It’s The Coziest Time Of The Year For Baby Photos

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What’s cuter than some baby photos? Pictures of a baby swaddled up in a blanket. 

Babies naturally photograph better, the warmer they are. A trick of the trade is to always have the room well heated for a newborn baby when you’re trying to photograph them. That’s why a fall/winter photo session for your baby is naturally going to be successful. 

Whether you have a newborn or your baby has been around for a little while, we believe a photoshoot during this time of the year is always a good idea. I sincerely think everyone looks better the cozier they look. 

Some different types of photoshoots you could consider this season include:

1. Costume Photo Session

It’s officially October, and that means it’s Halloween time. There’s nothing better than a cute costume picture in my opinion. I believe your baby could be just about anything for Halloween and it would be the most adorable thing. 

You can get really into your baby photos and go full on costume, like you’re going trick or treating or just have one prop. 

One of my favorite photo sessions to date was this little baby boy who was a bear. We went more subtle with this photo session and kept the photos timeless, by only including the bear head.

This baby boy did it just right. Lots of newborn and baby photoshoots, we like to have as little clothing on as possible so you can see those cute little rolls and just have the baby being a baby. 

In addition to the head costume, it’s cute as well to include the bottom part of the costume. The photo session I completed with a little girl who was dressing up as a bunny, had the bunny ears and the bunny tail. It was absolutely adorable. 

2. Studio Baby Photos

Okay, let’s be honest, baby photos are always going to be cozy, but we can always make them cozier. The best part about a newborn photo session, is the ability to control the heat. Like I previously mentioned, if the room is a little bit warmer, the baby is more likely to get very comfy and even fall asleep. 

You may be wondering, do I want my baby to fall asleep during the photo session? The answer is yes. The more restful and calm your baby is, the more successful the photo session. Especially because as a newborn baby, your baby is likely to be sleeping most of the time anyway. We want these photos to really capture the newborn stage of life, which means sleep! 

Not every photo will be when the baby is sleeping, but we like to get a mix of both. 

The bigger the blankets, the more faux fur, the cozier in my opinion. Another option to make the photos even cozier, is to have your baby wearing their jammies. A sleepy, cuddly, bedtime baby is one of the cutest photo session themes. I’ve shared some of my favorites from this photo session as well. 

The best part about a studio session, is that it’s very flexible and it’s essentially a blank canvas. 

So if you love fall just as much as I do, then a fall photo session is also a great idea. We can include pumpkins, autumn leaves, apples, haystacks and any other fall decor you can think of. 

And of course, wicker baskets, wooden barrels, maybe a bowl of candy corn are always cute ways to cradle newborns. 

3. Outside Sibling Photo Session

Blankets, and jammies, are cozy and all, but I’m not sure anything can compete with the coziness of snuggling up to another human. Body heat and sibling love make for the best baby photos. Plus, the only other thing you love just as much as your baby is your other babies, grown or not, so why not include them all!

The trickiest part of a sibling photo is coordinating all three outfits. However, once that outfit coordination is over, you’ll be happy you included all of the siblings. It’s a fun experience to watch the older siblings welcome their new sibling into the family and give them love. 

Let’s pick a gorgeous colorful tree full of changing leaves, lay out a blanket, and hug each other like we mean it for some professional photos.

4. Outdoor Family Photo Session 

To take it a step further, why not just include the entire family? Bring a blanket, your warm fall clothing items and you’re set to go. The trees are changing colors, the weather is absolutely perfect, and fall is simply the best time of year for a photoshoot. 

When it comes to a family photo session, I love to pick a nice park in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area! During this time of year, it may be a cute idea to hit up a pumpkin patch or corn maze. It’s basically a photoshoot already set up for you. A weekday evening or a time when it’s not as crowded is suggested when it comes to visiting a popular place like that. 

The best part about a pumpkin patch or corn maze, is that your kids will naturally be having fun. They can run through the corn maze while I get some candid photos of them having the time of their lives. The more fun the photo session can be for the kids, the easier my job is, and the better your photos turn out. 

5. Holiday Newborn Photos

As we head into the holidays, it’s a fun idea to capture your newborn, with anything holiday related. The only thing cozier than fall, is winter. With the use of Christmas lights, trees, presents and ornaments, holiday pictures are bound to melt your heart. 

Trade out your pumpkin costume for a Santa hat and your Christmas cards are ready to go this year. 

Wrap Up

I’m not going to lie, this time of year get’s me so excited because it’s a photographers dream to have this kind of weather, have the sun stay out late, and have an excuse to dress all warm and comfy.

8 Traits Of A Skilled Newborn Baby Photographer in Cincinnati

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What To Look For In A Skilled Newborn Baby Photographer

Looking for a skilled newborn baby photographer? The options can be endless. 

You have your general lifestyle photographers, your family friend who is trying to become a photographer, your next door neighbor, your iPhone, and a professional newborn photographer, so who do you go with? 

Specialization is key when it comes to photography. Every photographer has their niche or specific style that they’re best at. A wedding photographer may be amazing in capturing the bride and groom, but struggle with babies and toddlers.

So it’s key you find a specialist who has years of experience photographing newborns.

You also don’t want to drive five hours and deal with that inconvenience. Let’s make sure they’re from the Cincinnati area.

Newborn photographer, check. Cincinnati, check.

What else? Here are eight other characteristics to look for when you’re searching for the person who is going to be responsible for capturing your newborn photos. 

1. A Photographer Good With Babies

newborn-baby-pictures

You may think this a no brainer, but trust me there are people out there that will take photos of anything and everything just to make a paycheck. When choosing a newborn baby photographer, this is not who you want to end up with. I believe that one of the most important factors when it comes to getting a killer newborn shot, is really knowing how to work with the baby. I mean, look at this photo.. Not just anyone can get a newborn to smile like that. Making the baby feel comfortable, positioning the baby to rest, making sure the baby is supported and safe, all the while directing light, and capturing that beautiful shot. 

I found my love for newborn photography after becoming a mother to four children. Not only do I absolutely adore and love my babies, but I have a passion for all babies. Newborns are my favorite stage of life and I love to capture this precious moment. 

You could call me the baby whisperer. I have a certain way of calming the baby, making them feel warm and cozy, and falling asleep in the blink of an eye. Getting that baby in a deep rest is absolutely necessary when capturing that dreamy shot. 

2. A Photographer Who Is Creative

A good photographer in general has to be creative. Setting up props, backdrops, and newborn poses takes creativity if you’re going to be good at what you do. All babies are different and all babies deserve a different concept when it comes to a photoshoot. 

Of course there are certain trends when it comes to anything, especially photography, but that doesn’t mean there should be a lack of creativity. I like to incorporate popular photography trends but make it my own, and make it individualized for your baby. We all have different styles and I work hard to make all of my photos are unique as possible. 

If you consider yourself creative and you like to get involved in design and decor, you’re more than welcome to team up with me and we can create a concept together. If you don’t want to be involved in the creative process, that is totally okay too! That’s what I am here for after all. 

3. A Photographer Who Is Prepared 

Another quality you would like to find in a newborn baby photographer is someone who is prepared. Someone who has all the right lights, camera lenses, props, and gadgets to make the photoshoot happen. When it comes to newborn photography, I’ve realized that a warm cozy room, makes a complete difference in the way the baby relaxes.

If you’re interested in a studio photoshoot, all you have to do is show up with your baby and I have everything prepared. Bringing a baby and outfit changes is hard enough, I don’t want you to have to worry about anything else. 

If you want to do a photoshoot in your nursery room or outdoors you can count on me to show up on time, with a fully charged battery, and all the equipment necessary. I know as a mother, time is precious and is something that shouldn’t be wasted. I can assure you we will stick to the game plan and be as exquisite and timely as possible. 

4. A Photographer With Experience

When you’re looking for a professional in any field, experience is one thing you should never take for granted. Research how long they’ve been doing what they’ve been doing, read their reviews, and analyze their photos. You’ll never regret not doing your homework. 

I’ve been capturing photos for over 10 years. At this point I know most if not all of the in’s and out’s of photography. I’ve experienced every hiccup, speed bump or challenging scenario there is. And most importantly, I can work with any baby. 

I remember when I first started out as a photographer, and boy was I thankful that people trusted me to do what I did, but I can proudly say I’ve come a very long way. The experience I have now compared to when I first started is immeasurably more. When you’re talking about newborn photos, it’s crucial to trust your photographer, because it is your newborn baby we are talking about. 

You don’t want just anyone trying to take their photos, not following safety hazards, and just winging it. Newborn photography is a huge responsibility and not one that I take lightly. Some precautionary steps I take for a newborn session include:

  • Always washing my hands prior to touching the baby
  • Be extra careful to reposition the baby
  • Always support the baby’s head
  • Make sure photography equipment is secure and in place
  • Always wash the items or props I will be using
  • If placing the baby in an item like a basket, I only use sturdy items

5. A Photographer Who Will Be Upfront And Honest 

mom-holding-baby

Another extremely important quality you want in a newborn photographer is someone who gives you all the details. I’ve heard of people working with photographers who aren’t upfront about their pricing, they don’t prepare you for the photoshoot, and you don’t know what you’re getting into until it’s done and over with. Lack of details can be stressful on your part, especially because getting professional photos aren’t always cheap. 

As a photographer, I believe the more details you know, the more comfortable you will be, the easier it is for you to get prepared and the easier my job will be. In fact, I’ve created a guide for parents if it’s your first time getting newborn photos taken. 

This guide includes helpful information such as:

  • When you should book your photoshoot 
  • How you should prepare for your photoshoot
  • What you should bring to the photo session
  • What you should wear (I often use parents as the backdrop)
  • When you should receive your photos back

If you have any other questions in terms of the newborn photoshoot, I am always available to answer those. 

6. A Photographer With An Eye For Detail

newborn-portrait-photos

This may not be as well known, but it is crucial for photographers to have an eye for detail. A photographer could get the perfect shot, but if they miss a detail in the background the shot could be ruined. 

I’ve even experienced this myself. Sometimes in the moment you’re so caught up in how the baby looks that you miss a detail in the background. Yes, there is photoshop but if you can avoid using it for all of your photos, that is a much better scenario. 

While being a photographer for many years, I’ve learned how to have a keen eye for details. I analyze the entire shot, and make sure it’s just right before moving on. There is nothing worse than completing a 2-3 hour photoshoot, only to get home or receive your photos back and be bothered by a lack of detail. 

This could be anything from the baby’s hair sticking up, to the blanket laying awkwardly, and the lighting hitting the wrong spot. 

7. A Photographer With Availability

maternity-photos-cincy

If you booked ahead of time, good for you! The chances of you doing that probably are not very high considering there is a lot going on when you’re pregnant. So finding a newborn baby photographer who isn’t booked up for a year in advance may be the best case for you. 

Typically I have a very full schedule, but I am usually always willing to work something out with my clients. I know life happens and it’s hard to be ahead of everything, that’s okay! I will make sure you get your wonderful newborn shots. 

However, if you are a planner and you like to have things organized and booked ahead of time, it’s best to book your photo session between 2 and 4 months before your due date. Obviously, unless it’s a scheduled C section you won’t quite know exactly when your baby will arrive. Because of the unknown we suggest giving us the ballpark date, and then calling us when your baby does arrive and we will first celebrate with you and then we will book an official date and time. 

We suggest getting your newborn photos taken before the baby is two weeks old and ideally in the first 9 days. During these initial days, the baby is less fussy, sleeps deeply, and not yet affected by infant acne. 

For this reason, it’s very important to find a photographer who is going to be available during those 9 days. If someone is booked up for months, good luck getting your newborn photos taken! 

8. A Photographer Who Is Reliable 

cincinnati-newborn-photographer

Reliability could be anything from showing up on the right date and time to getting your photos back in a reasonable time frame. My clients can expect to get their photos back 3-4 weeks after the session has been completed. I take this time frame seriously, because I know how excited and eager you are to receive them back. (I would be to!)

Some photographers book themselves up for months and months and are completely backed up when it comes to returning photos. Is it worth paying hundreds of dollars to not get your photos back until your baby is 6 months old? By that time these photos are still great for memories but not as relevant to share with friends and post on social media.

If your photographer doesn’t show up or has to keep rescheduling, it could be next week or weeks later and your baby may not be in their fresh newborn phase. Like I said, those first nine days are so crucial! 

Conclusion

When you spend time to consider those traits before choosing your newborn baby photographer, you can rest assured you’ve picked the perfect one for the job. 

One last tip: See if you relate to the photographer and wouldn’t mind being friends with them. As a photographer, I love to think of my clients as friends and people I want to go through life with. When you’re family has a big moment or season, I want to be there to capture it for you.

If you could see yourself considering a photographer your friend, that’s a good sign that they may be a great pick. This way you’ll wind up with beautiful photos and have a blast during the photoshoot.

To book a newborn photographer session with me, Carrie Lynne Photography, simply click here and fill out the form where you can also write a quick message describing your wants. I cannot wait to work with you!

Professional Photos: Studio Babies

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Some of my favorite photography, is to no surprise, babies! Taking professional photos in a studio is so much fun. Using a studio gives you so much freedom to decorate and create whatever backdrop you would like. Maybe you would like to keep it simple, and maybe you would like to go all out and make it super fun and over the top. I think both methods are just as great.

Whether you have a specific occasion to celebrate or not, I make these professional photos as fun as can be (for both the parent and the baby of course). Here are some fun studio shots I’ve taken in the past.

Baby Cake Smash Professional Photos

The good ole cake smash photos will never get old! Your baby is free to be themselves, have some fun and we end up with cute photos in the end. The easiest part about this photo idea, is that all we have to do is provide the cake and sit back and watch.

No need to spend a lot of time outfit planning, and using props and poses. Instead the baby gets to do what the baby does best, make a mess! The babies also get so excited and interested in the cake that they forget I am even there.

This is one of the cutest ways to remember your child’s first birthday. A cake is such an icon for birthday celebrations and one of the best memories I have of my children, is giving them their first birthday cake.

As they get older, the cuteness doesn’t stop, but just becomes different. You start to try and teach them how to blow out the candles which results in them spitting all over the cake, another great memory for me.

This girl is just fabulous! Her parents wanted to incorporate the cake idea, however they wanted the backdrop to be an entire party. We used necklaces, hair bands, and all of the party decor to give these photos so much excitement and life.

Let’s just say she had her own little birthday party and I got to photograph it. I love how this turned out, and if you ask me, I think your baby should be celebrated this big!

If you aren’t so into thinking the cake idea, there are other ways to celebrate your child’s birthday with professional photos.

Birthday Professional Photos

Maybe you’re not sold on the cake smash idea. There are so many other cute ways to document a birthday! For example, this young fella turned one and we utilized letters, balloons and other props to enhance the studio photos.

This photoshoot was just as fun, and there wasn’t a mess to clean up in the end. Using props and letters are a great way to tell a story through the photos. Years ago, the photos printed all had the dates and times in the corner, or if you were like me you would write the date on the back of the photo. Using these props to say that you are celebrating his first birthday is a great way to remember he was turning one around the time these were taken.

A cute way to document your own photos at home, is by using a letter board to type out the celebration or the date that the photo was taken.

Sibling Professional Photos

Daughters Photos Northern Kentucky

Why just photograph one baby when you have three adorable little girls? This photoshoot was super fun because I got to work with three daughters. We also got to use a flower wall backdrop which was super fun and pretty.

Having photos of not just your newest born, but all of your children at once is so special. I’ve noticed that the babies often feel a lot more comfortable when they get to imitate their older siblings. How cute are these girls?!

We spent time getting individual shots of each of the daughters and then had some fun posing all three of them together. They made my job easy, because siblings are really good at making other siblings laugh.

Final Words

Newborn photos are my speciality, but toddlers are some of the most fun to photograph. They are old enough to sit up on their own, play with what is in front of them, use props to stand, and start to really grow into their personality.

I’m biased, but I can’t get enough pictures of my children. I think one of the best things you can do for them is document their childhood. I know even for me it’s still so fun looking back on old family photos and reminiscing about those times. Your children will be grown in the blink of an eye and what will you have to look back on?

It’s not too late either if you feel like you’ve missed the chance. No matter the age, it’s always a great idea for family photos. My children will be teenagers and yes I will still be making them take pictures.

I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did and if you were looking to schedule a photographer, check out my information page for package details and prices.

Cincinnati Portrait Photography- Thank You!

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How crazy is it that it’s already April?! I feel like I was just setting my new years resolution goals like, yesterday. And no, we don’t need to get into whether or not I am still sticking to them (haha).

I like to occasionally make a sappy post here and there, because you guys will never know how grateful I am for your business. As a Cincinnati Portrait Photographer, I get to meet so many awesome people. Not only do I get to meet so many great people, you guys always welcome me into your home, and your family with open arms!

I believe I have some of the best clients around, and you deserve a post just devoted to saying thank you.

I recently was able to get this video made that shows majority of my photos, and puts them in a unique story board. Watching videos like this always spark emotion because I am truly passionate about what I do. I love getting to see how many different faces I’ve been able to capture over the years. The constant love and support I’ve gotten from all of you is another bonus. Including some of the very special reviews I’ve received.

Studio Portrait Photography

This review is one of my favorite reviews ever because it’s genuine and gives you a good look into what I do, and why I like to do it.

Carrie Lynne Photography is awesome! She did the “first year” for each of our children and a family session now that they are older. Family pictures with little kids is not super fun in and of itself (with tears, potty issues, and other shenanigans) but Carrie finds ways to make it fun and always captures the perfect moments. There have been several times when I walk away thinking “oh my, there is no way she was able to capture a moment where all of us were looking at her” but she does. And the photos are BEAUTIFUL!! We have done photos at parks, downtown, and in her studio and they have all turned out beautifully. I highly recommend her for all of your family and newborn photo needs!

This review captures everything I would love to communicate with you guys! Yes, first year photos can be difficult especially for the parent, when it comes to preparation. However, no matter what the circumstance is, we make it fun, we work with what we got and I promise you’ll love your photos.

With all the possible tears, potty issues, outfit malfunctions, whatever the case may be, I am determined to get a smile in between and during those moments. Children are children and sometimes it’s those photos that make the best ones and really capture real life.

This is one of my favorite portrait sessions recently. I love how we were able to incorporate so much color. Cake shots are always so much fun for everyone involved (especially the children). If you’re worried about your child smiling during the photo session, just bring a cake! It works 99% of the time.

Lastly, portrait photography can be taken in my studio and even outside, such as downtown Cincinnati or your local neighborhood park! I’ve always been drawn to portrait photography because even though you can get a stunning landscape photo, I think it’s the people behind the photos that make them so special. Human life is so precious and having the ability to capture it, is such a blessing to me. Whether its a newborn or an adult portrait photography session, it’s so special to me. Every person has an individual story, and each person continues to evolve and change throughout seasons.

Home Portrait Photography

I am so grateful for clients who welcome me into their home to capture photos. In home portrait sessions are always some of my favorites because the pictures come off so genuine and natural. Sometimes people get nervous and tense of with a camera in their face, but an in home photo shoot always seems to help calm those nerves.

Being in the comfort of your home allows you to relax and be your authentic self. It’s also super fun to look back at old pictures and remember some of the furniture, wall paper, and decor you had in your home.

This home session, we were able to get some individual shots of the newborn baby, the parents together and even big brother! This is a great way to capture the entire family at once. The newborn photos are a great reason to schedule a photo session, but it’s just as important to capture the entire family together.

This family did such a beautiful job coordinating outfits and look how photogenic they are! They truly made my job so easy and so much fun.

No matter what the occasion is, it’s always a great time to get your photos taken. Now that spring is among us, the sun is going to stay out later and later giving us the best opportunity for sunset photos.

Outdoor Portrait Photography

I’ve mentioned the benefits when it comes to studio and in home portraits, but sunset photos are hard to beat! Nature can be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to photography. When mother nature decides to cooperate, it’s game over!

These gorgeous photos I captured during sunset and they are stunning. The natural lighting and beautiful colors of the sky, are breathtaking. The way the sun was able to illuminate this mother to be’s belly was my favorite part.

Final Words

If you have worked with me before, I just want you to know that I appreciate you and I am so thankful you chose me to capture you and your family! I look forward to being a part of all of your big life moments.

If you haven’t worked with me before, I hope this post inspired you to give me a shot (or a photographer in general). I believe getting professional photos taken, are priceless! If you are interested in booking a session with me, visit carrielynnephotography.com and check out my information page. On this page, you can choose the best package for you.

4 Tips For Newborn Photos In Your Home

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When you have a newborn baby, it can be a hassle and a bit stressful taking your baby out of the home. For those of you who can relate to this, I wanted to give you some practical tips to help you create and capture your own memories of your newborn from the comfort of your home.

Create your own mini photoshoot or have a photographer come to your home and have professional unique photos without having to go anywhere!

Find Inspiration

Whether you decide to go with a professional photographer or not, it is still up to you to find inspiration. Photographers can point you in the right direction and provide you with inspiration of previous photoshoots, poses, and props they’ve used, but it’s up to you to make it your own.

This is what is fun about planning and prepping for the photoshoot! You get to tie in any significant props or attire that may be unique to your family. Maybe you’re thinking, well we don’t have anything unique. Does your family have a favorite sports team? Throw on a little onesie or hat and show your home team pride in the photoshoot. Or maybe, your parents gifted their grandchild with a homemade blanket. That would be a great prop to use in the photoshoot. 

There are so many different directions you could go with your newborn photos which makes it all the more fun. You also have the option of being involved in the photoshoot, perhaps swaddling your child or kissing them on the forehead. If you liked to stay behind the scenes more, we can keep the spotlight on your child! No worries at all.

My favorite spots to look for inspiration are Pinterest and instagram. There are extremely cute ideas on both platforms. Feel free to copy someone’s idea and then make it your own!

Decide a Theme

After finding inspiration, naturally this will help you decide your theme. Like I previously suggested, you can go the sports route, you can go the girly route with floral incorporated, you can go to the uber cozy route, with just tons of blankets and fuzziness or we can do a little bit of both.

Maybe Christmas time is coming up and you want to focus on a holiday type photoshoot. We will incorporate a festive holiday onesie, Christmas lights, fur blankets, candy cane props, maybe a mini sleigh and you’ll have Christmas photos you’ll never want to forget.

Perhaps you don’t want to really have a theme or celebrate anything specific. Maybe you just want to document your baby’s growth.

Maybe your theme isn’t revolved around a holiday or specific attire, but it’s a certain color. Perhaps you want to match a certain room in your home, or add some cute photos to your baby nursery.

I also offer the option of an in home styling photoshoot or the use of my professional studio space. In home styling offers the impression of a “candid” type photoshoot. Essentially a very natural and authentic photo capture of your everyday lives to an extend. It gives the impression of you doing what you do without even realizing that there is a photographer there. 

A studio photoshoot, gives that more formal and professional feel. The lighting and the setting are staged, but that’s the point! Everything looks perfect, including your child. With a studio space there is a little bit more flexibility involved when it comes to changing themes and studio settings.

The nice thing about a studio space, you as the parent don’t have to do any work! It’s set up and ready to go before you even get there. No need to worry about if you home is clean enough, or decorated well enough. This takes a lot of pressure off of you! As a busy mom or dad, the best option is usually going to be what makes your life easier, I get it.

Create a Cozy Space

Crank Up The Heat

Whether you decide to do an at home or in studio photoshoot, the most important part of getting great photos from a newborn is to make sure they are cozy and in a restful state. One thing you can do to make this happen, is crank up the heat a little bit or grab an extra heater for the room you are taking photos in.

We’ve all been there before, after you’ve eaten and are in a warm cozy spot, you’re bound to fall asleep. That is the goal for this photoshoot! The deeper the sleep the baby is in, the better.

Not only is the temperature of the room important, we want the baby to be swaddled or atleast cozy to an extent.

Warm Up Your Hands

Not only should the room and setting be cozy and warm, make sure your hands are warm as well. Whether that means running them under warm water before the shoot or using gloves when you pick up the baby, this is a step that is crucial and oftentimes overlooked. Imagine if you were taking a warm nap and someone with cold hands touched you, I’m sure we would all be a little caught off guard.

Use Blankets & Baskets 

In addition to a warm setting, what is going to make the baby comfortable and the newborn photos to turn out so fantastic is a photogenic setting. Specifically for a newborn photos, the key is to get the baby to cuddle up like they were still in the womb. I suggest using blankets of all different kinds of textures to keep the photos dynamic.

In addition to blankets, I love to use baskets or small spaces to encourage the baby to curl up. The cutest part of newborn photos is when they naturally get in this position. Once they start to become a month or two old, they naturally start to stretch out and are less likely to do this. This is why scheduling your professional newborn session or planning your own in home photoshoot is crucial to do within a few weeks of birth.

Use A Letter Board For A Touch of Fun

One of my favorite trends recently, has been the use of letter boards. Letter boards are a great way to add communication and direction to a photoshoot. Just by looking at a baby you may not know their age, or weight, but using a letter board is a cute way to document that.

Letter boards are commonly used during newborn photos as well. Not only is it important to document your newborn, but it’s super fun to document mom during her pregnancy. If you’re documenting moms progress or the babies progress a professional photoshoot can get expensive if you’re wanting to document once a month. I suggest getting a professional photoshoot done at least once per year, if not twice, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be taking your own photos in between.

Not only can you use the letter board for documentation, but if you wanted to add some humor or charm to a photo, adding a little saying like this one is bound to get a lot of a laughs.

The greatest part of letter boards is that they come in handy for so many different occasions or decorations around the house. This little investment is beyond worth it. I suggest checking out Letterfolk’s instagram page for cute inspiration for different ways you could use the letter board.

Final Words

Whether you can afford a professional photoshoot or not, everyone is capable of creating their own little mini photo session with their newborn baby. Find your inspiration, get creative, crank up the heat, gather everything cozy in site, and add a letter board for a touch of fun and you are good to go.

It isn’t realistic to solely rely on your professional photoshoots to document your baby’s growth. Part of being a mom is having thousands of photos of your baby just taking up all of the storage in your phone. But instead of just taking a bunch of thoughtless photos, make it a goal once a month to plan a little photoshoot. If you aren’t sure what kind of theme to go with, think about what month it is and what season it is and if there are any holidays worth celebrating!

I hope this helps inspire you to take on the photographer role more often in your daily lives and encourages you to seek out professional photoshoots at least once or twice every year! 

Cincinnati Baby Photography: Age Matters

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I will always say that every age is the perfect age to get baby photos taken, and no matter how old your baby is, I guarantee you will go home with stunning images that capture your baby’s beautiful self. So no need to stress out if you didn’t get on board in time for newborn photos, it’s never too late to capture the moment.

However, if you haven’t had your child yet and you’re hoping to plan ahead, there are certain things you may want to pay attention to. In order to nail that dream, most likely, Pinterest inspired photoshoot and make sure your baby will hold those specific poses you had in mind, it helps to have them be in the right age group.

During the first year of birth, your baby will go through so many physical changes and growth at the blink of an eye. If you are looking to get photographs of your child before they turn one, this is not a stage you want to procrastinate in.

Newborn Photography (Under 2 Weeks Old)

As many of you know, newborn photography is one of my absolutely favorite infant stage to photograph. The tiny infant that is extremely sleepy and cuddly is my dream come true when it comes to baby photography.

If you want a super snuggly newborn photoshoot where your baby is still curled up like it’s in the womb, then it is absolutely ideal to schedule that photoshoot within the first two weeks of birth. After these first two weeks, it’s not the end of the world, but your baby will naturally be awake longer, move around a lot more and it’ll just be a bit of a challenge to keep them all curled up.

You may be wondering, how do I schedule it within those two weeks if I’m not exactly sure when the baby is coming? I recommend all mothers who are expecting to schedule the photoshoot about a week after the mother’s due date. This allows your photoshoot to happen within that two week mark, if your baby comes early or if it comes late.

I also am pretty flexible with my clients, because as much as we would love for it to be up to us, and for us to be in control of the pregnancy, it doesn’t always happen on our terms.

3 Months Old

Babies who are older than two weeks old are just as absolutely stinking cute as the newborn babies. They are just awake more often, prefer to have clothing on, and won’t be resting as curled up as they once were. Some people even prefer infant portraits over newborn photographs, it is definitely a personal preference.

As your baby gets older and older, they start to develop more and more personality, which can definitely be a plus! Infant photography also allows you to relax for a longer period of time and truly enjoy your time spent home with your newborn.

At three months old, babies can now smile, laugh and hold their heads up steadily. They are starting to roll, recognize the sound of their parents’ voices and have more regular sleep patterns. Babies at three months old are overall more animated and engaging than a cuddly, and sleepy newborn baby.

6 Months Old

This age is a classic age for family portraits. The babies have grown and changed a lot of the past six months. They now enjoy playing with their hands, so they will love to explore different toys and objects which is ideal when it comes to a photoshoot.

At six months, your baby is also likely to be sitting up which is another great bonus for photoshoots. If you prefer to have your baby laying down more, schedule your portraits for around three months old.

9/10 Months Old

This is one of the best stages of your child’s first year because oftentimes at this point, the baby is crawling and can hold themselves up standing if holding on to someone or some type of furniture. Now that the baby is more active, they can take over the photoshoot with their spunky personalities.

At this age, the babies being more active allows me to add in some props and furniture, which always make for a very fun and creative photoshoot.

12 Months Old

At this point, your child will be ready to start attempting to take their first steps, if not already walking. Your baby is able to respond to instructions and suggestions which will help you direct and engage with your child during the photoshoot.

This is one of the cutest stages to capture as your child wobbles around trying to keep their balance as they walk and sometimes run.

Final Words

There is not one perfect stage where you must have you baby portraits taken. Whether you prefer the cuddly, womb-like newborn, the spunky toddler, or the rebellious teenager any time is a good time to get your child’s photos taken.

You know your child the best, and if they’re going through a season of teething or not getting enough rest, I encourage you to wait a little bit longer before you schedule your pictures. If you are completely sold on newborn portraits, then wait no longer! As soon as you know your due date, feel free to contact me and schedule your photoshoot, there is no such thing as too soon.

For your baby’s first year, check out our photography packages. If this is your first baby photoshoot, find all the information you will need here.

Cincinnati Portrait Photography

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Another photographer once asked me a question that has stuck with me through the years. It’s this: Say your house is burning down and you only have 10 seconds to grab something, what would you make sure to get above everything else? People’s first instinct is to get something invaluable, an item that they can’t buy or get back with home insurance money, and that’s their family pictures. I think that answer is extremely telling, because although the pictures aren’t the most expensive item in the home, they hold the most value to people and symbolize a special moment in time that you can’t get back.

With Facebook, printed pictures aren’t as crucial as they once were, but it’s like reading a paper book versus. a Kindle. There is something different about having a hard copy photo and being able to frame it in your home. The same can be said about how everything’s different when you work with a photographer who understands how to capture these moments in time that you can look back on forever.

When I embark on a new photography session with a client, my goal isn’t to just capture this one moment of your life and wish you the best. I love to create lasting relationships with my clients and “go through life” together capturing all of life’s biggest moments.

Engagement Portraits

 

Where many families start their journey in the pursuit of marriage and being together the rest of their lives, an engagement photoshoot is one of my favorite moments to capture. Whether it is in the literal moment of the engagement happening live, or if it is an after the fact photoshoot, it is an honor for me to see the excitement and sparks between these two people madly in love.

With the rest of their lives ahead of them and the dreams and passions the couple’s start to pursue together there is nothing more memorable to capture! Although most couples have been dating for a considerable time before getting engaged, the engagement is truly the beginning of forever together.

Engagement photo shoots are some of the most interesting and playful photoshoots I get to take a part of. I love getting to hear the story behind how the couple met and even sometimes including those special places in the photoshoot. For example, if there is a favorite coffee shop between the couple, or maybe they met at the college they went to, being able to include those special memories and moments in the pictures makes all the difference.

I hope that these photos help capture all of the emotions, feelings, and memories associated with this special moment in time. After the engagement, comes to the wedding and then for some people, the beginning of a family.

Maternity Portraits

 

Maternity Portraits are another special moment in time, that are always worth capturing. Pregnancy is the beginning of your bond and forever relationship with your child. The importance of maternity photography is to capture the excitement and anticipation of the entrance of a new family member.

From gender reveals to capturing different growth stages through trimesters, these nine months are nothing short of an extremely exciting time, especially if it’s your first child.

Just like newborn photoshoots, there is a lot of growth going on within the womb during pregnancy and for mother’s, a maternity photoshoot is a fun way to capture those stages of change. Different woman respond different to pregnancy and therefor it makes it a very unique experience and truly a one of a kind moment for you and your family.

In the past, I feel like women tried to avoid cameras and documentation due to the fact that they had gained weight, and were no longer confident in their bodies. You can notice a change in the way maternity clothes have shifted as well.

A decade or so, maternity clothing was typically big and baggy, you were almost trying to cover up your belly. In terms of swimwear, pregnant women always opted to wear a one piece swimsuit or a tankini if they even have the nerve to wear a swimsuit, and now woman are choosing to rock bikinis despite how pregnant they are (I love it!). In addition to bikinis, woman are confidently rocking body-con dresses, and really anything that shows off that gorgeous baby bump.

I absolutely love that our culture has decided to take a brand new approach on pregnancy. Pregnancy is now considered a beautiful stage of life, no matter how many extra pounds you have packed on during the process. The reason it’s beautiful is because it’s natural.

The natural aspect is definitely a goal of mine when capturing maternity photography! You don’t want anything too staged or “photoshoot like” however, the goal is to capture you in your natural element. Maternity portraits don’t all have to be just about you as the mother as well. This is another great time to bond with your partner and be excited about this life stage together.

Naturally, after the maternity portraits, I would love to schedule your next newborn photoshoot within two weeks of the delivery date or birth of your child, and this is why.

The natural aspect is definitely a goal of mine when capturing maternity photography! You don’t want anything too staged or “photoshoot like” however, the goal is to capture you in your natural element. Maternity portraits don’t all have to be just about you as the mother as well. This is another great time to bond with your partner and be excited about this life stage together.

Naturally, after the maternity portraits, I would love to schedule your next newborn photoshoot within two weeks of the delivery date or birth of your child, and this is why.

Newborn Portraits

 

One of the reasons baby photography is so important, is because their bodies are rapidly changing and growing during the first few years of their life. We can all agree on that!

According to the Mayo Clinic, this is how much your baby can grow just in their first year of life:

From birth to age 6 months, a baby might grow 1/2 to 1 inch a month and gain 5 to 7 ounces a week. Expect your baby to double his or her birth weight by about age 5 months.

From ages 6 to 12 months, a baby might grow 3/8 inch a month and gain 3 to 5 ounces a week. Expect your baby to triple his or her birth weight by about age 1 year.

So just in one year, your baby has tripled their weight and grown a few inches (that’s crazy!). This is why getting your newborn portraits (and scheduling them ahead of time) is crucial to capturing these important stages of growth.

I recommend getting your newborn portraits taken within the first two weeks of birth. This ensures that the newborns still curl up in that womb-like position, don’t mind be unclothed, and stay asleep and restful longer to ensure the best photos!

Children Portraits

Newborn and infant photography is for those “cute” moments. You’ll never get those tiny fingers and toes back, and that soft baby skin, but the great thing about children photography, is that it begins to really capture the personality of your child, which makes it so much fun!

When I work with children during photoshoots, I don’t want this to be a dreadful moment for them where I am forcing them to “say cheese” behind a camera because their parents paid me too. I really want this to be a fun experience for the children, where they can be goofy and show their personality through the images.

No matter the age of the child, I think every stage in life is worth capturing. Whether it’s their first day of first grade, or their high school graduation pictures, all moments are big moments and you never want to regret not taking the time to document those achievements or celebratory moments.

Family Portraits

 

My true passion and heart strings are pulled during baby portrait sessions. It also gets good when the entire family gets their picture taken at the same time and you see different personalities come together.

You may think as an adult or as a teenager, you just kinda look the same! Unless you get a dramatic haircut, or have some weight change, there is no big dramatic image change. Everyone seems to think that about themselves, however looking back at old photos will prove you otherwise (assuming you take pictures).

I think it’s so important to not only get pictures of your newborns, but have pictures to look back as a family in general. And trust me, when that child grows up they’re going to appreciate the fact that they can look back on those infant pictures of them as a child, and they are going to appreciate being able to see what the rest of the family looked like back then as well.

“Did Dad have a beard?”, “Did Mom have bangs?”, “Did my brother Michael lose his front teeth yet?” I know for me, that is one of my favorite parts of looking back at old pictures, just noticing different style changes and appearances. Not only looking at how you looked as a child, but the rest of the family, helps you recap certain memories in your mind and paint a better picture of your childhood.

Final Words

Hopefully this post has helped you get a sense of my photography and the value I hold on creating relationships with my clients. Especially when it comes to family portraits, if the children have worked with me before they tend to be comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Life is not just about the “big” moments of engagements, and pregnancy and high school graduation, but life is just as much about capturing all of the “small” moments in between. So whether you have something worth celebrating and capturing or you just want to get your family dressed up to take some cute and cozy fall attire shots, then that’s great too!

I try to consistently convince people that you don’t need an excuse to capture life. I think everyone should do it regularly because the only regret that comes is having too little of photos, not too many.

What To Expect When Booking a Newborn Photography Session

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If you’re a first time parent, or just new to the world of newborn photography, the process of getting everything organized and ready to go to capture high-quality photos of the most precious new person in your life can too often be a source of stress and confusion.

At Carrie Lynne Photography, what motivates us to do our best work is the immense joy that can come from the photos we capture. We know that we create treasured lifetime memories every day, so we try to prevent process that creates those treasured photos from being stressful as much as we possibly can.

If you have a little one on the way and are curious about booking a session, consider this your “cheat sheet”.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the ideal timeline for a successful newborn photography session, from our first contact to your final photos, and include our most useful tips to help ensure a session runs as smoothly as possible.

Two to Four Months Before Your Child Is Born: Booking Your Session

Typically, we recommend that clients book their newborn photography session between two to four months in advance of your child’s birth.

Why so early? Imagine the first days and weeks of your child’s life: your life will suddenly be overwhelmingly full of joy, excitement, nervousness, and a ton of new experiences. Managing photography logistics will probably not be particularly high on your list of priorities during this exciting and busy time — nor should it be!

Booking a few months in advance not only gives us time to manage any logistical hurdles we might need to on our end, but also ensures that our plans are solidified long and a rough date is established long before the joy and stress of being a new parent takes over your personal priority list.

When booking, you have plenty of options to select from, including our Baby’s First Year packages which include multiple sessions to create comprehensive memories of your child’s precious first moments. If you’re just looking for a one-off session, that works for us as well!

We’re also happy to work flexibly with parents regarding due dates. During our initial discussions, we’ll put together a rough timeline based on your most recent due date estimates. When your bundle of joy is born, just let us know and we’ll work with you to finalize the date for our session!

Right Before Your First Shoot: Coming Prepared

Taking the time to make a few minor preparations once the day of your shoot comes around is probably the most significant thing that parents can do to ensure their photography session runs smoothly. Fortunately, most of these preparations are pretty straightforward!

If you’re hoping to include any specific outfits or items like precious blankets or toys in your photos, make sure that they’re set aside and organized for quick access on the day of the shoot.

We recognize that your newborn’s sleeping and eating schedule can be a little unpredictable in the first few weeks of their life, but ideally, your newborn should be changed, fed and sleepy on the day of the shoot.

Sleeping newborns tend to take the best quality photos, so keep this in mind when preparing your little one for the shoot. One way to encourage sleepiness is to turn up the heat — if you’re running into problems ensuring your newborn is ready to sleep, this can be a quick way to get them to doze off!

Additionally, avoid applying any new creams or lotions to your newborn before you bring them in for your session in case of an unknown allergic reaction.

During The Shoot: Relax, Be Patient, and Have Fun

The shoot itself can be stressful for even the most experienced of parents. Watching someone else handle your baby can bring out your parenting instincts, and an uncooperative baby may bring up concerns that the session won’t turn out well.

During the shoot, we may also ask parents to leave the room if the baby is distracted by their presence. This can also be a potential source of stress.

Our biggest recommendations for parents on a shoot is to try and relax and be patient.

We book three-hour sessions for our studio to ensure that we have plenty of time to work around any potential issues, and our experienced team puts your child’s safety above all else.

During the shoot, we’ll follow your child’s lead and take as much time as necessary to ensure safety, comfort, and of course, quality. If you’re tense, your child will feel that energy and it will become harder for them to relax and fall asleep. By setting the precedent of calm peacefulness, you’ll be helping ensure that everything goes as planned.

After The Shoot: Enjoying your Forever Memories

Once the shoot is completed, we’ll take some time to make any corrections or edits that are necessary, and then reach out with your finalized photos!

This is the moment that makes everything else worth it: we know you’ll be so excited to enjoy such amazing photos for a lifetime.

We offer a variety of print options depending on the plan you select to ensure that you can enjoy your photos in whatever manner you prefer. Of course, full-resolution digital options are also available. However, if you have a special print option in mind that isn’t covered on the plan you select, we’re happy to work with parents to ensure your satisfaction!

Ultimately, with a little preparation and mindfulness, your newborn photography session will be low-stress and result in stunning family heirlooms to treasure for a lifetime.

Ready to book your session? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help get you ready to take some gorgeous photos.

Why Capturing Professional Quality Child Photography Pictures Is So Important

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Now more than ever, we live in an era of constant documentation, communication, and media creation. Seemingly from the moment your new bundle of joy enters the world to the moment they ship off to college, every member of your family, no matter how old, is equipped with an increasingly powerful pocket-sized camera and ready to snap and share photos at resolutions and speeds that were impossible even a few years ago.

In leading tech publications, multinational corporations go to war over megapixel count, each trying to convince you that their smartphone camera is as perfect as smartphone cameras can possibly get. Some of these smartphone shooters have even started to mimic the aesthetics of hundred- or even thousand-dollar DSLR cameras, providing even first-time photographers with background blur and high dynamic range. Meanwhile, increasingly high-quality cameras are even being integrated into sunglasses and other wearable technologies.

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In short, it seems like it’s never been a better time to have photos taken of your family. As each of you grow and change over the years, the availability of multiple high-resolution cameras available to capture memories at a moment’s notice seems more and more like a safe assurance.

So, in a world where cameras are more available than ever before, why hire a professional photographer at all? Even further, why hire a professional photographer to snag pictures of your little one, whose incredible cuteness is sure to be documented extensively by a veritable paparazzi of fawning family members?

It’s a perfectly valid question. Here at Carrie Lynne Photography, since the dawn of the point-and-shoot, it’s one we’ve been asked more times than we can count.

And over the years, despite incredibly impressive advances in the field of child photography, our answer hasn’t really changed too much: we’re not in the business of simply capturing photos, we’re in the business of creating memories that last forever.

For us, “forever memories” mean a lot more than raw megapixel count or exposure settings: it’s about capturing our clients and their loved ones in a way that they can hold onto endlessly. We know that these photos are about more than “just another photo of the family”: these are the special moments that get cherished, hung on family room walls, sent to relatives near and far,  and pleasantly remembered for years and years.

Put another way, these photos become heirlooms. And creating an heirloom is about more than a set of tools, no matter how powerful.

Yes, smartphone cameras are more powerful than ever. And yes, the seemingly exponential rate of their improvement shows little signs of slowing down. It’s all but an inevitability that within a few years, everyday consumers will have access to cameras built into their smartphones that are at least able to emulate the aesthetics of professional child photography setups that are worth thousands of dollars today. In fact, for owners of the most recent iPhone and Google Pixel devices, this is already starting to become a possibility, as professional lighting presets and DSLR-esque background blur are already available to consumers.

The fact that these powerful tools exist, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that the results that they produce will be worth sharing with your folks, much less at the standard of “forever memories”.

When I say this, I’m speaking from experience: every year since I was little, my own family has tried to capture a professional-grade family photo as an heirloom around Christmastime. In recent years, we’ve tried to capture these photos ourselves, both with selfie cameras and the assistance of grandparents given a brief crash course on how to operate a DLSR. The results have been, well, less than impressive.

Ultimately, the eye of a trained professional who has spent years helping families create outstanding family photographs is itself an asset. When you take the time and the expense to enlist the help of a family photographer, you’re not just gaining access to high quality equipment, but also to the skills and talents of a hardworking professional who has devoted their life to creating beautiful family moments that can be cherished for ages.

And especially for families with little ones who seem to grow up faster and faster all the time, capturing these professional photos is so, so important.

It’s so easy to get lost in our hectic day-to-day schedules and not take time to cherish the individual moments that make up the fabric of our lives. Seemingly before we know it, we’ve looked up and everything is a little different: months or years have passed, our kids are suddenly so much older than they once were, and we can’t help but wonder where the time has gone.

Those moments aren’t truly lost: they’ll be with us forever in our hearts and minds. But the opportunity to have something tangible to recall them by, to see the face of a loved one as they were in a specific moment in time, smiling brightly and captured in pristinely high detail, is a gift whose value cannot be understated.

Every year, looking back on the photographic memories I’ve created with my family is a distinct pleasure and a huge privilege. It’s an experience I truly wish every family had the opportunity to share with their own loved ones. They really do last a lifetime.

So yes — take those selfies and those candid shots. Surround your growing kids with smartphone cameras and cloud storage solutions. But also find the time to make forever memories with the help of a consummate professional whose keen eye can help create priceless forever memories that you and your family will remember for the rest of your lives.

 

Looking for a professional photographer to create precious memories of you and your family? Carrie Lynne Photography has been creating gorgeous photos of families and children of all ages for years. Visit our website to view packages and pricing and book a session in our Cincinnati studio or at your favorite outdoor location.

Child Photographer – Cincinnati OH

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Child Photographer – Cincinnati OH

When we moved from Mt. Adams to the suburbs in Anderson/Newtown, I loved all of the little areas I found to photograph in! Sure, I missed the urban beauty and parks galore but the “country” offers so much as well. Each spring, there is this small yet gorgeous patch of yellow flowers… okay weeds, that grow on the side of a road by my house so each year, I have taken my daughter (and started taking her friends too!) to get some pictures in it. I hope to continue this tradition for many years to come! As long as she will let me anyway ;) It’s so neat to watch her literally grow right out of the flowers. The first year, she didn’t even reach the tops of them and now she they are waist high. I tried to find out what these flowers were called and the best I could come up with is winter cress, here is a link to some of Ohio’s most common wildflowers in case anyone is as interested as I am.

I created this set of pictures, one from each year I have been doing this. My daughter at 1, 2, 3, and now 4. Also some pictures of she and her friends this year!!

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Contact Me

Cincinnati, OH 45244
(513) 374-9629
carrie@carrielynnephotography.com

My Awards

Best Portrait Photographers in Cincinnati
Best Maternity Photographers in Cincinnati