Home - The perfect location for baby photos
Your own home really is the perfect place for your baby session. There's no need to pack or worry about exactly what to take with you, you don't need to rush around preparing to leave. If you can't decide what outfit to put your little one in, you can leave out a few options to show me when I arrive.
But besides these practical considerations, your home tells the story of those early days or months better than anywhere else. When I look at photographs from my own childhood, I'm always scanning the background for details of the first home I dimly remember- and I guarantee that your child will too, one day.
I love using features of your home- such as this mirror as a framing device.
Common worries
People often worry that they don't have enough space - or light- in their home. I have actually never found either of these things to be a problem. I lived in a basement flat in London when we had our first baby, so I had to make photographs work when both light and space were severely limited.
And actually, I love shooting in low light- I love the dramatic shadows that come with shooting in a room with only one window, as shown in the photograph below.
I also find that by placing my subjects right in front of the window, I can make light and airy photographs even if the room isn't actually that bright. I have a number of lenses which allow me to shoot in tight spaces and which let a lot of light into the camera, so please don't worry. I've done baby sessions in just one room when a family only had one room ready, and it's amazing the variety you can get in the finished gallery with just one room and one window.
Timing
Some photographers will tell you that there's a perfect time for a baby session- that you want to schedule a session within the first two weeks, when babies are still very sleepy after the birth. Now, I do love sessions held in the first two weeks- that newborn scrunch is gorgeous, and there is a magical period when everything is brand new, and baby is extra sleepy. However, if you do miss those two weeks, really don't worry at all... I personally found the newborn stage so overwhelming - I was so emotional and sore from the birth, and still adjusting to the massive changes that a new baby brings, I wouldn't have been ready for a photo session so soon!
My style of photography is about capturing your life as it is- and there is no such thing as too late for this. It's true that baby might be a little more unsettled after the first two weeks or so- but I always leave extra time around baby sessions in case we need to wait for baby to feed, be changed or calm down. I'm happy to capture baby at one month old or six months old, and there are advantages of capturing them at every single age. As they get older, they start to make eye contact with you and they become more expressive and full of character.
At 7 months old, this little guy was so expressive!
choosing outfits
Every family is different, so when people ask me for advice on what to wear, I try to find out more about the family I'm talking to. Some families love colour, some love bright and airy, others might prefer more muted tones. The last thing I want is to make your baby photographs generic- I want them to reflect who you are as a family.
I would suggest that you think about the balance across everyone's outfits in your group- make sure that you have a cohesive colour palatte across all family members and that there is sufficient harmony (eg one person wearing a dark outfit, when everyone else is wearing lighter tones might upset the visual harmony).
My personal preference is to have everyone is fairly neutral colours, so that baby- and their beautiful skin- is really highlighted. I personally love more earthy neutrals- browns, creams, beiges etc- because these tones are associated with warmth.
Do think about the colours in your home too, which will provide the background to the images. For example, we have teal curtains in our living room so I'd think about what colours work with teal if I was having a photo session at home. One tip: if we might take pictures in your bedroom, is to think about changing the duvet colour to something that will photograph well.
I always provide as much planning support as you need, so we can discuss this on the phone - or via messages / email- before your session.
General tips- outfits
things to avoid
- Anything too dark- black and very dark navy- will over-dominate the scene.
- Anything uncomfortable- especially on baby- make sure clothes fit well.
- Take care with patterns- very small, tight patterns with repetitive stripes, dots and checks can cause moiré patterns and don't photograph well.
- Equally, busy patterns, text or logos on clothes can be distracting.
things that work well
- Neutrals are perfect as they won't distract attention from your baby and your connection with them. Think greys, white, denim blue, creams etc
- I personally love earthy neutrals for the warmth they bring- browns, creams etc.
- I love textures- wool and other textured fabrics look gorgeous next to baby's skin.
I love how the earthy colours create a calm and timeless vibe in the images above. These warm neutrals keep the focus entirely on baby and his gorgeous skin.
Siblings
If you have an older child, I will tend to focus on them when I first arrive. Some children can find the arrival of a new baby a little tricky, so I'm keen to make them feel at the centre of things initially.
On a recent session, I arrived when the baby was asleep, so Mum and the older sibling showed me around the house, and they played together- while I took photographs. It was lovely to bond with the older sister before her brother woke up- and get some gorgeous images showing her connection with Mum. Tickle fights are the best!
preparing your home
Again, this is different for every family. Some people would rather the house looks very tidy and put together before a photo session, and that's great. But just know that it doesn't have to be that way. If you are finding the transition to a new baby tough, and things aren't as organised as you'd like before I get there, please don't worry. You can let me know which rooms you'd like to use and which might be left out, and getting one room ready is sufficient. I am more than happy to help you prepare the place when I arrive, and I can also shoot in certain directions and avoid others if you prefer. If you are more relaxed, and want the photographs to reflect how your house usually is, that's also great.
In other words, you can prepare as much or as little as you like.
There will be no judgment at all if your house isn't perfectly tidy- you've just had a baby, and I remember very well how overwhelming the early days can feel!
The session
The session itself is very relaxed and lead entirely by you and your baby. I take baby as I find them- it doesn't matter whether they are awake or asleep when I arrive, I can adapt the session flow. Ideally we want periods of wakefulness and sleep during a session, but we will take things as they come. My style is very much about capturing your life as it is- so I will keep shooting while you care for your little one- all the nappy changes etc. However, I will also offer gentle guidance and prompts to let you know where to stand or sit, and guide you into positions designed to be flattering and to make the most of light in your home.
Things I Bring with me
Besides my camera and photography equipment, I bring a bag of blankets, swaddles, muslins and baby bloomers. These are just in case we need them - and I often leave the bag entirely untouched if you'd rather use your own blankets etc, I just have them on hand (freshly washed) in case it helps to create beautiful photographs. I also bring sheer white curtains in case I'd prefer to diffuse the light in certain rooms.
The perfect gift
I can provide a gift voucher, and hand deliver within 15 minutes of Marlow (or pop it in the post to you).
I can't think of a better gift for someone with a new baby.
The gift voucher will be valid for two years, so even if they feel too overwhelmed to use it when their little one is a baby, they can use the voucher for a family session when they get a bit older.
