My thoughts about photographing newborns | Nikki Olivier Photography

If you’re expecting a new baby and embark on a Google search or social media crawl of local photographers, you’ll see, there’s quite a few different styles of newborn photography available to you. Let me preface this by saying, each style is beautiful and has it’s merits, and let’s face it, no one can resist getting a bit googly eyed at a brand new baby posed and perfected in the Anne Geddes style. When I started my photography journey I spent much of my time posing babies, and buying expensive props - it seemed the right thing to do! However as the years have gone by, my mood and style for photographing babies has changed. When I look back - even with my own children, I long to see the memories that made them - the environment we came from, the love we felt and shared. Showing your children who they are and where they come from is important to their development and understanding of this world.

While I do value the beauty of a posed baby, and I certainly direct and pose where I can and need to, I have found that it is just as important to photograph the home environment of the child. Mothers and fathers are allot more comfortable in their homes, where they can still move around and do what they need to. This is especially true if there are siblings and extended family. You are after all creating his or her memories. Memories are about home, life, love and laughter. Having a mother sitting on her bed nursing her newborn baby is just as important as a posed baby. In saying all this, my style of newborn photography isn’t quite as simplistic as that. Here’s a little peak into our style of capturing these sweet new people.

I like to photograph babies at home

Being a mother myself, and even though our babies aren’t babies anymore, I remember very vividly those first few weeks of their lives… you’re exhausted, you’re overwhelmed , and it can be a real challenge lugging your new baby and everything they need out of the house. I believe that newborn sessions are easiest and come with the least amount of stress when they take place in your own home. Trust me when I say, I’ve photographed new babies in homes of all types… from tiny apartments in Sydney, to showcase worthy nurseries on the waterfront of Mooloolaba, it doesn’t matter where you live or how perfectly decorated your space is. When I arrive, I help you to determine spots with the best natural light and/or backdrops. I want to showcase the labor of love that is your baby’s room? Just moved in and only have a corner of a barely furnished room to work with? No problem. I’ve got this!

photograph babies with their own things

Another advantage to photographing new babies at home (in addition to being able to incorporate their furry siblings and environment… is being able to incorporate siblings when the time is right. I have photographed many newborns in my home studio, and have found that little children cannot handle the long session and are often unwilling to co-operate. However, at home, they are free to play as usual and get in the images when the time is best. I like personalizing your session to your own family. Maybe you have a soft blanket hand knit by a relative, or a bassinet that’s been in your family for generations, but it’s certainly not limited to heirlooms! It could be those adorable patterned swaddles that coordinate with baby’s room, or the cozy glider where you spend those late-night nursing sessions. You can rest assured that each and every image you create will be unique to your baby & your family.

Relax I’ve got this

I know time is precious, and no new mom wants to spend 5 hours at a studio for their newborn session. I like hanging out with you at your home, and learning about your family and who you are. My lifestyle approach means I follow baby’s lead and our sessions take a “go with the flow” trajectory. I watch babies ques and work within babies limits and yours. Sometimes babies are sleepy and happy to be naked, other times its impossible and they simply prefer being swaddles and wrapped. My sessions are relaxed and meaningful, while capturing all of those perfect new baby images you’re looking for. Creating beautiful memories.

I follow your baby and what they are comfortable doing

So many babies I meet have a signature pose that was visible even in utero, in their ultrasound pictures. Mom or dad will say that they always had their hands by their face or mentions how they always frog their legs. When you lay a sleepy, happy baby down on a bed, they pose themselves. Some of them love to be curled on their tummies, others stretch their arms above their head or curl their fingers under their chin. We love to capture newborn babies as the unique little people that they are. Their yawns, their sleepy smiles, their smoochable lips… I am firmly in the camp that new babies are sweet and perfect in their natural state, sans pretzel poses! I do employ the use of a swaddles and some light positioning, but over all, I abide by our natural, authentic approach. An added bonus… steering away from heavy posing means babies don’t have to be photographed within the first few days of life, but instead anytime in the first few weeks. Babies don’t expire!