Love in Focus: Your First Photoshoot with Baby

How do you feel about firsts? For me, it's a mixed bag. On one hand, I am often anxious and plagued by imposter syndrome. At the same time, a first is so special because it only comes once.

This mixture of nerves and excitement intensifies when a new baby is involved. Whether your first or your fifth, the firsts still feel precious.

So let's talk about first photoshoots with baby: what to expect, how to prepare, and why you'll ultimately be so glad you did it, even if it didn't go as planned.

Preparation is Your Best Friend

I don't know if you've heard, but babies are pretty unpredictable. 

I know, breaking news.

Because we know that babies are prone to, shall we say, sudden shifts in mood, we can be prepared for them. As the photographer, my goal is to capture your little one as they are. If today is a crying day, I will take the most gorgeous crying pictures you've ever seen.

Your job is to prepare your expectations. Bring supplies. Be ready to work through a meltdown or feed baby or change a poopy diaper. It won't bother me, and I hope it doesn't discourage you.

For the First-Timers

If this is your first photoshoot, welcome, it's going to be great! Let me tell you a little bit about what to expect during an on-location photoshoot with your little one.

We'll pull up to our location at our decided time. 

You'll get out. I'll be amazed at how gorgeous your family is. Then we will spend a few minutes doing any wardrobe adjustments (think sweaters, any clothes from my client closet, etc.)

And then we will start! I might have you and your partner take a walk or give baby snuggles to help you loosen up. We will try different spots at our location, and some different activities. Maybe we are laying on a picnic blanket. Maybe you are walking and your partner is watching you. All of this will help us get candid, genuine pictures.

As we go, if something isn't working or baby is grumpy, we will try some of my many tricks for photographing wee babes; I've been doing this a long time and have a well-stocked tool box.

And at the end of our time, I'll have a collection of beautiful shots to prepare for you!

You Won't Regret It

So what if everything goes wrong? What if it rains, and baby vomits on your clothes, and you're late...(fill in whatever other anxieties you have here)

I promise, you will not be the first family this has happened to, and we will figure it out together.

But ultimately, you'll be so glad you did this, even if the pictures are of a cranky baby. Those days of newborn life, of spit up and diapers and whimpering cries, they go so fast and they are so precious. 

These pictures you labor for now will be keepsakes later on. You'll look at that wrinkled baby nose and your head leaned on your partner's shoulder, and you'll smile to yourself remembering these sweet days.

What are you waiting for??

Schedule that first photoshoot with baby. I promise, you'll be glad you did!

Tiffany Crenshaw is a lifestyle newborn and family photographer based out of Huntsville Alabama. She specializes in documenting real moments for real people. 

Clients typically book 3 months in advance and availability is limited. Reach out for more information!