Baby feet

I just set up a shoot for Monday where the mom asked specifically for photos of the baby's little parts - hands & feet. I have always enjoyed these details myself.  What is it about the tiny, perfectly formed but barely-used feet of newborns that is endlessly fascinating?

They are even adorable in little shoes.

 

And of course, babies find them fascinating too. If you would like me to take some photos of your baby's little details, check out my site for more info.

Inspiration Wednesday: Autism Speaks

photo courtesy of Michal Czerwonka for The New York Times

This week a new study came out in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics that estimates the rate of having a child on the autism spectrum to be around 1 in 100 for children under 18. There was also a hopeful article in the New York Times Monday on the positive impact pets can have on autism-spectrum children. They talked about Autism Service Dogs of America who links up service dogs with people who need them.

I have a cousin on the spectrum whose parents have done a fantastic job of raising him with education, vocational training and socialization. But the rising prevalence of autism-spectrum rates - especially among boys - is truly alarming. It is just so fast, faster than genetic or evolutionary causes, and needs so much more research funding to discover why.

I like the organization Autism Speaks. They are an advocacy group trying to help families face the unique challenges autism brings while also bringing political pressure for funding & research looking for the causes of this disorder.

As a photographer, I look for that spark that makes every child unique and reflects how they see the world. Children on the autism spectrum - including Asperger syndrome - see the world very differently. All parents want good photos of their children but those on the spectrum may not do well in a traditional portrait studio setting. I am currently working on a series of portraits of these children.  Please let me know if you know any families who may be interested in participating.

Grandparents, they sure love photos of the babies

My parents with their 2 lovely grandchildren

It's so funny. Whenever I'm taking photos of children, their parents and I are gabbing away. Usually about the adorableness going on at that moment, but often meanders into the shared experiences of parenting the little ones. Sometimes the topic turns to grandparents. 

Ahh, I can't wait to be a grandparent! You get all the benefits of parenthood all over again - with kids that may even resemble your offspring - without the never-ending fear/anxiety/guilt/responsibility of parenthood. People joke about grandparents spoiling the grandkids, but I just see it as unadulterated joy of seeing these little people and being able to pass them back to their parents whenever you like. I kid though because my daughter lucked out with 4 awesome grandparents who are very involved with her. My mom even offered to change dirty diapers last weekend when the two above decided to synchonize. 

What my clients and I usually come back to is that grandparents simply can never get enough photos of their grandchildren. Often that's the reason they set up the shoot in the first place! So I try even harder to get photos of the babies and children doing their own thing. Because seeing what their little loves are really up to - at home, with their stuff, with their parents - is what grandparents really want. Why not give it to them? They gave you life, goshdarnit!

Or even better, next time they hint that they're sending you a flashing-light, siren-blaring, gigantic-eyesore toy, subtly suggest you may want a photo shoot instead. You don't really have the room for a 3rd play-kitchen anyway.

Of weekends come and gone, but coming again. With an in-store baby photo shoot.

Connor's tiny hand

Yes, sadly the weekend is over but at least the weather is nice and brisk and sunny and we can all just pretend to be OK with the weekend ending. Or not. We had a fantastic weekend and spent Sunday with the newest member of my family, my brother's son. Such a sweetheart. Sorry we had to leave him and his gorgeous soft skin in Connecticut.

But hey, speaking of weekends, I have exciting news about Sunday October 18th.

Julianne from last month's April Glass photo shoot

I'll be at April Glass all day for 30-minute photo sessions again! And even better, the shop updated their website with my info. You can sign up online now for your preferred photo shoot time. Select event "Kristin Burns photo shoot," date "October 18th photo shoot," and "time for baby photo shoot" for sessions between 12 and 5PM. If you prefer, you can call the shop at (718)937-7578. Hopefully some of you will bring in your babies in Halloween costumes too!