We simple ADORE baby portraits. We can't help it . . . they're just so sweet. That said, Jeff and Carolle have photographed . . . well, a lot of babies. We've seen it all- from the wide-eyed giggly to big grins covered in birthday cake (great picture, isn't it?). We've caught spit-up with our bare hands and performed monkey sounds with the best of them. We're pretty sure there's nothing that surprises us at this point (but that's not saying we can't be surprised . . .). After all of this, what is the best formula for superb baby portraits? Read on.
1. Naps- When is your baby freshest? First thing in the morning or later in the day? Most, if not all, infants are alert and photograph best after they're rested. Let us know what works best for your baby so that we can schedule a session time that fits his or her rhythm.
2. Feedings- No one (including adults) likes to be photographed on an empty stomach! Make sure your baby isn't hungry before his/her portrait session, but not so full that we have a spit-up issue (Abby the Baby Handler will thank you, we promise) . . . we guarantee you'll have fewer (or no) meltdowns if tummies aren't grumbling.
3. Stranger danger- Jeff and Carolle are the parents of two daughters and well remember the ages when their girls were most clingy. This stage can come and go at any time for any infant. In order to increase the smiles and decrease the tears (they make everyone oh-so sad!), let your baby or toddler get used to the staff by interacting and chatting with them before the session. We also keep the studio relatively baby proof, so if little hands wish to wander, they're welcome to explore under a watchful eye.
4. Comfort objects- Bring a few special blankets, noise makers and toys to your session. Sometimes the wave of a familiar object is just the ticket to a wide, beautiful smile. If all else fails, we have a special stuffed member of our staff named Flash the Puppy who makes surprise appearances at sessions. He's been with the studio for just as long as Jeff and Carolle and is very experienced with photographing little ones.
5. Illness- We have had a few sessions with sick babies that turned out beautifully . . . but let's face it, most babies don't do well with ear infections, colds and sometimes even teething. If your baby is having a tough week (fever, runny nose, drowsy, etc.), call us a day or two ahead to discuss his or her session. We may encourage your to keep your appointment, but we may suggest finding another time to photograph your infant.
6. Wardrobe- We highly suggest bringing 2-3 outfits per session with your infant. We may not get to all the ensembles, but it's always nice to have variety (and a back-up in case of an accident!). If you have special items (such as a christening outfit or family heirloom, for example) you want your baby photographed in, please bring them and make sure you point them out to us. We will always attend to your specific requests.
7. Mom and Dad- If the parents are relaxed, baby will be more at ease. Please let us know if we can help you feel more comfortable during your portrait session. Sometimes Mom and Dad need some TLC too!
A little about our studio-
Many families choose our
Bebe Collection to document the first year of their children's lives . . . most of the lovely images you find on
our website are from these sessions.
If you're not familiar with our Bebe Collection, give us a call and we'll tell you all about it! We're available at (603.626.7300) if you have questions about this and other portrait sessions for your family.
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