Hey-ya southern MN! Yeah, you down here in Rochester, Albert Lea, Austin, Hayfield, Owatonna, Northfield, Faribault, Mankato, and more! Now that my Blooming Prairie studio is 98% ready, I'm excited to get more clients in the door! It's been a big couple of months for me with selling a house, moving hours away to another house, moving studios, continuing sessions at the old studio while having the new studio, etc, but I'm finally settled. Tell your friends and family all about me because I want to take photos of every baby out there!

Now, let me dive right in to selecting the perfect for you newborn photographer. Here's a list that might help you out.

• Style - When searching for that perfect baby photographer, look for someone that fits the style that you like. Look through all of their photos on their website and social media accounts. If you fall in love, great! If not, time to move on and keep looking. Helpful hint, if you don't like their style but you want to book them based on something else you love about them be careful. Meaning, don't expect that photographer to have a light and airy look at your request when their entire portfolio is moody.
• Safety - This is huge! Don't over look it. Everyone was new at one point or another, right? Whether you're a new or seasoned photographer, safety should be your top priority. I personally think newborn photographers should be BLS (basic life support) certified for that just in case moment. Going through the course to become certified helps you become aware of what to watch for should an emergency arise. Being a nurse, I know more than the average person but even if I wasn't a nurse I would require myself to be certified. I also think it's important to know how to pose a baby safely. Moving their little parts around is no easy task because they are so delicate and must be handled safely. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions about this. I have taken various classes on newborn safety. Also, I have years of experience in handling everything from a newborn baby to an adult. haha!
• Prop & table posing - When you're looking at newborn photography photos, are you drawn to prop poses? Or possibly table poses? Props are things such as a basket, bowl, bucket, or a little bed. I love props and table posing so I do both for every session. Getting down to what type of prop is used comes later once you've booked with me, as I ask you in a newborn questionnaire what you would like. A bonus for anyone that books with me is that I'm a prop hoarder so I have lots to select from.
• Colors - Although this could be up there with style, I wanted to toss it in the ring. Color could be simple, right? Well, not so much. There are so many different colors and patterns that I feel as if I'm constantly buying more items to keep up. Rest assured if you're my client, I have several different whites, creams, greens, reds, blues, pinks, etc. Some people just say what the main color they want and then I go from there. Not only do I have an amazing amount of posing fabric with matching wraps, I have coordinating headbands, bonnets, layers, etc. I also have a bunch of little stuffed toys for tiny baby hands.
• Final products (digital image files and prints) - What do you want to do with your photos from your session? Is the nursery begging for a large canvas over the crib or do you want an album for everyone to enjoy the highlights of the newborn session? Either way, find out what you're getting with the photographer you select. With me, you get to select from a variety of products or you can select digital image files alone.

There ya have it, some of the main things to look for when finding the perfect for you newborn photographer. Good luck on your search and congrats on your baby!!

Hugs and love, Michelle

Hey mama! Congrats, you’re pregnant! Now, while you’re trying to plan everything for when your newborn baby arrives, don’t forget about some of the finer details. Paint that nursery, buy those diapers, sleep while you can, and enjoy your pregnancy, but don’t forget to lock in that photographer. Over the last few weeks I’ve received several inquiries for a newborn session and the baby is already here or going to arrive soon. Capturing their littleness while they’re still little is very important, as this phase is only for a short time. Find a photographer that you love and book your session stat! Typically, I’m booked out for months so if you’re giving birth in the next week or have already had your baby, it’s likely that I won’t be able to fit you into my schedule. While I want to photograph every single baby, I cannot possibly do so. BUT, if you would like to book a 3 month or a 6 month session, I would love that! Again, I book out very fast so don’t wait, contact me today!

This handsome fella, Camden, was in for his newborn session. First of all, what an adorable name. Secondly, isn't he just the cutest!? I’m so happy I was able to photograph this handsome little fella. A few months before Camden was born his mom contacted me to book her session. She said she was a cousin of a client of mine and that she loved my work. That always get me in the feels! And, I love referrals! Well, the day came and Camden was born so we scheduled the session. His nursery is a woodland theme with bears so I made sure to carry a little of that in to a few of the sets.

This little man was perfect for his session, and so were his gorgeous parents! Just look at his little fingers and toes. Plus he gave me a smile here and there. I can only hope that Camden and his parents return for more sessions with me in the future.

In no particular order, here are a few images from Camden’s session. He did so well in all of the setups.

Every newborn photographer has props of some sort. Unless you're a minimalist, but then I'd be curious of what you do for your sessions and just downright jealous at the same time. I clearly have an addiction to prop buying because I have so many that I've lost count! Not really, but off the top of my head I really can't tell you how many buckets or baskets I have. haha! With that said, there are a few in my prop stash that are used most of the time because they are so versatile. 

I'll do a little skit in order for you to see a day in the life of my props being selected. When I communicate about prop and color use, I want to be sure I have it 99% selected before the session so that I can set it all up. Set up takes a while and newborn sessions are long so I don't want anyone to have to wait for me to set up. 

Me: What props are you thinking you would like to be used at your newborn session? (I send a list to select from)

Mom: I think I want simple but I also love the green bucket. So, the brown bed, macramé swing, and the green bucket. If I remember correctly, you still do another type of set up, right?

Me: Ok, that's great. Just to be sure you're ok with the green bucket, what was your hesitancy towards it being used? And, yes, I do a table set that will incorporate some of the colors you selected.

Mom: I think I'm hesitant because her nursery is neutrals and that bucket is very green. I love it but it just won't go well in there. Oh, the table poses, that's right.

Me: I would suggest buying an album that way you can get the green bucket shots in there with others from the session. Plus, you could purchase wall art for her nursery of the other set-ups. 

Mom: That's a great idea! Yes, I would love to do the green bucket for sure then. 

Me: Great! I'll have it all set up when you get to the studio for your session. 

See the images in this blog post and you'll see the brown bed, the macramé swing, and the green bucket. And remember, I have many more!  

If you're looking for something vintage, like my green bucket, visit my friend's shop all the way in St Cloud, MN. https://www.therustypick.com/

Newborns | Maternity | Baby | Family

Michelle 

Spring is here! Although Minnesota weather has it feeling like winter outside, I brought that happy spring feeling inside the studio. It's bright and flowery, and I love it! Now, I take it all down when it's not needed but I'm more than happy to put it all up for another spring set because who doesn't like flowers. They are just so pretty!

If you read my last blog post you saw that I have a new swing for the studio. I'm crazy about it. Whether I swaddle a baby up like a potato, wrap baby like a ninja warrior, rest baby as if they are swinging in the wind, it's pretty cool. The macramé design of the swing is the perfect texture being that it’s comfortable to be in, as well as beautiful in photos. Not only is this adorable for newborns, it can be a grow with me prop. Get them in the swing as a tiny baby and then up to 40 pounds as a 1 year old or another milestone. Yep, I’m in love with this thing.

On another note, if you haven’t booked your newborn session and you’re due this summer, you best get on it as soon as possible. I have been inundated by requests! I’m full for April and almost full for May, June, and July! It’s a crazy baby boom, or shall I say covid baby boom (that’s how we’ll all remember it, I’m sure). I love all the babies! 

Love as always!

Michelle

Newborn | Baby | Maternity | Family