I had so much fun spending a Sunday morning with Altan and his amazingly kind family. Altan looked dapper in all of my sleepytime hats and seemed to have the best time simply lounging on his parents bed, posing for the camera. Lucky me, I get to hang out with Altan again this Spring, and also this Fall! Stay tuned for more of this sweet little boy.
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When I met Harper for her portrait session, she was a tiny bit older than my usual newborns but no less sweet, adorable and perfectly sleepy… until it was time to model for the camera!
Q. Why do you schedule newborn sessions so soon after they are born?
A. The earlier the better, and I aim to schedule our session between 4-10 days of their arrival! Before babies reach their second week of birth they are the sleepiest, and it is easier to curl them up in cute, snuggly poses. It is definitely possible to schedule a session past 14 days, but your baby will likely be much more active and super curious about the camera. Newborns also start breaking out in baby acne, developing dry skin, etc. the older they get. That’s perfectly normal, but it takes more time to process the photos.
Q. Why don’t you shoot in the studio?
A. New mothers and fathers are most comfortable at their homes, with all of their baby’s necessities at hand. Since the session takes 2-4 hours, I want to make sure they have the opportunity to relax the entire time and take breaks if needed. Shooting in the parents home also helps me get an idea of what style of photographs would look best with their decor. And don’t forget the nursery! At some sessions we will shoot in the nursery, which will add another personal touch to your photos.
Q. Why do newborn sessions take so long?
A. I schedule every session in a 4-hour block because baby portraits are a bit different than every other kind. Newborn temperaments vary greatly each day and I would never force a child to sleep or wake up at my whim. I work around your little one, capturing the precious moments that only come when they are comfortable and happy. I also need the extra time to set up props, meet your little one, and clean as the shoot progresses. All of my props get messy and this is completely expected! Don’t be upset if your newborn has an accident. Since we work without a diaper part of the time, this ALWAYS happens. I haven’t been at one shoot where it hasn’t. My blankets/props go straight into the washing machine when I get home.
Q. Why do newborn sessions cost more than other portrait sessions?
A. Newborns sessions are the most delicate of all. They take longer to photograph, and the photos take longer to process. They also require more props and more prep time, which results in the higher fee.
I was more than happy to take a time off my holiday vacation to visit little miss Sara Eve eight days after she was born. She was the most curious little lady and refused to sleep, even after several feedings – which was fine by me because I got to play with her for for three hours and capture so many sweet expressions! I knitted some new baby hats and headbands for the occasion and they fit her perfectly.
A fun coincidence: as I was wrapping up processing her photos, a Starship song started playing… Sara. (one of the many corny 90′s songs that I can’t get enough of and keep me plugging away late at night) 
I can’t help but love these portrait sessions the most. They will never be this young again and I hope to give the parents a showcase of memories they will cherish forever.
For those of you who celebrate this time of year, Merry Christmas! I’ve been a little M.I.A. recently, gearing up for the holidays and winding down from a very busy season.
One of my last shoots of the year was with the Richters, a spirited bunch that not only loves this time of year but has quite a lot to be thankful for. I was lucky enough to be a part of this fun day of an “awkward family photo” style shoot, something I’m sure they will cherish for years to come!
(And I will too as Jeff and I were able to sneak in a few poses ourselves — to come soon!)
I spent some time taking photos of sweet little Ethan, my tiniest newborn yet at 5lbs, a couple of weeks ago. He seemed to favor my ultra-soft cream colored blanket the best and I can’t blame him – I do to! Welcome Ethan… you’re lucky to have such a wonderful mother (whom I had the pleasure of meeting as a winner of a look-a-like contest earlier this year).
There’s really no better way to show off your beautiful new portraits than with holiday greeting cards. The below templates will be custom-tailored to compliment your photos in color and style. $55 (not including shipping) for a set of 25, including blank matching envelopes. Other style options available upon request.
Message me at kristina@kristinahopper.com to discuss your order.
Christmas deadline is December 7th!
Retro Fun
It dawned on me one day this year that I don’t edit my photographs with a photographer’s eye anymore. I look at them with the mindset of a designer. Of course my photographer’s judgment surfaces during the shoot: measuring light, calibrating shutter speed, posing subjects, etc., but when I get back to the studio and sort through thousands of beautiful photos, photography takes a backseat to design. How else could I pick the best 25 out of 250?! While editing I silently ask and answer millions of questions:
My favorite portrait session so far this fall was a fairly quick one with the popular Washington DC CityShopGirl, Kelly Collis. Her red dress complemented a gorgeous autumn-colored tree next to the waterfront in Old Town, Alexandria. This wasn’t a family shoot, but we managed to capture a few with her little ones when they weren’t expecting it.
