Newborn and infant photographers to the stars, Keri Meyers and Jennifer Blakeley share their tricks on effortlessly handling newborn babies (and their celebrity parents) while capturing them in stunning portraits

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Being able to capture photographs of your child’s milestones is like a parental duty, yet it’s often next to impossible. There’s the infamous photo of children hysterically crying on the Easter Bunny’s lap. There’s the attempt to get little one’s eyes open for the annual holiday card, and we can’t forget the oft-missed documentation of the first day of school because the bus came early. Luckily, there are two women who are professionals at child portraiture – literally. Keri Meyers and Jennifer Blakeley are co-owners of the esteemed newborn and child photography company, Keri & Jen.

Both mothers, Keri and Jen are able to combine their natural ability to affectionately handle children with their masterful photography skills. With Jen being based in Toronto and Keri in Arizona, the duo is able to bring their work to international clients. In fact, Keri and Jen are so good at what they do that most of their clients are celebrities to the likes of Donald Trump Jr., Megan Fox, and Simon Helberg. Below, Keri and Jen tell Urban Agenda NYC Magazine about their exhausting, yet incredibly rewarding job that allows them to be apart of the most precious parts of babies’ lives.

Tell me how you got started in infant photography. Was it something you both expected to be doing? 

Keri and I entered into the world of newborn and child photography after our children were born about six years ago.  As photographers and mothers, it was a natural progression for us both.  I don't think it is something that anyone expects to be doing, the area of interest found us both - and as soon as we started, we knew we were on the right path.  It is something you feel, not something that you necessarily plan. 

Why newborn, baby, and child photography? What about that category appeals to you? 

Childhood is such a magical and brief time - it is so important to document it while it is happening.  The window for posed newborn photography is only open for about two weeks.  During the first two weeks of life newborns sleep soundly, curl up perfectly, and are so fragile and small.  After that, babies wake up, are more aware, and change every day.  It is such a small window of time, and we feel it is so important to document it for the baby and family.  Similarly, child portraits are a once in a lifetime opportunity that should be documented professionally. These portraits are passed down from generation to generation and cherished forever. 

How did you start working with celebrities?

We decided early on that it would be fun to travel together - and photograph celebrities.  So, we reached out to a few that were expecting at the time and were excited to hear back from them right away.  I think they noticed something different about our work.  It’s clean and timeless.  As it turns out, Hollywood is a small place and people seem to know each other. It wasn't long before referrals started coming in - and word of mouth advertising started.  We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph celebrities; we both find it gratifying and fun. 

I could only imagine how difficult it could be to photograph a newborn! What’s your trick? Is it often a challenge to make the shot? 

Photographing newborns is no easy task!  However, it is something that we have literally spent thousands of hours doing, and you know what they say, the more you do it, the better you are.  We work very slowly with newborns, keeping them sleeping the entire time.  We always have the space we are in nice and warm so the baby is comfortable, and we have white noise on in the background, which helps newborns sleep soundly.  We have never met a newborn that we couldn't photograph beautifully. It is our job to get the perfect shot, and we do every time.  

Is there added pressure working with celebrity clients?

 We love our celebrity clients. Although there is a little more pressure - especially if the images will be published - at the end of the day, they are just like every other parent.  They are excited, tired, and totally in love with their babies and children.  

 How did you two end up working together? Is it easier to work in a partnership? 

I (Jen) took a newborn photography workshop with Keri five years ago.  I flew to the Seattle area to meet Keri and learn from her, as she is the best newborn photographer and instructor in the industry.  Newborn photography is an art all of its own.  At the time, I was photographing models, weddings, boudoir and children and really wanted to learn the art of posed newborn photography. We met and we hit it off right away. We became great friends, kept in touch and decided in 2012 to start Keri and Jen.  We also opened www.NewbornPhotography.com, which is a world wide teaching community made for newborn photographers to connect with one another and learn from one another. It’s a public directory, so expecting parents can connect with newborn photographers in their area. 


It is easier for us to work in a partnership.  Not only is it fun to work together, but we also both have different photographic styles that our clients equally love.  When celebrities hire us, they get so many beautiful portraits to choose from and are always so happy to see the different styles of photography that come from our joint shoots.  Being different from each other and working together is what makes us unique as partners.