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.

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!

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

byJanelle, your hong kong newborn and maternity photographer

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

We often hear about “natural light” in newborn photography, but why natural light is better for newborn photography? First, keeping the newborn baby in a deep sleep during the photo session is very important. Studio lighting and camera flashes can interrupt the baby’s sleep, whereas with natural light we don’t have that issue. Second, newborn babies have superbly soft and smooth skin, and natural light gives it a softer feeling in your photos. Third, my goal is to keep my interruptions minimal during my visit to your home, not to set up a Hollywood studio to impress you ;). All I need is a window that brings in a lot of light for me to create beautiful photos of your newborn. Finally, my philosophy in photography is to capture the moment. Natural lighting is different depending on the time of the day, location, and weather, and that’s one of the things that make your newborn photos unique.

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

The post Natural Light in Newborn Photography 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.