On New Borns

Taking baby photos, let me rephrase that, taking new born photos is a huge challenge for me. I was excited to do it but I was not comfortable at all. I had the parents present and had them move the baby in different positions. I was afraid to move her.

I had so many ideas in my head but I failed to execute it. The baby either cried, needed feeding, pooped, needed changing, then our time was up!

Learnings from this shoot -

Timing is important. Talk to the parents, ask when scheduled feeding would be (as I assume the baby would sleep after that). Work with the baby's schedule not yours.

Just like on adults, if you're getting new clothes, make sure it fits. You don't want the baby swimming in the clothes. 

If you're DYI-ing your props, do it properly. I created a headband with little flowers. It was cute laid out on the bed but wrapped around the baby's head, the flowers were not properly placed! Thank you Photoshop, I cloned one of the flowers and I think it came out okay.

Keep your eyes open. There are moments, unposed that could be interesting. I took this photo while mom held the baby, trying to soothe her.

Use pop of colour. Step away from the usual black or white. Play with focus.

Don't leave out the big sister/brother.

The shoot was fun. Will I do it again? Yes, but only with people I know well, who will be patient with me.

Due

My dslr has been gathering dust (yet again).  I always knew that I'd pick it up again and take it out in due time.  That time came couple of weeks ago.  Off I went (with Alvin) and forayed into maternity photography. My sister-in-law was supposedly due in a week then. 

The shoot was fun and though a bit rusty, we managed to get some decent shots. The whole family was a good sport and we all had some fun.

Here are some of the photos.

The fun and wacky side of everyone was evident in some of the photos.

Big sister is very excited and has been patiently waiting for the baby.

She promised to take care of the baby and volunteered to change diapers.

Soon, there will be tres Marias.

The Reply

It was my niece's 6th birthday couple of weeks ago.
She had a fancy cake - purple with pink trimmings and a nice Pinkalicious topper.
It was cute! I wasn't at the celebration, hoping there'd be some left-over, I kept asking her, "Where's my cake?"

The present I gave her had a card with cake drawings and added, "Where's my cake?"
A week after, she gave me a thank you card.

Front of the card

She claims it was her idea to give me this.

She asked me the same question - where's the cake?!

I got my answer when I opened the card!

Pop up card

  
We had a good laugh.

C&T

My sister got married earlier this year, thankfully without the reality TV drama. 

I wish I had taken photos that day, but I was the gofer and the secondary videographer (and after, the editor). It was still a lot of fun! 

For the video, I picked Train's songs - "Marry Me", as I thought it suits the couple's personalities, and "Soul Sister", just because I like the song :)

Side Story:  Upon their engagement announcement, I made it clear that I didn't want to be the bridesmaid. Let me be clear, not because I was avoiding the potential horrible bridesmaid's dress but because I thought it would be best to be the gofer, to relieve the bride of some stress. For the first time, I'll be the "yes, ma'am" girl to my eldest sister. It was funny that for the entire time leading up to the big day, I was more stressed than her. She had everything in her head and I have to have the list.