7 New-Mom Must-Haves No One Tells You About | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Apr 13, 2017 | Helpful Hints

7 New-Mom Must-Haves No One Tells You About | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

Working as a newborn photographer in the Herndon, VA area brings us into regular contact with some savvy moms and dads. As any parent knows, you’ll get plenty of advice – some unsolicited. But, a recent article in The Bump got us thinking about those “must-haves” no one tells you.

We might spend a lot of our time on baby photography, but we certainly have a lot of experience as mothers! So, here’s our two cents on some must-have equipment you should know about:

1. Yes, you’ll need a stroller but you should consider this: 1) buy two strollers; one fully decked out and the other for travel or quick jaunts to the grocery store; 2) buy an integrated stroller system (that’s the fully decked out one). An integrated system guarantees your stroller and car’s baby seat are compatible, making life simpler. Also, check for recalls before you purchase any car seat and the Internet for reviews on various brands before you buy one.

2. Every parent will need a diaper bag. Make it the best you can afford and one that can also serve as a large purse during and after the diaper days. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a diaper bag, it might as well come in handy for several years! The better the quality, the longer it’s going to last through the wear and tear of parenting young children.

3. A baby carrier is handy around the house and on the go. Be sure to try it on before you buy it! They’re not particularly cheap, especially the better quality ones. Make sure it is adjustable.

4. A breastfeeding pillow is indispensable. If you plan on doing any travel, you might as well purchase a travel one as well. There are some good quality inflatable breastfeeding pillows.

5. High chairs are also indispensable – but travel chairs are even better! You can find a portable feeding chair to use both at home and if you head out to a restaurant or on a trip. These can save space in your home and do double duty because you can’t take a high chair with you when you leave the house. And, let’s face it, sometimes public high chairs aren’t in the best condition.

6. Clearly, you’ll need bibs – lots of them! High-quality cotton bibs that can take a lot of laundering will make life easier and save money in the long run. When your baby gets older, you can purchase plastic ones to cut down on laundry.

7. Good quality washcloths can serve as a bib in a pinch or on the road. Make sure you stock up on both bibs and washcloths and stuff some extras in your diaper bag and car.

We hope you gained something from our “wisdom”! We truly enjoy our work as a newborn photographer in the Herndon, VA area and we love communicating with our clients. We hope you’re enjoying our blog!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Herndon, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Include Dad in Newborn Sessions | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Apr 3, 2017 | Sterling VA Newborn photography

Include Dad in Newborn Sessions | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

After almost two decades in the Herndon, VA area as a newborn photographer, we know how to anticipate our sessions, plan well in advance, but be prepared to creative possibilities while in action. We often recommend certain ideas before, as well as during a session. When it comes to newborn portrait sessions, for example, we usually suggest both partners participate. Dad should be a part of his new baby’s first official portraits!

Having said that dads should participate, it is sometimes a bit tough to convince them! Men seem to show a bit more reluctance to being included. We say, nonsense!

There are plenty of creative, poignant and exciting ways a dad or partner can participate in baby photography. Look at how perfect these fathers look in these portraits we’ve included below!

Here are some ideas for you to consider.

Dad and Baby
A portrait with any new parent is a great picture because the love practically pours out from the image. Pride is written all over the face of any new parent. Well, Dads are no different! The juxtaposition between a man and this tiny human being doesn’t go without notice. It’s a beautiful homage to the beginning of life which is why portraits with dads can be as powerful as pictures with a new mom.

Dad, Mom, and Baby
Of course, a portrait of both parents with their newborn is striking. It’s an expression of love and the beginning of their family – a celebration of their lives and future together as a family!

Dad and Younger Children
If there are young children in the house (older siblings of the newborn), it can be sweet to do a picture of those children with their dad and the new baby. It’s a deliberate choice to not include mom in a few of these shots. Without the mother in the picture, what we see is the powerful bond forming outside of the mother’s belly within the family. It’s a priceless portrait.

If you would like to schedule newborn portraits with an experienced and trusted newborn photographer in the Herndon, VA area, we encourage you to call us during your final trimester so we can schedule a date based on your due date.

Baby Photography, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Herndon, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Storytelling in Baby Portraits | Northern VA Baby Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Mar 15, 2017 | Baby Plan Bebe Coterie, Children's Portrait

Storytelling in Baby Portraits | Northern VA Baby Photographer

They say that great things come in small packages. It’s certainly true when it comes to babies and baby pictures! As a mother and daughter photography team in the Reston, VA area, we believe that portraits, especially baby portraits, are an important form of storytelling. Photographs create a visual documentation of your child’s life from their earliest days.

What really is Baby Photography?
Baby photography is a way to stop time. It is a visual record of your child’s earliest years. It can begin as soon as your baby’s first seven days of life when they’re still curled up and sleepy as if still in the womb. These newborn portraits are priceless and are best followed with regular professional pictures straight through the toddler years and into childhood.

What Baby Photography Can Do
Portraits are more than pictures or images. As skilled baby photographers, we know that baby portraits are a poignant and treasured record of your child. Baby and children’s portraits visually tell the story of your child’s life.

You will enjoy your baby pictures now, but you will treasure them most years from now – long past your child’s earliest years. One day, when your baby is an adult, you will look at those portraits and lovingly reflect back on those long-past days.

How We Create Stories through Photography
We get to know our clients, and we take our time during their portrait sessions. Understanding our clients is critical to building a relationship with them, yes, even the tiniest ones. It’s also important to us that you and your baby or child feel comfortable and relaxed during your portrait session. If the chemistry is there between the subject and the photographer, the photo will reflect that. The results are profound and memorable.

We also care about our clients. Caring about them allows us to see them better for who they are. When it is a child or a baby, taking our time with them makes it possible to bond and accurately capture them through our portraits. Why would you want baby pictures to do anything else?

We like to think that if we do our job well we can peek inside our client’s personality and then convey that in portraiture, including baby pictures. As a Reston, VA area photographer, we absolutely love helping you tell the story of your child’s life through our poignant imagery.

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Baby Pictures

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Reston, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Must-have necessities for new moms! | Northern VA Baby Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Mar 6, 2017 | Northern VA Portrait Photographer

Must-have necessities for new moms! | Northern VA Baby Photographer

As a Reston, VA baby photographer, we highly encourage you to put baby pictures on your to-do list. But there are many things to consider as well, so we thought we would provide a list of some must-haves for new moms. As moms ourselves, we know how useful these items will be in your life. If you’re waiting for your baby’s birth, catch up on your sleep before their arrival! That can be a tough must-have to get once they do arrive!

As baby photographers, we know the importance of quality equipment and preparation. Running out of supplies in the middle of a portrait session would be less than desirable! It’s no different if you’re a parent and were to run out of diapers when you’re in a restaurant with your baby or, worse yet, forget the diaper bag! Being prepared and well stocked will make your life as a parent so much easier and smoother.

Here are a few must-have items!

Diaper Bag
Invest in a high-quality diaper bag. It will be money well spent. Good ones bring changing pads that are invaluable when on the road. Keep your diaper bag stocked with extra diapers, at least one outfit, and several bibs. Remember to restock the bag each time you arrive home rather than when you’re ready to leave home. Getting out of the house can be hectic, and it’s easy to leave something behind.

Diapers
Stock up on more diapers than you think you’ll ever need and in more than one size. The baby will size-up faster than you can imagine! If you travel with your child, bring along plenty of extra diapers in case your flight is delayed or you’re stuck somewhere.

Stroller
Another worthy investment worth putting some extra money into, a good stroller will last you for years. Make sure the stroller is easy to maneuver and easy to open and close. If you’re holding the baby, you should be able to open the stroller with one hand, so test them out before you buy one.

Onesies & Bibs
You can’t have too many staple items like onesies and bibs! Onesies in both long and short sleeves in 100% cotton are good to have on hand. Bibs in both washable fabric and plastic material can be handy. While traveling, plastic bibs are easy to wipe off and reuse. At home, either plastic or cloth bibs will work. Keeping a few bibs in the kitchen easy to reach and in your main “hang-out” spot in your home such as your family room will save you from running around looking for a bib whenever you need one!

Wipes and Washcloths
You’ll use baby wipes not just at your changing table and with changing pads, so it’s a good idea to stash some throughout the house, your car, diaper bag, and stroller. Washcloths come in handy as well for quick face wipes when you’re home and would rather use water than baby wipes.

Above all, be ready to enjoy quality time with your baby! The years will fly by as any older parent will tell you. Remember to shop in multiples to keep your home stocked with these and other must-have items – and schedule your professional baby pictures with our studio in the Reston, VA area!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Baby Pictures

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Reston, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Our Style, Natural and Candid | Northern VA Baby Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Mar 3, 2017 | Northern VA Portrait Photographer

Our Style, Natural and Candid | Northern VA Baby Photographer

Someone asked us to describe our photography style for baby pictures. Well, we’d describe our photography style as natural, and our Reston, VA portrait studio has worked hard to develop this style. It might sound strange to say “natural” is something we have to had to work at, but it’s true. Here’s why:

What is natural?
When we say our photography style is natural, candid, and casual, we mean that we work to capture our clients relaxed while conveying their personalities in their portraits. The resulting baby and family portraits turn out as they should: natural and candid, expressing reality, beauty, love, and character.

How do we do natural?
We work hard so our clients feel comfortable during their portrait session as well as with us as their baby photographer. We get to know our clients before we ever pick up a camera. We chat with them. We interact with them and we take our time with them during every session we do. As the client (whether it’s an adult or a baby) begins to relax, it’s easy to capture natural and candid portraits.

Why are we good at it?
We have been good at developing our style because we love people. We love life, and we love being a part of recording our clients’ lives through our work! We also love our work because it brings us into contact with some great people. It’s easy to be good at something when you love what you do. The enjoyment we feel working as a family and baby photographer is real and we feel so fortunate to be able to do what we love. That is to our clients’ benefit, we think!

If you would like work with a Reston, VA area photographer who believes in working hard to create baby pictures in a natural and candid style, contact our studio to schedule an appointment.

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Baby Pictures

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near Reston, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits