The Greenhouse Trend
2021 brought many new trends to the newborn photography world.
Some were better than others, but one which was very popular was the Greenhouse Mini Session. Many Newborn photographers rushed to their nearest antique store to find old six-paned windows to make their own mini greenhouse for their newborn sessions.
As more and more newborn photographers learn the art of outdoor newborn photography, I believe we will see more trends that take newborns into the great outdoors.
Outdoor newborn sessions are a trend I’m excited to see and one I think will be around for quite some time.
Photographers have always been using natural elements in their baby photos, so it makes sense that newborn sessions have evolved to capture them outdoors.
Bring "The Outside" In
Plants and flowers have always been a staple in my newborn sessions. I love using natural, organic elements to tell a story of growth and life. After all, a baby has just bloomed!
I often support my local growers or pick flowers from my own backyard. I think it’s just another unique aspect I can add to my images.
In this particular session, Mom had requested a Greenhouse themed newborn session.
During our stylization consultation, she requested greens and natural warm tones. I began to pair my plants with other textures and backdrops that would complement each other. I wanted the indoor portion of my session to be seamless and complete the outdoor portion.
Stylizing With Plants
So what’s the first step to stylizing a newborn session with plants?
The first step is to know your plants. Remember that little saying, “Leaves of three let them be."? In this case, it defiantly applies. Make sure you aren't using any poisonous plants, nothing with thorns or burs, and nothing with “fluff” that a baby might accidentally inhale. Next, inspect your plants. I always rinse off each plant and inspect each bloom for bugs or any other creepy crawlies. After all your newborn client is the star of this session. Once everything has been identified, inspected, and cleaned start pairing colors and textures. A good rule to start with is to go monochromatic. Use yellow tulips with a yellow or cream backdrop, and pair pink roses with a pink backdrop, once you are comfortable pairing colors use a color wheel to fine complementing colors to pair or pair colors in the same family tree. Use an assortment of greens on a green backdrop or a variety of blues on a cooler-toned backdrop. Then use different shapes and sizes to help complement baby. I like to use long-term to help show the scale of a baby, similar to a yardstick.
Water Break
Once you have paired all your plant and flowers with your backdrops and prop sets, cut the stems at a 45 degree angle and store them in a cool place in freash water. Don’t bring them into your pre-heated studio unitl you’re ready for them. This is especially true for hydrangias as they are very delicate. Many flowers like tullips and roses will open up in a warm room.
Adding fresh flowers can be tricky, but once you master it, your images will stand out and you can start offering images that are truly unique. If you’re not ready for freash flowers that’s ok, you can always use flux or fake flowers.
Pros and Cons to Flux Flowers:
Pros, flux flowers can be reused, you don’t have to worry about them being poisoness or having little critters living in them.
Cons, you are limited in the type of plants and flowers avalible flux flowers are not typically to scale with real flowers, and they arnt’t as malleable. For example, if a rosebud is too large you can remove the petals. You can craft a flower to fit the space you need.
Whether you decide to use flux or real flowers you can’t go wrong. Plants and flowers are a beautiful way to add variety to your gallery, be creative when stylizing, and tie your indoor and outdoor sessions together.
Like with anything else it just takes a little practice, a little water, and sunshine.
Featured Vendors:
Backdrops: Freebird Prop Shoppe
Little Suspenders Outfit: Just Me Lulu
Knitted Bear Outfit: Busy Mummy Prop Shop
Ivory Textured Layer: Custom Photo Props
Honey Pot Bucket: Luneberry Props