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Untrained newborn photographers putting babies in danger

This isn’t the first time that I’m writing about the importance of newborn baby safety during photoshoots, but I feel compelled to write about it again today as sadly I’ve learned of a few incidents in the past few days whereby babies are being unsafely handled by untrained photographers.

In the past week stories have come to light which have literally sent shudders down my spine. Supposedly ‘professional’ newborn photographers at two different high street photography studios have reportedly attempted dangerously complex poses with young babies; leaving them propped up without support, and so being expected to hold their own heads at just days old.  This is so dangerous!

If you are a parent considering hiring a photographer to take photos of your newborn baby please take heed of my advice:

1.Ask for a photographer’s credentials before hiring them

Look for evidence of their membership of organisations such as BANPAS. Members who have demonstrated that they adhere to BANPAS’ professional code of conduct are permitted to feature the BANPAS logo on their website, and will proudly mention any professional training that they have completed

2.Enquire about safe practices

Check the photographer’s website for information, or ask them directly, about how they achieve baby poses such as the popular ‘hands supporting head’ and baby ‘suspended from a sling’ poses. A trained photographer will be able to provide examples of how these poses are created safely and with the baby being supported at all times

3.Know your baby’s limits

Be aware that a newborn baby is unable to support the weight of its own head and therefore any images suggesting this must be ‘composite’ images; a combination of two images, taken safely and with the support of an adult which is later removed via image editing software. A baby should NOT be placed in this position and then the photograph be taken before they topple over

4.If you’re not happy, say no!

Ensure that your newborn photographer does NOT position your baby’s head and hands over the edge of a container, nor place them in any kind of container or basket that is not weighted down.Always have a spotter next to the baby in the prop ready to spring into action if the baby moves. Do not let your photographer put your baby in any position which makes you feel uncomfortable about your baby’s safety

5.Check that your baby is happy

Although a newborn is usually asleep during a photoshoot, he will let you know if he is uncomfortable, cold, awkward or just unhappy in some way. Ensure at all times that the baby’s temperature seems satisfactory and that his circulation is no restricted as a result of being put in a certain position. Fingers and toes should be pink, not blue!

It’s absolutely appalling and completely unacceptable that babies are being put in dangerous poses and handled like ragdolls by untrained photographers. At no time during a newborn photoshoot should a baby be uncomfortable, squashed or at risk of falling.

A professionally trained photographer knows how to safely handle and position the baby, and create complex poses without putting the baby in any discomfort or at any risk whatsoever.

The image here shows how the ‘head on hands’ pose should be done – with the baby being supported at all times, then two images being combined with digital editing software to make the baby appear unsupported.

As the industry is currently unregulated and therefore there are no formal newborn baby safety training or qualifications that newborn photographers must complete before being able to setup a commercial studio, I’m aiming to do what I can to help raise awareness among parents of the need to choose a professional, safety-trained photographer.

And if you are a fellow newborn photographer reading this, please also do your bit. Ensure to always work safely, take up regular professional safety training, keep standards high and do what you can to raise awareness among your clients as well.  It will help to keep young babies out of danger and prevent the type of accidents that have happened in the past few days.

Karen x

What makes a great Black and White?

It struck me today that most people love a good black and white photo but actually if they are choosing individual photos for their Usb then they rarely pick the B&W one and choose the colour version.

I wonder why this is as some newborn shots just lend themselves to be in B&W whilst others just don’t work so well. When I create a gallery I will convert the photos to Black and White that I feel are the best suited to that treatment. Now I don’t just turn the colour slider down, nope there is quite a lot that goes into making an image in B&W I have specialist software that actually helps make an image pop in monotone and not look a sort of washed-out grey that most people would be able to achieve. So do you choose the colour and then try to convert it yourself?

I guess if I didn’t understand the process I would just assume a photographer just presses a button in photoshop to get a black and white image…well we don’t.

I always say to my clients if you want a particular photo in B&W then let me know and I will convert it for you so you get a good photo and not a meh grey one, and I’m sure any other photographer would tell you the same.

Heres todays Black and white Newborn shot, Daddy came along after a night shift with Baby M and i love both versions of this so you decide…………………..Colour or B and W?

First Birthday sessions

First Birthday sessions are lots of fun and certainly a great time to capture some special memories. What better than bringing your baby to our studio in Poole Dorset for a relaxed photoshoot to celebrate their first birthday

Isabelle’s Mummy and Daddy chose to celebrate her first year with a lovely photoshoot. They hadn’t been to me before but booked the session from a friend’s recommendation and came over from Christchurch for the session. We chatted before and decided when would be the best time for Isabelle to fit in-between food and sleep ( two important things for a One year old) and settled on a perfect time.

The family arrived ready with a few outfits or they could have chosen some from the studio wardrobe. Straight away and we got started….well Isabelle was just the funniest little one-year-old, all smiles and giggles and the resulting photos just showed her personality perfectly. Mummy and Daddy are very pleased with their gorgeous gallery and chose to have the photos on a USB.

I just absolutely love capturing cheeky grins and wrinkly nose smiles and Isabelle was no exception She had some fabulous faces to pull. She loved every second of her limelight and adored the camera. Straight away she was relaxed and having fun and Mummy and Daddy got super memories to cherish. It’s safe to say Mummy and Daddy were thrilled with their photos and can’t wait to get them hanging on the walls. KW Photography provides a wide range of professional photography products from wall art to folio boxes.

What a wonderful way to remember your little ones’ first birthday! If you are interested in more information on the type of sessions on offer for first birthdays then please do just contact me and i can provide any info you need.

Bye for now

Love Karen x

Royal baby watch & the joys of a growing family

As I write this, in the final days of April, the world is waiting with baited breath for news of the imminent birth of the Royal baby; Kate and Prince William’s second child and brother or sister to their firstborn, George. Kate is rumoured to be four days overdue but now in labour so apparently news could come at any time!

Much like the first time around, the world’s news media has kicked into overdrive and scores of journalists and photographers are literally pitched up outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington where the birth will take place, desperate to be able to report the news as it breaks and to catch a glimpse of the new baby to share with the world.

Of course, I love the news of a baby’s birth, whether Royal or not, and as a mum myself, I can recall those unforgettable emotions you experience as a new parent. The birth of a new baby is the most amazing, euphoric and completely mind-blowing experience (once the hard bit of the delivery is over with!).

Kate and William are bound to be feeling a mixture of emotions right now – anticipation of the birth, excitement for what’s ahead but also nervousness, no doubt, at the thought of soon having two children to care for. And with the world watching, these emotions must be all the more intense.

I would love to have been the photographer commissioned to take the portrait of the new Royal baby when he or she arrives. Sadly, I didn’t that call this time – perhaps they’ll think of me for baby number three!

But seriously, adding to your family – as the Royal couple are about to – with a second or perhaps third child is such a significant step in your family’s history, and is a great opportunity to update your family photos.

It’s the reason why many of my clients decide to not only have photographs taken of their newborn baby, but also to get a family shot or two at the same session, or to photograph the new baby with his sibling(s).

It’s something I would wholeheartedly recommend and it’s the kind of portrait that I love to do. I’ve featured some examples here of the many gorgeous growing families I’ve had the honour of photographing recently. I hope that you enjoy!

Until next time,

Karen x

Mummy! Daddy! Watch me grow!

We all know that kids grow up fast. But as a new parent, try as hard as you might, it’s often impossible to keep track of it all amid the madness that comes along with a newborn! Many of the parents I meet say that they aim to keep a regular photographic record of their baby’s growth, particularly in the babys first year.

But while cameras on smartphones are getting better these days, and parents may take lots of photos quickly and easily without the need for specialist equipment, at home very few manage to get the quality photographs they want. Particularly photos – like those done by professionals – that are worthy of hanging on the walls at home, or giving away as gifts to friends and family.

Of course, there’s the lighting to consider, the background, the props and the overall composition of the photo. Also a newborn baby is harder to pose than may be presumed and an older baby often won’t stay in the pose or position you’d like, nor look to camera, so it can become a bit of a challenge!

Because of this I offer ‘Watch Me Grow’ sessions. These have become a real hit with parents because the package includes a newborn photoshoot at my Poole-based studio, ideal for when baby is just days or weeks old, plus an additional two photoshoots to be held at any time during the babys first year.

So by booking a Watch Me Grow package you are certain to get the professional photos you desire, while keeping tabs of their incredible development in their first year and without the hassle of trying to do it yourself at home. Plus from each session I provide 20-30 edited images on a private online gallery, and then the final images selected from the gallery are supplied a disc. So printing those photos you want for your home or as gifts is a doddle!

If you’re interested in booking a Watch Me Grow session, or have any questions, I’d love to hear from you!

Life after redundancy, today is the 4th anniversary of my being made redundant from my “job for life” at a large magazine printing company here in Poole. So after 23 years working at the same place I said goodbye to friends and colleagues at the factory in Dorset; best years of my life spent printing the glossy magazines we all love to read so I thought at the time. Having emptied my desk in anticipation of leaving it took another 3 months for consultation to end, finally being released on the 11th of February 2011, my husband’s birthday.

On the 12th February 2011, I became a full-time photographer, my head full of hopes and dreams for the future mixed with a fear of the unknown we all face once in a while. Having earmarked a chunk of my redundancy settlement to convert our large garage into a bespoke studio at home in Broadstone, I set about filling it with lighting, backdrops and props. I took a whole year to find my way into the Newborn photography world I’m so well known for now, starting with a training workshop on newborn posing in Jan 2012 followed quickly by a couple more, including the Baby Whisperer Academy that I’m now part of as a trainer myself.

During the last four years I have learnt so much and my photography passion has grown beyond even my wildest dreams.

Someone once said to me at my old job “oh its all right for you you’ve got your husband’s wage and your hobby to fall back on, you’re lucky” It’s amazing how lucky I became the harder I worked!

I’ve had so many amazing things happen to KW Photography in such a short space of time, including featuring not once but twice in the Daily Mail with my Newborn Photography gaining my Craftsman qualification in studio portraiture, as well as being awarded two Photographer of the Year titles with the Guild of Photographers

Being mentored by the amazing Damian McGillicuddy who showed me how to make my business work and helped me continue to grow and flourish. Working for a massive UK Baby Brand MAMUK, capturing their products in use. But the most amazing thing of all has to be meeting all the gorgeous Newborns, Children and Parents who come to the studio every day.

I’ve even have an article about me being printed right now, ready to be published and of all things printed in the very factory where I used to work, how amazing is that…who’d have thought it?

This year will bring a few more changes for the future, including my husband being made redundant in the very new future. This is terrifying and exciting in equal measures and I can genuinely say hand on heart whilst its scary facing the unknown I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Follow your dreams, they can become reality.

Bye for now

Karen x