St. Louis Photographer » A Journal by Holly McCaig

So sweet, so tiny (well, 9 lbs tiny) but the coos and the noises…adorable. Lucy was born last Tuesday and is the newest family member for one of my clients. We had her come into the studio so we could utilize all the amazing vintage furniture and other pieces I have. Talk about so much easier to shift things around with all that space! While Lucy didn’t want to keep her eyes closed much, she was such a good baby. My BFF, Amy Kant, was in town and assisted me. As always, you cannot do these things alone. She helped get props and move things for me. I think she just needs to move here from Milwaukee, right?

Anyway, here are the photographer favorites of the most darling little girl, in my studio!

Okay, I quickly learned that I am not cut out to be a newborn photographer. This is the most exhausting and patience-testing subject to photograph, and I give TOTAL props to those of you that specialize in newborns. I’m out here in Phoenix, visiting Audra and her family. We wanted to get her baby, Reagan’s photos done on Friday and that we attempted. After about four hours, these are the four shots I’m proud to show. Yes, just four. But, they are cute. Reagan is such a sweet little girl. She just wanted to be in control on Friday and was only going to let us get a few shots in. Sigh. Love her.

Every shot but the last were taken with my 50mm f/1.4 in natural light. The last is using my 100mm f/2.8 macro.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided that I would probably drive dear, sweet, Carrie absoutely crazy with my knitting requests for studio props. I became determined to at least try it and see if I can do it myself. I was ready to give up. Really, ready to give up! But, I didn’t. These are the things I’ve made in the past week or so. My little basket up at the studio is going to be full of these yummy goodies for props when shooting newborns and babies. Now, who has some for me?

I also knitted a couple of pods, but can’t figure out a way to photograph them without an actual baby.

While I was at the studio today for a session, I decided to photograph the hats too. I stole an extra box of Pergo laminate from the garage and made a faux floor for the studio. I think I need one more box to make it slightly bigger. I also got some great ideas from my client about how to mount my fabric I bought for backdrops. The ideas are pouring in, and now I need lots of cute kiddos to take pictures of!

And, I taught mom how to make this one. She’s going to be very very busy making me hats and things I think! And, I’m hoping I can talk her into doing some for an ETSY store – lord knows I could never commit to knitting for a store! ack!

When agreeing to provide your newborn for my marketing session, you will receive 80% off the cost of prints and gallery wraps and a complimentary 11 x 14 print. Your creative fee is waived too! Individual digital files for birth announcements are $50. There is no discount on any other offerings.

Images will be used in my marketing pieces, website, and blog for advertising purposes to promote my studio. Parents must sign a model release in agreement to terms.

In order to qualify you must:

1. Contact me as soon as possible to temporarily book your session. Newborns should be photographed within the first 10 days of their birth. Once you have the baby (preferably the same day or next) you must contact me to schedule your actual session date. If you don’t, then you may lose your free session option.
2. Newborns must be born between April 15 and May 1st (give or take after May 1st).
3. Sessions are done in my studio. Please bring everything you may need to care for your newborn during our one to two hour session. Sessions are held in the afternoons during the week. Parents must be willing to allow me to pose and set up the shots that “I” need for my marketing purposes. If you’re looking for your own ideas to be shot you will need to schedule a regular photo session with me instead.

Not all applicants will be accepted. I’m looking for a variety of newborns including males, females, different ethnicities, twins, etc.

Please click here and complete the form (check NEWBORN) in job type.

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