YOUR SESSION: WHAT TO EXPECT

 

WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH:

Newborn sessions are recommended to be done before 2 weeks of age  (preferably between 4-14 days) while they are still in that sleepy and easily posed stage.  After two weeks of age, they tend to be disturbed more easily while sleeping and it is not as easy to get the true newborn poses and look. So be sure to contact me as soon as possible to book your session.

 

PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION:

In order to ensure that your newborn session runs as smoothly as possible, please follow these steps:

 

1. If nursing, try to avoid eating anything spicy (i.e. pizza, hot sauce, etc.) or anything that will cause gas or 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.

 

2. Please make sure your little one has a full belly for the session. It is suggested that baby is feed just before you leave for the studio. I have many clients who arrive at the studio saying that they gave baby a small feeding about 45 minutes ago and need to feed baby upon arrival. Baby usually wakes up during this feeding at the studio and has trouble falling back into a deep, restful sleep. If baby is bottle feeding, please bring extra bottles and milk (formula or breastmilk) –  (babies work up quite the appetite being constantly moved around in the warm studio). Also, baby should be fed as much as possible in the 12 hours that precede the session. This will allow for baby to sleep as deeply and as long as possible. *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. :) I may kindly ask for you to ignore a strict feeding schedule for the 2.5 hours at the session. The only way we will achieve calm, flexible poses is if baby is fully satiated and sleeping. 

 

3. 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.

 

4. Bring a pacifier – they can be very helpful during the session!

 

5. The studio will be kept very warm for your little one while being photographed. I recommend dressing in layers.

 

6. During the session, sit back and relax. I won’t need much assistance, so take advantage of this time to rest in my sitting area (I’m sure you need it!).  I’ve even had some parents take a nap!

 

7. Remove all bandages (from shots, etc.) from baby’s skin at least one hour before arriving to the studio. These bandages cannot be removed in post processing.

 

PARENT & SIBLING PORTRAITS:

I very much encourage parent portraits with your new baby. When it comes to clothing, I recommend wearing simple, neutral colors, preferably solids, light in color, and no frill or anything that can distract from baby. These are photographed from the waist up for parents. If you have older siblings that you would like photographed with your newborn I suggest cream, ivory or white (without patterns or logos) for older siblings (tops with jeans or even dresses for girls). The more texture the better (knit, lace, etc). They’ll be barefoot, so no need to look for clean shoes.

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*TIP - Interact with and keep baby awake for 1-2 hours before your session to ensure baby is good and sleepy for the session. This is very important. Without this, we spend a lot of time getting them to sleep and not as much time photographing them. *Stimulating baby with a bath prior to the session is a good trick that you can use!