Blogs| Eastwood studios, Christchurch

​Newborn photography holds immense power in capturing the intimacy and significance of your little one's arrival. The peaceful, fresh faces of babies serve as a stunning reminder of life's preciousness. But what exactly does a newborn photography session entail, aye?

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that your newborn session revolves around comfort, safety, and capturing the natural beauty of your pēpi. Your chosen photographer will take the time to get to know you and your whānau, asking questions to ensure they understand your vision and preferences, bro. During the session, they'll guide you through various poses as a family, ensuring that even the older siblings are included and having a good yarn! Once all the family portraits are sorted, it's time to focus on capturing the newest addition to your whānau, using a selection of unique props and swaddles.

It's important to note that newborn sessions typically last 2-3 hours, allowing ample time for settling the baby, feeding, and even nappy changes, mate. Our studio provides a laid-back, cosy space where you're encouraged to kick back and relax, letting Angela work her magic and hopefully help the baby settle into a peaceful snooze for those beautiful sleepy portraits of your precious pēpi.

Patience is absolutely key during your newborn photography session, for both you and your photographer. Remember, newborns are delicate and need to be handled with utmost care. The photographer will take their time to gently position and move the baby, ensuring that each photo captures their unique personality and expressions as best as possible. Angela, with her years of experience in safely settling newborns, is always happy to share any special tips and tricks she's picked up along the way with new parents.

The ideal timeframe for newborn sessions is within the first two weeks of your baby's life, when they're still at their sleepiest and most relaxed. This is the perfect window to capture those tender moments. Make sure to discuss any specific requests or inspirations with the photographer in advance, so each shot beautifully adds to the story of your new whānau.

With adequate preparation, planning, and a sprinkle of kiwi patience, your newborn photography session will result in timeless photographs that you'll treasure for a lifetime, bro.

If you're on the hunt for newborn photography in Christchurch, allow us to embark on this magical journey with you. Let us create a visual legacy that encapsulates the love, joy, and wonder surrounding your growing whānau.

​Get in touch today to schedule your personalised newborn photography session with Angela, your dedicated award winning baby photographer.

Newborn photography is one of the most wonderful, yet challenging, types of photography. It is a time of great joy for parents, but can also be a very demanding time. Getting the perfect shots of your newborn bub can be made easier with some advance planning and a little bit of help from a professional. 
 With a little bit of planning and some patience, you can capture beautiful memories of your newborn that will last a lifetime.

 What To Look For in a Newborn Photographer 
When booking a newborn photography session, it is important to find a photographer that you feel comfortable with. You will be working closely with them during the session, and you want to make sure that you feel confident in their ability to capture beautiful photos of your baby. 
It is also important to find a photographer who has experience photographing newborns. Newborns can be challenging to photograph, as they are often fussy and have a lot of needs. A experienced newborn photographer will know how to work with your baby to get the best possible photos. 
Finally, be sure to ask to see samples of the photographer’s work before booking a session. This will give you an idea of their style and whether it is a good fit for your own vision for the photos.

Preparation Tips For Newborn Sessions 
There are a few things you can do to prepare for your newborn photography session. First, it is important to plan ahead and book your session well in advance. This will ensure that you get the date and time that you want, and that the photographer is available. 
It is also important to discuss what type of photos you would like with the photographer beforehand. This will help them to know what style of photography to use and what props or backdrops to bring. 
Finally, be sure to feed your baby before the session, as a full tummy will help them to sleep better and be more content during the shoot. 

Posing For Newborn Photography 
There are many different ways to pose a newborn for photos. The most important thing is to make sure that baby is comfortable and safe at all times. Many professional portraits you will see baby in adorable poses - for example baby holding their head in their hands. It's important to realise that these are done by a professional, and are often composite images, and baby is supported at all times then photoshopped to appear like they are doing it alone. Please never try to recreate newborn poses you see online at home. Baby's safety is of utmost importance so always see a professional Newborn Photographer if you want to achieve those types of portraits. 

These are some ideas you can do at home: 
 - prop baby up on a pillow so they are sitting upright; this is a great pose for showing off cute outfits - always do this on the floor or in the middle of a large bed so there is no risk of falling
- lay baby down on their tummy on a blanket; this is a great way to capture those adorable sleepy shots 
- swaddle baby in a blanket and hold them close; this pose is perfect natural pose for emotional family pictures 
- cradle baby in your arms; this pose is both sweet and intimate 
- sneak in and snap some photos while they are sleeping in their bassinet

Props and Backdrops For Newborn Photography 
Props and backdrops can add an extra element of excitement and interest to newborn photography. Here are some ideas for props and backdrops: 
- blankets in different colors and textures 
- baskets or crates 
- buckets or tubs 
- chairs or benches 
- rugs or mats 
- pillows or cushions 
- flowers or greenery 

 Capturing those Perfect Newborn Moments 
There are many special moments that happen during a newborn photo shoot, from the first time baby smiles at the camera to when they drift off to sleep. Be sure to capture these precious moments by taking lots of photos! You can also ask the photographer to take video footage of the shoot, which you can watch back later and treasure forever. 

 
Photographer and mum: My experience
Having a baby is a momentous and life changing event in your lives. It is such a special time when baby is brand new to the world, and you are all getting to know each other as a new family. And truly, this time is so fleeting as babies grow so very fast. Of all the things that I’ve done in my life, it is the one time I regret not having hired a photographer to capture my babies. I wasn't a photographer when I had my boys, and newborn photography was in it’s infancy (pun intended). It wasn’t til after that I realised this was even an option and ultimately a career I wanted to apply myself to. And I very much wish I had considered getting professional photos back then to capture my sweet boys while they were so new, so tiny and fresh to the world and my love for them was bursting from every pore in my body. 


So don’t let regret catch you later, wishing you had planned ahead and booked a Newborn Session for your beautiful new baby. Book now!