Safety is my number one priority when working with your newborn. I was the first photographer in North Alabama to become a member of Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International. One of my main reasons for joining this specific photographer's association was to have access to the latest and highest quality safety information in newborn photography.
I am also proud to tell you that I am North Alabama's first photographer to successfully complete APNPI's safety course. I have taken other safety courses in addition to this, and I seek out all of the information that I can to be as an informed newborn photographer as I can be, to keep your little one safe.
There are some poses I do not do, because there is the possibility of your little one’s airway temporarily being compromised. Personally, I would Not be okay with my newborn not receiving oxygen for even a tiny moment to get the “perfect” shot.
I wash everything that baby touches with dye-free hypoallergenic detergent, without any fabric softener, for the sake of your newborn’s delicate skin.
Newborns cannot shiver to warm themselves up, and they do not have the brown fat stores that we have to produce heat when cold. So, I do most of my pictures with baby wrapped.
Also, I do not want you to turn your thermostat too high, because I do not want to risk overheating your newborn and cause a heat stroke.
There is a delicate balance between too hot and too cold.
I have been trained to watch for both the signs of a too cold baby and a too hot baby.
Should your baby become too cold, neonatal nurses advise parents to use skin-to-skin contact to warm their baby.
I have an assistant who stays close by to spot your baby. My first baby would army crawl in circles as a newborn, and newborns have been known to roll over for the first time, albeit non-intentionally, in their first weeks. While I am taking pictures, I keep my assistant right there to make sure your baby is safe at all times.
If I even think I am coming down with something I will let you know so that we can reschedule.
Newborns’ immune systems are immature and even a simple cold for us can send a newborn to the hospital. It just isn’t worth the risk!
If waiting 1-2 weeks is not something you would like to do (it becomes more difficult to get asleep pictures and certain poses past the age of 2 weeks), I will refer you to other photographers in the area. It will probably mean that you will need to go to their studio.
However, I have had some Gorgeous portraits with babies as old as almost 2 months with their families,
so please know that waiting is definitely an option in the event of an illness.
Let’s keep your little one safe!
Dear Postpartum Mama,
The last 2 months have been exhausting right?
You’re hanging in there, but sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to rest!
If you need that permission, here it is.
Your kids are ok with the iPad time they’re getting.
It’s ok that you haven’t put on “real” pants yet.
Take a break, sleep, take a nap, cry, ask for help.
You’ve got this.
"I never felt so beautiful than I did with the maternity pictures that Ellen captured. Because of that, I decided that I would use her for newborn photos as well.
What I love about Ellen is that she will come to your house for the newborn sessions. That way, your precious little one gets to stay in the comfort of their own home and it made it easier on us, as my husband and I were new parents.
Another thing I love about Ellen and her work is that she took her time capturing this precious stage of a babies life. Because she took her time, she was able to capture a little smile from our little man.
I can’t thank Ellen enough for her time and the work and love that she puts into her photos. If you are looking for a photographer to capture your family, she is THE ONE! Trust me, she won’t let you down." -Kati
This sweet 3 month old had the cutest expressions! The first one reminds me of the Gerber baby. 😊
What’s your favorite baby expression? A yawn, smile, or the Gerber pose?
Some families don’t want to do Easter baskets on Easter to make sure that they don’t take away from the true meaning of Easter.
Personally, my family’s Easter tradition ensured I never had a problem with understanding what Easter was all about as a kid, while still enjoying my Easter basket on Easter morning.
Check out my blog to see all of the details! (You can click there from my story today.)
(Also, it includes how to get a cute Holy Week coloring book that we use with our kids.)
ellenadamsphotography.com/easter-basket-scavenger-hunt
I hope this helps you enjoy Holy Week & especially Easter with your little ones!
#easterbaskets #easterbasketideasfortoddlers #easterbasketideasforgirls #easterholidays #easterbasketideasforboys #springideas #easterhunts
I hear it all the time. "I`m not sure I want to be in the photos."
You see the dark circles under your eyes.
You see the last 10 pounds of baby weight you`ve been meaning to lose.
You see your hair that won`t do what you want it to, because you haven`t had a haircut in months.
But here`s a little secret:
That`s not what your kids see.
They see the mom who gets them back to sleep night after night.
They see the mom who snuggles in bed with them when they have bad dreams.
They see familiar clothes that remind them of you.
They see the hair they play with when they can`t fall asleep.
They see you, mom, in all your glory.
I know it`s tempting to be the person behind the camera. (Hello, I am a photographer!)
But you have to be in front of it too. There are so many reasons why.
When you look back at this time in your life, you`ll want to remember what you looked like.
(Trust me, you`ll think you look amazing. Remember when you thought you weren`t pretty enough in high school?)
When your kids look at the pictures from this time in their lives, they`ll want to see you.
But on top of that, your kids are watching you. If you`re hiding from the camera, they`ll wonder why. And maybe even think they should hide, too.
It`s time for us all to step in front of that camera and own our look.
P.S. Can you tell I`ve been busy planning a beach vacay & day dreaming about our previous beach trips? 🏝
ellen@ellenadamsphotography.com
huntsville, al
maternity | baby | newborn photographer
