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. 

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.

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.

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. :-) 

Have a very precise name for each color in the rainbow

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.

Sarah’s Bean Bag Poses & Precious Wrapping | Client Preference List

Through the use of the squishiest bean bag posing and gorgeous newborn wrapping, Sarah creates timeless and unique family heirlooms you may forever treasure.

Good morning to you! Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm stoked you're here! Today's post showcases the type of bean bag posing I offer as well as cozy baby wrapping you may expect during our time together. This post is intended to viewed by clients so you may relay your posing preferences. For example, once baby has arrived and is earth side, all fresh and new, and part of this world, you'll notify me. I send you 3-4 dates to select from that take place in the first 14 days of life. You're sent a session styling questionnaire in which you're able to request props or items you've seen in studio, share you color preferences, and also let me know your *must have* poses. Let's get started!

When choosing a newborn photographer to photograph your baby, it's important you research their qualifications. How were they trained? Do they practice newborn safety and proper handling? Who did they mentor under? What type of precautions do they take when working with little ones? This in mind, these poses are ones I have learned through newborn workshops and mentoring; I have invested thousands of dollars into my newborn photography education. 

These poses take patience, time, love and care. Please do not attempt these at home. :-) 

A few things you should know about my business, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, LLC: 

• I specialize in posed newborn photography. I am exclusively focusing on my precious, petite clients so they may have my undivided attention. My heart belongs to baby portraiture and I cannot express the joy in working with new parents during the first few days of life, capturing this time for you, and creating stunning works of art.
• Baby is always kept safe through the use of composites. I also implement safety tactics such as keeping the room warm so they may regulate their temperature, adding weights to the bottom of the baskets so they never tip forward, not straining or hurting baby's muscles by forcing them into a position, and absolutely NEVER leaving baby unattended, balancing them, or looking away for even a moment. 
• I have been working with newborns, full time, for 3 years. I average 15 due dates per month year around.
• I am fully vaccinated and legally insured.

Side Sleeper Pose

Side sleeper pose makes the list as one of my favorite in studio poses because it's simply precious as can be. As listed, this is when baby is simply posed on their side and it's the quintessential pose in showcasing baby's curly nature from their sweet little hands touching their face or tucked beneath their chin. I love how you can see all of baby and their squishiness!

Side sleeper pose is also very versatile because it can be done on back drops, flokati rugs, or even floor props such as the wooden trench seen below.

Froggy Pose 

Froggy pose is the number one pose parents request. It's classic, timeless and shows how flexible a new baby is. This pose is a favorite because we can see baby's beautiful face, their adorable tootsie toes and their adorable little hands gently cup their face. Truly a stunning fine art image, though it is truly not designed for a novice newborn photographer to attempt. 

Tooshie Up

Tooshie is beyond precious! This shows their face and entire body, plus those rolls you spent months growing. I love when their feet are tucked under their bum and their little hands gently touch their cheek. 

Taco

Taco pose is especially adorable because this is how they grow in the womb; their feet by their face. I like this pose because we see their entire face.

Back To Sleep

This is a favorite pose of mine because I love the way their feet are curled into their chest. It can also be done as a naked pose or wrapped option, too, so if you prefer more modest posing that's a great pose to consider for your session.

Forward Facing

Parents adore this pose because it's all about baby's face and hands! Oh, my goodness. Who would not want this as a portrait in their home? The chubby cheeks, full lips and their sweet fingers. Sigh. Pure newborn cuteness.

Potato Style of Newborn Baby Wrapping

Potato sack pose is a cornerstone to my newborn photography sessions. I love wrapping babies because it keeps them happy and warm, but also allows you to do several scenes without disturbing little one. The rounder baby is, the happier I am, ha! 

Tootsie Wrapping Style

Tootsie wrap is truly a sweet style because their darling little toes are featured. 

Bucket

Bucket is a fantastic option for your gallery! I do a bucket or basket pose like this with every single baby who visits my studio space.

All Tucked In

ARMS TO CHEST

Arms Out Wrapping

MACRO DETAIL IMAGES

Specializing in timeless posed baby portraiture, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer serving the surrounding areas including Houston metro & 610 area, Cypress, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, West University, Memorial & Galleria, Bellaire and The Woodlands, TX. See why Sarah offers the Best Newborn Photography. In addition to breathtaking newborn images, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting couples.

Importance of Including Soulful Black and White Images in Galleries

Offering stylish and classic Houston Newborn Photography, Sarah Borchgrevink offers includes gorgeous black and white edits in your final galleries.

Importance of adding depth and soul to your newborn galleries

Good morning, everyone! Happy Thursday! Today's blog post is going to chat about the importance of including black and white images in your final galleries, why I do so, and how to create soulful newborn portraits full of depth through dynamic lighting. If this is your first time here, please allow me to introduce myself! My name is Sarah. Located in Houston, I specialize in posed studio newborn photography and serve the entire area. While I offer a handful of maternity and family sessions per month, I truly delight in working with my most petite clients, and hope you find this post informative as either another photographer or potential client.

When photographing a brand new baby, such as James you see above, I bring them to my Houston Newborn Photo Studio when they're about 2 weeks or newer. Here you'll find everything you need for soulful newborn portraiture that's inspired by vintage props and evokes a sense of emotion and depth. While cute photos of newborn babies is always a plus, the art of newborn photography should also preserve a time in which baby acts as an art piece. Parents are investing in stunning work so part of commissioning a newborn portrait artist is trusting their creativity, such as how they light and process the images. Photography, after all, is all about light and using light to create a statement. This may sound slightly pretentious to those who aren't photographers, however, that's the goal: to create a connection to your past, to preserve, to celebrate, to use dynamic lighting and say something beautiful.

When booking a session, parents choose one of three collections I offer. You may be interested in viewing them here. Along with their color images, I do include black and white edits as a perk to newborn clients.

• Mini Wrapped Newborn Collection
• Petite Newborn Collection
• Full Newborn Collection

Shows Contours and Highlights of Baby

I use studio lights during my newborn sessions and this is how you create contours, shapes, and highlights to the baby. This is how you create gorgeous tones and structure to the characteristics of a newborn baby. Parents have spent months dreaming of their baby's face from their sweet little button noses, cupid lips, tiny eyelashes, their profiles, and tufts of hair. The black and white photograph of newborn babies preserves this in the most stunning of manners by really showcasing those gorgeous contours of your babies face. 

Baby is the succint focus without distractions 

By removing the color from an image, the shape of your subject is truly highlighted. The negative space surrounding the baby only emphasizes their skin tones and little features. The wrap, pigmentation of baby's skin tones, or other objects within the frame will not detract from baby. All you see is their adorable selves, from the way their newborn hands delicately cup a cheek, the strings of the bonnet against their shoulder, or the triangle of light against their face - this creates emotion and depth. Mothers will look at these images and truly remember this special time in their lives. I have three little ones myself and motherhood and the ever changing journey of this does influence my newborn portraiture. 

Helps portrait artists shoot more creatively and see light

When you're not focusing on colors, you see the way light forms around the shape of your subject. This teaches you to be more creative on light placement and the times of the day you shoot if you happen to be also be a natural light photographer.

Creates emotion

With the color gone, there is nothing but connection left. The colors of the backdrop become irrelevent because baby's beautiful grace is all that is present and you're left with the irrevokable sense of peace and serenity of the sleeping newborn cherub. 

Timeless, Classic and Inspired by Vintage Pieces

Something I consistently strive for, in my newborn work, is to be simple, timeless, and classic. I am inspired by vintage props, texture, and often lighting. When designing your newborn sessions, I cannot help but feel excited every time a new baby comes to visit! This is a chance to engage the viewer but also create something that will forever preserve a special time. 

Why be trendy when you can be timeless? 

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.