Why photos of your baby are so important the first year.
Big brother already protective of little brother
Nesting and prepping for the baby are all very typical things I was doing last year in anticipation of our second baby. You could find me in the garage cleaning it out. Or on the countertop painting the ceiling, ya know, important things our newborn will surely notice. I look back now and wonder what goes on in a woman’s body to do such strange things haha! Tell me I am not the only expected mother to do that!
Really, in the end, all that matters are the memories that you make. I am here to tell you momma I am 6 months into our first year and it has gone SO FAST. So here is my promise to you as your photographer and friend.
All the sleepless nights, and caffeinated mornings, will wiz by with your new squishy little love. Who might I say will soon be rolling, sitting, crawling, and WALKING! My ultimate goal is to freeze these moments in time that you will never be able to get back. I want you to see a canvas, or hold an album in your hand to take you back to that moment in time.
First photo as siblings.
Details you think you would never forget, fade. Photos bring life back into those years past and you can, even for a short moment relive that tiny human.
I will create something you can keep forever and preserve your gorgeous little baby.
The soft fuzzy hair, big yawns, and sleepy milk-drunk goodness of a newborn is quickly replaced with the star-fished fingers of a sitter and get away attitude of a year-old babe!
Newborn sessions with Littles + Bigs are so much more than getting your photos taken. It in itself is the first chapter in your life as a family or a family with this precious new sibling.
Your bundle of squish is my actual client and the focus will be on them! I customize each session with help from you. I will know the details of your nursery should you have them, how you met your spouse, and your favorite icecream and football team!
Sleeping newborn baby boy.
I consider myself a seasoned newborn photographer (almost 5 years). Going on 7 years of motherhood. I can say with confidence that your baby is safe and secure in my studio.
My studio prides itself on making this experience relaxed and memorable for parents, and I’ll have your favorite drinks in the fridge and snacks. So leave it up to me to prep. All you have to do it show up and get relax.
Big yawn for this little squish!
Ideally, I would love to book you in the second trimester. I only take on a limited number of sessions each month and a fraction of those are newborns because of the nature of the sessions. New babies are typically in the studio between 7-14 days old ( adjustments are made when babies arrive early and late). I am so thrilled you would consider me and look forward to hearing from you!
How to add a Newborn Photography Session to your Baby Registry
As some of you know, I am having a little one myself this coming July, we are so excited and have decided to wait until we have the baby to find out if it’s a boy or girl. This is so fun, but also makes registering for baby things very difficult! What do I need? what do I want? When it comes to making life even the tiniest bit simpler I’m in. It dawned on me that while all the stuff is so amazing and great to have, the one thing I want is to remember how my baby looks those first few weeks.
So I went ahead and made a way to register for a newborn photo session! What is so cool is if you make your registry using babylist.com or something similar, you can add links from anywhere! I’m using babylist.com and love adding links from different shops while keeping it all in one place.
One of the worst parts about registering and buying all of this **totally necessary** baby stuff is that you’re done with most things in 3-4 months. Seriously, it goes into storage or you sell it if it’s your last baby.
Do you know what doesn’t get sold, or grown out of and DOES last literally forever? PHOTOS. Photos of your squishy little tiny baby. PLUS everyone can contribute a little bit without having to buy a whole session if they don’t want to!
How to add a gift card to your registry:
Click HERE to copy the digital gift card link
Go to your online registry (like babylist.com) and add the link to your registry
You may want to include my website information to get an idea of what they are helping pay for!(https://www.littlesandbigs.com)
3 Tips to Soothe Your Newborn
Your new baby is crying, and you have already attempted the obvious. Clean diaper, check. full tummy. check, not too warm or cold, check. Despite your earnest attempts to calm your fussy newborn, they are still crying. What do you do next, or what can you try next?
Hi! I am Whitney and while most of the blogs and Pinterest posts floating around are from seasoned mothers, nurses, or child care providers, I am a newborn photographer, and my literal job, is to capture your newborn in the most precious way, and that requires them to sleep. Over the past 4 years of being the go-to Billings newborn studio, I have learned a trick or two to soothe an irritated fussy baby.
So here are 7 tips to soothe your fussy newborn baby.
Dim the lights
Imagine being face up staring into bright overhead lights, when you are overly tired. Ya, not fun. It’s not fun for babies either. So turn off the overhead lights and try a low lit lamp or other soothing lighting. Bonus if its a yellow/red hue. Studies have shown these colors mimic sunset and can increase natural melatonin in people of all ages, including your new baby!
White noise
I have had my fair share of white noise machines and apps. This baby shusher is a fan favorite in my studio. So do yourself a favor and order it asap! It plays consistently for 1/2 hr and has an adjustable volume. The bonus is that you can turn it on/off with one hand.
Swaddle them
Seems like I am stating the obvious BUT I have had parents come into the studio saying the newborn does not like to be swaddled. This is usually not the case. What I see is that new babies don’t like the act of being swaddled but once they are wrapped and cozy they settle quite nicely. I prefer a nice stretching wrap, like this one. The traditional muslin wraps will work too, but they aren’t as parent-friendly. I find the stretchy wrap gives babies enough wiggle movement so they can find a comfy position and feel secure ( just like in mommy’s tummy).
I hope these tips help you get some much needed stress relief. As always if your baby won’t settle don’t feel bad about reaching out to your health care provider. We never should ignore our parental instincts!
xoxo - Whitney
Why Hire A Professional Newborn Photographer?
Why hire a professional newborn photographer?
It’s a question I am frequently asked and I like to encourage new parents to take pictures of their new baby at home because those are special in their own way! (Just remember to get them printed occasionally haha)
My job as a professional newborn photographer is to use my experience to take gorgeous, timeless images while using the correct light, professional equipment, angles, and props.
You may have already heard this, but in photography, lighting is everything when it comes to great images. During the sessions, I am very aware and have complete control over each lighting, I have studied light and am aware of how it must fall, and how intense it needs to be to keep your baby’s natural skin tones, and features.
Each newborn prop and textile I select is carefully chosen to insure safety, and quality and beauty.
As a professional photographer, I use the correct editing tools to finalize each photo. Polishing each image so that they print beautifully is my end goal!
If you are interested in learning more about a newborn session in Billings, MT, please connect with me!
FAQ - What to Expect When Hiring a Newborn Photographer | Billings, MT Newborn Photographer
Frequently asked questions about booking a newborn session.
Hi momma! Today I want to post a blog to tell you what to expect when booking a newborn session with me.
One of the first questions that people often ask is how the booking process works, and when to book the session for your new baby.
I usually advise to book your session why you're still expecting. That allows us for the most flexibility when choosing a date after baby’s arrival.
I take a limited number of babies each month and that allows us to book a session within the first two weeks, whether they are early on time or late. We all know we can’t tell them when to come!
I love being able to offer that flexibility booking while you're still expecting and putting you on the calendar and work with you when the baby is here.
When the baby arrives I asked that you contact me within the first couple of days you could do that by email text or phone call. Which ever is best. Some prefer that their partner contact me. I know you'll have a lot going on!
Then we will schedule a date within the first two weeks of the new baby’s arrival (give or take a couple of days).
Typically babies are very sleepy during the first two weeks and super curly and malleable. Now don't worry if you've missed the time to book. We will talk about different expectations depending on your baby’s age. You will get gorgeous images of your newborn baby.
The session fee, prep guide, contract and questionnaire are all digital and can be completed with your phone. This is so convenient considering your other arm might be holding a baby.
You can pay the session fee online, without even getting up from your seat. I take credit card, check or Venmo (with request).
The prep guide goes over what to expect and how to prepare baby when coming into the studio or lifestyle session in your home. It will touch on the temperature of the home or studio. If siblings are involved I go over that process as well. What to bring, or what to have. Finally it will go over what to wear.
I won’t go into too much detail but I want to tell you a little bit about the guide. Basically you don't need to bring anything to the session at all. Just to you, your family and the brand new baby. I have every prop imaginable including wraps headbands, posing blankets, outfits etc.
However, if there is something special that you would like to include in your newborn session please let me know what it is and bringing along!
All sessions are styled by me so that everything coordinates. When you hang photos on the wall you want to make sure that everything looks cohesive. Again if there's anything special just let me know and we can customize your session so that it fits your family perfectly.
Once the session is complete within the first two weeks you will receive an email to choose a time and a date for your ordering appointment. I do ask that all decision-makers are present at the appointment. You will get to see a full gallery of your newborn images. And then choose which collection or products fit your style and needs. I have a special tool that allows us to see what images would look like on a wall, even on a wall that is in your home!
Once you have made your selections I will hand edit each image. You will receive you final images via an online gallery within a week and your printed products within 3-4 weeks.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!!
Sincerely,
Your newborn photographer,
Whitney Jones
Newborn's First Photos: Should you hire a professional or DIY?
So you’re pregnant, and your weighing your options on what to do once that tiny human decides to show his or her face. Well, you’ve come to right place…
You could, ask Uncle John with the nice camera to come snap a few of your new little baby, but they deserve better than that! Alternatively, your iPhone does have a pretty dang good camera, but still, it is not the same. What if you went and bought a DSLR yourself ? But then you’d have to learn to use the thing and endless hours of how-to photography videos on Youtube, a giant, wordy camera manual, and editing software to buy… never the less, learn to use!
Ugh. That sounds painful. You’re busier than a bubble bee in spring dang nabbit!
Light bulb 😅 you could hire a professional to have these memories preserved in the right way, capturing your child while they are at the tiniest they will ever be. This never happens again, your child will never be this small, and in just a few weeks, they will be so different.
When you make the decision to hire me, you will have images that will never go out of style, timeless, and custom to you and your new baby. No guesswork, just come to the studio, or let me come to you.
I will promise you, you will NEVER regret investing in your baby.
Let me take care of keeping these memories for you. I’ve spent over 5 years now perfecting my craft for newborn photography and it would be the ultimate compliment to allow me to take photos of your new little baby.
When you know your due date, connect with me, so we can get you on the calendar, usually in your second or third trimester. I can’t wait! xo Whitney you’re curious photographer for cheeky mamas who want to relive the magic of their littles.
Classic Lifestyle Newborn Session Billings, Montana
I was asked to come to their home to photograph the newest addition to the family. Greeted by one adoring sister and momma, I was so excited to see them in simple creamy white clothing. I love adding siblings into the mix and a lifestyle session is my favorite way to do that. It didn’t take long for me to realize how much the older sisters adored their new baby! To top it off daddy couldn’t resist a photo with the tiny little hands and fingers. Momma loves black and white so we created something extra special for her to hang on her walls. I am so excited to see all the gorgeous prints and storybooks that will be cherished forever.
