You Might Be A Newborn Photographer If...

Rachel Vanoven has been in the newborn photography industry for over 6 years. (I am sure most of you recognize her name) She is known for her big heart, her love of color and infectious joy for life. I have had the pleasure of working with Rachel for almost 3 years now. She is genuine and wonderful - in person and online. This summer, I reached out to some of my favorite artists in the industry to bring you all a series of amazing blog posts and Rachel's is the first of my features. I hope you enjoy. - Trae

We’ve all heard them, the memes have been shared on our walls by friends and fellow comrades in the business. “You might be a newborn photographer if you look at every basket, bowl, and bucket and wonder if you can stick a baby in that!” (Which is totally true by the way.), but I thought I’d share some that I haven’t heard yet! :)

Autumn Frost Blanket

You might be a newborn photographer if you’ve ever gone out in public with a bright yellow glob of baby poo down the front of your white shirt and didn’t realize it. And when someone points to it saying, “Looks like you got some mustard or dijon on your shirt there, love.” You just smile and mumble something about that delicious hot dog you had for lunch.

You might be a newborn photographer if you find yourself swaying gently back and forth (as if your soothing a newborn client) in the checkout line at the bookstore. Some well meaning older lady will knowingly wink at you and say, “You must have a baby at home.” You knowingly smile back, even if your “baby” is 5 years old. 

Bliss blanket

You might be a newborn photographer if you have perfected the art of explaining to your husband why you NEED a $30 piece of raw cut fabric. To lay a naked baby on. That will get pooped on. In a few different colors. With a matching headband. Maybe a wrap. 

You might be a newborn photographer if Fall means sadness because no more posing babies outside in fields.

You might be a newborn photographer if you use manicures as a tax write off. Gotta keep those nails short, dull and clean for the babies! It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for my art.

You might be a newborn photographer if you’ve logged countless hours with a baby that will. not. sleep. for anything. If you’ve spent endless hours on your computer analyzing what is different between your lighting and another photographer that you respect’s lighting. If you agonize over clenched fists and tongues that poke out.

Grayson Chinstrap

You might be a newborn photographer if you’ve ever wanted to shake the new mom who thinks she’s “fat” and doesn’t notice her husband getting choked up watching her hold his baby. Instead of shaking her, though, you point out his adoring gaze. Then you show her the back of your camera and see tears spring into her eyes when she finally sees how beautiful she really is.

You might be a newborn photographer if you know the difference between how a first time dad and a fourth time dad holds their baby. There is something SO endearing about  the stiff armed hold a brand new dad does with their little one. The uncertainty in their eyes if they are doing it right.

You might be a newborn photographer if you are out in public and your husband points out a “brand new baby” and you roll your eyes. That *child* is like 5 weeks, geriatric practically! Definitely not a NEWBORN.

Bliss Blanket and Organic Lambskin

You might be a newborn photographer if you seriously contemplate having another baby after a considerable age gap between your youngest just because you’ve gotten SO MUCH BETTER at newborn photography since they were born!

You might be a newborn photographer if you have man-hand envy.

You might be a newborn photographer if being in a hot room no longer bothers you. At hot yoga, you’re the only one who no longer sweats.

You might be a newborn photographer if even though you have no formal lactation consultant training, you can spot a bad latch, thrush and a cluster feeder from a mile away. 

You might be a newborn photographer if each session you are blown away by the miracle of life, the paper thin nails, the peely toes, the bumpy noses. If you can swaddle like the most seasoned Labor & Delivery nurse. If sometimes you have to pinch yourself that your *job* is snuggling fresh babies. If newborn safety is your passion and you take all precautions to keep your little client happy, warm, safe and snug. You might be a newborn photographer if you’ve ever felt like throwing in the towel after five straight sessions with a baby who just. won’t sleep.  And you might be a newborn photographer if you then have a dream baby who never even opens their eyes for 4 hours straight and decide that maybe quitting isn’t really a good idea after all. You might be a newborn photographer if you’ve started seeing all the good this industry has to offer, instead of the bad. And that when you wear the hat of “Newborn Photographer” you are a member of this huge group of (mostly) women, who, when one of us needs help or support, over and over again the community rallies and beautiful things happen.

Whether you are self taught, took a workshop, read a book, purchased an eWorkshop, are just naturally gifted or went to college, there are so many more things than just looking at baskets and wondering if a baby would fit that bind us together, find us a common ground. I am so proud to stand with the thousands of photographers who have carved their way to a successful business through such a rewarding, creative job. I’m excited to see where this industry goes in the future with so many talented artists honing their craft every day!
-Rachel Vanoven

Find more Rachel Vanoven goodness here: rachelvanoven.com, www.facebook.com/rachelvanovenphotography  instagram.com/rachelvanovenphotography

Cloud Curls: Organic Layering Piece by Devoted Knits

Cloud Curls are the perfect accent for organically styled newborn photos. 

They add dimension and texture to your newborn photos. 

The curls are shorn from the sheep and washed and left in their glorious curled state. 

I love to be able to support other local businesses as I create darling little props.

Cloud curls are created using the most natural of fibers. 

They are versatile and make great basket stuffers or can be used alone, or on top of furs. 

They come in 3 different sizes - so you can get a little -- or a lot. It's super gorgeous don't you think?

Thank you: Sugar Free Photography, Pitter Patter Photography, Stephanie Kelly Photography, and Kimmy Howard Photography for these gorgeous photos. <3

Also shown Sinclair Cable Twist Bonnet in Muted Gray and SimplyWrap in Cocoa.

COUPON CODE : CCURLS5   valid for $5 off on 10/2 only.

Devoted Knits is going to the Congo

Daniel and I (wonderful photo by Kellie Sinclair)

I normally don't write these kinds of blogs. But this is just too exciting to keep in. And the task is far too great for me to handle onmy own. I'm about to embark on a life changing adventure. I, with my husband and a small group from our church, will be headed to the Congo this coming summer July 3 - 20). I am most excited about this trip because I will be able to help with the deaf community in the area am able to communicate in sign language. I know this will be an asset to the group. We will be engaging with the community; ministering to youth and adults, including a significant ministry among deaf youth, who are considered to be outcasts in their culture. Our time there will be laying ground work for what we hope to have as an ongoing future ministry in Bukavu, Congo.  
   

Even now we are preparing to be able to be a blessing to the people in the Congo. We will be making pillowcase dresses for the little girls of the village of Bukavu. I am so excited to be able to be creative and make something that will light up a little girls eyes. I am excited that my skills and headband making will be put to good use. I am going to try to create flowers for the edging on some of the dresses.

While we are there I would love to be able to meet up with the child that Daniel and I have sponsored for the past 4 years, but we are unsure of being able to travel in between the Congo and other areas of Africa. 

As many of you know Congo is war torn and we will be in a dangerous area. This means the amount of funds needed will be pretty drastic, as getting in and out of the jungle will be costly. My husband is a contract worker and is not hired directly with his company, so for the two weeks we are gone - he will be doing without pay. But we are confident that this is something God wants us to do. We want to be able to help others with the time and energy that we have now while we are young. Together we need to raise $7,000. We are making alot of sacrifices on our own and have already saved 1/3 of what we need. But we are now, reaching out to you for help.

What I am asking of you: Search your heart and see how you can help us.

1 - Please donate funds via paypal. Send the money via paypal as a gift so that we will not be charged a fee. Send it via devotedknits@gmail.com and mark in the notes Congo, Africa

2 - Purchase an item from my auction. I launched the auction Dec 9 and it will last until Dec 13th.

3 - Help me publicize the auction on your business pages. I know with how facebook is set up - it is nearly impossible to reach the audience we used to!

4 - Send happy thoughts, wishes and prayers our way. We can use all the love and support we can get.

With much Love

Trae

Devoted Knits

What Makes a Good Photographer? Guest Blogger Lynnette Reeves

I recently was chatting with Lynnette Reeves from Only Imagine Photography. I love her point of view so much I asked her to guest blog for me. I hope you are as encouraged as I was after reading it!! Really what makes a good photographer? What a loaded question right? Really it is a question with a lot of different opinions behind it. So lets talk about it and see what we come up with, or I will let you know my thoughts. I want to say I respect and honor every photographer out there. This is a tough profession to be in, to be welcomed into, and to feel accomplished in.  

A good photographer is not the everything photographer. If you are photographing weddings, engagements, seniors, families, children, parties, and newborns...you are the everything photographer. How can you be great if you are working your tail off to do it all? Find the one area you LOVE and be the BEST at it. Find a passion about one area and you will be GREAT in that area. When I made the decision that I loved newborns and that is what I wanted to be the best I could be at, it completely changed my photography business. When you are specialized clients will seek you out, and why wouldn’t they? You are are not the everything photographer, you are their newborn photographer that gives them images they will cherish for a lifetime. For the past 2 years I have only booked new newborns, the children and families I photograph I have photographed at some time before or I know them . I refer so many new clients that are not maternity or newborns to other photographers in my area that I have talked with about sending my referrals their way.


 A good photographer is one who finds their inspiration, creativity, and ideas from within themselves. Not from another photographers blog. You have to have your own eye for creativity, your own way to find inspiration. Be unique, stand out, that will make you the photographer others will look for.

Lastly, be a photographer for a reason that drives you to give people images that they can look at and be in that moment, smell that newborn baby smell, laugh because the smile is so real. Do what you do because you love it for a deep down reason. I hear so many say “oh that looks fun, I’m going to start a photography business too” I think “wow” If you think something looks fun to you let it be a serious hobby for a few years. You are photographing a time that family can never have back. So lets say tomorrow the little boy you photographed yesterday was lost in a tragic accident......His Mommy will cherish what you have in your camera for the rest of her life. How did you do? Were most in or out of focus? Did you get his big smile? Did you capture “his personality” in the images? Photograph every session as though its the last memories you will give someone, because this life is short and you never know what tomorrow will bring. This is how I photograph every session for my clients, because I am that Mommy.  

Find your area and be great at it, be the best at it, and give up your ego of having to do it all and refer to other photographers what you are not the best at. I promise your business will flourish, and other photographers will respect you for it. You can, will be, or already are a great photographer, just don’t ever give up on yourself.

The One with all the Facebook Bullying: Guest Blogger Grace Hurtienne

I have had the pleasure of 'meeting' many amazing artists in my journey as a newborn prop vendor (and now newbie photographer) and I have to say Grace from Beyond the Wanderlust is by far one of the gems of this vast internet photography community. She and I were recently chatting about the Facebook realm and the hurt that is can do/be to us -- the people behind the businesses. When you come right down to it -- it is a form of bullying. Whether it be the assumption that everyone is copying you and you need to put them down, or belittling others and their photographic expression. It is all bullying - this notion of you being better and that somehow this gives you certain 'rights'. I just don't want to be a part of it. Am I competitive?  You betcha. Do I want to do my best? Heck yeah! But not at the expense of others. I really hope that what we write here today is an encouragement. I am not a perfect person - but I do strive to rise above. And I hope you will too.

-Trae

"The One with all the Facebook Bullying"

You see, there is this thing going on in our industry. This thing where certain “Facebook Celebrities” with inflated fan counts feel that they are entitled to special favors. (mind you it's not everyone with big fan counts)  They are quick to tell us that they are doing us a favor by using our product, or sharing our giveaway, ect. That they are offering us a “great benefit,” and how dare we question it, or nitpick it. Because we are nothing compared to them. 

And here is the thing. They are getting away with it. They are getting away with it because we are letting them.  So we continue to send them our props for free in exchange for promotion that never comes. We continue to let them in our giveaways, watching as they gain thousands of fans, and when we ask them to simply share our name, we get blasted. We continue to stand by while they threaten to black list us in the industry, plagiarize our words, and steal our images. 

And after all is said and done, we keep our mouths shut. We hide our stories in silence out of fear they will ruin us. We hold these wrong doings in the deepest darkest places, as they destroy our spirit.We are told we are lesser. We are told we should be happy they even know our name. We are told lies.

But here is the truth. WE MATTER. Not our fan count, not our following, but US. We are talented, we deserve better, and we do not have to stand for this bullying. It’s time for this thing to stop. 

So I’m going to make a promise. I will be here for you. I will not take advantage of you; I will appreciate you, and will help to pick you up when you are feeling down.

And I will challenge you to do the same for someone else. Forget about Facebook, forget about fans. Stop taking and start giving. Make a friend, give a compliment, put others first. 

- Grace
www.beyondthewanderlust.com

www.graceandjaden.com

*This blog post was not meant to be a blanket statement about all of the higher fan count businesses. I am happy to say that the occurrences of bullying are few and far between - but they still do happen, and I feel should be warned about. 

20K Giveaway : Win the Camera of your Dreams!

I am so excited and thrilled to be at 20k fans. So excited that I decided to do something I have never done before...I am giving away a camera. I know that many of you are starting out on your photography journey and some of you are well established  - but who wouldn't want a NEW camera. So some of my vendor friends and I have teamed up to give one lucky winner their choice of a Nikon D800 or a Canon 5D Mark III (I really wish I could enter...lol)

I have so enjoyed making your props and being a part of your photography business over the years, and I wish you all luck as you enter to win.

Many Blessings -

Trae

Please be logged into Facebook as your PERSONAL PAGE before continuing to view this blog post! If you need to switch from your business page to your personal page on Facebook, please do so now, then come back and refresh the screen. 

DETAILS:  
The giveaway start Monday, July 29 at 12:01AM until Monday August 5th at 11:59PM

DEVOTED KNITS DISCOUNTS DURING GIVEAWAY:  
Every day I will post a NEW limited coupon code to my facebook page in the morning to be claimed by the first 5 customers that day only! 

ENTRY DETAILS:

ALL ENTRIES WILL BE COLLECTED VIA RAFFLECOPTER AT THE END OF THIS POST OR ON THE FACEBOOK TAB. Once you have completed each entry, please validate them via Rafflecopter.

#1 - Mandatory - Like ALL Facebook pages that sponsored the event.
#2 - Bonus - Reshare the pinned giveaway photo from Devoted Knits Page.
#3 - Bonus - Make a purchase from Devoted Knits Shop
#4 - Bonus - Sign up for the Devoted Knits Newsletter
#5&6 - Bonus - Follow Devoted Knits on pinterest and pin giveaway photo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photographer Spotlight: Kimmy Howard Photography

Business Name: Kimmy Howard PhotographyName: Kimmy Howard
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Style of Photography/Specialty:Newborns (child/family very limited June-October)

  



 Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm the mom to 3 little ones Selah-5, Keenan-3, and Amara-1.  My husband and I met at  Taylor University because we played soccer on the men's/women's teams and instantly became "friends."  We dated for 4 years and have been married for 8.  We've moved around the midwest (IA, IL, OH) and recently made a moved to Indianapolis (hopefully for good!).  I grew up in MN and NEVER thought I'd end up living in IN after going to college here, but I guess I'm a country girl at heart:)  I live in the outskirts of town surrounded by corn and horses, but only 25 minutes from downtown Indy.  I love being a stay at home mom.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!  For me, photography is an unexpected blessing.  I majored in early childhood education and christian education ministries & never in a million years would I have thought I'd have my own  photography business.  It has been such an adventure and I love being able to meet so many amazing families and having a little "creative outlet" from my daily mommy duties ;)

Pure Blanket in Petal Pink (used as wrap)

 What type of camera do you use?   

Canon 5D Mark ii 

-50mm 1.2L (favorite lens!!)
-24-70 2.8L
-70-200 2.8L
-100 2.8L (macro)


How did you get started?
I stayed at home after our 1st child was born in 2008.  I reconnected with a friend from college who was a custom photographer (something I had never heard of at the time) & I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do.  I needed a "nap time project" and photography sounded perfect.  This was even before owning a camera.  After getting a camera (started with the 50D) and taught myself my reading my manual (NOT my learning style at all, but I was determined to learn & didn’t have any around to teach me). Once I learned how to use my camera, I asked some friends if I could practice on them for free.  Since I’m a young mom, most of my friends have little kids, and they were gracious enough to let me try it out.  After I began to feel confident in my session flow and posing, I put together my website and started charging.  Word of mouth kicked in and the rest is history:)  I gradually raised my prices as my work improved and as the demand became too much for me.  It's so crazy what this little thing has become.  What a blessing it has been.
 

Little Loopy Blanket/Dainty Bonnet


 
What inspires you?
I guess I have a love for earthy/organic/pure things.  I gravitate towards a modern farmhouse style & that style not only fills my home, but also inspires me as an artist.  I love neutrals.  Pinks, creams, greys, and browns are the colors that fill my photos.  I used to think I just couldn't commit to colors, but now I know that I just LOVE earthy pure and sweet colors:)  I think who I am comes out in my images & I love that everything I photograph is something that I would do for my OWN baby.  I didn't used to think like this when I started, but I have learned my style through this process and who I am and what I am inspired by is most definitely evident in my final product. 

What is your most favorite photo you’ve taken?
Oh wow, just one!  It's so hard to pick, but I guess it is the photo of the sweet little girl all in pink with the Devoted Knits Pure Blanket.(see first featured photo) It has been a favorite for a couple months.  I love it because of how soft and pure it is.

What are your other talents/hobbies/interests?
I love creating...it's why photography suits me.  I love to sew, paint, draw, and love pottery.  I wish I had more time for it, but running after 3 kids & running a business leaves little "free" time:)  I was an athlete my whole life & love to run...but that's about the last thing on my list right now!!  So, I guess, my current interests are my husband, my kids, and my photography. ;)

SimplyWrap Smoke



Kimmy's favorite Devoted Knits item is the Twine Blanket. "It's amazing for layering and getting that organic look", Kimmy tells me. So enter here to win your own Twine Blanket.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photographer Spotlight: Jaiden Photography (plus giveaway)

Business Name: Jaiden Photography | Stephanie Knowles 
Location: Jacksonville, Florida 
Style of Photography/Specialty: Newborn & baby portraiture 

Tell us a little about yourself: I am a mom and a wife. I am a business owner, January was my 4th full year since I picked up my camera (for business, not pleasure). I have a degree in Marketing & Photography & a little obsessed with both of these fields when it comes to running a business. I love it all and finally..finally I have created a pretty good workflow since I work from home; this past year has been great and I can finally breath & enjoy life & the kids!! Some fun things about me; hmmmm…. I love to run-after its over :) Love my husbands popcorn, best creation ever and pretty much eat it every night! Enjoy spending time with my friends, who are pretty much my family. Love carbs, mashed potatoes, mexican. I am a huge animal lover, dogs in particular. I help out a lot with a local shelter and foster when I can. My dream is to live on a piece of land with a natural light studio & a dog kennel :)

What type of camera do you use? Nikon D3s, 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.4, 105mm macro

How did you get started? My degree is in photography & marketing so naturally this was a great field for me. In the beginning, before newborn art became big I worked for free..photographed everyone & realized really quickly that "everyone" wasn't for me. Love spending time with newborns but I think I enjoy most working alone; the quiet environment. As my business grows I am realizing more and more each day what my style is and where I want to my business to be in 5years. Loving the simple, clean, organic feel with a few pops of color. Simple yet styled :)

What inspires you? My family inspires me to work hard, to push myself to the limits and then go one more step. Inspiration for my work…colors! I love looking at color palettes & then creating a session based on that.

What is your most favorite photo you’ve taken? simple shots of my boys. I am a bit obsessed with taking images of them.

 

What are your other talents/hobbies/interests? running, eating, crafts with the kids, shopping & traveling :)


What is your favorite Devoted Knits item? I LOVE her bonnets. My current favorite is the Kimmy bonnet, shown here in blossom.

I love working with Jaiden Photography and I am pleased to show you all my newest bonnet; The Jaiden Bonnet shown in Seaglass. Below I have a giveaway for this little knit wonder. I hope you will enter to win. <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Staples and Simply Wraps- A Guest Post by Captured by Kristin Newborn Photography (and Giveaway)

 Every session I do starts with my ‘bread and butter’ poses. I love trying new things, I love being innovative, but I also acknowledge that every pose is a new pose for each new mom. This pose, this setup, has never been done with their baby. If it’s their second time working with me, they enjoy the similarities so that they can so side by side comparisons between children. I like to use the 90/10 rule. 90% of the session is spent on poses I know well, and the other 10% is spent on trying new things. If the baby is a great sleeper and I’m done with my standard poses quickly, I may get more time to spend on experimenting, but I never waste the first hour of my shoot working on a pose that I don’t know well enough to do in my sleep. Those always come at the end for me. 

One pose I really know well is taco. It wasn’t always this way, but I can now get taco with even the fussiest of babies. To add variety I always put a Simply Wrap on the baby. This gives me 2-4 unique images out of a single pose. I can get a close up with and without the wrap, I can shoot from different angles, etc. It gives me lots of options without having to move the baby at all (as I would have to for a hat or cocoon). If you want to see how to put a simply wrap on a baby like this without moving the baby, click here http://capturedbykristin.ca/blog/newborn/devoted-knits-simply-wraps/ I love having quick ways to add variety to my galleries, so I now own several simply wraps. I know there are a lot of ways to use them, but this is definitely my go-to technique. It’s so quick and easy to do that I make sure to do it every time I use the taco pose. 

I hope my favourite staple posing strategy helps you to add variety to your galleries, and I apologize in advance for your new found addiction to Simply Wraps.

Comment and reshare this post on your facebook business or personal page and you will be entered to win a FREE SimplyWrap - winner pays shipping fees. Giveaway ends Feb 24 at midnight EST.

Featured Photographer: Alli Peck from Glow Portraits

I am so excited to be starting this project. Two times a month, I will be sharing with you photographers that I admire. I am privileged to work closely with Alli these past few months to create some amazing sets and setups. I hope that you enjoy getting to know her better.

-Trae

 Alli Peck - Glow Portraits - Facebook 



Big Bump Blanket in Blue Spruce
and Jen Silk Ribbon Halo

Location: Fort St John, BC, Canada

Style of Photography/Specialty: Newborn and Maternity studio light

Tell us a little about yourself: I'm a mama to 4 children, married 14 years and have a studio on my property that I work from. I use studio lighting and primarily photograph newborns and maternity, although, I also work with toddlers and have a boudoir photography business. I have also joined up with a wonderfully talented photographer Melissa Wells; together we are offering newborn, and maternity lighting and posing workshops through The Newborn Experience.

What type of camera do you use? I recently upgraded to the Canon Mark III and couldn't be happier! Love all the new focal points.

How did you get started?  Probably like so many other photographers, by having children and wanting to document the memories of them growing up so quickly!

What inspires you? Many things inspire me, from the way I will see colors in every day life, to the flow of fabric as its draped . .

What is your most favorite photo you’ve taken? The ones of my own children :)

What are your other talents/hobbies/interests?  I'm an avid reader of books and I exercise at the gym and run outside.



Natural Blanket and SimplyWrap in Cocoa



Alli's favorite Devoted Knits item is the Natural Blanket.


Use the discount "GlowFave" for $5 off the Natural Blanket - good for the first seven customers!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Alli from Glow Portraits and that you will leave her some comment love.