Not quite sure what a newborn session entails, when to schedule, or what questions you should be asking your photographer? Keep on reading to discover all those answers and more! I want to make sure you have the best experience possible so even if you don’t decide to schedule with me, this guide should help you relay any information you may need to your photographer!
When should I schedule my newborn session?
I recommend contacting me in the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy to guarantee I have some openings around your due date. Once booked, your due date will serve as our session date until your little one is born. Babies will arrive whenever they want to and I couldn’t possibly expect them to abide by our schedule. But, once your baby is born, send me and email or shoot me a text as soon as you can and we can lock in a time and date.
I prefer to have the session when baby is around 14-21 days old since week two and three of your baby’s life is magic. Of course all of the weeks are magic, but during these weeks, newborns are squishy, flexible, sleep more, and are still adjusting to the world outside of the womb. Often, their skin is still clear, and their bodies are shaped as if they’re still in utero – making it easier to get them into position.
If you, understandably, have been spinning too many plates on the roller coaster ride of pre- and post- birth to lock in a date before the third week of your baby’s life, don’t worry. We can still make it work. Older babies might be a little more resistant to the swaddle, or naps, or being held by someone they don’t know, and the success of older newborn shoots are completely dependent on the personality of your little individual. However, If your baby is nine weeks or older, I might recommend switching things up and coming in for a milestone session instead!
Where will my newborn session take place?
The easiest location for your newborn photoshoot is in my studio in Dover, PA. All of my props, outfits, wraps, and more are already there so all you need to do is just show up and leave the rest to me!
Outdoor newborn sessions are another option during warmer months of the year and yield some pretty amazing outcomes if you’re willing to brave the uncertainty. When considering this option, the variables we need to consider are:
1. Weather. Outdoor sessions are only possible in warm weather. We don’t want your bundle of joy to be so bundled that we can’t see who they are!
2. Noise. We want your babe to be relaxed and sleepy, and too many distractions would make this nearly impossible.
3. Bugs. Babies, unfortunately, are mosquito magnets. I would hate to be responsible for your little one getting all itchy and bothered (and for you to lose even more sleep!) When choosing an outdoor location, we need to first make sure it will be a safe area for your little one!
There are several ways that we can try to make things go a little smoother during your newborn session!
- Try to stimulate & keep baby awake for an hour or two before our session. This helps make posing & going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking & interacting with baby while keeping them in just their diaper.
- Avoid use of diaper ointments and creams the day of the session. It can make editing very difficult and can cause stains on props and blankets. You’ll also want to remove any bandaids they may have on a few days before their session.
- Dress your little one in a loose outfit that zips or snaps up the front and does not need pulled over their head. A loose diaper and no tight socks will also be helpful so there are no weird indents on baby for the photos!
- Please fully feed your newborn right before leaving for my studio. Once you have arrived, we may need to do another feeding to “top” them off and keep them extra sleepy! Don’t be surprised if your newborn eats a lot more than usual during the session. Our goal is to get those sweet, sleepy photos which requires a full tummy, a warm environment, and lots of patience! If I see baby start to root or show other signs of needing a little extra milk, I will suggest we take a quick break to get them nice and full again!
Is there anything I should bring to the session?
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- A soft pacifier (such as the soothie brand without the stuffed animal attached). Even if your newborn does not typically take one, it serves as a wonderful aid during the session when moving from pose to pose and helps us save valuable time during the session
- Extra milk or formula. Plan to bring enough extra milk for at least 2 additional feedings. Its tough work being so cute and your newborn may need more milk than usual to get those super sleepy photos! If breastfeeding, it’s always helpful to bring a bottle or two of already expressed breastmilk in a cooler. Don’t worry, one bottle will not cause nipple confusion (but it will help our session go a little faster!
- Extra diapers and wipes, as well as anything else you typically use in your diaper bag
- An extra outfit for parents and siblings. You may be holding a naked baby and, well, you get the idea! It’s always a good idea to have backups
- Lots of snacks and quiet toys for older siblings. You never know when we’ll have to bribe them with some gummies to look at the camera!
Parents –
We want all of the focus of the images to be on the connection you share with your newborn, rather than the clothing you pick. Simple is better! Neutral colors will always be my favorite, but you can also choose whatever else you may be comfortable in. Moms are welcome to pick some gorgeous gowns out of my client closet to wear, then we can match dad’s outfit around that! If you’re unsure of what to wear, just reach out with some photos of what you have in mind and I can help guide you through what may coordinate the best!
Keep your makeup and hair on the simpler side. No need for a full face of glam makeup or huge voluminous curls! I like to think of it as going out for a low key date night. You can still dress up a bit and do your makeup, but you want to be able to recognize yourself when you look back at these photos down the road!
Siblings –
A simple neutral shirt with jeans or khakis is always a great option. Again, we want the focus to be on the connection they share with their new sibling, not what they are wearing. Going barefoot in the studio always looks extra adorable as well so don’t stress out if they don’t have any shoes that will match!
During our session
Newborn sessions typically last up to 2-3 hours but can sometimes last even longer depending on baby’s mood. Please plan to be at the studio for 4 hours and bring any necessities such as medications you may need for this amount of time.
I do my best to keep the environment of our newborn session very calm and peaceful. The more relaxed everyone in the room is, the more relaxed your little one will be! For me, this means pulling out my baby whispering skills. For parents, this means relaxing and just letting the photography magic happen!
Patience truly is key for newborn photography so expect lots of patience and attention to detail to rule the day! I spend a majority of the session perfecting poses, backdrops, finger & toe positioning, and I believe these little things are what makes the difference between a snapshot and a work of art featuring your baby!
The actual most important priority for this whole shoot is your baby’s safety. I will never put your newborn in a position that is unsafe, unstable, or uncomfortable. I truly treat each and every baby as if they are my own and treat them with the utmost respect. I know that sometimes photographers can get caught up in wanting to “get the shot”, but I will never prioritize the shot over your baby’s safety.
To help things go smooth, I would love for you to be an active part of our session! With you sitting right outside the shot, you’ll be able to easily check in and monitor your baby’s comfort level. I will also regularly touch base with you and let you know what is coming next, discuss how we’ll transition to that pose, and narrate what I’m doing so you always know what’s going on.
