5 tips for your newborn's portrait session (Hampton Va newborn photographer)

Congratulations on your new baby! You've seen those sweet images of newborns and want to get some of those portraits for your baby too. But when? Where? What should you bring? Here are some tips!

1. Newborns do best when they are under 2 weeks old; older than that and they start being more awake and harder to settle for those sweet, curled-up portraits.

2. Where should we do them? Some photographers (like me) have a studio that's set up for newborn portraits with blankets, wraps, and props. Other photographers specialize in in-home "lifestyle" portraits for your newborn. It's all down to what you prefer!

3. What should we bring? Items such as blankets and stuffed animals personalize the session and make it meaningful to you. But at Anne Companion Photography we also have everything you need for a successful newborn session. All you need to bring is the baby!

4. How long will the session take? Newborn sessions can take 2-3 hours, depending on how well the baby sleeps and whether they are fussy and calm. Awake and calm is fine for portraits too!

5. Can we do a family portrait too, or get portraits with the baby's siblings? Absolutely! See some samples below!

The time you spend on planning your session will pay off in the end with a beautifully coordinated portrait, one that will never look dated. It is worth the effort! If you have decided that Anne Companion Photography is the studio for your newborn portraits give us a call at 757-630-5860.

5 tips for your boudoir portraits

Yes, we offer boudoir portraits too! In fact, while we have a gallery on this site for them we also have a separate website dedicated to boudoir, www.mirrorofvenusboudoir.com .

So what should you know before booking your boudoir session?

1. Make sure to check out the photographer's portfolio. Do they show a variety of women of different ages, shapes and sizes?

2. Does the photographer offer or include professional hair and makeup styling? Even if you don't often wear makeup an experienced makeup artist (MUA) will know how to skillfully apply it without making you look like a different person. Makeup should enhance your features, not mask them!

3. Invest in some new lingerie for the session! Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try an outfit unlike anything you've ever worn before.

4. Bring along a friend. A friend can help you to laugh and let loose at your boudoir session! DON'T bring your significant other; you want this to be a surprise for them! Which leads us to...

5. Yes, frequently the end result for a boudoir session is an album to give to your spouse/partner. But don't just do it for them, do it for you. A boudoir portrait session is an exciting and empowering experience. You will find an inner goddess that you never new existed! Be bold, be brave, be you.

   
   

"Where should we do our portraits?" Portrait photography locations in Hampton Va

Trying to decide where to have your family portrait session? There's no shortage of locations in Hampton Roads! Of course there's always my studio in downtown Hampton but if you like the idea of outdoor portraits I have lots of suggestions. A very popular choice is, of course, the beach! I frequently go to Fort Monroe because the parking is convenient there; there's lots of room so we're not getting in beach-goers way (and vice versa) and it's very picturesque.

Woods/parks are another popular choice, particularly in the Fall when the leaves are changing! Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton is one of my favorites and Newport News Park is another pretty spot (the picture below was taken at Sandy Bottom).

There's a lot to be said for the convenience factor of your own yard! Particularly if you're planning a big family gathering; I can come right to you and create your family portraits right at your home:

The portrait below is an example of a session at the family's home, but they also let me use their yard for portraits for other families when the azaleas are in the bloom in the Spring!

Another example of on-location sessions with a limited window of time are cherry blossom sessions in the Spring; there are several locations in the area with cherry trees and this portrait was taken at Fort Monroe.

Whatever you choose the location and style should reflect your family! If you are interested in doing a session when particular flowers are in bloom or when the trees are changing color in the Fall, make sure you book early to get the setting that you want. #familyportraits #hamptonva