[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Want to know what makes Curious Moments Photograph unique?

Well… it’s YOU.

The things and colours you love, your most precious keepsakes, can all be incorporated into your session and photographs.

Whether you are into something in a big way, or you’re not – that’s ok. there will still be a lot of thought, planning and detail going into every image.

But so… what really goes into creating your gallery?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Story of a photograph: behind the scenes of creating a newborn picture

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Fantasia Inspired

[/vc_column_text][spacer][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Using the image above as my first example. The parents told me they were HUGE Disney fans (their wedding was Disney-themed so I know this was close to their hearts), so I set my imagination to work and come up with a few ideas to incorporate into their session.

I really just wanted to come up with something awesome for this little boy and his family.

And, of course, if you are in to Disney there is nothing more iconic than Mickey! The absolute pinnacle of everything! And Fantasia….. is just pure magic! (literally!)

I had watched fantasia before but I decided I needed to have a bit of a refresh and really get the details sorted.

So off to study Fantasia I went![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

From idea to styling: your newborn photos

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Coming up with the idea is one thing – but pulling it off is something else! I mean outfit for starters… there just isn’t a shop that sells outfit that fit newborns (and I mean fit them, not a generic size that is supposed to last a month or so).

So what does that mean for me, as a photographer?

It means I have to get my CRAFT on!!

Step number 1….. Get hold of a fantasia mickey soft toy

Step number 2….. Study the outfit and pray I can make something similar.

I am no Gucci designer or sewing wizard, but I try my best! So out comes the sewing machine, Dig out some fabric that’s suitable and then…

TRIAL & ERROR!!

I can’t remember exactly how many times we made this jacket before we got it right, but it was a few! The problem being, not wanting any ugly fasteners on show.

These seem like small details, but when creating images that can stand the test of time and working with such a tiny human… they matter A LOT.

Your baby’s features are so tiny that any distracting element can truly ruin the picture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Outfit & bonnet made…

I knew just having Mickey wouldn’t have been enough, I wanted to add more story telling elements and since Fantasia is all about the magic, and everything around Mickey coming to life, I wanted to incorporate the brush and water buckets scene!

They had to be in it!

A little thinking outside the box as to what I could use instead of water and boom, accessories nailed.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Now for the shot!

Now obviously a newborn baby can’t stand and be an actual wizard like Mickey… But Mickey works hard and needs a rest just like a baby!

So for this we needed baby to be nice and settled.

So 1st job… get him dressed.

Once he had his mickey attire on, it was time for lots of cuddles and soothing to make sure he was chilled out!

I have everything set up including my comfy squishy beany seat, so now to posing!

I placed baby into the chair carefully and looked carefully where everything needed to be to support him. Baby’s head are heavy (in comparison to their body’s) so we always need to make sure that is fully supported without putting any strain, or pressure anywhere, and make sure his chin is not pressed against his chest (we don’t want to block that airway!)

I then went on to positioning of the feet and popping special little posing beans in the places needed to support baby in those areas it was needed (but making sure you couldn’t see them!).

Next thing is STAYING SAFE!

Baby is not left alone here – OH NO! Nabies have an incredible ‘startle’ reflex and the last thing we want is anything that could cause harm (we don’t want him to roll out that chair!

So just to the left of the photo was my assistant sitting within reach. She keeps a hand on baby whilst I get into position, then simply raises her hand away for me to take a shot and then places it back again. (I can’t tell you how many photos she is photoshopped out of! Haha!)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

That’s the ‘picture’ taken, but now what?!

Now comes the extra magic which, for me, comes in the form on Photoshop though, sorry Mickey I am not as awesome as you!

1st step…. you guessed it… Photoshop out my assistant!

Then my normal editing process of smoothing backdrop, removing any other unwanted distractions (it’s surprising where you find fluff!) and remove any distracting blemishes, but leaving baby as natural and perfect as they are. And to finish up …. add the sparkles and magic in the air!

Did you also spot the heart?![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1647188937672{background-color: #005766 !important;}”][vc_column][spacer][vc_single_image image=”13099″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_column_text]

Pure Beauty

[/vc_column_text][spacer][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now taking the image above.

You might not be ‘in to’ anything and just want the sole focus to be on baby!

So what goes into something like this you ask?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The answer to that is A LOT!

So first up is the beautiful floral backdrop that adds colour and florals.

Then a cute little set of newborn sized trousers to make sure all her dignity is hidden away!

Then for the posing…. Again baby needs to relaxed (which is why we like baby asleep!)

Baby is carefully placed on her bottom with her feet facing forwards me and on to a large supporting bean. At this point baby probably wriggles about saying what’s going on?! I don’t normally get moved about when I am sleeping! Which is fine. I will keep moving baby about to help desensitise her to me (which doesn’t usually take long).

I will now start to position her hands one by one under her chin – the positioning here is vital!

I have to position her hands carefully under her chin, not near her airways! So I will place them under her chin bone (which is where you would put your own hands if you did this leaning on a desk).

Once both hands are in place I will gently lower her forwards so that her elbows come down in front of her feet. Babies are used to being curled up in the womb so folding her forwards like this totally what she is used to.

I will now at this point be still supporting her and she is not taking any weight herself (because she can’t) and I will tweak and straighten fingers and bring those toes on show (not every baby likes to but that’s OK too, this baby liked to keep her fingers curled).

I will make sure that there is no strain or weight on baby and position little supports where needed.

Now we have the pose – to take the shots! (yes shots! you will hear why now).

So first I will get my assistant to hold baby’s head and take one shot, then she switches and holds baby at the wrists and I take another shot.

These photos are then merged in Photoshop to remove my assistant. As long as baby is settled and happy I will finish the photo of by adding a beautiful hairband as shown in this photo.

And then of course add to the merged images in Photoshop!

Never try and recreate an image like this yourself!

As I have said above baby can not do this alone and require specific posing for safety.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Curious Moments Photography, based in Carmarthen, is a specialist newborn and baby photographer.

Want to know more about my Newborn Sessions? Read here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1647188986408{background-color: #3e2e4d !important;}”][vc_column][spacer][vc_single_image image=”13110″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_column_text]

Simplicity  with a family heritage

[/vc_column_text][spacer][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A similar approach is used here with the posing of baby. As always I knew ahead that baby’s family were all military and that they would be bringing the beret. The challenge here was how to get a adults hat to fit a tiny newborn without damaging it!

I can safely say by the end of this we are now also EXPERT beret folding artists![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1647188436696{background-color: #284b63 !important;}”][vc_column][spacer][vc_single_image image=”13091″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_column_text]

Mummy is a Baker

[/vc_column_text][spacer][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This Mamma is a awesome baker that makes beautiful celebration cakes. And she has the awesome (very posh) mixer that she wanted to include if possible.

Now one of my skills is what I like to call ‘Baby Origami’ (in other words curling babies up comfortably into cute poses). And I knew I could put those skills to good use here! The mixer bowl is large (as mixers go). but certainly not designed to put babies in! (But it looks cute – so I did!)

From my explanation in the 1st image – you know the thought process and planning I do – so I don’t need to go throught it all here. But I raided my kitchen cupboards for this one!

And it was time to get baby in that bowl!But things I had to think about – it’s a metal bowl = COLD, it’s light weight and will tip! So something warm for baby and something to weigh that thing down! Again safety HAD to be paramount – he needed to be asleep, and relaxed. Plan in place and in he goes….. my assistant sat near within reach just as before. I tweak and make sure he is positioned perfectly, comfy and safely. Before I take that shot. Then maybe a few more tweaks if needed – those eggs had a mind of their own! And those muffins were calling me to eat them!ha!

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