Anna

Swati and Nirav

• During my first Christmas photo shoots this season I learned that establishing trust with clients - families with small kids in my case - is important, so I'm pretty sure working with newborns and their parents is alike. 
• I've already learned how to use natural lighting sources for my photography, as well as studio lights and other equipment. 
• I've done some research and have already purchased simple wraps and materials, as well as other props for newborn photography, such as flower headbands and tutu skirts for girls, knitted crochet costume and a cap for boys, different blankets and rugs etc (on the picture below) 
• I've learned some posing styles and constantly read about new ones, as well as study numerous transition advices to ensure that session goes smoothly. 
• I'm well familiar with post-processing workflows since I've been taking and editing landscape and travel pics for over 3 years now (you can see those on my blog here or on my Instagram) 
• Calming techniques and understanding the physical requirements of newborns is a task I still have to master, and this is the moment when practice is everything.  

• I've learned that for studio photography the ideal age of a baby is between 5-12 days. When babies are that tiny they spend a lot of time sleeping and still curl up into very sweet poses similar to the positions they were in when they were in the womb. After two weeks babies go through a growth spurt and will start stretching their arms and legs and will not be as amenable to curling up for a picture or sleeping as soundly, which is needed for some of the poses. 
• They say studio sessions typically last 3-4 hours which includes portraits of the baby on his or her own and then with each parent and then the whole family together. That may seem like a long time, but usually about half of that time is spent feeding and comforting the baby to get him or her as sleepy and happy as possible for the portraits. 
• It is also recommended to bring some good things like pacifiers, a change of clothes for yourself (if you’re going to be in the photos holding a naked baby you might get pooped on), some extra diapers and wipes, extra formula or bottles if you are not breastfeeding, and any special blankets or toys that you want included in the photos.
• The worst thing a parent can do is be nervous. I know its easy to be nervous, especially when it’s your first child, but I think the best thing a parent can do is enjoy watching their newborn in all those adorable poses.