Name: Erika Rigger Photography
Price range: $$

What Actually Happens During a Newborn Session?

November 29, 2022

Whether you’re thinking about booking a newborn session or already have a date on the books, I’m sure you’re a bit curious about what, exactly, goes on during a newborn session. How do you get those peaceful looking images? How involved are the parents for the shoot itself? Is it actually possible to “pose” an infant? Below I’m pulling back the curtain about what actually happens during a newborn photography session.

The Heat is Turned Up

Baby loosely wrapped during newborn session

It sounds bizarre, but I prefer to set the temperature much higher during a newborn session than what you’d normally have. This helps baby feel warm, comfortable, and– most importantly — sleepy.

I’ll Take Care of All the Newborn Poses

You don’t have to come up with poses or image ideas. I’ve got all that covered and know exactly how to set up an image to get great shots. I’ll also take care of all the prop setup and wrapping.

Mom & Dad Help Spot Baby

Though I do most of the work, I definitely need parents’ help during our shoots to help position the baby and work with me to help create images.

Baby’s Safety is Always My First Priority

No matter what, I place your child’s safety above all else. If we need to take a break, we will. If a pose isn’t working, there’s always another one to try.

I Have Tricks for Helping Baby Calm Down

I’ve done quite a few newborn photography sessions in my day, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help calm fussy babies. However, in the case of a baby who is very upset, I am more than happy to reschedule.

Sibling Photos Are Done First or Last

Big sister kissing newborn baby on the cheek

I know that having your kids at the shoot for the entire session may be a bit much for them. For that reason, I suggest having sibling poses done either at the beginning or the end of the newborn session, that way they don’t have to stay throughout.

Composite Images Are Key

I’ll sometimes melt a couple different images into one in order to create the perfect shot. Used by experienced photographers, this technique ensures beautiful newborn images.

No Need to Stress

Hopefully I have shed some light on what actually happens during a newborn session. It may seem daunting, but I can assure you, it will be as sweet and gentle as that new baby of yours. My top priority is making sure you and your little love can relax and have a good time.

If you’re expecting a new arrival, don’t forget to schedule a newborn session! Those first few weeks will fly by in a blurry haze, and it’ll happen faster than you can imagine. Contact me or book now to make sure you can savor those sweet days, forever.

Turn the Tables on Thanksgiving Stress

November 22, 2022

Grandparents and grandkids at a family holiday

If you love Thanksgiving but hate the stress, here are a few ways to avoid it this year. Thanksgiving is always a special time of the year but it can also be the cause of a lot of anxiety for many people. This year, turn the tables on Thanksgiving stress by remembering these tips:

Get started early. Planning and shopping early on in the month is one of the best ways to avoid stress closer to the time. Create a plan and a list of what you will need – shopping with a purpose is a lot less stressful. Also, make use of same-day pickup services and curbside services to avoid the masses.
Let others help. There is no rule that says you have to do everything yourself. If you have friends and family who are always willing to help, delegate tasks to make Thanksgiving more enjoyable on the day.
Don’t try something new the day of. If you do want to try a new dessert or side dish, practice it ahead of time so that it doesn’t stress you out on the big day.
Remember why you’re together. Sometimes we need to step back and remember why you’re coming together as a family. It’s not about the fancy decorations or the dishes on your table – it’s about spending real time together.

Family sitting around table looking at memories in photo album

The holidays can be a busy time, especially for the planners and the hosts. Keeping these ideas in mind when moving through your Thanksgiving week can make a huge difference. My hope is with these few simple tips, you can turn the tables on Thanksgiving stress and spend your energy on loving and enjoying your family and friends.

If you’re looking to capture some holiday memories this year, reach out! Christmas is right around the corner, so book now before the moment passes you by!

The Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Picture Attire

November 17, 2022

Parents smiling with baby during photography session

If you want to create frame-worthy holiday pictures, it helps to put some time and effort into deciding what you want to wear. Your outfits will help set the tone for your portraits, so it’s important to choose wisely. If you are feeling concerned about what to wear, keep in mind the dos and don’ts of holiday picture attire:

Holiday Picture Outfit Dos

Family smiling on beach during winter photo shoot

Do consider the backdrop. Whether your shoot is in-home or in a specific location that you love, think about the backgrounds you’ll be posing in front of before you settle on outfits for your holiday session. Busier backgrounds require simpler outfits.
Do coordinate. But don’t make your outfits match 100%. Coordination doesn’t mean that everyone in the shot should look the same. It simply means that the colors, patterns, outfit style matches.
Do incorporate something cozy. Winter family sessions are about cozying up to the people you love, so try and add a cozy item of clothing to your outfit. Think textured sweaters or a scarf with an interesting knit.

Holiday Picture Outfit Don’ts

Mom smiling at son during photography session

Don’t overthink it. Christmas is the one time you don’t need to be overly realistic. Yes, you wouldn’t normally wear a jacket and snow boots indoors. But a holiday session is the one time you can, particularly if you’re posing in front of a fun backdrop.
Don’t over-accessorize. There are a lot of fun accessories and props that you can add to a Christmas shoot, but it’s also easy to overdo it. If you are going to wear gloves, hats, and your favorite coat, make sure the patterns don’t take away from the people in the photo and that the coats don’t make you look too frumpy.
Don’t make them feel uncomfortable. If the people in the photo feel uncomfortable in their clothing, it’s going to show in your photos. Pick outfits that everyone feels comfortable in. Doing so will result in the most natural smiles and an array of fun shots.

When planning for your holiday session, remember the do’s and don’ts of holiday picture attire. These are no hard and fast rules, just ideas to keep in mind when you’re planning. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration if you want to look at a few color schemes that you can use for your upcoming Christmas photo shoot.

If you haven’t booked your holiday family session, now is the time! It’ll be here before you know it. Contact me or book now to capture the magic of Christmas with your family.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON FAMILY PICTURES | THE O FAMILY

November 8, 2022

Little girl running and smiling in Downtown Wilmington

The outdoors will always take the cake for family photos. You just can’t beat the lighting and the scenery. Sometimes though, I like to move out of nature and into the city to bring a certain urban fun to the session. These historic Downtown Wilmington family pictures took us straight into the heart of Wilmington with the O family.

COMPLIMENTS OF DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

Family walking in Downtown Wilmington during photography session

It’s no secret when looking at this session that this family’s little girl stole the spotlight. Head to toe, she was absolutely adorable. Her frilly dress matched her spunky personality perfectly and it was impossible not to smile when she did! The colors in this family’s attire were an amazing pop of color over the neutral walkways and dark foliage that Downtown Wilmington had to offer.

The brick walkways were a perfect place to start this session. Wilmington is full of beautiful locations to shoot. There is no shortage of fun backdrops, interesting looking buildings, and gorgeous pathways. Downtown Wilmington is unique in the scenery it offers. Oftentimes, the challenge is actually finding the perfect spot; one where the background won’t outshine my lovely subjects. Luckily the personality in this family was bright and bubbly and they had no problem drawing the focus to their wonderful smiles. Truly, you can see the love and excitement pouring out of these parents watching their adorable little girl run and play.

THE FUN OF CANDID FAMILY PICTURES

Family photography session with mom, dad, and daughter in Wilmington, NC

Photographing children always brings a certain spunk to the session. Especially when the child has a personality like this! Watching her parents light up and loosen up as she bounced and giggled made for some of the most wonderful candid moments. I was so happy to be a part of this lovely afternoon in Downtown Wilmington creating memories with this family.

These historic Downtown Wilmington family pictures were the perfect mix of urbanity and fun. The scenic city can often be overlooked as a great setting for family sessions, but when you add in some loving smiles (and a keen eye from your photographer), it can be the perfect backdrop to capture the most special family moments.

Family hugging and smiling with daughter during family pictures

Urban photoshoots are a great location for capturing fun holiday memories as well. Contact me to schedule a unique photoshoot for you and your family!

5 Reasons to Spring on First Year Baby Portrait Packages

November 4, 2022

Baby sleeping during newborn photography session

If you’ve already had a baby, you know that the amount they can change in a matter of weeks is crazy. Within the first month of their life, they grow out of that quintessential “newborn baby” look. By the time they’re one it’s hard to even believe how much they’ve changed. Even their personalities adapt quickly over time! Documenting that first year of changes is priceless. Continue reading for 5 reasons to spring on first year baby portrait packages.

New parents know that it’s a joy to watch these rapid changes, but it’s also bittersweet. That’s where documentation comes into play. Snapping all those candid images is a parent must, but it’s an incredible gift to have professional photographs taken of your sweet baby throughout the first year of their life, as well.

My Once Around the Sun package ensures you capture all these sweet periods in your baby’s first 365 days. In the end, you’ll have high-quality, meaningful pictures you’ll treasure a lifetime. If you’re on the edge or are simply curious about why so many parents rave about these packages, here are five reasons to go ahead and book:

It Saves You a Ton of Time and Stress

Family sitting on bed with newborn baby smiling

You know how you feel more relaxed when you’ve got all your appointments scheduled? It’s one less task to worry about, and you know you’re doing something good for yourself, too. My Bump to Baby package and Once Around the Sun package are the same. You can book all the dates in advance (movable if necessary). Then, you can rest knowing you’re capturing all those precious moments as your baby grows older.

You Don’t Have to Pay it All At Once

Baby sitting in grass during first year photography shoot

The thought of paying for a milestone package up front is daunting for everyone. Rest assured that we have payment plans that ensure this investment won’t pinch you.

That First Year is So Bonkers

Family sitting on porch swing during 6 month photo shoot for baby

Your child’s first year can feel like a total whirlwind. So much changes in your world, and your newborn baby evolves so quickly. You sometimes don’t even see the changes yourself until you look back. Knowing that you have the gift of images to look back at, and to calmly reflect on this period in your life, will prove incredibly meaningful over the years.

Everyone Will Treasure These Pictures Forever

Baby sitting in grass on beach during first year photography session

Think about how special your own baby pictures are to not just you, but also to your family. Your child will be so grateful to have these images as they get older, and you’ll look back on the sessions and the images fondly, as well.

The Packages Includes a Gorgeous Linen-Covered Album

Mom, dad, and baby during 1 year portrait session

Once these photos are taken, the sweet linen-covered album included will help you rest assured that these photos will be seen and not tucked away. The album includes 20 pages to fill with your little one. Ideal for a coffee table or night stand, this album makes it easy to present your child’s gorgeous photos and is the perfect keepsake.

“Erika has now taken our maternity photos, newborn photos, and one year photos for our family and has done an AMAZING job each time! She is so easy to work with, quick to respond, and so personable. I highly recommend Erika!! You will not be disappointed!!”
-Tiffany H.

If you’re expecting a new addition, consider these 5 reasons to spring on first year baby portrait packages. It truly flies by in the blink of an eye, but the joy you’ll feel looking back on these photos will last a lifetime. Contact me to book for your baby’s first year, or with any questions!