I'm Pregnant! Top Five Things To Do When Planning for Your BabySarasota Newborn PhotographerCongratulations on your first pregnancy! You will probably start to hear a ton of advice from those who have gone before you - your mother, your sister, your friends. Everyone loves to celebrate the anticipation of a new baby! But, you still may be asking yourself, "I'm pregnant, now what?" Here are my top five things to do each trimester (after informing your parents and loved ones first, of course) when you are pregnant.
I Just Found Out I'm Pregnant! Now, what?
T O D O E V E R Y T R I M E S T E R
1. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
This should be a given, but it is especially important when you are pregnant. You will need more water than the average person when you are pregnant. Why? Because drinking more water is needed to form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, build new tissue, carry nutrients, enhance digestion and flush out wastes and toxins. How much water should you drink every day? According to the Institute of Medicine, pregnant women need to drink ten 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
F I R S T T R I M E S T E R 9 - 7 M O N T H S
2. SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST OB/GYN DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT
According to The American Pregnancy Association, you should schedule your first appointment within eight weeks of your last menstrual period. Regular appointments throughout your pregnancy ensures the health of you and your baby. In addition, prenatal care includes education on your pregnancy and childbirth.
S E C O N D T R I M E S T E R 6 - 4 M O N T H S
3. DECIDE AND PLAN WHERE YOU WANT TO DELIVER YOUR BABY
While many women still have their babies in hospitals, there are those that want a more natural birth and will arrange to have their baby at a birthing center or even at home. Wherever you choose, it's important to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons as well as risks with your place of birth choice and what's the best option for you.
T H I R D T R I M E S T E R 3 - 0 MONTHS
4. REGISTER FOR BABY SHOWER GIFTS
Now, we're getting into the fun stuff of having a baby - choosing a theme for your baby's nursery and then choosing gifts that will match that theme as well as registering for all the practical things a newborn baby will need. You can look here for a list of the "must haves" for taking care of a newborn.
A F T E R T H E B A B Y I S B O R N
5. ANNOUNCE BABY'S BIRTH
You are excited now! You just had a baby. Now's the time to tell the world. You can do this verbally, through text, social media or send announcement cards with a gorgeous portrait of your baby taken by a professional photographer - me! Right? I hope so.
For my complete Baby Planning Timeline to assist you in planning for your new arrival, please fill out the form below and your FREE copy will be on its way!
Are you ready to book your newborn session? It's never too early to schedule your session. I usually recommend to schedule your due date (we'll finalize the date once you have your baby) during your third trimester in order to ensure availability.
I would love the opportunity to be your newborn photographer. Click on the button below to schedule a quick 15-minute chat to answer your questions, confirm availability and provide detailed information. When is The Best Time of Day to Photograph Newborns? | Sarasota Newborn PhotographerAre you thinking about when the best time of day to photograph your newborn is as you are planning for your session? The best time of day to schedule your in-home newborn session is 10 a.m.
Since I am a natural light photographer, I have found that around the 10 a.m. hour is perfect. The light is not harsh or overpowering. As the day gets later, the sun is too high to provide that beautiful light inside.
This also seems to be the time of day when baby is most likely to be happier - and, is late enough in the morning to allow mom and dad to get themselves, and any other children, ready for the session.
What if the baby had a rough night the day before the session?
No worries. I have no expectations that you or your family may not be ready at the time I arrive. The great thing of my coming to your home is you don't have rush to get out of your house perfectly ready. The session will be completely relaxed because I shoot lifestyle, which means I will capture images of your connection, emotions and real life, so my motto of "perfectly imperfect" will work just fine. I'll capture you snuggling up with your baby, maybe drinking your morning coffee in one hand and holding your baby in the other, soothing your baby or just plain interacting with one another while I capture those precious, fleeting moments.
Are you looking for a newborn photographer in the Sarasota area? Please click the button below to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation quick chat to answer your questions, confirm availability and provide you with detailed information. Baby Number 3 Newborn Family Photos | Frederick, MarylandI love to have repeat families. It warms my heart when I hear another baby is on the way. I photographed their first baby at just a little over three weeks old and their second baby when she was just three days old. Since this was an out of state session, the timing didn't work until the baby was one month old. Which is okay. For lifestyle type of photography, you can take photos anytime. It's all about real, natural moments. This session was a little crazy at times because the two-year old girl just wasn't having it. But, that's okay, too. That's real life. We were still able to capture fantastic, memorable moments. Enjoy some of my favorites here. Baby Planning Timeline
What to Wear to Your Family Outdoor Photo Session | Sarasota Family Photographer Next week, I’ll be able to photograph again. Yay! Outdoors only for now. So, you may be wondering what you should wear to your outdoor photoshoot. There is no absolute right or wrong answer to what to wear. However, there are certain choices that will allow your images to look fabulous! Read on for my suggestions: With this time of year in our Florida weather, you want to keep your clothes simple, relaxing and comfortable. I highly recommend solid neutral colors. It is best to stay away from red, neon and busy patterns. Earthtones – muted, not bright, will look very good in photographs. Think coordinating, not matching. Wear you. If that’s jeans and a t-shirt, wear it. If it’s shorts and a polo, wear that. If it’s a skirt or a lightweight, long flowing dress, wear it. You do you. I just want you to be relaxed and comfortable. Remember. These photos are for you, not me. So, it really only matters what YOU like. Looking like yourself is the greatest way to get fantastic photos that you and your family will appreciate and cherish forever!
This is for all you mamas-to-be out there ready to give birth during this quarantine time. I want to extend my support by sharing with you some tips on how you can take your own Fresh 48 photos since professional photographers aren't allowed at this time.
You can easily take these with your iPhone or other smartphone.
After the quarantine has been lifted and photographers can work again by it being safe to come into your home, I can take your newborn photos, even if baby is a little older. That's the beauty of lifestyle photography. You will have the first priority to get on my schedule. For now, rest, relax and cherish these last days of pregnancy. Please feel free to share this with any of your pregnant friends so they can have these tips as well. Take care, stay safe, stay strong.
Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. During this quarantine time, you can book a future session now. Contact Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click "Book A Future Session" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them? We hope so. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Since I mainly photograph newborns, safety has always been my number one concern when handling babies. Now, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19, safety is upfront and center right now. As your photographer, I just wanted to let you know the extra steps and precautions I will be taking when photographing you, your baby and/or family.
Until this outbreak has passed, I want to err on the side of caution and be extra vigilant in protecting you, my clients, as well as myself. May we all take the extra precautions as necessary and pray a vaccine will be developed sooner than later and the virus will be eradicated soon. Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands!
Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them? We hope so. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
When to Book Your Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session | Sarasota Lifestyle Newborn Photographer4/17/2019 The beauty of lifestyle photography is capturing your family and newborn in a very relaxed, natural state in the comfort and security of your own home. No posed setups, props or formal posing. Your baby is in charge. I just want them to be comfortable, happy and safe. I don’t have crazy expectations. I will capture images with baby-led posing with and without mom, dad and siblings and just a little direction and guidance from me, your artistic director, will capture the raw emotions of the moment. Booking your session is as easy as picking up the phone. Here's how to do it: What to do: Get in touch with me any time during your pregnancy. Upon receipt of the non-refundable retainer fee and executed agreement, I will schedule in your due date. This way, at least it’s on the books. However, as we all know, babies decide their own timeline, so your baby may arrive earlier (or later) than expected. That’s okay. However, I must be notified within five (5) days of your giving birth so we can finalize your appointment date when your baby is between two - four weeks old. If you are having a scheduled delivery, we can schedule your newborn session ahead of time. If you just had your baby and would like to have professional newborn photos, contact me immediately to set up a session time and I will do my best to fit you in. When to book: The ideal time I like to photograph newborns for lifestyle sessions is when your baby is between two - four weeks old. Waiting until they are two - four weeks old allows baby to interact with mom, dad and any siblings. The baby can be awake and/or asleep. I use the natural environment of your home to capture these fleeting moments. Where session takes place: I will photograph your newborn in the comfort and security of your own home using natural window light. Please do not stress yourself out by cleaning your house getting ready for your session. You just had a baby, after all. Your job is to feed, comfort and love on your baby. Upon arrival on the day of the session, I will take a quick tour of your home to determine which area will have the best window light. This could be your bedroom, living room, and/or nursery. A window facing north gives the best natural light, but no worries if your area doesn't have a north-facing window. If we are in the bedroom, just remove clutter from the nightstands so they will not be in the photographs. Bedding should be simple and white, if at all possible, as white reflects the light wonderfully. Time commitment: Lifestyle newborn sessions will take approximately two hours.
Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and lifestyle Newborn photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book Your Initial Phone Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. DreamWorld Photography is currently booking through June 2019. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them? We hope so. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Digital Photography
This was my official last posed newborn session. Since at the time I photographed Baby Hannah, I was transitioning into lifestyle newborn photography, which is what I offer now. So, my client graciously allowed me to take some lifestyle shots along with the posed to begin building my lifestyle portfolio.
Baby Hannah was a doll. She slept beautifully through most of her session. She was very laid back, easy to move around and even gave us some smiles. Mama had to only feed her once. That hair, too! Thank you, Baby Hannah! I have the best job ever!
Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and Newborn lifestyle photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book an Appointment" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. DreamWorld Photography is currently booking through June 2019. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them? We hope so. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Baby J is in the house! I photographed this beautiful babe back in January. It's hard to believe I get to photograph babies for a living. Each one is so different and unique. This baby girl makes her mama proud and look at those blue eyes! Just gorgeous! This is my next to last posed newborn photography client. If you read my blog from last week, you know DreamWorld Photography now offers lifestyle newborn photography. I can't wait to begin photographing babies and families in the more relaxed, natural state of lifestyle photography. Love, love, love it! You will, too. Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and Newborn custom lifestyle photography. If you are ready to book your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click here or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. DreamWorld Photography is currently booking for now through May 2019. Due to the timing and nature of maternity, fresh 48 and newborn photography, we only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them? We hope so. We look forward to hearing from you soon. |