 This week on the blog we're going to discuss some important questions that I think every parent needs to ask the photographer that will be creating portrait photos of their precious baby. I will list the questions and then my answers, but even if you don't choose me to photograph your baby I would highly recommend these questions be asked of any newborn photographer to make sure you get the best and safest person to work with your family. First the questions: 1. Are you a registered business and are you insured? 2. How is safety a priority for your business? 3. Do you have a studio or will you come to our home? 4. What is your background? 5. Do you use an assistant? 6. What age do you consider "newborn"? Now my answers and why I think it is important to ask each question: 1. Are you a registered business and are you insured? Yes Jessica Esplin Photography is registered as a business with the State of California and Santa Clara County. Yes I am insured through PPA. Yes I have general liability insurance. I think this is important to differentiate those who will take photography seriously and those who are just doing this as a hobby. The very first thing I did before I started accepting money from clients was to make sure to register for a business license complete with tax number and all fees associated paid up front. Having a business license means I have permission to run my business here in Santa Clara County. I also make sure to get any appropriate permits that are required in order to be allowed to photograph professionally at the outdoor locations where I take my clients. According to the Law Tog, "(Liability) insurance is especially critical for photographers working in sensitive specializations (wedding, newborn, extreme sports, etc.) This insurance works as an umbrella to provide protection against legal actions arising from injuries, accidents and other claims." When it comes to the client's perspective this is the most important insurance for their photographer to have because it deals with the client directly if there is ever an accident or related issue. We all hope we never need to make a claim on our insurance but it is there "just in case". Better safe than sorry.  2. How is safety a priority for your business? Safety is SOOOO important for me and my business. I have had ongoing training from a newborn physiologist and a one time online training conference hosted by SIB that featured a registered neonatal nurse (who specializes in neonatal guidelines as a consultant for the government). I have also had training online specifically for safety from one of the best newborn photographer around the world Kelly Brown. Kelly Brown is one of the top advocates for newborn safety and has taught it often. The training I have had covered newborn physiology, reflexes and safety as well as the best practices when handling a newborn baby in a variety of photographic poses that are used in my business. I make sure to sanitize my props before every session (which is one reason I limit my newborn sessions to one per day). I wash my hands before touching any baby. I am vaccinated and get my yearly flu shot. I move newborns very gently and follow their cues. I use Photoshop to create composite images of any pose that requires more support. Let me know if you have any questions about what any of these precautions mean.  3. Do you have a studio or will you come to our home? I am exclusively an on location photographer. My family and maternity sessions take place outdoors in a variety of locations around the Bay Area. My newborn sessions take place in my client's home. For me it is important to visit my clients' homes because becoming a new parent is a huge challenge. I want you to be comfortable in your own environment. I don't want you to have to worry about getting stuck in traffic. I don't want you to worry about going outside your home where you might encounter a variety of germs that exist there. I don't want you to worry about forgetting something at home. If you need an outfit change (in case the baby pees or poos on you!) I want you to have options and to be able to change in the comfort of you own space. I think having a session in your own home makes the session easier for you. I could go on and on, but let me just say that I think it is important to feel safe and secure and what better place than your own home. In my newborn prep guide I let you know how to prepare your home for your session (what you do and what you don't need to do to get ready). 4. What is your background? I have studied newborn photography since 2013. I have learned from many newborn photography instructors including: Kelly Brown, Julia Kelleher, Ana Brandt, Luisa Dunn, and many more. I attend an annual online newborn photography conference hosted by Lisa DiGeso with The Milky Way. I am a mom of three kids. I also am in charge of caring for the older babies in my church's nursery. Which means I know all of the best toddler songs that are popular these days to help get the attention of your older baby! Ha ha!  5. Do you use an assistant? I do not use an assistant at this point. If there is ever a pose that I use that needs an extra pair of hands I will ask baby's mom or dad or other adult available at the session. I most closely follow the methodology of Kelly Brown in my newborn photography business; she also uses her clients as her newborn assistant as needed. This is a good question to ask to make sure that someone whether it is you or a dedicated assistant is helping the photographer out with difficult poses. There really are certain poses that should absolutely not be created solely by the photographer; it takes a team to create certain poses. Some of these poses are called: froggy pose, potato sack pose, and occasionally the chin on hands pose. And while I'm talking about poses I want to point out that some poses are created with Photoshop Magic: a good example of this is the hanging/stork pose. Baby should never be held suspended over anything because there is a greater risk of falling. Someone should be near the baby at all times just in case the baby startles and moves rapidly into an unsafe position. 6. What age do you consider "newborn"? For most of the newborn photography world the best time to photograph a newborn baby is when they are under 14 days old (sometimes younger than 10 days old is recommended). After two weeks babies are generally more awake and a little harder to settle into the iconic curly newborn poses. Additionally, things like colic and baby acne often start to manifest after about two weeks of age. However I as a mother understand that having a baby often turns your life upside down and so I will gladly accept a baby for a newborn session up to six weeks of age (after that they can still be photographed in a non-newborn Portrait session). If this is the case with your baby please just let me know when you book so we can discuss the limitations and manage expectations of your older newborn's photography experience. Some photographers draw a firm line when it comes to the age that they will photograph a newborn. If your baby is "too old" you are out of luck with those photographers. And I don't think that is very fair. And I love all of the babies, so I will be happy to photograph them! 
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 As I've mentioned in the session details on this website, I just love it when my clients bring something to their session that has special meaning. I’ve had them bring special knitted or crocheted blankets as well as hats that were made by grandmas or close friends. Another one of my favorites is incorporating mom and dad’s wedding rings into baby’s portrait. But there’s also no reason your special item couldn’t be something you buy or make yourself, it will become special because you will use it with your own baby. But how do you find something that will be extra meaningful?  Here’s some ideas about how to find something special: First ask your parents or grandparents or other close relatives if they know of any special baby blankets or outfits that you can borrow. When I did my own daughter's photos (which by-the-way is not something I’d recommend and will be a topic of a future blog post!) I had her wear this beautiful dress that I myself had worn as a baby (see below on the right). See if they have any ideas about anything that might be meaningful. For example I once had a client bring in strings of pearls for their little girl because that was something important to her and her mom and in her family. Do you or any of your close friends or relatives knit, sew or crochet? Ask them if they would be willing to make you something special for your baby. Stick with simple and classic patterns and designs for optimal results. Avoid trendy patterns. Simple white knitted or crocheted blankets have been some of my favorite items to work with. Do you have any cute stuffed animals that were gifts for your baby? Maybe put one on your registry so you might get it at your baby shower! I love stuffies that are fluffy and small so that baby can cuddle it in his or her arms. But I’ve seen some really cute photos where the stuffed animal is so big that it cuddles the baby in its arms! Keep the colors and patterns simple so it doesn’t overshadow your baby as a focal point in the photos.
 Check Etsy. Etsy can be a dangerous place with all of the super adorable baby apparel that so many of the different vendors make. But it is a gold mine! Some of my favorite shops are: No2WillowLane, polkadotsandsunshine, and OlgaBabyProps. Try searching “newborn photography outfit” for more ideas, and don’t forget to include the gender of your baby in the search to improve results (or if it’s a surprise, then stick with “neutral”). Look for outfits that are RTS or ready to ship so that we can make sure the item arrives before your baby’s portrait session. Consider what you and your partner enjoy. Think about special occasions or interests you share. Do you have a unique hobby? What types of music, outdoor activities, or movies do you love? Do you play piano, guitar or some other instrument? Do you have a favorite sports team? Do you just love Harry Potter?! Let me know and we can plan a setup together for your session that will celebrate what you love. For example, I have several vendors that I work with that create special digital backdrops based on favorite movie or book characters and many activities such as sports or musical talents. From there we can consult prop vendors that can create coordinating props. Pitter-Pats Creations and the Felted Attic Newborn Prop Shop are two of my favorite vendors that create themed props and outfits. There really are so many possibilities!
 Edit: New video is up!! I just created a video for my Facebook business page's banner that explains what you can expect from working with me here at Jessica Esplin Photography. I also uploaded a square version to Instagram. I figure it's probably good to post here on my blog as well, so here you go! ETA: I just uploaded a full resolution version to the Home Page, go check it out! Did you know August is National Immunization Awareness Month? As a newborn photographer it is very important to me that I take every possible precaution to ensure the safety of the babies and young children that I photograph. All of my vaccinations are up to date and I always get a yearly flu shot. I believe vaccines help to protect the most vulnerable among us: those that are very young, very old, or someone with any type of immunosuppression. For more information on how vaccines save lives or to learn how you can spread awareness of the importance of being immunized check out the CDC's page on National Immunization Awareness Month.   For all of the newborn sessions that I offer: these take place in the comfort of your home so that you don’t have to worry about going anywhere with your tiny baby (just getting out of the house for that first doctor’s appointment can be an ordeal).  1. Mini Newborn Session – I only photograph the baby (or babies in case of multiples) and it takes about one hour. Pros: short session saves time and money, gets all of the details you want to remember about your baby. Cons: doesn’t include family, especially parents; some moms don’t feel like being in front of the camera right after birth, but it’s important for your child when they grow up so they can remember how much you loved them when they were born.  2. Full Newborn Session – I photograph the baby with their parents and any other immediate family members (such as older siblings) and it takes typically between 2 and 3 hours. Pros: everyone that matters most in baby’s life can be photographed too, more session time = more photos! Cons: most expensive session I offer and can be very time consuming  3. Lifestyle Session – The goal of a lifestyle session is to document the details of your newborn and their family in their new environment, especially in the nursery or in another beautiful location in your home. Pros: more casually structured session, can include family members, less expensive than a full session Cons: less time than a full newborn session, no iconic newborn poses  4. Fresh 48 – this session takes place in the first 48 hours of a baby’s life at the hospital or birthing center. Pros: captures the first days of your baby’s life, can include family Cons: Mom may feel exhausted after giving birth or during recovery  5. Maternity – take photos of your baby while they’re still in your belly! Even though we can’t see your baby yet many moms love to capture their baby bump in all its glory. Pros: remember what it felt like to be pregnant Cons: some moms may feel uncomfortable, either physically or psychologically (I’ll do my best to help with both aspects!). This session takes place at an outdoor location so we may be subject to inclement weather.
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AboutThis blog will feature new parent advice, what to expect when working with my business, as well as an ongoing series about safety when interacting with newborns Categories
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