Returning Customers and Christmas Babies

Today’s shoot went off without a hitch and we were able to get some great pictures.  No crying, no refusing to sleep…. and a beautiful baby!  What more could you ask for?  Campbell was also a very special for a couple different reasons.  First, he was a ‘Christmas Baby’, which meant he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and forced to don some of my Christmas-themed newborn props.  Nothing too corny of course, just the usual red and green wraps, maybe a few missile toe doo-dads from Home Goods and of course…. my reindeer hat!. (Also a little tiny Christmas-y, old-time-y, teddy-bear that was very expensive.  Yay!)

I always try and incorporate seasonal motifs and holiday themed newborn props into all of my shoots.  Christmas being the big one, but I’ve also been known to throw together some exceptional fall and spring setups with a newborn photography spin.  Fall is easy…. sprinkle some pretty leaves around the props, lots of yellows and oranges.  Maybe a pumpkin in the background  For Spring I sometimes take the baby and the props outside to capture all the lush greens and beautiful light that shines through my yard that time of the year. 

This of course can be a huge hassle since I have to haul the heater out, all the extension cords, almost electrocute myself…. I haven’t done that one in a while.  But usually it’s just more of a sub-conscious thing.  If it’s spring or summer I lean towards lite and airy outfits with less material stuffed around the babies.  And in the winter I find myself pulling out some of the thicker, wool blankets and using hats and bonnets more often.

The second reason Campbell was a delight is because he’s actually the son of a mother who I did pictures of in my old photography business.  I used to have a business where I only took pictures of little girls dressed up in victorian clothes and basically just doing the things little girls do.  You can see some of those pics here.  Campbell’s mom is one of several girls over the last few years who are all grown up now and have come back to me with babies of their own!  I’ve even had a couple moms come to me with babies who are the daughters of the daughters I did pictures of! ( That’s very rare honestly I’m not that old.)

So…. in addition to a wonderful, cooperative baby – two great reasons that made this newborn shoot extra special…. returning customers and the holidays!