I was lucky enough to become a parent to twins on May 31st of this year – a boy and a girl – and have been busily trying to keep up with documenting their changes! They’ve gone from wrinkly newborns to smiling infants in what feels like a blink.
I’ve been photographing them as I would any client’s children – paying attention to the beautiful moments, the funny moments, and the important milestones. I have learned tons about parenting in the last three months, but I have also learned a bit about photographing infants. I thought I’d share my new found knowledge (along with a smattering of baby photos) for all of you new parents out there wondering how and when to invest in family portrait photography.
1. You don’t need to put newborns in little buckets with flowers on their heads to make them look adorable. They’re little hands and feet and their peaceful slumber make them perfect little photo subjects. Newborn photos are best done within the first 10 days of the baby’s life.
2. Once they “wake up” from being newborns, they don’t really do much for the camera. You just get shots like these.
3. However, this time of sleepy early infancy is a great time for fun photos with visitors and of the babies’ changing expressions. They won’t look at the camera with any interest, but there are plenty of cool photographs to be made.
3. Tummy time is awesome for photos. Once they can lift those big noggins, you’re golden.
4. The smiles are worth waiting for.
5. Don’t ever underestimate your ability to sit up and hold up your own head. For more than 10 seconds.
