We all love those perfectly posed and beautifully styled newborn photos.  Many would say “well, that’s easy.  The baby is sleeping in those photos and you can move and dress them however you wish.”  But that assumption can’t be any further from the truth.  Through this article, I would like to describe the reality of how newborn photo sessions are conducted and some of the challenges we face.  Hopefully this will help parents gain a better understanding and have a much more enjoyable session.

It is almost certain that the baby will cry at some point during the session.  Especially when we are trying for those cute and curvy-posed types of photos.  Ideally, the baby is in deep sleep and we can move and style the little angel freely.  But it normally does not work like that.  Every slight move of the baby wakes them up and each baby behaves differently when they are being disrupted.  Oftentimes, babies cry for a short few seconds while they are being adjusted into a pose.  We usually give them a little massage to help calm them down and they fall right back to sleep quickly.  If crying resumes, we pick the baby up and hold them until they fall back to sleep.  This process can repeat itself many times over and I understand when the parents instinct to protect their baby and may be worried or even concerned the cries becomes more frequent and louder.  However, staying calm and having patience is the best way to calm your baby.   My team has over 5 years of experience handling newborns and small children and we place your baby’s safety and comfort as our top priority.  Let’s try not to be overly worried first; if you really don’t feel comfortable with the process, please let us know and we are more than happy to stop at anytime.  

For each session, we aim to try for at least 3 different styles for the newborn photos and also some family portraits.  Another challenge exists if you have toddlers and/or multiple children.  We have to keep the toddlers engaged and the newborns calm simultaneously for the photos to turn out perfectly.  We’re also mindful that newborns have very frequent feeding and diaper changing schedules and we work accordingly to seize those precious free moments we have in between.  Consequently, a standard newborn session can easily run up to 3 hours.

Each session requires a good team on all sides – we should all stay calm and try to relax.  The best photos are captured when everyone is genuinely having a good time and with minimal stress involved.

I hope by now you have gained a clear idea of the challenges we face during the newborn sessions.  Have a little faith in yourself and us – together we can create the most amazing photos that your family will treasure forever.  Want to know more?  Give me a shout and I’m happy to answer all of your questions.

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn, maternity and baby photography

byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer (previous post)

The post What if my baby cries during the newborn photo session? appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

Gus darling, I think you stole my heart away!!

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn, maternity and baby photography

byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer (previous post)

The post A Little Dream Comes True – Newborn Photography Hong Kong appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

Newborn Photography

The ideal age to photograph a newborn is between 7 and 14 days old. Newborns sleep more deeply at this age and have greater flexibility and ease of posture. We also want to avoid any potential instances of newborn acne which usually flares up between  2 and 3 weeks of age.

3 months Baby Photography

At this juncture, the babies’ neck and upper-body strength start to develop.  One of the best ways to photograph 3 months old babies is to have them lying on their stomach. They are now able to support their head and chest with their arms, but not yet able to turn their body on their own. This being the case, the baby is able to stay still for some cute photos.

6 months Baby Photography

The ability to roll has usually arrived by now! Not only can babies now roll from their backs to their stomach and back again, they can also rise up on their hands and knees. Typically 6 month old baby photos feature a lot more action, movement and poses compared to earlier ages.

9 months Baby Photography

The crawler is here! Starting at this age onwards, it’s all about the chase They can now crawl, sit, roll and change into any positions easily. It’s a lot more challenging to pose the baby now. The best shots are often spontaneous where we let the babies be and just have fun! 

Every moment of your baby’s first 9 months is special. Capture those memories forever! Speak to your photographer early to ensure you have all the precious moments covered!

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn, maternity and baby photography

byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer

The post Newborn vs baby photography (3, 6 and 9 months) appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

I’m asked quite often about how I took the leap of faith to become a full time photographer. Hmmm… there is no short answer for that, but I’d say fulfillment plays a big part. I enjoy every single bit of my work. All of your love stories and life stories are fascinating, and your parenting tips will come in handy to me one day ! And the stratification from seeing every one of you having a great time shooting with me and loving the photos is priceless. I do have doubts about myself when work isn’t going the way I want it to. But I always (try to) keep in mind that staying focused and being positive is the way to success!

On a personal note – a lot of new and old faces have walked into / back into my life lately. The last few months haven’t been easy, and I want to say thank you to the ones who have held my hand through this. Some people just completely surprise me, and you all play an important part of my story.  Tyra, your wit and wisdom shocks me! Janice, you always gets my back! <3

The humid spring of Hong Kong has officially arrived but nothing stops us to go outdoors and have some fun. The backdrop of the old street scene of Hong Kong in Central, the beach and the park are just a few options for your stunning outdoor maternity photography session. Share your amazing ideas with me, and we’ll spend a fun afternoon together!

Weekends in April and May are filling up quickly! Book your session now!

Some more maternity photos to share – http://byjanelle.net/myarts/bellies/

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn, maternity and baby photography

byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer (previous post)

The post Maternity Photography – I love Hong Kong! appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

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Chinese New Year is about 3 weeks away, so let’s bring in a new joy to your family on top of all the traditional activities: a mini session! WOW!

A mini session is a quick portrait session. The photo session time, number of images, and cost are all less than a standard portrait session. Ideally for families who are too busy or who have a hard time getting everyone together for a lengthy photo session. Most importantly, you will receive professional photos at a good price!

Show off your best side to your friends and family when they visit your home this
CNY! Come join the mini session this Saturday!

For bookings – +852 9177 8186 |photo@byjanelle.net

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byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer

The post Are you ready for the Chinese New Year? appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

A new subject for the new year: pet photography

I set up my photography service specializing in maternity, newborn and family portraits because I love being a part of the beginning of a new life. I feel flattered that from time to time I get asked if I would be interested in taking photos outside my area of expertise. Recently, I got invited to shoot Bebe (a cute little cat)! I was quite nervous to say yes since I had very little experience in pet photography, and none at all with cats. I love being around animals, though, and I knew it would be a fun project so here are some great photos of Bebe to share.

The experience of shooting photos of a cat is completely different than taking photos of newborns or babies. I can’t pose Bebe; in fact, I actually had to do chase her around the house (up and down the stairs, trying to catch up with her). Without any disappointment, I think I did a pretty good job and it was a lot of fun. I definitely would consider doing more pet photography.

For me, the perfect family is the one with a pet (ideally a dog or two). For my next project, I’d love to take photos of a baby or young child with their pet. Have a pet and a baby? Contact me now!

Thank you Bebe for trusting me to be your photographer!

 I wish you all a great 2015!

Previously project – helping the bride-to-be to prepare a wedding gift for her husband!

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byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer

The post Something New, Something Different, Something Good. appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

Baby photographs pop up on our Facebook feeds everyday – so often, in fact, that it can feel like every second! The newborn and maternity photography industry is booming like never before, and over the past few years, it has become a sensation in Hong Kong. Welcoming a new family member is absolutely amazing, but it can also be tough, with a million things happening all at once. Choosing a newborn / maternity photographer in hong kong is not an easy task. I’d like to share three important tips to help you make the best choice for your family.

Custom Photography vs. Volume Photography

Custom photography is a luxury service. Every professional photography session is unique and tailored to each family. The photographer works closely with you, taking time to get to know your family stories, exchanging ideas, choosing your wardrobe, providing a final artistic edit, etc. You will not get the same service and outcome from volume style (aka “mall style”) photography services. Volume photographers offer great discounts and focus on getting as many clients as possible to make a profit at such a low cost. As a result, they provide minimal to no creative input for each shoot and reuse poses, tricks, props and styles, with no real personal touch.

You only have a limited time to document this special phase in your life. Consider whether you are looking for just a few cute images, or a custom set of photographs that tells the story of your family and your baby.

You Must Love Their Style
Every photographer has his or her own style. You should never hire a photographer without knowing their style or ask them to “copy” another photographer’s work. Take time to browse through a few portfolios and make a list of your top 5 photographers.

Please see: Newborn Photography – Posed vs. Lifestyle and Maternity Photography – Classic, Outdoor and Family.

Be Sure You Feel a Connection
Newborn and maternity photography is an intimate service; you’re inviting someone into your family to document this special event in your life. How could you possibly share your stories and ides with someone you don’t feel a connection with? Reach out to the top five photographers on your list. They may have all your questions answered on their websites, but you’ll still want to make personal contact with them before making the final call. Having a fun and engaging photo experience is as important as the final outcome.

I am very proud to say that there are so many talented newborn and maternity photographers in our beautiful city of Hong Kong. Just like anything in life, finding the perfect one for you requires some time and effort.

Follow these three simple tips and I am sure you will find the perfect newborn/maternity photographer.

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn and maternity photography byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer

The post Choosing a Newborn / Maternity Photographer in Hong Kong appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

At this meeting, I’d like to get to know you, and I’d like for both of us to get comfortable with one another. Let’s be honest: Most of us aren’t very comfortable in front of the camera, especially with a complete stranger.

Newborn, maternity and family portraits suppose to tell stories of your life and without really knowing you and your family, the photos become flat.

Life in Hong Kong is busy. But trust me, it’s more than worth it to take twenty or thirty minutes out of your day in order to create a work of art that your family will cherish for a lifetime!

Stay tuned for more tips on newborn photography byJanelle, your hong kong newborn photographer

The post Communication is the key. Hong Kong Newborn Photographer appeared first on Hong Kong Newborn & Family Photographer.

For bookings – photo@byjanelle.net / 852 9177 8186

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 Stay tuned for more tips on family photography byJanelle, your hong kong family photographer

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