• All Things Baby| A Blog For Baby Photographers

    You love babies,
    the way they curl,
    the way they smell,
    those cute little faces they make.

    One of the best parts of your job, is being able to hold a newborn for a few hours every single week, or when a parent cries when they see their images for the first time.

    This blog is the place for you! You LOVE babies, and taking pictures of babies... EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. If that is who you are- then this is the right place for you.

    That's who I am too.

    Shellie
    This N That Photography

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Flickr

Here are some more perfect images from our Flickr group!  Gorgeous as always everyone!  If you would like to join the flickr group- or see the images larger- here is the link  http://www.flickr.com/groups/1480909@N22/

Inspire Me} Mel

I love that the internet allows us to reach out across the world.  We have so much more knowledge at our finger tips than any generation before us.  Our latest featured photographer is from Australia.  She is incredibly talented, and the people of Australia are so lucky to have her! :0)  Mel, I love that your images are so soft and natural.  You are truly an artist!

And once everyone finishes reading her interview and just has to see more, you can see Mel’s website by clicking here.

So lets meet Mel of I am Mel photography.

Why did you become a photographer?

I have a degree in Graphic Design and have worked in the advertising industry for ten years. About five years ago I left my job to stay at home with my kids and I bought my first DSLR. I fell in love straight away and have not put my camera down since. I spent three years building my portfolio before creating the business I have today.

What do you like the most about your job?

I love meeting new people! For newborns I get to share with families their very special moments, capturing a time in their life that is over so quickly and most couples forget. I LOVE photographing children, we have so much fun, I sing, dance and make silly faces  to capture their laughter and help their personality shine.

Are you a studio or natural light photographer?

I prefer natural light for my images.

Why?

I own two soft boxes and have played with studio lighting, I just find natural light softer and easier to work with.

What has been your favourite moment as a photographer?

My favourite moments are when clients cry over their images. It makes my heart so happy to know I have given them something they will treasure for a lifetime.

What has been your greatest learning experience?

The business side of photography, I am an artist at heart!

Favorite movie?

Legends of the fall ~Brad Pitt

What was your best vacation ever?

Our family trip to NSW & QLD Australia this year with our four kids. Sometime soon we are hoping to travel to America.

Favorite TV show?

A toss up between Grey’s anatomy and Private Practice.

What songs are on your playlist?

Cold play, Joy Williams, Guy Sebastian.

What is something most people would be surprised to know about you?

I often get really really nervous before a photo shoot!

Nikon or Canon?

Canon, but am really close to jumping ship to Nikon.

What is in your camera bag?

Canon MK2, 50m 1.2, 85m 1.8, 100 2.8,

Do you have a favorite lens? What about it makes it your favorite?

My 50m 1.2 is my work horse, it rarely leaves my camera. I love to shoot wide open and this lens gives the creamiest bokeh ever!

Do you remember your first session?  What was it like?

It was a long time ago and I had less expectations of myself and my work. It was really relaxed and fun.

What is the biggest challenge to getting a great shot?

Finding that perfect light. Good photography is all about the lighting and on location you need to find it and work it to your advantage.

What are your favorite products?

Newborn announcement cards and large gallery wrap canvas.

What are your favorite props?

Beanies and hats by my good friend Amanda Keeys.

How do you get away from photography, what is your escape?

Having four children their is no time for escape. Haha But I do love to relax in a warm bath with a girly mag.

What is the latest book you’ve read?

Don’t laugh, but it was the Twilight series.

Wrapping that fabric- and Defending Etsy Sellers Everywhere.

Since publishing this article I have had quite a few emails asking where to get the wraps- this one is from this etsy seller…http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=32612 – don’t overwhem her with orders- she is knitting something for me right now! :0) LOL

One of my very favorite friends is an Etsy seller.  She is actually the reason I was introduced to Etsy in the first place.  The other day she was telling me about some negative feed back she received.  I was pretty upset about it.  So I thought I would do a little rant here to you, my captive audience. :0)  It is a rant with a little bit of education thrown in too- so you should read it all! :0)

The negative feedback was that the product was not as shown and  that it wasn’t my friend’s fault but the photographer’s fault as the picture must have been “doctored” in photoshop.  Since I was the photographer- I can promise I didn’t doctor the wrap the baby was in- far too much work for me thank you!  Actually I think the problem was that the buyer didn’t know how to use the product.

Wrapping babies can be hard!  I know- it takes a lot of practice to get it right, so that it looks tight and not all bulky and gross.  First the wrap must be SMALL!  (She has also gotten feed back that some wrapping items were too small. :0) )  The correct size to wrap a baby in gauze or a knitted wrap is about 24 inches long, by about 8-10 inches wide  ( I am guessing here- I didn’t actaully go measure, but I would say that is about the size that I use.)  I don’t want to pick my babies up to fit them into anything because that might wake them up- so instead I drape the fabric over them , and then tuck it in until it looks tight and covers them from the angle I am shooting from.

Things that are a bit too big are our friends- it is much easier to tuck something in than to make it grow if it is too small, but too much bulk is a bad thing as you won’t be able to tuck it all under the baby.

That’s my rant- tuck that fabric in instead of blaming an Etsy seller who has no way of erasing your incorrect negative feedback.

Also- think before you give feed back- the Etsy seller has no way to defend herself, and you are affecting their livelihood with the negative things you say.  If it isn’t working like the pictures show- have the courtesy to  email for instructions FIRST, and then if they  don’t help you, or the item is obviously not as pictured- THEN leave negative feedback so that others are warned.  You never know- it might not be the sellers fault- it might be yours! :0)

First Reader Tip Is In!

Our first tip comes from Lauren Sanderson, from Alabama.  She wrote a post on her blog as a reference to parents and it outlines 13 tips for new moms and dads on how to have a great photo session.  You can check it out on her blog by clicking here, or you can read it below. 

She is willing to share this info with all our photog readers, but of course, should you choose to quote her by sharing this info with clients of your own, be absolutely sure to add a link giving her credit :-)

If there is one thing that I love, it’s photographing newborns. A newborn photography session is so challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of a baby’s life when they are just days old. There are so many factors that have to come together for the session to go smoothly… and if there’s one thing a photographer must have, it’s patience. A session can go quick and be done in an hour, or it may take 3 hours or longer, but regardless it’s important for everyone involved to stay patient – the end result is totally worth it.

There is lots of preparation I go through to get ready for a newborn session. From looking for unique props to cleaning all my equipment and loading up my car, I can assure you that your session isn’t viewed as “another session” just like your baby isn’t “just another newborn”. I prepare differently for each session and I hope it shows.

In addition to doing everything I can in my power to make the parents and baby as comfortable as possible, there are some things that parents can do before the session to get things going on the right path. For my newborn session this weekend, I wanted to send the mom an email outlining some ways that she can help to make sure the session goes off as planned. And then I thought “well, why not share these with everyone?” – so here’s my post on the 13 tips for your newborn photography session.

  • Newborn portraits are unique in that they can’t be scheduled months out, but you can line up a photographer months out who will build time into their calendar around your due date for your session. If you are scheduling your birth, let your photographer know that as soon as possible.
  • Call your photographer soon after you deliver so you can arrange a time for the session. Ideally the session should take place within 5-10 days after birth, and no longer than 2 weeks after.
  • The session will take place at your home – do not worry about the state of your house. You just had a baby. I do not care if dishes are piled up the sink and clothes baskets runneth over. I have a job to do, and I’m not there to care about how clean your house is.
  • Loosen the the baby’s diaper about 30 minutes before the session. This allows time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear.
  • Have your house warm. Ideally, you’ll want the thermostat set around 80-85. For the adults it will be hot, but the baby will be toasty and happy.
  • Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – family heirlooms, toys, monogrammed blankets, etc. I’ll go through these with you to determine what will look best in the pictures.
  • If you’d like pictures taken of the baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains and shades are open to let in lots of natural light. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
  • Decide if you’d like pictures taken with your baby, or if you want pictures of only the baby.
  • Make sure the baby has a full belly before I arrive. Aren’t we all happier with a full belly?
  • After the baby is full, make sure they are burped really good. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in seconds.
  • A mother’s smell is so recognizable (and sometimes distracting) to a baby, that it may be necessary for the mom to leave the room for portions of the session. This is not meant to hurt your feelings, but only to allow me to get the baby thinking sweet sleepy dreams, instead of hungry “where’s my milk?” dreams.
  • Be patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
  • Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. I only want to do poses and shots that you are comfortable with.
    • Unless the baby sleeps very good through the nights do not schedule the shoot in the morning.
    • If you breast feed and can, have at least one bottle pumped for feeding.
    • A majority of the pictures will work best if the baby is asleep so anything you can do in advance to encourage this is recommended. I assumed he should be awake and alert which probably made your job a lot harder.
  • UPDATE: After one of my newborn sessions, the mother gave me these suggestions to add to the list:

Article by Lauren Sanderson

http://www.laurensandersonphotography.com/newborn-portrait-tips-for-parents-huntsville-newborn-photographer/

Thanks for the great parent tips and enjoy the $50 credit in my template store!  If any other photographers want to share a tip of their own, send it to secretan@shaw.ca , you may be my next featured tipster!

Lauren also sent us a few images of her work to adore.

Beyond the Shot Winnner :-)

Congrats to Larissa Pavei!

The lucky winner of these business tools from Beyond the Shot:

Client Ordering Planner
Price & Product Guide
Portrait Agreement

If you haven’t taken a look at Amy’s shop yet, check it out by clicking here.

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you

To everyone that played and to Amy for offering this fun prize!

Here’s a shot from random.org to show how I found our winner:

S p e c i a l s