Newborns: Behind the Curtain

For those that are expecting or those thinking about photographing newborns, there is a lot that goes on to get “the shot.” Trust me. I get enough of “those shots” to fill an album. I have to. Its part of my newborn package.

I’ll skip what I bring to my shoots since I covered that already but if you’re new CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I BRING

Invest in photoshop

I’ve invested lots of time into mastering Photoshop so what looks like a dangerous actually isn’t. SAFETY FIRST. The amount of time it takes to stitch these images together and the time to pose the baby.

It is inevitable

Babies go where babies want to go. And yes, the diaper was on (not closed but covering). Consider it a right of passage. If you’re a photographer, this is what christens you as a newborn photographer. If you’re a parent, it means your baby approves of me.

Yes thats a bottle opener on my phone. No judging.

Blessings

I have it in my contract that I am allowed to use the images however I want (marketing & posting). Regardless of this, I make sure it’s ok with the parent if I post to social media. There are some weirdos out there. Out in the world, not parents… well sometimes parents.

Get in There

Parents trust me with their newborns so I can trust them with my camera. I know how to get the look I need in the shot so I set everything, tell the parent where to stand, and what button to press. ” Poof” beautiful shot and safe baby.

A great graduation gift.

If you have a question you can ask in the comment section.

What to look for when hiring a maternity &/or newborn photographer.

Experience

You will be pregnant with this child only once.  You might be spending a lot of money on one or both of these sessions.  Make sure your photographer can consistently produce what they are showing on their site or social media.  An experienced photographer should be answering most of your questions before you even ask them.  

Vibe

You should be vibing with your photographer.  If you aren’t comfortable with your photographer, there is a good chance that will come through in your photos. Photographers who know what they are doing are comfortable with their sessions and their confidence 9/10 will be passed onto you. 

Can They Bundle?

Maternity photographers might not be newborn photographers but newborn photographers are almost always maternity photographers as well.  See if they have bundle packaging.  My “The Glow” package is a maternity session and newborn session and images from both sessions end up in your album and, at times, the birth announcement cards. 

Ps: you should be printing this beautiful journey out.  Don’t just post it on your social media, print it out and hang images in your nursery. Make an album and put it on your coffee table for all to see.  

Reasons you need prints in your life (Copy)

Reasons you need prints in your life.

While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.

Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.

You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.

Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.

Gift Certificates Available

Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.

Book Now

I'm Having a Baby!

It’s almost that time. With our due date quickly approaching, I will no longer be taking new clients until the end of August. Bree and I are nesting and patiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Markie. Potential clients, thank you for your understanding. Friends and family, thank you for all the gifts and well wishes. Thank you cards are on the way.

Stay tuned for the best newborn session you’ve ever seen.

Newborns: Behind the Curtain

For those that are expecting or those thinking about photographing newborns, there is a lot that goes on to get “the shot.” Trust me. I get enough of “those shots” to fill an album. I have to. Its part of my newborn package.

I’ll skip what I bring to my shoots since I covered that already but if you’re new CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I BRING

Invest in photoshop

I’ve invested lots of time into mastering Photoshop so what looks like a dangerous actually isn’t. SAFETY FIRST. The amount of time it takes to stitch these images together and the time to pose the baby.

It is inevitable

Babies go where babies want to go. And yes, the diaper was on (not closed but covering). Consider it a right of passage. If you’re a photographer, this is what christens you as a newborn photographer. If you’re a parent, it means your baby approves of me.

Yes thats a bottle opener on my phone. No judging.

Blessings

I have it in my contract that I am allowed to use the images however I want (marketing & posting). Regardless of this, I make sure it’s ok with the parent if I post to social media. There are some weirdos out there. Out in the world, not parents… well sometimes parents.

Get in There

Parents trust me with their newborns so I can trust them with my camera. I know how to get the look I need in the shot so I set everything, tell the parent where to stand, and what button to press. ” Poof” beautiful shot and safe baby.

A great graduation gift.

If you have a question you can ask in the comment section.

Reasons you need prints in your life

Reasons you need prints in your life.

While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.

Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.

You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.

Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.

Gift Certificates Available

Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.

Book Now

Huge Changes for 2019

If you follow me on social media you probably know by now that the mrs and I are expecting! We are extremely excited. With a little one on the way, I have to make some changes to the photography business.

January - Mid May

• Decor

• Cake Smashes

• Headshots

• Maternity

• Newborn

• Indoor/ Outdoor Portraits

Everything will still be on the table. Business as usual.

Mid May - Mid June

• Decor

• Outdoor Portraits

• Outdoor Headshots

• Outdoor Maternity

Mid June - October

• Paternity Leave

November - December

• Christmas Sessions

Also, starting mid June I will no longer be traveling more that 20 mins away from Lodi.

Thank you for your understanding. Now go off and spread the word!

IM HAVING A BABY!!

What I bring to my Newborn Shoots

This blog will be informative for clients and educational for photographers.  I'll go into detail on what hardware I bring on my newborn shoots and why.  If you like what you read or have anymore questions, comment below. 

1. One goes without saying: a camera. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III.  If you can afford it, you should always have a backup camera. Accidents happen. 
2. Lenses: When shooting a newborn, safety should always be a priority.  For now I shoot newborns with a 24-70 Canon L Series lens.  This allows me to stay as close a possible to the baby incase he or she moves. The goal is also to get a macro lens and a 35mm lens as well. 
3. Strobes: Alien Bees are a solid brand as far as strobes go.  A better idea is static lighting.  The pop of the strobe, at times, bothers the baby and you definitely don't want to do that. The deeper sleep the baby is in, the better poses you can get.
4. Light modifiers: I love my octobox.  I take it on all my shoots. Light modifiers soften the light and keep the light traveling in one direction for better shadows. 
5. Transceivers: This is was sets off the strobes. Most times you only need a set of two.  Alien Bees have a built in slave that sets off second or third strobes.
6. Wireless speakers: I'M GIVING AWAY A HUGE SECRET HERE! Go on Youtube and find a long video of Sounds from Inside the Womb.  It's great white noise for the baby.  They just spent nine months listening to this.  
7. Extra Memory: You might not have dumped other shoots from your chip and don't have space. Or (I've done this more times than I'd like to admit) you left your chip plugged in at home.  You should have at least 3.
8. Card Reader: If you want to show images on location.
9. Laptop: If you're brave enough to show your work straight out the camera you might want to bring this with you.  I have birth announcements as part of my newborn package and sometimes I have clients pick their favorites on location.
10. External Hard Drive: I like to back my files up IMMEDIATELY.  Not once but twice.  First the external hard drive and  Dropbox.  You can never be too safe.
11. Extra AA Batteries: You should be switching out batteries before every shoot.  Just incase you don't, extra batteries.
12. Extra Camera Batteries: Once again, you should always have fully charged batteries in your camera but just incase, extra batteries.

Remember, referral $$$ for sending a mother to be my way.  

Thank you for your time.  I hope this was informative to both potential clients and to other photographers. 

The Guess What, The Glow, and The Binkie

Being blessed with a pregnancy could very well be some of the most beautiful months of your life.  What better way to cherish your memories than a photo session to mark these beautiful moments.  

Lets make the announcement of your bundle of joy something memorable with the GUESS WHAT.

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Show everyone your how beautiful your belly bump is with THE GLOW

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When the amazing moment comes and you give birth to the most beautiful baby you've ever seen cherish it with THE BINKIE.

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A little more clarification:  The Guess What includes The Glow and The Binkie.  The Glow includes The Binkie.  

Know someone who is expecting?  $$$. Referral Bonus  $$$$  available. Is someone very close to you expecting?  Gift Certificates available.