sugar land photographers newborn

You know you’re a Newborn Photographer if you’re Guilty of these 6 Quirks

See the top list of 6 funny, quirky, and goofy traits that are the mark of a newborn photographer.

Hi, friends! Thanks for visiting my blog! My name is Sarah Borchgrevink; I am located in beautiful Houston, TX and serve the entire area + surrounding suburbs. As a newborn photographer, I've begun to realize I have developed a few quirks that are completely privy to the art of baby portraiture. Perhaps this is because professional newborn artists are often perfections, each detail making our hearts sing. We think about how to provide the best experience for our clients. Moreover, one of the biggest aspects to our work is our vast array of studio props, lighting, and accessories. My husband jokes that I have a hoarding problem when it comes to my studio, however, my studio is perfectly organized so he is just silly, ha! Let's get started. :-) 

Brush Flokati Rugs As if it's a pet

I have a slight obsession with collecting thick and fluffy flokati rugs. I buy them in each and every color. My current stash has the following hues: winter white, natural, butter yellow, tan, lavender, pink, blue, cobalt, Bordeaux, red, sky blue, coco, chocolate, apple, grey, mint, purple and gold. 

Before a session, you see, I sit on the floor of my studio and brush my flokati rugs lovingly. My husband also calls them my "chewbacca" rugs, lol! I think it's because they're hairy and thick, lol! I love when they're fluffy. I bought a special dog brush for "thick haired" dogs and I make sure the rugs get a good brushing before each use. If they're not fluffy, it makes me so sad! Only a newborn photographer can understand the joy of a fluffy flokati and how beautiful they look with baby sweetly laying on the rug. 

best newborn photographer houston
newborn photography houston
houston baby photographer

Organize everything by color and size

This is something that makes me so happy! When I walk into my studio, I cannot tell you how excited I am when my props are organized by color, shape, size, and different styles. For example, for my newborn girl headbands, I love when they are categorized by neutrals versus muted tones, or vibrant colors versus seasonal. The custom knitted hats and bonnets are organized by color and the type of yarn used. My buckets and bowls can be found by size and then all of my backdrops are organized in shades of light to dark. I always know where everything is and can easily reach things.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography

Make secret trips to the antique stores

One can never have enough vintage inspired props. The best place to find these amazing and classic items is at your local antique store. They're unique and something you won't necessarily find in a big box store. Anyway, sometimes I sneak away to the antique store because while I know I probably have enough props on hand and don't want to seem materialistic, I also know there is a hidden gem waiting to be found and used in a session. Babies in a bucket, for instance, are the BEST. A rustic crate with gorgeous texture and distressing a goldmine and when I find a vintage pail, I cannot wait to style it.

baby photography houston
houston newborn photographer sarah borchgrevink
houston tx newborn photography

Walk into a room and say, "Hm, it's cold in here."

I keep my studio at a toasty 80 degrees. However, when I'm not in studio, I always feel cold. Newborn photography has made me really cold-nature. It'll be the middle of summer, I walk into an air conditioned room and say, "Wow...it's really cold in here. What is it, like 70 degrees?!" LOL! I find myself always having a sweater on hand or cardigan to keep warm.

Refer to newborn babies as "squishes". 

If you have not figured out yet, I love all things newborn baby. There is something so precious about them - their sweet faces, button noses, tiny toes, cute little bellies. I love their gorgeous features and chubby cheeks, tufts of hair, bee stung lips. Of all the traits, nonetheless, their squishy chunky rolls are DIVINE. 

I personally call newborn babies by the name of "squishes" because they're just fresh, new and oh-so-chubby, aka squishy.

I also sometimes call newborn babies earth side cherubs, bambino, little loves, lambs and tykes. Squishes, however, is the absolute embodiment of their gorgeous little selves. :-) 

Newborn Photography Spring TX
Newborn Photography Katy TX

Have a very precise name for each color in the rainbow

Newborn Photography The Woodlands TX
Cypress TX Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photography Spring TX
Newborn Photographer Sugar Land TX
Katy TX Newborn Photography

In the world of custom newborn photography, there is no such things as simply "blue" or "green" or "pink" when you're styling a session. Oh no! There is a world of magnificent color that varies for infinite shades that truly encompass the beauty of all the stunning hues in between. 

For example: if I were sorting through my props for a "blue" wrap I would consider colors such as iron, surf, aqua, mint, river, bluejay, country blue, whisper blue, etc. If looking for green I would search for sage, marsh,  ever green, moss or hunter. Hues of pink could lend a coral, melon, apricot, peach, whisper pink, cameo, rosewood, deep mauve, sedona, berry or even iris. Neutrals could be colors like ivory, pearl, natural, pebble, stone, twig, thistle, etc.

You see: each color has their own magic. Limiting yourself to a standard hue would be boring, don't you think?

As always, friends, thank you for visiting my blog to read about funny or goofy quirks that newborn photographers may do! I wish you a wonderful rest of your weekend. Before you go, I would love if you could take a chance to read more about my recent sessions, check out my newborn portfolio, or even send me a message if you are looking for your own custom baby session. 

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

 

Houston Newborn Photographer | Preparing for Baby’s Posed Studio Session

Hi there! Thank you for choosing me to document your baby’s first photos. As a professional photographer, I document newborns full time and have been doing so since 2013. Your baby is in great hands! Not only do I have 4 young kiddos myself, I have mentored under some amazing newborn artists, taken many newborn workshops, and have tons of experience in newborn safety, handling, posing, etc. I also use top of the line gear when it comes to my lenses, camera body, and custom built PC and the type of lighting I utilize.

The quality of your images is very important to me! This prep guide is helpful because posing a baby for two hours is much different than putting baby down for a nap at home. We must keep them slumbering through several set ups! I cannot thank you enough for entrusting me to document this time for you. I promise to handle your baby with love, care, and respect.

Designing Your Session: What You Can Expect

  • I provide everything needed for your posed newborn session. Your session will be 2 hours long. The styling questionnaire ensures all your color preferences and favorite props are displayed.  

  • If there is a personal item you'd like included in your session, let me know in advance and it’ll be worked into your session. Check out this blog post on how I incorporate props from home into your session. 

WHAT TO WEAR

  • Children looks nice in dark jeans or khaki pants with a white t-shirt or neutral colored top. Dad looks nice in a light grey/white V-neck and jeans; Mom looks lovely in a maxi dress or a light colored tank top. Colors that photograph well are grey, white, cream, black, tan, lighter colors, etc. I use the wood wall in my studio for the family images and will also utilize the backlit white sheer curtains. I will wrap baby for the family portion so we may go straight into the session. Please avoid anything with a pattern. All photos are hip up to showcase baby. Nothing is full body. Mom – feel free to wear a pair of yoga pants if you like so you can be comfy

Studio policy on session start times and tardiness:

  • Your newborn session begins at the time you have been given. Clients who are late by 30 minutes or more will automatically be rescheduled to the next available date and a new non-refundable retainer will be due to secure your appointment on the calendar. I highly recommend you check travel times a few days before your session so there are no surprises on the day of. The studio is located near Barker Cypress/290 so keep this in mind when traveling from other parts of Houston.

Sibling Studio Policy:

  • It is studio policy that siblings aged 2 or under are asked to leave with Dad after the family portion. There is a park and many fast food options with an indoor playground around the corner, which is about ½ mile away. Your session will be anywhere from 1-2 hours long and while young toddlers add much joy and spirit to life, we need the studio to be calm.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:

  • From experience, babies that have been asleep prior to arrival are very difficult to pose. If baby has been sleeping, they often will not cooperate. To encourage this I highly recommend stimulating the baby at least two hours before your scheduled arrival. A warm bath always does the trick. The bath also makes sure their hair is clean and fluffy for the session. Clean hair photographs beautifully!

  • This also means keeping them awake during the car ride here and refrain from feeding 2 hours before arrival as well {if possible}. Play with their feet, tickle their toes, talk to them - I promise it is well worth it!
  •  Please dress baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid lines on their skin. A sleeper outfit is best. We want to avoid anything that must be pulled over baby’s head. I also request a pacifier for baby. I understand not every mama uses a pacifier so I respect your parenting wishes. A pacifier, however, helps soothe baby for the prop shots.

  • Please bring additional diapers for baby and formula if you're bottle feeding. It's always best to be over-prepared than be in the middle of a session and have nothing to feed baby. Baby is happy with a full tummy!

Keeping in mind these instructions will most certainly give you a well- prepped baby. In return we’ll be able to maximize the time you have in the studio with plenty photos so for that reason please do not underestimate and risk how well your baby sleeps after a feeding. We need your bundle of joy to be tired and a bit hungry. I know it will be hard, atop of your own sleep deprivation but I promise you, it will be well worth the effort. Your gallery will be amazing. I promise!

Once You Arrive at the studio:

  • Once you arrive you will feed your baby right away, once burped, we will then start preparing him/her for their session, meaning any and all clothing must be taken off, except for the diaper.
  • I'll have the temperature set to 77 degrees, white noise on, and I'll have everything set up & ready to go for our time together. 
  • Family, parent and sibling photos take first followed by Baby as the star.

DURING YOUR SESSION:

  • If you are comfortable pumping a bottle for baby, I highly recommend doing so. This allows us to begin the session immediately and ensure we hit all the poses, props, and setups within the allotted time coverage. If you do prefer to nurse baby, however, let me know so I can bring you in half an hour early so we begin/end the session on time. In no way do I want to cause you any stress so this is just a tip, nothing more. I understand the breastfeeding experience is very delicate and I respect your wishes.
  • If you do not pump, you can also formula feed baby just for this session. Breast-milk doesn’t keep our babies fuller longer so choosing to formula feed for the session, will not only be a little easier for you but it will keep them asleep longer during the handling and posing for a scene. Moms, please just be advised, it’s just a recommendation so if you choose to do neither, it’s completely okay. As a newborn photographer, I feel it’s my duty to offer any advice or tips that you as a parent can use to maximize the time we have in the studio and in return you’ll be able to showcase and display more than the average number of baby photos! I have four young children myself so I understand the way you feed baby is very personal and important to your family. 
  • Feel free to sit back and relax. I won’t need any assistance so take advantage of this time to rest. Feel free to bring a tablet or laptop to catch up on work or even take a nap. Also feel free to bring a snack or drink with
  • Think of me as your baby sitter. I am very comfortable working with newborns and really enjoy my time with them. Don't worry is baby goes potty or spits up on anything; everything is cleaned and sanitized after each session so no worries! 
  • Always feel like you can ask a question. I am an open book and if you're ever curious about a pose or why baby is in a certain position, I am happy to explain. I want you to feel comfortable during our time together. Your comfort is very important to me. :-) 
  • Please do not take DSLR photography during our time together. You will have access to all of the best shots and if a parent is standing behind me with a camera, I cannot work efficiently. I will need all of allotted time for the session. 
  • While I do my best to ensure you receive each set up that comes in your session, sometimes baby dislikes a pose or set up. In this case, I replace the missed pose/set up with something else that baby prefers. If we've spent 10 minutes or more one set up and baby is crying, I will move on because I do not want to sacrifice the whole session for the sake of one pose. It's important to remember babies are little people, too, and have their own autonomy. 

AFTER YOUR SESSION:

  •  2 weeks after your session, your final edits are completed. I retouch sessions in the order in which they’re photographed. Kindly note I do not edit or release any sneak previews until your final balance has been paid. The two week timeline does not begin until your final invoice has been fulfilled.

  • There is a $30/day late fee (per your contract) for invoices that remain unpaid. Your final balance is due the day before the session. Late fees are added to your final invoice daily. If you would prefer to pay by check, let me know in advance.

  • Please note, per my contract and studio policy, I have final say on which images make the gallery and how they’re edited. You will see the best images from each portion of our session together. If you have an editing request, they are subjected to a custom quote. While I will clean up baby’s skin, I do not remove every single imperfection because then the baby no longer looks like themselves. I leave a few flakes here and there; I also will remove a majority of redness and baby acne but as noted, it is my discretion.

If you have any questions about this prep guide, please notify me immediately. I truly want you to have an amazing portraiture experience! I know this can feel like a lot of information at once and I do not want to overwhelm you, however, I also want you to know that newborn photography is an art and often requires some prepping for the session. :-) I have a lot of experience working with newborns and I am committed to giving you a great session! These photos are once in a lifetime, so this is why you have received such a detailed prep guide so you may have these fantastic portraits to treasure. I cannot tell you how much I adore looking back at my own children's photos and am very happy to have invested in beautiful newborn photography.

All my joy and warmth to you,

Sarah

Sample photos of what you may expect: 

Father and Newborn Photography Posing

Houston Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photographer Houston TX

Mom and Newborn Photography Posing

Mom and Newborn Photography
Newborn Family Photography
Best Newborn Photography Houston

Parent Posing during Family Portion of Studio Newborn Session

Houston Newborn Photography

First Floor Prop on Rustic Wood Floors

newborn photographer Houston
Newborn Photographer Houston TX
Houston Baby Photographer
Baby Photography Houston

Cozy, Sweet Wrapping is next

The Woodlands Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photography The Woodlands TX
The Woodlands Newborn Photographer
Spring TX Newborn Photographer

Second Floor Prop 

Newborn Photography Spring TX
Spring Newborn Photography
Cypress Photography
Newborn Photography Cypress TX
Cypress TX Newborn Photographer
Katy TX Newborn Photographer
Katy newborn Photographer

Third Floor Prop

Newborn Photography Katy TX
West Houston Newborn Photographer

Potato Sack Pose

Sugar Land Newborn Photography
Newborn Photography Sugar Land TX

Tootsie Wrap

Newborn Girl Photography
Newborn Baby Girl Photography
Affordable Newborn Photography Houston
Newborn Photography Packages in Houston
Best Houston Newborn Photographer

Naked Bean Bag Posing (included in petite and full newborn collections)

Newborn Photography Bean Bag
Bean Bag Posing for Newborn Photography
Preparing for your newborn session
Tomball TX Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photography Tomball TX
Baby Photography Houston Texas
Newborn Baby Studio Photography
Sarah Borchgrevink Photography
Houston Newborn Photography
Newborn Photographers Houston
Best Newborn Baby Portraits Houston

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Latest Blog posts and topics

Instagram Features

 

Houston Newborn Studio | Sweet & Simple Parent Posing

Adorable In Studio Family Newborn Session Featuring 9 Day Old Rory Grace and First Time Parents

Newborn Photography Showcasing Mom and Dad

Howdy, there! I'm thrilled you're here on my blog. Today's blog post is going to preview an adorable family and their in studio newborn session featuring both parents. Parent and family posing is an important part of your session because this time in your life is extremely special and deserves to be documented! You've just welcomed a brand new baby and they represent your hopes and dreams; you spent 9 months eagerly awaiting their arrival. Now baby is earth side and is so small, she fits perfectly in your arms, a little cherub. At my Houston Newborn Studio, parent and family posing is the first part of our session together. Prior to arriving, you're told what outfits look nice and how to dress so you're comfortable. My studio is kept at 80 degrees for baby's comfort, so I prep you so you're sure to have a wonderful experience.

A few things that are paramount to your parent posing:

  • Comfortable and laid back connections

  • Lifestyle in nature

  • Baby is focus and the star

  • Full guideance given

These elements will ensure your photos are beautiful and represent the love of a couple as they welcome baby into their family. Here are some of my favorite images from my time with mom and dad.

Houston Newborn Photographer
Father and Newborn Photography
Mom and Newborn Photography
Newborn Photography With Mom and Dad
Houston Newborn Family Photography
Houston Mom and Newborn Photography
Newborn Photography Houston
Houston Newborn Family Photography
Houston Newborn Photographer

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.