How I work with toddlers during a newborn session | Seattle Newborn Photographer

When a new baby is born it totally rocks the household. It can be especially hard for toddlers to adjust to having a newborn around.

When coming into your home for a newborn session I want to make sure that your toddler is completely at ease. My goal is to make the experience quick and fun because I know from experience the toddler will be ready to move on and play as soon as possible.

1. I make sure to take a moment to get down on the toddlers level and introduce myself. I let the toddler know that I am a friend and that we are going to have a lot of fun. I want the toddler to know that I am genuinely interested in them and that I am not only there for the newborn.

2. I take all photos involving the toddler right in the beginning. I know the toddler has a lot of changes going on in their life. I don’t want to add a lot of stress. I usually only need about 20 minutes with the toddlers involvement.

3. I make sure to “include” the toddler by asking them to “help” me hold the baby or make the family giggle. I know toddlers love to feel helpful.

When photographing a newborn with an older sibling who is a toddler I take a very realistic and laid back approach. I never want to make your photo shoot feel stressful.

I can’t wait to capture your family soon!

When should you schedule your newborn photoshoot? | Seattle Newborn Photography

Having your newborn photos taken is very exciting. Newborns change so quickly so you may be wondering when you should schedule your newborn photoshoot.

I wanted to answer a few common questions I hear to help you along with the process.

How old does my baby need to be for their newborn photoshoot?

Some photographers want you to have the photos taken in the first ten days of life, but I am not one of those photographers.

My style of newborn photography is called, Lifestyle Newborn Photography. What that means is that I will be doing very little posing which means that the baby does not need to be super sleepy, as they are in the first ten days, for their photos.

I think babies are perfect just the way they are and I am happy to do a newborn style shoot at any age. That being said, they do change and grow very quickly in the first weeks of life. I recommend trying to get the shoot scheduled before the baby is three months old, just to capture that newborn sweetness.

When should I schedule my Newborn Photoshoot?

Most of my expecting parents inquire while they are still pregnant. I then place your due date on my calendar and wait for you to email me after the baby is born. At that time we pick a date that works best for you. However, it is never too late to reach out. So, if baby is already born, simply contact us and we will get you on the books.

To me, perfect newborn poses and specific ages aren’t important. Newborns are beautiful just the way they are. The process of hiring a newborn photographer should be pleasant and seamless. I can’t wait to capture your family during this special time.

BTW, the baby in this post was three months old. ❤️

What Will My Seattle Photo Shoot Be Like When Shelter In Place Is Lifted | Seattle Family Photography

Here at Elena S Blair Photography, we are so excited to get back to work! Because it never feels like work photographing Seattle’s best families!

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all and I truly hope this message finds you healthy and secure. We know how hard it is to be home with little ones, working, schooling, and all the added stress on top of all of that.

It has been confirmed that photographers can start operating again once we enter phase 2 of the reopen plan! 👏🏼

It has been so hard postponing so many photo shoots but we are hopeful that we will enter phase 2 of the “reopen” process by June 1st, and that is when we can start photographing families and newborns again. We were very careful to respect the governors orders by closing down our business and staying home to help flatten the curve.

If you have already booked a session with us between June 1st-September 1st you can assume that we will continue without any needs to reschedule. If not, you will receive a personal email from us. While we hope we can take on our September-November sessions, we are going to encourage fall bookings to consider taking a summer spot, just in case we see a spike in COVID in the fall. We want to ensure that you get your family photos done in time for holiday cards, and simply to ensure that your family is captured this year! If you don’t want to reschedule, that is okay, we are hoping fall goes off without a hitch.

Safety will be our number one priority! Here is what we plan to do to make sure your family stays healthy and happy:

We will be wearing a mask to all outdoor Family Photography Sessions and a mask AND gloves to all our indoor Newborn Photography sessions.

We will not take any chances with health and we will reschedule if ourselves or ANYONE in our household has been sick in any way within a two week span of your session date. We ask that you do the same. We promise to make room in our schedule for all rescheduling needs.

We will practice extreme hand hygiene and minimize touching you and your family during the session.

We will use longer focal length lenses so we can stay six feet away as much as possible which will still allow us to capture images that seem like we are closer.

We will only do one photo session a day.

Family Photography is an investment in your family. It is an absolute privilege to be able to capture your family. We do not take that privilege lightly. ESPECIALLY after this crisis. Which has really shined a light on what matters in this world. And that is our loved ones.

Chelsea and I can’t wait to see you in front of our camera again so very soon!

Should I have an in home or studio newborn session for my baby? | Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Newborn Photography is such a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of your new baby. As you embark on the search for the “perfect” photographer for you and your family, you may have some questions.

There are thousands of Newborn Photographers and all of them have their own specialities. It can feel impossible to choose.

One of the main things you want to ask yourself is this…

Do I want to have my babies photos taken in my home or at a studio?

This is one of the biggest questions you should ask yourself and it will help you to sift through your options.

Here are some reasons I believe In Home Newborn Photography is a better option.

In Home Newborn Photography is safer for your new baby.

Why? Because you aren’t taking your newborn, who has a delicate immune system, into the public in their first few weeks of life. Photography studios are a wonderful option in the right circumstance, that is for sure, however, are they washing each and every blanket they use before each new teeny client? Are they photographing other ages of children, like toddlers and school age kiddos who bring lots of viruses with them wherever they go?

I used to be a NICU nurse so safety is my number one concern. Keeping babies delicate immune system protected is at the top of my safety list and keeping your baby at home ensures that exposure is minimal in the first few weeks of life.

In Home Newborn Photography is more comfortable for the entire family, especially when there are older siblings to consider.

Having a new baby in the house changes everything. Going from zero to one child, two to three, whatever the change has its challenges. Having your newborn babies photos taken in your home eliminates the one, and sometimes seemingly impossible step, of packing everyone up and leaving the house. Your photographer comes to your home allowing you to enjoy more time together as a family. Your new baby is going to be more comfortable where the sounds and smells are familiar, allowing your photographer to capture more photos of your baby at ease.

In Home Newborn Photos capture your families true essence.

While I do “pose” new babies in the home, my main focus is on the family connection and love. Being in your home space allows me to observe this unique stage in your life and incorporate personal elements of your home and routine into your photos. In home photography ensures that you remember this fleeting moment in time as it was, imperfectly perfect.

In summary, in home newborn photography is safer, more comfortable, and more authentic. It is a beautiful way to capture this moment in your life that I assure you , goes all too quickly.

Brynlee | Seattle Newborn Photography

If I had to describe what my newborn sessions feel like, I would say they feel like an easy Sunday morning. 

I always schedule my sessions around 10:00 am. The reason is that I have learned over the years from being a mama to three babies, from caring for hundreds of newborns in my former career  as a NICU nurse, and also from photographing hundreds of newborns, that they tend to be calmer in the morning. Also, light indoor is typically better in the am. 

So when I arrive the house is usually just getting going. Coffee is typically brewing, mama is getting ready perhaps for the first time since having her baby, if there are siblings they are usually running around in their undies or diapers, and dad is usually laid back and helping get things in order. It feels just as it should. 

I never ask my families to do any strange or uncomfortable poses and I allow the baby to lead the session 100%. Baby needs to nurse 10 times, great. Baby wants to be awake the whole time, beautiful. Baby is sleepy and allows me to unfold her in a beautiful and natural way, wonderful. 

When I leave, I feel like I just had a cup of coffee with an old friend who had just given birth. I don't feel stressed or like I just worked in the least. In fact, I feel invigorated and grateful that I get to do this for a living. 

So, easy like Sunday morning, is how I would describe my newborn sessions. :)