I was just moving some old videos from a camcorder tape to DVD, enjoying some pretty long (dare I say slightly boring?) videos of my now-tween daughter, from when she was a fat bald baby. I remember those soft giant cheeks, her fuzzy head, and her bright interested eyes, even though now it almost seems like it's from another lifetime. I'm so grateful for the time and effort I put into the many (very many) photographs and videos I took of her in her first year.
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| 5 months old - serious, and seriously chubby |
I'm sure you will love taking pictures of your baby too. If you are interested in professional pictures as well, there are a lot of options out there! When my daughter was born, the only option for professional photography that I could think of was to take her to the mall. And - I was not a mall person. (Still true.) This was the beginning of my photography career, though it took me a few years to work on skills and decide to go pro. I had a film Canon Rebel and I decided that once and for all it was time to actually learn how to use it. My pictures were not great, but they improved over time.
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| 1 year old, more grins |
1. It should be easy to get professional baby portraits
When I put together my "Cherished baby" photography packages, I tried to do what I would have liked as a new mom. First of all, I would have wanted professional photography to be easy. When you work with me, you do have to make that first call or email :) - but after that, I will take care of everything else! |
| 10 months old, wearing my grandma's antique dress |
2. Baby portrait packages should be flexible
Second, I would have wanted some flexibility. I offer four different packages for baby photography, ranging from one session to five, some including maternity and some including a family session. I think as a new mom I would have found something I wanted. If you'd like more information about my "Cherished baby" packages, please send me your email address and you will get a link right back for my online magazine that shows you all the options. |
| 15 months old, at the park across the street where we used to live |
3. How often should you get baby portraits done?
Third, I would have wanted professional pictures throughout the year. Not just once or twice. (Actually I took serious pictures - or as serious as I could - every month. But I wouldn't have wanted professional portraits that often.) Most of my "baby plan" clients choose to have pictures done 4 times a year.This video shows some of the babies I photographed last year on their journey through their first year - from newborn to one year old.
This blog post talks about newborn photography - I would have loved this with my first baby! At the time I had no idea that it was even something that people were doing.
I like to do the second session when your baby can comfortably hold his or her head up during tummy time. Usually this is at about three months old. This blog post gives more details.
The third session works best when your baby can easily sit up unassisted, but before he or she starts to crawl. Usually this is between six and nine months - more information in this blog post.
And the most fun session of all is when your baby is one year old - cake smash and more in this blog post here.
4. Baby sessions should be a good value
Lastly, as a new mom, I would have wanted to feel like I was getting a good value for my investment. I kept that in mind as I created the pricing for my "Cherished baby" packages. All of the collections are discounted from my regular prices. I know that custom photography is an investment and that it's not for everyone, but if it's something that's important to you, I think it is 100% worth it. I also offer payment plans if that is helpful to you. My price info is also found in my "Cherished baby" online magazine - here is that sign-up again if you'd like a link to it:More newborn sessions
Here's some newborn sweetness to brighten up your day.
A beautiful newborn and her family
A newborn baby in the garden
A newborn and her family
I have never seen a newborn smile like this before!
Beautiful soft sleeping babies
How a newborn session typically works 
Can you get newborn portraits if your baby is older than 2 weeks? Sometimes!
Newborn baby princess
Newborn photography
Newborn sweetness
Five days old
A new baby boy About three months old (tummy time)
Four months old, with some delicious toes
Three months old
Baby's first year - three month session Six to nine months old (sitting up)
Mr. Personality 
Nine months old
Baby portraits at the pumpkin patchOne year olds
It's a cake smash! Watch the frosting fly!
This session has kisses, escaping balloons, a pink cake, lots of giggles, a vintage suitcase, and some sister love. 
Big smiles and pink frosting 
A lot of frosting, a lot of fun! 
Vintage baby portraits
Birthday cake smash sessions - inside and outside, messy and not so messy
One year old home session
Baby IN the cake
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