Located in Rapid City, SD USA
Their safety is SO important! Do NOT try posing a baby in a position that you are unsure how to obtain.
Tell us about yourself. What do you love doing in your spare time? What inspired you to newborn photography and do you photograph other genre’s in your business?
Like many other photographers, I have always loved photography. I got my first camera when I was ten! That being said, having my own photography business was never a dream, actually. I had worked in some retail photography chains, and then in another studio as a wedding photographer. After several years of shooting weddings, I was finding myself missing photographing little people. We had some friends who had recently had babies, and I had them come over for sessions – and QUICKLY realized that babies were what I wanted to do! I always wish I had portraits like I take for my clients of my own babies – and that definitely inspires me. I don’t ever want anyone to feel like they missed out on something so important like I do!! (In my defense, newborn photography was not what it is today when my babies were babies!) I do photograph other genre’s when time allows – for instance, fall family portraits. But I do tend to stick mostly to newborns. Nothing better than snuggling a new baby, am I right?!
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
First… Practice, practice, and practice. And when you think you have practiced enough, keep practicing!!! Babies are fragile little creatures, and they need you to be perfect when handling them. Their safety is SO important! Do NOT try posing a baby in a position that you are unsure how to obtain.
Second… PATIENCE! So much patience is required for this business. There is absolutely no way to control a baby. You never know if you are going to get a baby who sleeps so well you are able to get your entire session completed in an hour and a half – or if you are going to have a baby who’s wide awake and wants to party with you for 4-5 hours!
Third… you really, and I mean REALLY need to LOVE babies. Yeah, everyone thinks babies are cute. But when they are pooping and peeing on you – its not always that cute 😉 But you have to be able to see past that and roll with the punches! If you don’t LOVE this I would imagine it would be super easy to get frustrated and burned out really easily.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I shoot with a Nikon D610 – and my 50mm lens hardly ever leaves my camera – unless its for a 35mm! 😉
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why? Â Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
All of my newborn sessions are held in my studio, where my clients and I have full access to my excessive prop-buying habit 😉
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
I have attended the Living Dreams workshop, Son Kissed Photography workshop, and have attended the 2016 Baby Summit.
What should clients expect when working with you?
Each of my sessions is completely styled along with my clients to their own personal taste prior to their session. Once they arrive in the studio with their baby, I just want them to be able to sit back and relax, and enjoy the session! I handle everything except feeding ;), so for many moms it is their first time with their arms free since they had their baby! I encourage them to bring things to keep them busy – such as a book, tablet – or those thank you cards they haven’t been able to get out since baby arrived! My studio is always stocked with snacks and drinks as well to keep them comfortable!
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