Heidi Stone Blog: March 2011

Wednesday, March 23

Eek! These are real babies!

I admit it. I love working with babies! So squishy and precious. So cute and chubby.

But something has caught my attention as of late and I feel it is necessary to have its own blog post.

There are photographers popping up all over the place these days due to the low price in DSLR cameras. But as the trend of new, inexperienced photographers continues, an unfortunate rise in a lack of common sense also seems to have surfaced. Everyone wants to create unique and creative newborn and baby images, but many have apparently thrown caution to the wind with this new wave of creativity.

I am specifically speaking of the trend of putting babies into/onto things made of GLASS. It seems that, perhaps in a creative haze, some photographers have forgotten a basic but very important truth about glass.

GLASS BREAKS. And broken glass causes cuts. Cuts which could seriously injure a person of any age, not to mention a tiny baby.

I believe this is partially due to the fact that many photographers who are well known for their artful images often fail to mention all the safety precautions involved in their practices. Prop setups can be altered in Photoshop and many hands are routinely cropped, cloned, and masked out of those beautiful - and many, seemingly impossible - images. A mindful photographer will never allow creativity to override the safety of his or her clients.

There's nothing wrong with hiring a photographer who is new to the industry. Obviously, we all started somewhere and I am beyond grateful for those who hired me when I was first starting out. But hiring a new photographer because they are cheaper/closer/________/whatever should NEVER cause you to compromise your baby's safety.

Photographers: These are REAL BABIES. They are not dolls! Use your brain when you're working with them!! PLEASE do not put newborns or older babies into glass bowls, vases, or anything else you find lying around that is made of such a breakable and dangerous material! Babies must be handled with extreme caution in all situations.

Parents: If your photographer recommends a setup that you are uncomfortable with, SAY SOMETHING. Do not assume that they know what they are doing simply because they run a business. Especially if they are new to the industry. Because if, God forbid, something did happen to your sweet child, there's a pretty good chance that the new photographer you hired hasn't yet purchased business liability insurance.

I know I don't typically use my blog for things on this nature, but I really felt this needed to be said.

UPDATE: Another photographer reminded me of this article over at Take Off Your Mommy Goggles on this same topic. Definitely check out her post too!