BEWARE: Risk of Baby Falling!
Following the exposure of a shopping centre photographer failing to look after their client's precious newborn babies while photographing them (on several occasions), I have decided a blogpost of my own on this topic was very pertinent.
NEWBORN POSING TRAINING
Newborn Portraiture is a specialist field of photography. Although there is no formal education required to become a photographer, newborn photographers require specific training to keep your babies safe and free from ANY potential for harm.
Yes, MOST photographer's are insured - but MANY aren't.
And, even if we are insured - no compensation in the world will ever come close to healing a mother's heart crushed by their baby being hurt to 'get that shot' during their newborn photo session.
COMPOSITE PORTRAITS
“A composite image uses 2 or more photographs, overlayed together to create a final image.”
Even composite images have a degree of risk and should NEVER be attempted without appropriate training.
I would post an example of what I mean by 'composite', however I do not offer newborn poses that require compositing to create the final image. I believe these images also pose a safety risk I am not willing to take with my client's babies.
Here's my drawing (I'm a photographer, not a graphic artist!) of this type of posing:
For example: photos of babies with their head resting on their hands - to be done safely - should be a composite image. Baby should always have a supporting hand on them at all times, and this type of image is not possible to do safely without compositing several images together.
Babies cannot hold this position by themselves, they do not have the muscle control or strength. It is not a natural position for a baby to be in. This type of composite would use a minimum of two or three images to create the final piece.
. . . . .
Newborn Portrait Safety 101: The baby should always be physically supported.
. . . . .
'Spotting' is not a sufficient safety practice when it comes to newborns being placed up high, on top of props, or even on top of a posing beanbag. Someone must ALWAYS have their hands on the baby. 'Spotting' means someone is close by, but not physically touching, supporting or holding the baby. IT'S NOT ENOUGH!
In my studio and during my newborn portrait sessions, I only allow poses and positions that your baby can naturally hold by themselves.
Sleepy, curly poses that are comfortable for bub and hold ZERO RISK. No photograph is worth risking harm or serious injury to a brand new child. NO PHOTOGRAPH is worth it.
The style of portraits I want to create for my clients are simple, beautiful and natural. Brand new babies are so amazing in their own right - they don't need risky and unsafe posing to showcase their perfect eyelashes, or their sweet pouty lips or their new-ness to the world around them.
LAST WORDS
So, please, when looking for your newborn photographer, do you research - ask questions! - before booking your photography session.
Here's a few questions to help you learn more about your newborn photographer:
- Have you done any training or workshops for newborn photography? (specifically newborn posing training.)
- When was your last workshop? Do you get regular training?
- How long have you been photographing babies?
- Are you insured?
- How do you keep my baby safe when posing them?
Jade Read Photography
0423 372 338
Specialist Newborn Photographer
Contact Me Here!
Original Blog by Alyson Lewis, Kuya Bunso Photography: http://kuyabunso.com.au/what-this-shopping-centre-photographer-did-made-me-sick/