Danelle Milk 3/13/25 Danelle Milk 3/13/25

How to Choose the Perfect Photography Style for Your Family | Mentor Ohio Newborn Photographer

If you’re anything like me, I bet you've got a wall in your house dedicated to family photos, right? The smiling faces on the wall serve as a constant reminder of what truly matters in life and work.

But have you ever wondered how to choose the right photographer and the right style to capture your family's unique spirit even better? Although photographers frequently use jargon like "Lifestyle" and "Portrait," it can be hard to truly understand what types of images these terms will produce. So, what does it all actually mean?

Just like you wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a beach party, some styles just work better with certain moods and moments.

First up, let's talk about the Classic Style also known as Portrait Photography.

Classic Photography is timeless, a little more formal and almost always heavily posed. This style usually has a lot of emphasis on the pose, so you would expect to see more rules than creativity.

Picture your grandma's vintage photo hanging on the wall - that's a perfect example of traditional portrait photography.

Generally this is the “holiday card photo.” You can clearly see everyone’s face and everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.

Next, we have Candid Photography or some call this Lifestyle Photography.

It’s all about capturing spontaneous moments - the giggles, the funny faces,

the sudden burst of dancing in the living room.

Usually this is done on-location or in studio, but your photographer might use more casual prompts and poses in order to get laughs and reactions from those being photographed.

This style is perfect if your family loves a more casual look to their photos. You might not be able to see everyone’s faces and some people’s faces might look goofy, but that’s the point of candid photography!

It's less about perfection and more about authenticity.

One you might not hear too often is Fine art photography.

This is a style that emphasizes beauty, creativity, and artistic expression.

It's a genre of photography that's often compared to a fine painting or sculpture, with each image carefully composed and thoughtfully designed.

The photographer may use lighting techniques to create a certain mood or emotion, and the subjects may be posed in a way that highlights their form and beauty.

The goal of fine art photography is to create a work of art. This is where many of my artistic newborn shots fall under!

While it may not capture the spontaneous moments of candid photography, it offers a different kind of beauty and depth.

Finally, for those who love activities, “Day-in-the-life” Photography could be your perfect match.

This style aims to capture real-life events or milestones or activities in a storytelling manner, often set in personal and outdoor spaces.

So if your family loves to hike, camp or picnic, lifestyle shots will catch those special moments.

With day-in-the-life photography, there is generally no posing or prompting at all. The photographer really is a fly on the wall while your family participates in an activity you all love doing together.

I particularly love day-in-the-life photography for families with toddlers because it’s so much more fun to do an activity they love than trying to ask them to sit still and smile for a more classic type of photography session.

I often times do Fresh 48 Photography which takes place about 2 days after birth in the hospital. These are beautiful natural candid shots taken of your newborn.

Now, here's the fun part: deciding on the best style for your family!

This isn't about choosing 'the best' style out there, but rather what's best for your family (and this might change depending on the season of life your family is in).

If your family is a lively bunch that's constantly on the move, candid or lifestyle photography might work best. For families that love tradition and formality, portrait photography could be the way to go.

But hey, who says you have to stick to one style? Now that you know the terms photographers use for these types of sessions, feel free to ask your photographer if they do these types of photography and if they’re willing to mix and match.

For example, I generally include both “classic” and “candid” in my portrait sessions because my clients like a mix of both.

As you ponder over your next family photo session, let these styles play in your mind.

I can't wait to see you and your family in front of my lens, capturing those moments that will become treasured memories!

Love,

Danelle

Danelle Milk 3/5/25 Danelle Milk 3/5/25

How to Prepare for Your First Pregnancy in Cleveland by a Northeast Ohio Newborn Photographer

Did you know there are more than the typical 3 trimesters of pregnancy? Today I’m spilling the tea on everything you can expect from conception to the mysterious "4th trimester."

I’m not only going to share with you what to expect in each, but also a lot of local resources you can use as you plan for your pregnancy, newborn and birth in Mentor Ohio.

Cleveland Ohio Newborn Photographer, Mentor Ohio Newborn Photographer

First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy

The first trimester is like a secret club where only you and your growing baby are members. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create a new life, and you might be feeling the effects (hello, morning sickness). It's like you're part of an exclusive group that only fellow expectant moms can truly understand.

Second Trimester: The Golden Age

For many, the second trimester is the golden age of pregnancy, where you can finally start enjoying the journey. With the nausea subsiding and the baby bump showing, it's time to embrace the experience.

Third Trimester: The Home Stretch

The third trimester is when things start to get real. As you prepare for your baby's arrival, you'll want to make sure you have everything in place for a smooth transition.

Birth: The Main Event

The moment you've been waiting for is finally here: birth! Whether you're planning a natural birth or a C-section, this stage is exciting and emotional!

Cleveland Ohio Fresh 48 Photographer, Northeast Ohio Fresh 48 Photographer

The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You

Surprise! Your journey doesn't end with birth. The 4th trimester is the first three months of your baby's life, where both of you are adjusting to the world outside the womb.

● This is the time of possibly postpartum depression or anxiety can occur here. If you are experiencing some sadness or feelings of being low, it’s best to seek help and talk with someone. Local support groups filled with other moms going through this same phase are all a great resource. Ask while in the hospital, the nurse should give you local resources available.
This is also the time when breastfeeding can be a challenge for both the mom and baby. There are tons of lactation support available to help guide your through this challenging time.
Of course, every journey is unique, and it's okay to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you've got your support system and resources, you'll be able to navigate this crazy adventure.
Thanks for reading!

Since you made it all the way down here – are you looking for a Newborn Photographer? Click here to see more of my Newborn Photography galleries.

Danelle Milk 1/27/25 Danelle Milk 1/27/25

5 Essential Tips for a Successful Newborn Photography Session

As your Cleveland Ohio Newborn Photographer lets discuss 5 essential tips for a successful newborn shoot!

For any professional photography shoot to be successful, a lot of planning goes into every shoot. So lets dive into some of the most important steps to planning a stress free newborn photography session.

1) While you are still awaiting for your little one to arrive, book your Newborn session! I can’t stress this enough. I understand from the moment you find your expecting everything feels like a whirlwind. But having 1 less to do on your list such as newborn portraits is a big must. Many newborn photographers fill up quickly and months in advance. For myself I only take a certain amount of newborns each month so I can leave room open for date changes. Please remember to book that newborn session while you're still expecting not once the baby arrives.

2) Consider doing in studio shoots as opposed to in your home. Don’t get me wrong I do love visiting peoples home and shooting lifestyle shoots. However, it’s simply a different look in the studio vs in home shoots. When coming to my studio I am well equipped with all wraps, accessories props and proper lighting needed for the shoot. There will be no guessing how the photos will come out since studio shoots are very well planned, organized and well lit with professional lighting.

3) Plan on brining extra outfits, diapers, bottles to feed and pacifiers. I always tell parents to plan on the unexpected during the shoot. I have been doing this long enough that usually the baby will act and do things a little differently during the shoot. And that’s OK! We have to consider the baby could be going through a growth spurt during their session therefore wanting to eat more than ever. More than they usually do. I hear this a lot, I can’t believe they are eating so much. So don’t forget extra diapers too!

I always recommend bringing a pacifier even if they DO NOT take one at home. Sometimes just having the baby suck or even play with the pacifier calms them enough in between shots to get the look I want.

4) If traveling with a toddler during the newborn session bring lots of snack and toys for them to be entertained. Often times keeping the toddler happy can be more work than putting the newborn to sleep, lol. I get it, I am around many toddlers every week and they are a fun bunch :)

5) SIT BACK & RELAX. I always tell parents this is your time to sit and relax for a few minutes, I’ve got the baby. I am not only safety certified on how to handle newborns during my photography sessions but I was also a nurse and mother of 4 little ones. So don’t worry, I’ve got this and will create some of the most beautiful portraits for your family.

And that’s about it! I hope you enjoyed reading these tips on how to prepare for a successful shoot. If you already booked a Newborn Session with Danelle Joy Photography then sit back and relax, I’ve got this.

If you still are unsure and have more questions about the shoot please reach out I would love to chat and answer all of your questions.

Kindly,

Danelle

Danelle Milk 1/17/25 Danelle Milk 1/17/25

Capturing all the tiny details in Newborn Photography!

Cleveland Newborn Photographer

As your Cleveland Newborn Photographer I Love for you to leave the session with a wide variety of Portraits. This is including all the tiny little macro shots of those baby hairs, tiny toes and little finger nails. These precious little details are only here for so long and are worth documenting.

Capturing the details in newborn photography is essential for showcasing the beauty and uniqueness of each newborn. Newborns possess delicate features and tiny characteristics that can easily be overlooked — the soft curls of hair, the delicate eyelashes, the tiny fingers and toes, and even the unique patterns of their skin.

Here are my tips and tricks in creating those soft beautiful detailed shots!

Close-Up Shots: I always use my macro lens and adjust the camera settings in order to get super close-ups of the newborn’s features. I like to focus on their eyes, lips, and a small hand clutching a finger. These shots create a connection and evoke emotion.
Natural Light: Utilize soft natural light to enhance the softness of their skin. Early morning or late afternoon light can provide a warm glow that highlights the newborn's features without harsh shadows.
Textures and Props: I like to Incorporate blankets, hats, or wraps with interesting textures. These props can create a sense of warmth and provide a pleasing contrast with the smoothness of the baby's skin, adding depth to the images. As you can see from my galleries, my images are very soft, light with an artistic point of view.
Patience and Timing: Newborns often have unpredictable schedules. Allow ample time for breaks and changes in position. A calm environment will result in more natural and relaxed photographs, allowing you to capture those fleeting expressions and gestures.
Editing: I take a lot of pride in my post processing editing. Each photo from every gallery is Hand Edited in order to provide nothing but the best for my families.

Cleveland Newborn Photographer - Newborn Photography Tips — Cleveland Newborn Photographer