Mom & Me Candid Minis

Saturday, April 15, 2023

For Mamas and their littles, 3 months of age+

This Motherhood, Mommy & Me special event will look a bit different than years past.  No stiff smiles at the camera.  No fussing over your little ones or worrying about their cooperation. This special day is structured to capture you connecting, emoting, laughing, snuggling, smooching, tickling...enjoying the incredible bond you share with each child, individually.   This session will only include images of Mom with one child at a time!  That's right - no group portraits.  It is truely about connecting with each child individually.  These are images your child will cherish.  These are the real moments they will look back on and be flooded with memories.  These are the photographs you will treasure when your "babies" head off to college (Trust me on that one!).  I would be honored to look through my lens and witness the love and joy you share.

 

 

Total investment: $250

$100 is captured at booking and serves as your non-refundable retainer. Balance due day of session.

Included

Five beautifully edited, high resolution, candid images of Mother and child (minimum 3 months of age)

Images delivered via an online gallery in both color and black and white within one week.

One outfit - Details and what to wear suggestions included in welcome email after booking

Average session time is fifteen minutes

Full print release and print lab recommendation included

Additional images may be available for purchase

 

Click HERE to schedule your session

Naperville Baby Pictures

When looking for a studio offering Naperville baby pictures, I highly recommend considering Lillybelle Rose Photography! It has been over thirteen years since I first began my newborn photography business.  This means hundredsssss of clients, years of continuing education, and a beautiful studio located near Naperville, Illinois!  Baby pictures warm my heart and fuel my soul.  It is an honor to be trusted with your family's most cherished memories!

Newborn Photographer Near Naperville

2023 will be an exciting year for Lillybelle Rose Photography!  My Glen Ellyn studio will be relocating to an incredible, dedicated space in our new home.  It will be filled with gorgeous props and accessories, professional equipment and beautiful print product samples, just like always.  And no worries - It is even more ideally located near Chicago, Naperville, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Hinsdale and more!  Be sure to follow Lillybelle Rose Photography on Facebook and Instagram to follow the build process if you enjoy all things build and decorating.

Scheduling your Naperville Baby Pictures

You are creating a human, most likely working, may have another child to care for, and are surely wishing you had more time.  This is why scheduling your Naperville Newborn Photoshoot with Lillybelle Rose Photography is EASY.  You can find links to schedule your session all over the website, but you can SCHEDULE HERE for your convenience!  Clients are asked to schedule while still expecting to ensure availability. Grab a date that falls about a week or so after your expected due date so we can lock in a spot on the calendar.  As soon as your new love arrives, contact me with the update.  I'll reschedule your session if need be, and email a link with all the information needed for an incredible session together.

What to expect from your Naperville Newborn Photographer

Many of my clients are first time parents who have never looked into a newborn photographer or baby pictures before.  Everything you need to know about a newborn session should be at your fingertips on a Photographer's website.  Pricing and scheduling should be clear and concise.  My goal over these thirteen years in business has been to streamline the process for you, and then...make the session experience relaxing and unforgettable!

Once we have connected and your session date arrives, it is time to sit back and enjoy the process.  My sessions begin with parent and sibling images if they are part of your session goals.  This allows you to relax (and nap!) as soon as the first portion of the photoshoot is over.  I'll begin your baby's solo images and finish with a review of how your images will be delivered.  It is THAT easy!

How to start newborn photography

There are a few steps you should take before starting any "legal" business.  You know, paying taxes, having insurance, etc.  HERE is an article featuring some of my tips regarding how to start newborn photography.  You will also learn a bit about me!  If you'd like to read more on starting a newborn photography business, grab a coffee and read on. 😉

Learning Manual Mode

Knowing how to adjust your camera settings while in manual mode is crucial.  It, in fact, is the number one key to how to start newborn photography.  While auto technology is incredible these days, it can not help you tell your story like manual mode can.  What do I mean?  Think of an image in which one item is tack sharp and everything else has a soft blur to it.  The goal in an image like this is to direct the viewer's eye right were you want it!  Auto focus and auto modes can not be relied upon in situations like these, and so many more.  There is an endless variety of online education platforms teaching aspiring photographers how to use manual mode.  A great example is this article, "Learning to Shoot in Manual Mode" .  Practice daily.  Never put your camera away.  Keep it handy and practice manual mode in different spots throughout your home and outside.  This is key!

 

Newborn Safety

Next step BEFORE you work with a newborn baby is to make sure you understand newborn safety.  There are many courses marketed to newborn photographers, but many are no better than doing a google search.  Dig deep and ask all the right questions before paying someone to teach you newborn safety.  Best practice is to talk with a pediatrician or nurse about how to keep a newborn safe while posing.  It is imperative you understand the newborn airway, circulation risks, and protecting newborn joints.  A highly respected newborn photographer offers free online education regarding newborn photography and newborn safety.  You can find Kelly Brown newborn safety tips here.

Essentials for newborn photographers

When it comes to a posed newborn photoshoot, there are certain things a newborn photographer simply can not do without.  But don't be fooled by the endless prop marketing - you don't NEED much!  First and foremost, you need a reliable camera and quality lens.  Again, learn manual mode and how to handle different levels and qualities of light!  Next you will need items to help you position baby.  In thirteen years of business, I've used everything from new tube socks and receiving blankets to the latest newborn photography posers on the market.  They all work.  (What *really* makes a difference is practicing your posing over and over and over.). Another important items to have is heat.  If you are traveling to a session or have a studio, a portable space heater is ideal.  Make sure to inspect the wiring and DO NOT keep it too close to baby!  Finally, a swaddle is a great tool to have on hand.  That's it!  Of course there are beautiful props and accessories to acquire over the years, but you do not NEED them to start practicing and building your portfolio!

White noise tools can help calm baby.  However, you can "shush" a baby just as easily. There are also free white noise apps on your phone!  Don't spend where you don't have to.  Save your dollars for things you really want!

 

 

Understanding newborns

Understanding newborns makes all the difference in how smoothly a session progresses, but it's not an easy skill to come by.  Thinking back to the time we had our three daughters, I realize how little I knew about calming a baby.  And yet, they all turned out just fine!  Newborn sessions, however, are a whole different ball game!  If your goal is to pose newborns, you need to understand their cues, and how to quickly soothe them.  Watch videos.  Read books.  My favorite it "The Happiest Baby on the Block".  I highly recommend watching his video if possible.  It is key to understanding the technique.  Here iss a link to a 20th anniversary clip of The Happiest Baby on the Block and the Dr's five S's, which imitate the womb sensations.  The author is a pediatrician who works wonders, and his tips never fail!

Newborn Posing Education and Inspiration

Now it's time to find a great life-like doll or newborn model and practice poses you have learned through education or inspiration.  As mentioned before, there is a plethora of online newborn education sources.  There are also tons of newborn photographers who offer in-person mentoring.  Here is a link to in-person newborn photography mentoring information for your convenience.  😉

 

Baby and Family Photoshoot

There is nothing more important to me when it comes to a session than including your newborn's immediate family members during your baby and family photoshoot.  My reasoning, however, may be different than your reason for wanting a baby and family photography session.  As a mom of three, I look at pictures of our daughters and my husband, or our daughters and me, and I don't think about how much I cherish the photographs.  I think about how much images with us will mean to our daughters over the years.  Your baby will thank you for including poses with "Mom and Dad" during your newborn photoshoot!

How to prepare for your newborn pictures

At Lillybelle Rose Photography, I've made preparing for your newborn pictures as easy as possible!   The most challenging step in the process will be deciding what top you are most comfortable wearing.  Seriously.  Find something you are comfortable wearing.  Wear a color which compliments your skin tone.  Have your significant other wear a shirt which coordinates - no matching necessary, or desired!  Mom and Dad above did a great job creating a cohesive but interesting image by choosing similar tones with great textures.  Once you schedule your baby and family photoshoot (Learn more on scheduling your newborn session here.), you will receive a welcome email directly from me. I'll provide simple tips to help pack up your diaper bag and get ready to head out the door.  In the meantime, have fun shopping your closet or stores for a top you adore.  No worry about your bottoms - they don't show much or at all!

What do I need to bring to my newborn portrait session

If you are thinking, "What do I need to bring to my newborn portrait session", you are surely going to be surprised at how little you will need to pack!  As mentioned above, I'll send a welcome email with information to help new parents make sure their diaper bag is stocked.  Beyond that, not much!  The props and accessories you see used throughout the Lillybelle Rose Photography blog and newborn picture gallery are items I have or have had on hand in the studio.  My style is very consistent, so if you like what you see, we will be a great match!

How do I schedule my baby pictures with Lillybelle Rose Photography

The answer to, "How do I schedule my baby pictures" is as easy as all of the above.  As your Chicago newborn photographer for over thirteen years, I've worked hard to simplify the entire process for both myself and my clients.  Simply click this link: Schedule your newborn session here, and select a date which falls 5-10 days from your expected due date.  Once baby arrives, we will move your date if need be.  As always, your welcome email will provide all those details, and I am just a CONTACT ME link away!

Oak Brook Newborn Session

Scheduling your modern, timeless Oakbrook newborn photoshoot with Lillybelle Rose Photography is as simple as can be!  While you await your sweet newborn's delivery, head to the newborn session information and investment page.  There you will find information on newborn portrait sessions, photoshoot digital collections, and scheduling.  It is important to schedule while still expecting to ensure availability.  Simply click the schedule your newborn session here link and choose a date which falls approximately 5-10 days from your expected due date.  Having this portrait session date on the calendar ensures you a session slot with Lillybelle Rose Photography, regardless of baby's actual delivery date!  A welcome email will provide instructions to contact me once you welcome your baby into the world.  At that point, we will change your newborn photoshoot date if necessary.   

Styling your newborn session

When you arrive at the studio, you will see a wide assortment of props and accessories ready to use for your newborn photography session.  I will have everything I need set up for your baby, selected based on the questionnaire you complete during the scheduling process!  As you can see from browsing the newborn pictures gallery and recent newborn sessions on the blog, my style is very consistent.  However, if you have seen a prop on my website you would like me to use, let me know!  If it is still in my prop inventory and will fit your baby (Birth weight matters!), I will be sure to have it ready for your session!

 

Keeping your newborn comfortable and safe

When selecting and purchasing props and accessories, your newborn baby's comfort and safety is a priority.  All props have been tested and inspected for safety.  No props are used which places baby in a precarious position or endangers their well-being.  Keeping your newborn comfortable and safe is more important than trendy pictures!  Many of my props come from dedicated newborn prop vendors like Luneberry and The Original Photoblocks. You can see the price tags scream "Sourced for newborn photographers".  😉