Our babies are our precious treasures and we treat all our clients’ babies, as if they are our own children, being sensitive to how little they still are, and how they have certain needs. To photograph babies is not the easiest task, because babies and smaller children rule the world – if they want something done now, chaos breaks out of they don’t get it. Little newborn babies are still used to being very close to mommy and daddy, and being by themselves can be quite intimidating, so we make sure to create a soothing environment, as to not scare them and have their first shoot be a negative experience.

Our Maternity- and Newborn combination package is a great value-for-your-money package, making sure you get those moments of your pregnancy when your tummy is still round and full, showing the miracle of an actual baby living inside of you, and then the shoot with baby is so special, because they seem to grow so fast, that that amazing newborn look with wrinkly skin, and bend-in little knees, start to disappear faster that you would like it to.

Riani has quite the magical touch with these little human beings, she seems to have a soothing touch, and some skills to make sure baby does not freak out in the shoot. Too bright lights, or being too far and too long away from mommy, could unsettle them, and we make sure the necessary is done to make the experience as positive as possible, for both newborn and its very proud parents.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labsuchagne

Newborn baby photos

Choosing a name for newborn babies are quite a process, some people tend to be more traditional and use “family initials” and others choose the name based on the meaning, like “gift from God” and some names are chosen purely because they sound good.

I remember asking this daddy his son’s name and he told me it’s Mattheo.  So of course inquisitive me I asked him why they chose the name, if there’s any special meaning to it and guess what he told me?  It’s one of the few Italian names that doesn’t sound like a restaurant, interesting and very true J

Newborn shoots like this one can be done in the comfort of your own home, all you need is a room of about 3.5mX3.5m which can be easily heated.  The best temperature for the room where the newborn photos will be taken is 24 degrees Celsius.  This ensures that baby’s core temperature stays regulated and they are comfortable even when undressed.

Capturing these photos of your newborn baby is a magical time, and one day when you look at the cheeky teenager standing next to you you’d never believe this little bundle was them.

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn baby photos in studio

Newborn babies have always fascinated me purely for the reason that they tend to be so small (maybe it’s my maternal side kicking in) and the fact that they are these little bundles of potential.  It’s like they are this clean slate, a story waiting to be written.  Or it could be that they are completely dependent on us.  Either way I absolutely love spending time with these little people.

There are a few guidelines that we follow for newborn shoots, firstly we ensure that the studio environment is warm and cosy (as to regulate baby’s temperature)  this makes them comfortable so that they are like “putty in your hands”  Secondly we turn the studio flash lights down and compensate on the camera (basically we use a dimmer light for newborn photography) And thirdly all props and textures used are nice and soft so as to take care of baby’s skin.  Lastly, we aim to take newborn photos within the first 7-12 days (yes you read correctly).  Reason being they are still young enough to be very sleepy (which makes it easier to pose them, as you “mould” them into a pose and then settle them) and they are “old” enough to be comfortable when not swaddled.

This is an experience I would well and truly recommend to each and every family with a new addition.  I promise you, give it three months and you will look back at these photos amazed at how much your newborn baby has grown and changed.  For more info contact us on info@louisedieselphotography.co.za or 011-869-7759.

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn Photo studio

Newborn babies are always such a pleasure to photograph!  Some are social butterflies, who just wants to look at everyone and all the goings on and others are slow to warm-up or settled babies.  Each one of these little individuals needs to be photograhed in a slightly different way to ensure the best results, which are beautiful photos. 

This is why we spend a little time chatting with mom and dad right before we start the shoot to try and determine what kind of personality type your little one is so as to make everything run smoother.  All people has a “filter” of theings which we can tolerate during the day – for instance cars driving past your house in the street don’t “bother” you, you are aware of it but your brain filters it and tells you it’s not something you need to pay attention to (and this filter is influenced by all our senses hearing, sight, touch, smell etc)  When little babies are born they need to learn how to filter out “unimportant stimuli”  So they are extremely sensitive and don’t have a very high tolerance.

This is why it’s best to bring baby for their newborn shoot in the morning (as they haven’t been awake for long) and they haven’t been overstimulated as yet.  They tend to be much calmer and relaxed them.  And if we need to give them a short feed of 20mins or so, no problem as we do understand that they need this just to settle them.

So we know what they need and how to work with them , so that you have nothing to worry about and lovely photos to look forward to!

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn baby pictures

Welcoming your newborn baby into this world is a momentous decision, according to Elizabeth Stone: ”Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

The first few weeks fly past in a flurry overwhelming happiness and joy, nappies, feeds and little sleep and before you know it your newborn baby is 2-4 weeks old already and you find your self asking the question: “Where did the time go?”  So we certainly recommend booking your newborn photoshoot a few weeks in advance, and we know babies decide to come earlier so just let us know once they have arrived and we’ll schedule your newborn photoshoot for a time when they are between 7-12 days old.

This is the best window of time to have photos taken of your newborn baby (we have already taken photos of 56 newborn babies this year, and believe you me we are talking from previous experience and knowledge)  This is when they are “big enough” so that you can lay them down in a basket or blankie, unwrap and settle them and they will go right back to sleep (which is obviously great J )  They are still young enough so when they are posed for instance with their hands placed comfortably (and very cutely) resting under their face, they aren’t able to life their head and move the hand, make sense?

If you feel you need a little more info, or are slightly nervous for baby’s first trip out of the house, please don’t hesitate to give us a call and speak to one of our highly professional photographers.

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn photoshoot

I had the pleasure today of photographing 14 day old Liam…  His shoot took roundabout 50 mins (if it was that much – newborn photoshoots normally take at least 90 mins or more)  This little man is just so content, he only cried when we dressed him and put him into an uncomfortable position, but as soon as you corrected it, he was as quiet as an angel.  And SO aware for a baby of his age, he literally followed me with his eyes wherever I moved to, and looks at anyone who speaks, amazing

 The trick with newborn babies are to have lots of patience, a heated temperature controlled studio environment and a little bit of shusshing experience.  A little bit of soothing words and cooing goes a long way, you’ll be surprised.  Having a newborn photoshoot done is a once in a lifetime experience for every baby.  I know everything is still so new and you have only just started getting to know and understand this new person around which your life revolves but I promise you that you will be so grateful you had these photos taken 10 years down the line when they are almost as tall (and they think they are 10x wiser than you)  Because life just moves so fast that you forget those little feet were no longer than your pinkie because you need to remember to collect them at school and take them to swimming lessons.

So take the time and make the investment in these beautiful photos of your memories.  We have photographed more than 150+ babies and I can promise you are very well acquainted with each and every stage and temperament.  For more information email us at info@louisedieselphotography.co.za.  We look forward to meeting your little angel!

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

newborn baby photography

I have only one nephew, and had the privilege to au pair for a family with whom I stayed for over two years, seeing their small children becoming little people, who spoke and learned to walk, and we get to see so many very cute kids here at the studio, but having the amazing honour to hold your own little small baby, knowing not too long ago it will still moving inside of you, is something extremely special, and we try and capture as much of that when we have our newborn shoots.

Some babies take to the shoot so well, and it’s such a blessing to think they’ll become adults like e are one day, but when they’re so small, and making little noises, being so dependant, one only wants to keep them safe from everything. Newborn shoots can take some time, as there might be a feeding for them in-between, just to sooth them and make them more comfortable.

It’s newborn’s first shoot and we treat it as such – a very special occasion, and something to treasure, as you can always look back at all of the little folds and rolls they had when they were that small, because they grow at a rapid speed.

At Louise Diesel Photography, you will always get great service, and amazing products, of images of the people you love the most, your family.

Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn Photography in Johannesburg