Safety First: How I Prepare the Studio for Your Newest Arrival
Safety is my number one concern with every session that I do and I’m particularly cautious when it comes to your brand new baby. There are a lot of potential hazards that many inexperienced newborn photographers might not know about but, I’ve been photographing newborns for over a decade and I’ve always been adamant about educating myself on safety topics. From how I handle your baby when wrapping and posing them, to securing equipment, tripping hazards, sharp edges of props, and hygiene, I curate every step of the session to make it as safe as possible.
Temperature: Before your baby arrives I make sure the studio is the perfect temperature for your little one. Newborns do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature like adults do, so I am constantly adjusting the room temperature depending on how many layers your baby is wrapped in. I frequently check their hands and feet to make sure they are not getting too cold and that circulation is moving properly. It is normal for your baby’s hands and feet to sometimes turn purple during the session and that does not necessarily indicate a dangerous or uncomfortable loss of circulation but, I will simply readjust their pose or rub the hands/feet to help with that.
Equipment: I make a point to keep all lighting equipment secured with heavy sandbags so there is no danger of a light falling on someone during a session. I also have the backdrops secured in the same manner. When I am posing your baby in a deep bucket or basket, I will add weight to the bottom of it equal to that of the baby so that there is no risk of a baby startling and tipping it over. I also wear my camera strap for any time that I am working over your baby and frequently check that it is secured to the camera.
Hygiene: I wash each item that touches your baby after every session so that it is clean for the next baby. Many of my wraps, hats, and headbands are delicate and require hand washing. I use a hypo-allergenic detergent on all baby items. I also wash my hands and use hand sanitizer before handling your baby and any time after eating, drinking, touching my face, or using the restroom. You might see me wear gloves during your baby’s newborn session but that is because my hands can be cold and startling and it helps to keep your baby comfortable! I will never work with a newborn if I am ill and will reschedule your session to protect your little one if I become sick. I also make sure to stay up to date on all my vaccinations, including my COVID and flu vaccine each season.
Posing: I am vigilant about posing safety with your baby. Many of the poses you see in my gallery where a baby appears to be supporting themselves are done by compositing images together in photoshop and the baby is supported at all times. The final result appears that the baby is propped up on their own when they are never actually unsupported. The poses you see where baby appears to be suspended in a hammock are simply done with your baby laying down on a soft bean bag with supports to keep them from rolling, and they are never actually suspended at all. I also make sure to stay within arms reach of your baby at all times or have a parent close by when I need to get up and readjust things. I aim for keeping your baby as comfortable as possible and always make sure their head and neck are secure and that they cannot fall or roll out of a pose if they startle. I use a lot of foam blocks and towels to support your baby underneath the backdrops and inside the props.
