Here’s the first in a little series of newborn photography fun facts, small, honest details most parents never think to ask about but are genuinely useful to know.
I’ve realised that a lot of parents don’t know much about newborn photography, and that’s completely understandable. It’s not every day that you go to photograph your little one, is it?
One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is “My baby is 3 weeks old, is it too late for newborn photography?” Others are: “When is the right time to book?”, “Can siblings join in the photos?” On my website I have lots of information, and I try to answer these questions on my Instagram account too.
I’ve also written a post on What’s the Best Age to Photograph Babies that you might find useful.
Newborn Photography Fun Facts, One Small Post at a Time
I’d like to break all this information down into small posts, so it’s easier to learn about the different aspects of a newborn photography session.
So today, I want to start with something that might seem like a small detail, but it’s worth knowing.
The type of clothing I wear during a newborn or baby session.
You might have seen a few photos of me on social media, or if you’ve done a session with me, you’ve seen me in person. What do I wear?
Nothing fancy, honestly. Leggings, bare feet, a t-shirt or sleeveless top. Sometimes it looks like I’m about to go for a jog.
Why does this matter, and why should you know it?
I work in clothes with no buttons, zips or anything like that, because I don’t want to accidentally catch or scratch your baby. They’re comfortable enough for me to move freely, and usually neutral in colour so nothing casts a colour tint onto the babies that would then show up in the photos.
To work with newborns undressed, the room is kept quite warm, which is why I wear tops or light clothing. I advise parents to wear comfortable, light clothing too. The room is around 26-28 degrees, so there’s no need to bring jumpers.
I keep my nails short and bare, usually with no polish, and definitely no long acrylics. I’m always mindful of how delicate a newborn’s skin is and don’t want to cause any harm.
I also don’t wear any jewellery during a session, not even my wedding ring, simply because I don’t want an accident to happen. A bracelet or necklace probably wouldn’t cause much harm, but when I’m working I want to concentrate fully on the baby and stay on the safe side. I ask parents to do the same, removing watches or bracelets when they hold the baby. Watches, especially larger ones, can be a distraction in the photos, but they can also be a genuine risk.
I hope you enjoyed this first newborn photography fun fact. Stay tuned for more next week.
Photography by Valentina | Newborn Photography London
