A family photo session with a camera-shy baby can be a real challenge. This is why when Kristina and Michael asked me to take pictures of their family on the day when their daughter Sophia turned 1 year old, I knew that it would not be an easy task.
They just recently moved into a new apartment in Frankfurt and finding time to settle in and get ready for a photoshoot was not simple.
But I thought to myself, there’s something particularly wonderful about capturing both baby and a new place! It would be a great memory and a lot of fun!
Bringing a baby to a photo studio, the way most of the photographer do, can be risky. If baby gets sudenly tired during a photo studio shoot, there is not than much one can do about it. I thought the best way to mitigate this risk is to arrange for a photosession at their home, where there is more flexibility in case if the baby gets moody. Michael and Kristina appreciated my effort.
Before the photosession
I had asked Michael and Kristina about things that put them in a good mood: what they did in their free time, about travelling, their favorite restaurant in Frankfurt. If parents are relaxed, chances are that a baby will feel relaxed as well. I wanted to create an environemnt when a it would not feel like a photo session at all, more like a friendly meeting.
I explained the parents how the photosession would be structured, so they would have some idea about the sequence.
- Pictures of Sophia
- Pictures where Michael and Kristina are together
- Pictures of the whole family together
- Pictures where each parent is hoding the baby
There was a fireplace in the apartment, which is somewhat unusual in modern Frankfurt houses, so I decided to place the whole family next to the cozy fire to begin with. In a retrospect, I am very glad I did it because it helped everyone to relax.
We picked the time when Sophia is not yet hungry or sleepy. For a one year old baby this window is very short, so we had to move fast!
Sophia was very camera-shy at first, but after some time we put her in a very good mood. It helps a lot when we have loving and patient parents!
The whole family is cozy in front of a fireplace
Pictures of Sophia are taken when she is relaxed.
At the end, I could not help but to ask my assistant to take a photo of myself with Sophia.
Is she not the most adorable? I love this child.
I am holding Sophia at the end of the family photo session. She looks a little sleepy by the end, but we made it.
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