A client recently told me that she loved my work and when she looked at my newborn photos she felt like the babies all looked so cozy and naturally posed. It was really the best compliment I have ever received. It warmed my heart and made me feel like I was getting closer to achieving the style that I have been working towards.
Finding my own style has been a labor of love so to speak. Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the process but this is not something that happens overnight. When I first started photographing newborns three and a half years ago I thought I needed props, props and more props. Who doesn’t love shopping? I know I do. I saw all of these amazing photographers with these gorgeous pictures of newborns with beautiful wraps, hats, bonnets, headbands, rompers etc. all posed so beautifully on backdrops in such a wonderful array of colors and texture and props galore… Well you get the idea. LOL I was like a kid in a candy store. What should I choose?!
Style? What Style?
I have never gone too crazy with props but I just started buying a few things here and there with no regard to how I wanted my images to look. I loved them all but there is a good handful of things I have not used to this day. And the ones I did use I just didn’t love. I did not feel that my images were looking the way I wanted them to look in my head.
It was time to stop and really focus on what and how I wanted my images to look and feel. What are some of the things I loved? How did I want my images to feel? How can I bring “me” to my photos and make them unique? These were the questions I needed to answer to start on my new path for my own style.
Things I Love
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog post about things that make me happy. (You can read it HERE) A lot of the things I listed weren’t really photography related but many things were and really reflected on who I am as a person. Those were the things I need to start incorporating into my work. I love sunsets and nature and basically just being outside. Old wooden structures like barns, bridges and churches definitely are something I knew I wanted to add to my style. Certain flowers and rich earthy colors are really my favorite along with forests and tall trees and quiet lakeside days. The list kept growing but I was starting to see a pattern.
Once I had my list I went on a hunt for images that I felt captured the things I loved. And they didn’t have to be pictures of babies. Just pictures in general. Certain colors and textures started emerging. I loved it all. What I need to do is print them all out and make a beautiful inspiration board but I’ll get to that one day. LOL
Images That Convey Emotion
This area was a little easier for me. I knew that I wanted my baby’s pictures to convey a feeling of love, warmth and coziness. Never did I want my babies to get lost in an image or look cold or unnatural. I have never been super trendy and I want my images to stand the test of time.
Being Unique
As easy as that sounds…it isn’t. Especially in an ocean filled with photographers each of which is developing their own style and business model. It’s so hard not to compare yourself with or be influenced by others. I just decided to keep my head down, focus on being myself and do what I love. So a bit of prop shopping was on the list now that I knew what I loved. YAY for shopping! But this time I was smart about it. I focused on quality and items that reflect my style and what I want for my business while being careful about the props I choose and the vendors I work with. I have spent so much time over the last year or more researching the perfect wraps and buckets, headbands and backdrop cloths and more.
My style is finally heading in a direction that makes me happy. It’s closer to what I see in my head but I am still working on it. It’s a work in progress but it is SO worth it. One of the best business decisions I’ve made. That is why that compliment means so much.
It’s never too early to book your newborn session. Contact me now to get your date secured on my calendar.
www.stephanierubyorphotography.com
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Love your vision and the way you communicate it!!!
I love your style! The exact type of newborn photographer I’m looking for!
Love that you have this. Such a great idea, and wonderful information!
What a great idea!