Newborn photographs, shots of newborns that tell how long their parents waited for them

Babies in flower vases, in basins, surrounded by soft balls of yarn or swaddled in enveloping fabrics, over the years we have become accustomed to these artistic photos whose protagonists are children so perfect that they look like rubber dolls. Fashion is depopulated and there are many parents who turn to photography studios specialize in photography newborn, that is, photos that portray babies born even less than two weeks ago.

Over the years, photographic techniques have refined themselves and all those fruit-shaped onesies or bizarre props, which previously seemed indispensable on set to give life to particular shots, have given way to the beauty of the relationship between parents and children.

The wonderful bond between human beings shines through in the photography who for 9 months (or in some cases their whole lives) have wanted to get to know each other and who now, for the first time, hold each other tightly, and this is enough to fill the scene. But what are those details that the camera manages to immortalize and that make parents so eager to have shots of their newborn babies, we asked a professional in the sector, the Milanese photographer Erika Citriniti: “The camera’s eye doesn’t lie, and makes eternal the emotions of parents who have struggled to have children and almost don’t believe they have them there in front of them and of older brothers, who shyly learn to get to know their life partners “

Erika Citriniti, professional photographer, at her Foto di Cioccolata studio in Milan

How do you become a newborn photographer?

I have always been passionate about photography, even if for a period I worked in communications, but being good photographers is not enough to photograph such young children, it is necessary to train following specific courses. This is because children who make shots newborn they have a maximum of 15 days of life and you need to know their body, their cardiocirculatory system to intervene if necessary. It is very important to know how position babies’ legs and heads without causing harm.

What happens on set during a newborn photo session?

Parents book an appointment and then come to the studio, aware that each photography session is unique and that, depending on the child’s needs, it can last from one to three hours. I then take care of the baby from the moment he arrives until we finish the shots and the parent makes a big leap of faith by entrusting him into my arms. Then I undress the baby, make him wear the clothes I have in the studio, or I wrap him in swaddling clothes, with the wrapping, reassuring him and making him feel as if he were still in his belly, until he falls asleep. Then I take photos of the baby alone and then with the whole family.

Credits: photo by Erika Citriniti

So do the kids have to sleep during the photo session?

To tell the truth, there are multiple schools of thought, but I think it is important to satisfy the child’s needs. You can take portraits with your eyes open or with your eyes closed, even if they are so small it is much easier for them to sleepespecially if you shoot after feeding.

And how do you get them to sleep before taking photos?

I cradle them in my arms and help myself with a baby shushera machine that is produces a white noise similar to a hiss. Another method that helps them relax is that of bandagebeing curled up in the fabric makes them feel like they are still in the womb.

Were there any special requests from parents?

Once upon a time it was the parents who brought me props, from shoes to strawberry-shaped onesies, even of dubious tasteover the years we have built a relationship of trust and today parents trust me, relying on my advice.

On social media you see photo shoots with children in vases or hats, why are these objects used?

In reality they are almost no longer used, there are very few photographers today who use props that have nothing to do with the child, over the years I have skimmed a lot. Anyway it all depends on the imagination, although I prefer to make the image of the newborn, perfect as it is. I like that the photo shows the contact and relationship that the parent has with the child much more than a set full of flowers that says little.

And do the families tell their story before the shots?

Yes, a beautiful relationship is always created with parents, because photographs must immortalize the emotions that one of the most delicate areas of human life, such as family bonds, arouses. The parents they really want to open up and tell me about itfor example, that they wanted that baby who is now in my arms to be photographed very much, for years, and that they had to resort to PMA.

Credits: photo by Erika Citriniti

This is the most beautiful part of my job, photographing children doesn’t just mean creating memories but allow parents to truly realize that the child they have wanted so much is there. In fact, the photo session is also interspersed with pauses that serve to realize that that child is really finally with them.

Can you tell me about a photo session that has remained close to your heart?

It often happens with families who have had difficulty conceiving their child that they have the feeling that are rediscovering the magic of life. In particular, a family who came to my studio told me that they had gone abroad to conceive, they wanted their little girl so much and the story moved me so much that when the album was ready I also involved a writer who on the first page wrote the history of this family.

The funniest photo session though?

The funniest situations are those in which the child, in order to pose in his father’s arms, the diaper is removed. In those moments anything can happen, and amused I ask the fathers who often panic to stay still for the shots, and to keep their grip firmly, since the noises cannot be heard in the photos, and no one will ever know if in that moment moment the baby peed.

Credits: Erika Citriniti

And can photographs help mothers rediscover the beauty of the body?

Of course, professional photography can help women appreciate their bodies even during pregnancy, because women often look at themselves only from a subjective point of view, noticing their swollen ankles, the belly that doesn’t allow you to see their feet, but when you see the beauty that your figure releases, even if different, photographed by an external eye, it is something that it enriches and remains as a memory of that moment.

How do you reconcile your work with the risks associated with publishing photos of minors online?

I think that the decision to publish photos of minor children online is up to each parent, who chooses what they want for their children. For me in this case the well-being of the clients comes first, even if not publishing the photos of my clients means not being able to give visibility to my work. Generally I suggest waiting to publish the shots a few months after we see each other on set, because children grow and change and are no longer easily recognisable. Then I don’t never take photos of children with their private parts exposed and I always position them in such a way that their dignity is respected. Then, however, parents always have the possibility to change their mind, just contact me and I will remove the published photo.

Does it happen that parents, thanks to your photographs, notice details in their child that they hadn’t noticed?

Yes, I often find out details about children before their parents do, but this is because from my privileged position as a photographer, I can observe and hold the baby for up to two hours before photographing him. What happens to me above all is that I discover that the baby has dimples or, in the case of parents who also brought an older brother or sister to take photos with me before their second child, to realize that the two brothers have, for example, the same little rose in her hair.

Do aspects of the children emerge from the photographs that are difficult to grasp with the naked eye?

Yes, the most beautiful thing about photography and what excites me a lot is that it never lies. The shots allow you to rediscover bonds in a different waylooking at them you see the first glances between brothers, that first meeting in which the older brother is learning to know the one who will be his life partner and to take on a completely new role in the family.

It comes from the photographs tenderness of these childrenmixed with the fear of getting closer and the desire to get to know each other, almost as if photography were able to reveal ahead of time the relationship that will be created with growth, making it eternal.