Welcome to our Parent Tips!
Because you have questions and we have answers!
Check out our articles in the following categories…
Session Spotlight: Arlo, Naturally Posed Studio lifestyle
When it comes to taking photos of a baby with their family, I am a stronger believer in less is more. No need for props, beanbags, special outfits. All that is needed, is gorgeous light and baby in the arms of family that love him. Without the pressure of ‘being posed’ and allowed to be themselves, children are naturally giving, they want to interact with the baby and they want to be a part of getting their photo taken. I loved this session because it it all of this and more.
Session Spotlight: Blessed with a little girl!
I stopped offering family sessions last year and it was a really hard decision because there were so many families that I just love and being able to see their children grow every year was such a pleasure to see! But my heart really wasn’t in it and I didn’t think it was fair to my favorite clients to have a photographer that wasn’t 100% all in for their family session.
So imagine my surprise when one of the families who I’ve been photographing since 2015 sent an email asking if they could schedule a newborn session! They already had 2 little boys so I knew this session was extra special to them when they welcomed a girl into their family.
I pulled out the pink, grabbed everything girly and started stying their session and it really turned out to be one of my favorites. Not only did I get to see my favorite family, but after a slew of all boy sessions, I finally got to change things up and throw in some frilly wraps and bonnets in a session! 🙂
Kelly Lumley – Accredited APNPI Newborn Photographer
Babies are the boss, infant photographer discovers
Written by: Carl Hnatyshyn
Originally Published by: Sarnia This Week on December 31, 2018
Petrolia newborn and maternity photography Kelly Lumley, who in this picture is standing in her studio, recently received international certification from the Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International.
A Petrolia-based newborn and maternity photographer has received recognition as well as some highly sought-after accreditation from an international photography group.
Full-time paramedic Kelly Lumley – who spends much of her spare time taking pictures of ‘babies and bellies’, as she jokingly refers to, in and around her home-based Petrolia studio – has been given the certification of official newborn and maternity photographer by the Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International (APNPI).
With the honours, Lumley becomes one of a handful of photographers in Southwestern Ontario to have received such accreditation.
“It’s a hard thing to obtain,” she said. “Sometimes it takes three or four times to get accredited for either newborn or maternity, so I was pretty happy to pass my newborns but when I got my maternity passed as well I was over the moon.”
The newborn photographers association is hoping to professionalize and standardize the increasingly lucrative world of infant and maternity photography as well as promote safety by vetting and judging photographers around the world, Lumley said.
“They’re trying to promote quality in the newborn industry for parents,” she said. “So it’s a place where we as photographers can go and build our skills and promote ourselves and for parents it’s a place to find out who is reputable and who is around.”
A self-taught photographer whose well-kept basement studio is a cornucopia of adorable props, tiny infant headdress, colourful newborn clothing as well as vivid, vibrant and flowing maternity gowns, Lumley first got bit by the newborn photography bug by chance, over eight years ago, when her then-infant son had a serious brush with illness soon after he was born.
“Our son, Scott, got very sick and we almost lost him,” she said. “We were in the hospital in London and after we knew he was going to be okay, I looked around (the ward) and said to myself ‘there are a lot of babies here who might not be coming home’.”
“For some of these people, all they had left was the baby’s blanket when their baby went into surgery, so I realized then that there were a lot of parents out there who needed pictures. This is how you make memories,” Lumley added. “I’d always been a creative person, but never quite found the right outlet. Then I got a good camera and learned how to use it. So that’s what got me started on this path.”
Initially Lumley did several newborn shoots a year – generally focusing on infants aged two to six weeks old – the whole time honing her photography skills through online courses, poring over training books and attending seminars when possible. As the years rolled by, interest in her side-business grew exponentially to the point where she was holding 50 to 60 newborn photo shoots in a year.
In 2018 alone, Lumley photographed 80 babies.
A large part of Kelly Lumley’s business comes from newborn photography, with photos of infants aged two to six weeks.
With experience comes wisdom, Lumley said, as she became much more knowledgeable about how to deal with the often-finicky and fidgety newborns.
“It’s funny – the babies are the boss,” she said, smiling. “You can’t make them do something if they don’t want to do it. So you need a lot of time and patience. It’s been a lot of learning over the past several years. And over the course of the years, you find out what works and what doesn’t. The babies will let you know.”
Sometimes parents bring cherished items or outfits to the newborn photo shoots but more often than not Lumley has to create things from scratch, which involves quite a lot of preparatory work.
“Sometimes parents will have a sentimental object like a blanket that somebody’s created for them or a teddy bear, and I’ll get to see it first and I’ll create a set-up around that,” she said. “Otherwise it’s stuff that I have here in my studio. And there are also trends in the industry – you’ll see certain ideas trending. Right now we’re into the pastel colours, neutral stuff. Clean and classic – that’s kind of the way it is.”
When asked if a newborn baby shoot is a quick pop-in, snap a few pictures and pop-out again type event, Lumley laughed.
“No, no, no,” she said, laughing. “The parents come here and they feed the baby. Then I get them wrapped up in a little outfit, bundle them up and then we get props, parent shots. A typical session is about three-and-a-half hours.”
And how does she keep the focus of a newborn during one of these sessions?
“It’s just little things you learn over the years,” Lumley said. “White noise, keeping it very warm for the infants, wrapping them up. And just being calm – if you’re feeling stressed they’ll feel it too.”
A large part of Kelly Lumley’s business comes from newborn photography, with photos of infants aged two to six weeks.
A few years ago, Lumley decided to expand her photography business to encompass another emerging market – maternity photography. It was a decision of which she has no regrets.
“A lot of women don’t feel comfortable when they’re pregnant because they gain a lot of weight and they’re exhausted,” she said. “So I actually have a collection of gowns and it’s so funny to watch the women to come in. Once they put the gowns on, it’s almost like they become a peacock. It’s showing them that they’re beautiful, which they are both on the outside and the inside.
“It’s actually quite inspiring to see,” she added.
Although busy with a full-time job as well as her photography business, Lumley said she wouldn’t want it any other way. The now officially certified photographer finds joy in the fact she can provide parents and parents-to-be with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
“Just creating those memories for the parents is probably the most rewarding part of all this,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had emails from moms telling me ‘I’m sitting here at the computer in tears looking at these beautiful pictures of my baby’. Seeing the joy you give to those parents is something so special.”
For more information about Kelly Lumley Photography, visit her website at www.kellylumleyphotography.com or her Facebook page.
Session Spotlight: In Hospital Maternity Session- A Mama on Bedrest
I did this session as a creative project, a way to connect with mothers who are on bedrest. To show them that even though you are on bedrest, whether at the hospital or in your home, you can have that dream maternity session that you always hoped for. Images that will tell your unique story. and one day will be so special to you. I am passionate about documenting these days that I know one day you will be so happy to have and look back on. For this session I had a vision, I knew I wanted to show what it was like to be on bedrest in the hospital. I never wanted to hide any aspect of it. IV,s monitors, hospital bed and all.
Fine Art Maternity Portraits – Dallas Maternity Photographer – CLJ Photography
Written by: Cydnee Jex
FINE ART MATERNITY PORTRAITS – DALLAS MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER
CLJ PHOTOGRAPHY
Fine Art Maternity Portraits – Dallas Maternity Photographer – CLJ Photography
For the woman who is looking for that “Demi Moore style” (does that age me?!?) maternity portrait – I completely get you. It was everywhere and inspired everyone. Before that, women hid their pregnancy bumps in baggy clothing. But she stood there naked and gorgeous and proud. It was a major turning point in maternity photography.
Women, since then, have embraced the idea of the fine art, maternity portrait. The idea that the female body, creating life is completely and utterly amazing – a thing to celebrate!
Since then, we’ve seen the maternity portraits of Marissa Miller and Gisele Bundchen to name a few and they are stunning. So many photographers are doing the outdoor, candid look but there is something that just gets me with fine art, studio photography.
I love using soft, diffused lighting but also dramatic lighting in every session. I especially love the moody ones! If these images inspire you like they do me – then I would love to discuss creating and designing your custom portrait experience at our studio.
10 MUST HAVE ITEMS ALL MOMS AND/OR DADS NEED IN THEIR DIAPER BAG
I have new moms and dads in the studio all the time and they’re constantly asking me about baby products, baby advice, and what are the things they NEED in order to get through those early stages of parenting. So I decided, why not start writing up some blog posts to let everyone in on some helpful tips. As a mom of 4, I have a little experience in the world of parenting (wink, wink) and I’ve also asked lots of other moms for their opinions to help round out this post. I’ve also made things really easy by posting links for all items mentioned below. These items are in no way endorsed or sponsored by the companies that produce them, they’re just what I (and lots of other moms out there) really love!
So, whether you live near me in Silver Spring, Maryland, or an a city close by like Baltimore or Washington, DC, or even far, far away like New York or even California, this post is for you!
Here is the list of the top 10 MUST have items to pack in your diaper bag!
Diapers:
Now this might seem like a “DUH!” kind of item, but you’d be surprised how many times I’ve been out and about and realized that I’m totally out of diapers and forgot to restock. Those are definitely NOT some of my finer “mom” moments, lol! Now, the question still remains about what kind of diapers should you pack? I am personally a HUGE Pampers snob! I find that the diapers don’t leak and that it helps minimize baby rash. That being said, they are probably one of the most expensive diapers on the market. So in the interest of giving you a cost effective choice, I’ve went with the diaper that so many moms use which is Target Brand diapers.
Wipes:
Wipes are one of the most handy things you could ever back in a diaper bag. Not only are they needed for wiping your baby’s little tush when changing diapers, they are useful for so much more! They’re amazing for wiping dirty little faces that are covered in baby food, spit-up and runny noses. They are perfect for wiping a dirty spot on your clothes when you realized your baby just spit-up, peed, or even pooped all over you(ew!). They are perfect for wiping down the shopping cart before you place your baby in the seat, or the highchair at the restaurant when you go out to eat. They even come in handy as a makeup remover when you realize that you rubbed mascara all over your face because you’re just so very tired! Now for wipes I love using Pampers Sensitive Wipes when my babies are little. These wipes are soft, gentle and super loaded with moisture! When my babies get a little older, I switch over to Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes which are found exclusively at Costco. These wipes are excellent! They have plenty of moisture, come in self closing packs and are very economical for the price. Which now leads us into the next item all moms need in their diaper bag…
Wipes Holder:
Now you might say to me, Yaffa, why in the world do I need a wipes holder when I can just throw a full package of wipes into my bag and call it a day? I’ll tell you why. By the time you fill your bag with all the things you need, you’re going to find your shoulder is killing you from all the weight! By taking a wipes holder you’re minimizing the amount of stuff in your bag and your back and shoulders will thank you for it! Here’s a wipes holder that has great reviews, but in a pinch a Ziplock freezer bag will do just as well!
Pacifier:
Oh boy! I know I’m getting myself into trouble by putting this one on my list and entering the great “pacifier debate!” Well, let me tell you from my personal experience, I’ve breastfed all 4 of my kiddos and they all started with a pacifier from day 1. They never had an issue with nipple confusion, so I honestly think the whole thing is a joke! Now, I know I might offend some people with my strong opinions, but when it’s the middle of the night and baby won’t stop crying and it’s not because she’s hungry, that pacifier sure does come in handy! I’m a big, big fan of the Nuk pacifier. They come in all different colors and patterns, have sizes that change as your baby grows and of course are BPA free. Now I don’t joke around when it comes to pacifiers. The second my baby is born and I find out the gender (yes, I like to keep it a surprise!) I send my husband running to the closet pharmacy to get me a new Nuk. I do not like the ones that the hospital gives out, but that again is a personal preference. It’s always smart to keep an extra pacifier in your bag, cuz those wonderfully pesky things have a way of disappearing just when you need it most!
Nursing cover:
Ok, now I just found out about this genius cover that triples as a nursing cover, receiving blanket and a swaddle! I’m super excited about this product and think that any product that has multiple uses is just fantastic! Baby Noomie is run by 3 moms, who just like us wanted their babies to have the best quality items that were out there. Now when you’re out and about you can feed your baby with a little privacy and then swaddle them up for a nap when you’re all done! How cool is that?!?
Change of Clothing:
Time for a reality check, if you think you’re gonna make it through an entire day without having to change your baby’s outfit, think again! Whether it’s from pee, poop, spit-up or drool, babies tend to go through several outfits in a day. Make sure to pack at least one if not two outfit changes. (It’s happened where I’ve been out and about and had to run into a local store to buy an outfit for my baby since I forgot to pack a backup! oy!) If you want to be really smart, you might even think to pack a backup top for yourself (like one of those compact, wrinkle free t-shirts) cuz’ you just never know what the baby will do to you! lol! Also make sure you pack extra nursing pads, cuz those tend to get gross really fast!
Water bottles:
I wrote “bottles” as a plural for a reason. As a new mom or dad who is exhausted ALL THE TIME it’s important to stay hydrated. So if you have a pack of disposable water bottles in your house make sure to grab one as you head out the door to pop in your bag. If you are the more eco friendly type, and want a reusable water bottle, this is a great option. I’ve also linked a separate blog post for those looking to compare different types of water bottles. Now the second water bottle you need to pack is a baby bottle filled with sterilized water for your baby. It’s important for both bottle feeding and non-bottle feeding moms to pack this, especially in the Summer months when babies need extra hydration.
Formula:
For all moms who bottle feed this is a necessity! There are these wonderful formula holders that hold pre-measured amounts of formula and you just pour it into your pre-filled baby bottle and your good to go! You can find the link here. Now I know, this is another touchy subject, but let’s withhold judgement for all moms to decide for themselves. Though I breastfeed my babies I’m not above using formula in a pinch. Picture this, you’re in a store with all your kiddos, they’re jumping around like monkeys and the baby starts screaming and nothing will help because she’s hungry. Now you have 2 options at this point a) gather all your kids into the Target dressing room and hope and pray they don’t destroy everything in site, or… b) pop some emergency formula into that handy water filled baby bottle and suddenly peace will reign!
Snack:
Now we all know that tired parents need food to fuel them throughout the long days as well as water. So grab an energy bar or two and throw them in your bag and then thank me later! My favorite are the Kind Bars and the best part is that they come in all different flavors. If your baby is up to the stages of baby food or real food you’re going to want to make sure that you have plenty of extra snacks for them as well! My favorite thing to pack are Unsweetened Applesauce Pouches, since they work for children of all ages and are loved by all!
Mini First Aid Pouch:
Now I make my own little kit (aka a ziplock bag) with all the basic essentials, but it’s also a good idea to keep a larger premade kit in places like your car. For your diaper bag make sure you have essentials like bandaids, anti-septic wipes, baby Tylenol, baby Benadryl, and of course Tylenol or Advil for yourself (you never know when that exhaustion headache might hit!) It’s important to note that all medication be kept in a secure place that baby can’t get into and always remember to call Poison Control (800) 222-1222 if, God forbid, a situation ever does arise.
Now I’d love to hear from you, what are your diaper bag essentials? Let me know, by commenting below if you have something that must go on this list!
Is there life after props?
Three Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Newborn Photographer
Finding the right Newborn Photographer for you can be an overwhelming and time consuming task, but well worth the effort invested once you find the right match. Because working with newborns is such an art, requiring lengthy skill development and an intimate knowledge of specialized safety aspects, it’s important to know what to look for when shopping around.
At APNPI, we’re passionate about helping parents find the right photographer who is skilled in their art and places safety above all. We hope you’ll enjoy the video below, where one of our lovely Ambassadors Lizzy McMillan of Momento Studios, discusses 3 of the most important questions to ask before you hire a Newborn Photographer.
About Lizzy: Lizzy McMillan is an APNPI Qualified Newborn Photographer, PPA Certified Professional Photographer, and APNPI Ambassador with a boutique maternity and newborn studio in Downtown Mesa, Arizona. She has specialized in newborn portraiture for nearly a decade and has photographed over 1200 newborns. Her extensive work with newborn twins, triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets has set her apart in the photography industry, garnered international acclaim and has earned her the apt moniker “The Multiples Whisperer™”. Lizzy is passionate about documenting family history and preserving the important moments in her clients’ lives. When she’s not snuggling newborns or teaching other photographers the art of photographing multiples, she and her husband are usually busy wrangling their three children or watching The Office on Netflix.
For more about Lizzy McMillan and her work, visit www.momentostudios.com
Documenting Motherhood – My Challenge For You
Photo: Lizzy McMillan, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com
Every January is met with a host of New Year’s resolutions, goals, good intentions and promises to ourselves that we will “do better this year.” Many of those well-intended resolutions have already been put on the backburner. We fall back in to the familiarity of daily routines and succumb to the organized chaos of raising young children. I often joke that our family is a circus, and I’m attempting to be the ringleader most days, perhaps you can relate!
Photo credit: Shannon Lee, QNP, www.ShannonLeePhotography.com
This often means that you revert to putting your children’s needs before your own, as mothers often do. You spend late nights rocking babies, evenings shuttling kids between activities and weekends juggling play dates and birthday parties. There are only so many hours in the day, so it can be difficult to carve out time just for you.
Photo: Lizzy McMillan, QNP, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com
There is no doubt about it- this season of life is hard. Tiring. Often lonely. As moms, we are inundated with so much information, opinions, and decisions about parenting, it is akin to drinking from a fire hose. It is easy to allow self-doubt to creep in to our daily thoughts, and fears of “not being the perfect mom” to fester and grow. I can guarantee you, the way you see yourself as a mom is very different than the way your children see you. While you may focus on your imperfections, your children see you as their hero.
Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com
This is where my 2018 challenge for you comes in.
Can you believe this year is almost a quarter of the way over? I can almost guarantee that your phone (or even your “big girl camera”) is filled with snapshots of your children. No doubt, you have captured photos from the fun adventures and silly moments from the first few months of this year. But mom, I have a question for you: how many of those snapshots are YOU IN?
You are a main character in your children’s family story. Your children NEED to see YOU in their pictures.
Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com
As a professional photographer, I often hear the laundry list of excuses from moms about why they can’t or don’t want to be in portraits. I want to share some of the most common excuses, and provide some insight that will hopefully inspire you to make a change this year.
“I have 15 pounds of ‘baby weight’ I need to lose first.”
Growing and birthing a baby is no easy feat. Your body is transformed before your eyes, and your once taught-skin is now soft and scarred. You are frustrated that your favorite jeans are still too tight, and your face is round.
Your child does not see the baby weight that you are struggling with. When he looks at you, he sees home. He sees your warm, cozy lap to crawl into. He sees a soft bosom to rest his head, and listen to your heartbeat. He needs to see you in his pictures.
Photo: Lizzy McMillan, CPP www.MomentoStudios.com
“I haven’t had my hair done in months. I need to get a color and cut first.”
You look in the mirror and see roots that need a touch up. You see scraggly, split ends that desperately need a trim and blow out. You see the gray hairs sneaking their way in to your once perfectly maintained mane.
Your daughter sees your soft brown curls that match her own. She loves the way you snuggle and give her tickles with the ends of your ponytail as she giggles and asks for more. But mostly, she loves twirling your hair between her fingers as she gazes up at you while nursing. She needs to see you in her pictures.
Photo credit: Liana McCorkle, QNP, www.littlelullabyphotography.com
“I look so tired”
“The baby hasn’t slept through the night yet. I have huge bags under my eyes. I’ll wait a few months until we’re both sleeping better so I don’t look so tired.”
When your son falls and scans the playground for you, he doesn’t see the “tired” on your face. His eyes lock with yours, and he sees your soft, reassuring smile telling him he’s OK. He dusts himself off, and is back on his way. He does not see the worry or the bags under your eyes. He looks at you and sees eyes that sparkle with your love, and are the same shade of hazel-green as his own. He needs to see you in his pictures.
Photo credit: Shannon Lee, QNP, www.ShannonLeePhotography.com
“Money is tight right now. We will take pictures next month/fall/spring etc. ”
Finances and budget vary for every family. I am not suggesting you put yourself or your family in a financial strain. My goal of this challenge is to encourage you to be in your family’s visual story- not just a cheerleader from the sidelines. That may mean tossing the camera at your partner, or setting your camera on a timer. I also want to encourage you to schedule a professional portrait session, or to find a way to include it in your family budget this year.
Photo credit: Mary Kriss, QNP, www.MaryKrissPhotography.com
The professional portraits and daily snapshots are your children’s visual history. They need to see you in their childhood portraits. Twenty years from now, your son will look at the portraits and see the love you gave unselfishly that shaped him into a man. Your daughter will treasure the images of your journey through motherhood as she begins her own.
Photo credit: Mary Kriss, QNP, www.MaryKrissPhotography.com
Your family history is happening right now.
My challenge to you is to get IN your photos. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so ditch the excuses. Do it for your son. Do it for your daughter. Most importantly, do it for yourself, because YOU are the glue that holds that family-circus together. One day those pictures will be all your children have left of you.
Valentine Themed Photos
Written by: Amy Tripple and Heidi Peters
It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to chocolate, hearts… and kisses. Valentine’s day is just around the corner and we wanted to share a few ways to mark the occasion.
These ideas are simple, quick and inexpensive. (Who has time to build a complicated set? We’d rather spend our time snuggling up with our loved ones!) Grab a few simple items from around the house and off you go!
1. Paper hearts
A couple of sheets of colored paper and a clear section of floor is all you need to make this simple scene. Bonus points: let your kids do the cutting – it will keep them busy and it’s great practice for those fine motor skills!
2. Hugs and Kisses
Cutest thing ever? Qute possibly. Put siblings together for a snuggle, or plant a big, wet juicy one on your little kid. We’ve seen this taken to extremes with babies entirely covered with red lipstick marks. And yeah, it’s actually really adorable.
3. Candy Hearts
Don’t know about you, but for us, seeing a picture of these little candy hearts triggers a sweet taste in our memories. So simple. So iconic. So fun. Available everywhere. Cheap. And you can eat them after they have been photographed!
4. Red Balloons
Kids. Love. Balloons.
We hope this inspires you to mark the day in your own way. Other ideas for simple props: fresh flowers, paper flowers, heart-shaped doilies, ribbons, chocolate hearts, valentine’s cards, red crayons, glitter or sequins!
