One of the most requested shots that I have in newborn photo shoots in my studio is the one where the newborn is fast asleep with their head cradled on their hands. So I thought you might be interested to see how I create that safely in the studio.
Obviously, a newborn can’t actually sleep like that or indeed support the weight of their head on their hands and it would be dangerous to try and get them balanced like that (not that I think it would be possible even if you were of a mind to try). Anyway, always safety first when it comes to newborn photography so what you actually see in the finished photo is the result of compositing digital images.
Step one is to have a really settled baby – they need to be quite a long way into the land of nod to set up this shot. Then I ask for a volunteer from the audience (usually dad so mum can take it easy) to assist me in creating the shot. First I get your little one roughly into position supporting them both head and hands at all times then dad takes over while I take the picture series to create the finished shot. First we support their hands to hold their head and then we swap and support their head so that their hands can be seen. The rest of it is digital magic!
All of my sessions are completely baby led and they will have their preferences for poses and positions. I work to the highest safety standards to ensure that your baby is completely safe, comfortable and supported at all times meaning that you can just relax and enjoy watching your images being created.
Newborn Photography
A newborn photo shoot is best when your baby is between 5 and 10 days old as this is when they are at their maximum sleepiness and poseability to capture those dreamy shots. For this reason, I definitely recommend that you book when you are pregnant as this is one less thing to worry about scheduling when you’ve just got home from the hospital. We make an appointment for your due date plus 7 days and then adjust it as needed.
My newborn shoots include your three favourite digital images which you select from your online gallery a few weeks after your photo shoot – I don’t make you attend a sales or viewing session. Sessions take place in my warm and cosy studio in Crawley Down and cost £95.