4 Things Every Newborn Mom Apologizes For (But Doesn't Need To)
As a newborn photographer, I meet a lot of moms in the trenches of survival mode. I get it! I was there too! You’re sleep deprived and trying to figure out the dos and don’ts of feeding your baby. You’re desperate to find some bit of normalcy, and you’ve just met 2 new people - your baby and the new you. But there is so much joy and so many sweet moments in this time as well, so you’ve hired a photographer so you never forget how tiny and precious this little baby once was. (And maybe you’d like to fill your feed with dreamy photos of your adorable family…). In the midst of this crazy time, almost all moms apologize for these 4 things. I’m here to tell you that 1) it’s normal! and 2) you don’t need to apologize!
1. I’m sorry my house is a mess
Don’t be! I fully expect your house to be a mess. I’d be sort of shocked if it wasn’t, actually. The first thing I do at every newborn photo session is take a little tour of the house to find the spots with the best lighting. From there, I’ll probably ask if I can move a few things (ie - the half empty water bottle sitting on your nightstand). I’ll tidy things up for the purposes of photos, and your house will look clean and clutter-free!
2. I’m sorry my toddler is misbehaving
Don’t be! She’s not acting out of the ordinary. She’s acting like a 2 year old, because she is one! I’m used to that, believe me. I won’t bat an eye. Instead, I’ll suggest ideas that will help that older sibling get excited for photos and make the session more fun for her.
3. I’m sorry my newborn is crying
Don’t be! Babies cry. We can always take a break to make sure your newborn is well taken care of and having his or her needs met. I’ve built in time to allow for the unpredictable nature of babies - a blowout, multiple feedings, fussiness. Please don’t feel rushed!
4. I’m sorry my dog is so excited
Don’t be! I LOVE dogs, and I am super excited to meet yours! There’s no need to hide your dog in a room until they’re needed in a photo. In fact, having the dog around while we take other photos may help your dog calm down. If you don’t want your dog walking in and out of photos, feel free to shut the door. But if you’re ok with your dog in photos, I am too! That’s life, and I’m here to photograph life.
The moral of the story is that I’m not here to judge you. I’m not here to stress you out or rush you. I’m here to take beautiful photos of your family. I want the time to be enjoyable for you, and I want the photos to capture all the love within your family.