Congrats on your newest addition! A baby can give a totally different meaning to life. By now I’m assuming that you’re thinking of booking a newborn session, or you already have! But now what? This is all so new, so what do you need to do next?
My newborn photography sessions are specially planned and designed to celebrate the love of your growing family and to capture those moments that mean so much! My studio is fully equipped and has thousands of props and accessories that we will use to design, create and plan your newborn photography session so that it reflects you and your personal style. When you book a session with me, you will receive a more in depth guide on how to prepare, but for now lets go over what you’ll need to know to make the most out of your newborn session!
Book Ahead of Time I always encourage my clients to book their session before they reach their 3rd trimester. Once the baby arrives, or the closer you get, the LAST thing on your mind will be to schedule a photoshoot, and before you know it, they’ll be too grown. I like to get newborns in the studio around 2-3 weeks if possible, while they are still tiny and sleepy, so planning ahead also allows us to work with your due date and be flexible if needed.
Plan the whole day Newborn sessions can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, but we never rush and follow baby’s cues, so it may take longer. When baby needs a break, we’ll take a break. Don’t worry if baby is fussed, they are not used to being handled, posed and move so much and it make take a while for them to settle down. Most babies need to eat at least once during their session. so we will plan to take as many breaks as needed to keep baby happy.
Dress/Pack appropriately You’ll notice that the studio is nice and warm. I keep my studio around 70-75 degrees, this helps keep baby nice and sleepy, but can sometimes be uncomfortable for mom and dad (sorry dad). Bring a pair of comfy, cool clothes to change into if wanted! Your style and prep guide will go over more details on how to dress for your photoshoot! Below is a list of other items to pack for the big day
Pacifier - even if baby only sometimes takes these at home, they are super helpful during our photoshoot time incase we need to settle the baby without feeding or moving them. Try to keep one on hand if possible!
EXTRA milk. Whether you pump, breast feed or formula feed, most babies will eat more than normal during their session, and more freequently. I’m not sure the science behind it, but come prepared with more than you think you need! I do have a refrigerator if needed to keep it cool.
Anything sentimental from home- I am always open to incorporating special items from home if you’d like, so bring anything you’d like to be a part of the photoshoot!
Feed As close to photoshoot time as possible If possible, it is best to feed the baby either right before you leave for your session or as soon as you arrive. I don’t want to throw off any schedule they are on, but feeding right before go time will help baby get nice and content and sleepy for longer! And again, we will most likely have to stop and feed at least once more during your session time, so don’t stress if you notice them eating more than normal.
Older siblings If you have an older child that will be participating in the session, I always suggest bringing two cars if possible. I do family and sibling poses first, and then your other child (children) can either go to lunch with dad, grandma, etc, or hang out in the front room for the duration of our session. I do keep some books and snacks in my studio, but sometimes taking them for a little adventure and coming back at the end is a special little day for them!
I hope that this helped ease your worries and stress just a little bit and I hope to work with you and your little ones in the near future!
