13 Tips for your Newborn Session

If there is one thing that I love, it’s photographing newborns. A newborn photography session is so challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of a baby’s life when they are just days old. There are so many factors that have to come together for the session to go smoothly… and if there’s one thing a photographer must have, it’s patience. A session can go quick and be done in an hour, or it may take 3 hours or longer, but regardless it’s important for everyone involved to stay patient – the end result is totally worth it.

There is lots of preparation I go through to get ready for a newborn session. From looking for unique props to cleaning all my equipment and loading up my car, I can assure you that your session isn’t viewed as “another session” just like your baby isn’t “just another newborn”. I prepare differently for each session and I hope it shows.

In addition to doing everything I can in my power to make the parents and baby as comfortable as possible, there there are some things that parents can do before the session to get things going on the right path.  – so here’s my post on the 13 tips for your newborn photography session.

• Newborn portraits are unique in that they can’t be scheduled months out, but you can line up a photographer months out who will build time into their calendar around your due date for your session. If you are scheduling your birth, let your photographer know that as soon as possible.
• Call your photographer soon after you deliver so you can arrange a time for the session. Ideally the session should take place within 5-10 days after birth, and no longer than 2 weeks after.
• The session will take place at your home – do not worry about the state of your house. You just had a baby. I do not care if dishes are piled up the sink and clothes baskets runneth over. I have a job to do, and I’m not there to care about how clean your house is.
• Loosen the the baby’s diaper about 30 minutes before the session. This allows time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear.
• Have your house warm. Ideally, you’ll want the thermostat set around 80-85. For the adults it will be hot, but the baby will be toasty and happy.
• Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – family heirlooms, toys, monogrammed blankets, etc. I’ll go through these with you to determine what will look best in the pictures.
• If you’d like pictures taken of the baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains and shades are open to let in lots of natural light. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
• Decide if you’d like pictures taken with your baby, or if want pictures of only the baby.
• Make sure the baby has a full belly before I arrive. Aren’t we all happier with a full belly?
• After the baby is full, make sure they are burped really good. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in seconds.
• A mother’s smell is so recognizable (and sometimes distracting) to a baby, that it may be necessary for the mom to leave the room for portions of the session. This is not meant to hurt your feelings, but only to allow me to get the baby thinking sweet sleepy dreams, instead of hungry “where’s my milk?” dreams.
• Be patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
• Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. I only want to do poses and shots that you are comfortable with.
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UPDATE: After one of my newborn sessions, the mother gave me these suggestions to add to the list:
• Unless the baby sleeps very good through the nights do not schedule the shoot in the morning.
• If you breastfeed and can, have at least one bottle pumped for feeding.
• A majority of the pictures will work best if the baby is asleep so anything you can do in advance to encourage this is recommended. I assumed he should be awake and alert which probably made your job a lot harder.
  

Happy New Year & Happy BLOGiversary!

 There's something so fresh and rejuvenating about a new year. A year ago I decided to start something new, my blog. Wow! I can't believe it's my 1 year anniversary for Tysdal Photography Blog.  Man, that was a FAST year!

I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have and I want to thank you for sharing in my eventful, yet ordinary life as a small business owner.  It’s been at times trying and at other times a lot of work and most of the time incredibly rewarding and uplifting. I've truly enjoyed sharing recent photos and events from Tysdal Photography. You (my readers) allow me to get in touch and connect with the community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  And I look forward to many more years with you all and seeing what adventures come along the way!

Peace & Blessings! Your friend and photographer,

Emily Tysdal

My Family

Families are Forever

I absolutely treasure family photo sessions! My family did not do annual family photos, we have very few professional family photos. Besides scheduling photo sessions another issue is that mothers and fathers are usually taking the photos, therefore removed from the snapshot. When I look back on photos it's always fun to see my parents in the photos and how different they looked.
Setting up a professional family session allows parents to be involved. I always think it's such a great thing to do for the children.
Here is one lovely family from this fall! I am loving all the different break outs we did here!

Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodaha

Today I wanted to mix a passion with a passion. My love for photography has combined with my love of yoga. I'm grateful for my yogi friends in these photos who I've spent the past 3 months with! 

"Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life, but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience. We don't transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better."

-Donna Farhi

YOGAS CHITTA VRITTI NIRODAHA

(YOGA MIND FLUCTUATION CESATION)

IN ENGLISH:

TO CALM THE CHATTER OF OUR MONKEY MINDS

Happiness and Love

I couldn't wait to share this engagement session with you! I'm so happy with the way these turned out! 

An engagement session is a wonderful time to get to know a couple and their personality. This couple is so fun and happy it really lets me look into the crystal ball and foresee an awesome wedding day! 

A photographer gets invited to capture special moments in time, it allows us to get a glimpse of others lives. For me, it was easy to see the happiness and love these two radiate. 

 I hope you enjoy the photos of Mike and Kristi as much as I do!

Having someone to love is FAMILY

Being a part of a family means you are part of something wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what.

It's awesome to capture a family portrait and get to know the personality of the family! Here is a family where their love is obvious and fun!

I'm so happy that this couple were brave enough to do a few photos of just them!! This is so special since usually you only get these photos for engagement or wedding day, rarely after.

I hope you enjoy these FUN family photos as much as I do!

Adorable and in Love

     I couldn't be more in love with these photos of an in love couple! There is something so special about being invited in to capture and share a couple's love. The energy and space they allow you to enter is magical. It's so fun for me to be behind the camera listening to the giggles, watching the sweet glances at one another, and truly absorbing the personality of the couple.
Here is one of my recent engagement sessions Sam and Jodi. I love her creativity with the pumpkin save-the-dates...did you put this on Pintrest yet Jodi???