Sunday, February 1, 2015

DC, No VA Newborn Baby Portrait Tips for Moms by Tracey Attlee

Good DC and No VA newborn portraits start with a sleepy baby.  Photo by Tracey Attlee

What could make a nicer family memory than good quality photographs celebrating the arrival of your new baby?  

No VA newborn baby photographer Tracey Attlee knows its common for newborns to behave differently each day and offers these suggestions for how to get the best set of portraits of your newborn on shoot day:

1.  Feed your newborn 45 minutes before photography to allow time for 20 minutes of digestion to follow the feeding.  This keeps baby happy and sleepy on set and less prone to "accidents."

2.  Keep the baby warm.  Newborn skin is so sensitive baby will alert when it feels temperature changes.  Our wonderful nurse advisor Lynn Kuba suggested we bring hand warmers to pre-warm the the blankets and furs we use for photography on a newborn set.  This works well and is so much easier than worrying about trip hazards from cords or finding a nearby electrical outlet for the heating pad.

3.  Know how to calm your newborn.  Newborns love the warm comfort of Mom and Dad's hands around them.  Be ready to lend your hands to the baby photography effort!

4.  Limit the jostling.  It is fun to dress or swaddle the baby in family heirlooms, christening outfits or grandma's hand knitted blankets but keep the changes down to two or three so baby will be less prone to waking up or crying.

5.  Hire a professional photographer willing to come to your home to photograph your newborn such as Tracey Attlee of Alexandria, VA.  Skip the stress of trying to travel with your newborn because you and your baby will be happier and most relaxed at home!