grounds, toys, chairs, and interesting camera equipment,
a child could have a real good time without ever coming
to the set.
Stacy says, “Depending on the child’s age, prior to en-
tering the studio we will talk about the ‘bubble room,’
which is where all bubbles are blown. Most verbal chil-
dren will ask to go in there. I tell them we cannot walk
into the room, but Mommy must carry them. Then,
Mommy and child will get to chase, pop, and kick the
bubbles. My assistant is waiting with the bubbles ready to
go. If the child can ask for them, all the better. ‘Please,
bubbles!’ may be all that the child says, but we have now
established that we have control over the child, and the
child feels like they have control over the bubbles.”
- The Child Stays on the Set.Stacy does not allow
the child off the set until she is finished or they are tak-
ing a break. Most children have learned through experi-
ence that if they fuss long enough they will eventually get
their way. Instead of allowing the child to leave the set,
Mom or Dad gets on the set to comfort the child—they
just cannot hold them in their lap.
The best photo sessions, says Stacy, happen when an
incredibly willful child vacillates between wanting to play
and not wanting to play. With these kids, Stacy says,
“Once the initial session has started and everyone is
happy, we still need to stay very energetically engaged. I
must change up the games or playing as frequently as the
child gets bored. So plan on having lots of different ac-
tivities to interest the child.”- Parents Must Stay in Sight.Parents should never
be out of sight of the child. Stacy advises her parents not
to go behind the camera stand or big lights. If they need
something from the car, one of her assistants will go get
it so the parent can stay visible to the child at all times. It
is especially helpful when a parent sits on their knees in
front of or beside the camera stand. Kids feel more com-
fortable when it’s clear that the parent is staying put.
“This rule is bendable if the child will not stop clinging
to the parents,” says Stacy. - One Voice at a Time.During a photo session, only
one person at a time should speak to the child. Too many
voices can be confusing; the child will not know who to
Newborns are not alert much
of the day, so Stacy tries to
schedule a session around a
feeding. All nude newborn
photos start with a fully swad-
dled, fully fed baby. Stacy grad-
ually removes the layers of
fabric surrounding the baby
until the baby is uncovered.