For years now I have been making little keep sake films at all my newborn sessions, both at home but also in my studio. It’s a great way to stand out from other local newborn photographers.

Is it always perfect? No absolutely not, but they add exceptional value to the families all the same. I intentionally call them “behind the scenes keep sake film” not “family films” to manage the expectations. It’s an extended memory from the session, it’s what happened as we went along and it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Who else will ever record video of those brand new parents, in those very early days? Think about it, those parents would never get that external fly on the wall look at their sessions. They wouldn’t get the watch them selves changing the baby, feeding, cuddling and hanging out.
On top of that we do have the ability to capture really beautiful newborn footage on our big cameras. Eternalising those jerky movements and heavy sleeping breathing that is otherwise entirely lost and not really the same on a mobile phone.

Here is an example – if you would like to learn exactly how I made this, please see below.

Learn for your self – including the editing part. I’m one of the educators on the Milkyway 2024 {online} Newborn Retreat and my segment is all about making newborn keep sake films in the studio. You get to see me shoot and record the session in my studio and then you watch me edit that session into their final keep sake film.
Go see all the details here, and of course you also get access to all the other wonderful training son the newborn retreat, including at home, studio, older babies and maternity.