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Featured Photographer : Amrit Ammu
Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra IN
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?
I am a professional baby photographer based in Mumbai, India. My subjects of specialization are Newborns, Maternity, Baby and Family portraiture. Under my label “Amrit Ammu Photography” I help families to preserve their precious moments that they can cherish forever.
I am a trained newborn and baby photography under the guidance of world’s renowned photographers – Jade Gao, Ana Brandt, Kath Vergara and I keep improving my skills every year through workshops and education. I am an alumnus of ICFAI Hyderabad (MBA) and Punjab University (Mass Communication), and my journey in photography began in the year 2012 under the guidance and mentorship of ace photographers Mr. Rakesh Syal and Prof. Kanwaljit Singh.
In 2013, I launched my home-studio, which I count as one of the best decisions in my life. Following the path of my destiny, I also worked in a few companies as a copywriter, freelance writer and a manager for some time to realize my inner-calling for Baby Photography. My diverse experience adds up to the approach of managing my work, styling the photo sessions and writing unique photo stories for my clients.
I relate my inspiration of being a newborn photographer to my childhood from where I derive my inspiration of valuing life’s everyday moments – I often look back to my childhood photo albums which were clicked and created by my father- an ace photographer of his time. It is surely the most precious gift he has left behind for me and my family to rejoice how our childhood was full of colours and happiness. I knew I wanted to give out this happiness to the world and these unique experiences to preserve their precious moments for a lifetime. It enables me to make a difference in the lives of people.
In my free time I am always eager to spend time with my little one or go on a travel holiday with my family. I love to style my day with the best outfit and makeup and decorate our home sweet home with fresh plants and colours. I feel good to share my life and experiences with people about art, creativity and colours. I believe this life is all about making the most of every moment and celebrating it with loved ones.
How would you describe your photography style? What inspires your work?
My style is a mix of all my experiences and dreams. Capturing real life emotions and candid moments is at the heart of everything I do at Amrit Ammu Photography. My photography style is often found to be Natural, Playful, Modern Lifestyle Storytelling and Whimsical.
I am inspired by the different hues of the mother nature, the changing seasons and blossoming days. I am inspired by the priceless smiles and moments that families share with each other and I often feel as if living with them in those moments. I am inspired to capture those moments of joy for them. When I am able to offer my clients with timeless portraits of love and care, which brings them happy tears and joy, I feel accomplished – I feel that I have lived to my day as a baby and newborn photographer.
Who has inspried you and how did you first come across their work?
My biggest inspiration is my father – Prof. Kanwaljit Singh – who was an ace photographer of his time. His work and photography style has inspired me since I was 10 years old! He was the recipient of various international awards in photography and I look upto him in my life’s journey.
If I talk about the baby photographers, I am really inspired by the outstanding work of Heidi Hope. I am so inspired by her backdrop color pallets, creative sets and designs. I feel connected and inspired by her photography style. I came across her work when I was reading about the one of the best photo artists for Cake Smash and sitter sessions.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
I would advise them to get started in this field with training on photography and baby safety and posing. After that, it is all practice and hard work which work wonders. The best approach during the Newborn Photoshoot is to go with the baby’s flow and ensure baby’s safety and hygiene at all times. Through the journey, it is also important that we have happy conversations with the newbie parents to make them feel comfortable throughout the photo session. The trick is to just shoot how much ever you are comfortable with, considering the baby’s comfort and hygiene.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I use Sony Alpha A7R II camera and my favourite lens is Sony Zeiss FE 55mm, f/1.8
What’s in my camera bag?:
• Sony Alpha A7R II camera
• Sony Alpha A6300 camera
• Sony Zeiss FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
• Sony Zeiss FE 55mm, f/1.8
• Sony E PZ 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS
• Tripod
• Elinchrome Studio Lights
• Multiple tiny little batteries for saviour
• 64 GB SDXC Memory Cards
• Chargers, lens caps, pen brush
• Reflector
And the rest is in the making! 🙂
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
My favorite place to conduct the sessions is at my home-studio as I have full access to all the props at my studio which I can use to make my client’s session stand out. In the studio I often have control over a lot of things such as bigger props which I cannot carry to my client’s home or outdoors and it is always convenient to create my sets at the home studio.
Most of my sessions are shot in my in-home studio or on-location at a park or a beach. I love to shoot both – in the studio and outdoors.
What photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
I have attended workshops with the best Newborn and Baby photographers in the world to hone my photography skills and I feel it has really helped me along my journey. I have learned from Sujata Setia of But Natural Photography, Kath Vergera of Kath V. Photography and Jade Gao of Newborn Photography by Jade. I am also attending the Belly Baby Beyond event with Ana Brandt in 2019.
Apart from the personal training workshops, I also keep improving my skills through online education about newborn and baby photography trainings:
– Baby safety and posing for newborn photographers by Kelly brown
– Pregnancy and Newborn Photography by Ana Brandt
– Bellies and Babies by Sandy Puc
– Experimental portraits by Sue Bryce and Lara Jade
Tell us about starting your business, and what played a key role in developing a profitable income.
I started my photography business in 2013 with a home based portrait-studio at Ludhiana, India. I offered specialized sessions for Women, Kids and Families. However, it was a struggle back then to establish my business due to lack of awareness about Newborn and Maternity Photography in my city at that time. I worked hard with all that I could and slowly started getting referral business in Ludhiana for portraiture sessions.
One year later, I got married and moved to Bangalore for a year and then to Mumbai where I am currently settled. I relaunched my Baby Photography business in Mumbai in 2016 and that’s when the things changed completely for me. My business grew slowly and with each client I booked, it just started getting better and better. I welcomed everyday as a new day to make my dreams come true and when I look back, I feel immensely happy to have chosen the path of my dreams while connecting the right dots on the way.
My in-home studio based in Mumbai, India is full of love and happiness and is well equipped for Newborn Photography, Baby Sitter sessions, Cake Smash sessions, Maternity, Family portraiture and Head-shots. I look forward to keep doing better everyday!
Growing pains: tell us about some of your challenges you have faced in your business, and how you overcame them.
I have worked in multiple cities through my photography journey and it has been a challenge to start all over again and establish my client base.
One thing which helped me throughout was my photography portfolio, past client reviews and my passion to make my dreams come true. I was
focused in making things work and slowly the business started flowing.
What should clients expect when working with you?
Capturing real life emotions and candid expressions is at the heart of everything we do at ‘Amrit Ammu Photography’. Our in-home studio in Mumbai offers parents a memorable photo shoot experience through beautiful imagery of their tiny tots.
We work closely to bring alive the magic of your unique stories through our conceptual themes and creative sets in our studio or on-location. Our portraiture sessions are full of fun with a pop of colour and carefully selected props without compromising your baby’s hygiene and safety. Your baby’s safety is utmost important for us.
We believe that special moments of your story deserve to relive for years to come and we understand what makes a moment euphoric – we not only write about those magical ones through our viewfinder but also feature the picture perfect moments of your beautiful story on our Blog.
From capturing the incoherence of a newborn baby to the balancing act of a gurgling toddler, from playful kids to young adults, we have it all covered! If you’re an expectant mother, your exuberance is sure to show and we are here to make it count! Your journey with your friends and families sharing special occasions together and much more… allow us to capture your stunning portraits and PRESERVE PRECIOUS MOMENTS forever!
That precious candid smile which gleams through when they place the baby in your arms and you suddenly feel the surge of unconditional love that you never felt before.
Session Spotlight: Arlo, Naturally Posed Studio lifestyle
The story behind this session…
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.
She sat on the bed to burp him and this beautiful moment happened. No direction needed.
I love my baby lounger, the babies are comfortable in it and just look at the eye contact!
Happy relaxed baby, happy relaxed family.
Session by: Lizzie Gilmour Photography
New Zealand Photographer with a natural light home studio in New Plymouth, Taranaki. Specialising in Portraits, with a natural style using organic materials and fibre. Currently offering mentoring and workshops in New Zealand.
Find out more about this photographer at:
APNPI Image Competition – Judging Event Broadcast
Have you ever wondered how images are judged?
Come join us for our Accreditation Judging Event! Follow along as our qualified judges provide critique and suggestions for improvement on our most recent APNPI Accreditation Submissions. Learn invaluable tips to improve your imagery from industry experts with an eye for detail.
On Wed May 8, we’ll be airing our pre-recorded Image Competition Judging Event. You’ll have access to the replays for 24 hours.
Best of luck to all of our members who have submitted their images!
Our Judges for Round One of the 2019 Image Competition…
Dana Pugh is an internationally recognized, award winning family and children’s photographer who has been documenting families across North America since 2007. She was named the first ever NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year for her work in 2010. She has a quirky, emotional style that focuses less on her and more on the people who are in front of her lens. Most importantly, she is a mom to two amazing kids and a wife to wonderfully supportive husband. Together they enjoy traveling the world and experiencing new things. Dana’s studio is located in Okotoks, Alberta.
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
Julia Kelleher is a Nikon Ambassador, WPPI and PPA Master, PPA Master Artist and APNPI Ambassador. In business 13 years she specializes in newborn, children and family portraits out of her retail studio in Bend, OR. She is a seasoned judge and print competitor, having won multiple prestigious awards from all over the world. She is a passionate educator, teaching creatives how to strategically run their businesses with profitability and efficiency, while at the same time helping them balance family and personal obligations. She is a marketing guru, having helped multiple studios grow from in-home start-ups to 6-figure retail companies with steady, loyal clients and systemized processes.
Lisa Digeso is The owner of Milk & Honey photography & founder of The Milky Way ~ a Photographers Resource. As a photographer she has 10 years of experience working with tiny newborns, focusing and teaching on safety, posing, lighting & business. The Milky Way is the creator of The online Retreat Series, & The Joyful Photographer. Lisa loves to encourage, empower and educate photographers to create the business, Art & loves of their dreams. Lisa lives in Kamloops BC, white her hubby, son & 3 Maine coon cats.
Featured Photographer : Kristina Fainstein
Located in Menifee, Califórnia US
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I love SONY since I was a kid. I simply feel that helps me do magic 🙂 Usually, I use F1.4/85mm, F2.8/24-70mm, F3.5/35 mm, F2.8/70-200mm, and macro (love all of them)
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
Most of my sessions are in studio, but I love to go outdoor as well.
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
I took AnaBrandt classes, and still life member there. Went to Belly Baby Convention, Baby & Kid Convention, and other mentoring clasesses.
What should clients expect when working with you?
Years goes by, but my soul keeps the child in it. As a child I loved to do all artistic things that were fulfilling my heart and soul with joy. I love to paint, I paint Disney characters on my girl bedrooms walls. That feeling, when you master some beautiful and amazing results, I have with my photography sessions. In each session I add a big part of my artistic side, not just taking pictures. When parents show their emotions when they see final result of their babies portraits , there is not more satisfying thing for an artist.
You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little older than they were today. This day is a gift, breath and notice, smell and touch them , study their face and little feet, Pay attention, Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today, it will be over before you know it...
Once you bring kids into your world, it's not about you anymore.....
I grew to understand that people don't always build walls to keep others out. It's done out of a necessity to protect whatever is left within....
Every day, in a hundred small ways our children ask: Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do I matter? Their behavior often reflects our response...
Session Spotlight: Blessed with a little girl!
The story behind this session…
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! 🙂
Session by: Dana Menendez Photography
I started specializing in Maternity and Newborn Portraits right around the time my son was born.
I was obsessed with documenting every moment of his life! What started out as a hobby as turned into a passion and I absolutely love making memories for other families.
Every year I take numerous workshops, whether online or in-person to keep up with the trends and to make sure all poses are done safely.
I am certified in Infant CPR and fully licensed and insured.
Find out more about this photographer at:
Featured Photographer : Neelam Vyas
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?
I am Neelam Vyas, an Engineer by profession and a photographer by passion. Multiple hours of professional photographic training, focussed self study and best of all, years of photographing newborns, children, families, and maternity have made me the photographer I am today.I first discovered my love for photography upon the birth of my second child when I just wanted to “capture the memories”. As I photographed my child’s glorious smiles and wrinkly expressions, his increasing curiosity with our world, and his delightful discoveries, I realized photographing these moments was my passion. I realized that the result, the actual photographs, are a timeless gift of wonderful memories that we can make for ourselves and our children.Today, I pursue photography professionally. As a parent myself, I love to capture the bond, the most meaningful moments, what the parents feel for their child and the child’s reciprocation and delight in the most natural way. I’ve got the best of camera and lens and am confidently creative with props. I’m skilled at posing and lighting. Take a look through my photo gallery to see what I can do for you and your family.
How would you describe your photography style? What inspires your work?
I love creating different pictures with simplicity yet with colors…my pictures are original and I think of different ideas and create something new every time. My son who is 5 year old was my inspiration for my work …and now everyday life inspires me to create new ideas with Indian traditional touch.
Who has inspried you and how did you first come across their work?
Kelly Brown …I love her timeless pictures with minimum props. I came across her in Creative Live, Facebook and Online Website.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
Practice Practice and Practice…every day its a new story every day baby is different. and be confident about yourself as even newborn babies feel the vibes.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
5D mark 4 Canon24-70mm for newborns and studio pictures200mm F2 favourite for outdoors100mm f 2.8 macro
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
My home studio and sometimes at client’s house.
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
Belly Baby and Beyond 2017 CaliforniaIn person newborn photography training by Erin Elizabeth.In person training with Amy McDaniel in Newborn studio light and natural light workshop.
Tell us about starting your business, and what played a key role in developing a profitable income.
I started my business 3 years before. I was going to a nearby maternity hospital and use to give one free complimentary pictures to parents and show others if they are interested to buy. It gave me lot of experience working with 2-3-4-5 days old babies.
Growing pains: tell us about some of your challenges you have faced in your business, and how you overcame them.
Here in India parents don’t come out of the house before 40 days for shoot…but this is what I wanted to overcome and I use post every day a newborn picture which I use to click at maternity hospital and right now over a period of 3 years parents come to my home studio with 15 days old babies.
What should clients expect when working with you?
They will best quality pictures , comfort zone as I have home studio, friendly enviorment and latest props all over the world and highly equipped home studio.
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.
Vendor Feature – SHOOT BABY
Hello APNPI Community!
We are so excited to share this week’s #FeatureVendor interview with all of you! SHOOTBABY is an incredible resource for posing bags, jersey knits in beautiful hues, roll up floors and so much more!
We were so glad that Penny agreed to our interview to learn more about her incredible store and how she can help our #APNPIMembers create incredible imagery for their clients the worldover.
Tell us a little bit about SHOOT BABY! Store, what part of the world you’re based out of and how SHOOT Baby Store got started.
We are a small team of 3 (1 Australian – me! 1 American and 1 Brit) that operate the three SHOOT BABY! stores/warehouses located in the USA, Australia and the UK.
The SHOOT BABY! store first opened in 2009 with the launch of our pioneering product – the Newborn Posing Beanbag. Our beanbag was the first beanbag specifically designed for newborn photographers and remains as popular today as it was back then, with thousands of photographers around the world owning one.
The store has grown over the years to include other quality products for photographers and we are always looking for new items to add to the store.
What are some of your favourite products that SHOOT BABY! Store has ever created? What made it so special or exciting?
Definitely my favourite product is our Newborn Posing Beanbag. It was the first product I ever created so it has a special place in my heart. I have received countless emails from people, who have bought/owned other types of beanbags, that have gone out of their way to email me and say how much more they like their SHOOT BABY! Beanbag, which is really sweet!
How do you come up with new ideas or where do you find inspiration?
I have a bit of an entrepreneurial mind and am often thinking about new ideas. I look to see what is needed or missing in the industry and go from there. I created the Newborn Posing Beanbag back in 2008 because there wasn’t anything else like it in the market, at the time.
How can your business help our Maternity and Newborn Photographers?
SHOOT BABY! has been selling products for Newborn Photographers since 2009… it’s our 10th Birthday this September! We have been around since the beginning – when the newborn photography industry really took off in popularity. We remain on top of any current trends and have 3 warehouse locations around the world, so that shipping costs are minimal for our customers. We strive to offer quality products and excellent customer service.
Have any favourite quotes/motto’s you live by that guide your business?
‘Treat your customers like Gold’ is one quote from my old friend and newborn photographer Kristen Cook, that has always stuck in my mind. Without customers, your business is nothing.
Anything else you would like us to know about SHOOT BABY! Store?
Some news from just this past week is that our new Jersey Backdrops and matching Stretch Wraps will also be stocked in our UK and Australian stores this coming April/May 2019! These products can now be pre-ordered!
Also – for those who have followed us for awhile now – I am still working on creating the perfect Beanbag Stand! I have a prototype currently being built here in Australia so fingers crossed this is the one!
Thank you so much Penny for answering our questions! We are so happy that you are part of the #APNPIVendorTeam !!!
To learn more about SHOOT Baby Store you can find them here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shootbabystore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyshootbaby/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/shootbaby/
Website: https://shootbaby.com/ (USA Store)
https://shootbaby.co.uk/ (UK Store)
https://shootbaby.com.au/ (Australian Store)
APNPI Accreditation – Judging Event Broadcast – April 2
Have you ever wondered how images are judged?
Come join us for our Accreditation Judging Event! Follow along as our qualified judges provide critique and suggestions for improvement on our most recent APNPI Accreditation Submissions. Learn invaluable tips to improve your imagery from industry experts with an eye for detail.
On Tuesday April 2, we’ll be airing our pre-recorded Accreditation Judging Event. You’ll have access to the replays for 24 hours. There are 16 applications that are being judged ON April 2nd. That video will be available on the 2nd (sometime before 10pm) however may be delayed due to software rendering.
Best of luck to all of our members who have submitted for this round of Accreditations!
*** A big Thank You to our Competition Judges, who judged the overflow of Accreditation submissions today, in Round 3 for the Feb 5th deadline. To learn more about them, please visit our competition blog post HERE. ***
Our Judges for this round…
Patricia van den Bogaart – Specializes in fine art newborn photography that is pure, exclusive and timeless. Available in studio and location, working with natural light only.
Newbornphotography workshops & mentor focussed on quality not volume
Workshops & mentor van hoog niveau gefocust op kwaliteit, niet op volume
Bronze award BPP Germany
Silver Qualification the Netherlands
International Portrait Photographer of High Performance
Robin Long – Robin Long is an APNPI Qualified Newborn Photographer and Ambassador,
Multi-Award-Winning International Photographer, Speaker, Teacher and Author of the book, “Natural Newborn Baby Photography,” translated into five languages.She has captured Newborns and Motherhood portraits over the past 14 years and has educated
hundreds of aspiring and seasoned photographers all over the world.
Robin’s work is recognized in the industry by her woven-in-the wombapproach with an emphasis in capturing “womb-like” characteristics of a newborn baby that exemplifies the complexity of God’s masterful creation.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:13-16
Bryan Caporicci – Bryan is an award-winning wedding and portrait photographer based out of Fonthill, Canada. In 2014, he was awarded his Masters of Photographic Arts (MPA) designation by the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), making him one of the youngest Canadian photographers to receive this level of achievement. Bryan is the lead content creator at SproutingPhotographer.com and the host of the Sprouting Photographer Podcast. He teaches at workshops across North America, including industry-leading conventions and conferences such as WPPI, Shutterfest and Canada Photo Convention. Bryan is also the CEO and Founder of Sprout Studio.
Simone Silvério – Simone is passionate about motherhood kids, family and everything
surrounding this universe being herself a mother of four and recently a grandmother.
Despite having had photography as a hobby since her youth Simone had a very
successful 15-year career in the financial market with a Business Administration
degree and an MBA from one of the top Business schools in Brazil and later an
Architecture degree from the top institution in Brazil.
Since taking up the activities of her studio and becoming a full time photographer
in 2010 she has photographed thousands of newborns, babies and pregnant women,
becoming a reference in the Brazilian photographic market with online courses
published, repeated participation in all of the major events and conferences,
workshops throughout the country and a published book, “Baby Photography -Passion
and Technique” released in 2017 that became a key reference for all photographers in
that field.
Simone is also one of the founders and the first president of the Brazilian
Association of Newborn Photographers -ABFRN and a Certified Professional
Photographer of the prestigious PPA – Professional Photographers of America as well as an Ambassador for APNPI.
Featured Photographer : Abrah Zion
Located in New Bedford, Massachusetts US
“Take as many courses as you can. Try to get some hands on experience with in person classes and workshops. Make sure you have your EIN number and insurance and put safety health above everything else.”
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 a lot of other newborn photographers, my oldest daughter was my inspiration to get into newborn photography. I’ve always loved photography since I was little, but once I held my precious baby in my arms, I knew I had to take classes so I could take gorgeous photos of her. At first, I believed it was just a hobby. But I fell in love with capturing the special time in a family’s life and I went on and took more courses, applied for my EIN number, bought insurance and became a thriving photography studio. Besides newborns, I also do maternity, birth, babies, toddlers, children and families.
How would you describe your photography style? What inspires your work?
My work is very fun and whimsical. While, I also include simple setups/photos in all of my sessions, I also have a couple of fun setups as well. I like people seeing my work and giggling with joy at the cuteness of the setup. love including setups that mean something to each family – whether it’s dad’s favorite sport team, mom’s favorite movie, etc. The families I work with inspire me. I customize every session – I sit down with each family for a consultation beforehand and we plan it out. I get really excited when they tell me things they love – it challenges me to come up with adorable setups. Then at their ordering sessions, when they cry at the work I’ve shown them, it warms my heart and keeps the spark going.
Who has inspried you and how did you first come across their work?
Anne Geddes was my first inspiration. I just remember seeing her books and calendars back in the 90’s and falling in love. I loved the whimsy and fun that all of her photos represented. Then I found Kelly Brown and Ana Brandt. They are my inspirations for having a great workflow, learning to safely pose newborns (I took 2 in person workshops with Ana Brandt and did several online classes with Kelly Brown) and creating gorgeous works of art.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
Don’t expect to be perfect over night. Just like everything else in life, it takes practice. Take as many courses as you can. Try to get some hands on experience with in person classes and workshops. Make sure you have your EIN number and insurance and put safety health above everything else. Don’t rush anything. When you first start out, you’re not going to be able to do a “froggy”. That’s ok. Concentrate on the simple poses. With practice and perseverance you will get there! Don’t give up! Also, don’t compare yourself to others. Only compare yourself and compete with yourself.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I shoot with a Nikon D750. My favorite indoor lenses are my Sigma Art 35 mm 1.4, my Nikkor 50 mm 1.8 and my Nikkor 105mm 2.8 macro. When I’m shooting outdoors, my Nikkor 70-200 mm 2.8 and my Nikkor 85 mm 1.4 are my favorites. In my bag, I always have an extra SD card and an extra charge battery.
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
The majority of my sessions are held in my 950 square feet studio. I find for newborns, it’s the best place as parents get to relax on my couches, enjoy coffee, tea, water, snacks that I provide and I can control the temperature in the room, the lighting, etc. In the summertime, I do a lot of family sessions and maternity outdoors. I enjoy those as well. I love doing them during golden hour and getting the gorgeous warm lighting.
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
I have taken 2 in person workshops with with Ana Brandt, I’ve also done two 1:1 mentoring with a local newborn photographer. In addition I’ve taken online workshops and purchased online videos with Kelly Brown and Meg Bitton.
Tell us about starting your business, and what played a key role in developing a profitable income.
I officially started my business in 2011. From 2011 until 2014, I wasn’t seeing much money at all. I was a shoot and burn photographer at that point. However, in 2014, I started doing IPS and it was a huge game changer for me. I started offering gorgeous and unique products and offering a full service – meeting ahead of time for a consultation to plan out the sessions, then after the sessions having an in person ordering session to help the families choose the best photos and the best products for their needs. As soon as I switched to the IPS business model, my profits soared. Though, it’s more work to do consultation, in person sales, placing products orders, etc. as oppose to just sending them a gallery, it has made a tremendous difference in my profits and has also helped to set me apart for the majority of photographers around me.
Growing pains: tell us about some of your challenges you have faced in your business, and how you overcame them.
I’m a bit of a “propoholic”. So I struggle with storage of all of my props. I finally turned my spare bedroom at my house into a storage room for my off season props and that has helped a lot.
Finding time to balance work and my family has also been a challenge. While it’s still an ongoing challenge at times, I’ve hired assistants to help alleviate the load.
One of my biggest challenges was when I made the switch from shoot and burn to IPS. I lost a lot of clients and it was devastating to me. But then I started gaining new clients that appreciated my dedication to my work, the personalization and the high quality products I offer. All it took was patience and working on reaching my ideal client and realizing that not everyone is my ideal client.
What should clients expect when working with you?
I customize everything so my sessions are just what my clients are dreaming of. I meet with each client in person to discuss everything from their hobbies, their work, their favorite colors, and the colors of the walls in their home so that the photos I create are just what they have envisioned or even better. I have a very relaxed atmosphere and a fully stocked studio so clients just need to bring me their adorable babies and food. I supply everything else. Parents can watch as I do a adorable poses with their babies, or they can relax and nap on my couches. My aim is to make everyone 100% happy with their experience and their photos.
