Warning to parents over creative new-born pics
PARENTS in Sutherland are being urged to be aware of photographers attempting to produce arty, creative, newborn baby shots without following appropriate techniques and safety procedures.
Victoria Mackenzie, a specialist newborn photographer from Dornoch, has issued the warning after two new mums were left horrified by photo-shoots with a franchise.
One baby rolled off the posing stand and another baby’s delicate head was allowed to drop in an attempt to create a head-in-hands pose.
Victoria, who has been professionally trained and has worked in the safe art of newborn photography for almost three years, said these images should only be created using edited, composite shots, where two or more images are morphed together to allow the baby to be held gently in position and kept safe at all times.
"Newborn photography sessions usually last around four hours, giving plenty of time to soothe and get baby into the deep sleep required to produce many of these images. There should also be an assistant or parent available who is able to support baby when required," said Victoria.
"There are plenty of photographers who are practicing good, safe conduct. But, sadly there are photographers out there who are not properly trained in newborn photography but still think they can easily recreate the images they have seen others do.
"Without proper training, it can be very easy to put the baby into a situation where they could be seriously harmed. Parents often do not know the risks and aren’t aware of what is correct or dangerous conduct."
Demand is high for these pictures, which became en vogue in America and led to the UK market being flooded with photographers offering the service. More and more images have spread across the internet on sites such as Pinterest and Flickr, fuelling demand further.
"Babies are being put at risk and I’m very keen to raise local awareness about this issue," added Victoria. "Unfortunately the newborn photography industry isn’t regulated so anyone can pick up a camera and call themselves a professional.
"However, by making parents more aware of the issues and putting them in control, hopefully the risk of any more babies being harmed will be drastically reduced."
Victoria is a member of the Baby and Newborn Photographers Association (BANPAS).
Helen McGlynn, co-owner of the organisation, said recent reports illustrate not only the bad practises of some photographers, but a major lack of awareness amongst parents about how these photographs are created when done properly.
"Sadly we think this is the tip of the iceberg - newborn and new baby photography has exploded in this country in recent years, and so there are many stunning photographs of babies in sleepy poses in baskets, on suitcases or swings – all of which have been taken very safely, as two or three shots and created as a composite image," she said.
"The problem is parents see these photos and ask for them, not knowing how they’ve been created. At that point mums and dads, who are usually exhausted with very young baby, are totally relying on the photographer to know what they are doing and to have had the right training. Sadly that is often not the case."
The rise in sales of professional SLR digital cameras has led to an increase in the number of hobby photographers, who unwittingly think these pictures can be re-created at home.
Emma Canham, co-owner of BANPAS often receives messages from concerned members of the public and photographers, with links to images of newborn babies in what appear to be worrying and/or unsafe poses.
"It’s a major problem," she said. "We see images that show babies feet and legs are purple from where the blood supply is being restricted due to the pose or being left to get cold. We see photos where babies have clearly been left to balance in an unsupported pose, potentially restricting their airways or putting pressure on their delicate joints.
"And we see shots where babies do not appear to be relaxed, happy and at peace. In some cases it’s clear that the baby is in a very uncomfortable position.
"Sadly, we are unable to monitor what people are doing at home or police the newborn photography industry, there are no regulations or health and safety laws specific to this genre of photography.
"We are determined to raise the profile of this issue and educate the public and the photographic community - working with, photographing and posing newborn babies requires skill, patience and safety awareness, which are the core values of our organisation."
For more information on newborn photography, contact Victoria at www.tinyfeet.net or 07577079661
