A More Natural Newborn Shoot
I have admired many different newborn photographers. These photographers generally primarily specialize in newborn and are dang good at it. Being a photographer, I obviously get asked to do many different kind of shoots, including newborn ones. I did one once with props and backdrops and bean bags and space heaters and every other trick you're suppose to have in your bag. I did the whole posing the newborn thing and leaving them stark naked even though we KNOW they're going to pee or poop on the lovely blanket they've been set upon. The images ended up very nice and my client was super happy with them. But after that, I realized that I really wasn't one for THAT kind of newborn photography and hats off to those that do embark down that path. It was hard, sweaty work and more complicated than I like things to be.
So for a while, I hung up my hat with regards to newborn shoots. When someone would ask me, I'd just say, "I don't do newborns, but I know many talented photographers that do!" And then I'd refer them to someone else, happy to pass along that business. Then one day as I was slogging through Pinterest when I'm sure I was supposed to be doing something way more productive, I saw what one photographer called "Lifestyle Newborn Photography." It was beautiful! No props, no backdrops, no posing. I loved it! In essence, what this photographer had done was simply capture the first few, and fleeting moments of a newborn, at home, among family, just existing.
Right there, I decided I wanted to try it out. It was right up my alley. I don't like complicated. I like simple, yet beautiful. This was just that. Problem was, you have to wait for some pregnant lady to have a baby and then hire you. Sure I got calls, like I always do, for newborn shoots, but when I explained that I only do lifestyle newborn sessions, I usually did not get the job. I don't blame them. They want the beautiful, elegant pictures we've all seen with babies in baskets, hanging from trees or inexplicably fitted into a baseball hat or toy truck or something. Those pictures are adorable and gorgeous. It's just that...well...that's not my style. Then, blessed day of days, my sweet sisterin-law, only a few days before giving birth, asked if I would do a newborn session. I once again explained what kind of newborn sessions I like doing and OH. MY. GOSH. she was game! That's the style she wanted too! I was stoked!
A few days later, baby was here and I was in their home clicking away. It was fun and SO different from my only other newborn experience. It was relaxed and I just got the shots that came naturally for mama and baby. It was sublime and I sincerely hope someone else digs this style.
Oh yeah....,meet Olivia.
