The Tale of Two Moms: Newborn Photos
I’ve had this article on my mind for a while.
Let me start by saying there is never any judgment here!
We think all parents are doing an amazing job. Bringing a baby into this world is such a beautiful and crazy time in our lives. Every parent is doing the best that they can, and that’s pretty amazing.
Okay, now I’d love to share a story with you.
This year, my good friend had her second baby! We’ll call this friend Alice. (I wish she lived closer to me and I could be her newborn photographer, but an 8-hour drive didn’t quite make sense.) I was very excited to hear about her baby and how everything went. Alice had her sweet baby girl in May. After catching up with Alice, I learned that one of her good friends had a baby girl in April. How fun for two friends to have babies so close together. We’ll call Alice’s friend Jane.
To recap - Alice had a baby in May. Jane had a baby in April.
I’d love to illustrate how these two moms went about documenting their sweet baby girls.
Jane’s Newborn Photos
Jane had her baby girl in April! Luckily, she had talked with Alice and decided to book a newborn photographer. She used a photographer she found by asking for recommendations on Facebook. Jane chose this photographer because she would come to their house. Jane figured this would be much easier than having to pack up and drive somewhere else. Plus, this photographer promised at least fifty images she could download from a gallery! It all sounded great.
Then the baby was born.
The day before the session, Jane realized she had nothing to wear. None of her clothes fit her postpartum body. She was extremely stressed trying to figure it out the night before. She ended up wearing jeans that were unbuttoned under a flowy top. She looked beautiful but was so worried about how she looked that she felt she couldn’t fully relax and enjoy the moment. She was able to do her own hair and makeup, but she could hear the baby crying downstairs with her husband, so she went as fast as she could. Her sweet newborn girl only wanted to be held, so it was very difficult to get anything else done.
Her house was, understandably, a bit messy. Moments before the photographer arrived, Jane and her husband were throwing things into closets and trying to tidy the house. Jane felt embarrassed even though the state of her house was totally normal.
The session went beautifully.
A few weeks later, Jane got an email with a gallery link! She quickly opened the gallery and looked through all the beautiful images. She was almost done looking through the images, but her phone rang. It was her mum asking about a family event coming up. Jane talked to her mom for 20 minutes, fed the baby, started dinner, and threw in a load of laundry, and completely forgot about her gallery.
Later, she looked at them again and even shared some on social media. She added creating a newborn album to her ever-growing to-do list….
Alice’s Newborn Photos
Alice had her baby girl in May! Remember, this is Alice’s second baby, so she did know what to expect with a newborn photography session. Alice decided to book with a local full-service photographer whom she trusted with maternity photos as well.
Before her baby’s birth, she and the photographer planned out the session so that everything was ready. Alice wanted her session in the studio. Luckily, her photographer had a beautiful light, and airy studio with cozy setups for newborn photography. Alice chose outfits for her family from the photographer’s client closet, carefully choosing a dress that would flatter her postpartum body. The photographer booked hair and makeup services so Alice could be pampered at home before arriving at the studio. Alice's house was most definitely messy as well, but she and her family could leave the mess behind and head to the studio. Alice’s baby didn’t like being put down either, but luckily, she didn’t have to throughout the session day.
Her photographer had everything ready and set up so her family could step into their wardrobe and begin the session. Her toddler was happily contained and occupied in the studio space and loved having her pictures taken with her family.
The session went beautifully!
Two weeks after the session, Alice returned to the studio with her newborn baby girl to see the images in person. At first, Alice wasn’t sure about the extra trip, but she quickly realized this was all worth it. Alice and her photographer looked through every stunning image, and, as tears welled in her eyes, she selected her favourites from the day.
Alice chose a gallery wall to display in her living room above the stairs and an heirloom linen album for her baby.
Within six weeks of the session, Alice’s wall had a professional portrait that drew everyone’s eye as they walked into her home and an album that she would treasure forever and then pass down to her daughter.
Full-Service Newborn Photography
Both these amazing mamas had a wonderful session and beautiful images, but they both had very different session day experiences.
Which one had a stressful newborn photo experience?
Which one has their newborn portraits printed and in hand?
Which story resonates with you the most? Jane or Alice?
As a Woodstock full-service newborn photographer, I strive to provide Alice’s experience to all my clients. I want every client who works with me to feel cared for, relaxed, and in love with their beautiful artwork. I’d love to document your newborn’s portraits with ease so that all you have to worry about is loving on your sweet baby. Let me handle the rest.
