Newborn Photography Safety: Ensuring a Safe and Comfortable Session
By Elizabeth Lang Photography | Serving Surrey & Vancouver Families
As a newborn photographer based in Surrey, near Vancouver, I understand that your baby’s safety and comfort are the most important considerations during a photoshoot. Newborns are delicate and need special attention, so ensuring a safe and comfortable environment is key to a successful session. At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I take great care in creating a relaxed and secure atmosphere for both babies and their families. This blog post will walk you through the essential safety practices I follow during newborn photography sessions, ensuring your little one is in expert hands every step of the way.
1. Proper Posing Techniques
Newborns are naturally flexible and can tolerate certain poses that adults can't, but it's still essential to be mindful of their bodies and movements. I take great care in positioning babies for every shot, ensuring they are supported and comfortable.
What I Do:
- Supportive Posing: I use props like bean bags, pillows, and soft blankets to support the baby’s body. This ensures they’re always safe and never at risk of being placed in a position that could cause discomfort or harm.
- Comfortable Poses: All poses are designed to maintain the baby’s natural movements and comfort. I work closely with the baby’s parents to ensure any position feels right and works with the baby’s mood.
- Assistance During Poses: When capturing those beautiful, curly poses (like babies tucked into cozy baskets or wrapped in soft cloths), I am always present to support the baby’s head, neck, and limbs. No pose is ever done without proper supervision and assistance.
Safety Tip: If a pose feels unnatural to your baby, it’s essential to communicate with your photographer so they can make adjustments. Babies will often let us know when they’re uncomfortable.
2. Never Leaving Baby Unattended
During newborn sessions, it's crucial to always have an adult present—either the parents. my assistant or the myself—to ensure the baby is never left unattended. Newborns are fragile, and even the smallest movements can cause them to become uncomfortable or unsafe.
What I Do:
- Constant Supervision: While I may occasionally step away for a moment to adjust lighting or set up props, I always ensure that a parent or I am within arm's reach of the baby. I also take frequent breaks to ensure the baby stays calm, happy, and relaxed throughout the session.
- Assistant Support: For added safety, I work with an assistant who is always present to help support the baby during the session. When my assistant is unavailable, I ensure that a parent is always close by to watch over and comfort the baby if I need to step away for any reason. My assistant is trained to keep 100% of her focus on baby and a hand on baby between shots.
- Safe Handling: I take extra care when lifting or moving the baby to ensure that they are always supported by their head and neck, which is crucial for newborn safety.
3. Temperature Control
Newborns are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and the environment in which they are photographed should always be very warm and comfortable. At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I ensure the studio is properly heated before, during, and after the shoot.
What I Do:
- Warm Environment: I keep the studio at a comfortable temperature (typically around 80°F or 27°C) to keep the baby cozy and calm during the shoot. Newborns tend to get cold quickly, especially for the undressed poses, and warmth will help them feel relaxed and sleepy. You may feel too warm so bring comfy clothes to relax in after your family portraits.
- Soft Blankets and Layers: I use soft fabrics and blankets to ensure babies stay comfortable during their time on the beanbag or in props. This helps regulate their body temperature and keeps them snug while they pose.
Safety Tip: If you’re doing a home session in Surrey or Vancouver, ensure the room is heated properly, and dress your newborn in a light onesie before the shoot to avoid sudden temperature changes. Choose a room with a door so you can really crank the heat up high.
4. Safe Use of Props
Props are a fantastic way to add a creative touch to newborn photos, but they must always be used safely. Whether it’s a basket, blanket, or flower crown, each prop needs to be secured, soft, and properly positioned to avoid any risk to the baby.
What I Do:
- Sturdy, Safe Props: All props used in the shoot are carefully selected for their safety and comfort. Soft baskets, knitted blankets, and plush toys are chosen to create a serene setting without any risk to the baby.
- Secure Positioning: I always ensure props are placed securely on a flat surface, and if I am photographing the baby in a prop, I always have a hand on them to prevent any unintentional movement or tipping.
- Safe Spotting: Always have an adult (usually my assistant) close enough to reach the baby at all times.
Safety Tip: For every prop used, I check the setup thoroughly before placing the baby inside or near it. A well-secured prop and a little extra padding underneath can make all the difference. Place a weight at the bottom of props like buckets to prevent tipping.
5. Proper Sanitation and Cleanliness
Newborns have delicate skin, and it’s essential to ensure that the studio or location used for the shoot is thoroughly sanitized. From props to blankets, cleanliness is key.
What I Do:
- Hygiene First: All props, blankets, and any equipment that comes into contact with your baby are cleaned and sanitized before every session. I also wash my hands frequently to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and keep sanitizer around my studio for quick sanitizing as we go.
- Sanitizing hard surfaces: Door knobs, handles, equipment and bathrooms are sanitized after each session.
- Colds and Illness: I do not work if I am sick and will always wear a mask whenever you would like me to. I get my annual flu shot and am up to date with my whooping cough and other vaccines.
6. Composites for Safety and Creativity
Composites are a powerful tool I use to keep your baby safe while also creating stunning, imaginative photos. A composite is when I take multiple shots of your baby—usually with supportive hands or other elements—and later blend the images in Photoshop to create a flawless and natural-looking scene.
What I Do:
- Supporting Hands in Poses: Often, I will photograph a baby in a particular pose while keeping hands or props gently supporting them. After the shoot, I use Photoshop to remove the supporting hands from the final image, leaving only the serene, beautiful pose. This is done with the froggy pose for example.
- Creative Composites: In some cases, I will photograph the baby lying down on a comfortable surface and then digitally composite the baby into a different scene. For example, the baby could be “placed” in a prop like a shelf, a basket, or a bed for a creative, whimsical effect while staying safe on a soft beanbag the entire time.
- Enhanced Safety: This method allows for a more relaxed environment for the baby, ensuring no risky or unnatural poses are required to create breathtaking final images.
7. Parental Involvement
Newborn photography is a collaborative process between the photographer and the parents. At Elizabeth Lang Photography, I encourage parents to stay close by, provide comfort, and be part of the experience.
What I Do:
- Parent-Assisted Posing: Many times, parents are asked to help gently position their newborn or offer a soothing touch. This can make the baby feel secure and loved while capturing those precious moments.
- Interactive Session: Your presence not only makes the baby feel more comfortable but it also creates a more relaxed atmosphere for the shoot. Parents are welcome to sit nearby, chat, and even be involved in some of the photos. If you would rather relax on the sofa or even take a nap please feel comfortable doing so. Many parents fall asleep during their session.
Safety Tip: If you're worried about specific poses or your baby’s comfort, always speak up. Your photographer will be happy to adjust and ensure everyone is at ease. You should never feel uneasy during your session!
Final Thoughts on Newborn Photography Safety
Newborn photography should always be a joyful, memorable experience, and that starts with ensuring safety is prioritized every step of the way. As your newborn photographer in Surrey, near Vancouver, I am committed to creating a session that is not only beautiful but also safe for your little one. Whether you choose to photograph your baby in my studio or at your home, you can trust that safety and comfort will be my top priority.
If you’re ready to capture the precious moments of your newborn’s first days, don’t hesitate to contact Elizabeth Lang Photography. I’m here to help you create timeless images in a safe, comfortable environment that you and your family can cherish forever.
YOUR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION WITH ELIZABETH LANG PHOTOGRAPHY