Have you ever wondered how to get baby to smile at your session? As a Silver Spring Newborn photographer, this is something I have honed over the years! I wanted to share my best tips and tricks!
The first thing to realize is that your little one is going to do whatever they want during their session, and we will roll with it. They are in charge, and we adapt around their needs. I promise that no matter what happens, we can still get amazing photos that you will cherish forever. So the first step I recommend walking into your shoot is to set your expectations realistically. Whether your newborn sleeps the entire time, is full of energy, or is cranky… we will adapt!
I know those smiling photos are extra special, and every mama loves to see those in her gallery. So we do our best to make it happen!
One thing I consider when thinking about how to get baby to smile is the timing of your session.
When we shoot in the first few weeks postpartum, we get the babies in their sleepiest phase. If there is anything I know about newborns, it’s that they are napping. A lot. And while they sleep, they often smile! While it might just be a reflex, it doesn’t make it any less cute!! As a baby photographer, it’s my job to be alert and capture those smiles when they happen! I have photographed enough little ones to know what to look for and snap that photo as soon as that little grin starts to spread across their face.
We also like to keep the studio at a nice warm temperature so that baby is nice and cozy. This will help lull them into that deep sleep where the smiles can happen! And I use a lot of wraps and swaddles so they replicate the womb environment and feel nice and comfortable.
So am I saying that the trick in how to get baby to smile for their photos is luck?? Yes. Yes, I am!
Sometimes it’s gas, sometimes it’s a reflex, sometimes it’s just a deep slumber… babies make all sorts of expressions and grunts and moves, and it’s my job as your newborn photographer to capture all of this. This is one reason it’s important to hire someone with experience so those tiny moments are not missed.
Make sure you scroll through this blog post and and see all the cute smiling shots we’ve gotten at the studio recently! Aren’t these babes adorable?!
I’d be so honored to have you in front of my camera too!!
