5 questions to ask when choosing a photographer for your Baby´s First Birthday

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When it comes to choosing a professional photographer to capture your little one’s special moments, there are a few key questions you should ask. Here are five tips to help you find the perfect photographer for your needs:

1. Does the photographer have experience working with children? Capturing the perfect shot of a child can be a challenge, and a photographer with experience in this area will know how to read the signs and keep your child calm, safe, and happy.

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2. Does the photographer understand baby behavior? Not only can photography sessions be stressful for kids, but also for their parents. A photographer who understands the signs of stress or tiredness will know when to take a break, how to soothe the baby, or simply end the session.

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3. Does the photographer have any “tricks” to get the baby’s attention during the photo session? Experienced photographers understand that babies don’t naturally look at the camera and “smile”. They may use sounds, treats, and motion to get that perfect smile or expression that you can’t help but adore.

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4. Does the photographer ask questions about your baby’s behavior and likes/dislikes? Photographing babies is much more involved than just setting up a scene and capturing photos. Does your baby have any fears (balloons)? Your photographer should be asking questions to help determine the best decorations and time for your photo session.

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5. Does the photographer genuinely enjoy working with babies? This may seem like an obvious question, but not all photographers are meant to work with kids. A photographer who loves working with babies will be able to capture the perfect shots that will make your heart melt.

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First Birthday Session Guide

SESSION INFORMATION & WHAT TO EXPECT

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First Birthday photography can be incredibly challenging, but I work with other small business owners in order to offer my clients unique First Birthday sessions.
There’s some prep and planning involved to make the shoot more successful so I have compiled a list to help us get the most out of your Baby First Birthday session.

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I recommend to have the First Birthday sessions when the child is between 11- 14 months old. Also, based on my experience of working with hundreds of children and from my own experience as a mother, the best time to do the photoshoot is after the baby had the morning nap – she / he will then be relaxed and more willing to cooperate for the photo session.

I love to get parents involved in the process so, if you have any décor/special items you would like to incorporate in to session, please let me know. I have many backgrounds, props and outfits available at the studio and I am always adding more.

A well fed baby is a happy baby. My advice is to feed the baby right before our session but don´t forget to bring a bottle water/milk and have baby’s favourite snacks on hand.
I am also happy to take as many breaks as baby needs if he or she gets hungry during our shoot. The goal is to keep the baby in good mood and to capture great memories.

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About 30 minutes before your session, please loosen baby’s diaper and any clothing with waist bands that could leave those little imprint marks. Loosening them before gives them time to disappear.

Poop happens! Please don’t be upset or feel bad if baby decides it’s time to go potty when he/she is being photographed! This is totally natural and it’s just part of the job.
It would definitely be helpful if you had a stack of extra wipes available for when things get messy though.

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You will be involved in the photo session and it can get messy! It is always a good idea to bring spare clothes 🙂

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If you’d like to see if I’m the right photographer for you, send me an email at info@carmen.photo to book a free consultation.

I am looking forward to meeting you and your baby at my studio in Zürich.

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