Newborn Studio Session Prep
Tips to prepare for your session
congratulations
You just welcomed a new member into your family! Now it's time for some adorable newborn portraits. As cute as babies can be, they don't always sleep when we want them to sleep or eat when we want them to eat, if they did, life would be a lot easier! That’s why we wanted to share our best tips for a successful lifestyle newborn session. I will also need a bit more information to prepare for your session, so please fill out the Newborn Photography Questionnaire.
scheduling your session
CONTACT ME WITH YOUR EXPECTED DUE DATE.
If you are expecting and know you must have a newborn session for your little one, contact me and please share your due date. I will pencil you in on my calendar! Don't worry if you deliver early or late, I totally understand and am very flexible. How many babies really arrive on their exact due date??!! If your baby has recently arrived and you have decided that you simply must capture all the squishy cuteness, just let me know and I will do everything I can to accommodate you and your little one.
LET ME KNOW WHEN YOUR BABY IS BORN.
Once you have had some time to breathe and bask in the joy with you family, contact me to let me know your baby has arrived. We will want to schedule your session.
5-10 DAYS POST BIRTH IS THE IDEAL TIME FOR YOUR SESSION.
Newborn sessions are most successful 5-10 days after birth, while they are still sleeping 22 hours a day and are happy to be swaddled up! After 14 days, I recommend an in-home lifestyle newborn session. Please see Lifestyle Newborn Session for more details.
styling parents & siblings
KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE BABY.
This session is all about your family celebrating your new little one, so we want to keep the focus on the baby. I recommend keeping your palette simple and neutral like chambray, grey, cream, ivory or white with minimal pattern. If you want a bit of color, I suggest soft, pastel tones. For moms, I suggest a dress or a tunic/leggings, so sitting is more comfortable. For big brothers I suggest jeans or overalls and a simple, solid neutral top or no shirt (if they will go for it)! For big sisters, I recommend something pretty, soft and solid in color. Don't worry about shoes, bare feet are perfect for the whole family.
preparing for your session
LENGTH OF THE SESSION.
Typically newborn sessions take 2-3 hours, so be prepared to hang out for a bit! I will prepare 4-5 looks for you baby. Depending on how sleepy and calm he/she is will depend on how many different styles I can incorporate into your session.
WHAT TO BRING.
Excellent news, the only thing you really have to remember to bring is your darling newborn baby! I will have everything else we will need for the session including wraps, hats, headbands, blankets, boxes and baskets. I suggest bringing a pacifier, even if your baby does not normally take one...it's just one more element in the bag of tricks to get your baby soothed and sleeping!
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE INCORPORATED.
If you a have a special blanket, outfit or accessory you would like me to include in your session, please send me images of these items before your session, so that I can be prepared to incorporate them.
SIBLINGS.
If you have other children you would like incorporated into your session, I recommend bringing them at the tail end of the session. Since newborn sessions take 2-3 hours and I find it's way too long for an older sibling(s) to patiently await their turn to be in the photographs:) We can discuss this in further detail when we schedule your session.
BRING YOUR BABY IN AN OUTFIT THAT IS EASY TO REMOVE.
We want to keep your baby as snuggly and happy as possible, so please put them in an outfit that will be easy to remove. Anything that zips all the way down is a great option to avoid going over the head.
PLAN TO BE EXTRA TOASTY.
In order to keep your sweet baby snuggly and happy, the studio will be very toasty! Your baby will be very comfortable...even if the rest of us are sweating! Keep this in mind when selecting your wardrobe. Feel free to come layers and/or to do a quick change into your portrait attire.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE.
If possible, try to keep your baby awake for a bit prior to your session, so they are ready to sleep for their portraits. A bath is a great way to keep them up!
The day of your session
FEEDING & DIAPER CHANGES.
I recommend feeding your baby right before we start so he/she is fast asleep for his/her portraits. The studio space will provide privacy for feeding. Also, it is never a problem to pause the session for a feeding or diaper change.
SNACKS & TREATS....A.K.A. MOTIVATION.
I will have plenty of bottled water and snacks in the studio for you and your family. I will also have treats as motivation for your toddlers if you need it! You are of course welcome to bring anything you like!
Following your session
SNEAK PEEK WITH IN 24 HOURS.
Within 24 hours of your session you will see a sneak peek of your session on Instagram and Facebook (with your permission, of course).
GALLERY DELIVERY.
Your full gallery of proofs will be delivered within one week of your session. You will receive a link to your private online gallery via email and will have the opportunity to choose your favorites and select your images for printing. I will also provide a sharable link, so go ahead and let everyone enjoy the cuteness!
