Here at Turtle Tots, we get asked all the time about underwater photoshoots for babies and whether we offer them. For lots of new parents, the ‘Nirvana’ shot is on the bucket list of photographic memories and a key motivator for getting involved in baby swimming lessons.
We do offer underwater photoshoots for babies and toddlers approximately twice per year in Dublin, Cork, and Galway, and they’re always lots of fun. But we’re going to be upfront and admit that photoshoots are not our top priority, and definitely not something we offer at the end of every term, or for every student. When we do offer them, we take care to ensure that everyone participating knows what they’re in for, and that our kids are ready and willing too.
We’ve photographed thousands of babies over the years, and we’ve definitely learnt a thing or two about how to get the best images on the day. And what we’ve learned is that preparation is everything. Little ones well experienced with going underwater and are initiating submersions themselves, are comfortable going to new people, and are just generally having a feel-good day are the ones who are going to steal the show. Those are the images you’ll hang on your wall with pride and people will say ‘wow!’ when they see them for years to come.
And we’re going to be honest and say that it’s the underwater swim itself which presents the biggest challenge for most little ones. It’s a really big achievement to be ready for the swim we use for the photos: babies will be fully released just below the surface, and swim all on their own for 3 to 5 seconds before collection. The swim has to be long enough for the instructor to step away – after all, you don’t want arms or legs in the background, and bubbles need to clear so we can see their gorgeous faces clearly. That swim is more than just a ‘mini-dip’, it’s a proper swim for little babies! Once you’ve mastered this swim at class (usually around the end of your second of third term) and if your little one isn’t struck with a case of ‘stranger-danger’, it’s the perfect time for your family’s photoshoot.
Q: I’ve just finished the first level, Turtle (3-8 months). Will i get a photoshoot at the end of my first term?
A: Unfortunately, no. We simply do not teach released submersion swims in our first baby level, Turtle (3-8 months). It goes against our child-led ethos to force a long submersion for any child, and young babies are rarely submerging for that long of their own free will or showing signs that they wish to do so.
Q: When will my baby learn the swims used for the photoshoot?
A: We introduce released submersion swims from our second baby level, Seahorse (7-11 months), and by the end of our third level, Dolphin (10-15 months) it’s a well practiced skill. You’ll have plenty of opportunity at class to see for yourself if your child is relaxed and happy with their underwater swims, and when they are: well, that’s your cue to join in at our next photoshoot!
Q: What are the signs to look out for?
A: If a baby is happy to submerge, you’ll know! From the first minutes of class when we blow ‘bubbles’, they’ll be happily sticking their faces right in the water to blow too. When you give the cue ‘Name, Ready, Go!’ before submersion their body language should be relaxed and leaning in – and then when you go under with them, you should see that their body remains relaxed and their facial expression calm. Afterwards, they should be calm and happy, and ready to go again!
Signs that your little ones is not ready would be if they are arching their backs away from the water at the surface, tensing their body as you give the cue to go underwater, or if you observe widened eyes, arms very wide and stiff, or tightly closed fists once they are underwater. If they didn’t like their submersion swim, chances are they’ll let you know afterwards too 🙂 If you observe these signs, you should hold off attending a photoshoot for the time being – it could end up being a bad experience for them and for you, and you won’t get the photos you want either.
Q: How do I book on to a photoshoot?
A: When we have a photoshoot upcoming, we’ll let you know. They’re usually around April and November. We’ll give about a month’s notice – we try not to schedule and book them too far in advance, because a lot can change for our young students, even in a month!
Q: What’s Included in a Turtle Tots photoshoot?
Photoshoots cost €100 per child and includes the session itself (30 minutes, group session), and all of the images in a high quality, digital format for you to download and keep forever. A few weeks after the photoshoot, we’ll send you all of your gorgeous images to download via a link.
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