How to choose a dress for pictures.
Choosing the right dress for your photos can be challenging. There is much to consider when deciding on a dress. The type of session you are booking may play a role in your decision. If you’re booking maternity photos, you will likely choose a very different dress than if you’re booking family photos. Here are some of my no fail tips for selecting the perfect dress for your pictures. These suggestions are for dresses that will flatter any body.
Dress Length.
The first thing I recommend considering is dress length. I typically recommend full length dresses for all sessions. My reasoning is that you will have the most freedom of movement. A full length dress allows for more standing, sitting, and dancing around type of poses. Full length works really well for maternity photos, because it covers the feet and allows you to have more freedom to select comfortable shoes. A full length dress is also great for family photos, this allows mom the freedom to pick up her kiddos without worrying about flashing someone. A full length dress is flattering on all body types which makes it an ideal choice. If you really had your heart set on a short dress, don’t let me stop you. You should wear something you are comfortable in. I’m speaking to the masses on this one, because I want everyone to feel good in their photos and full length dresses are universally flattering.
Dress Waist.
I always recommend selecting a dress that has a defined waist. I know, I know the box-y shaped dresses are in style right now, but they are more flattering in real life than in photos. Choosing a dress that has a waistband will ensure that you have a nice hourglass shape no matter what the pose is. Umpire waists are great for maternity photos, this style of dress allows you to show off your bump in the most flattering way. A waistband will show off your bump without creating a widening effect. Dresses can resemble potato sacks on a pregnant frame when there is no defined waist. I want you to feel beautiful and sexy in your pictures, because you deserve it. So let’s define and show off those curves!
Dress Neckline.
Now this probably seems a little strange but necklines are important to consider. If you are well gifted up top, you may want to consider a higher neckline if you are having pictures done with your children. A plunging neckline needs more adjusting and may fall down lower than you’d like when you pick up your kiddos.
Dress Sleeves.
I recommend selecting dresses with sleeves, because it is flattering for everyone. You can decide, long, short, or 3/4 length sleeves. I suggest avoiding spaghetti strap dresses, because concealing bra straps is difficult. Spaghetti straps are not always as flattering in photos as they are in real life, especially for those of us who may be self-conscious about our breast tissue areas. Now, this is not a hard rules, so if you love spaghetti straps and want to wear one, by all means, please do! Again, I am speaking to the masses in this post on styles that are flattering on every body.
Want more on how to dress for your photos? Check out: 4 No Fail Tips for Styling Photos.
Ready to book your family or maternity photos? Click the button below to get started!
Why you don't want a newborn studio photo session
Becoming a mom is a life-changing experience. From finding out that you are pregnant to the first time you look into the eyes of your little miracle. Absolutely everything changes and you have to fumble through the world in a whole new way as a parent. For some new parents, studio newborn photography is not the way to go.
Leaving the house with your new baby is HARD.
I remember so much about the first weeks after having my baby. I gave birth at home and the first time I got in the car to leave the house I was an absolute wreck of anxiety driving the most precious thing in my world through the streets of Spokane.
Getting dressed for the day in your first month of postpartum is hard. Getting your baby dressed up without a blow out or spit up is hard. Packing everything you need to leave the house (let’s be honest- it’s the whole nursery) is hard.
When you are in the early days and learning how to be a mom to your newest little addition, establishing breastfeeding bonds and still feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck from labor, trying to get anything done outside of the house feels near impossible when trying to meet the needs of healing yourself and caring for your newborn.
Having a photographer come to your home for newborn photos is invaluable.
Studios are not always baby-first in approach.
When I go to someone’s home to photograph a new baby I make sure that absolutely everything is baby-led.
You and your new baby dictate everything about how the photo session goes. If baby is hungry, he gets fed (bottle or breast I’m friendly both ways, studios don’t often have a private nursing area). If baby needs to be changed, she gets a fresh diaper. If baby is upset, mom and dad get to hold and comfort her. I allow parents to take care of their baby in the comfort of their home and I take pictures along the way.
Many studios do not have what is needed to accommodate the care of the baby during a photo session. Some studios even make mom leave the room while they take pictures of baby to limit fussing, which in my mind is just inhumane and potentially damaging to a breastfeeding relationship. Studios often have preferences on baby behavior, encouraging things like overfeeding or creating an overly warm environment to encourage sleepiness.
With an in-home session your baby’s environment stays the same- same temperature, same scenery, same people, same nursing chair, same everything and mom feels empowered to be in charge to make sure her baby is being cared for. Babies love and do best with what is familiar to them, especially in the early days and nobody knows what baby needs as much as mom and dad.
Your other family members will be included in the photos at home.
Often when you book studio newborn photos, the pictures are of baby only, no siblings, no parents.
I acknowledge that having a baby is a whole family affair, everyone is involved in pregnancy, often birth, welcome home, postpartum, everything and photos should not be any different.
Including older siblings in newborn photos is a great way to help them take ownership of their new brother or sister which will help lessen the early days of jealousy and adjustment to a new baby in the house.
Mom and Dad worked so hard to bring baby earthside and they deserve to be in their newborn photos with their new baby. Newborn photos are a great way to document the change and the new family dynamic and it’s important for the whole family to be in the pictures. Think of your photos like a little ceremony for the family, marking the day you all move forward in your new life together. These photos are an opportunity to freeze the quickly fleeting season of having a newborn in the home.
Do you want your baby took look airbrushed and unnaturally posed?
This is another important thing to consider: Studio newborn photography is heavily edited. Babies are posed in baskets with furry blankets or on beanbag chairs in unnatural positions underneath bright flashing lights, then airbrushed to the point where you can’t see their natural skin.
There is nothing wrong with liking this type of style, but do consider the reason you are having these photos done. For most parents, it’s wanting to document all the sweet little details of their newborn baby- the flaky skin, the umbilical stump, the little wrinkles and tiny fingernails, the creases in their feet, the fine baby hair. Many of these details will not be preserved with studio photography, they will be edited out.
When you book a lifestyle photographer like me, the memories of those details will be preserved in your photos for you to look back at and remember where your baby came from and what a miracle the experience of having a baby is.
Your baby is beautiful just the way he or she is. You don’t want studio newborn photos, you want real photos of your real baby in your arms, in your home, taken during a low stress experience.
Now, I’m not trying to bash studio newborn photographers, they are artists too, but that type of photography was very popular for a long time and I’m here to break the rules and offer a completely different experience that caters to moms who may not be comfortable with the traditional ways of newborn photography.
If you’d like to learn more about lifestyle newborn sessions, click here.
If you’re ready to book better newborn photos for your family, click the book now button below.
And if you’d like to learn more about in-home photo sessions, you can read this article here: In-home Newborn Session Prep
Do you ever get booked up for Newborn Photos?
Occasionally, I hear stories of moms who wanted to have newborn photos taken by a particular photographer. The mom doesn’t mention anything to the photographer, has her baby, then waits until the baby is 2 weeks old to reach out, just to find out that the photographer is booked out three months.
I can’t imagine the disappointment of that poor mom who wants to have pictures to remember her baby while she is new.
I always recommend reaching out to your preferred photographer while you are pregnant. Many photographers offer discounted maternity sessions to those who book newborn sessions.
I run my business a little bit differently than most. I recommend reaching out to me while you are pregnant, booking your discounted maternity session and newborn session at the same time. I ask for your expected due date just so that I have an idea of when baby is coming. We will take care of all of the paperwork and arrangements before your baby arrives, and then once everyone is home and healthy it’s time to text me that you’re ready for your pictures. I will get you on my schedule within two weeks of you reaching out for your photos. This way my mamas never miss out on an opportunity to have their pictures taken.
I intentionally don’t over book myself to make space in my schedule for last minute newborn sessions. Babies come when they want to come and I like to try to accommodate that.
If you are pregnant and interested in learning more about my sessions or talking with me, please feel free to hit the button below and fill out the form. I’ll get back to you in 24-48 hours to answer your questions.
Will Other Siblings and Family Members be Included in a Newborn Photos?
A very common question that I get asked is if the whole family can be involved in the newborn photo session.
And my answer is yes! Absolutely siblings, mom and dad will all be included in your newborn session! Think of it kind of like family photos, but with a little extra emphasis on mom and new baby.
Bringing a new baby into the world is an entire family event. The new parent feeling is so magical to Mom and Dad. You fall in love with your spouse all over again when you watch him hold and care for your new baby and I love to photograph that magic.
Having photos taken with the baby is a big deal for the other siblings in the family as well. Photos build a sense of ownership over the new baby. The feeling of that’s MY new brother. Which helps build feelings of needing to protect and care for while also reducing feelings of jealousy towards the new baby while watching all the attention new baby is getting from Mom and Dad.
I always want to celebrate the incredible experience of adding new family member and include all immediate family. It take a village to raise a child, and that village is often under your roof.
When should I book my newborn session?
When should I book my newborn session?
Congratulations! If you’re asking this question you are likely getting ready to welcome you’re new little one or you are soaking in that fresh baby smell and all the little cuddles. There is no better way to preserve the memories of your sweet new baby than with photography.
I like to photograph newborns within the first 4 weeks of life. Everything is so new and the euphoria is high. This is the best time to catch all of the little newborn features like the flaky skin, umbilical stump and curled feet. Most babies sleep pretty well in those first couple of weeks, which allows mom and dad to feel more rested for their photos.
The best time to reach out to book your newborn picture session is when you feel ready. I usually suggest booking with a maternity session, because I offer a discount bundle- so prior to 30 weeks gestation. Booking that maternity session allows me to get to know your family prior to the newborn photos where I come into your home. I like my families to feel very comfortable with me before I come into the home with a new baby, this time can be very vulnerable for some parents.
Fear not though if you are past this point, I always keep room in my schedule to sneak in a newborn session that was decided on last minute. I also like to point out that it is okay if you did not prepare for photos, I keep these very low-key with minimal work. Don’t clean your house or run out buy outfits. Babies are perfect as they are and I can help you style the session with what you already have.
