If you, or someone you know, may be suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD), please reach out to your health professional or Postpartum Support International

There is something that I often bring up that catches some people off guard when discussing why there are benefits to having photos taken of your newborn or infant.

“Have you experienced or think you’re at risk for Postpartum Depression?”  

I don’t think we’re at a healthy point in our society where we are yet educated to really understand how to prepare for PPD before it’s actually experienced, so I understand that the timing of this topic (typically when someone is expecting) can seem off. However, having experienced many new moms walk through my studio doors with a familiar look in their eye is just one way I see the correlation between what these women think they’ve hired me to photograph and what I know I need to capture.

One of the most beautiful mothers I’ve ever photographed, in the midst of her postpartum depression hell.

For one woman, Lorena of Motherhood Unfiltered, our newborn session together would be more impactful and expansive than I could ever imagine. In her blog post, THE TRUTH BEHIND THE PHOTO: POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION REALIZATIONLorena writes,

““...felt so guilty. I had a healthy, beautiful baby boy for fucks sake. Why the hell was I crying? I kept blaming it on the baby blues….I felt miserable, disconnected, and started having dark feelings that I was embarrassed to tell anyone about.””

— Lorena of Motherhood Unfiltered

After working through her recovery and reflecting back on that time, Lorena now says, “I am definitely very grateful we captured the pictures. I definitely had times of happiness but I just felt covered by a dark cloud until Lennox was about 6 weeks.” It’s been through conversations with other women as well that they are able to look back on these pictures with their brand new babies and remember, if just for the slightest of moments, that there truly was beauty in the storm.

Follow along with Lorena and Lennox on the website Motherhood Unfiltered

Postpartum Depression - PPD - can steal any remembrance of joy, or even a simple moment of calmness, you may have experienced during the first few weeks/months after delivery.

Teresa Robertson received her Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in Photography and Fine Art Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After serving as a volunteer for several years with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, she became interested in Birth Photography and Birth Doula (DONA) work as well. She soulfully resides on the island of Oahu, is passionate about preserving the land and culture, and is proud to serve on The Queen’s Court.

Communication is a practice I not only hold dear to me in my personal life, but in my Photography business as well. I recognize that hiring a Professional Photographer is not something people do on a regular basis, but that each business is often run so differently that the ‘rules’ can easily change.

A very common question I receive is, ‘When should I hire a Photographer?’ No matter if you are looking for a Photographer for maternity, birth, newborn, baby, children, or family, my answer is pretty much the same across the board.

The Baby Whisperer - Alexandria Newborn Photographer

I think the best way to look at this is before you hire anyone, first jot down some basics:

• What am I looking to have photographed?

• When?

• When I look at photos of a similar photographed people, are there similar things I love? Black and white, lots of style, candid, etc?

• What is my budget?

• How important is this to me?

You don’t have to spend much time on these questions, whatever comes quickly to mind. It’s no secret that there are a many options to choose from regarding photography, so knowing a little more about what your specific desires are will help you narrow down your options right off the bat.

After that, reach out to a few Photographers you like, share your list if you’re comfortable (they should be able to honestly agree if they can meet your expectations), and then ask to speak with them a bit more. If you have children, does that Photographer seem to be good with kids? Are you a private person that needs your Photographer to have a calming presence? If you have a million questions, will they be happy to patiently answer each one for you or are you simply part of an assembly line of other clients?

Infant Snuggles - Alexandria Birth Photographer

Going back to the original question, I would say it’s never too early to being looking for, talking to, or meeting with the person you think is best for you. Once you are comfortable and you are confident your needs will be met, that is the best time to hire your Photographer.

If you think you may be hiring a Photographer in the future and would like to chat more, please reach out to me! I’d love to talk about what you have coming up and how you can best be served.

Xo

Teresa

Teresa Robertson received her Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in Photography and Fine Art Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After serving as a volunteer for several years with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, she became interested in Birth Photography and Birth Doula (DONA) work as well. She soulfully resides on the island of Oahu, is passionate about preserving the land and culture, and is proud to serve on The Queen’s Court.