Can special props be used during my Newborn Photoshoot? | Seattle Newborn Photography

It is no secret that I DO NOT like to use props.

I personally feel like props take away from the simple beauty that is a newborn baby and their family. I sincerely believe that newborns are perfect as they are and that photographs of them should reflect that simple, serene beauty. My focus during a newborn photoshoot is the connection between the newborn and their family members.

My recommendation is that baby wear a fitted, neutral color onesie what can easily be removed. I like to capture babies bare skin.

But what if i have a special prop or outfit I want used during my shoot?

If you have a special prop that has meaning like a family heirloom or a special outfit that you would like your baby to wear that is no problem. We can take a few photos with the prop or in the outfit for your memories. I understand that there are instances when these items help make a photo shoot special.

Gather all items like blankets, outfits, and special props prior to my arrival.

Time is of the essence so make sure to gather anything you would like include in your photoshoot before I show up.

Photographing newborns in their home is my favorite! I can’t wait to capture you and yours soon!

Preparing For Your In Home Newborn Photography Session | Seattle Newborn Photography

So you booked your in home newborn session. Now what? You may be wondering how to prepare.

First things first. You just had a baby. if this is your first or your fourth your whole world was just rocked. You are sleep deprived and probably a little overwhelmed. Last thing I want is for you to be stressed out about your newborn session.

My tips for preparation are simple.

1. Plan to wear comfortable clothing in neutral tones. You want these images to be timeless and I find that neutral tones are best for that. Also, I don’t want you to be even the slightest bit uncomfortable. Wear what feels comfortable and true to your style.

2. If it is winter, turn your thermostat up to about 70. It is nice to have a warm house so I can take photos of the baby when the baby is unwrapped and still manage to keep baby cozy.

3. Photography time is not a time to have guests over. Grandparents or special out of town guests who are staying with you… sure. But it’s best not to have other friends and family stop by during out shoot. I want to be in out quickly so that you can get back to baby cuddles and guests tend to distract the whole fam.

4. Don’t clean the house. Shocked to hear that one? Well I stand by it. You just had a baby. Last thing you need to be doing is cleaning. I will tidy up the areas I am going to photograph you and your baby in as I go.

5. If there are siblings involved, let them know I am coming. Tell them a friend is coming to take some photos. If we had a maternity session together remind them of our time spent and maybe even show them the photos as a reminder. It’s best not to surprise them.

6. Gather any wraps, blankets, or other clothing you think baby may need before I arrive. This will help me work a bit more efficiently.

Lifestyle Newborn Photography is a laid back and beautiful way to capture this very special time for your family. I promise to make the experience fun and meaningful. I can’t wait to capture you and yours!

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!