International Caesarean Awareness month: A celebration of caesarean births
Since April is International Caesarean Awareness Month, I thought it was quite timely to share with you this portrait I’ve created recently of a mother with her newborn baby.
This image won the Judges award for March with the SWPP monthly competition so it came top out of 900 plus images entered, I was totally blown away!
This striking black and white portrait is part of a new collection of images that I’m creating as part of a personal project.
Another one in this new series is the black and white breastfeeding image that won me the title of ‘Newborn Photographer of the Year 2021’ with the Societies of Photographers just last month.
Postnatal pregnancy photography
In all my newborn sessions, I encourage parents – both together and individually – to be photographed with their new babies. I believe that these are important photos to capture and that they help to tell the story of your growing family.
As each family is unique, we discuss during the session what type of family portraits with your newborn you’d like.
Sometimes if there is a willing daddy, his shirt may come off and we create some lovely artistic portraits like this to emphasise the size difference between the dad and the baby. This is also lovely skin-to-skin time which is beneficial for the little one too.
Other times, breastfeeding mummies are happy to be photographed mid-feed, and this is how the award-winning breastfeeding portrait first came about.
One the day I took this caesarean portrait, this particular new mummy was happy to share the story of her caesarean birth with me and even felt comfortable enough to have her caesarean scar photographed.
It was brilliant to be able to capture this for her – I feel that it’s beautifully raw and I’m thrilled with the final result!
Celebrating caesarean births
When I shared this caesarean portrait online for the first time recently, I got an incredible reaction. Here are just some of the comments I received:
“Oh my gosh, I would have loved to have had a piccie like that…it truly captures the sacrifice us Mummies make to give life. This is incredible Karen! 😍”
“How beautiful is this photo, showing the transition to motherhood, holding this little being above our caesarean scar! There is such rawness and realness in this photo, like motherhood, a time of such big feelings and changes.” – Dr Rebbeca Moore
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Your Caesarean Stories
Since the caesarean scar portrait sparked a lot of interest, I decided to ask a few former clients and my followers to share their own experiences of caesarean birth, and to share tips for new mums who are about to experience one for themselves.
Keep reading for their stories and tips. I hope you find them useful.
Mum 1 who has experienced four caesarean sections
“So my first c-section was an emergency after 30 hours of labour and then Finlay got his head stuck at 9cm dilated and we were whipped into theatre pretty fast! He was born weighing 9lb 5oz and after previously breaking my pelvis in a car accident it turned out I couldn’t dilate properly. I lost a lot of blood, I had a 4-unit blood transfusion and continued to bleed heavily for 20 weeks after my section. I had to take some serious iron supplements and suffered terribly with post-natal depression after his birth. I apparently nearly bled to death, it was very touch-and-go and I was in intensive care for 24 hours.
It took me 4 years to have the next baby, and that was a planned section at Dorchester Hospital. It wasn’t without complications, but the experience was far more positive than the first. Knowing your dates and times goes a long way to helping with the anxiety. With a planned section you’re also not tired from hours of labour and you eat properly in the run-up to it. I made sure I had kept up my fluid intake and taken pregnancy multi vitamins and iron in preparation for his birth. He was born at 36 weeks, I suffered enormously with low blood pressure and passed out a couple of times on the poor midwife helping me shower, but I went home quickly and recovered a lot better.
My 3rd and 4th sections were more fraught because although they were planned, I went into natural labour at 32 weeks (baby 3) and 28 weeks (baby 4) and had to have steroids and stay in bed right up until they were born at 38 weeks via section. The actual births were lovely, you walk down to the theatre, the radio is playing in the theatre, all the staff are calm and organised and it feels very relaxed.
The thing I was most shocked about is you do still bleed after birth even though they’ve cleared everything out. I totally recommend buying big cotton pants the next size up to accommodate your weird jelly belly and stomach dressings plus a maternity pad! Or even disposable knickers, but I found them way too uncomfortable. Be prepared to rest up way more than you want to after birth. After my hysterectomy, I wasn’t even allowed to lift a kettle for 8 weeks post-surgery, yet after a section, they don’t bat an eyelid about you lifting a baby up and carrying a car seat! Giving yourself time to heal is key to a healthy mind. Accept all the help people offer, it really is a short period of time and people want to help.”
Top tips for post caesarean section
Another mum has kindly shared her tips on how to cope after a C-section. In her own words…
- “Take it easy, listen to your body, and get as much rest as possible but keep moving! It sounds contradictory, but getting up from the sofa or wherever you are resting for a little walk to the kitchen or bathroom every hour or so will help with mobility in the first few days after surgery and whilst healing. It will also reduce the risk of blood clots post-surgery.
- Stand up as straight as possible from the get-go to avoid back problems and to help mobility as the scar heals.
- Get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th pair of hospital-grade compression stockings. As soon as you get fitted for those beauts in hospital get your OH on to amazon and order a few more pairs in the right size. You’ll be wearing them for 2 weeks + so you’ll need at least one on one in the wash.
- Use a pillow to hold tightly across your scar for when you need to cough, sneeze or god forbid someone has the audacity to make you laugh!
- Invest in huge black pants!!
- Drink peppermint tea for the post-surgery wind!
- Use a scar massage tool – check with your midwife/consultant as to when you can start using it post-surgery. Helps to soften the scar tissue and deeper adhesions.
- If you can afford it and feel comfortable with people touching your scar find a good postnatal/womens physio who offers scar massage – it really will help so much with the healing and avoid long-term complications with scar tissue/adhesions! Wish they would tell you more about this in the hospital!”
Caesarean awareness
She continues:
“I think that sometimes we can be our own worst enemies in the way that we criticise ourselves but like you say there is also that narrative out there about c-sections being the easy way out and that you haven’t really given birth. I was very lucky that I had such supportive friends and family around me who would try and lift my spirits when I was really struggling with the upset of the failed VBAC. But being given that little bit of control and the feeling like my body helped to birth my baby through the natural c-section allowed me to truly let go of all of, and to accept, what turned out to be my journey to motherhood.
In all honesty, I wouldn’t have the beautiful family that I have been blessed with if it wasn’t for the amazing teams that carry out c-sections and I’m so pleased that this can now be my takeaway from my births rather than this horrible sadness and disappointment in myself.”
Your baby, your story
I think I’ll end by saying a huge thanks to the mums who have contributed to this blog and share these brilliant words from Dr Rebbeca Moore:
“So often we are told the narrative that vaginal birth is the only birth, but of course, it’s not. Your birth story is yours. All birth stores need to be heard and seen. Birth like everything else in life is often messy, imperfect, and wonderful all mixed together. Caesareans can be intensely healing, slow and gentle, or perhaps more dramatic and rushed. Sometimes under a general anesthetic. But whatever the shape and form they are yours. Your story, and your baby. Your beginning.”
What is your experience of a caesarean birth?
If you feel like sharing your own story, please do in the comments below.
Karen
I’m Newborn Photographer of the Year 2021!
Every year the annual Societies of Photographers Convention is held in London. As I write this, I’ve just got back, and I’m exhausted!!
As ever, it was a brilliant event – a great chance to catch up with photography friends but also to find out whether my newborn photography would make the cut in their prestigious photography awards.
Well, I’m delighted to share with you that it did! I won the title of ‘Newborn Photographer of the Year’!
Newborn Photographer of the Year
These awards are entered by thousands of photographers from around the world. Let me tell you, competition is tough in every category!
Many fabulous newborn portraits are entered by some of the world’s very best baby photographers, which makes it all the more thrilling to think that I’ve now won the title!
Although I found out a few months ago that I was in the running for the Newborn Photographer of the Year, so were several other brilliant photographers. So, you never know until the announcement during the award ceremony, whether you’ve been successful or not.
I was certainly feeling nervous as it came closer to results time. When I heard my name, I was delighted!! I was on a high for hours afterwards.
My award-winning newborn portrait
The newborn photo that I won the Newborn Photographer of the Year title with was this intimate portrait of a new mother breastfeeding. Who would have thought it?
I’m immensely proud of this photo – it’s beautiful and raw, and just perfectly natural.
Judges comments
“A lovely, tender moment caught between mother and baby with a fantastic monochrome conversion. This image caught the judge’s eyes straight away as it’s not something they often see in the competition, and its impact carried it through to win the category.“
Shaking off the stigma around breastfeeding
I’m really keen to play a part in normalising breastfeeding and to shake off the stigma around what is an entirely natural part of motherhood.
On the plus side, I do think gradually society is changing. Women are beginning to feel more empowered about their rights as mothers, and are not hiding their breastfeeding as they once did. This can only be a positive thing.
My hope is that by winning an international photography award for one of my breastfeeding images and having this portrait seen by thousands of people (and maybe even more), it’ll help breastfeeding to become even more widely accepted.
I was really encouraged when MP Stella Creasy attended the Houses of Parliament with her sleeping newborn last year.
This led to a wider conversation about the rights and wrongs of traditionally-held views around breastfeeding. It was a triumph for all working mothers when it was announced that breastfeeding is now permitted within the House of Parliament. Slowly but surely, breastfeeding is likely to become accepted in more workplaces as a result.
Celebrating a natural part of motherhood
Breastfeeding does seem to be becoming accepted and celebrated, rather than treated as something that should remain hidden and be not talked about.
Certainly, a world where breastfeeding is welcomed and respected as a completely normal and natural part of motherhood is one that I want to live in. Do you feel the same? Let me know in the comments below.
Breastfeeding photography
I’m asked more and more often by my clients to photograph them breastfeeding their child. This is something that I am always happy to do during your baby’s newborn photoshoot. While it’s not for everyone, it is something I can offer so please don’t be afraid to ask.
Do contact me to book in for a newborn photoshoot if you’re expecting this year, and don’t forget to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date.
What if my baby poos during their newborn session?!
I’ve photographed over 1200 newborn babies in my career as a professional newborn photographer, and I’m one of the longest-established in the Bournemouth and Poole areas. I opened my photography studio doors to clients back in 2011.
So, it would be fair to say that I know my stuff when it comes to handling and photographing newborn babies and I’ve seen it all!
Related reading: I’m Newborn Photographer of the Year
Answering your questions about professional baby photography
But as a parent-to-be, I realise that you might not know the first thing about newborn photography. So, you’ll likely have lots of questions before you book.
In this article I’ll address some of the most common questions I get asked and hope to put your mind at ease about the whole process.
Questions I’m often asked about newborn photography
In my experience, these are the most frequently asked questions I get from parents who are new to newborn photography:
- What happens if my baby poos/wees?
- What happens if my baby won’t sleep?
- What happens if the baby needs feeding during the photoshoot?
- What do I need to do during the photoshoot?
- Can I bring my toddler and/or family member?
There are lots of other questions, of course. Many of which I answer on my Frequently Asked Questions page, so do also take a visit there as well.
Related reading: Is newborn photography worth it?
Your questions about newborn photography answered
1. What happens if my baby wees/poos during the photoshoot?
This is something that you really shouldn’t worry about!
You’ll have noticed that babies are naked during their photo session, and I photograph them when they aren’t wearing a nappy.
What you may not have realised is that I place a nappy loosely on their bottom for the duration of the shoot, removing it just before the photo is taken and popping it back on afterwards. That way, we can capture any poo or wee as it happens.
That said, it’s common for a baby to wee or poo on the floor, in my arms, or when being photographed and it’s honestly not a problem! Nearly every baby will have an “accident” in the studio at some point during the session.
I’m used to it and after working with more than 1200 babies, it’s pretty much the norm. I won’t be alarmed and there’s no need to worry about this happening – it probably will, so just relax and accept the inevitable!
Everything I use in the studio is washable and gets cleaned after each session anyway. And I have plenty of wipes, anti-Bac lotion and fresh blankets and wraps to use if any get wet or dirty.
2. What happens if my baby won’t sleep?
This is another thing that you needn’t worry about.
I allow up to four hours for newborn sessions, so there is plenty of time to get the sleeping baby pictures you are after, even if your baby isn’t feeling sleepy when you first arrive.
Newborns sleep for most of the day in the weeks after they are born, so this really isn’t something to worry about! And it can be lovely to get some wide awake, eyes-open images anyway.
I’ve also got some tried and tested ways of getting babies to sleep – in fact, I’m known as the Baby Whisperer! The Daily Mail newspaper even ran this feature on me and my baby whispering techniques!
Some other things I do, to encourage your newborn to sleep, includes wrapping them to make them feel comfortable and at ease. My lovely warm studio, set at the optimum temperature for newborns, and gentle white noise in the background also really help.
I’m also very laid back and this makes a difference! Babies are clever little things and can sense if the person handling them is not relaxed, and this can make them more unsettled.
Remember, there are usually only a few reasons why a baby would cry, and hunger is the main one. There’s plenty of time for settling and feeding them, so there’s no need for you (or them) to feel under pressure at any point during your time with me.
My approach is to accept that your baby will likely be awake some of the time during their portrait session. We just go with the flow, safe in the knowledge that they will sleep eventually.
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What happens if the baby needs feeding during the photoshoot?
Your baby WILL need feeding during the session, and that’s totally fine!
Remember to bring their milk, or feel free to breastfeed in my studio. I have a breastfeeding cushion available for you to use and comfy chairs.
The important thing for you to realise is that all my newborn photoshoots are done to suit your baby. I take regular breaks and work around your baby’s feeding schedule.
So, please feed your baby as normal ahead of the session. But I will be needing you to feed them throughout as well, to encourage them to drop off to sleep so that I can get those adorable sleeping baby photographs that you want.
A newborn session lasts up to four hours as a lot of time is required to settle the baby to sleep and move them into position to be photographed. If your little one is fed and sleepy when you arrive, then we can potentially obtain more photographs in the time available.
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What do I/we need to do during the photoshoot?
The answer to that is…not a lot!
In some cases, I ask parents to sit close by to the baby as a safety precaution. But usually, the photoshoot is a time when you can actually kick back and relax as I will soothe the baby and settle them into position ready for photographing.
Most parents really enjoy watching the process and some even get the chance to have a short snooze!
You don’t need to bring much along to the session either. You really just need your baby and their milk, nappies and a dummy if you use one. I have a changing mat that you can use, and there’s plenty of tea, coffee and custard creams (my fave) in the studio.
You might like to bring extra snacks and a change of clothes for the photos, but that would probably be it!
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Can I bring my toddler, partner and/or another family member?
The answer to this is 100% yes!
While some mummies come along with their babies alone, some parents also come together. After all, the newborn session takes place in the first couple of weeks after your baby is born and daddies are usually on paternity leave.
I actually really encourage parents and siblings to have photos with the new baby, so coming altogether, if you can, is ideal.
Even if you don’t feel up to it though, (and let’s face it, if you’ve just given birth and are probably not feeling your best), please do have these photos taken. It’s my job to make you look like the amazing new parents that you are. Come as you are and I’ll do the rest!
When it comes to what to wear, I suggest light or dark tops for the photos. Try to avoid bright patterns and anything with logos as this can date the photos. No need to go on a special shopping trip though. A plain white or black t-shirt is perfect.
Don’t forget, you’ll be able to look back on these special family portraits in years to come and marvel at how young you were! My own daughter loves nothing more than looking at baby photos and telling me I young I used to look!
It’s also absolutely possible to bring along any other children that you have! I understand that you may wish to get photos of your newborn alongside their older sibling(s).
Feel free to bring along quiet toys, books or anything that’ll keep them entertained in the studio. I also have a TV that you’re welcome to use.
Related reading: Siblings and newborns: What to expect during your photoshoot
It’s also ok to bring along a grandparent, close friend or another family member if you would find that helpful too.
My new photography studio has a dedicated area for parents/family members to relax in while the photoshoot is taking place.
All I ask is that you please aim to keep numbers to a minimum and that you let me know in advance of the shoot who you plan to bring along with you. This is so that I can plan the photoshoot accordingly and know who to expect on the day.
Related reading: What new parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer
Do you have any other questions about newborn photography?
So, they are the most common questions I get asked about newborn photography.
What others do you have? Do please let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to visit my Frequently Asked Questions page as well.
The whole process really isn’t something to worry about and I hope that by answering these questions I have been able to put your mind at ease.
Many parents, when they visit my studio, tell me that the experience was far more relaxing and enjoyable than they had anticipated. They admit that they stressed themselves out about the ‘what if’s’, but when they come for their session they realise that all the worry was for nothing!
To book a newborn photoshoot with me, please either call me on 07749270431 or complete this contact form to make an enquiry.
Karen x
What happens during a newborn baby photoshoot?
If you’re considering hiring me as your newborn photographer, you’ll perhaps like to know what happens during a newborn baby photoshoot? Yes?
Well, if so, you’re in the right place. In today’s blog, I’m lifting the lid on the goings-on behind the scenes here at KW Photography, so that you have a really good idea of how I create the beautiful and creative newborn portraits like the ones shown in my newborn gallery.
What happens during a newborn baby photoshoot
Step 1: On the day of the baby photo session
When you arrive at my photography studio in Broadstone, Poole, you’ll be given a warm welcome and there will be plenty of time for you and your baby to settle and relax. You’ll be shown around the studio, offered drinks, we’ll sort the necessary paperwork and you’ll be given the chance to ask any final questions before I begin.
We’ll have previously talked about any preferences you have – such as the colours you’d like me to use in the photos – but we’ll chat about this again, and also more generally. You’ll tell me when your baby last fed, how they seem on the day and do feel free to mention anything else too.
You’ll notice that the studio is warm when you arrive, so dress in light layers. I tend to heat the studio to approximately 24 degrees for newborn sessions since your baby will be undressed and needs to be kept warm. I’ll lower the temperature slightly once they are wrapped (see step 3) and ready to be photographed.
Step 2: I settle the baby to sleep
As soon as you and the baby are comfortable, I’ll get started.
I’ll take your baby from you and then start settling them to sleep so that I can take the adorable ‘sleeping baby’ style photos that you’re after.
I do this rather than you so that we don’t disturb the baby once they are sleeping by moving them around and between us. It sometimes doesn’t take much to wake a baby!
Step 3: The baby is swaddled
Since babies like to be swaddled, once your baby is sleeping, I’ll wrap them to make them feel safe and secure. I use a skin-coloured stretch wrap and then, on top of that, a second wrap which is what you’ll see in the photos.
While doing this, I’ll be careful to make sure your baby is comfortable and that the feet and hands are positioned as I’d like them.
The safety of your newborn is my number one priority, so everything I do during the session will be done with this in mind.
Related reading: I’m Newborn Photographer of the Year
Step 4: The baby is positioned ready to be photographed
Once this is done, I’ll then position them in the prop I’m planning to use. This may be a cushion, a bucket, a basket – I have a huge variety of props in the studio.
And, just to reassure you, I’ll ensure that there is no risk of your baby falling, rolling or tipping out of the prop! All the baskets are weighted so that there is no risk of that.
For the more complex positions, I may ask you to support the baby with your hands while I take the photograph. But don’t worry, I edit your hand out of the photograph in the image processing stage later.
Step 5: I take a variety of photos
For each setup that I do (and I‘ll create several during your session), I’ll take a lot of photographs so that you have a variety of images to choose from.
- I’ll include detailed close-up shots – capturing the baby’s teeny tiny fingers and toes and, if I’m lucky, I may catch an adorable smile or yawn.
- I’ll also take photographs from a wider angle. It’s likely that you’ll see me adjusting my lighting as I work, in order to create different looks too.
You’ll notice that I keep my setups and colour schemes simple. With newborn babies, it’s best to keep the styling like this so that the focus is on the baby. I use gorgeous colours and soft fabrics that are soft to touch and cosy for my newborns.
Once I’ve captured those adorable prop setups, I move the baby to the bean bag posing area and get the lovely sleepy unwrapped photos too. If siblings are involved, then their star moment is guided by their age and their ability to cuddle their new sibling safely. So, I might suggest we start with sibling shots or I may suggest that we leave them to settle in the studio for a while before involving them in any photos.
Usually, I do family and parent shots at the end of the session as your baby may be awake by then, and they don’t need to be asleep if they are being cuddled by mummy and daddy.
Step 6: After your newborn baby photoshoot – Editing
Once you’ve returned home, I’ll begin working on the editing of your baby’s portraits. You can find out why professional photographers edit their photos here.
I don’t manipulate the images to the extent that your baby will look unnatural or plasticky – this would go against everything that I stand for! I’m all about natural baby photos and don’t believe in editing out all the baby’s imperfections – these are completely normal with newborn babies.
However, I do edit out the odd stray hair and some of the patches of red skin or where the skin is flaky. Your baby may also have milk spots.
Plus, in setups when parents have provided support to the baby’s head, I’ll edit out their hands. Clever, right?
Step 7: Viewing and ordering your newborn’s portraits
Once your image gallery is ready to view, I’ll send you a link to your online gallery. Or, if you prefer, we will have arranged an appointment for you to return to the studio to view the images on the large screen in my studio.
This viewing and ordering appointment is a great chance to get my help with selecting images from the gallery that you would like to buy. And I can give you advice on photo products and wall art (but don’t worry, it won’t be a hard sell!)
My newborn photography prices are available to view on my website, and images start from just £295 for ten photos on a bespoke USB.
Behind the scenes of a newborn baby photoshoot
So, I hope that insight into what happens during a newborn baby photoshoot has been useful?
To book your baby’s newborn session, please contact me. Please aim to book as early as possible – ideally around the time of your 20-week scan.
Bye for now,
Karen x
Essential newborn sleep tips for new parents: A free guide
Although they are adorable, there’s no denying it. Newborns are sleep thieves!
But, don’t worry – help is here! As a mum of two and a seasoned newborn, baby and family photographer, who has photographed more than 1000 babies, I’ve got lots of tried-and-tested newborn sleep tips up my sleeve.
Settling new babies is part and parcel of my job as a newborn photographer and I’m not known as a baby whisperer for nothing! So, trust me when I say that I know how to handle and settle babies and that, with my help, you’ll be getting your new baby off to sleep in no time!
My top tips for settling your newborn to sleep
Keep reading and you’ll discover that I’ve got lots of newborn sleep tips which will help to get even the most unsettled baby to sleep.
I’m listing three of my top ten baby sleeping hacks for new parents below, and the full list is available as a free downloadable guide. You can grab your copy by signing up here.
Many, many parents who have used my tips in the guide have since told me that they worked wonders for settling their newborn to sleep.
So, you really won’t want to miss this if you’re expecting a baby soon or already have welcomed your new bundle of joy and need some advice for settling them.
Newborn sleep habits
Before I get onto the newborn sleep tips, did you know that a baby can sleep for up to 18 hours per day in the first few weeks after birth?! Yep, that’s a LOT of sleep!
But some babies sleep more than others and sleep patterns will vary for a while until your baby is older and you manage to establish a sleep routine.
How much and when your newborn baby sleeps will be completely unique to them. Sleep may come in short bursts or your baby may sleep for longer periods – I’m afraid it’s the luck of the draw!
Forget about getting uninterrupted sleep through the night as a new parent. It’s to be expected that babies will wake up every few hours during the day and night as newborns to be fed. They’ll need feeding little and often.
You’ll have heard it before, but the only way to survive this disruption to your own sleep pattern is to try and get as much sleep as you can whenever the baby sleeps. Easier said than done sometimes, but it really is essential in order for you to be feeling your best.
Trying to survive on just a few hours a day won’t be fun over a long period, so always ask for help with caring for your baby if you’re in desperate need of more sleep.
Newborn sleep tips
As the following tips will highlight, there are lots of factors that may affect how long and how deeply your baby sleeps.
They can wake easily at the slightest of touches or if they feel cold. But a sleeping baby can also sleep through a fairly loud level of noise! Which leads me to the first of my tips on how to settle your newborn baby to sleep…
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Use white noise
Newborn babies are comforted by the sound of white noise as it mimics the sounds they heard when they were in the womb. Remember, they have been listening to the sound of your breathing, your heart beating and your body making noises for months!
For this reason, babies find it easier to settle to sleep if there is low-level white noise in the background. It’s what’s familiar to them and will comfort them enough to sleep peacefully.
In my photography studio, I use an app on my iPhone to play soothing white noise during a newborn photoshoot. There are lots of free apps available that offer this functionality. But if you don’t have the help of a white noise machine or app, make your own sounds. ‘Shushing’ (making gentle ‘shush’ sounds) will help to the baby to sleep.
2. Get the room temperature right
Another thing I do in the photography studio is ensure that the room temperature is optimised for a newborn baby.
The studio is kept at around 23 degrees because they will spend much of the newborn photo session without clothes on. But, at home, you’ll want it slightly cooler, at around 20 degrees.
Keep a room thermometer in the room where your baby is sleeping so you can keep a close eye on the temperature and adjust their clothing according to the temperature.
Babies will need to be warm enough to settle to sleep but shouldn’t be overdressed or at risk of overheating.
3. Establish a routine
By the time your baby is a few months old you will probably want to have established some kind of sleep routine. This makes it easier for your baby to recognise the signs that bedtime is approaching.
Popular rituals in a bedtime routine include a warm bath, a change of nappy and clothes, a bedtime story or lullaby, milk and a cuddle.
Be warned though, sleep is regulated by hormones and until babies are about three months old they don’t know the difference between day and night. Their bodies don’t produce the hormones cortisol and melatonin that ours do, which regulates our sleep patterns.
So, don’t get too hung up on establishing a routine in the early months – try to just go with the flow.
Download your free ‘essential sleep tips for new parents’ guide
For seven more newborn sleep tips and the full guide in a downloadable PDF format, don’t forget to sign up here to have it sent to you by email.
I hope these help! Do let me know how you get on by posting in the comments below.
Karen
What new parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer
If you’ve never hired a newborn photographer (or any kind of studio photographer before) then I completely understand that there is a lot for you to take on board when making the decision about who to choose.
Hiring a newborn photographer isn’t just a case of searching for one in Google and choosing the first one you find. (That’s not the approach I would recommend anyway).
No, there’s far more to it than that because there are many photographers out there, and not all are created equal.
So, in today’s blog, I’m sharing with you some of the key things I believe that parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer.
My hope is that you can get yourself clued up about newborn photography as far as possible in advance of your baby arriving. Then, having done your research in advance and being fully prepared, you’ll make the right decision about who to hire and will thoroughly enjoy your newborn photoshoot experience as a result.
Important things to consider when choosing a newborn photographer
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Safety
There is currently no official qualification that a newborn photographer needs to achieve which means that it’s really important that you choose yours carefully.
Do your homework into how they handle babies to achieve the photos they showcase on their website.
Some popular newborn photography poses seem to defy gravity. They show a sleeping baby supporting the weight of their own head (which is impossible!). Or, they are positioned on a shelf or hung from a height (which would be unsafe if not done properly).
Does the photographer you are considering talk about newborn safety on their website?
Do they discuss it in their blog (as I have done here) or on their social media? Have they been quoted in the media or written articles about it? Basically, do they mention it as being highly important? Or, in contrast, do they not talk about it at all?
No prominent mention of baby safety on a newborn photographer’s website should set off alarm bells in your head! This is my absolute number one priority, as it should be. Safety should always come first!
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Experience
Before hiring a newborn photographer, I’d always recommend that you aim to hire someone who has a lot of experience and who is a specialist in handling babies.
Newborn baby photography is a specialist skill. As a parent myself, I know that I’d only want to put my precious newborn in the hands of someone who knows how to handle them safely.
To see how experienced a photographer is, look on their website for examples of their work. Do they show a variety of example images which indicate that they have been established for a while?
Also, look online for reviews from happy customers. Do they have a highly-rated service on Google and Facebook? The more established newborn photographers will have many happy customers and positive reviews.
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Style
When deciding on which newborn photographer to hire, style is a big part of the decision process. Quite simply, you should hire a photographer whose work you absolutely love. And if you’ve not found that photographer yet, keep looking!
The images you see on their website galleries and shared on their social media pages should make you smile, coo and perhaps even cry! They should move you.
There should be an emotional connection to the images, and once you feel this…bingo! You’ve found the right baby photographer for you.
Honestly, once you’ve found the one, you’ll know. You’ll feel it in your gut that their work is the exact style you are after, and you’ll be excited to hire them.
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Location
Location is an important factor, but it needn’t be the deciding factor.
There is no reason why you cannot travel across the county, or even the country, to have your baby photographed by the newborn photographer you want to hire.
I say this because although I am based in Poole in Dorset, I very often have clients travelling from not only Dorset and the neighbouring county of Hampshire, but also from much further afield.
Clients regularly travel to me from London, Birmingham and even on a number of occasions, clients have travelled from abroad to be photographed by me.
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Cost of hiring a newborn photographer
While I’m not suggesting that you should max out your budget on newborn photos, you shouldn’t be looking to hire the cheapest photographer out there either.
As with everything in life, I believe that you get what you pay for. Cheap baby photos may seem a bargain but they’re not going to be the best quality. If something seems extremely cheap, ask yourself why that might be.
I’d highly recommend that you view consider price in your decision making, but that you don’t let low prices determine which photographer you choose.
As an experienced, multi-award-winning newborn photographer myself, I’m certainly not the cheapest in the area. But I believe that I offer great value photography considering my expertise (I’ve photographed over 700 newborns over the past eight years) and that my prices are a fair reflection of the quality of service and images that I provide to my photography clients.
Are you considering hiring a newborn photographer?
Please complete this contact form to get in touch with me if you think I may be the perfect newborn photographer for you!
And if you know any other parents-to-be who are also considering hiring a newborn photographer, then please do share this article with them too. Thank you!
Karen x
Is Newborn photography worth it?
So you’ve found out you are expecting a baby! Firstly congratulations, I bet you are super excited to meet your new arrival. Or maybe your precious bundle of joy has already arrived and your family is begging to see some photos.
You may have decided you’d like to capture those early days with some beautiful professional photos and you are searching google for a newborn photographer.
After a bit of research, you might have found a few prices. I bet you are thinking with everything else you have to get ready for the new baby “is newborn photography really worth it.”
Well, I’m here to tell you why I think it’s worth it, then I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you think it really is.
Have you ever wished for LESS photos of someone you love?
I’ve got to be honest with you, I’ve photographed over a thousand newborns in my 10 years plus as a baby photographer. I’ve met so many families but I have never heard a new parent say ” I wish I had less photos of my baby” Or “I wish I didn’t have so many photos of my family when I was growing up”. It’s the complete opposite, in reality, we can never have too many memories of our nearest and dearest.
Yes I know we are all attached to our camera phones and snap away constantly but, and it’s a big BUT how many of those phone photos are hanging on your wall? Or worst still are you sure they are backed up to the cloud or would you lose every moment if your phone died?
They are only TINY for such a short amount of time!
Oh I know it’s such a cliche, and you will hear it so often over the years but it’s so so true. A newborn baby grows fast, they change so much in the first few weeks. And they don’t stop growing either! We have just bought my son his first car and I still think of him as my baby!
Being a new parent is super tough! You are exhausted and life is mainly midwife appointments and health visitor visits. Then the family arrives on mass to welcome the new baby, Believe me, you’ll barely get a moment to think, and you can forget sleep! Life is a blur of feeding, nappy changes, quick naps, and eating dinner one-handed whilst feeding a baby.
“Cant I just take some photos myself?”
Yes, of course, you can and you will! You’ll take thousands of snaps on your phone. In fact, your iPhone will be red hot from the almost constant use. Your baby will be the most photographed baby ever. The whole family will take photos and lots of them, all those memories created will be so precious to you. Remember to back them up. The love you feel for your new baby is endless.
The thing is, will you exist in those photos, will you get a family photo altogether? I know from experience it’s like I don’t exist when my kids were small. I have photos of them and photos of them together and even with their Dad, only a handful with me in them. Those family photos are the most precious to me.
“But I just gave birth, I feel horrible”
I hear you, every new mum feels the same! Sleepless nights don’t fit well with a beauty regime. The thought of having your photo taken might send you into a panic! My job is you make you feel and look amazing, to capture the love you have for your new baby. Every new parent radiates love, and it’s a joy to watch. Being a new parent is such a joyful and emotional time.
I’m here to help you capture that special time and preserve it forever in something tangible. A photograph really is a time machine, it will take you back to that special moment. The connection between you, the deep affection, and that special bond.
Photographs as Fine Art and Wall Decor.
We live in a modern digital age, we all have photos on our phones but we rarely ever print them. We are so used to scrolling through them, whizzing through snaps of a nice dinner or a night out, and mixed into that camera roll are our most precious memories of our children. I don’t remember seeing too many snaps of a long-forgotten dinner in the precious photo album my mum kept.
The next generation, your children, really does deserve to have their memories preserved, printed, and seen. Not lost on a phone or a hard drive somewhere. What happens when technology changes and like VHS tapes you can’t play them anymore. Print those photos, make wall art from those memories and enjoy those moments forever.
So is newborn photography worth it?
Well, I think newborn photography is SO worth it. It’s worth the extra effort it takes to get dressed out of your PJ’s, put a bit of makeup on, and then making it out the door on time. Not forgetting the battle to get your toddler ready and in the car without forgetting something. All that said, a newborn photoshoot is still worth the effort.
The 3 hours you’ll spend having your newborn photoshoot will give you a lifetime of joy and pleasure. Every time you look at those photos on the wall you’ll remember just how teeny tiny your baby was and how much love you have for that child. I think those photographs are priceless.
Covid 19 has kept us all apart, so many families have missed key events in each other’s lives. It’s important to remember a moment lasts for seconds but a photograph lasts forever.
Want more info on a newborn photoshoot?
I’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about a newborn photoshoot, just contact me here You can also find all the information you need here
Bye for now
Karen x
When should you book a cake smash photoshoot?
Cake smash photoshoots are usually done to commemorate a baby’s first birthday. So, if your little one’s birthday is fast approaching and you’re considering a cake smash session, now is the time to act!
However – and this may go against everything you’ve heard about cake smash sessions before – cake smash photoshoots don’t have to be done on your child’s first birthday.
It’s entirely up to you whether you choose to book your cake smash session to coincide with your baby’s exact birthday (availability permitting). Or, you can have the session either a few days or weeks – or even months – before or after the actual day.
There are no hard and fast rules here at KW Photography. I like to be flexible and accommodate my client’s wishes, and there have been several occasions in the past when parents have asked me to photograph babies older than one-year-old.
KW Photography Cake smash sessions
If you decide not to book a cake smash photoshoot around the exact time of your little one’s first birthday, rest assured, we can work round it!
I’ve photographed two-year-olds enjoying a cake smash session before. And I have photographed children at their eighteen-month milestone. And everything in between.
You are very welcome to book a cake smash photoshoot at any time from when your baby is comfortable sitting up unsupported and started eating solid food.
When to book a cake smash photoshoot
In terms of when should you book a cake smash photoshoot, I’d recommend the earlier the better. After all, once you’ve decided you want to have one, what’s the point in waiting?
By booking your cake smash photoshoot early (and by early, I mean several months in advance), you can have the peace of mind that your booking is confirmed and in the diary.
And it’s another thing off your to-do list!
But, in contrast, if you book a cake smash photoshoot at late notice – just weeks or days in advance of the date you’d like to attend – there is a real risk that I may not be able to fit you in around my other pre-booked photo sessions.
And I hate having to disappoint people or, worse, turning people away because I’m too busy.
Relaxed, flexible portrait sessions
The beauty of my cake smash photoshoots is that they are just one-hour long. This is enough time for me to get lots of great cake smash pictures for you, but not too long that your baby gets fed up.
And, by being quick and fuss-free, you can pop into the studio either in the morning or afternoon, and fit the session in around your schedule that day.
Cake smash photoshoots won’t take up lots of your precious time. And you’ll be so glad you went ahead once you receive the pictures from me. (You can view more examples here, in my cake smash gallery).
Book your cake smash photoshoot today
Cake smash photoshoots are great messy fun and the children really get stuck in most of the time.
It’s hilarious to watch them delving their hands into their coloured iced cake and to making a complete and utter mess! That’s when I get the capture their cheeky grins and excited little faces. And that’s before all the fun that’s to be had in my miniature roll-top bubble bath too!
Have you seen my cake smash video?
For more of an insight into what happens during one of my cake smash photoshoots, don’t miss my cake smash video. This went viral on social media last year and has been watched by more than 5.5 million people around the world! Take a look to see what fun it is!
How old should a baby be at their newborn baby photoshoot?
As a parent-to-be or new parent, you may be considering a newborn baby photoshoot.
You’ve seen sleeping baby portraits like these online and want similar photos of your own baby. And why wouldn’t you?
But you may have been put off slightly, simply because you’ve been told that your baby must be only days or a week or so old at the time of their newborn baby photoshoot.
And for whatever reason, your baby is already older than this.
- Perhaps you’ve only just begun considering newborn photography and your baby is already several weeks old?
- Perhaps you hadn’t realised you needed to book in advance, so in the days that have passed while you try to find a photographer, your baby is now several weeks old?
- Maybe there were complications at the birth or afterwards which has led you or the baby to have been in hospital for longer than expected, so you haven’t been able to get to a photographer’s studio in those early weeks?
- Or maybe, you‘re just finding the whole experience of having a baby exhausting and overwhelming (you wouldn’t be alone on this one!) and just haven’t been able to get out of your PJ’s let alone out of the house with the new baby?
You CAN still have a newborn baby photoshoot if your baby is older than 14 days
Whatever the reason for you not having had your newborn baby photoshoot yet, fear not!
I’m here today to tell you that there IS still time for a photographer to capture beautiful sleeping photos of your baby.
And yes, I mean, EVEN if they are more than a few weeks old.
Newborn photography for ‘older’ babies
Case in point. I had beautiful baby Piper in the studio recently who was far from a sleeping, curled up newborn. She was a chunky 13 weeks old.
She was a gorgeous girly and lovely to work with, although obviously was so much bigger and more alert than the newborn babies that I am usually photographing in my studio.
OK, it was more challenging for me perhaps.
With her not sleeping as much as a days-old newborn would, it was certainly a completely different experience for me as the photographer.
I needed to be able to position her a little differently to how I would a tiny newborn but was still able to get those super sleepy poses parents love. When I have an older newborn in the studio I love to get those giggles and smiles too for parents. As you can see, Piper was full of fun!
Photography for children of all ages
I got some gorgeous portraits of baby Piper and am thrilled with the results. And, most importantly, so are her parents!
She is not the first ‘older’ newborn baby I have photographed either.
No, in my eight years as a newborn photographer I have worked with loads of babies who are considered ‘too old’ for newborn photography.
Can you believe that most newborn photographers consider babies ‘too old’ if they are over four weeks old? Crazy!
I am proud to be able to offer my services to clients whatever the age of their baby.
Rudy here is a bonny nine weeks old. Giggling and sleeping, even after a long car journey to me.
Experienced newborn photographer
I guess that it comes down to experience.
I have eight solid years of experience working with newborns and am confident that I can work with babies of any age.
But I also think that I am not afraid of a challenge, and don’t want to always go for the easy option.
Working with an older baby might be different to a typical newborn baby photoshoot, but the satisfaction of meeting the challenge and achieving results like these is extremely satisfying!
Book your newborn baby photoshoot today
The truth is, I love photographing babies of all ages. Take a look at my newborn and baby gallery here to see just a small selection of the portraits I have taken.
I am based in Dorset but regularly have clients travelling from London and across neighbouring counties, and even from abroad, to have their photos with me. So, if you haven’t found a photographer willing to do your newborn baby photoshoot, if your baby is more than a few weeks old, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
To book your session contact me on 07749 270431, email me at karenwiltshire@me.com or complete the contact form on my website.
Karen x
National Surrogacy Week - What is Surrogacy?
Surrogacy, what’s it all about?
My job as a newborn and family photographer means I meet hundreds of new parents every year in my Poole studio. During the past 10 years, I’ve met parents from all walks of life. No matter what their nationality, beliefs, or sexuality is they love their babies unconditionally. As every parent across the globe does. It’s National Surrogacy week and I knew the perfect couple to chat about their experience.
I’ve been lucky enough to share the joy of well over a thousand couples in being new parents. I’ve heard countless birth stories and their journeys to becoming parents. My own pregnancies were “easy”. I have two amazing kids that are growing into lovely young adults. I couldn’t imagine not being able to share my life with my offspring.
As it’s National Surrogacy week I thought it would be amazing to share one couple’s very personal and emotional account. I learned of their Surrogacy story whilst photographing their newborn baby girl.
Lisa and Sunny’s Surrogacy story
“The statistics show that 1:4 women experience a miscarriage at some point in their life and 1:100 will experience recurrent miscarriages. It says women but I think it’s important to highlight that men are also impacted by this. For every woman suffering, in many cases, there will be a man struggling as well. So it impacts everyone, your friends, family and colleagues. Whether we realise it or not someone in your world will have dealt with the devastating impact of losing a baby through miscarriage.
There will be no two experiences the same, everyone will deal with their journey differently. Only since my beautiful two-year-old daughter was born, do I feel comfortable to talk about my experience. In the 5 years before Lara was born we experienced multiple miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy. Had several rounds of IVF, a couple of misdiagnoses, numerous invasive tests, operations, blood tests and more needles and drugs than I care to mention. The physical, emotional, mental and financial strain of infertility is immense and has a significant impact on your life.
Many people would like to share their journey with others but feel unable to. The stigma that surrounds miscarriage, loss of a baby, infertility feels very real. You battle with yourself daily. It becomes all-consuming and dominates your thoughts and feelings. The emotions I have dealt with include shame, anger, embarrassment, loss, jealousy, desperation, love and hope. It is a roller-coaster of emotions, highs and lows. On more than one occasion I considered living a child-free life, I had a career I loved, a loving relationship, good friends and family but every time I considered it my heart dropped and my future looked dark.
During this time we tried everything. From holistic therapy (acupuncture, reflexology, detox retreats) to visiting top London fertility clinics. Finally, in 2015 I was diagnosed with several blood conditions that meant my body views my babies as intruders and rather than nurturing them, attacks resulting in a miscarriage. After being told numerous times by Fertility Consultants that our embryos are ‘perfect’ I was determined not to give up and after my last loss in March 2016, I decided to research Gestational Surrogacy (where a woman often called a host, carries our embryo for us). And this is where our story takes a positive turn; we met Rachel and her family in April 2016 in a Facebook Surrogacy group and have become firm friends ever since.
The next part of my story is the reason I’m able to talk about my experience now. Our beautiful baby girl was born in November 2017. The day Lara was born, so was I. It felt like a fog lifted, I had found my purpose, my missing piece, it was like that dark future disappeared and everything became clear.
Hope
Surrogacy is often a misunderstood topic. Where people think the Surrogate is a victim or being taken advantage of. Here in the UK that couldn’t be further from the truth (there are always exceptions). These women are strong, focused and determined. They have come to the surrogacy world for a variety of reasons but ultimately, they want to help someone have the family they dreamed of. In the UK it’s altruistic so only expenses connected to the pregnancy can be paid, they do not gain financially for giving this incredible gift.
Although our surrogacy journey was straightforward compared to other journeys, it was still an emotional rollercoaster. We were successful with Lara on our second IVF attempt, so we still had to deal with the heartache of a failed transfer which we found out about the day before my 38th birthday. Even with Surrogacy, there is no guarantee you’ll have a family at the end of your journey. Watching Lara now though it was worth every tear, every moment of heartbreak, every penny and I’d do it all over again to be where we are now.
Looking back on my journey, we’ve been taken emotionally, physically and mentally to some dark places. The surrogacy community and the Surrogates that are prepared to help people like us brought hope when we thought there was none. They don’t only change lives but help create them, helping people start and complete their families. They’re some of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I’m blessed to have found the community and made some amazing friends, both Surrogates and other Intended Parents (IPs).
I’m always here to answer questions or offer support so please feel free to get in touch if you’re in the middle of that fog or just would like to know more. Wishing anyone who is in that dark place the strength and determination to continue their journey, whether you reach your dream through your own pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy – hold on, it’s definitely worth it!”
Lisa x
