How I photograph lifestyle newborn sessions during the pandemic

February 9, 2021

Having a baby and wondering if you should get photos done during the pandemic? Absolutely YES! Don’t miss this moment because they will never be this tiny again. But it’s important to pick a photographer who can do the shoot with additional safety considerations as far as potential virus transmission goes, and get creative with the new constraints. 

I do not believe that photographing indoors (with exceptions I will describe below) is currently safe for you or me, unless all of us have been vaccinated. During family sessions I always wear a mask and photograph outdoors from 6ft away, moving in occasionally for close-ups. I bring clean items for your shoot and I never touch the baby. Babies and newborns do great in outdoor sessions, and I encourage you to think differently and consider doing your family newborn photos in a field or on the beach at sunrise or sunset around Los Angeles and Orange County.

However I do love lifestyle family newborn sessions at home, because bringing your new baby home is part of the story. An in home session captures that cozy feeling together so well, plus using dynamic indoor light is key to my work as much as backlight. Here is how I currently execute at home baby sessions and achieve dynamic galleries:

1) Use outdoor spaces – e.g. front yard and backyard. Framing you with doors, any plants, paths, etc. And we may even get some of that glowy backlight here depending on time of day.

2) Use any indoor areas that have great ventilation – e.g. open large sliding glass doors all the way, or large windows on two sides, and shoot right in front of these areas.

3) Bring my own (clean) studio props to enhance details if we are shooting in a small space and are not able to utilize more areas of your house. Items I have for client use are: wicker chair, rugs, Moses basket, blankets, swaddles, flower backdrop, baby clothing, dresses for mom.  

I give the option to my newborn clients to secure your shoot with a 7 day no contact window so that I am not photographing anyone else at least 7 days prior your shoot. Get in touch and let’s plan your custom session!

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