Post relating to Photography of Newborns and Babies
Wow hadn’t realised how long it was since I last blogged. The School holidays came, the agility season started, Weddings, Newborns, dogs, horses, holidays, training camps it has just been busy, busy.
I will endeavour to get back into blogging and share some lovely images.
Here are a few from the summer.
Thank you for reading my post…. please feel free to drop by my website www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk
At last I glad to be able to announce some changes to Mel Taylor Photography. I have always been one to follow my heart and passions so I have decided to focus the business on the areas which I enjoy most.
Canine and Equine Photography and Child Portraits will be the areas I am specialising in. They say never work with Animals or children but I love the challenge that they bring and having worked with horses, owned my own horses, ponies and dogs and a being mother of two and step mum to a soon to be 21 yr old, I feel that I have plenty of knowledge and experience in all these areas.
I will also continue taking wedding bookings as I love spending the day capturing this special day for couples, but will only be taking on a small number of weddings each year to ensure that they get the time that I feel they need to ensure a quality end product.
A big thank you to Peajaykay of East Hanney for my new logo. www.peajaykay.com
The updated website will launch in the next few days!
Canine & Equine Photography
Children
Newborn & Babies – First week to First birthday.
Toddlers to Teens – 1 Year to 21
Weddings
You never stop learning in life and photography is no different. I attend regular workshops and mentoring to ensure that I am providing the best photography that I can to my clients. Learning about new techniques, equipment and posing all the time.
I recently had the pleasure of attending a workshop at the Baby Whisper Academy which is run by International award-winning photographer and Olympus principal Damian McGillicuddy, he is also joined by two experienced and award-winning Newborn/Child photographers Karen Wilshire and Jocelyn Conway. The combination of the three give for a great learning process.
It was a long trek to Chester where Damian is based but well worth the journey. I have trained previously with Karen on several occasions and have always found her an inspiration. It was great to learn from two other highly respected photographers too.
Jocelyn is a trained midwife and so brings a vast amount of baby knowledge to the table. The training was veryfocused as it should be on the safety of the babies in your care and what can and can not be done with them, how best to soothe and pose them and keep them warm but not too hot. Safety is something that is key to all my sessions.
I would definitely recommend the training to other photographers, there are so many photographers out there doing baby photography that have not had adequate training on baby safety and the correct posing and lighting techniques.
The first day we had some gorgeous babies. Some more sleepy that others and we concentrated more on the beanbag poses that everyone loves. I love these shots the most, simple but so sweet, every baby is different, some like to lie on their sides, others prefer to be knees down, some will let you place the hands like in this picture, others just throw them about. The key for these is that baby must be asleep and getting them sleepy is also a skill set that has to be learnt. I often find my Newborn 1st Mums being happy that they have learnt some new soothing techniques from the sessions. Patience is also require. Everything has to be done at the babies pace and this is why Newborn sessions are normally 2-3 hrs long.
I encourage parents to bring things with them to sessions that they have bought for their new baby or a grandparent has given them. Simple little props can make for very nice images. How cute is this little one with his mouse and look at his gorgeous hair!
If the baby is not settling then swaddling or wrapping often helps sooth them. They feel snug and secure like this and will drop off to sleep more easily.
The second day was spent looking at different sets and the best ways to light them. We were even lucky enough to have a sibling come too! I just love this set up. The baby girl was gorgeous and was completely sparko, taking into consideration these images were taken in a studio with 7 photographers present, three trainers plus this baby and childs parents and another baby with its parent. The just going to prove that quiet is not required for getting a baby off to sleep! How did they get the little boy to look so intently at his sister? Now there is a new trick I learnt! Belive me, you would not have got this shot with out it!
This next set was created using a lovely wooden basket and wood panels, after a nice feed the baby was happy to have a little nap and let us photograph him. I wonder what he was dreaming about? I love this bowl and it has been added to my shopping list!
We finshed the prop sets using a little bed, not usually something that I like but I have to say I was rather taken by this one and this beautiful little girl did look so angelic on the set. I have to say by the end of the two days of learning and exchanging ideas with the other delegates I could have done with a sleep in that bed myself. However, I had a four hour journey home but the course was very good and I look forward to attending any further sessions in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you would like information about my Newborn/baby shoots please go to my website – http://www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk/newborns_and_babies.html
Newborn babies have always fascinated me. So tiny and delicate, I remember spending hours watching mine just sleeping, taking note of all the different facial expressions they would give, those gorgeous little windy smiles that you like to believe are proper smiles and the little noises that they make.
Sadly when mine were born I was working full-time and was not doing the photography professionally, yes I had a camera and I have some lovely images but wish I had some of the images I now take of other people’s babies of my boys that I could put on the wall.
I have the images that they do at the hospital but the quality is not good and I also have some taken by Emma’s diary and they are cute but not the lovely sleepy poses that Newborn photography is about now.
These images are not captured in a short period of time, when I say to a prospective client that they should allow 2-4 hours for the session, I often think they wonder why.. It does seem like an awfully long time, how could it possibly take so long…….. so I decided to write this post to describe what happens in a typical session. Although having said that every session is completely different because every baby is unique.
I like to think of my sessions being a lovely experience with your baby, a morning out of the house, someone to chat to, and some special time with your baby. I provide beverages and biscuits throughout the session and partners are also welcome if you want some images of all of you.
The session is based around your baby and their needs. I work in a home environment which is nice and relaxing for you and the baby. On arrival most babies are asleep from the car journey. We will spend a little time discussing what type of images you are after and what colour schemes you prefer.
Depending on babies sleep pattern and feeding will depend on whether we can start straight away or if a feed is required. If a feed is needed then it can be another 3/4 hr before we have your little one, fed, winded and settled back to sleep. If we are fighting sleep at this point I will do some awake shot and the parent images. 
It is usually best one baby has been fed that I take over and get baby off to sleep. You are with me all the time but it gives you time to chill out, have a break and something to eat and drink. Once sound asleep we will start on the beanbag getting the lovely sleepy poses. Not all babies like all positions, I never force a baby into a position it does not like and your babies safety is priority at all times.
The studio is kept nice and warm and white noise is played to help soothe baby. No need to panic if there are any accidents, I am used to wee and poo! It’s not often I have a session with out at least one toilet accident! The main thing is not to get stressed or embarrassed, everything is washable. I do always advice bringing plenty of spare nappies! It’s usally a good source of entertainment and laughter!
After we have got different shots on the beanbag I will either do a different colour set or move on to propped sets. All will depend on how settled baby is. We often have another feed at this point so another 3/4 hr can go on feeding, winding and changing. Some will sleep for a few hours at a time while here and some will hold off sleeping until the last half hour of the session. I have never not got Mum and Dad shots that they adore and if for some reason baby is very unsettled I would advise finishing and coming back another day.
After the session has finished, I will process the images to the highest quality and you will be invited back to view the images and chose the products that you would like. I supply a variety of High Quality Wall Art options, Albums , Prints and Digital Packages. Something to suit everyone’s budget.
Thank you for reading the post. If you would like any further information then take a look at my website http://www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk or call me on 01235 763359.
Happy New Year to you all. 2015 will bring change Mel Taylor Photography with increased focus on Maternity, Newborns and Childrens Photography and building on my Pet Portraiture. So I will kick off the New Year with Maternity, knowing that there will be many new little feet arrriving in the world soon to capture their parents hearts!
Click Here for Maternity Video: http://show-vid.com/view/2gw94ax4
Article in the Papers ref – Mel Taylor Photography
Click on Link below to read the full article.
I am offering Newborn and Baby photography in Oxfordshire. My aim is to bring beautiful but simplistic Newborn and Baby photography to Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas.
Newborn baby session are best done in the first 7-12 days, although having spent two weeks in hospital with my first baby I know that this is not always possible. Therefore we can try to get the sleepy poses everyone loves so much up to 8 weeks old. If your baby is older than this then don’t discount the option but give me a call to discuss what the best options are, depending on your babies routine.
All sessions are based in my home studio and the pace of the session is determined by your baby and his or her sleeping patterns. I usually suggest that you allow up to four hours for a Newborn session which accommodates, feeding time, winding, nappy changes, cuddles, soothing to sleep and change of photographic sets. Light refreshments are provided and you will be with your baby at all times. Mum and Dad can both be involved or you can double up with a friend and share a session and have a good catch up at the same time.
Prior to your session I will talk to you about whether you have any favorite hobbies that we may try to set a theme for, and what colour schemes you like. You are welcome to bring toys and personal items from home to use as props, but I also have a good selection here.
Newborn Baby Portrait sessions can be provisionally booked prior to the birth and if your baby is late or early the session can be moved accordingly. Why not treat yourself to a “Watch Me Grow” session and get three studio sessions for the price of two and capture the important milestones in their first year. For further details and images please look at my website www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk
Older baby sessions are usually an hour to an hour and a half long. This allows time for your baby to get comfortable in the new surroundings and with me, and a few changes of set and outfits. It is best to book your appointment for the time of day that your baby is normally alert and happiest.
Please “Like” my Facebook business page and share with friends to keep up to date on the latest offers and promotions. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call me on 01235 763359.
