Best Newborn Photography Los Angeles Area {Matt Cramer}

Best Newborn Photography Los Angeles Area

1. Introduction

I am so happy I decided to follow up with this sweet boy’s mommy after her initial inquiry. Hey, we know how it goes when you are expecting a baby. Especially as it gets closer to baby’s due date! All of a sudden there are so many last minute things to do before baby arrives. Putting the finishing touches on the nursery, attending your baby shower, packing your hospital bag, checking in much more often with the OBGYN, tying up lose ends at your job. The list goes on. Finding time to search for the best newborn photography in the Los Angeles area can be hard!

Lucky for us, we have a wonderful inquiry management system that reminds me to follow up with all our inquiries when we have any last minute session availabilities. So when I shot a quick email to mommy, she replied back that her baby boy had already arrived. They were home from the hospital and would love to schedule one of our openings. It was meant to be!

Ok, let’s talk about handsome now. This baby! SWOON! He was such a total rockstar during his photoshoot! He slept so soundly the entire time. Because of this, we were able to capture exactly what his adoring mom and dad were hoping for in his infant pictures. Before booking a session with us, all parents fill out a pre-session questionnaire. Part of this is to really understand what type of photos they are looking for. Also, what images from our portfolio they are drawn too. What colors they prefer, etc. Of course, we love to add in our creativity as the session flows, and I often do! Many times during a session if the set up or pose we are working towards just isn’t feeling right, we will switch it up in the moment. Parents value our ability to do this so we can deliver our best work.

2. The Plan

Once I read over mom and dad’s pre-session questionnaire, it was clear that they were really leaning more towards the bare baby smooth fabric shots they saw in our portfolio. They were looking for a contemporary color palette of grey, neutral and blue tones. Their primary preference was to get the bare baby “bean bag” shots (we pose baby on a large bean-filled puck to achieve these poses, and in newborn photography world we refer to this as the “bean bag”). But mom and dad were also open to few shots with our vintage props. They liked the look of our textured flokati rug backgrounds, soft swaddles and wraps in the photos from our portfolio. Close up macro shots of all the details on baby’s face, lips, eyes, hands and feet were also a request. Last, they preferred to avoid the use of crates, baskets and hats. 

So, now that we had a clear idea of the session goals we went for it! Here ares some favorites from this beautiful newborn photography session. Also, a quote from mommy that we received right after the photo shoot that warmed our hearts!

“We are so happy to have met you and Matt and to have had the  opportunity to work with you both. I am so thankful you guys had an opening for us and I’m beyond excited to see the gallery in a few weeks! Thanks for making the newborn photography experience so wonderful for us!”

3. The Sessionnewborn photography baby posed on minimal and simple fabric

Posing baby on this simple, smooth fabric allows your infant to be the star of the show. Baby boy went effortlessly into this pose and kept snoozing away. His dark hair really pops and I love the way this pose really focuses on sweet boy’s perfect face. This type of posing can be challenging if baby is not in a very deep sleep. Or is unsettled due to an uncomfortable tummy. If baby tells us they do not like a pose, we move on to another set up where they are more comfortable.

Best newborn photographer in the Los Angeles areaOver head, aerial shots are among our favorites. It really put into perspective just how tiny these perfect newborns are. The smooth fabric is the best backdrop to put all the focus on baby’s little details. Here we also captured a close up of his face and eyelashes.

Best Newborn Photography in the Los AngelesFollowing mom and dad’s preference for blues and neutrals, we added in this grey blue wrap. This color compliments his skin and hair perfectly. His little toes peeking out are the sweetest detail!

Smiling newborn baby during his los angeles newborn photoshoot

Next, we transitioned to the adorable chin on hands pose where baby’s chin is resting on his little folded hands. This pose is always a parent favorite. Especially when we catch a smile! Getting a smile like this is like capturing a unicorn! When you get it, and it’s in focus and looks this perfect, you can hardly believe it! This collage shows the progression leading up to the smile. Starting from the bottom left, peaceful sleeping baby. Then up to top left, the smile is starting! Then boom! Biggest smile ever.

Still sleeping soundly, we moved baby into yet another sweet pose. In each pose, our workflow always captures a bare baby shot first. Then we add in a soft wrap to accessorize. This time it was a soft grey angora knit wrap, a favorite in our newborn portrait studio.

newborn baby posed on sage fabricFrom the moment I saw this handsome boy, I knew I wanted to use this beautiful sage green fabric during his session. This color was sure to compliment his hair and skin tone. Using a matching wrap of the same fabric, I played with some unique and creative swaddle wrapping styles. I love the way this one turned out. Sometimes I start my wraps with a specific style in mind, and as I go I find myself changing to another style. My wraps tend to go with the flow of baby and how the fabric is working with them in the moment. Creating smooth, tidy and perfect swaddle wraps is a major priority for me. I have a massive aversion to sloppy, loose wraps in newborn portraits- makes me cringe!

Next, we were sure to capture every angle of this little guy. Photographing all his details, especially those cute toes! It’s so important as a Los Angeles newborn photographer to document every precious detail for parents. So they will never forget. Newborns grow before your eyes, so so quickly! Like his mommy’s wrote to us:

“Our baby has definitely changed since his sleepy newborn days, and for that reason we will treasure all the photos you took of him so we can remember what he was like in those first few weeks.”

Ah, the side laying pose of newborn photography. One of the most challenging of them all! But this sweet boy, again, moved effortlessly into it. Such a sweet, sleeping baby pose. With his little hands tucked under his cheek. Everything about this image is just too cute. One of our favorites for sure!

Posing newborn baby on black background

Keeping with the classic theme for this newborn session, we changed out the posing fabric to a black background. This gives a more dramatic look to the images. Also, this backdrop is an absolute winner for consistent and beautiful lighting. In portrait photography, lighting is everything. A well lit image is the sign of a highly trained and professional newborn photographer. I always urge parents to truly look at the work of the photographer they are considering for their newborn photoshoot. Pay special attention to how the light is being used to accentuate baby.

Best newborn photographer in Los Angeles captures baby on black fabric backgroundAnother beautiful, classic aerial shot. This image would be so gorgeous as a large printed piece of wall art!

Infant baby posed on flokatiLast, the session ended with a set up on our textured grey flokati rug backdrop. One of our #1 requested looks! Parents love the way it adds a totally different look to the session, without using props. Swaddled in an oatmeal angora wrap, he looks so cozy! Be sure to check out the behind the scenes video we took of this look below!

Sigh. Ending with the sweetest face and eyelash shots. Captured in every newborn session, and always a parent favorite! We loved meeting this awesome family of three!

Parting commentary from the beautiful mommy of this little guy:

“All the photos from the session were so good, it was really hard for us to narrow it down! Thank you again for giving us such a great session we are so happy to have gotten the chance to work with you and Jess!” 

 

4. Behind the Scenes

 

Matt Cramer Photography is a husband and wife photography team located in Los Angeles, CA. They specialize in professional newborn, baby and cake smash photography in Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California areas including but not limited to Studio City, Burbank, Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, La Canada, Encino, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Altadena, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Ventura County and Orange County. Ranked on Yelp as the best newborn photography in the Los Angeles area.

Check out our Pinterest page where we have over 168k monthly visitors! Matt Cramer Photography Pinterest

Recent sessions: Los Angeles newborn photos blog

Recent blog post: Newborn Photographer Near Me Los Angeles

Newborn session information:  Newborn Portraits Los Angeles info

Ranked as the #1 Best Newborn Photographer in Los Angeles, CA on Yelp

Ranked as one of the BEST Newborn Photographers Los Angeles by Expertise

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  • Aimee

    i can’t believe he used to be so tiny!! Thank you Matt and Jess for this amazing newborn session, you guys are rockstars and create amazing art. I’m so happy we got to work with you both! ReplyCancel

  • Cris

    Amazingly beautiful photos! ReplyCancel

  • Eileen

    You captured my grandson so perfectly! We absolutely love these photos ReplyCancel

  • Brooke

    You two never cease to amaze me! You’re photography is the best I’ve seen. You have such a way of capturing the innocence, and beauty, of the littles you photograph. Bravo Matt & Jess! ReplyCancel

  • Michelle

    The laughing gets me every time! These are so incredible. I can imagine the parents are so grateful for these shots! Absolutely beautiful!! ReplyCancel

  • Julia

    Such amazing photos! I love seeing/hearing the behind the scenes action of the shoot. You two are beyond talented, keep up the great work!ReplyCancel

  • Vicki

     You two are so unbelievably talented!  You capture the essence of the purist kind of love and tell such a beautiful story.  A story that will be memorialized and held in the hearts of families for generations.  And you do it with such beautiful passion and compassion.  You are truly baby whisperers! ReplyCancel

  • Leah Costa

    Matt Cramer Photography continues to capture the innocence, beauty and unique personalities of precious children. Beyond a doubt Matt & Jessica Cramer are the best of the best.ReplyCancel

  • Maureen

    Perfect pea in the pod! LOVE the sage green!❤️ReplyCancel

  • This is little guy is the cutest!!  You captured him perfectly.. his family will always treasure these!ReplyCancel

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Matt Cramer Photography

Los Angeles, CA

 

Matt Cramer Photography is a Los Angeles based husband and wife newborn & baby photographer team serving the Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita and Orange County areas, including Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, Arcadia, El Monte, Monrovia, as well as the South Bay and Beach Cities.

visits by appointment only

Phone: 818.326.3344

LOS ANGELES - EST 2011

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@mattcramerphotography

Hours:

Mon: 10-4pm

tues: 10-4pm

wed: 10-4pm

thurs: 10-4pm

fri: 10-4pm

sat: closed

Sun: closed