very close tie for 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 this frame 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. Check out more images in the lifestyle gallery.
Hopefully this gives you a little more insight into the big decision of lifestyle and 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. It doesn’t matter if you know the type of session you prefer, book and then decide. Priority is given to due dates so secure your spot to make sure you are not scrambling after baby is born.
by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | Mar 8, 2018 | Baby's First Year, family, newborn, photography, studio
Mount Prospect, IL Newborn Photographers
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
by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | Mar 8, 2018 | Artwork, Baby's First Year, family, newborn, photography, studio
Mount Prospect Newborn Photographers
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.
Booking now through September 2018.
by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | Feb 14, 2018 | family, newborn, photography, studio
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.
by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | Oct 4, 2017 | Baby's First Year, photography, studio
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!
by Kelly Fitzgerald Studio | Sep 26, 2017 | newborn, photography, studio
Baby O headed into the studio with Mom and Dad with in a week of arriving home. After spending a gorgeous Labor Weekend in his new home, it was time for his portraits. He was a rockstar. He slept and posed without more then a few peeps.
So tiny. So peaceful. So sound asleep.
This is a favorite image with Mom. This is how baby O loves to snuggle and sleep on her every day. Pretty soon this will fade but this image printed 8X10 and framed in her home will remind always her of those first moments.
