This post is meant as a public service announcement with the hopes of preventing injury to our most precious assets, our children.
There has been a recent explosion in the popularity of newborn photography. No other stage of life so precious, yearned for, or hopeful than the few weeks after a baby enters our world. The popularity of newborn photography has increased both the amount of photographers who do newborn sessions and the amount of parents who attempt unrealistic and unsafe images of their own babies. Just last week a photographer was verbally attacked for posting a Facebook image of a newborn dangerously suspended from a real tree. While it makes me sad to know the mean things that were said directly to the photographer about the irresponsibility of the image, it makes me even more scared for the safety of that helpless baby. With the photography industry becoming increasingly saturated with photographers (many of whom are going into business prematurely), it is important for professional photographers to model newborn safety as a priority during our photo shoots.
Take a look at the image below. It shows a precious little girl fast asleep with her head propped up. It’s sweet, innocent, and artistic. There is just one problem with someone trying to recreate this image, it is not real.
Yep, it is a fake. She is a real baby that has been artistically posed to appear to be holding up her head. Photographers do more than just click a button on our cameras; we create art with your family’s memories. Please be aware, professional photographers have extensive knowledge of and incorporate many tools to achieve the desired outcome of our images. It takes time and education to perfect our craft. This specific image used Photoshop’s cloning tool to remove mom’s arm from supporting the back of the baby’s head.
Amateur photographers and picture taking parents who attempt this type of image could end up seriously hurting their baby. Newborns have not developed neck muscles strong enough to support the weight of their head. Any twitch, stretch, or unbalance can bring the baby’s head crashing down, possibly causing serious injury. If you see an image that doesn’t look safe or natural, it probably isn’t! Many of our images are actually a composite of several images layered over each other, with supporting hands and safety features hidden. Responsible professional photographers practice extreme safety measures and patience with newborns. Not all babies will curl up in a ball, or arch their backs, or want to stick their feet up under their chins. People need to know that it is never alright to endanger a newborn, child, or adult, for the sake of a picture. They also need to know which images are artistically enhanced past the point of reality so that less experienced persons do not try and mimic an image in an unsafe fashion. All of my images that are achieved by advanced photography techniques will be stamped “This image was created with advanced photography techniques. Please do not try to recreate it at home”. I urge amateur photographers to attend hands-on newborn posing workshops to see exactly to correctly produce newborn images.
Parents — Please be aware that the newborn photography industry is not monitored or governed by any entity! In fact, there are no official guidelines or skills required by photographers to handle a newborn baby. Do not assume that your hired photographer knows what they are doing. I believe ALL photographers want to do the right thing but it takes time and education to perfect our trade. There are many extremely talented photographers out there who will take wonderful care of your baby but please look closely at a potential photographer’s portfolio to make sure that the photographs appear safe. Images that appear dangerous or unrealistic might be the result of Photoshop, which would usually be a sign that the photographer is conducting safe practices. If you are unsure, simply ask the photographer about their techniques before you book a session. Please immediately stop a photographer is you ever feel uncomfortable about a particular pose during a photography session. Always remember that you have commissioned the photographer and they are working for you! In the end you are the protector of this little life, and their safety is much more important than an image.
