Thank you, Simply Spinning Thread, for sponsoring this post, Newborn Photography Essentials with Simply Spinning Thread. I was selected for this opportunity by The Simply Spinning Thread; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
As a momma, I value pictures of my kiddos. Honestly, I value pictures of everything, and even before kids, I took more than your average gal. I have loved the art of the photography for years and years and have had a camera glue to my face since I was a little girl. I wish there was a way to "click" with my eyes and capture things to remember forever from my viewpoint, but unfortunately there isn't.
This is why newborn photography is so super important to me. I feel like there is only a brief second in time for those photos to be captured of our littles and I want them to be perfect. Over the years of taking photos and having photos taken of my littles, I have put together a pretty good list of essentials that I feel like a new momma needs to make sure photos are great. Of course, my list is a bit girly-centered since our recent addition was Miss Lillie; however, I feel like it is important to think through these things prior to your delivery. Once your newborn is here, all you will want to do is cuddle...
Newborn Photography Essentials
Decide between studio and lifestyle
There are two main types of photography styles that are popular right now for newborns: studio and lifestyle. Studio is more of the posed positions, the ones you see in doctor offices with a baby hanging naked in a fruit basket. Or the ones you'll find with their heads magically being held up by their itty-bitty hands.
And then there is lifestyle. For us, we love lifestyle photos because they capture not only the newborn, but everything else around his or her life. These are probably going to be in your home and centered around your baby's nursery. Your photographer can capture essence of his or her crib, family members, and little tokens of your life right at that moment through lifestyle newborn photography. We choose lifestyle because we love capturing the moment in its fullness with all of the wonderful aspect of our life right at that second.
Find a photographer that matches your personality
It is also super important that your photographer matches your personality and photography style that you like. Search within your price range but also search their style. Ask yourself if your photographer's other newborn photos look like something you would want in your home. Would their photos be something you love if it just had your newborn in them? If your answer is yes, then you have yourself a winner.
Create a Pinterest board with your favorites
If you don't know what style you prefer, making a Pinterest board can help you decide. Even if you know your style (studio vs. lifestyle) but don't necessarily know what types of photos you like within that style, a Pinterest board could help. I like making a Pinterest board so I have an idea of different positions or places in my home where I would like photos taken. It also helps me visualize different props or outfits that I may want for the family and/or our newborn. A Pinterest board is also helpful to show your photographer so they have an idea of any photos you may be hoping for; I always tell people to never assume that your photographer knows what is going on in your head.
Grab a few statement essentials
After you have yourself a Pinterest board, these step should be easy: grabbing yourself a few statement essentials. For us, we knew we wanted to use a few bows, her personalized name blanket from Audrey's Bear, and our gorgeous coming home outfit from Simply Spinning Thread.
I received this outfit from Simply Spinning Thread back in February and it hung in her room through some really tough weeks prior to our birth. It was my rock. It helped me hold onto hope and anticipation of pure happiness for our little girl's arrival. It meant so much more than just a standard coming home outfit and I am so glad that we had it to pack into her hospital bag.
Simply Spinning Thread is one of the cutest Etsy shops out there. As a mom of three, Sarah, the owner of Simply Spinning Thread, has been sewing for years. She has paired her sewing skills with the most adorable fabrics and is now making great practical yet cozy gifts for littles. I just love so many of the prints in her shop, but this one that Lillie received was my favorite. Sarah paired it with the cutest baby blanket that we use on a nightly basis during chilly midnight feedings.
I asked Sarah to tell me about herself, her shop, and her life outside of sewing, and this is what she had to say!
I have been sewing since I was 8/9 years old. My mother taught me how to sew and would help me sew items to take to fair for 4-H projects. I have always enjoyed sewing as it reminds me of sitting in the kitchen sewing with my mom. Once my oldest child was born I began sewing more, to make hime cute, yet cozy and practical items. After having several friends inquire about making items for their kiddos, my sister motivated me to open an Etsy shop.
My favorite part of owing a shop is seeing little babies in items I have made. Whether a tag on instagram, Facebook, or a message.... it is my favorite part! I love having a small role in babies special moments; from first outfit, coming home outfit, gowns that is a favorite because it makes diaper changes easy, milestone outfits, birthday and holiday celebration outfits... And also making stuff for my little ones.
I love to order new fabric prints and coordinate them to make something something fun and whimsical, yet also practical and cozy. I live on an acreage and my kiddos are always exploring, discovering and playing. I want them to be cozy and comfortable to play, in the yard, at the park, visit the zoo, but also feel good about the fun clothes they are wearing while doing it. The most challenging part is balancing the shop and my time with my kiddos. I homeschool my oldest son, believe in learning through play so am always trying to ensure ample play time with my daughter and also have a newborn... and although it sounds redundant "babies don't keep" I cherish the times with my kiddos.. engaging in science experiments with my son, playing baby dolls with my daughter and lots of snuggles with my newborn.
My first and foremost job is my call as a mom. I love this crazy busy life, full of toothpaste sinks, endless baskets of laundry to wash, fold, put away, and repeat. I love reading stories at bedtime, over and over again and I love gardening with them. They bring me joy, joy that makes my heart hurt and explode. They fill my life with love, so much love and happiness. To balance it all, I sew when my kiddos have went to bed. Most nights I turn on lights in my shop after 9:00pm.
I sew until the wee hours of the night. I baby wear my newborn, I swaddle her up and kiss her sweet head as I cut and sew. I use this quiet time to pray... I rarely have any noise (radio, tv, audiobooks, etc) when I sew. I reflect and pray... I pray for my family, my kiddos, and the baby and kiddos in which I am sewing for. Every item I make is made with a prayer for that child... I pray for them to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
I just love Sarah's heart through her shop and her work as a mom. You can feel her love for her designs and her family through her words, as well as through her stitches of her pieces from the shop. You know how much I love supporting small shops and this one has truly been one of my favorites to work with. I have snapped so many pictures of baby Lillie in this outfit that I know I will cherish for years to come. I also love how easy it is to slip on and off during the day, especially during diaper changes.
To learn more about Simply Spinning Thread and shop her designs, check Sarah out on Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook!
