Maternity session Kate and Jonathan | Maternity and newborn photography |

 

I first met Kate when she stopped by the studio in March to chat about maternity and newborn sessions. I love working with mothers-to-be and later meeting their little ones at the studio, and was thrilled to help Kate and her partner Jon record these precious moments in their life.






For the maternity session, Kate chose a pink maternity gown by Ana Brandt, a white top with a fluffy white skirt, and a grey fluffy skirt. We used a baby tiara for several of the belly shots.






The session was simply a dream, the soon-to-be parents were so easy going and relaxed. During the session, we also discovered that Jonathan and I were Westford neighbors years ago! We came away with a lot of beautiful solo images of Kate and several couple poses.



I love the final results - Kate is just gorgeous! I simply cannot wait to meet her little girl soon for the newborn session.

Booking maternity, newborn or baby sessions in our Westford studio: http://www.polina.pictures/contact-form

Saina’s cake smash session

As a baby photographer, it’s always such a pleasure to meet a brand-new human and then watch her grow during the magical first year of her life. In baby Saina’s case, I got an early start: she made her first visit to my studio while still in the womb, for her parents’ maternity session!

I officially met little Saina at her newborn session. She was a wonderfully cooperative baby, sleeping the entire time and allowing me to capture many beautiful images of her. Her 6-month milestone session was even more fun - she had grown so much and enjoyed showing off her new skills in the studio!

Since we’d met several times during the first year of Saina’s life (not just at our sessions, but also at ordering appointments and product pickups), her mom and I had many opportunities to discuss and plan her perfect cake smash! Saina’s mom had a clear vision for this session - she asked for an ombre cake and peonies, light colors, and touches of gold.

Before the session, I pulled together some of my favorite props to bring these ideas to life. Pale pink balloons, a delicate birdcage repurposed as a vase, and a teepee embellished with lace all made an appearance. And, as requested, I brought plenty of peonies and a cake covered with swirls that shifted gradually from bright pink to the palest rose.

Of course, pretty props are just one part of a successful cake smash session - the most important component was the beautiful birthday girl! Princess Saina was an absolute dream throughout our shoot - cheerful, playful, and full of smiles.

We were able to fit 2 outfit changes and 3 setups into less than 1 hour. While all three resulted in gorgeous images (just look at the photos of Saina pensively tasting icing or perching on her throne below!), the birthday girl herself had a clear favorite - the bathtub. Playing with the balloons in the tub was the highlight of her session!

Book your cake smash session today: http://www.polina.pictures/contact-form

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Session

When you booked your newborn photography session, you were probably full of excitement and anticipation. But, once baby arrives, thoughts of beautiful photos retreat to the back burner, replaced with the day-to-day demands of feedings and diaper changes.
Preparation is key to a successful newborn session, so don’t let those crazy first weeks get the best of you! Instead, print these quick tips and stick them on the fridge to make sure you’re ready for your baby’s moment in the spotlight when the time comes.

1. Let your photographer know when your baby is born
Call or email your newborn photographer as soon as possible after the birth (ideally within 48 hours). This will leave sufficient time to change the session date if necessary.

2. Be careful with feedings for 24 hours before the session

If you’re using formula, don’t switch to a new type or brand in the 24 hours before your session, unless you have a medical reason to do so.

If you’re nursing, try to avoid these foods to minimize fussiness and gas:

• Chocolate
• Spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper)
• Citrus fruits and their juices (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc)
• Strawberries
• Kiwis
• Pineapples
• “Gassy" veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers)
• Fruits with a laxative effect, such as cherries and prunes

3. Make sure baby has a full tummy before the session
A full stomach will make baby sleepy, helping your photographer take beautiful newborn photos. For best results, plan a big feeding just before you leave for the studio, and make sure baby eats his or her fill. Don’t forget to burp your baby before heading out!

4. Do not put baby powder or oil on baby’s skin
Keep your baby’s skin au naturel ahead of the session. Powders and oils change baby’s natural skin color, which can make your photos look off. Also, oil makes baby’s skin extremely slippery, making it difficult for the photographer to pose him or her.

5. Dress your baby in an easy-to-take-off outfit
When you arrive, your photographer will likely be the one to remove your little one from the carseat, change him/her, and start posing and shooting right away. A one-piece outfit with a zipper or buttons will make this process much easier.

Do not put socks on your baby - they leave marks on the skin that will be visible in photos. Also, avoid onesies - they are difficult to take off without waking the baby up.

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