What are five essential ingredients for a successful portrait session?

Obviously, good light is critical –but the child being photographed should have a comfort level and a trust built with the photographer. This is why it’s so difficult to get a really good portrait at a “1-2-3 say cheese!” kind of portrait session you’re likely to get at the mall, or from a hit-and-run photo at school. Getting a family ready for portraits is a big project –and Moms usually get the worst of it. A child will definitely pick up on those stress vibes if you throw everyone in the car at the last moment. So, like most things, it will pay off if you’re able to plan ahead.

Here are some suggestions for preparing your child:

1. Start talking about it in advance. “What should we wear for our pictures this year?” or “let’s pick our favorite shirt –because we get to go to the photo studio next week” “Should we get a new haircut? We want to look good for our pictures! It’s going to be so much fun!”  In other words, let your child know you’re anticipating an important appointment and involve him/her in the planning.

2. Set it up to be fun! If you hate being photographed, then you haven’t been to my studio. It’s not a chore, it’s a fun annual family event – like picking out a Christmas tree, or carving the pumpkin.  If you’re truly uncomfortable, don’t share your fear with the kids. From the minute a family walks in my door, I’m learning names, making jokes and sizing up everyone’s comfort level. We simply don’t give in to bad moods around here. Show up in a bad mood and I’ll make it my mission to tease you out of it!

3. Dads. Okay they’re the ones that want to hate me the most. I make them SIT and SMILE when they’d rather be at home  –AND I cost them money. It’s a dangerous combination for me.  But over and over, I see how much their family portraits mean to them –and how they display them with pride.  Whether it’s a cell phone or the wall above the fireplace, they make room for what I do and love it.  I’ve had Dads show up complaining loudly about how much I charge and then come to the order session and want to buy one of everything. So the best plan is to schedule with them way in advance and remind them it’s only one hour out of their year.

4. Make the photographer your partner.  Send me clues! Tell me (I’m fluent in parent code) “Johnny just lost a tooth!” or “Look at Sarah’s new haircut” or even “somebody wouldn’t brush his teeth for us this morning and didn’t get a snack!”  Anything that is front and center in their minds needs to be on my radar. I can tease them, joke with them or even commiserate — but it helps to know.

5. Make an idea list. Have a few ideas or make note of a few things by scanning the website before you arrive. We can put our heads together and come up with a plan. Things change a lot in a portrait studio from one year to the next. New sets, new props, new ideas – we like to keep it fresh! If you have questions about how to dress, just ask –we can help with that, too!

The biggest payoff for me is when I hear a child ask Mom or Dad “when can we come back here?” or “I like it here!” …and sometimes I even get a hug.

Great information from our blog guest, Shannon Harlow.  Let’s keep baby safe!

For starters, I am honored and overjoyed to be working with Teresa Berg. Her work, as you probably know as readers of her blog, is absolutely extraordinary, and I’m beyond thrilled to have her as a partner for Sweet Pea Baby Planners Dallas. I’m looking forward to having Teresa’s work hanging on my walls as well. Additionally, I’m also very gratefully that Teresa has provided me the opportunity to add content to her blog on subjects relating to moms and babies.
As a baby planner, I am constantly researching and delving into products and businesses that have anything to do with pregnancy, delivery, babies and children. One of my areas of interest is providing moms, their environments and their children with options for a non-toxic or “greener” home. This could involve switching over your household cleaners, to eating organically, to buying more chemical-free personal products, etc. And the health benefits, especially for pregnant moms and newborns are overwhelmingly beneficial. I could go on and on about this topic, but for this article, I’ll stick to one of the most important rooms in the house to create a non-toxic environment, the nursery!

Here are some great starting points to creating a “green” nursery which will ultimately allow you to invest in the health of your future child(ren).

1. The biggest splurge of your nursery should actually be where your baby rests his/her head for most of the day, the mattress. This usually surprises most people but conventional mattresses are highly toxic. Due to the materials used to make them and the flame retardants poured all over them, they will off-gas chemicals that are detrimental to tiny infant lungs. Look for a completely organic mattress, even partially organic will leave room for harmful chemicals
2. A great finish to a super healthy sleeping environment is to finish that organic mattress off with an organic mattress pad and sheets. I know having a cute matching crib set is adorable, but consider long-term health over style for this important decision.
3. Paint early and use No-VOC paints. You’ve heard the old “don’t paint while pregnant” saying, right? It is well known that inhaling the chemicals in paint does harm to your developing fetus. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. They’re bad news and can off-gas into your nursery for months. And now, almost every major brand of paint is creating a No-VOC option.
4. Choose your nursery furniture wisely! Look for solid wood, not particle board. Particle board is basically glued wood bits and that glue can release harmful fumes. Also be on the lookout for the type of lacquer used on your nursery furniture. If the manufacturer doesn’t use a non-toxic finish, keep shopping.
5. A healthy nursery actually has a natural wood surface floor covered by non-toxic area rugs. Carpet and stained wood are literally covered with chemical finishes and/or fabricated with petrochemicals.
6. If you’re going to renovate the nursery (or any area of the house) during pregnancy, keep mama as far away from the construction zone as possible. Ventilate the area well during and after (for as long as possible) upon completion to release the dirt, dust and toxins back out of your home.
7. Don’t forget about what touches baby’s skin. Everything from the onesie to the swaddling blanket to the carrier is now available in materials made from natural resources and the more organic the better. This isn’t to say that the adorable frilly number daddy bought can’t see the light of day, just make wise decisions, especially in those first few months.
8. Lastly but definitely not any less important is to make sure that your baby shampoos, lotions, powders, creams and all other body products are free of Parabens and Phthalates. Most conventional baby body products are riddled with chemicals and these 2 families of toxins aren’t the only bad guys on the block. Finding brands clearly label “PARABEN & PHTHALATE FREE” will in many cases let you know the manufacturer is looking to ensure fewer chemicals are absorbed into baby’s porous skin.

As I mentioned earlier, there is much more I could go on about with this topic. But, I will save that for another day. I don’t want you to think for a moment that any of the above is too overwhelming. Making a switch to the greener side of life should be one baby step at a time so that habits are formed. I’m available anytime should you have any questions. Please email me at Shannon@sweetpeababyplanners.com. Thanks Teresa!

Little Max was a terrific model! If you’re considering newborn photography, here’s a few tips. The first is to make your appointments early (pre-delivery!) so that you can come in when baby is less than 14 days old. After that 14th day they don’t settle down, they kick a lot, and it’s much harder to get good portraits. Of course, sometimes there is a medical reason for not bringing them in, but it’s really important to catch them early.
Secondly, newborn babies photograph better when they’re sleepy. They don’t focus their eyes well, so they often look cross eyed or dazed — so we like the sleepy shots best! I always tell Moms to feed the baby AFTER arriving at the studio — this makes for a nice little milk coma — and a much easier photo session!
Another important thing to mention – we like to do family portraits at the newborn session – so if Mom and Dad are dressed in a solid, dark color, we really show off the beautiful bare baby skin!

Little Max was photographed in natural light in our studio — which we love to do — so mention it to us when you call so we know to schedule it for the morning hours when the light is softer.

My Dad is really special… and I’m sure you feel the same way about yours. What I wish I had was more pictures of just the two of us. He was a photographer and always behind the camera — so I have boxes full of great memories with my brother and sister — but very few of my Dad as a young man. Anyway, these Dad & Me sessions are near and dear to my heart. I hope the Dad in your family will make time for something like this — these memories are priceless!

We’re setting aside two days (May 14th & 15th) to just photograph Dads and their kids. These mini sessions will be $75 and last about 20 minutes –which is usually Dad’s tolerance for being photographed anyway.  You will choose from 10-15 proofs and we promise to get beautiful portraits in your hands by Father’s Day so he can have the perfect gift to show off at the office the day after.  Please call the studio to reserve your session — he has enough neckties and golfballs

Such a handsome little boy with a fun name!   He was a perfect model. Now I have the long wait until he comes back for his six month session, I know I will be amazed at how much he changes.

It’s finally spring and each year we do a very special two day event called Tulips & Tutus!  We have a gorgeous one of a kind hand painted canvas that we spread out for the little ballerinas to pose on. I am always amazed at the look on their faces when they walk in and see all the tutus spread out everywhere. They LOVE picking out their outfits!  Moms have fun, too –creating memories for the girls and lots of fun for all of us!  Don’t miss this annual event — mini sessions are quick and easy, but the availability is limited. All you need to bring is the ballerina!

I recently photographed this handsome little newborn boy, Nicholas, and fell in love with his gorgeous curls and sweet little face. I love it when babies fall asleep and we are able to gently slip them into fun hats and cocoons! This one fit him perfectly. We’re getting quite a collection of handmade baby stuff in a variety of colors and textures — and I think adding texture to a photograph is a big deal. If you’re in the market for some cute things for baby, check out www.etsy.com – a great resource for finding handmade items and purchasing directly from the artist.

I was excited to learn that I have been awarded the Angie’s List Outstanding Service award for Dallas/Ft. Worth for 2009!  Several years ago, one of my clients posted information about me on Angie’s List. At the time, I didn’t know anything about Angie’s List but it wasn’t long before new clients started calling. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a terrific resource for finding tradespeople and other professionals in your local area. So thanks for the pat on the back, Angie!

I just fell in love with some of the cute little December and January babies I’ve photographed lately…. this is beautiful Aliana.