Tips for Newborn Sessions
The successful newborn session requires some preparation and planning. Although there is no definitive newborn photography prep guide for parents, there are some tips and tricks that I recommend.
The preparations for your newborn session actually begin at home. It will be important for you to fill out the questionnaire included in the booking forms. This gives me information about the baby and your expectations for the session, including setups and poses you might want to do at the session. I will stay in regular contact with you to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Make sure you follow all of the tips and directions on the “How to Prepare for your Session” checklist. This will be emailed to you a few days before the session. Here are the tips I recommend for preparing for you session:
If you can keep your baby up, minimum of 1 hour, before coming, that helps for a sleepier session. An idea would be to give them a bath right before leaving for the session. That way when they arrive they are relaxed and sleepy and ready for a long nap!
Keep to the baby’s feeding schedule, but plan on feeding the baby when you arrive. I recommend giving them a little snack before leaving and topping them off here. When baby is nice and full, they are content and sleepy.
Newborn sessions are typically 3 hours long. Sometimes we finish earlier and sometimes run over. It all depends how your baby is feeling that day. I recommend not scheduling any other appointments immediately after your session.
Remove all clothes that can leave creases or marks on the baby before feeding, take off socks and loosen up the diaper.
Clean away flaky skin and eye boogers on the face with a washcloth. Trim those tiny fingernails and toenails with baby trimmers.
Bring a snack or lunch. The photo shoot can be long and tiring, and it can go up to 3 hours. I provide coffee, tea, and water.
Bring any toys or props you would like to add into the photos.
If the baby is using the pacifier, bring that as well. It often helps soothe babies into the poses we want and makes for easier transitions and getting them to sleep. If your baby is not used to a pacifier or you do not feel comfortable offering one, do not worry, it is not a must.
Bring everything for changing and feeding the baby, including any special creams and products you use. make sure you have plenty of wipes, diapers and change of clothes. If the newborn has hair, bring a brush.
If siblings are coming, bring some entertainment for them. I would even suggest bringing someone with you to assist you and in case a sibling needs to be taken out for a break.
Avoid any immunizations at least 2 days before the session. Babies tend to be fussy after shots and can even run a little fever.
Once you arrive at the studio, be prepared to feed your baby. We want the baby to be full, content and sleeping after the feeding to ensure those curly, sleepy newborn pictures. Be sure to burp baby really well after the feeding. Gas can make a sleepy, happy baby into an uncomfortable one in seconds. Be patient. If your baby is fussy or alert, do not stress out. Your newborn can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. My home studio will be nice and warm for the baby to be comfortable. I use a space heater and a white noise machine. I use essential oils in a diffuser to create a calm and soothing area. I use a variety of backdrops and props to get the most versatile pictures possible. This will be based on the package you picked and how many setups we do. You may be asked to assist with poses that require a person being close to the baby. If you are uncomfortable with this and would rather watch, bring a person to help out during the shoot. I work around baby and we will stop several times for feedings, changes of diapers and to calm a fussy baby.
Once the session ends the hard part for you begins, as you look through the images and have to make a decision of which images you want. This is actually the fun part and I look forward to helping you at this stage.
If you are interested in booking a newborn session, please email me today ssphotography@frontier.com or through my contact form on my site. I would love to send you my Newborn Portrait Guide with all kinds of information including pricing and other valuable information.
