Newborns and safety

[SusanH1970]

GREAT blog post from the amazing Jodie Otte, and a must-read for anyone doing newborn sessions.

Jodie Otte, Baltimore Maryland Child and Baby Photographer » Newborn Photography and Safety

[tasmo2]

Great blog! I am wanting to do some newborn photography when I get a lights set up... I bookmarked her blog and site! She has some amazing photos!!!

[Murtasma]

Unfortunately there was very little in the way of newborn safety in that article. She briefly mentioned not to force the newborn to do something he/she doesn't want to do (duh) and an example of photoshopping some hands out of an image that were from an assistant in the frame in case the child fell off the horse. I guess that is a helpful hint but I think it's common knowledge to never let a newborn drop.

I think having safety in mind when doing anything with a newborn photography wise or not should always be a top priority of every parent.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

Unfortunately there was very little in the way of newborn safety in that article. She briefly mentioned not to force the newborn to do something he/she doesn't want to do (duh) and an example of photoshopping some hands out of an image that were from an assistant in the frame in case the child fell off the horse. I guess that is a helpful hint but I think it's common knowledge to never let a newborn drop.

You'd be surprised - I've heard a LOT of stories of people who admire work like Jodi's and don't think about how it's done, try to replicate it, and end up with a baby that falls.

A friend of mine that's getting into photography told me she wants to try the "baby hanging in a sling" shot and I asked if she had a beanbag or some kind of cushioning to have right under the baby. She looked at me like I was crazy, until I said to her "What do you do if the baby falls out of the sling, or the knot comes undone? Do you want him to land on the floor?" She admitted it never even occurred to her. I thought that was pretty frightening.

[Murtasma]

Why don't we need a license to have a child? We need one to own a firearm or drive a car and we need to be a certain age to drink.

If someone is forget full enough to dangle a newborn over a railing (Michael Jackson) or fail to ensure if a baby falls from a pose it will not be harmed, probably should not be looking after a child or having one.

Maybe I'm too harsh but sometimes you just can't fix stupid.

[tasmo2]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

... sometimes you just can't fix stupid.

HA! That's funny... in all of life's circumstances... so true!

[SusanH1970]

All true! LOL about fixing stupid.

Anyway...I'm hoping that by posting this, someone that is about to do their first newborn shoot and perhaps hasn't thought of what goes on behind the scenes will take it into consideration.

Anne Geddes released a video of herself (on YouTube) shooting newborns hanging several feet off the floor with NOTHING under them. I just hate to think someone might see that and try to attempt it and God forbid something goes wrong (and it has, and it will again I'm sure).

Yes, most people DO think of the safety issues, and yes, some people will be stupid, and yes there will be accidents. If this post gets through to even one person who hasn't thought of the safety issues, then I'm happy.

[daddyoproductions]

Wow, I can't believe Anne Geddes shoots without a net! Thanks for the intel Susan!

~C

[BigFuzzy]

It's easy.. just shake the baby until you get an interesting pose.. what's so difficult? Nets? We don't need no stinkin' nets!.









You all know I'm just kidding right..? I couldn't resist

[tasmo2]

I forgot to google it last time.. so when this was bumped up again it reminded me! That is crazy! Those babies in that video were WAY off the ground and NOTHING was under them!! *I know you said that, but its just different when you SEE it!* LOL