Answering the important questions about newborn photos

Here are some FAQs I get asked about Newborn Portrait Sessions. I am doing this in 2 parts. These are also in my Newborn Portrait Guide I send to all potential clients when they request information about a Newborn Portrait Session.

1. When is the best time to book my newborn portrait session?

The best moment to start thinking about your newborn session is when you’re entering the third trimester. Newborn. We want to ensure you get on my calendar so that your sessions occur within 2 weeks after birth to get those dreamy sleepy photos of your newborn. When you schedule in advance it gets you on my schedule and all the booking forms and questionnaire can be all filled out and ready to go. A tentative date will be scheduled for about 2 weeks after your due date. After booking just keep me updated as you’re near the end of your pregnancy so we can adjust if needed. If you forget to book early, please don’t let that stop you from contacting me. Of course, I like early booking to ensure date availability, but I’m also very flexible on making time for newborn sessions for those who are still interested and are just getting around to thinking about a newborn session. It is also important to note that my sessions are always in the morning time. This is when baby is fresh and aren’t over stimulated. I usually schedule them around 9 or 10 am.

2. How soon should I have my newborn portrait session?

Ideally the sooner the better! Newborns sleep a lot during those first few weeks after birth and so I am able to gently move your little one into those cute poses. In my experience the optimal time to achieve those dreamy, cute, posed photos are within those first 2 weeks. This age frame is the best for capturing those curly, sleepy newborn images you have seen all over social media and Pinterest. After a couple of weeks, this is not as easy to do. After the 14-day mark babies begin to stretch and stay awake longer so the poses aren’t as easy to accomplish. As soon as your baby is born, contact me so we can adjust or confirm your session date. If you missed the window of the first 2 weeks, please don’t worry and don’t hesitate to contact me for photos! An older baby may need more wrapping and swaddling, but you can still get beautiful images of your baby.

3. How do I book without knowing my session date?

We will use your session date as a guide. We will start with booking your session for 1 week after your due date. I always have a range of time before and after due date on my calendar in anticipation of your newborn’s birth. So if your baby arrives a little early, or arrives late (which I sure hope isn’t the case!) I can still adjust for that week or two before or after your due date. As soon as you give birth please reach out to me via email, text or phone call so we can get the official session date and time solidified for that optimal newborn time frame.

4. My baby is already born, is it too late to book a Newborn Session?

I love to photograph babies at all ages. Please note that depending on the time frame your baby may no longer be a newborn. Please understand the baby most likely will not be able to do newborn poses or wraps and they are usually awake. This of course doesn’t mean we won’t be able to get some wonderful photos of your precious baby. It is important to manage your expectations for a session that happens after the newborn window.

5. Can I incorporate siblings and parents in my newborn session?

This of course is very possible. I do want you to keep in mind that my home studio space is very small. It is easy to add mom and dad and maybe a sibling into this space. However, for larger families, we would need to make some adjustments and do those photos outside at a nearby outdoor location. I do encourage, however, parents and siblings to do photos with baby.

I know that having your kids at the shoot for the entire session may be a bit much for them. For that reason, I suggest having sibling poses done at the end of the session where someone like a grandparent or dad can bring them in a little later, that way they don’t have to stay throughout. This of course doesn’t always work, especially if you have no one else to bring the sibling later. In that case, please bring some fun activities for the siblings to do while I’m working with baby. If your child is getting antsy, we may go ahead and do some poses with them and the baby so that they can relax and play.

For parent photos, because of space and comfort, I only photograph moms and dads from the waist up and truly focus on your face and emotional connection with your new baby.

6. Where do the newborn sessions take place?

I do newborn sessions in my home. I have an area that I set up for lighting, props, backgrounds, etc. Your session will be private and cozy. You are able to relax on the couch and have a nice cup of coffee or tea as I work with your newborn.

7. What happens during the session?

I actually have a blog article about this very subject. https://www.shawnspencerphotography.com/blog/2021/11/9/what-actually-happens-during-a-newborn-session?rq=newborn

This is also in a PDF that I send to parents once they book their newborn session.

8. How much do newborn sessions cost?

I offer 3 different newborn session packages. All newborn packages include a 3-hour session with a variety of backgrounds, poses, outfits & looks. Each session offers a relaxed, creative, custom session guaranteed to showcase your precious newborn and capture this sweet moment in time. The amount of poses, prints and digitals are different depending on the package chosen.

9. How long will my newborn photography session take?

One thing parents are shocked at is the amount of time for a newborn session. I center my newborn sessions around baby. That means allowing time for diaper changes, feedings, calming fussy babies, and working with siblings who are not being cooperative. Not to mention, it takes time to wrap baby or put them in those cute outfits and get them posed. I don’t want to rush and startle baby so everything I do is at a pace that keeps baby calm and allows me to pose them into those cute poses. On average a newborn session will last anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. If we are lucky and baby is zonked out the entire time, it can be even shorter. We follow baby’s lead. Trust me your will look at the images and be glad we took our time.

10. Do you supply the props and outfits for my baby's session?

I do! I have lots of blankets, wraps, hats, headbands/bows, and outfits to be used during your session. I have lots of buckets, bowls, and cute props that we will use for different poses. Occasionally, clients ask to have sentimental items incorporated in their session. This is always welcome! During our initial consultation, we can discuss the props and colors I have available and what you'd be interested in using during your session. If you have seen a setup on Pinterest you would like to try to replicate let me know ASAP and I can work to make that happen.

11. What type of poses to you do for newborns?

You will get a variety of poses of your newborn. I will always photograph all the details of tiny little feet, lips, that button nose and tuft of fluffy hair. As part of my workflow, I will photograph baby on my beanbag and get several different poses including on their back, stomach, side, etc. I will then transition into using a bowl and or a bucket making sure to get different angles. I will do a large prop set up with a backdrop such as a twig bed or other prop. While I work within a certain workflow, I also leave room for creativity and how baby is doing during the process. One pose that I will not do is the froggy pose. This is a hard pose to accomplish, and I don’t feel comfortable at this time recreating that pose. If you have seen specific poses you would like to recreate, please send me examples or a Pinterest board and I will try to accommodate.

Have additional questions? Feel free to contact me at ssphotography@frontier.com or call (916)743-4393

If you are interested in seeing additional information about Newborn Portraits check out the blog posts below:

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