Last Sunday I had a photo session with little Miss Mila.  She is a beautiful seven week old, whose mother is a former colleague.  Mila is her first born.

In preparation for the shoot, I visited the baby section of a couple of big chain stores and then Buy Buy Baby, looking for prop ideas. While browsing, these stores reminded me how expensive it is to raise a child, let alone multiple children.  Infant products can be quite pricey, so make sure you thoughtfully plan and prepare when planning a family! It’s gonna cost ya!!

I found so many adorable items, but I had to stick to my budget.  It was hard because babies are so cute, (they ALL are to me) and they make such cute things for them.  It’s hard these days for babies and children not to be fashionable.  Oops, I am getting sidetracked, back to the photo session, as I can go on and on about this topic having raised a daughter.

When I arrived Mila was awake, so I go set-up in another room and 40 minutes later she is still awake.  Mom has fed her and is attempting to put her to sleep; however, Mila is not having it!  Actually, 3.5 hours later she is STILL awake. She showed us who was in charge that afternoon!

Tip:  Sometimes it’s best to take photos of a baby while they are asleep and a few weeks old because you can achieve better poses, as well as mold them into the pose. The earlier the better!

I decided to begin photographing Mila while she’s awake, knowing that she would look positively beautiful awake or asleep, I just wouldn’t be doing any posing, just a few props.  I felt bad because I was unable to take more photos, because when babies are sleepy they can also be somewhat cranky or fidgety, (I captured a number of candids during the fidgety times, candids makes the experience more memorable!). I literally took pictures between feedings and attempts to get her to sleep.

This picture was taken during the first set. She was wide awake, not quite fighting sleep, just being curious!

This photo was about three hours later, she is really sleepy!

Contemplating should I go to sleep or not!

Grandma was visiting and provided the flowers. She asked that I use them as a prop, because they are the flowers that were at Mila’s parent’s wedding!

Mila cooperating!

Mila and her Mom!

Although I was unable to use all of my props and planned poses, as well as capture photos of Mila asleep, it was a successful session! It was a great experience, as I’ve come a long way since my very first newborn photo session 18 months ago!

Happy Thanksgiving!