There’s a lot on your mind as you prepare to welcome your new baby. If you’re thinking about scheduling a newborn photography session, you might have some questions about safety. I’m here to explain newborn photography safety and why it’s so important. 

Newborn photography is such a special gift for you and your baby. Your family will have these first official portraits to look back on for the years to come. Plus, meeting my newest client is always such a highlight for me. This is why your newborn’s safety throughout the session is of utmost importance to me.

As a professional, I follow important newborn photography safety guidelines and ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe throughout the session. Let me share a little more about newborn photography safety and what I do to keep your sweet baby safe.

Newborn Photography Safety 

Training and Experience – I complete ongoing newborn photography training to keep up with the latest techniques. My most recent training was with the world-renowned newborn photographer Ana Brandt just this September. 

Baby-led Photography – We very much let your baby run the show during the session. We set up different backdrops and attempt different poses, but ultimately, it’s up to your baby.  We never force a pose that could be unsafe or uncomfortable. Some babies don’t like to lay on a certain side or lift their arm a specific way. And that’s okay; we aren’t here to make them do anything they don’t want to, babies are just tiny people with very big opinions 😉

Gentle Posing – With that said, we will try very gently posing your baby into our desired pose using the latest techniques and my years of experience to ensure your baby is totally comfortable. You’ll be surprised how quickly we can get the shot once your baby is in the best pose. 

In Tune with Baby’s Needs – We’ll ensure your baby is warm, cozy, and fed. And feeding, changing or soothing breaks are needed and encouraged. Your baby’s comfort is the most important thing during the session. 

Never in a Rush – I schedule my newborn portrait sessions with plenty of time so that we’re never rushed or pressured to “get the shot” quickly. We can take our time if needed. 

Speaking of rushing, sometimes a parent or older sibling is in a hurry because of work or school. I get that, and we can work around it. Just let me know, and we’ll take those portraits first.

Safely Posing with Siblings – We want to capture the perfect portrait of your older child holding your newborn. During the session, we’ll make sure that everyone is comfortable trying this pose. If not, we can make a composite from several images to create the perfect image for your family. Baby’s safety is my number one rule, and we never ask a young child to hold an infant if they don’t want to. Again we can work around even the feistiest personalities. 

Finally a note about what you see on social media- Every once in a while, I get sent a request in the form of an image from social media. We know Pinterest has some amazing things to see. Often the images that grab your eye aren’t created the way you think. For example, the ones with the elephant. We all know no one is letting an elephant hold their infant, but some of the more subtle ones might seem doable. They are not! We will never hang your baby from a swing, wreath, or anything high off the ground and risk a fall. Never. We even put a beanbag under very tired parents just in case. Did I mention newborn photography safety is my #1 rule? 

How to Get the Perfect Newborn Portrait

My secret to getting the perfect newborn portrait for you is patience and experience. Newborn sessions are a sweet, special time for me because I get to meet and document your brand-new baby. With love and experience, I can capture the portrait that you’re dreaming of. 

Fort Hill, SC Newborn Photography 

Your sweet baby will be here soon. I recommend looking for a photographer that you love and will keep your newborn’s safety in mind for these precious portraits. Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns, and it’s always a privilege to capture these images for you because they are so precious.  Finally, if you have any questions for me or wish to schedule your newborn session, please send me a message here.