I often get asked about being a newborn photographer from friends, clients, and fellow photographers. They want to know how I got into to it, what it’s like and if I had to do any training. Other photographers comment that I must have tons of patience. Maybe with newborns and photography, but I’m not sure my husband or kids would describe me as patient!
I actually sort-of stumbled into newborn photography over 5 years ago. Someone contacted me and asked if it was something I did. My business was relatively new and I was sort of doing it all (not weddings, I do not have the patience for that!). Being new and wanting clients, I said, “Yes!” However, I did make sure she knew I had little to no experience photographing newborns. I borrowed a neighbor’s newborn for a shoot. I practiced wrapping and angles. I watched some YouTube videos and was pretty confident I could do this! My client arrived with her 4 day old baby and her 2 and 3 year olds and two and a half hours later the session ended. I managed to get some beautiful images of their family and the baby. Were they perfect? No! Did they capture that moment? Absolutely!
During that session, I realized that I really loved working with newborns and their families during this exciting time in their life. I started watching a lot more videos, following newborn photographers, and setting up my home studio to accommodate newborns. I had become a newborn photographer and I wanted to be the best newborn photographer I could be! I trained with Denise Feagans Photography in Louisa, Virginia to learn studio lighting and gained LOTS of knowledge and a dear friend. I attended WPPI in Las Vegas with another photographer, Pamela Wandrey, and took in-person classes with Kelly Brown from Little Pieces Photography and Ana Brandt.
In October 2016, I attended The Baby Summit in Atlanta with Denise. I can not begin to express what an amazing experience the conference was for me. I attended numerous training sessions with Son Kissed Photography, Dewdrops Photography, Nicole Smith Photography, Twig and Olive, and the list could go on and on. I heard amazing speakers, such as, Sue Bryce. I was able to expand my wrap and newborn hat collection. I met other photographers who specialized in newborns and heard about their businesses and studios and clients. I came away loving what I do even more!
You might remember this BIG sister from her announcement shoot! She’s pretty in love with her new brother.
Are you interested in more information about a newborn session with NPS Photography?
I’d love to talk with you and answer all your questions.
