Newborn Photography FAQs: Essential Safety Guide for Boise Parents

Having your first baby? Let us help answer a few of those Newborn Photography FAQs that might be creeping in as you await your baby’s arrival.

The Magic and Safety Behind Newborn Photography

Newborn photography is one of the most magical yet misunderstood specialties in the photography world. Those adorable posed images of tiny babies in froggy poses, perfectly curled up in baskets, or seemingly supporting their own heads don’t just happen by chance. The truth is, newborn photography requires specialized training, patience, and an unwavering commitment to baby’s safety above all else.

Why Timing Matters for Newborn Photography Sessions

The ideal window for newborn photography is between 5-14 days after birth. During this golden period, babies are typically sleepier and more flexible. This allows for those curled-up, womb-like poses that are so adorable! After two weeks, babies tend to become more alert, develop baby acne, and may experience increased fussiness and gas pains.

But what if you miss this window? Don’t worry! While the sleepy, curled poses might be more challenging, beautiful newborn photography can still be captured up to 8 weeks. The session might just look a bit different – perhaps with more awake shots that showcase those adorable alert expressions!

Essential Newborn Photography Safety: What Parents Need to Know

The Truth About Composite Images in Newborn Photography

Let’s talk about that “froggy pose” you’ve likely seen on Pinterest – the one where the baby appears to be propping their head up with their hands. This pose, along with several others that make babies appear to be supporting themselves, is never done in a single shot by professional newborn photography experts who prioritize safety.

These images are actually composites – multiple photos carefully blended together in Photoshop. For the froggy pose, a photographer will have an assistant (often a parent) supporting the baby’s head in one shot, then take another photo with hands supporting the baby’s hands and head, before combining these images to remove the supporting hands.

Professional newborn photographers understand that a baby’s head is always, always supported during poses. A newborn’s neck muscles simply aren’t developed enough to support their head weight, and forcing such poses in a single shot would be wildly dangerous.

Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photography Professional

Before entrusting someone with your precious newborn, consider asking these essential questions about their newborn photography experience:

1. How long have you been specializing in newborn photography? Experience matters tremendously in this field.
2. Have you had formal training in newborn photography safety? Look for photographers who have invested in workshops or mentorships specifically focused on newborn posing safety, such as those offered by Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International, aka APNPI.
3. Do you use composite images for complex poses in your newborn photography? The answer should always be “yes” for poses where the baby appears to be supporting themselves.
4. What safety precautions do you take during newborn photography sessions? Listen for mentions of hand sanitizing, clean props, temperature control, and never leaving a baby unattended.
5. Are parents allowed to spot their baby during posing? Most safety-conscious newborn photographers use trained assistants to spot rather than tired new parents.
6. What happens if my baby is unsettled or doesn’t sleep during the newborn photography session? A good photographer will have contingency plans and patience.
7. How do you clean your props and fabrics between sessions? Everything that touches your baby should be freshly laundered or sanitized.

What to Expect During Your Boise Newborn Photography Session

A typical newborn photography session lasts 2-3 hours, which might sound long but allows plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and comforting your baby between poses. At Glean & Co, we’ve recently introduced 90-minute newborn photography sessions that focus more on family-held poses and less on complex studio posing, which can be perfect for families with toddlers who might not last through a longer session and like a more natural style of imagery.

The newborn photography studio will be kept quite warm (around 75-80°F) as babies lose body heat quickly when undressed. Bring extra milk/formula, as babies typically feed more frequently during sessions. And remember, accidents happen! Don’t be embarrassed if your baby pees, poops, or spits up during the session – it’s completely normal and professional newborn photographers are well-prepared for this.

Newborn Photography: DIY vs. Professional Approaches

While some newborn photography poses should absolutely be left to trained professionals, parents can capture beautiful images at home by following these tips:

Safe for DIY Newborn Photography:

• Swaddled baby photos taken from overhead with baby safely lying at ground level looking up.
• Photos of baby sleeping in their bassinet or crib
• Parent-held images in natural light near a window

Newborn Photography Best Left to Pros:

• Any pose where baby appears to be supporting their head
• Complex wrapped poses that require specific techniques
• Props like baskets, bowls, or suspended hammocks
• Family shots with everyone in the frame
• Flattering poses of newly postpartum mom holding her new baby

When to Book Your Newborn Photography in Boise

The best time to book your newborn photographer is during your second trimester. Since we can’t predict exactly when babies will arrive, professional newborn photography studios typically reserve a limited number of newborn slots per month and schedule the exact date once your baby arrives.

At Glean & Co, we recommend contacting us by 20 weeks to secure your place on our calendar, especially during busy seasons (spring and fall tend to be our busiest times for newborn photography in Boise!).

Final Thoughts on Newborn Photography

Those magical newborn images that capture your baby’s tiniest details are worth the investment of finding a properly trained newborn photography expert. When you understand what goes into creating those images safely, you’ll appreciate the art form even more.

Remember, your baby will never be this small again. These fleeting first days pass in a blur of sleepless nights and overwhelming love – having professional newborn photography to commemorate this precious time is something most Boise parents never regret.

Have more questions about newborn photography safety or what to expect during your session? Feel free to reach out – we’re always happy to chat about keeping your little one safe while creating beautiful memories.

Ready to book your Boise newborn photography session? We make it easy with online booking! Head to our website, choose your session type. Select the month you’re due and book a base package! We’ll reach out to finalize all the details.