One of the biggest misconceptions about newborn photography is that every newborn sleeps for their entire session.
Do we want newborns to sleep? Yes!
Do they always want to sleep? No!
Sometimes we have sessions where baby arrives wide awake or awakens during the session. Sometimes they have gas bubbles and are having trouble settling. Sometimes they’re even overtired (yes, this happens!). And sometimes, they’re simply awake and curious about what’s going on around them (FOMO).
Regardless of the reason, as an expecting mom searching for a Long Island newborn photographer, you want to make sure the photographer you choose has the confidence, patience, and experience to work with an awake baby.
What If My Baby Is Awake During Their Newborn Session?
Being a newborn photographer on Long Island means my clients come from all over, even out of state. Some families live five minutes from my studio in Farmingdale, while others travel an hour or more for their newborn photography session.
The hope is always that when baby arrives, they have been fed before coming (or along the way), as per the session information guide I send out to help families prepare for the newborn session, and that the car ride helps make them nice and sleepy.
But there are plenty of times when that just isn’t the case and that’s completely okay!
I have had many moms arrive for their newborn session already stressed or even slightly panicked because their baby is wide awake. But this is exactly why did all that research and you hired a professional newborn photographer.
My job is not only to take beautiful images of your new baby; it’s also to understand newborn behavior, recognize their cues, and know when to change course while still working efficiently.
Working with an awake newborn can be challenging, but that’s where patience and experience are so incredibly important.
It’s knowing when to pivot. It’s knowing when to move to plan B, D, or even Z!
It’s also knowing what cues to look for and asking questions like:
- Is baby hungry?
- Could baby need a good burp?
- Are they experiencing gas or discomfort?
- Are they cluster feeding?
- Are they overtired?
- Do they simply need a break, some soothing, or a little extra time?
Being overtired can cause a newborn to become incredibly fussy and have a difficult time settling, just like it can be difficult for us to relax when we’re exhausted.
And sometimes, baby just needs to eat again.
That’s okay!
Feeding breaks are completely normal during a newborn session and are simply part of working with a newborn. There is plenty of time allotted for this because all babies are different!
Why Experience Matters When Photographing Awake Babies
When Long Island moms are looking for a newborn photographer, it’s easy to focus on the style of the images you love. You should absolutely love the photographer’s work but there’s another important question to ask:
What happens if my baby doesn’t cooperate?
The reality is that newborns are unpredictable. You can feed them, burp them, change them, snuggle them, and put them down thinking they are sound asleep and suddenly those little eyes pop open and it’s party time!
That doesn’t mean the session is ruined – far from it!!!
I personally have a workflow in place that allows me to pivot when necessary so that I can continue working toward a full gallery of beautiful images for my clients.
I always say that I have no problem photographing awake babies as long as they are happy and content.
A happy, awake baby can give us some really sweet images! Love silly little face, pouts, and those incredibly adorable yawns (my favorite).
The challenge comes when baby is awake and uncomfortable or unhappy. That’s when we need to take the extra time to figure out what baby may be communicating, what they may actually need.
Sometimes it’s that they need to be fed. Sometimes they need to be burped. Sometimes they need a diaper change or a little extra soothing. They just need a break!
All of those things are normal parts of a newborn session.
Reading Baby’s Cues Is Key
One of the most important parts of working with newborns is learning to recognize their cues.
A baby who is squirming, grunting, pulling their legs up, rooting, fussing, or repeatedly waking may be communicating that they need something. Years of experience working with newborns has taught me how to recognize when a baby may need a break or some additional attention.
If your baby seems uncomfortable, we stop and address their needs first. ALWAYS.
The safety and comfort of your baby always come before getting the image.
Simple things like taking a break, feeding, burping, changing baby, swaddling, or just a good snuggle make a big difference.
If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding, reflux, gas, or other medical needs, be sure to let your pediatrician know.
What If Baby Is Awake but Happy?
This is where things can actually get really fun!
If your baby is awake, calm, and content, we can absolutely photograph them.
Awake babies tend to move around more, so safety is key! I may adjust the poses or choose setups that are better suited for an awake baby.
Patience is key.
Knowing what you can and cannot safely do with an awake newborn is a huge part of making the session flow efficiently.
And sometimes those wide-open eyes create some of the most amazing images that are frame-worthy! Newborn’s eyes can’t specifically focus, they go cross-eyed a lot so when you’re able to grab that one image that gets them looking right at you it is truly awesome.
Not every newborn photograph requires a sleeping baby.
Parents, Please Don’t Stress!
As a parent, watching your baby become fussy and awake during their newborn photography session (or even prior to coming) can bring up feelings of anxiety. That is completely normal!
You may be thinking:
“Are we ruining the session?”
“Why won’t my baby sleep?”
“Did we do something wrong?”
The answer is no. None of that.
You did not do anything wrong, and your baby is not ruining anything.
Newborns are newborns. They’re tiny humans with their own distinct personalities and temperaments.
I always remind my parents that what is happening is normal, happens often, and is simply something we work through together.
My job is to take the stress off of you because I have the experience to work through it all.
I want you to be able to relax, know your baby is safe, and trust that I have a plan even when the original plan goes completely out the window.
Here are some FAQ about newborn photography sessions at my Farmingdale studio:
www.threejsphotography.com/faq
Choosing a Newborn Photographer on Long Island
When you’re searching for a newborn photographer on Long Island, don’t just look at their portfolio or price. Ask questions about the experience you’ll have during your session.
Ask how they handle awake babies.
What happens if your baby needs to eat several times.
Ask the photographer how they handle a fussy baby.
And definitely ask about safety and how they approach newborn posing.
And most importantly, choose someone who makes you feel confident that you and your baby are in good hands. This is so very important!! This person will be handling and posing your newborn so please be sure you’re choosing someone with experience and who makes you feel good about your choice.
Your newborn session doesn’t have to go perfectly to create beautiful images.
Whether your baby sleeps through their entire newborn session, wakes up halfway through, needs multiple feeding breaks, or decides they are absolutely not interested in sleeping, we can work through it!
The goal isn’t a “perfect” baby. The goal is to safely and patiently capture this incredibly fleeting stage of your new baby’s life.
If you’re looking for a Long Island newborn photographer in Farmingdale – I’d love to help make your newborn session relaxed and enjoyable for you and your family.
Because when it comes to newborn photography, sometimes the best moments happen when the plan changes.
www.threejsphotography.com
