When I start a session, I usually have some sort of expectations and plans for the family, but the reality is that things rarely go as planned. Especially with my newest little clients…newborns have a plan of their own and usually being put to sleep naked under a window is not part of it.
This became oh so apparent at my last newborn session. I adore this new little family. I had a ton of fun playing during their maternity session with balloons and an umbrella, and I had big plans for thier newborn session, too. I dreamed of a sleepy baby that only woke up briefly enough to give me a big smile and a cute stretch only to quickly fall back asleep. HA!
Baby J has too much spunk for that. No matter how full he was on milk, how warm and cozy the blankets were or how much we stroked his nose or played white noise, he was NOT interested in a photo shoot! I’m going to be completely honest here and admit that I was pretty nervous for a while. I was stressed that things were not going as I had planned. Stressed that I didn’t get the shots that I thought I was going to get. So much so that I let it erode my self confidence as an artist. When things don’t go as expected, self doubt can sneak in and sabotage you. It has the potential to ruin the rest of the session as it cripples you, hindering your creativity and your ability to think on your feet.
Luckily, patience and flexibility prevailed. I had to abandon my plans and just shoot in the only way that Baby J would allow it….being rocked by his mama, wrapped up in a blanket or snuggled tightly in his parent’s arms. He didn’t want me to mess with him AT ALL. He would remind me not to touch him, not to move his hands, mess with his feet or fix the blanket.
Guess what? I LOVE their newborn images so much that I will definitely be adding a couple to my portfolio (with their permission, of course). Baby J having his own agenda turned out to be a blessing that allowed me to break out of my routine to capture something truly unique for S and J. We were able to capture what was real and honest and pure. And their joy makes my heart sing!
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