It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted about newborn safety so here we go. This one also talks about the environment and how it should never be closed off or separated from parents view.
The photography world is a little fired up over videos of a newborn photographer and mentor working with sweet babies. I didn’t see the full videos myself, just some brief clips other photographers had but I’m kind of glad I didn’t see the rest, I wouldn’t have kept my mouth shut. Everything has since been taken down by the photographer but it doesn’t mean she learned a lesson or will change her ways.
I absolutely do not want to see photographers do things unsafely, but I do use these as examples so that others can learn what NOT to do and so that parents know what is and is not acceptable.
Here are a few photos of my home studio. You can see it’s very open and no matter where I am working parents can see me and their baby. Parents, if you walk into a studio and you can NOT see the photographer work whether they have a separate room they don’t allow you into or the space is blocked off some way, you walk away! This is usually for a reason.
A photographer, not local to us, had some very disturbing content posted that she filmed. She also claims to be a newborn photography educator. In these videos, the photographer left newborns in complex poses that are never to be done without hands on with extensive knowledge on how to perform them. She also very aggressively forces soothers into mouths until babies gag, and forces poses even with babies screaming in discomfort. If it can get worse, she also aggressively shakes and slaps them and forces their hands open. She even covers their entire face with a hat. It was obvious she gets frustrated and takes it out on the baby.
When I’m working with a baby, I gently tap or rub their backs or bums to settle them. Most newborn photographers do this as do parents. Shaking and slapping is NOT acceptable and the babies were clearly upset but she continued forcing them. I NEVER show frustration during my sessions. In fact I usually laugh at how stubborn some babies can be and I ask which parent that comes from.
Any of my newborn clients would say that I am incredibly patient. Actually, all my clients would say so as I work with a lot of children. And yeah, if it takes us 4 hours to complete a session, we take 4 hours. If it takes trying again on another day, I do that too.
From what I have read, this photographer has her work spaces blocked from parents view at all times. I have heard of others who have separate rooms they don’t allow parents into with the excuse that if they’re nearby the babies won’t cooperate.
Moms and dads, this is NOT a good situation regardless of the excuses they use. If they don’t want you to see them, it’s because they are hiding something they don’t want you to see. You absolutely can be within eyesight and have your baby still photographed properly.
I have moms sit away from the work space only because newborns can smell moms milk and when they smell and hear her, they want her and they may wake and unsettle. I have moms assist with poses but for the most part, they sit back and comfortably watch everything I do. If I were a parent and I saw the photographer had things up blocking my view, I would immediately question why they were hiding behind something. This person should never ever work with newborns or be teaching others either. This is how injuries and even deaths happen and unsafe practices spread.
There are many educators and many photographers out there, but not all of them should be. It’s SO important to do your research when searching for a photographer. Legitimate professionals are not only educated and experienced, but they can show you their work and walk you through their processes as well as the steps they take during your session when performing safe posing.
The sad thing is there are many bad photographers like this example that just haven’t been caught yet.
Always look for a reputable professional that has the experience and work to show, and even references from past clients. Ask questions before you book. If the photographer avoids answering questions or can’t, they probably don’t have the knowledge or want you to know. Ask to see photos of their space if it’s in their home or by appointment only. If you go in for your session and something’s off about what it really is like it’s not the same thing you saw photographed or there are blockages put up, leave. Your photographer should be an open book about how they do things. If you sense something is off even a tiny bit, listen to that and look somewhere else.
By no means do I call myself a mentor. I don’t teach courses or anything like that but I do know my stuff and I know how to recognize unsafe and potentially dangerous practices. I’m educated and know how to recognize a professional and an amateur and someone with experience or very little to none. I make posts like these to help educate others in the best way I can and to encourage parents to look for more than just the cheapest option. Even more expensive photographers can be awful so I share other ways parents can verify someone is a legitimate professional.
I’ve been doing photography for well over 15 years and over 10 professionally.
I have been working with newborns about 6 years, but I didn’t start until I had education under my belt. I’ve done a lot of courses on posing specifically. I still do this, I’m always learning about this work. I still do model calls if I want to try something new I’ve learned though I don’t need portfolio building.
If someone is portfolio building, they are likely new enough that they shouldn’t be charging to do it. My newborn session investment is not cheap and there is a reason for that. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t to break client’s banks. Last year I spent about $900 just on education on top of the free education a lot of mentors were giving during lockdowns. This is on top of the thousands and hours I’ve spent over the years. The educators I learn from are legitimate and do things the right way therefore I do them the right way.
So to sum it up, safety is always my top priority as it should be for all photographers. It’s not just about the poses and handling, it’s also the environment they’re working in and whether or not they’re open to parents watching what they do.
Moms and dads, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. If you don’t feel someone is a good fit for you, just look for someone else. If you would rather have a commercial studio over a home or vice versa, that’s ok. Don’t settle, it is absolutely not worth the risk. It’s okay to take a little time to search for the right photographer for YOU.
Your Lethbridge Newborn, Child and Family Photographer