A Portrait of What?!
Breastfeeding Photos
When you mention breastfeeding photos to a new mom, her reaction is often perplexed. “Why?” women ask. Many simply don’t think of preserving images of this special part of their relationship with their babies. It feels like an immutable, never-ending part of your life and it can be hard to believe that a day will come when you won’t be nursing around the clock. That day comes, though, and faster than you think. Women whose children have weaned regularly tell me, “Oh, I wish I had gotten some good pictures of us nursing.”
You don’t need to do a special portrait session just to get breastfeeding images; instead, just include them as part of a newborn or baby session. Newborns often stop to nurse 2 – 3 times during a photography shoot and this is an ideal time to get some nursing pictures. Newborns totally ignore the camera and focus wholly on the milk. If you are doing a photography session with your older baby be prepared to laugh during breastfeeding pictures as your little one pulls off to look at the camera; I’ve seen babies squirted in the face with milk as they stop eating to try to figure out what that camera thing is. Older babies also engage in very sweet interactions with mama such as holding her finger or reaching up to pat her face; these moments make absolutely precious portraits.
Finding a Breastfeeding Photographer
You may not be comfortable doing nursing shots at a chain studio; a custom photographer who either has a private studio or who comes to your house may be a better choice. You should always makes sure when you select a custom photographer that you like his or her style and work. Use the internet to find several photographers working in your area whose pictures you like; you can expect to get pictures similar to what you see on their websites. Ask about breastfeeding pictures. Most newborn photographers do them and even if they don’t show them on their website, so they should be able to direct you to some samples that show their work. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a breastfeeding shot during your session — many photographers won’t ask you if you want one for fear of making your uncomfortable.
What Should I Expect from a Custom Photography Session?
Every photographer works slightly differently. On location photographers are particularly nice for newborn and breastfeeding pictures as they come to you. Leaving the house with a new baby to trek to a studio can be exhausting for you AND the baby. You can, however, expect the average newborn session to take 1-2 hours during which the photographer will take pictures of your baby awake, asleep, in your arms and, if you want, nursing. Most professional newborn photographers are gifted baby whisperers and can get even the fussiest little one to sleep for part of the session. Make sure you understand what is included in your session fee, how long it will take to see the proofs from your session and how you’ll order the final prints; ask to see an album or canvas so you can hold a sample in your hands.
When Should I Schedule a Session?
If you want a newborn session you should pre-book with your photographer while you are still pregnant. Newborn sessions need to be done before a baby is one month old and most photographers prefer to do them when the baby is under 2 weeks. After that they simply lose that newborn look. If you want to do some breastfeeding pictures with an older baby to capture the darling interactions, just book 2 – 6 weeks before you want to have your session.
How Do I Display a Breastfeeding Portrait
Most people won’t choose the breastfeeding picture to be the large canvas above the fireplace but it will be a picture recording a treasured bit of babyhood quickly over and long remembered. You can frame a small print for your bedroom, put one in an album or include it in an album of images from your session.
Whether you have breastfeeding portraits taken of a newborn, an older baby, or a toddler, you will treasure them. Nursing is an intense part of early motherhood that nevertheless passes quickly out of your life; make sure you have some photos to remember it.
