Baby Photography

Baby portrait photo session with Matchbox Photography.

 Why  take baby portrait?

There is a black and white picture taken of me and my father when I was 3 years old. My father is standing on a country road holding me in his arms and we both have smiles on our faces. It is a sunny summer day.

I love looking at this photograph. In fact  it might be the reason I am capturing special moments for people. I love coming back to it as its is my own memory and part of my identity.  The fact that it is printed and preserved  for me is priceless.

That summer day portrait with my father is a certificate that I was held and I was loved.

When I take baby portraits I try to remember that I am privileged witnessing this moment, that someone let me into their home to witness that tenderness.

I’d either  visit baby’s house (for at home photography session) or take studio or on location portraits. Few things need to be taken into consideration. Firstly when you think of newborn photo shoot this can be done only up to ten days after the baby is born.

Therefore it’s good  to have your  photo session planned in advance before the baby’s due. I will definitely make space for you. I am usually in touch with the parents to be around the time of the babys due date.

After that short time span of Newborn comes time for baby photography. Secondly: for the baby portrait. 

How I work?

 It is great to have a heated room, the baby changed and fed and make  as comfortable as possible, baby means teething, sometimes sleepless nights.

But babies are also more interactive. There is a bigger chance for a great wide smile. But you can never really predict so don’t worry there is always is a possibility to capture your precious little munchkin beautifully.

I also often encourage the whole family to take part in taking photographs.

Siblings, grandparents, mum and dad are more than welcome to join the photo session and it’s a great family experience and lots of fun. I work most weekends.

Please feel free to contact me and ask as many questions as you need trough the contact form available on my website or simply call me.

Please find  out more about my packages here.

Babies change so fast!

   During the first year, babies quickly change and I could’ve divided this post into several time periods.

The meaning of those periods is very important to the photographer.  he or she needs to plan out the positions and the props for the upcoming sessions.

   As for the parents, its more important for them, to include the daily schedule of the child and gather up their patience before the session.
Plan the photo shoot on the time when your baby’s fed and satisfied, isn’t tired yet and doesn’t want to sleep.

   Usually, it’s the first half of the day.
Please don’t forget, that between sleeping and the photo shoot, 20-30 minutes of wakefulness should pass (the afternoon nap during a home photo session or a nap in the car an on the road photo shoot).

The process of the photo session itself

   After waking up, the baby may be confused by the new place or the unknown, new sound new smells.
Take a couple of your baby’s favorite items with you, few clothing changes, some water and a snack.
   Gather up your patience, it’s almost impossible to negotiate with babies who are younger than a year, they can’t even talk ye

                Newborn baby not cooperating

If a newborn “doesn’t” want to have their pictures taken, then the parents’s supportive attitude would help. During the session, if the baby is tired, we take small breaks for feeding, changing and just some time to relax.
 Try not to make much noise during the photo shoot, because that might scare the baby and distract the photographer.

Bringing older children to the shoot might be a distraction, so please bring your other half or family member to help out.

What are the common mistakes during baby portrait session?

For example that parents make in this situation is, if the baby cries the parents start making noise from different directions to distract them.

When the parents start to call for the newborn baby from different directions, it might confuse her or him.

A good plan is when one parent could catch the attention of the child from the photographers back.

In that situation it’s easier for us to capture a smile and the baby’s eyes in the direction of the camera. For the very little ones, a bright, colourfull toy is a good way to catch an infant’s attention.