What newborn photographer do I choose?

You’re having a baby! CONGRATULATIONS!

Maybe its your first baby! Maybe this is the second third or more! You want to book a newborn photographer, but there are so many around you! HOW do you choose? I am going to help you with that.

Here are some things to think about:

First question to ask yourself is WHAT images do you see hanging in your house, or giving to family?

Do you want VERY posed cute little babies in baskets and bonnets with colors to match the nursery perfectly?

Do you want siblings in the pictures? Do you want to be in them (please always say YES )

Do you want pictures done in your home? Or are you looking for a studio setting? Are you looking for simple photos? Candid? ‘Lifestyle’ setting ( Which is more of interactions/connections or posed and/or just baby )?

Is the photographer going to be handling the baby? Do they have recommendations from family/friends? Are they familiar with newborn photography? NOT every newborn photographer knows the safe/correct way to ‘pose’ a baby in every pose.

If you know a few newborn photographers, open their websites - take a look at their work, make sure its exactly what you want! Try to find five that you have seen or have come recommended and focus on those, don’t overwhelm yourself by looking through one hundred!

I hope this helps!

What are my sessions like? My sessions are usually done in your home or in my studio space - they are simple, relaxed, candid and as stress free as can be! I will capture some simple posed/wrapped/onesie photos of baby, but I am focused on your connections with your new bundle of joy!

How to prepare for your next session!

You just booked your session! YAY! Now what? How do you prepare? What should you all wear? I am going to answer all of that for you!

What you wear is important so lets start with that!

Choose your color palette first- PICK 3-4 colors and go with that. Think about the location, the time of the year and the style that you want to get from this. Everyone can express their own sense of style within that palette of colors.

You don’t need to necessarily MATCH, but coordinating is important!

Layers, different patterns on maybe one or 2 people- solid colors for the rest. Start with the kids- and build from there. No kids? Then start with yourself- and build the other person/people.

I tell all my clients. CHOOSE NEUTRAL COLORS.

If we are taking pictures at the studio which is all white/cream loose comfortable clothing! Stick to solid colors/patterns and don’t even worry about the shoes for newborn sessions or beach sessions, we are going to be comfy!

Creams, grays and tans seem to look great on everyone and typically are the go-tos if you aren’t sure what to wear! Even blues look great on everyone! This keeps the FOCUS on the people, not the clothing!

Try to stay away from anything with ‘logos or words’ Of course I love cute quoted shirts, but bring those as a bonus for the kiddos- for babies, keep them comfy. Solid onesies are the way to go, they don’t slide up and block those adorable faces or details!

Remember, you want these photos to hang on walls, put in rooms- keep the colors close to colors that would match your home, and style! If you don’t like to wear dressy clothes - then don’t! Is your home light and bright? moody and dark? Keep it to match you.

Add a POP of color!

The summer/spring it seems to be the corals/light blues, the fall seems to be mustard and I honestly LOVE how it photographs! As long as it isn’t too neon color- then it photographs so nicely!

Choosing THE outfit.

You want to pick outfits that you feel comfortable in, that you’ll be able to sit/bend and move easily in. But you also want to feel beautiful, the more comfortable you are- the better it will photograph! You want it to reflect who you are. Something you would wear!

Keep the session in mind.

Where are we taking pictures? City style? Studio? Woods? Field? Park? You would want to wear what you would in the environment. The woods/fields/parks- maybe a cute pair of flats, boots or sandals. Beach- DITCH The shoes!! Newborn sessions at home, a nice pair of socks maybe or barefoot!

Don’t over think this: Keep it simple, relaxed and comfortable! Lets have some fun!

CT Family Photographer // A Day In The Life \\ Ellington, CT

Theres nothing more special than sitting back and watching a family interact with each other. Documentary photography has been something Ive been wanting to do since I started. But needed to just start it!  

 A few months ago I was able to meet Jess, Ben and Annabelle for her 1st birthday. They are just the sweetest little family.   Jess invited me back for a morning to hang out with them!  So what does a morning look like in their house?

Well.. 

There is bed head, and a cute little face running around.  

Pancakes, giggles and coffee... well maybe not enough?

Sorry Jess, I hear Ben drinks all the coffee around here. 

There is also lots of daddy-daughter chats 

and

doggy kisses..

Family time together doesn't have to be anything fancy, your photo sessions don't have to be anything fancy.  You can hang in your pjs, let me do all the work <3 

Dance in your living room, like no one is watching 

Thank you Jess, Annabelle + Ben for sharing your morning with me <3

CT Family Photographer // Nieland family // { South Windsor, CT }

I had met Sabrina + Carter through some cool/awesome Moms that I had met out in the Facebook world.  Sabrina had won a Mommy and Me photo session, but her sweet hubby wanted to of course be included!  I wouldn't ever turn that down, so we had a great family session! 

Carter is 2, and you know what 2 year olds don't do long?...Sit.  So we have to make sure we keep them busy, which of course is fine with me! So we spent some time of the session chasing him around, blowing wishes in flowers and just having an easy fun time! 

Carter is one silly little boy, who loves his mom + dad very much.  I love when you are around a family and can just feel all the love they have for each other. 

We for sure had some good laughs during this session, there was this little bridge that they were sitting near and Carter thought it would be funny to take off his shoes! Silly boy,  Well one of the shoes fell in the water. Brad tried hard to get the shoe until a nice stranger who was walking by decided to help! Luckily, we did rescue the very wet shoe! 

LOL, it will for sure be a story to tell Carter when he gets older! :)  Glad he got the shoe. 

Thank you Carter, Brad & Sabrina for allowing me to share these special memories with you! I look forward to the next time we work together   <3 

Ellington,Connecticut 1st birthday session // Annabelle

Birthdays are special, especially 1.  Its a time to celebrate the 1st year of life. So much has changed since you come into this world.  You start by being a little bundle of joy - who sleeps, poops, and eats. Your loved ones watch you grow into a little person who is most likely running around, saying words, and developing your own little personality! It sure is special & I always love capturing those moments! 

Jess booked me months ago to capture this special birthday session! And before we knew it, it was here.  

Jess is quite the crafty one! I got to their house and there was so much fun decor! 

Annabelle was the sweetest- It was a chilly day, and she didn't even complain once! She ran around, having a great time and even when we needed her to do something silly; she went right along with it! Her personality for sure fit her parents. Easy + laid back <3 

The view from their house is just about perfect.  Even with a cloudy day- it can make you fall in love with Connecticut, if you weren't already. 

It was truly an easy session + with a little help from grandparents ( thank you! ) we made sure this cutie was always smiling + laughing; which again, she was just a happy baby! 

Thank you Jess, Ben, and sweet little Annabelle for sharing this special moment with you-  I look forward to future sessions  <3