What to know before your newborn session || Orange County Newborn Photographer
When I had my first baby, I had absolutely no clue about newborn photos. I had no clue what to wear, what to expect, how long it would take, what to bring, etc. Basically I knew there would be my baby and a camera. Everything else was 🤷🏼♀️. As an Orange County Newborn Photographer, my hope is to answer all those questions prior to your session. Knowing exactly what to expect not only helps you better prepare but allows you to relax and enjoy the few hours of someone else holding your baby. You can watch the session, take a shower or even nap! 🙌🏼
So let’s dig right in…
What to wear? I provide wardrobe for all of my clients so if you’re booking with me, no need to worry about this part. If you’re not however, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, keep the colors neutral. No bright colors or graphics. Simple white sweater or blouse paired with maternity jeans is perfect. Make sure your top is nursing friendly and comfortable. If it’s not, bring a change of clothes to change into after your portion of the session is over.
But what if I don’t want to be in the photos? As a mama myself, I know exactly how you feel after going through a hard 36 hour labor. Swollen, sore, tired, and Not. Photo. Ready. Buuuut that being said, there are ways to make yourself feel better and you’d be surprised at how good it feels to actually out makeup on after days of full mombie (mom zombie) mode. First of all, I highly suggest hair and makeup, I have a great list of referrals and I promise you’ll be much happier with the end result. If after all my attempts at talking you into don’t work and you still don’t want to be in photos, don’t worry. I have some easy poses that don’t actually show your face but still show you’re there.
What to expect? My newborn sessions are typically done in your home and can be between 1 and 3 hours. It all depends on baby’s temperament that day and I am very patient - diaper changes, multiple feeding breaks, etc are all normal. I arrive at your home and will do a quick walk through to find the naturally brightest area for our shoot. I try to avoid the main living room because I do ask for a quiet area so baby can stay asleep. The area we choose will get HOT, I bring a space heater and I also ask you to turn up the heat in your home to 75º-80º. Baby will be happiest if he/she is warm. I’ll have you feed baby right before I arrive and if baby takes a bottle or pacifier, have that ready as well.
How long will the session take? Like I said they can last between 1 hour and 3 hours. Although I shoot very quickly and typically only take 1.5 hours total. If there are siblings, I usually start with them, then do full family and finish up with baby alone. After family photos are done, I always suggest someone takes the siblings to a park or out for ice cream so we can focus on the baby and siblings will feel special for doing a great job with their part of the session.
What to bring? Just baby in a loose fitting white onesie, a loose diaper (so there are no lines on their skin), a pacifier or bottle or both. If you have any special requested outfits or swaddles please have them ready as well.
After your session, your proofs will be ready in 1-2 weeks. We’ll plan a time to meet again in person to look over them together. This is when you’ll choose your favorites and create a collection to purchase. Please have all financial decision makers present or discuss your budget prior to our meeting. Prints or albums will be custom made and ready in 6 weeks at which time, I will drop them back off to you. Digital image purchases will be available for download 1-2 days after your ordering appointment.
Lastly, babies pee and poop on my stuff, on me, on the floor and it’s fineeeeee. I took off their diaper knowing it was likely going to happen so please don’t feel bad. I have three kids of my own so believe me, I’ve seen worse! 😜
What was the biggest surprise to you at your newborn session?
Orange County Newborn Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Why I Love Albums || Orange County Family Photography
Do you remember growing up with family albums to look through? Mine were always at my grandmas house and every time we went there we could sit for hours looking through them. You remember the ones that smelled weird, had that sticky clear paper overlay to protect the polaroids inside and made your grandma smile every time she opened them!
That’s why I love albums as a mom. As an Orange County family photographer, I love them because they’re an easy for parents to put all their most precious memories in a printed space and they’re easy to store.
We have tons of albums, from the everyday Chatbooks to the gorgeous albums I offer to clients. My kids absolutely adore both. I reserve the albums I offer to clients for special occasions, like their first year and our yearly family adventures.
These albums are not only gorgeous with an organic linen cover, the pages are made of archival quality and thicker than you could imagine. With customizable options like rounded corners or embossing, you can make your album a piece of art for generations to treasure. Each album is guaranteed by me for 75 years! Lost in a move, water spilled on it, kids took it outside, no matter the reason - I’ll send you a new one 100% free for 75 years!
Orange County Family Photography
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Sneak Peek Beach Motherhood Session || San Clemente Motherhood Photography
This session was such a dream and we almost rescheduled it.
The weather was COLD, like low 60’s here in San Clemente and for us that is cold. Especially at the beach with the wind. On my way to this session I actually thought I messed up the timing because it was SO dark outside, the clouds were low lying and the freeway looked like the sun had already set.
Boy am I happy that we didn’t. The weather at the beach was better than I’ve ever seen it. Not a breath of wind, the sun peeked beneath those low lying clouds to give us a show in the sky and the photos are incredible.
Alaina is 7 months pregnant so this could easily be her maternity session as well as a Motherhood session. Sweet little Isabel was absolutely adorable and so sweet. Wardrobe for mom and Isabel were provided by me and their choices were perfect for the beach!
Here are a few of my favorites from this San Clemente Motherhood Photography session…
San Clemente Motherhood Photography
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Benefits of Unstructured Play || Orange County Children's Photographer
I consider myself a pretty strict parent and I pride myself that (so far), my kids are well behaved, happy and are able to entertain themselves pretty well. Sure we all have hard days but in general I think we’re doing okay. We don’t do a lot of TV or any video games, we don’t let them play on the iPad (unless it’s earned), they don’t eat a lot of sugar or junk food but one of the things I’m picky about is play. The biggest things I encourage my kids to do is go outside. I don’t care what you do outside but go outside to play everyday. Play benefits all areas of a child’s development. One important aspect of this time is unstructured play, also called free play. That boredom that’s involved in free play turns their imagination on and allows them to create games and rules and consequences.
As an Orange County Children’s Photographer, those are the moments I want to capture. When kids are free to play how they like, they are happiest and most relaxed. Goodbye meltdowns and fake smiles.
Unstructured play allows children the freedom to explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. It’s been shown to foster cognitive development while boosting physical development and social and emotional development. It specifically helps creativity and imagination, problem-solving abilities and social skills.
Creativity and imagination: Because there are no fixed rules to follow, children can make their own games and guidelines. This opportunity to create and use imagination is important to cognitive development.
Problem-solving abilities: Children work together during unstructured play to solve problems, like who takes the first turn in a game and establishing other rules of play. While activities should be supervised, allow children time to work together on problems before helping resolve a conflict or question.
Social skills: Unstructured play encourages social skills and teamwork. Children take turns, learn to listen and share, develop imaginary scenarios and make decisions together. Because they are the ones driving play, they have the chance to learn on their own among friends.
Playgrounds and outdoor spaces are ideal for free play because there are endless opportunities to explore and interact with the world. Children can race through a play structure, run in open spaces and create their own games based on what’s available. Children do not need large open spaces for creative play – often a quiet corner or under the kitchen table are just as fun.
So next time you’re doing photos and your little one is NOT HAVING IT! Try letting them be, just give them a toy and let them relax. They can feel the pressure of photoshoots just like we can but they don’t know how to handle it like we do so they meltdown. Your photographer should respect that and know how to capture these moments without intruding on your child’s space. After a 5-10 minute break, maybe a snack and a drink I bet your babe will be back in action.
Orange County Children’s Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County.
If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you have booked a session with me and are drawn to this session, please feel free to send me this link, so I can see exactly what you are wanting to take away from our time together.
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
Due to the custom nature of portrait sessions, I take a limited number of clients each month.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Decorating Baby's Nursery || Dana Point Newborn Photographer
Decorating baby’s nursery is one of the most exciting parts of being pregnant, at least one of the many exciting things. Pinterest is full of ideas for decor and themes with some great tips on organization and storage. The one thing I always hear from parents is how challenging it can be to decorate baby’s nursery using images. As a Dana Point Newborn Photographer, I love to help parents visualize their room and their images on the walls. I have special software that can make your vision a reality so we can choose the right wall and size to fit the space. Here are a few of my favorite suggestions…
Create a nursery collage
Above the crib and changing table are perfect spots for a collage. First, and most obvious, they get to display more images. Plus, the same pieces can be re-arranged to create countless different looks. A collage in the nursery can be added onto with new imagery as baby grows.
Tight on space? You can still create a collage
If your clients don’t have a lot of wall space to work with, you can still sell a multiple piece wall display. Your clients can choose one image for a slightly larger ‘statement’ piece and fill in the rest of the space with smaller pieces.
Create a rich, natural look
If you’re going for a rustic or natural feel, we offer products like Wood Prints, Bamboo Panels, and Standout with light wood or bamboo edging. These items perfectly enhance images from outdoor sessions as well.
One product, six sides, tons of possibilities
Image Cubes add an element of playfulness to the nursery décor. They add dimension to the nursery when displayed on a shelf or tabletop surface. Combine several cubes in a stack or to spell out baby’s name.
Keep things light
You can start a collection of lightweight, durable art for their children. As baby grows and play becomes more lively, they can still add personality and style to rooms dedicated to play. Standout, slim frames, and float wraps are all great options for these spaces.
Make it fun
Spark young imaginations with displays of playful images. Bright colors, big smiles, and spirited play sessions surround children with happiness and comfort. One-year sessions are perfect for capturing these types of images.
Small and sweet
There are plenty of miniature, inexpensive display items that make great gifts and fill little spaces on shelves, desks, and tabletops. Think Image Folios, Small Framed Prints with an easel back, a series of Image Cubes, and Matted Prints with a display easel.
Everyone loves mini accordion books
Add baby and family images to both sides of the fold-out accordion panel. Include birth stats or even a calendar. People love mini books because of their portable size and the amount of images that fit inside. They’re also magnetized, so they can be displayed on the fridge. These make great mini gifts for friends and family.
Dana Point Newborn Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County.
If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you have booked a session with me and are drawn to this session, please feel free to send me this link, so I can see exactly what you are wanting to take away from our time together.
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
Due to the custom nature of portrait sessions, I take a limited number of clients each month.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
My Breastfeeding Journey || San Clemente Newborn Photographer
For me breastfeeding has never been this easy, natural thing. With every baby, it’s been the hardest part.
With Nixon, he had a protein allergy and we did months on testing my milk and his feces to no avail. Finally after 5 months of weekly GI doc appointments he was put on Alimentum. I felt like such a failure.
With Hudson, my supply was a constant struggle. He was always hungry and I was pumping almost 12 times a day to keep up my supply and know how much he ate. (Little did I know, I wasn’t drinking enough water and I had started working out too early, both huge reasons my supply dropped.) I grew to hate pumping and hate breastfeeding so much because of the stress I caused myself that I was more than happy to quit when we went on vacation. He was 9 months.
With Poppy, it finally felt natural. She latched right away, she ate great, I drank double my weight in ounces everyday to keep my supply up and she was happy. Or so I thought. At 10 months, she still wasn’t sleeping through the night and when I went in she acted like she was starving. She pushed and fussed and kneaded and bit my breasts every time she ate. Looking back I see she was still hungry too but in the moment I just thought she was normal. In an effort to get her to sleep through the night and stop yelling at me 8 hours a day, I tried a bottle of formula. Previously she refused every bottle we gave her. Suddenly she took anything and everything we offered. That night she drank 8 ounces before bed and slept from 7pm-8am for the first time ever. Poor little thing was just hungry.
Over the last month and a half, she’s slowly been transitioning to prefer the bottle. She would still nurse but less and less time each day. She quickly refusing my left (slacker boob) and only ate from the right. Over the last week, she’s been pushing away after only a few minutes and looking for the bottle. I see the end of our breastfeeding journey is near. The end of breastfeeding for me forever.
Every emotion is so much more intense with your last baby. Every ‘last time’ is heartbreaking. I fight tears just thinking of the final days of having a baby in our house. She’ll be one in two weeks and I’m in total denial. Actually I am a mess but denial seems to be more appropriate.
So for at least a couple more days I’ll keep trying but I am so thankful to have these beautiful images of us to look back on. Thank you to my dear friend, Devyn of Devyn Leone Photography so snapping these for us. Now I’ll just go back to sobbing.
San Clemente Newborn Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County.
If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you have booked a session with me and are drawn to this session, please feel free to send me this link, so I can see exactly what you are wanting to take away from our time together.
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
Due to the custom nature of portrait sessions, I take a limited number of clients each month.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Taking Better iPhone Photos Workshop || Orange County Baby Photographer
In my latest email (you can click here to subscribe), I sent out information on an upcoming complimentary workshop I’m hosting. I’m so excited to start offering more mama get togethers and this one just happens to be educational.
I see moms all the time whip out their phone to take a photo of their baby doing being cute and as an Orange County Baby Photographer, I have to hold myself back. Wrong angle, wrong lighting, etc. There are some easy tips and tricks I know to make those quick snaps SOO much better and I’ll be showing you everything I know.
We’ll meet at the beach, because honestly that’s where I see it the most. The beach is a hard place to take photos with harsh lights, shadows galore and a baby eating every stick/rock in sight (maybe that’s just mine! 😜). Just bring your babe, your cell phone, a beach blanket and I’ll have everything else. We’ll have some hot coffee and great new mom friends to chat with while our kids play.
Side note: Did you know the beach is proven to make you less stressed, happier and more at ease? The same is true with kids. If you’re kids are going crazy fighting and running around like a banshee - Off to the beach!
Details:
Saturday June 1st
9:00AM
Salt Creek Beach Park (Meet on the sand in front of the roundabout)
Totally free!
If you can make it let me know! Hope to see you there.
Orange County Baby Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County.
If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you have booked a session with me and are drawn to this session, please feel free to send me this link, so I can see exactly what you are wanting to take away from our time together.
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into fall 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
Due to the custom nature of portrait sessions, I take a limited number of clients each month.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Mother's Day Tribute || Orange County Motherhood Photographer
Mother’s Day is this weekend and this year I’m working hard to make each and every mama feel special. The work we do is HARD but its also SO good. It’s the best part of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This day is about you, it’s about the joy and love that is behind being a mother. As an Orange County Motherhood Photographer, I meet so many beautiful families and meet so many moms.
Moms who discipline in all different ways, moms who love in all different ways.
Moms who enjoy the phase of motherhood and moms who are tired.
Moms who do it allllllll and moms who have a killer support system.
Breastfeeding moms and bottle feeding moms.
Working moms, stay at home moms, work from home moms.
Pinterest moms, Amazon Prime moms.
I see it all.
You know what though, none of these things matter. Because every single mom I’ve ever met has a sparkle in their eye and a love that’s stronger than imaginable. Every single mom loves their kids more than themselves. They give up things every day so their kids can have something else. They are selfless. They are loving. They are moms and that is an incredible thing.
If you are lucky enough to be a mama, you are lucky enough. ✨
May your day be filled with love, pampering, joy and laughter. Happy Mother’s Day mamas! I’m so happy to be going through this crazy ride with all of you!
XOXO- L
Over on my Instagram tomorrow, I will be honoring moms for the next few days. Give that mama some love in the comments and I’ll be choosing one person to giveaway a free Motherhood Session. Winner will be announced on Sunday so you have multiple chances to win.
Orange County Motherhood Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County.
If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you have booked a session with me and are drawn to this session, please feel free to send me this link, so I can see exactly what you are wanting to take away from our time together.
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
Due to the custom nature of portrait sessions, I take a limited number of clients each month.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel