Safety! Safety! Safety!

I can’t stress it enough and, for me, safety will ALWAYS take precedence over any effort to achieve a desired shot.  I care more about the safety of your newborn than any pose or final picture. 

Safety > Artistry

There is no governing body to regulate the Newborn Photography industry.  There are no safety regulations and no guidelines, so it’s important for you to research your photographer and make sure they have had training in handling your newborn for portrait posing.  There are many reputable photographers in business that offer one on one mentoring and I invested in these training classes to make sure I am properly trained in safely handling and posing babies.  There’s a lot to consider and understand, so I’ve also invested in online education classes and continuously review to make sure I am aware of new risks, proper procedures, and safe practices despite there being no regulations.  It isn’t as simple as saying “well, I’m a parent, grandparent, I’ve handled lots of babies, so of course I can take pictures of babies”.  There should be a great deal of thought, consideration, and education that goes into becoming a newborn photographer and an understanding in what not to do in a session and what to add to your studio to make it comfortable and safe.

I felt compelled to add to my blog what I have learned regarding newborn safety in hopes that the information is shared, so that parents are aware on what to consider when hiring a newborn photographer.  It’s important for a parent to remember they are in charge and the decision maker when it comes to the safety of their child.  So beyond hiring a trained photographer, while in sessions, don’t be afraid to speak out.  Go with your gut!  Ask questions before scheduling a session with a photographer and ask what they have done to make a safe environment for you, your baby, and your family.  If you have concerns during a session and feel the need to interrupt and interject, do not let any photographer make you feel that you can’t ask questions about what is happening.  I am happy to answer your questions before, during, and after my sessions with your precious baby.

When I say Safety > Artistry what do I mean?  Well, there are a lot of things to consider.  Not just safely handling your baby, but what about new technology?

There’s a certain level that we can elevate our photos to in our effort to deliver the most beautiful photos, but we must do so without forfeiting safety.  In this digital age what about AI?  I’ve looked into it and decided I will not use AI as part of my edits.  Photoshop has a beta version available now and I’ve researched it in my photography groups and there’s concern about privacy risks and any guarantees on how photos will be used when directing AI photo editors to transform photos.  Many photo editors are not clear about their security practices and when using their platforms, you are agreeing to their terms.  Part of an agreement in Firefly Gallery under Adobe reads “if you submit Output to the Firefly gallery…you grant us non-exclusive, irrevocable, world-wide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, modify, sublicense, create derivative works based on, publicly display, publicly perform, or translate both the submitted Output and the corresponding Input for marketing purposes and to allow other Firely Beta users to use said Input and Output to generate their own Output.”  You realize this means if a photographer is going for adding some cool landscape fill or animal fill to your newborn’s sessions, they are agreeing that your child’s head, arms, eyes, or whatever can then be used in any manner by anyone else using the AI platform.  Uhmmmmmm….no!!!!!!  I’m not going to do that to your baby and their pictures, no matter the cool looks that can come from AI.

I also let you decide if you want me to post your baby’s photos on my social media pages.  It’s in our contract.

Even though I say Safety > Artistry, I will still strive to achieve gallery worthy photos that can be done while following specific guidelines:

  • You can always watch me with your baby during our sessions.
  • I will make sure that your baby’s head is fully supported and that the respiratory tract is not compromised.
  • This should go without saying, but I will never suspend your baby or have them isolated. Posing babies involves some special effects or photo editing that might make the baby look as if they don’t have a spotter or someone right beside them, but that’s simply not the case.  An adult hand, foot, or anything close by can always be edited out of a photo.  Some photos are a result of composite imaging moving a baby closer to a sibling, parent, etc.  Babies are never put in a compromising position.
  • I do not charge enough to hire an assistant, so I ask parents to help me spot the baby. I have no issue getting the parents involved and I find that Dads like having something to do and are excited to be a part of this process, while their newborn has been so dependent on Mama.  I will never walk away from the baby without asking one of the parents to watch and be there to hold baby as needed.  Having your baby secure is of utmost importance to me.
  • I use props from reputable newborn photography vendors that have quality control teams to test that props are strong and supportive for newborn photography with no dangerous protruding hazards that can hurt your infant. I don’t allow outside props, because sometimes an idea comes from using an antique that might have glass, splinters, nails, or can be unstable.  Instead, we will use props purchased from my reliable vendors.
  • I use my camera strap when standing over your baby. I will not risk the camera falling on your child.  It can take extraordinary effort and time to get your baby into a position, fall asleep, and be ready for a picture, so a photographer can feel the need to pick up and click that camera ASAP, but I will always make sure to take the time to put the camera strap over my head to secure the camera.
  • Babies are made comfortable and soothed, or I give up on the pose and move to a new one. I will never force an infant into a position that causes them discomfort.  Not all babies will do the same poses, so having each and every pose from my workflow is not priority.  I have no issue skipping a pose if needed.
  • I provide a clean environment. All of my fabrics, bonnets, sleepy caps, headbands or anything that touches baby is cleaned, washed, sanitized, and made ready for the next baby session. I use dye and perfume free detergent. I will handle cleaning up if babies have bowel movements or urinate during a session.  I have baby pads and change out sets when this happens.  I wash my hands afterwards and I constantly use hand sanitizer.
  • My studio is kept at a comfortable temperature. A warm environment is created for when baby is naked by using a heater and heater is turned off for swaddle pictures.
  • Baby is allowed to cluster feed if needed. We take breaks and don’t rush.  We meet baby’s needs first.  I have a rocking recliner so that parent feeding baby is comfortable.
  • If I am sick or baby is sick, we reschedule.
  • Working with siblings and their new brother and sister isn’t always magical. Sometimes the siblings are afraid of my studio and the new surroundings combined with the life changes that are happening at home.  I will not force a sibling to hold the baby or sit in a certain position.  We can use composites if needed, but if the sibling is very unhappy, we won’t push for pictures as it can become unsafe.  We will try with a little coaxing and I have a tv and other forms of entertainment to try and get a pose, but if it doesn’t happen, we won’t risk the safety of the baby.
  • I wear a mask during newborn sessions.

A session can take 3 hours, so it’s important to create a calm, chill, safe atmosphere.  I am not concerned with high volume and a rushed environment.  I take my time and make sure that every member of your family is comfortable in the session. 

Please, please, please if you are considering multiple photographers, ask them about their safety policies and make sure they have had training to safely handle your sweet little love.

Creative, gorgeous, amazing photos can still be delivered without compromising safety.

Safety > Artistry

Being safe and capturing this milestone in your baby’s life with a little creativity = beautiful artistry.

 

Photograph by: Jamie Lynn Photography

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

 

References:

Hello Little Props & Friends Education Group – AI comments and discussions

www.lemonshoots.com blog “Does Your Newborn Photographer Honor Safety First?” – March 15, 2019 blog

www.myclickmagazine.com “12 Newborn Photography Safety Tips Every Pro Photographer Should Know” – May/June 2019 article by Tarah Beaven

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