Preparing for your New Born Session
Planning a newborn photo session? Here are our five most frequently asked questions—and tips for your newborn photo session. Get ready for the cutest pictures ever!
1. What Should Baby Wear?
Unless there is a sentimental or special outfit, don’t worry about how baby is dressed. A simple onesie or diaper (if you want those cute naked baby shots) will do just fine. We have a variety of wraps, baskets and other props we can utilize throughout the shoot. Make sure to keep the diaper loose prior to the session to avoid lines or red marks on the skin. Also, avoid socks which can also often leave marks on the skin.
2. We’re Shooting in the House. How Should I Prepare Before You Arrive?
Turn off the AC and any fans, and let the room get warm. Babies hate cold, especially when they’re naked! Also, turn off the TV, radio or any other distracting devices so we can focus, and the environment will remain calm and peaceful for baby.
3. What Props Should I Have on Hand?
A Boppy is a great tool to have on-hand for sessions, as is a cushy blanket or two so the set can be comfy. Other props can be added. Check out our portfolio for other newborn images and see what other parents are using! If you see something you like, let us know and we’ll be sure to coordinate it ahead of time. And if you don’t see what you had in mind prop-wise, let us know, too. We work with a number of amazing vendors and can source just about anything!
4. How Should I Prep Baby?
Make sure his/her belly is full—even if it means he/she will be
a little sleepy at the start of the session. You can wait to nurse/feed until you arrive or you can feed before you leave. Look at other newborn photos, and you’ll likely see sleeping newborns in most of the shots. That’s because while they’re sleeping, they naturally fall into the best poses—and that means adorable photos! Their eyes will definitely open throughout the shoot, so we can capture those “waking” moments, too.
5. Anything Else I Need to Know?
While we will never leave baby unattended or in a precarious pose
or prop, we do ask that you stay near your baby with a hand on or near him/her at all times. If you’re not able to do so please bring along someone who can! There are additional charges to add members of the family, so please let us know in advance so we can prepare and provide you with an accurate quote and time frame.
Posing and Your Newborn Session
Posing is one of the most critical aspects of newborn photography. Posing an infant requires extra care and handling. We know that your baby’s neck and body are not fully developed and we have a lot of experience in handling newborn babies. Your precious baby’s comfort and security are first and foremost, so we will be very patient and dedicate enough time to capture images based on your baby’s mood. We take every precaution to ensure a very comfortable setting, both for the parents and newborn.
With twins or multiple newborns, we take many of the same measures with the exception of adding more time to the session. It can be challenging enough to get one baby to cooperate, and with two it does require extra posing and handling. It helps if you have an extra set of hands to accompany you on the photo shoot when multiple babies are present.
Ultimately these are your most lasting images to preserve the moments in time that can never be replaced. These timeless images will become a family treasure and one that your child will also love to see when he or she becomes an adult.
Life is all about special moments. What more important moment can you think of than the birth of the very life that you created? We look forward to being part of your family’s important newborn photo session as your professional photographer.
