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Newborn Photography Safety

5/11/2023

Newborn safety, it’s our absolute number one priority in any newborn photo session and we won’t do anything the parent isn’t comfortable with.
When hiring a newborn photographer, it’s important that your preferred photographer is trained not just in how to use a camera, but in how to ensure baby is kept happy, comfortable, and safe throughout the session. The means relying on natural light or soft flashes when photographing a baby, posing babies in a way that’s safe and comfortable while also beautiful, and utilizing post-processing techniques—such as composite imagery, eliminating jaundice, and even smoothing out things like scratches and blotchy skin that are very common with newborns. The bottom line is that there are things that a professional newborn photographer will know how to do well that novice photographers simply don’t know about. You’ll often find that newborn images are more expensive than other types, but that cost is a reflection of this key knowledge and attention to detail.

Safety Education completed by me:
APNPI Safety Education training course.
Kelly Brown Newborn Photography safety training.

APNPI Safety Checklist

Room temperature – most photographers will heat the room so that baby is not cold.
- Watch for signs of overheating – sweaty neckline, mottled skin, redness in the face, irritability.
Air quality:
- Props/blankets look and smell clean. Musty and mildewy smells could indicate the presence of mold growing in a damp, warm studio. If you are concerned about your baby breathing in mold toxins, don’t hesitate to choose to leave with your baby.
- Essential oils are trendy right now, but can cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer to remove the use of oils if you are uncomfortable with them.
- Other environmental allergens such as dust, pets, foods, etc.
Tripping hazards
- Cords are taped down, rug grippers are used with flokati and floor boards. Props are put away. Waste and spills should be cleaned immediately, without delay.
Antiques and props
- watch for splinters and nails
- Props are weighted properly.
- Newborns should never be positioned in or on glass containers or objects that can break or shatter.
Posing surfaces should be an adequate size to prevent accidents
- biomechanical supports should be in place to lessen the chance of ergonomic injuries
- wooden backgrounds should be secured to avoid tipping and falls.
- Sandbags are used to weight props and light stands.
Your newborn is supported by human hands at ALL TIMES throughout risky poses.
- This ensures that babies will not be at risk of falls, central cyanosis or positional asphyxiation – three very dangerous scenarios that can result in very seriously injury or even death.
In the absence of an assistant, parents, especially mothers, should never be asked to stay further away from babe as is sometimes requested due to the idea that the smell of mother’s milk will cause the baby to become unsettled. Should the baby show signs of hunger such as the rooting that can occur when they sense and smell their mother, they should be given appropriate time to feed. A satisfied baby will not be unsettled due to the smell of milk and it is better to have an extra set of hands close by than not.
Your photographer, assistant or other people present are not ill.
- Where and when illness may delay your session beyond an appropriate timeline of around 1-2 weeks, a good photographer should either have an assistant photographer on hand to complete your session or provide referrals to other respected photographers working in a similar style. For posed newborn work, your session is time sensitive and should be completed sometime within the first two to three weeks of life. Unposed, documentary or lifestyle sessions can be completed in longer timelines and rescheduling should be easier with these types of sessions
Your photographer does not touch, move, or attempt to remove any medical items such as belly button clamps, circumcision gauze, etc.
Your baby is not showing signs of central cyanosis – the bluish discoloration around the core, lips and tongue. This can be quite a dangerous. According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, central cyanosis is never normal in the newborn period, and is almost always linked to a lower amount of oxygen in the blood. For this reason, the photographer should be concerned regarding the cause of deoxygenation whenever central cyanosis is present.
Your photographer has hand sanitizer available.

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