What to expect from a pregnancy photoshoot in Dorset with Karen Wiltshire Photography
What can you expect from a pregnancy photoshoot with me? Well, if you’re a mum-to-be considering a maternity session, keep reading to find out.
I'm an award-winning Dorset maternity photographer and have worked with many lovely expecting ladies over the years.
Will you choose an indoor or outdoor maternity photoshoot?
While I have a custom-designed photography studio in Poole and I love to do indoor, studio-based maternity sessions, I also adore going on location in and around Dorset with my maternity clients.
The type of pregnancy photoshoot you choose will likely be dictated by the time of year and the weather.
My outdoor maternity photoshoots are available almost all year round. It’s only in the winter that I generally don’t shoot maternity outdoors. I imagine you’d rather be in the warmth and comfort of the studio at that time of year!
Naturally, when the weather is good, my outdoor maternity sessions are very popular, and it’s clear why. Open space and a natural setting are lovely to have as a photoshoot backdrop.
Pregnancy photoshoot portraits: Examples through the seasons
To inspire you on what’s possible in the season that you’re expecting your baby, here’s an overview of what each season offers in terms of flora and fauna.
Spring pregnancy photoshoots
Everything outdoors starts to come alive from April onwards, so if you’re expecting your baby in the spring then an outdoor pregnancy photoshoot is possible among the bluebells, daffodils or delicate blossoms.
From May, colour flowers like azaleas and rhododendrons also start to bloom and the greenery fills out which looks wonderful in the photos.
Summer pregnancy photoshoots
Summer (hopefully) brings with it warmer weather and longer, lighter evenings. This is the time of year when I love to get out and about with maternity clients and their families either on the beach or in the local woodlands.
‘Golden hour’ in the early evenings is a great time for photos and, if we’re lucky, we can include the setting sun in the portraits.
Around May/June, wildflowers come into their own. I know of local poppy and rapeseed fields that we can visit. Slightly later, around June/July, we could seek out patches of long summer grasses.
Then, in August/September, sunflowers add some vibrant colour and drama to outdoor maternity portraits. Lavender is lovely in Summer too, although sadly there aren’t any lavender fields in Dorset. Since we have so much else to enjoy though, let’s not worry about that!
Related reading: How to stay cool when pregnant in the summer
Autumn pregnancy photoshoots
Autumn is a beautiful time for outdoor photos too and is probably my favourite time of year to shoot outdoors actually.
The colours are gorgeous; fiery reds, burnt oranges and bright yellows. Leaves are falling and there’s a carpet of colour on the ground. The light is also soft and warm, and the temperature is generally still pleasant so you shouldn’t feel a chill either.
I know some lovely locations in and around Poole and Bournemouth where it’s stunning in autumn time, as shown in these examples.
If you’re expecting your baby in autumn, just imagine it! This could be you!
Winter pregnancy photoshoots
Unless we’re having a particularly mild winter, or you’re feeling brave (!), during the winter all maternity sessions are done in my photography studio in Broadstone, Poole.
Indoors, I use flattering studio lights and a variety of neutral printed backdrops to create flattering maternity portraits such as those shown here.
Other things you should know about my maternity portrait sessions
So, I hope that was useful as a guide to what you can expect from a pregnancy photoshoot throughout the seasons of the year.
If you opt for an outdoor pregnancy photoshoot, we can visit a location of your choice or I can suggest somewhere, and we can achieve a good range of photographs from just one location.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I can advise you on what to wear – it’s all part of the service. I can also provide a selection of beautiful maternity photoshoot dresses. You’re welcome to pick whichever one takes your fancy and borrow it for the duration of the shoot. These are luxury designer maternity gowns that will make you feel amazing and that look stunning on everyone!
Ready to book your outdoor pregnancy photoshoot?
I really enjoy maternity photoshoots, and just love to help excited mums-to-be in those final weeks of their pregnancy by creating beautiful portraits for them to treasure.
If you like the bump photos you see here and are expecting in the next few months, do get in touch to enquire or make a booking so that I can create the same for you!
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.
Celebrate your amazing mum with a Mother’s Day portrait session
Mother’s day gift inspiration!
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday 27th March. Have you arranged a special Mother’s Day gift for the mums in your life yet?
If not, why not consider a Mother’s Day portrait session?
My family photo sessions are ideal for capturing a beautiful mother and daughter or mother and son portrait, or one with several generations of the family!
Don’t forget to treat mum this Mother’s Day!
By the way, fellas, if you’ve become a daddy in the past year, and this will be your partner’s first-ever Mother’s Day, don’t forget to treat her with this fantastic Mother’s day gift!
She’ll love a portrait session with you and your baby – it will be a great memento of your growing family.
Timeless, natural portraits
My photoshoots are informal and relaxed, and the pictures are natural – as I know you like them.
I have an expert eye for capturing the special moments you share on the day, and I’ve several tricks up my sleeve for making children of any age feel comfortable in front of my camera.
Family portrait sessions at KW Photography
I offer portraits at my photography studio in Poole. Or, if you’d prefer an outdoor location, I’m more than happy to meet you at your favourite park or picnic spot across Dorset for some al fresco portraits in the spring sunshine (fingers crossed about the last bit!).
Capturing special memories: The perfect Mother’s Day gift!
As a working mum, I certainly don’t know where the weeks go! I rarely get round to having photos taken where I am in front of the camera, with my kids.
My daughter Lizzie is a great model, and I’ve hundreds of pictures of her, but very few of me together with my children or with my mum.
Perhaps you are the same?
If so, a Mother’s Day portrait session at KW Photography would be a lovely way to celebrate your beautiful brood and get the family photos you want, once and for all.
What’s included in a Mother’s Day portrait session?
Group family sessions start from just £299 for a one-hour photoshoot, and up to five people can come along. This includes 5 photos via a download link.
If you’ve got a larger family than that, no problem! Larger groups can be catered for as well if you arrange it with me first.
Mother’s Day photos
I’ll professionally edit around 20-30 final images from your Mother’s Day portrait session and you can view these within a private viewing before choosing which ones to purchase.
After the shoot, you will have the opportunity to buy from a range of high-quality photo products priced from just £150.
Or you can opt to receive the images on a KW Photography keepsake USB.
How to book your Mothers Day portrait session
Booking is simple and there are two options available.
- Either book a family portrait session be held within the next week or so and then present the images as a gift on Mother’s Day.
- Or buy a KW Photography voucher to present on Mother’s Day and book your family session at a mutually convenient time later in the month or year.
Treat your mum to a Mother’s Day portrait session
I’ve already got lots of bookings for Mother’s Day weekend although I do still have a limited number of slots available.
So if you’d like to treat your mum or partner to a professional photoshoot for Mother’s Day. Then contact me to book today on 07749 270431 or via karen@me.com or via the contact form on my website.
Let’s celebrate mum with timeless photography. After all, she’s worth it!
Karen x
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
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!
Create Newborn photos at home.
DIY Newborn photos
What strange times we are living in, week 5 of a national lockdown and we are getting full-on cabin fever. So I thought i’d add you useful tips on DIY newborn photos to my blog.
My days consist mostly of battling with my teenage son to get him out of bed before midday because it’s “wasting the day”. This is generally met with a chorus “of what’s the point”. I’m also struggling to see what the point is to be fair, and I’m picking my battles wisely.
Even my naughty dog Scamp ( yes aptly named) has the wanderlust and is finding the tiniest hole to escape the garden and go for a walk.
I’m missing my lovely clients, and the newborn cuddles that are the highlight of my week. What a great job to have! This got me thinking, babies don’t stop being born during a pandemic. Obviously, with the stay-home stay-safe advice we can’t get those early days photographed in the studio.
So how can parents still get DIY newborn photos to cherish?
Create memories in your own home.
You have a new baby and sadly can’t have any visitors to meet your new bundle. So now is the ideal time to create some perfect memories with your new baby. Capture every moment, even if you are feeling very sleep deprived, show family and friends so they can share in your joy.
Download my DIY newborn photos tips.
I’ve put together a guide for you to download. It’s full of helpful advice on how to capture those all-important shots of your newborn baby. These early days with your baby are so precious and fleeting its important to remember them.
Hope you find it useful as a prompt to get the best from your camera or camera phone at home.
I’m sure the Lockdown will lift soon so remember I’m very comfortable photographing older newborns.
Please do get in touch if you would like more information on newborn photoshoots, I’d love to chat.
Stay safe and bye for now
Karen x
Best Christmas tree shopping in Dorset
Christmas tree time
Yay It’s that time of year again, Halloween is a distant memory and the kids are nagging to put the Christmas tree up….Now!
I do try to hold out for December before getting into the festive spirit if the kids will let me. However the one essential item, the Real Christmas tree needs to be sourced and wrestled into the car before Christmas can really get started.
I have been busy asking my photography clients and friends where they would recommend shopping this year for the perfect tree. Here are the top places that have been recommended to get that all-important Christmas Tree.
Moors Valley Country park.
Open 10am to 4pm daily for tree sales, from the 1st to the 16th Dec (or until stocks last).
Trees range from 4ft to 8ft depending on the type you choose , Traditional Norway Spruce or non drop Nordmann Fir.
Why not make a day of it and have some fun in the park with the kids before buying that all important Christmas tree. No time to play, then there is no car charge if you just want to buy a tree and go.
Moors Valley is a forestry commission site, the trees are felled and replanted responsibly meaning there will be Christmas trees for many generations for come.
Brothers farm
Open from Sat 30th Nov
Dorset grown Nordman Fir from the Cranborne Estate.
New kids on the block are the Benson Brothers, I have been following the transformation of their Blueberry PYO with lots of interest over on Instagram and just love this pairs enthusiasm and ethics.
Their moto this christmas is “Christmas is for giving”, so when buying your tree you get to make your very own christmas deccy ( kids will love it) and also make one for Poole Hospital staff as a special thank you for their dedication.
Why not pop along grab a warming cuppa Organic coffee and a homemade mince pie before wrestling the tree in the car.
Trinity St Trees
Available in Dorchester and Weymouth have a great selection and long opening hours. Open till 8pm in Dorchester and 6pm in Weymouth.
This year is their 30th Birthday and to celebrate they are gifting baby potted Christmas trees with every tree purchased. Fab fun for the kids to try their hand at decorating , and if cared for will last for years to come. Pop over to their website to see just what goes into making the perfect shaped tree.
New Park
Situated in Brockenhurst, the heart of the New Forest New Park is another popular forestry commission site. Open from the 29th to 18th Dec and offering Spruce and Fir trees from 4-8ft.
Why not head the beautiful New Forest for a breath of fresh air, pub lunch and spot of Christmas tree shopping. The kids will love seeing some local wildlife. There are plenty of pony’s, cattle and deer roaming freely in the forest.
Here are my top places for the best tree hunting , good luck with the search for the perfect tree. I have been persuaded to put my tree up on the 1st of Dec so i think im going to head over to Brothers Farm to pick mine up.
Dont forget if you are looking for gift vouchers then check out my top 10 here.
My own gift vouchers make the perfect gift that lasts a lifetime .
Bye for now and happy tree hunting
Karen
