Watching newborn photographer Shane Wee at work was a suspenseful experience as you never know when the newborn baby may cry or fuss.
Wee, a photographer who specialises in infant photography, revealed that the most challenging part of her job is dealing with the baby’s unpredictable mood.
During every photo shoot, she has her trusty ‘shusher’, a soothing baby sound machine, with her.
Known for her ability to soothe a baby with gentle rocking and strokes of embrace, Wee has been in the industry since 2017 — a time when newborn photography was not popular.
But it was her curious nature that drew her to the course.
A budding photographer since 2006, Wee was determined to create memories in the form of photographs after having her first child in 2012.
However, she soon realised that it was not the same as photographing adults.
“I’ve always adored those baby photos on the internet and in advertisements that appeared so calm and cute. So, I wondered whether I could do it too. But when I tried, my babies kept crying and I became nervous, wondering how, how, how?” said the 35-year-old.
Once she had succeeded, Wee then posted the photos on Facebook, which drew a lot of attention.
“Someone saw them and asked where I had taken them. That was the spark that ignited everything. However, I had to take a course on how to handle other babies in 2017 before I made the decision to get into newborn photography.”
According to her, handling a baby, especially someone else’s, is not easy. She felt obligated to understand and learn how to properly handle newborns as they are delicate and fragile.
“Even after the course, I still get nervous at first. Over time, I learned how to calm down a baby and determine whether their cries indicated that they were hungry, that their stomach was upset, or that they were cold. Gradually, I learned that understanding the baby’s needs is essential.”
Not as calm as a feather
Browsing through photos of babies taken in studios reflects a serene demeanour, however it is not always as calm as a feather.
Wee, who has experienced the different personalities of babies, revealed that a photo shoot session can take up to five hours, with a minimum of one hour.
Unsettled babies who cries are one of the challenges, and soothing them might be difficult.
Despite the arduous process, Wee discourages rescheduling unless there are health concerns, as the older the baby gets, the more difficult the photo shoot session will be.
According to her, a baby photo shoot should be done before the infant reaches the two-week milestone for the best results.
“It’s not taking the photos that’s difficult, it’s the changing of poses, because as they age, they become more sensitive to touch.”
Ensuring the baby’s comfort, Wee said that her baby studio does not include studio lighting as it would startle the baby with each flash.
Before the photo session, she would also inquire about the baby’s mood, personality, bowel movements, and feeding style. It can, however, be unpredictable.
“Aside from crying, I also experienced pooping during photo sessions, especially when the babies are undraped. I can continue if the baby poops a little. However, if there is a lot of it, it can be tough. When that happens, some mothers would give up because the poop had gotten all over the props. Babies can pee at times as well. That is why I always wear an apron when I do these shoots.”
Wee, who has a one-day, one-appointment policy, added that taking photos of babies requires a lot of patience.
“I would usually warn parents that their baby may become restless during these sessions, so it will take some time.”
A sense of achievement
Without a doubt, babies have always been more difficult to manage than adults who can understand instructions when given.
Despite the challenges that she constantly experiences, Wee persisted in following her passion as a baby photographer in her studio, “Mommy’s Photography Studio.”
“Taking photos can be difficult, but looking through the pictures I took gives me a sense of achievement and pride.”
Wee, who has a studio in her 7th mile apartment, also provides door-to-door services at homes and confinement centres for parents who want their babies photographed.
“For parents, having photos of their babies is a great keepsake for memories as the infant stage is short and when they grow bigger, they cannot curl as if in the womb.”
One of the most heartwarming jobs in the photography industry, Wee strives to capture photographic memories while also assuring the safety of the babies. The task, though difficult, leaves a warm feeling in the heart.
