TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL
NEWBORN SESSION
Newborn photography is incredibly challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of baby’s life when they are just days old. In order for it to be a success there’s some planning that needs to go into the session. I’ve come up with a few tips below to help us get the very best out of your upcoming newborn session.
SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION!
I recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth to ensure a spot on my calendar. Contact me during your second or third trimester and I’ll pencil you in. Then, shoot me a text message soon after you deliver so I can arrange a time for the session and change the date if needed. I am only available for sessions during the weekends due to my M-F job, so that makes for tight scheduling.
I’ll be moving them around and scrunching them into those sweet sleepy newborn images, so I want to make sure they’re sleepy enough to allow me to handle them. Somewhere around day 8 they discover the joy that is stretching! Once that happens…they’re not about to let me get them into those curly poses without a fight and they tend to start getting super fussy and restless after day 7.
After day 14, it’s almost impossible to get baby into that deep sleep that came so easily in their first few days…so it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to get them into any of the more bendy newborn poses.
Keep in mind that newborn acne (and sometimes colic) is likely to flare up after day 7. While I can easily edit problem areas, I prefer to do as little retouching as possible to baby’s skin
WHERE?
The majority of our newborn sessions take place in your home. If the weather is warm enough and you’re comfortable with the idea, I can take the session outdoors.
Worried because your home is a mess? Don’t even stress out! You just had a BABY! Clutter is definitely expected!
LOVELY LIGHT!
I ask that you open all of the blinds and curtains in your home. This enables me to find the best source of natural light in your home, so that I can set up in the best possible location. I’m a natural light photographer so I NEED lots of natural light!
For this reason, sessions are normally done mid-morning tolate-afternoon when window lighting is as its best.
When I arrive, I’ll walk through your home looking for the best light and that is where I’ll do a majority of the shoot. Sometimes the best location ends up being a foyer, by the back door or kitchen…wherever there is a large window.
BABIES LOVE THE HEAT!
I recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session. (Like a toasty 80 degrees or so.)
Newborns are used to being all bundled up warm & cozy…and then I come in and yank off all their clothes for those adorable naked baby shots. They tend not to like that too much!
Bumping up the thermostat is guaranteed to make the session flow more smoothly and help them sleep better. We may be sweating, but baby will be nice and warm…and sleepy and that’s what we need. I’ll bring along a space heater to help keep baby in a steady warmth.
SLEEPY?
Most of the images I’ll be shooting work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. To encourage this, I recommend that you do whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted. Keeping your little one awake on top of your own sleep deprivation might feel like torture, but I think it will be worth it in the end!
BABIES NEED LOTS OF FEEDINGS!
I’ll be more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her re-fuel. It’s tough work being a model!
PATIENCE IS KEY!
Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 2-3 hours. It all depends on baby’s mood and willingness to sleep. Unfortunately…this isn’t something I can’t predict! I ask that everyone remain calm, should he/she not want to sleep, since your baby will pick up on any frustration in the room. And if sleep doesn’t happen, that’s okay! Wide-eyed newborn photos are beautiful too.
RELAX!
I take the baby’s lead; getting them to sleep before
It isn’t, and I will!
“This is a disaster! They aren’t going to get ANY good photos!”
They see their baby being fussy or having a difficult time getting settled and panic.
.newborn photographyMoms tend to stress out because this is a new experience…and they aren’t used to the waiting game that is posing takes time and they may need to be fed or cuddled a few times first. In fact, I’d say that a good 50% of your session will involve feeding, diaper changes, and cuddling to get baby comfortable. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take a break or I’ll work with what baby is giving me. Just remember: Babies can sense stress and anxiety (especially from their mommy’s!) It’s super important that EVERYONE remain calm and relaxed during the session. Keeping the environment as mellow as possible is best.
POOP HAPPENS!
Your baby might be naked in some shots so please don’t panic if your baby decides to pee or poop on blankets (or me).
This is natural and I expect it! Please don’t feel embarrassed or worry when this happens, because they all do it. I wash all of my baby props and blankets after each session.
PROPS!
I have a collection of bowls, baskets, blankets, wraps and headbands that I’ll bring to your session. You are also, of course, welcome to bring any of your own props. Look for items with texture and color to help make your images unique.
If you have any family heirlooms, toys, hats, props, etc. that you would like me to add in your session, feel free but I may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but I’ll look through them to determine what will work best.
BUT WHAT DO I WEAR?
As far as clothing? Keeping it simple light and airy is my favorite so whites and creams and light neutral colors I think work best, just skip the busy patterns. You can also visit my Style Guide page that has a lot of great ideas for putting together the perfect outfits and although it's a Style Guide suited for an outside shoot a lot of the principles apply to your newborn session as well!