Located just outside of Fort Polk, in a quiet neighborhood in Leesville.

My studio space, let's be honest, is ever-changing. I never keep anything in one spot, and who knows, next week I might have this room totally rearranged. But for today, it looks like this:  Let's ignore the fact that this is a smartphone photograph, mmk? Aint nobody got time to make an actual panoramic anymore.

So let's talk about my setup and why it's like this.

First, my comfy couch. Oh man I love this couch and I could sit here all day!! Why do I have my comfy couch in the studio? Mom, you just had a baby, you need somewhere to sit that resembles a cloud. I used to have a glider, but that thing made MY tush hurt, I'm sure sitting in it for 2 hours isn't fun. Dad, you're discovering that nights ... well they aren't for sleeping right now. So, snuggle up with mom and fall asleep. (it's pretty warm in here, so if you prefer to step out in the air conditioning, I also have a perfectly comfortable couch in the living area as well to fall asleep on.)

(I know I know. Another iphone photo.)

Let's talk about this thing...

WHAT IS THAT! (every mom asks me what I have under the blanket.)

This is called a posing bag. It's not a bean bag, it isn't an ottoman, and it is not a luv sack (or whatever you call it?) - It is a posing bag. It is made of vinyl and is designed specifically for newborn photography. (IF you are a photog reading this, you can purchase one from Posy Pillow - this is the studio size and runs about $90 unfilled. Then add 4 and a half bags of fill (about $12/bag). )

Why don't I use natural light? Well I don't have a single spot in my home that allows for that, AND in Louisiana, winter days can actually be quite dark. Initially I taught myself how to use studio lights. I have to say I think I did pretty well on my own, but decided eventually to take a workshop on studio lights. I have to say, I like it better now because I can control the situation. And one of the reasons I LOVE newborn photography, is because I can control the situation. . . 

You may see my assistant running around from time to time. 
Just kidding, she isn't allowed in the studio while I'm photographing a newborn, however, she will be home with a babysitter running around somewhere. You'll probably catch a glimpse of her hair as she zooms past you like a lightning bolt. Here she is helping me pose my baby(doll).

Sometimes, I need a fill. I have a GIANT reflector that doesn't fit in my studio because it takes up half the room.

You can't even seen the whole thing here because I couldn't fit it in my frame. Light on camera right, reflector on camera left.

Don't mind her white face and tan body, that's a result of the light being flashed right onto her face. I wasn't really aiming to take her portrait right then. ;) 

What is the end result?

TA DA!

(shot with: Canon 5D Mark iii, 50mm f/1.4 lens)

This is my first baby, named "baby" - appropriately. She was my doll growing up and we were inseparable. She doesn't have a name, really. I could never name her because she never opened her eyes, and I couldn't name her without seeing her eyes (or so I told my mom at a very young age). Don't mind her "skin tone" - it's really inaccurate after 28 years of being plastic and thrown in the washer and dryer.

If I could, I would upgrade my lights and opt for a giant softbox for some gorgeous soft light, but for now I know how to manipulate light enough that I can get a pretty nice soft light with my tiny softbox. I think it's 2 x 3 or something, I haven't even measured. :)