Newborn photography is one of my absolutely FAVORITE types of sessions.  I know, I know,  I know…..you have heard it before, but I will say it again!  I just can’t get enough of those teeny tiny little people!  I love their smell.  I love the way you can just tuck them in your arms like a little tiny package.  I love their noses and toeses and everything in between!  I love how we want to kiss their toes and take photos of their squishy back-ends.  I mean, there aren’t many times in most of our lives that those are one of our most attractive features!  HA!

But newborn photography is hard.  It really is.  I can spend almost 6  hours on the session itself – between travel and the actual session.  Newborns have no schedule whatsoever.  There is no way to make a newborn happy when they aren’t, other than feedings, changing or cuddlings.  So each session has a LOT of down time.  And that doesn’t include the time it takes me to prepare for the session, pack up for the session (they need lots of STUFF!) and then, of course, culling and editing and more!  But that is part of the gig, and I still love it just the same.

The other thing some people (including some photographers) don’t realize is that many of the more creative “poses” and props in newborn photography are really a lot of smoke and mirrors.  That doesn’t mean their work is fake or less impressive.  In fact, I find it extremely impressive!  What it means is that many of the poses and props, if done incorrectly or by someone who does not know what they are doing, can be very dangerous because there is really is MUCH more going on behind the scenes than some individuals realize.

Oh yes, did you catch what I said?  Some poses can be DANGEROUS if done incorrectly or by someone not experienced or trained.

Let me give you an example – those poses, where the baby is hanging in a sling?  Or hanging from a branch?  Or hanging pretty much anywhere?  Well folks, hate to burst your bubble but those babies aren’t  literally “hanging” anywhere.  At least they never should be!  Those amazing photographers such as Carrie Sandoval and Kelley Ryden and Keri Myers – just to name a few – are extremely safe because they actually aren’t letting any of their babies “hang”.  They are using assistants and often lots of photoshop to give their photos the impression of hanging while not actually letting your baby hang at ALL.

Oh, and sadly (and scarily!), I have actually seen photographers who are HANGING BABIES!!!!  AWK!!!!!!!  If that baby falls?  If that baby gets injured?   Well, I don’t even want to think about it.

Another example – those photos with babies  posed – sometimes almost teetering –  on props such as rocking horses, or benches, or tables or chairs or anything that has the potential for a fall. Those babies are NOT actually teetering on anything.  They are either being held or spotted by at least one if not more assistants or the photographers are creating a composite (combining two or more photos) photo in Photoshop to give the appearance of a baby teetering on an object while never actually putting them ON the object.

Please, PLEASE –  NEVER let a photographer take a photo of your baby on anything where the baby can quickly stretch and fall to the ground.  Those poses are ONLY safe if there is an assistant (or two!) with their hands ON THE BABY at all times.  And if they try?  Grab your little one and run for the hills!

This is an example composite photo.

Obviously, newborns can’t hold up their heads with their hands.  If you try, they will droop and look awkward.  The only way to achieve this type of pose is by having an assistant holding the head and then the arms and then combining the photos in photoshop and erasing out the assistant hands.

So, you see, there is SO much more to newborn photography than many people realize.  Some photographers do an amazing job at creating these types of images.  Some photographers tend towards more natural poses and less props.  I use a few props, but I will never be hanging a baby.  It is just not my thing.

When choosing a newborn photographer, not only choose someone whose style you love, but also make sure if they are going to try any of these types of poses, that your baby is, first and foremost , SAFE!

If you want to see an interesting tutorial in doing a hanging baby on a scale pose – check out this article on Inspire Me Baby.

Another great resource for newborn photography is You Tube!  There are tons of newborn posing videos.

Oh – and lastly – did you hear about my New Year, New Baby Promotion?!!  NO???  Well, if you or someone you know is having a baby in the next couple months – please CLICK HERE to read about an amazing deal!!!! Hurry!  Time is running out!!!

Until Next Time!!

XOXO!!

I love holding newborns.

I love smelling newborns.

I love cuddling newborns.

And I REALLY love photographing newborns.

Since the first few months of the year aren’t usually a busy time for standard types of photo session I thought I would offer a little promotion to help me get my newborn fix!!!

Any newborn session scheduled and taking place during the months of January/February/March will received 50% off the session fee PLUS 2 gift prints (one pose, any size 8×10 or smaller).   I also include one digital image (same pose) sized for printing announcements.    Additional prints and other products can be purchased separately.

And if you know someone who is about to have a baby, I offer gift certificates in any denomination!  This could be the perfect gift for the new parents!!!

I like to schedule newborn sessions during the first 5 – 10 days.  I will tentatively schedule the session date based on the baby’s due date.  Once the baby is born, contact me at your earliest convenience to finalize the date.

I do all newborn sessions in the parent’s home.  I bring all the backdrops and props needed.  My sessions can run anywhere from 2 – 4 hours.  Newborn sessions have a lot more downtime than other sessions as the little one often needs breaks for feeding, changing or just some cuddling.

If you are interested in scheduling or would just like more information.  Please contact me at irenesmithphotography@gmail.com or 814|671-4067.

Until next time!!!! XOXO!!

Paxton was probably my easiest newborn ever.   He slept pretty much the entire time and didn’t fuss at all, no matter what type of crazy poses I was attempting.  I had such a great time meeting him and his parents.

Did I ever mention how much I love newborns??  Yeah?  Maybe once or twice!  LOL!!  I just love my job!!!!!

Onto the photos!!!

Thank you all so much!!!!  It was such a pleasure working with you all!!!!!

Well, dear Leann and Joe welcomed their absolutely beautiful little girl only a few weeks after that session!!!  And little Evelynn Grace entered this world absolutely perfect in every way!

Sweet Evelynn was also the absolutely most perfect little model.  She slept almost the entire time, she rarely fussed and she made my job quite easy!!!!!

I am so happy for Leann and Joe.  Baby Evie has already grown oh-so-much since this session, but I am so thrilled I was able to capture her newborn sweetness at only 7 days young!  These moments last only, well, for a moment!!!!!!  So sweet and so sad at the same time!

But here she is!!!!!!

Thank you all so much!!!  XOXOXO!!!!!!

I was so excited for this session.  Leann is a dear friend of ours.  So dear, in fact, that my oldest asked me the other day “so how are we related to Leann?”.

When Leann announced her pregnancy, it was such a wonderful blessing.  Leann and her family had a tough year, losing some very dear loved ones.  But the anticipation of a new life and a new journey gives them such hope for a lot more happiness and joy in the future.

I met Leann and Joe at the farm.  Leann’s family are sheep farmers!  And when she and Joe married, they moved into her grandparent’s farm.  The house, the hills and the fields are where Leann spent all of her childhood and it is the only place she ever wanted to live when she grew up.   I don’t blame her, it is such a beautiful area – so quiet and peaceful.   And I was so thrilled to use such a meaningful location to document this time in their lives.

I do have to give Leann lots of credit.  We traipsed all over their farm that beautiful afternoon.  We went up hills, over fences and through the mud.  For a woman who was only mere weeks from giving birth, she did such an amazing job!

Onto the pictures!!!!  Isn’t she just beautiful?!!

And, I do have to add…..Leann and Joe welcomed in their new baby girl last week!  Evelynn Grace is perfect and absolutely beautiful!  And I have already completed her newborn session and will be sharing those pictures soon!  Please join me on my Facebook page so you can see some sneak peeks as soon as they are ready!!!

Thank you so much Leann and Joe!!!!!!!

One of my mantras has always been – Never stop learning.  I’d love to be 80 years old sitting in a college classroom just for the fun of it.  And afterward going for 3 mile run.  Yup, THAT would be cool.

Last week I had the opportunity to spend a good part of the day with Emily from Emily Ann Photography.  Emily is a very talented photographer and was so kind to allow me to join her on a session and help me learn more about newborn posing and lighting.

Baby L was just so oh-so-sweet.  I just can’t get enough newborns.  I love everything about them.  Newborn sessions, to be done right, can take quite a while.  And we spent almost 5 hours with this little cutie pie!

Here are some of my photos from the session!

Thank you Emily so much for this opportunity!!!  You can see Emily’s photos from this session HERE.

Brandon’s wife Jamie is just the sweetest thing, and I had such a great time spending the morning with them photographing their little bundle of joy.  Mia was tiny and adorable and, actually, quite alert for a newborn.   I like to photograph newborns during their first week.  They are usually very sleepy and and easy to pose without disturbing.  Mia, however, apparently didn’t want to miss anything.  She was awake for good portion of the session.  But that was perfectly OK with me.   We got a lot of beautiful photos of Mia and her family.

Onto the photos!!!

I just absolutely adore this little outtake!!!!!

And, it is SOOOO hard to pick a fav from this session because I love them all, but if I had to, I think this moment would be considered the “artist’s favorite”.  I love the natural triangle the three of them create.  I also just love the way your eyes initially go to mom, whose eyes lead you to dad, who then leads you to their tiny baby girl tucked protectively under dad’s chin.  *swoon*!

Thank you all so much!!!!!  It was an honor to be chosen as your newborn photographer.

Until next time!!!

He was a bit over 2 weeks old when his mom called.  He was already getting a bit older and more aware of his surroundings, so he made my job a bit more challenging.  But that was fine with me.

We got some sweet sleepy shots early in the session, and then he decided he didn’t want to miss anything.  He was awake for most of the rest of the session, and sometimes a bit fussy, but I completely expect that.  I mean, he is a newborn!   Those can be a tough few weeks.   His wakefulness allowed us to get some sweet awake shots.  He did take one more little snooze where we got some gorgeous photos of him and his mama.   But he was up again soon to make some pretty adorable faces with his dad.

I mean, is there anything sweeter than a newborn?  Me thinks not.

If you want to see even more photos from this session, please stop by my Facebook business page!!!  Thank you all so much for this opportunity!!!!

Until next time!

 Just had to share one of my favorite photos from my recent newborn shoot.  This little one was such a sweetie, although he wasn’t too hip on sleeping!  But that is perfectly OK, I still got quite a few very precious shots.  Much more to come!!!!!!

Oh…newborns…..I just love every single thing about them -  their smell, their tiny fingers and toes, their sweet vulnerability and their absolute perfection.    I know some moms claim they love newborns, but don’t necessarily want to relive those days again.  Not me.  I would definitely give up some sleep and time to myself to be able to enjoy those newborn moments again.  

A few weeks ago a dear neighbor friend had her first child – a darling baby girl!   And, of course, if anyone in my vicinity has a baby, they can be sure I will be at their door, with my camera ready for newborn photos. 

I photographed J at one week.  She was such a good little girl (although what newborn isn’t?).  She slept most of the time, only cried a tiny bit and was quickly quieted with a feeding.  We had one spit up (caught on camera!) and a couple accidents!  But nothing one mom, one dad and one photographer can’t handle!

And I do have to say it again, I am SO sorry that I never thought to get newborn photos of my own 3 little girls.  Our little ones are only this tiny for such a short time!  I know how tired and overwhelmed a new mom is, but if you miss those moments, they will be gone before you know it!  I do all shoots on location, so I will travel to your home and work around you and your baby’s schedule.  No rush, no need to go the trouble of traveling to a studio – just stay home,  relax and enjoy the experience!!

Onto the photos!  Meet beautiful Miss J!

And with her sweet mom:

Thank you all so much!!!!