Please read this guide thoroughly and follow it to the best of your abilities to ensure a successful newborn session.
WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH: 4-12 Days Old
Newborns are best photographed within the first two weeks of life. The best age for a successful newborn session is 4-10 days old as they are still sleeping and flexible! This is also a good time because baby acne usually has not appeared yet. This is essential to creating a true newborn look and poses for your session. Newborns should be no older than 14 days old.
THINGS TO DO: Be Prepared
Breastfed Babies: If nursing, try to avoid eating anything spicy or anything that will cause gas and might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session. A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset.
Keep Them Awake: Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend too much time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them. Stimulating baby with a warm bath before the session usually does the trick!
Feed Them: Make sure baby is nice and full for the session. Feed your little one 20 minutes before the session. It is not unusual for your little bundle to eat during the session as well. A full baby = a sleepy baby, and we need a very sleepy and calm baby in order to achieve the sweet, flexible poses you see in my portfolio.
Dress Easy: Dress baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on baby’s skin and to also avoid disturbing baby when getting undressed. A simple sleeper is best. Please avoid onesies or anything that has to be pulled off over baby’s head. Loosen diaper tabs prior to the session.
Pacifiers: have a pacifier if possible – they can be very helpful during the session!
Turn Up The Heat: Babies are most comfortable in a nice warm space. I will bring a space heater but the most successful shoots are when the house is around 75-80 degrees if possible. If we're not sweating, baby is probably not warm enough. This makes a HUGE difference, trust me!
Pick the Place: Newborn sessions are set up in the comfort of your home. I use natural light as well as supplemental lighting, so my set up must be near a window or door that lets in the sunshine! A few days before I arrive, figure out the best place to set up.
Accessorize: Grab any special blankets, mementos, toys, stuffed animals, hats, etc that you think you might want to include in the session. There is no guarantee that we can use all that is there but it is good to have out just in case!
THINGS TO KNOW: Be Informed
Safety is Key: I will NEVER put your sweet baby's safety at risk. Any and all poses attempted are well practiced and baby's well being is kept at first priority at all times. I am a mom myself and have numerous experiences handling newborns.
Don't Fret: Baby's cry, poop, pee, spit up and lots of other fun things. I am used to it! I know specific techniques to soothe babies when crying. Trust that I will hand baby over if they are truly upset, and know that I will trust your parental instincts too! Do not worry about my blankets or backdrops involved in messy accidents. This is normal and I don't think I can tell you how many times I've been pooped on! (honestly, let them get it out and they sleep much better!) All my blankets and props are washed after each session with free and clear detergent.
Slow & Steady: I spend a lot of time getting every little finger and toe positioned perfectly when photographing your little bundle. First and foremost, it is important to me for your baby to look comfortable and peaceful in the photographs and for each image to be a piece of art.
My motto is quality over quantity when dealing with newborns. It may seem like we are moving at a snails pace and you may be afraid we wont get in enough poses, but babies work better when there is little stress or movement and they can relax.
Time: The session will be anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on how cooperative baby is. This leaves room for changing, feeding, and soothing breaks!
Poses: Please keep in mind that not all babies will cooperate or do all the different poses. Trust in me that I will attempt what you want me to but if I feel like it's not going to happen, I will let you know and we will move on.
WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH: 4-12 Days Old
Newborns are best photographed within the first two weeks of life. The best age for a successful newborn session is 4-10 days old as they are still sleeping and flexible! This is also a good time because baby acne usually has not appeared yet. This is essential to creating a true newborn look and poses for your session. Newborns should be no older than 14 days old.
THINGS TO DO: Be Prepared
Breastfed Babies: If nursing, try to avoid eating anything spicy or anything that will cause gas and might upset baby’s tummy for 24 hours preceding your scheduled session. A gassy baby will not pose well during the session due to their little tummy being upset.
Keep Them Awake: Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure he/she is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend too much time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them. Stimulating baby with a warm bath before the session usually does the trick!
Feed Them: Make sure baby is nice and full for the session. Feed your little one 20 minutes before the session. It is not unusual for your little bundle to eat during the session as well. A full baby = a sleepy baby, and we need a very sleepy and calm baby in order to achieve the sweet, flexible poses you see in my portfolio.
Dress Easy: Dress baby in loose fitting clothes to avoid any lines on baby’s skin and to also avoid disturbing baby when getting undressed. A simple sleeper is best. Please avoid onesies or anything that has to be pulled off over baby’s head. Loosen diaper tabs prior to the session.
Pacifiers: have a pacifier if possible – they can be very helpful during the session!
Turn Up The Heat: Babies are most comfortable in a nice warm space. I will bring a space heater but the most successful shoots are when the house is around 75-80 degrees if possible. If we're not sweating, baby is probably not warm enough. This makes a HUGE difference, trust me!
Pick the Place: Newborn sessions are set up in the comfort of your home. I use natural light as well as supplemental lighting, so my set up must be near a window or door that lets in the sunshine! A few days before I arrive, figure out the best place to set up.
Accessorize: Grab any special blankets, mementos, toys, stuffed animals, hats, etc that you think you might want to include in the session. There is no guarantee that we can use all that is there but it is good to have out just in case!
THINGS TO KNOW: Be Informed
Safety is Key: I will NEVER put your sweet baby's safety at risk. Any and all poses attempted are well practiced and baby's well being is kept at first priority at all times. I am a mom myself and have numerous experiences handling newborns.
Don't Fret: Baby's cry, poop, pee, spit up and lots of other fun things. I am used to it! I know specific techniques to soothe babies when crying. Trust that I will hand baby over if they are truly upset, and know that I will trust your parental instincts too! Do not worry about my blankets or backdrops involved in messy accidents. This is normal and I don't think I can tell you how many times I've been pooped on! (honestly, let them get it out and they sleep much better!) All my blankets and props are washed after each session with free and clear detergent.
Slow & Steady: I spend a lot of time getting every little finger and toe positioned perfectly when photographing your little bundle. First and foremost, it is important to me for your baby to look comfortable and peaceful in the photographs and for each image to be a piece of art.
My motto is quality over quantity when dealing with newborns. It may seem like we are moving at a snails pace and you may be afraid we wont get in enough poses, but babies work better when there is little stress or movement and they can relax.
Time: The session will be anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on how cooperative baby is. This leaves room for changing, feeding, and soothing breaks!
Poses: Please keep in mind that not all babies will cooperate or do all the different poses. Trust in me that I will attempt what you want me to but if I feel like it's not going to happen, I will let you know and we will move on.