No Compromises - Ensuring Newborn Baby Safety with Stephanie Robin

Stephanie Robin is one of the leading advocates for baby safety in the photography industry, and she shares her expertise on keeping newborns safe and secure during sessions.

Introduction (2:45)

How has your training as physiotherapist helped? (3:19)
In no other genre are you handling subjects like this, so it is important to have an understanding of how baby’s joints move.

Why is baby safety training so important? (4:52)
There are so many risks involved, especially with more complicated poses. Photographers should provide a safe environment and be able to handle baby safely.

What are the current posing trends in the industry? (7:53)
The industry is trending towards natural poses that focus on connection.

Have you found trends in which photos parents choose? (11:40)
Clients purchase what is most meaningful to them. Most often:

• Eyes open
• With parents
• With siblings
• Expressions
• Real-life traits

What are the biggest safety mistakes you’ve seen? (14:30)
Unsupported heads – baby’s breathing tube is so tiny and can be cut off in almost every direction.

Is having a spotter training your competition? (18:10)
Stay unique, bring your personality into business, and you won’t have to worry about competition.

Advice for creating a safe studio environment (20:03)
Covid protocols produced some good ideas in general, like masks and handwashing. Watch for tripping hazards, check props for splinters and cracks. Also look for baby overheating.

Thoughts on the froggy pose? (25:17)
It is too much of a risk and not worth it. It involves the end range position for a lot of joints - wrists and necks and hips are extended.

How do you feel about posing tables? (30:12)

Tips for reading baby’s cues (34:10)
Subconscious learning through working with many newborns will help you recognize cues like yawns, poops, hunger, etc.

Additional resources to educate photographers (38:15)

The importance of insurance (42:43)
Do not photograph anyone, anywhere without it! You can lose your business or your possessions.

Tell us more about APNPI (46:10)

What are you artistically curious about? (50:45)

Discover more about Stephanie Robin

Website: www.apnpi.com
Facebook: APNPI
Facebook Group: @apnpi
Instagram: @apnpi

Bio: Stephanie Robin is a physiotherapist, photographer, and co-founder of APNPI Inc. Stephanie was named Canon Canada's preferred newborn and baby photographer and was awarded Photographer of the Year by NAPCP in 2011. She holds many image competition titles from various rounds of competition through NAPCP and her work has been featured commercially by Canon Canada and JardHus Norway.

Resources shared in this episode:
Russ Jackson
APNPI
Dunston Baby Language
The Happiest Baby on the Block - Five S’s
Hip dysplasia website
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