Holly Tye loves photographing babies

Her studio is an upstairs room in an old, large house now home to several businesses.

All is white and natural light pours through windows.

There is little hanging on walls except a few examples of her past work, all impressive.

A chair, bed and basket, all of them small, are present for her use.

Holly Tye is a professional photographer who does a big business in portraits of tiny people.

There are no pictures involving couples getting engaged or married. Her product is all about what follows.

Babies are her specialty, particularly, newborns.

Holly Tye Photography is located at 1329 Wynnton Road in Columbus.

She has been in business since 2007.

When she began, she did all the work other professional photographers do. She took whatever business she could get.

Tye said she learned the hard way that shooting weddings and such was not for her. It was too hectic, too stressful and, too often, it kept her away from family.

“I didn’t particularly enjoy it,” she said.

She also feels the specialty she has chosen allows her to be particularly artistic.

Originally from Pensacola, Fla., Tye moved to Columbus 13 years ago when her husband, Dudley, became an associate pastor at Trinity Assembly of God. She has a certification in ministry, and most of her work before her present occupation involved the church.

Tye said photography has always intrigued her, and she decided she wanted to learn more about the technical side of it, which she did when she used a tax refund to purchase a digital single-lens reflex camera.

“I became obsessed,” she said.

A friend, a professional photographer, gave Tye some lighting equipment. After much study, Tye decided to begin a new career, and it has been a success.

Q: Obviously, you feel comfortable working around babies.

A: As the mother of three, it is something with which I am familiar. I love babies.

Q: When is the best time to get a photograph taken of a newborn?

A: It is within the first two-three weeks of life. That is when we are able to capture the tiny, curly, sleepy stage that passes so quickly. Older than that, they become a little more fussy.

Q:What about time of day for baby shots?

A: I like morning sessions. The babies are happier.

Q: Who is fussier, the baby or the parents?

A: I aim to keep a peaceful environment. It goes this way. Babies cry. They poop on your stuff. I try to keep a low-stress environment and set realistic expectations.

Q: About how long does a session take?

A: I set aside three hours for a newborn. Babies need to be changed. They need to be fed.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Most people like the simplistic nature of my photography. I like to photograph those sleeping sweet little poses. I look for beautiful light. I really focus on details. Babies usually have clenched fists. I flatten them out. There are no wrinkles in the blanket. I am very particular.

Q: What kind of outfits do newborns wear in your photos?

A: My newborn shots are done using blanket wraps, but parents may bring an outfit.

Q: What about props?

A: I don’t use props. I don’t want to have anything distracting. Years later, it can make the picture look dated. I want to give people something to love forever. I don’t want them looking at a photograph and wondering why they put that big flower on their child’s head.

Q: But some do bring props if not for newborns, then for older babies, don’t they?

A: Yes. I had someone bring in a fireman’s helmet.

Q: Do you get many special requests?

A: Yes. One woman wanted bare feet photographs. Her mother loved bare feet photographs and had recently passed away.

Q: Others can be in photos with the baby, can’t they?

A: I do some shots with siblings and parents. I had one person bring a golden doodle, a really big dog. Like with the props, it is not my style and it can be challenging but I try to make it work.

Q: Do you do delivery room photos?

A: I have for friends and it is fun and exhilarating but there are other photographers who specialize at that and are very good. I don’t like the “on call” nature of that.

Q: Do people wait until the baby is born to contact you?

A: Some. Others call months in advance.

Q: You take photos of the baby during that first year, don’t you?

A: Some babies we take photographs of at three-, six-, nine- and 12-month sessions but with others it can be four, eight and 12. It can depend on the child’s development, for example, when they start holding their head up. You don’t want the photos to look too much alike.

Q: Your work is not all about just babies, is it?

A: I do family portraits in the spring and fall.

Q: Do you do black-and-white?

A: I love black-and-white. It is classy and timeless. Of course, with digital you can make color photos black-and-white.

Q: You try to get close with your customers?

A: I like people and value them. I treat them well.

Q: What is the key to working with babies?

A: Patience.

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 9:12 PM with the headline "Holly Tye loves photographing babies."